Midas XL8 Quick Reference Manual
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Midas XL8 Quick Reference Manual

Midas XL8 Quick Reference Manual

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XL8 Control Centre

Quick Reference Guide

Midas Klark Teknik Limited,
Klark Industrial Park,
Walter Nash Road,
Kidderminster.
Worcestershire.
DY11 7HJ.
England.
Tel: +44 1562 741515
Fax: +44 1562 745371
Email: info@midasklarkteknik.com
Website: www.midasconsoles.com
XL8 Control Centre — Quick Reference Guide
DOC04-XL8 Issue F — April 2010
© Red Chip Company Ltd.
In line with the company's policy of continual improvement, specifications and function may be
subject to change without notice. This document was correct at the time of writing. E&OE.

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  • Page 1: Quick Reference Guide

    Fax: +44 1562 745371 Email: info@midasklarkteknik.com Website: www.midasconsoles.com XL8 Control Centre — Quick Reference Guide DOC04-XL8 Issue F — April 2010 © Red Chip Company Ltd. In line with the company’s policy of continual improvement, specifications and function may be...
  • Page 3 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
  • Page 5 Midas EC-Declaration of Conformity The undersigned, representing the following manufacturer Manufacturer: Address: Midas Klark Teknik Ltd. Klark Industrial Park, Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster. Worcestershire. DY11 7HJ. hereby declares that the following product Product Type Number Product Description Nominal Voltage(s) Current Freq.
  • Page 7 Midas™ or Klark Teknik™ Product, as well as other software that we provide for installation on this Product. The Midas™ or Klark Teknik™ Product will not operate in accordance with its documentation without this software.
  • Page 8 If you wish to receive a computer-readable copy of the source code for any of the GNU Linux Programs that have been provided with your Midas™ or Klark Teknik™ Product, send a cheque or money order (no cash accepted), your address and [£10.00] to cover the cost...
  • Page 9 GNU General Public License (GPL) For details of the Third Party Software License Attribution, Copyright and Terms and Conditions and Notices, and the GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE, see the Midas Digital Equipment GNU General Public License (GPL) Booklet part number DOC04-GPL issue A.

  • Page 11: Safety Warnings

    It is cautions. important that you don’t switch on/off two or more simultaneously. Before switching the XL8 on/off, please make Power sure that all monitor loudspeaker power amplifiers are turned off or muted.

  • Page 12: Audio Connections

    The rating of the mains power expense. supply voltage is printed on the equipment. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 13 To avoid electrical shock, never operate the outlets) supplied with this equipment must be equipment with the covers removed. used with this equipment; do not use any alternatives as they may not fulfil the RF requirement. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 14 XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 15: Table Of Contents

    About this guide ........1 XL8 host software version ....... . . 1 Optional extras .
  • Page 16 XL8 system interconnections ......64 Powering the XL8 system ....... . .66 Switching the XL8 Control Centre on/off .

  • Page 17: Overview

    Overview Volume 1: XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 19: Introduction

    Reference Guide and, finally, enjoy your Midas XL8 Live Performance System! About this guide This is the Quick Reference Guide for the XL8 Control Centre. Its purpose is to quickly familiarise the user with the XL8 Control Centre, show how to set up the XL8 Live Performance System and then show how to carry out some basic operations on the XL8 in order to produce some audio.

  • Page 20: Warranty And Registration

    Service and support The XL8 is a very hi-tech piece of equipment. We provide superb levels of support and service to give users confidence in Midas digital products. XL8 Control Centre...

  • Page 21: Chapter 2: Introducing The Xl8 Live Performance System

    XL8 uses the proven stable Linux operating system. Third party hardware and software (and plug-ins) can be easily integrated into the system. Included with the XL8 Control Centre are four mic splitters, five I/O units, 10 DSP units, two routers and a Klark Teknik DN9331 RAPIDE that, collectively, form the standard XL8 Live Performance System configuration.
  • Page 22 Chapter 2: Introducing The XL8 Live Performance System • DL471 DSP (10-off): 1U 19” rack unit that forms part of the modular DSP engine. • DL461 Router (2-off): 3U 19” rack unit that provides the on-stage Cat 5e interconnectivity and the stage-to- FOH link via a single ‘snake’, which can be copper cable...

  • Page 23: Chapter 3: About The Xl8 Control Centre

    GUI at the top of control surface, which also provides extra functionality. The XL8 Control Centre is built on a robust Midas steel frame chassis similar to those used for established Midas analogue products. The frame houses five bays, each of which is a discrete hardware module that can operate independently of its neighbour.

  • Page 24: Bay And Gui Layout

    Chapter 3: About The XL8 Control Centre Bay and GUI layout The XL8 control centre has five bays, of which there are three types: • Input bays — three input bays provide fast access to large numbers of faders and important input signal processing controls.

  • Page 25: Xl8 Control Surface

    XL8 control surface XL8 control surface During show time the screen functions that require fast access are controlled by control knobs (rotary encoders), pushbutton switches, faders etc. More complex functions that do not require this fast access are controlled by glide pad/trackball and navigational keys.

  • Page 26: Gui

    The exception to this on the XL8 being the graphic EQ for monitor mixing, where fast access is once again required; this is provided by the Klark Teknik HELIX RAPIDE DN9331 Graphic Controller.

  • Page 27: Front And Rear Connections

    GUI menu. This menu lets you access all the screens that you will require to set up, configure, manage and operate the entire XL8 Control Centre — all from a single drop-down list of easy to follow options.

  • Page 28: Pull-Out Keyboard

    Chapter 3: About The XL8 Control Centre Pull-out keyboard The XL8 has a QWERTY keyboard that is used mainly for inputting text, such as when configuring a channel or using automation. It is fitted on a sliding tray underneath the output bay (see Figure 4 “Front and rear connectors on XL8 Control Centre”...

  • Page 29: Operation

    Operation Volume 2: XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 31: Before You Start

    Hints and tips During operation, we recommend that you carry out the following: • Check what is hidden On the XL8, unlike on an analogue control surface, some of the settings and parameters will be hidden from view (stored in the computer memory of the XL8).
  • Page 32 Shutdown then uses the current showfile, NVRAM data and cache files to restore the XL8 Control Centre to exactly the same state as at power down; even to the point of loading the unsaved show and placing you at the correct scene, with non-stored scene data at the control surface.

  • Page 33: Working With The Xl8 Control Centre

    GUI operation. As you will probably have had experience on analogue consoles, you will already be familiar with most of the XL8 controls and their operation. Therefore, this chapter only deals with the GUI controls that may be new to you.

  • Page 34: Operating The Gui Screen Controls

    Chapter 5: Working With The XL8 Control Centre Click Moving the pointer to a specific point of the GUI screen and then pressing the left button is called “clicking”. This is fundamental to GUI operation and forms the basis of many of its operations, such as switching a button on/off, selecting list and menu items, text editing etc.

  • Page 35: Using The Gui Menu

    Note: Throughout this guide, menu/submenu Right arrow shows that the option selection sequences are shown in the option has a following format: home Preferences submenu General (for example, for choosing the general preferences screen). GUI menu XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 36: Text Editing

    Note: To use a keyboard on a different GUI screen, you will need to plug a USB keyboard into the appropriate front panel XL8 keyboard connector (see Figure 4 “Front and rear connectors on XL8 Control Centre” on page 9).

  • Page 37: Chapter 6: Navigation

    This chapter introduces you to XL8 navigation and shows you how to use the navigational tools of the XL8 Control Centre. You can also use the GUI to assist in navigation. For information, refer to the XL8 Live Performance System Owner’s Manual (part number DOC02-XL8).

  • Page 38: About The Navigational Controls

    (16). The output bay also houses the thee master channels (two stereos and a mono). Both bays use the channel strip in the mix bay. In the standard XL8 configuration the outputs are displayed on the mix bay GUI screen, 16 at a time.

  • Page 39: Location Of The Navigational Controls

    When a group is selected, an LED will flash if its bank contains a group member that is not currently at the control surface. Figure 7: Input bay navigational controls (channel) XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 40 LCD display shows the currently selected mix pair (aux or matrix); mtx legends illuminate when mix pair are matrices and extinguish when they are auxes Input fast strip Figure 8: Input bay navigational controls (mix bus) XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 41 Quick access button LCD select button Scroll buttons Output channel select buttons (returns and auxes) LED indicators — show currently selected bank of outputs (returns, auxes or matrices) Figure 9: Mix bay navigational controls XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 42: About Gui Navigation

    While the control surface provides instant, one-button access to many controls, the GUI provides an alternative way of navigating the XL8 and offers some unique methods of its own. The GUI menu gives you access to all of the screens that you will need and you can even navigate backwards/forwards through the screens that you have recently opened.

  • Page 43: How To Navigate

    • In an input channel, press the scroll pair up/down arrow buttons (left of mix select section in input channel strip). • In an output channel, press the scroll pair up/down arrow buttons (matrix section of mix bay channel strip). XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 44 >> To navigate a channel using its number In the input select section of the input bay, type in the channel’s number. For example, press 4 and then 7 for channel 47. Press ENTER. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 45: Chapter 7: Patching

    This chapter describes the patching function of the XL8. Introduction The patching function is fundamental to XL8 operation as, until the I/Os have been correctly patched, you won’t get any audio. Patching is done entirely at the Patching screen, which is an option in the GUI menu. This screen lets you carry out all the...
  • Page 46 Clears all patching. Important: Exercise great caution when using this function. Observe the warning that appears after clicking this button. CONFIG Opens the AES50 Device Configuration window, from where you can configure the device. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 47: About The Patching Procedure

    • Device configuration: Configure the devices by adjusting their parameters as necessary (see below). • Snake selection: Configure the XL8 according to the type of ‘snake’ you are using for the X and Y networks (see “Configuring the XL8 with the snake type” on page 30).

  • Page 48: Configuring The Xl8 With The Snake Type

    Important: The XL8 must be configured with the correct snake type before operation. The XL8 will not pass control data or audio if the snakes are not properly configured. The ‘snake’ connects the XL8 Control Centre to the DL461 Router. There are two snakes, one each for the X and Y routers, and they can be either copper or fibre-optic types.

  • Page 49: How To Patch

    To quickly check the destinations of a source patch connector, click it. This will select it and all of its destinations. A green triangle will appear under the name of any tab in the To section that contains a destination(s). XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 50 3 (Mic3). It will now be patched to the source. If the new patch is carrying a signal, this audio may be heard, depending on the settings of the XL8 Control Centre. Click the source patch connector (From section) again to complete the patch.

  • Page 51: Chapter 8: Basic Operation

    Setting a mic amplifier’s input gain The XL8 Control Centre has two input gains per channel, one is the remote gain for the analogue mic pre (stage box gain) and the other is the digital trim (console gain). In its default state, the stage box gain is in the channel strip and the console gain is in each input fast strip.

  • Page 52: Setting The High And Low Pass Filters

    DL451 and DL351 Modular I/Os). Range is shown on the GUI. Adjust level to suit the Midas pre-amp characteristic; a suitable level could be one that only just illuminates the yellow LEDs. Drive the mic amps for that ‘Midas colouration’...

  • Page 53: Input Equalisation (E Zone)

    Alternatively, you can click the desired SHAPE button in the GUI channel strip. Note: bright and deep use psychoacoustic phenomena to generate steep slopes that sound natural. These filters are called “minimum harmonic disruption filters”. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 54: Input Dynamics Processing (D Zone)

    The hold control knob has no affect as it is only used for the gate. Press KNEE to audition the different algorithms (hard knee, medium knee Hard and soft knee as shown right). Medium Soft XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 55: Output Processing

    The outputs (except returns) have five compressor modes, which include all of the ones on the input channels, but with the addition of a shimmer mode. The returns have the same compressor modes as those of the input channels. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 56: Using Vca/Pop Groups

    To quickly see which channels are in a particular VCA group, press its SOLO button on/off. Monitor this action on the dashboard screen (master bay GUI). Only the SOLO buttons of channels that are group members will be affected. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 57 >> To change the colour of all of a group’s members to match that of its VCA/POP group Click the fill icon of the group. For example, if the colour of the VCA/POP is blue all of its group members will now be blue. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 58: Setting Up A Mix

    Chapter 8: Basic Operation Setting up a mix XL8 has 32 configurable mix buses, each of which can be aux mixes, subgroups and mix minus. The aux mixes can also be set up as stereo pairs or mono. 16 matrix outputs can also be accessed directly from input channels via level controls, which gives the XL8 the ability to provide 48 discrete mixes, plus left, right and mono.
  • Page 59 Press PRE to select pre-fader (on) or post-fader (off). Button status is only available on the GUI (see Figure 14 on page 40). Press ON to route the aux mix from input to aux output. Adjust the level control knob to change the signal level. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 60 To link a pair of mix buses, click the LINK button in the configuration detail area of either mix bus. For example, click LINK of aux 15 to link it to aux 16 (shown right). XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 61 18. Repeat for different mix buses. >> To activate the mix preset Press preset. Any mix buses programmed in the preset are assigned to the input channels. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 62: Fader Flip

    ‘thru-zero’ flanging or single tap modulation when ‘thru-zero’ is off. Phaser — has one, or if configured for dual operation, two stereo phasers connected in serial or parallel, according to mode setting. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 63 Setting up the effects rack Stereo Graphic EQ — basically, two versions of the internal GEQ of the XL8, but with the addition of a LINK switch. When both GEQs are linked together, their faders move a corresponding amount from the positions they were in when initially linked.

  • Page 64: Simple Routing To Master Stereo Outputs

    Make sure nothing is muted and the master faders are up. In the masters section of an input fast strip (or the output channel strip), press the ST (stereo) button. You should have audio. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 65: Automation

    Automation Automation XL8 automation is managed from the Automation screen of the GUI menu, with support from the automation section of the control surface (output bay). The Automation screen (a typical example is shown right) has the following functions and features: •...
  • Page 66 • ‘last’ (red) — the scene immediately before the most recently loaded one. • ‘now’ (yellow) — the most recently loaded scene. • ‘next’ (green) — the next available ‘non-empty’ scene. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 67 The options are context-sensitive, so some may be greyed-out to show that they are unavailable. An OK button will appear at the bottom of the window when a valid store scene option has been selected. Click OK. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 68 Chapter 8: Basic Operation Additional control — managing events You can create crossfades and you can use the MIDI or GPIO functions of the XL8 to control the parameters of an external device (outgoing) — and conversely you can use an external device to control the XL8 (incoming).

  • Page 69: Configuring The Inputs And Outputs

    Output Sheet to open the Output Sheet screen. • In the primary navigation zone, press the inputs/outputs screen access button once to open the Input Sheet screen or twice to open the Output Sheet screen. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 70: Using Copy And Paste

    • Copying and pasting across inputs is restricted to the input bays only. • Channel names are not copied. • Compressor and gate side chain listen cannot be copied. XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 71: User Library (Presets)

    User library (presets) User library (presets) The XL8 has a user library where you can store settings, such as for the EQ or even the whole channel. For example, you may wish to store the EQ settings of a singer who may be called upon to perform during a future show.

  • Page 72: Surround Panning

    Chapter 8: Basic Operation Surround panning In addition to stereo and left-centre- right (LCR) panning, XL8 has three Position cursor surround panning modes: quad; left, centre, right and surround (LCRS); and 5.1 surround. To help you visualise the surround panning envelope, the...

  • Page 73: Two-Man Operation

    Two-man operation Two-man operation The XL8 Control Centre can be operated by two people simultaneously. To do this one or two of the input bays are designated as area B. Initially, all input bays are area A, but after they have been designated as area B, both areas operate independently of each other.

  • Page 74: Saving Your Show Files To A Usb Memory Stick

    The procedure is similar to the export procedure, as detailed in “To save (export) a show file to a USB memory stick” above, but select the file to be imported to the XL8 from the Removable Storage panel and then click IMPORT.

  • Page 75: External Aes50 Synchronisation

    To preserve the current state of the XL8 Control Centre and to prevent unauthorised adjustment of its settings, you can lock it; this is a GUI-only function. When locked, none of the controls on the control surface will function and the XL8 Control Centre will be totally locked out.
  • Page 76 Chapter 8: Basic Operation XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 77: Connecting And Setting Up The System

    Connecting And Volume 3: Setting Up The System XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 79: Chapter 9: Setting Up The System

    Chapter 9: Setting Up The System This chapter shows you how to set up an XL8 Live Performance System to its default configuration. Note: If you want to set up the XL8 Live Performance System using a configuration other than the default, please contact Midas Technical Support for details.

  • Page 80: Wiring Instructions

    >> To connect the XL8 to the routers Connect the ‘snake’ (optical or copper) from the X snake socket on the rear of the XL8 Control Centre to the appropriate snake socket on the X Router. Repeat for the Y Router using the Y socket on the XL8 Control Centre.
  • Page 81 Connect one of the eight ETHERNET (EtherCon® XLR) sockets on the rear of the RAPIDE unit to the Ethernet control 1 socket of the active network (X or Y) on the rear of the XL8 Control Centre (see “XL8 system interconnections” on page 64). >> To daisy chain the DSP units Important Note: Do not connect a cable to like numbered sockets, that is, “0”...

  • Page 82: Xl8 System Interconnections

    Chapter 9: Setting Up The System XL8 system interconnections This diagram shows the network interconnections for a typical FOH XL8 system. Rear of FOH XL8 Control Centre RAPIDE Connect to both X and Y networks Note: All connections are dual redundant, so...
  • Page 83 XL8 system interconnections FOH rack Note: For connections specific to the 19” rack units, please refer to their respective operator manuals ID: 1 Config: I/O/D IP: 192.168.36.1 ID: 2 Caution! Config: I/O/D Don’t forget the IP: 192.168.36.2 interconnection between the two...

  • Page 84: Powering The Xl8 System

    After all XL8 system interconnections have been made (see Chapter 30 “Panel Connections”), start up the XL8 system: Make sure that all of the XL8 system equipment is switched off, that is, the XL8 Control Centre, speaker sub-system, DL431 mic splitters, DL451 modular line I/O units, DL461 routers and DL471 DSP units.

  • Page 85: Switching The Xl8 Control Centre On/Off

    It is important that you don’t switch on two or more switches simultaneously. The control centre will power up; the GUI will display the default screens and all the controls will be set to default. You are now ready to start using the XL8 control centre. XL8 Control Centre...

  • Page 86: Setting Up The Id Of The Dl4N1 Units

    DL451 Modular I/O. Each unit’s ID number is shown on its default display. To change the ID number there is no need to switch on the XL8 Control Centre, as the procedure can be carried out offline.

  • Page 87: Appendices

    Appendices Volume 4: XL8 Control Centre Quick Reference Guide...

  • Page 89: Appendix A Troubleshooting

    This chapter gives a brief troubleshooting guide to the XL8 Control Centre. No audio If you have set up the XL8 and followed all of the instructions for obtaining audio, but you are not hearing anything through the speakers, check the following: •...
  • Page 90 For example, if you only need 48 channels on an XL8 you will probably only have two mic splitters fitted in the network system, instead of the standard four. The XL8 will detect that there are two missing mic splitters and inform you of this ‘error’.
  • Page 91 Thank you for reading through this Quick Reference Guide. We hope you found it useful. Please feel free to send us your comments. More detailed information on the XL8 can be found in the XL8 Live Performance System Owner’s Manual (part number DOC02-XL8). This is available for download from our website.
  • Page 92 Midas Klark Teknik Limited Klark Industrial Park, Walter Nash Road, Kidderminster. Worcestershire. DY11 7HJ. England. Tel: +44 1562 741515, Fax: +44 1562 745371 Email: info@midasklarkteknik.com Website: www.midasconsoles.com...

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