Alesis MultiMix 4 USB FX - Mixer Manual

Introduction

At Alesis, we know how serious music is to you. That's why we design our equipment with only one thing in mind—to make your performance the best it can be.

Box Contents
MultiMix 4 USB FX
USB Cable
Power Adapter
Software Download Card
User Guide
Safety & Warranty Manual

Support
For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit alesis.com.
For additional product support, visit alesis.com/support.

Setup

Items not listed in Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.

Features

Top Panel

1. Mic Input: Connect a microphone to these inputs with an XLR cable.
2. Line Input: Connect line-level devices to these inputs with 1/4" cables.
3. Lo Cut Switch: When this button is depressed, the channel's high-pass filter will engage, reducing frequencies below 80 Hz to reduce any low-level noise.
4. Gain: Adjusts the channel audio level (pre-fader and pre-EQ gain). Adjust this so that the Peak LED just barely lights up during the loudest parts of the song.
5. Guitar Switch: When this switch is in the down position, Channel 2 will serve as a high-impedance input for connecting guitar or bass instruments. When the switch is in the up position, Channel 2 will accept mic or line-level signals.
6. Hi EQ (Treble): Adjusts the high (treble) frequencies of the channel.
7. Lo EQ (Bass): Adjusts the low (bass) frequencies of the channel.
8. FX Send Level: Adjusts the channel audio level that is sent to MultiMix 4 USB FX's internal effects processor. Turn this up for the channels that you want internal effects applied to.
9. Channel Pan: Adjusts the position in the stereo field for Channels 1 and 2.
10. Channel Balance: On Channels 3/4, this adjusts the channel balance.
11. Channel Volume: Adjusts the audio level on the channel.
12. Peak LED: The LED will flash red if the signal is clipping. If this happens, decrease the setting of the Gain knob or Channel Volume knob.
13. Effects Selector: Selects the effect that MultiMix 4 USB FX's internal effects processor will apply to the various channels. Each channel can send different levels of audio to the processor by adjusting their FX Post Send knobs. See the Effects section for an explanation of the available effects.
14. FX Return Level: Adjusts the volume of the MultiMix 4 USB FX's internal effects processor.
15. EXT/USB to Main: Engage this switch to route the audio from the "Ext In" input and USB audio from the computer to the mixer's Main Outs and Phones Out.
16. LED Meters: Shows the audio level of the main mix. Turn the Main Volume down if the Clip LED lights up excessively.
17. Phones Volume: Adjusts the volume of your headphones.
18. Main Volume: Adjusts the volume of the Main Out.
19. Main Out: Use standard 1/4" TRS cables to connect this output to the power speakers, amplifiers, or recorder. Control the level of this output using the Main volume knob.
20. EXT In: Connect sources such as tape decks, CD players, and MP3 players to this 1/8" TRS input whose signal is sent to the Main Out and Phones Out when the EXT USB to Main switch is engaged.
21. Phones Out: Connect headphones to this stereo 1/4" output.

Rear Panel

1. Phantom Power: This switch activates and deactivates phantom power. When activated, phantom power supplies +48V to the XLR mic inputs. Please note that most dynamic microphones do not require phantom power, while most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone's documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power.
2. Power Switch: Turns the MultiMix 4 USB FX on and off. Turn on the MultiMix 4 USB FX after all input devices have been connected and before you turn on amplifiers or powered speakers. Turn off amplifiers or power speakers before you turn off the MultiMix 4 USB FX.
3. Power In: Use the included power adapter (18V DC, 800 mA, center-positive) to connect the MultiMix 4 USB FX to a power outlet. While the power is switched off, plug the power adapter into the MultiMix 4 USB FX first, and then plug the power adapter into a power outlet.
4. USB Port: Use the included cable to connect the MultiMix 4 USB FX to a computer. MultiMix 4 USB FX requires a USB 1.1 or higher (e.g. USB 2.0) connection.

Operation

To set MultiMix 4 USB FX as your default playback device, follow the directions below based on your computer's operating system.

Windows:

1. Use the included USB cable to connect the MultiMix 4 USB FX to your computer. Press thepower switch to power on MultiMix 4 USB FX.
2. In the Taskbar, locate theVolume Control "speaker" icon. Right-click the speaker and select Playback Devices.
   Alternatively, go to Start Menu > Control Panel (or Settings > Control Panel in Classic View)> Hardware and Sound > Sound.
3. In theWindows Sound control panel select the Playback tab and select USB Audio Codec* as the default device.
4. Click theRecording tab and select USB Audio Codec* as the default device.
5. ClickProperties in the lower right-hand corner.
6. In the new window, click theAdvanced tab and select 2-channel, 16-bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) as the default format.
7. Uncheck both boxes underExclusive Mode.
8. ClickOK to close the Properties window.
9. ClickOK to close the Sound control panel.

*If you have other USB audio devices connected to your computer, which may have identical names, you may need to try selecting each one until the MultiMix 4 USB FX is recognized.

macOS:

1. Use the included USB cable to connect the MultiMix 4 USB FX to your computer. Press thepower switch to power on MultiMix 4 USB FX.
2. Go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
3. In the Audio Devices window, select USB Audio Codec* in the left column.
4. Right-click USB Audio Codec*, and select Use this device for sound input.
5. Right-click USB Audio Codec*, and select Use this device for sound output.
6. Quit Audio MIDI Setup.

Effects

To hear the effects on a channel: Turn up the FX Send for the channel. Then, turn up the FX Return Level knob. Use the Effects Selector knob to choose one of the effects below:

Reverb Effects

• HALL 1: A large, bright concert hall reverberation effect suitable for vocals and instruments.
• HALL 2: A large, warm concert hall reverberation effect suitable for drums, piano and other instruments.
• ROOM 1: A medium-sized, moderately bright reflective room reverberation effect suitable for vocals, lead guitars and other instruments.
• ROOM 2: A small, very reflective bright room reverberation effect suitable for drums and percussion as well as electric guitars and other instruments.
• ROOM 3: A large, warm room reverberation effect suitable for acoustic instruments.
• PLATE 1: A lush, smooth vocal plate reverb with a long decay time and warm tonality.
• PLATE 2: An emulation of vintage plate reverb with bright, slightly tinny tonality and a medium-length decay.
• PLATE 3: A short, bright plate reverb effective for creating subtle spaces.

Modulation Effects

• CHORUS: A complex, 6-voice chorus ensemble effect with short delays often referred to as a "Chorus / Doubler". Discrete stereo signal path. Slow and watery.
• FLANGE: Classic stereo flange: a slow, slightly metallic sweep with a discrete stereo signal path.
• ROTARY: Fast rotary speaker simulator creates the classic, lush Doppler effect of an organ's spinning horn. Effective on guitars, vocals, keyboards and other instruments.

Delay Effects

• DELAY 1: A simple slap-back echo with no feedback particularly effective on vocals and rhythm guitars.
• DELAY 2: Medium-length poly-rhythmic delay with crossover feedback. 3 to 4 ratio between L and R delay times (291 to 388ms) for 3/4 vs. 4/4 feel. Useful for solo instruments where a long, trailing echo effect is desired.

Multi Effects

• CHORUS – ROOM 1: Room reverb into a slow flanging modulation creates a spacey effect.
• CHORUS – ROOM 2: Fast modulation provides a dramatic chorus effect in a small room for a very lush chorus + reverb sound with a discrete stereo signal path.
  BYPASS: Bypasses the effects processor – no effects will be heard.

Technical Specifications

Specifications are subject to change without notice.