Output - M-Audio Firewire 410 User Manual

Mixer Page
The MIXER PAGE provides output routing and control of the FireWire 410's analog and digital inputs, as well as the ten virtual channels
returning from your Digital Audio Workstation software.
SOFTWARE RETURNS – The MIXER PAGE provides access to ten virtual audio "returns" from your audio application. These returns are
available in stereo pairs, and are labeled 1/2 SW RTN; 3/4 SW RTN; 5/6 SW RTN; 7/8 SW RTN; and SPDIF SW RTN. These returns will appear
in the program's output mixer settings as available audio outputs.
Most likely, you will control the output monitor levels from your music program's mixer, and will want to keep these sliders at their maximum
level. However, you may find it convenient to adjust them here, if you are, for example, setting up a balance between input levels and SW
RTN levels.
HARDWARE INPUTS – The MIXER PAGE also provides software level control for direct monitoring of the FireWire 410's analog and S/PDIF
digital inputs. These pairs are labeled ANALOG IN and SPDIF IN.
It may be important to note that the input channel default settings have NO Output Routings selected (see the next section for more
information). Monitoring these inputs may be set up from within your music program, or you may make an Output Routing selection and
then set the slider level for monitoring. See "Monitoring Your Inputs for Recording" in Section 11of this manual for more information.
OUTPUT ROUTING – Each stereo pair may be assigned to any of the FireWire 410's analog or digital outputs by clicking on the output button
of the desired output pair. These are labeled 1/2; 3/4; 5/6; 7/8; and SPD (which represents "S/PDIF"). Any or all output pairs may be selected
(the button turns blue when active) for each Mixer input channel pair. These channels' output signals appear on the selected outputs in the
control panel OUTPUT PAGE. If multiple Mixer channels are assigned to the same output pair, the signals will be summed at the assigned
output. Note that clipping of summed signals is possible, so keep an eye on your output level meters when summing mixer channels.
AUX SEND – Each of these stereo pairs also provides two virtual AUX SEND controls. Using these AUX SENDS you can create a separate
sub-mix, which can be useful as a headphone mix or effects send. To use the AUX SENDS, click on a send knob and drag upward or
downward. These AUX SENDs levels feed the AUX SEND Master channel on the Output page. The AUX SEND mix can be routed to any pair
of the FireWire 410's outputs via the OUTPUT PAGE by clicking the MAIN button on that channel, thereby switching the output channel from
the main bus to the AUX bus.
STEREO LINKING - Input levels from each virtual software return are controlled by software faders; pairs can be linked for stereo operation
by clicking the channels' LINK button. The button turns blue when active. Once the channel is linked, grabbing and moving one fader will
move both faders in unison.
MUTE BUTTON - Selecting the MUTE button (the button turns red) will cause that channel pair to cease audio output. Deselecting the MUTE
button will resume audio output on that channel pair.
SOLO BUTTON – Selecting the SOLO button (the button turns yellow) will cause all other channels to cease audio output; deselecting the
SOLO button will resume audio output on all channels. Multiple solo selections are possible.
PANNING - The analog and digital input channel pairs also offer virtual PAN pots. As with any typical mixer, the PAN works in conjunction
with the output assign buttons to enable you to route the signal as you wish.
METERING - At the bottom of the MIXER PAGE, software level meters are provided for each of the FireWire 410's five output buses, as well as
the AUX BUS. This is provided as a quick reference to what's going on in the Output page.
19