Page 1 GHOST Contents...
Page 2 Information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not repre- sent a commitment on the part of the vendor. Soundcraft shall not be liable for loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of information or any error con- tained in this manual.
Page 3 G G H H O O S S T T C C o o n n t t e e n n t t s s 1 Introduction Features of Ghost and Ghost LE 2 Installation Optional Meterbridge User Modifications to Ghost...
Page 4: Table Of Contents
8 Application Notes Overview 9 CPU Application Guide (NOT APPLICABLE TO GHOST LE) 10 Troubleshooting 10.1 General 10.2 Troubleshooting Chart 10.3 11 Specifications 11.1 12 Glossary 12.1 Appendix A Notes for Machine Control Appendix B MIDI Controller Numbers Appendix C...
Page 40 CPU MUTE BUS B CPU MUTE BUS A GRP O/P BUS (1-8) MIX B R MIX B L MIX R MIX L GRP 8 GRP 7 GRP 6 GRP 5 GRP 4 GRP 3 GRP 2 GRP 1 AUX 8 R AUX 8 L AUX 7 R AUX 7 L...
Page 135 ( ( N N o o t t A A p p p p l l i i c c a a b b l l e e T T o o G G h h o o s s t t L L e e ) ) GHOST Application Guide...
Page 136: Introduction
4.26 MIDI Controller Faders 4.27 Using the Machine Control 4.28 Connecting The Machine 4.28 Setting Up Ghost To Match Your Machine 4.28 Key for Setting Required Machine Control Drivers 4.29 Setting The Correct Timecode Frame Rate 4.30 The Transport Controls 4.31...
Page 137 Using Snapshots To Store Controller Fader Parameters 4.42 Using Ghost With A Sequencer For Dynamic Mute Automation 4.43 How Mute Information Is Transmitted And Received By Ghost 4.43 Setting The Global Tx/Rx MIDI Channel 4.43 Notes On Setting Up The External Sequencer 4.44...
Page 138 Mute Group Activation Record-ready control of external tape machines Snapshot Control switches (4,8,9,10) These switches are used for storing and recalling mute snapshots and system parameters, and for enabling automatic replay of snapshots to timecode. GHOST Application Guide...
Page 139 I I n n t t r r o o d d u u c c t t i i o o n n The CPU section of the Ghost gives you power and functionality not available on any other console in this class. Using the controls available on the CPU, you can: l Remotely control tape machines, hard disk recorders and MIDI sequencers,using the Transport controls and timecode display.
Page 140: Upgrading The Software
Ghost to match the particular machine you are using. This is easily done in Ghost's setup page, and once set will be mem- orised in flash ram, until it is deliberately changed due to use of a different machine, for example.
Page 141 (hrs:min:secs:frames) enabling tape position to be monitored even if the machine itself is not visible. It also means that Ghost can provide its own Locate and Cycle functions, eliminating in many cases the need for a bulky and inconvenient tape machine remote.
Page 142 M M u u t t e e S S n n a a p p s s h h o o t t s s In addition to the simple manual Mute Group system described above, Ghost also has a more powerful system for storing and recalling various combinations of Channel and Mix-B mutes.
Page 143 1. A unique note number is allocated to each mute switch on the console. This MIDI data is sent out of Ghost's MIDI out port whenever a mute switch is pressed, and can thus be fed to a sequencer where it can be recorded on a dedicated track.
Page 144 -many use sys-ex messages for internal controls, and so cannot be controlled by Ghost's controller faders). It should be noted that the Ghost's MIDI faders are real-time only -they only trans- mit MIDI information when they are physically moved, and the values sent are not storable within the console in any way.
Page 145: Appendix A
S S e e t t t t i i n n g g U U p p G G h h o o s s t t T T o o M M a a t t c c h h Y Y o o u u r r M M a a c c h h i i n n e e The machine control interface on Ghost has to be configured to match the type of machine you are using.
Page 146 Sony 9-pin P2 (no record enable) AKAI DR4/DR8 (MTC) Notes: MTC and LTC Master modes are used to make the Ghost behave as a virtual machine, generating timecode when PLAY is pressed, to which other equipment can be synchronised. LTC Master mode is useful for striping tape.
Page 147 S S e e t t t t i i n n g g T T h h e e C C o o r r r r e e c c t t T T i i m m e e c c o o d d e e F F r r a a m m e e R R a a t t e e Ghost's internal timecode generator and reader need to be set to the correct frame rate, in order to synchronise properly with other equipment in the studio.
Page 148 U U s s i i n n g g t t h h e e L L o o c c a a t t e e a a n n d d C C y y c c l l e e b b u u t t t t o o n n s s Ghost incorporates a basic autolocator as part of the machine control section. This comprises four LOCATE 1-4 buttons (5) and the CYCLE 1-4 switch (5), all posi- tioned immediately above the main transport switches.
Page 149 If any of tracks 1-4 are required to be set to record ready (armed), press the cor- responding Multifunction select switch. This will cause the switchs LED to start flashing, and the appropriate command to be sent to the machine via the current machine control interface (MMC or 9-pin). GHOST Application Guide 9.15...
Page 150 D D r r o o p p p p i i n n g g O O u u t t Press any other transport button other than RECORD. Normally, pressing PLAY is recommended, as it means the tape keeps moving at the same speed and thus maximises the chance of a smooth drop-out. 9.16 GHOST Application Guide...
Page 151 U U s s i i n n g g T T h h e e M M u u t t e e G G r r o o u u p p s s The Mute Groups facility on Ghost gives you a valuable tool for greater real-time control during a mix.
Page 152 U U s s i i n n g g M M u u t t e e S S n n a a p p s s h h o o t t s s The mute snapshot system on Ghost allows up to 128 different snapshots of the...
Page 153 (edited) later by storing a dif- ferent mute status into the snapshot, without affecting the timecode value. See the end of this section for a suggested way of using the automatic timecode recall feature. GHOST Application Guide 9.19...
Page 154 Edit mode as described above, or the ALL snapshot can be selected, in which case all 128 snapshots will have any timecode values cleared. The console is shipped from the factory with no timecode values assigned to any snapshots. 9.20 GHOST Application Guide...
Page 155 Receipt of a program change message at the MIDI in port will automatically select and recall the corresponding snapshot. The only setting up required in Ghost is to make sure the correct MIDI channel is selected for reception of program changes. This is done as follows: Press the DISPLAY MODE button (6) repeatedly until the Setup LED next to the switch is illuminated.
Page 156 7- segment display reverts to timecode display (the TC DISP LED illuminates) and the message "Storing..." is displayed briefly, indicating that channel has been memorised. This setting will be retained until it is changed again by repeating the above procedure. 9.22 GHOST Application Guide...
Page 157 U U s s i i n n g g T T h h e e M M I I D D I I C C o o n n t t r r o o l l l l e e r r F F a a d d e e r r s s Ghost has four faders which can be used to transmit MIDI controller data. Each of these faders can be set up to transmit on its own MIDI channel, and have its own controller number.
Page 158: Appendix B
MIDI data, and also momentarily transmits the controller value corre- sponding to the fader's current position. The setting of the switches (On or Off) is also stored with the snapshot along with the other controller parameters for each fader. 9.24 GHOST Application Guide...
Page 159 Store mutes and Controller fader setups to the same snaphots. Mute Snapshots required for certain tasks, various Controller setups required for differ- ent tasks: Store mute snapshots to snapshots 1-100, store Controller fader setups to snap- shots 101-128 (for example). GHOST Application Guide 9.25...
Page 160 MIDI sequencer to act as the recording and storage device. Ghost has been designed to allow each mute switch to transmit MIDI data in the form of note-on messages, which can be recorded on a dedicated track in the sequencer alongside (and therefore synchronised to) normal music tracks.
Page 161 (e.g. in Cubase, this is done by enabling the Chase Events option). If this is not done, Ghost will not be able to keep track of the sequencer if it is started mid-way through a song.
Page 162 R R e e l l o o a a d d i i n n g g T T h h e e M M e e m m o o r r y y l Make sure you have already backed up the current memory con- tents of Ghost, if you want to keep it, as reloading will erase all cur- rent memory!! l Connect MIDI OUT of the data recorder to MIDI IN of Ghost.
Page 163 R R e e - - i i n n i i t t i i a a l l i i s s i i n n g g T T h h e e M M e e m m o o r r y y In exceptional cases, if problems occur with the Ghost CPU which cause it to stop responding to controls, or erratic behaviour is experienced, it is possible to re-ini- tialise the CPU.
Page 164 9.30 GHOST Application Guide...
Page 165: Troubleshooting
G G H H O O S S T T T T r r o o u u b b l l e e s s h h o o o o t t i i n n g g GHOST Troubleshooting 10.1...
Page 166 Make sure Ghost is properly connected to the power supply unit (PSU) that ships with Ghost; that the PSU is set for the correct voltage for your country; and that the PSU is properly connected to a working wall outlet and turned on.
Page 167 MIX B signals. assigned to the MIX B path. The only way to use it with the MIX B signal is to set the REV switch to the DOWN position, thereby reversing the Channel and MIX B paths. GHOST Troubleshooting 10.3...
Page 168: Optional Meterbridge
STU O/P A jacks and use STUDIO control is down.25b) No Studio Source B/PHONES for the STU PHNS B has been selected or no signal is avail- jacks, and make sure their level controls able at the selected source. are turned up. 10.4 GHOST Troubleshooting...
Page 169 31) SOLO-IN-PLACE (SIP) is activated. 31) When SIP is engaged, the Channel switch, the PFL/AFL Trim knob has no SOLO switches do not function as PFL effect. switches and are not controlled with the PFL/AFL TRIM knob. GHOST Troubleshooting 10.5...
Page 170 TO MIX-L or R switch and its associated TO MIX-L+R switch.Note: The TO MIX-L+R switch also deter- mines if the Group signal will be routed to the PFL/AFL buses in Mono or Stereo, when its associated AFL switch is pressed. 10.6 GHOST Troubleshooting...
Page 171 38) When the MIX B TO MIX switch MAIN MIX. pressed. is pressed in the master section, all MIX B signals are routed to the MAIN MIX. To prevent this, make sure the MIX B TO MIX switch is in the UP position. GHOST Troubleshooting 10.7...
Page 172 10.8 GHOST Troubleshooting...
Page 173: Specifications
G G H H O O S S T T S S p p e e c c i i f f i i c c a a t t i i o o n n s s GHOST Specifications 11.1...
Page 174 E E q q u u a a l l i i s s e e r r s s e e c c t t i i o o n n HF EQ turnover frequency 12kHz Maximum boost/cut +/- 15dB LF EQ turnover frequency 60Hz Maximum boost/cut +/- 15dB HMF EQ frequency range 400Hz to 20kHz HMF Q range 0.7 to 6 Maximum boost/cut +/- 15dB 11.2 GHOST Specifications...
Page 175 D D i i r r e e c c t t o o u u t t p p u u t t n n o o i i s s e e 22Hz-22kHz Mic sensitiviy @ -10dB Channel fader at unity -95dBu EQ out -93dBu EQ in GHOST Specifications 11.3...
Page 176 D D i i m m e e n n s s i i o o n n s s a a n n d d w w e e i i g g h h t t s s Frame Size Overall width Weight(kg/lb) 1059.36mm (41.71") 44.0/97 1303.20mm (51.31") 53.6/118 24 Expander 815.52mm (32.11") 33.0/73 11.4 GHOST Specifications...
Page 177: Glossary
G G H H O O S S T T G G l l o o s s s s a a r r y y GHOST Glossary 12.1...
Page 178 +4dBu and the consumer line level of –10dBV. DIM - To lower the level of a signal. In Ghost, the control room outputs are auto- matically dimmed whenever a Talkback routing switch is depressed.
Page 179 (knobs) for MIX B, MIX B master, and AUX masters. FADER, MASTER – A single fader used to control the output level of all signals sent to it. In Ghost there are master faders for the Group, MAIN MIX, MIX B, and AUX outputs.
Page 180 10,000 Hz. LEVEL – The amplitude of a signal, expressed in decibels. LINE – On Ghost, a Line Level input for the Channel, made via a 1/4" jack connec- tion. LINE LEVEL – There are two line levels in current use; one pro and one con- sumer.
Page 181 Ghost (not Ghost LE) has a SMPTE TimeCode Reader/Generator/Converter in its CPU section. MIX B - In Ghost, the term used to refer to the monitor path in the Channel strips. It is usually used to monitor the tape returns from the multitrack recorder.
Page 182: Connections
OVERLOAD – (Clipping). The distortion that occurs when a signal exceeds the maximum output level of a device. In Ghost, the Channel PK LED will light 6dB before clipping. PAN POT – (Panoramic Potentiometer). A knob used to vary the proportion of an audio signal routed to 2 or more locations.
Page 183 (denser) over time. REVERSE – In Ghost, a switch (REV) in the Channel input section that allows you to send the Channel Input to the MIX B path, and the MIX B input to the Channel path.
Page 184 SOLO SWITCH – With Ghost, only the Channels have SOLO switches. All other solo functions are by means of PFL and AFL switches. When SIP is not engaged, then the Channel SOLO switches function as normal PFL switches. When SIP is engaged, then when a Channel SOLO switch is engaged, all Channels without their SOLO switches engaged are muted.