Magma MDR 24/96 Quick Start Manual

Digital audio hard disk recorder

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Summary of Contents for Magma MDR 24/96

Page 2 11. Servicing — Do not attempt to service the MDR24/96. All servicing should be referred to the Mackie Service Department. 12. Lightning — Unplug the MDR 24/96 during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 13. Grounding and Polarization — To prevent electric shock, do not use the MDR24/96 polarized plug with an extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
Page 3 Please write your serial number here for future reference: Purchased at: Date Of Purchase: Manual Part No. 0000107 Rev. A1 08/01 © 2001 Mackie Designs Inc., All rights reserved Printed in the U.S.A.
Page 4 10. You think boxes grow on trees? 9. It’s actually a time capsule, packed with a biological code that can’t be decrypted until 2043. 8. Its festive graphics will cheer up those other boxes forgotten in your attic. 7. Impress your friends: tape it up and pretend that you actually have two MDR24/96s.
Page 5 The MDR24/96 Quick Start Guide uses the following conventions to help you find information quickly: a) File or folder names (example: b) Software or hardware controls (example: Punch) c) Proper names of objects in GUI or front/rear panel (example: Transport) This icon identifies in-depth explanations of features and practical tips.
Page 6 By combining traditional multitrack tape recording features with the power and flexibility of hard disk recording, the Mackie Designs MDR24/96 takes multitrack recording to a level never before achieved by a product in its price range. In addition to the standard battery of traditional tape-based features, the MDR24/96: •...
Page 7 This chapter explains how to set up and configure the MDR24/96 for use in your studio. Two application examples show how to interface the MDR24/96 with analog and digital recording consoles. Of course, there’s more to a studio than a recorder and some musicians. At a minimum, you’ll need the following to make the MDR24/96 feel at home: •...
Page 8 While the MDR24/96 ships with AIO•8 cards already installed, three other flavors of I/O cards are also available. All I/O cards can be mixed and matched in any ANALOG I/O combination. • Each AIO•8 provides 8 analog line-level inputs and outputs on two 25-pin D-subminiature (DB25) connectors.
Page 9 1. If the MDR24/96 is plugged into AC power, unplug it. 2. Unscrew the thumbscrews at the top and bottom of each I/O card to be removed. Grasp one thumbscrew with each hand and gently pull the card out. ANALOG I/O ANALOG I/O ANALOG I/O TAPE IN/OUTS 3.
Page 10 The Sync Card provides ports to synchronize the MDR24/96’s sample clock and time/transport position to other equipment. The functions of the jacks and switch, from top to bottom are: • SMPTE Input / Output – This 1/4” TRS jack serves as an input when slaved to incoming SMPTE time code, and as an output when generating SMPTE time code to synchronize other devices with the MDR24/96.
Page 11 The following are recommended setups for establishing proper sample clock synchronization with the devices connected to the MDR24/96 digital I/O cards. With the MDR24/96 as a master, connect Word Clock Out of the MDR24/96 to Word Clock In on the receiving device(s). If connecting to older TASCAM DTRS recorders, use the Sync Out port on the first DIO Word Clock Out.
Page 12 The MDR24/96 emulates the tape library tradition with Mackie Media M Mackie Media PROJECT drives. Both drives come complete with a plug-in tray for quick removal and a nifty storage case for shelving and transporting the drives. Trays can be purchased separately if you want to use your own UDMA IDE drives. The MDR24/96 can record or play directly off the M sessions as quickly as changing tape on a 24-track –...
Page 13 Installing either remote is as simple as plugging in a telephone. Connect one end of the cable (supplied with the Remote) to the ‘REMOTE’ jack on MDR24/96 rear panel, and the other end to the ‘TO HDR REMOTE JACK’ jack on the Remote 24, or to the “TO HDR”...
Page 14 Before starting a Project, you will need to configure the MDR24/96 I/O card options and synchronization parameters. These parameters determine where the sample clock is coming from, how fast the sample clock runs, and how many bits are recorded in every sample. Some options, like sample rate and bit depth, will become “standards”...
Page 15 The PDI•8 card options include sample rate conversion for each stereo AES/EBU input, and status bit control (pro/consumer mode) for each output. When a PDI•8 card is first installed, its default settings are for sample rate conversion Off, and channel status bits set to indicate the Pro (AES/EBU) format. In most circumstances you won’t need to change these settings.
Page 16 The Sample Clock setting determines the source of the MDR24/96 sample clock. If the MDR24/96 is a clock master or is not connected to any other digital device(s), set it to Internal. If the MDR24/96 is a word clock slave, set it to Word Clock.
Page 17 1. Move to the last page of the Sync Options menu with the Page Right (>) button. Select SR/2 In. 2. Set the Word Clock Input divisor to On or Off using the (–)Dec / (+)Inc or << / >> buttons. Off selects 1x operation, On selects 0.5x operation.
Page 18 This section shows how the MDR24/96 is typically connected to both analog and digital consoles (using the Mackie Analog and Digital 8•Bus consoles as examples). These examples assume that the rest of your studio equipment (monitors, sound sources, outboard processing, etc.) is already connected, or that you know how to connect it.
Page 19 2. Connect three snakes to the MDR24/96 Outputs (top connector). Connect the plug end of the snakes to the like-numbered Tape Return jacks on the 24•8 console. 1. Set the Sample Clock to Internal. 2. Set the Sample Rate and Bit Depth according to your preference. Set the 24•8 console to the nominal +4 dBu operating level by setting the five Operating Level switches in the Sub Out and Tape Return sections to the ‘out’...
Page 20 (3) DIO•8 cards for MDR24/96 (3) DIO•8 cards for D8B (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (3) TDIF cables (1) 75 Ω BNC word clock cable 1. Connect the three TDIF cables between the corresponding TDIF jacks on the MDR24/96 and D8B. 2.
Page 21 Apogee Clock I/O Card Word Clock Out Word Clock In Word Word Clock Out Clock Out (MDR24/96 (D8B as as Master) Master) WARNING Use one only Depress the Termination button if the MDR24/96 is set to Slave Word Clock In Word Clock Out DIO•8 Cards...
Page 22 (3) DIO 8 or OPT 8 cards for MDR24/96 • • (3) DIO 8 or OPT 8 cards for D8B • • (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (6) ADAT Optical cables (1) 75Ω BNC word clock cable 1. Connect three ADAT Optical cables from the MDR24/96 Optical Outputs to the Optical Inputs on the corresponding D8B I/O cards.
Page 23 Apogee Clock I/O Card Word Clock Out Word Clock In Word Word Clock Out Clock Out (MDR24/96 (D8B as as Master) Master) WARNING Use one only Depress the Termination button if the MDR24/96 is set to Slave Word Clock In Word Clock Out DIO•8 Cards...
Page 24 Apogee Clock I/O Card Word Clock Out Word Clock In Word Word Clock Out Clock Out (MDR24/96 (D8B as as Master) Master) WARNING Use one only Depress the Termination button if the MDR24/96 is set to Slave Word Clock In Word Clock Out OPT•8 Cards...
Page 25 (3) PDI•8 cards for MDR24/96 (3) PDI•8 cards for D8B (1) Clock I/O card for D8B (3) DB25 to DB25 AES/EBU snakes (1) 75Ω BNC word clock cable 1. Connect the three AES/EBU cables between the corresponding AES/EBU connectors on the MDR24/96 and D8B. 2.
Page 26 Apogee Clock I/O Card Word Clock Out Word Clock In Word Word Clock Out Clock Out (MDR24/96 (D8B as as Master) Master) WARNING Use one only Depress the Termination button if the MDR24/96 is set to Slave Word Clock In Word Clock Out PDI•8 I/O Cards...
Page 27 Now that you’ve finished installing and configuring the MDR24/96, you’re almost ready to start your first Project. We still want you to read this entire guide, but we already hear some of you shuffling and muttering. Okay, okay, okay... for the terminally impatient, read this chapter, then you can go out and play with your friends.
Page 28 The MDR24/96 transport and recording controls are similar to those on most multitrack tape recorders. Play puts the MDR24/96 into play from any state (as if you didn’t know). Play also punches out of record and cancels master record standby while leaving the Transport in play.
Page 29 Locate points provide fast access to frequently used locations in your Project. The MDR24/96 has two numbered Locates (two additional numbered Locates are availible when using the Remote 24 or Remote 48). Storing a Locate point saves the Current Time (Transport position) to the Locate button. Recalling a Locate causes the Transport to jump to the stored time.
Page 30 The MDR24/96 features non-destructive Cut, Copy, and Paste editing. Edit operations are performed on an "Area" defined by the range of time between the Start and End points on selected track(s). Edit operations are remembered in a 999-level History List so that every edit can be undone and redone.
Page 31 contains multiple tracks, the first track in the clipboard is placed onto the first selected Track, and the remaining Tracks in the clipboard follow in order. Undo and Redo allow you to step forward and backwards through your editing changes. The History List number lets you keep track of your changes so that you can easily do A/B comparisons of different edits.
Page 32 5. When you’ve completed the Project name, select New to create the Project and exit. Your new project is now open; the Active Drive, Project Name, and Playlist Name are shown in the LCD display and in the GUI above the Current Time display. The Monitor Mode buttons determine what you hear from the MDR24/96 Tape Outputs.
Page 33 A professional analog recorder has meters that indicate 0 VU at a +4 dBu nominal signal level. Generally you can record peaks 10 to 15 dB above that before distortion becomes objectionable. This 10-15 dB range above the nominal level is called “headroom”.
Page 34 4. After adjusting the tape output levels for each console channel, follow your console manufacturer’s instructions for setting the console tape return levels. With analog I/O, a +22 dBu signal at the MDR24/96 inputs and outputs corresponds to 0 dBFS inside the MDR24/96. So, if your console has a nominal output level (0 VU) of +4 dBu, there is 18 dB of headroom before you hit the maximum record level on the...
Page 35 Using a footswitch with the MDR24/96 gives you hands-free access to two of the most-used MDR24/96 functions. The footswitch is extremely handy when you want to use your hands for other tasks, like playing your instrument, working the console, or eating pizza. Punch punches in just like pressing Play+Record and punches out like pressing Play.
Page 36 With the MDR24/96 you don’t need to worry about filling up your hard disks with unwanted takes. The Delete Last function permanently erases all the audio files recorded during the last record pass. A recording pass consists of all punches made within one play/stop cycle.
Page 37 With Mackie Media drives, you can back up your Projects on removable media that you can hand to the client or store in your tape library. Backing up and restoring Projects is as simple as copying the Projects between the internal and the Mackie Media drives.
Page 38 1. Press the Disk Util button. 2. Now select Format. The LCD screen will display a message asking you to verify the drive speed for recording and playback. 3. Select OK. When the format operation has completed, another message will appear asking you to verify the drive speed for recording and playback.
Page 39 The following companies supply analog and digital multitrack cables for use with the MDR24/96 I/O cards: P.O. Box 1988, Cape Girardeau MO 63702-1988 Tel: (800) 255-9822; Fax: (800) 455-3460 http://www.horizonmusic.com AIO•8 Analog Interface Cables HDA8 Series DB25 to [specify connector] Connector options: 8 male XLR, 8 female XLR, or 8 1/4”...
Page 40 PO Box 2027, Culver City, CA 90231 Tel: (800) 800-6608; Fax: (310) 391-8926 http://www.mars-cam.com/cable.html AIO•8 Analog Interface Cables DC-DAXM Series DB25 to 8 male XLR’s DC-DAXF Series DB25 to 8 female XLR’s DC-DAS Series DB25 to 8 1/4” TRS connectors Standard lengths: 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 feet DIO•8 TDIF Interface Cables...
Page 41 OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT OUTPUT INPUT...
Page 42 Although you probably won’t need them, troubleshooting tips can be found in the Technical Reference Manual. Technical support is available by contacting your Mackie dealer, calling Mackie Designs at (800) 258-6883 (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time), or visiting Mackie’s website at www.mackie.com. Please read the included warranty information, then complete and return the included Warranty Registration card, or it’s straight to bed for you with no dinner.