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MDR Series Mixers
EIGHT CHANNEL MIXER
WITH 24BIT DIGITAL EFFECTS
AND HARD DISK MODE
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Safety Instructions/Consignes de sécurité/Sicherheitsvorkehrungen/Instrucciones de seguridad WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to ATTENTION: Pour éviter tout risque d’électrocution ou d’incendie, ne pas rain or moisture. To reduce the hazard of electrical shock, do not remove cover or exposer cet appareil à la pluie ou à l’humidité. Pour éviter tout risque d’électrocu- back. No user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servicing to qualified per
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Table of Contents Introduction 2 MDR8 Features 3 Front and Rear Panel Layout 4 Front and Rear Panel Controls 5 Controls and Functions Mono Input Channel Section 6–7 Master Section 8–9 MDR8 Input and Output Connections 10–11 Operating the MDR8 12–16 System Set-ups 17–18 MDR8 Wiring Guide 19 Specifications 20 Block Diagram 21 Copyright 2003 - 2004, Samson Technologies Corp. Printed March, 2004 Samson Technologies Corp. 575 Underhill Blvd. P.O. Box 9031 Syosset, NY 11791-9031 Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON
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Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Samson MDR8 mixer! The MDR8 is an eight channel mixer, with six low noise microphone pre-amps, and built-in 24 BIT DSP effects processor. The MDR8 also features HDM (Hard Disk Mode), which when engaged, provides a special monitoring and bussing mode ideal for interfacing with a computer based hard disk recorder. Clean, clear sound reproduction with dazzling digital effects including Delay, Chorus and lush Reverb, packaged in a rugged enclosur
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MDR8 Features The Samson MDR8, eight channel mixer with onboard 24 BIT DSP is a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for live sound, recording, fixed installation and post production applications. Here are some of its main features: • Eight Channels – Four Mic/Line plus two Stereo inputs with mic pre’s. • Flexible design topology ideal for live sound, recording and post production. • On-board 24 BIT DSP (Digital Signal Processor) multi-effects processor with eight great sounding pre- sets includ
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Front and Rear Panel Layout 4
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Front and Rear Panel Layout FRONT PANEL 1 MIC/LINE – Combination Input connector for Low-Noise 20 MONO OUT LEVEL – Used to set the volume of the Microphone pre-amp and Line level inputs. MONO mix. 2 GAIN – Used to set the input level of the mic pre and line 21 2TK LEVEL (2T TO MIX) - Level control used to mix input. the 2 track input. 3 CLIP – Red LED will illuminate indicating when the mic 22 2 TRACK INPUTS & OUTPUTS – Connect a DAT, GAIN has been adjusted too high. Cassette, Mini Disk or Hard
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Controls and Functions MONO INPUT CHANNEL SECTION The following section details each part of the MDR8’s MONO INPUT CHANNELS including the GAIN control, 3- BAND EQ, AUX sends, RECORD, PAN and LEVEL controls. The input channels one through four on the MDR8 feature high quality, discrete transistor pre-amp providing transparency and extended dynamic range. The com- bination connector accepts a standard XLR mic cable for microphone level signals, or a standard 1/4" phone cable,either balanced (TRS
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Controls and Functions (MONO INPUT CHANNEL CONTINUED) NOTE: The channel’s AUX 2/DSP signal is sent to the AUX 2/DSP bus from a location in the signal path after the channel’s LEVEL control. This is commonly referred to as a POST FADER send. This means that the amount of signal that is sent to the EFFECT bus will be affected not only by the setting of the AUX 2/DSP knob control, but it will also be affected by the setting of the LEVEL control. BALANCE (Stereo Inputs Only) 7 The MDR8’s BALANCE c
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Controls and Functions MASTER SECTION 2 TRACK INPUT AND OUTPUT The MDR8’s 2 Track section provides the connections for playback and recording for an external device such as a DAT, cassette recorder, CD or Mini Disk. 2TK LEVEL 11 The 2TK LEVEL control is used to adjust the amount of signal that is sent from the 2T IN jacks to the main L/R Mix bus. For more information see the section, "Playing back a CD Using the 2 Track to MIX" on page 15 of this manual. HDM 12 The HDM switch enables
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Controls and Functions MASTER SECTION (continued) Auxiliary Returns The MDR8 has two stereo auxiliary returns, which can be accessed via the two pairs of 1/4-inch phone jacks located on the rear panel. The auxiliary returns can be used to connect any stereo line level signal, but they are primarily used to connect the output of external effects processors. The MDR8’s on-board effects are internally connected to the auxiliary 2 return. AUX RET 1 17 This adjusts the amount of signal that is
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MDR8 Input and Output Connections 5 9 3 1 2 4 6 7 8 CHANNEL 1–8 MIC and LINE INPUTS The MDR8’s eight input channels each have a "Combie" (combination XLR & 1/4-inch) connector with a LINE level, Hi-Z (High Impedance) input and a MIC level, Low-Z (Low Impedance) input. By using the GAIN control on channels 1-4 you can connect a variety of signal sources from microphones and direct boxes to line level devices such as synthesizers and drum machines. All the LINE and MIC inputs are balanced. The
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MDR8 Input and Output Connections EXTERNAL OUTPUT JACKS The MDR8 features several output connectors allowing you to interface a variety of external devices. A stereo recording device such as a cassette recorder can be connected to the 2 Track jacks, and additional power ampli- fiers can be connected to the CONTROL ROOM and MAIN output jacks. AUX 1 Output 5 The signal present at the AUX 1 output is sent from the AUX 1/ MON bus, which is fed from the AUX 1/ MON send on the input channels. The AU
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Operating the MDR8 BASIC OPERATION The following section explains the basic operation of the MDR8. CONNECTING MICROPHONES AND INSTRUMENTS 1. Before connecting mics or instruments, make sure that the power of all your sys- tems components including the MDR8 is turned off. Also, make sure that the Left and Right MIX faders are turned all the way down. 2. Connect the cables to your microphones and instruments, and insert the other end of the cable firmly into the appropriate input on the MDR8. NOT
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Operating the MDR8 USING THE DIGITAL EFFECTS The MDR8 features a built-in, high quality, 24 BIT Digital Signal Processor offering studio grade effects. The DSP features clean Delay, lush Reverbs and multi-effects such as Chorus + Delay or Chorus + Reverb. The fol- lowing details the operation of the internal DSP effects: 1. Connect a mic or instrument to the desired channel, and adjust the volume and equalizer to your liking. 2. Now select the desired preset on the DSP selection switch. Set
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Operating the MDR8 USING AN EXTERNAL EFFECT If you prefer to use an external device for effects process- ing, you can easily connect the unit using the MDR8 EFX bus disconnecting the internal DSP. Follow the simple steps below to interface your processor: 1. Connect the AUX 2 OUTPUT to the input of the exter- nal effect processor. 2. Connect the outputs of the effect processor to the AUX 2 RETURN located on the MDR8’s rear panel. 3. Set the L/R mix faders to the "0" position. 4. Raise the AUX
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Operating the MDR8 Mixing a 2-track with the Stereo Mix You can mix the 2T IN with the input faders using the Hard Disk Mode. To do this follow these simple steps. • Connect the 2-track device to the 2T IN input connectors and any mic or line inputs to channels 1-8. • In this mode the C/ROOM+PHONES control will act as your master volume, so for now, turn that all the way down. • Connect the CR LEFT and RIGHT outputs to your power amp or powered speakers. • Press the HDM switch in the master sec
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Operating the MDR8 Using The HDM (HARD DISK MODE) Continued 3. Engage the HDM switch in the Master Section. The input channel’s REC LED will light dimly indicating the channel can be assigned to the RECORD bus. 4. Press the RECORD switch on the MDR8’s channel 7/8. The input channel’s REC LED will flash indicating the channel is assigned to the RECORD bus. 5. Raise the channel 7/8 fader to the nominal area (0). 6. Now, test your listening level by starting the MIDI sequencer and slowly raising t
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MDR8 System Set-Ups MDR8 LIVE SOUND SET-UP 17 This system shows the MDR8 connected to a pair of powered speakers like the SAMSON Expedition EX20. The MONITOR OUT is connected to an exter- nal power amp, which is driving 2 monitor speak- ers. For inputs, two micro- phones are connected to channels 1 and 2’s low- impedance inputs, and the output of the Bass Direct Box is also connect- ed to the low-impedance input on channel 4. The Keyboards, as well as the Lead and Rhythm Guitar signal proces
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MDR8 System Set-Ups MDR8 RECORDING SET-UP 18 This system shows the MDR8 in a recording set up with the LEFT and RIGHT CONTROL ROOM output hooked up to powered studio monitors and the AUX 1/ Mon feed head- phone mix sent to a Samson S phone headphone amp. For inputs, two microphones are connected to channel 1 and 2’s low-impedance inputs, and the output of the Bass Direct Box is also connected to the low- impedance input on channel 4. The Keyboards, as well as the Lead and Rhythm Guitar signal
