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Produced by On The Right Wavelength for Samson Technologies Corp.
Copyright 1996, 1997, Samson Technologies Corp.
Printed February, 1997
Samson Technologies Corp.
575 Underhill Blvd.
P.O. Box 9031
Syosset, NY 11791-9031
Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766)
Fax: 516-364-3888
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Table of Contents Introduction 1 MIXPAD Features 2 Guided Tours 4 MIXPAD 12/9 Channels 4 MIXPAD 12/9 Main Section 8 MIXPAD 12/9 Jackfield 10 Connecting the MIXPAD 4 Carrying Strap 11 MIXPAD 4 Channels 12 MIXPAD 4 Main Section 16 MIXPAD 4 Jackfield 18 Connecting the MIXPAD 19 Setting Up and Using the MIXPAD 22 Setting the Correct Gain Structure 23 Grounding Techniques 26 Using Pan/Balance 28 Using Equalization 30 Using Aux Sends and Returns 32 Appendix A: Operating the MIXPAD 12
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Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Samson MIXPAD! One of the smallest mixers ever made, the MIXPAD provides excellent sound quality and a wealth of features normally found only in full-size units. Although it has been designed for easy operation, we suggest you take some time to go through these pages so you can fully understand how we’ve implemented a number of unique functions. This manual covers three models: the MIXPAD 12, MIXPAD 9, and MIXPAD 4. The first two of these a
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MIXPAD Features The compact design of the MIXPAD belies an extraordinary versatility. Add excellent sound quality to the equation, and you’ve got a product which is equally useful as a live performance mixer and for field recording applications. Here are some of the MIXPAD’s main features: • In the MIXPAD 12, a total of twelve input channels (including three stereo channels); in the MIXPAD 9, a total of nine input channels (including three stereo channels); in the MIXPAD 4, a total of four inpu
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MIXPAD Features • Constant level pan controls for placing each monophonic channel in the left-right stereo spectrum, as well as balance controls that allow you to blend the relative levels of stereo inputs. • Mic input trims that are continuously adjustable from +4 to -50 dB, making it possible to use the MIXPAD with a wide variety of microphones. • The MIXPAD 12 and MIXPAD 9 provide 36 volts of phantom power to all mic inputs, while the MIXPAD 4 provides 18 volts of phantom power (with independ
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 12 /MIXPAD 9 Channels 1 MIC -10 0 2 TRIM +4 -50 L MONO 3 R LINE O O -15 +15 -15 +15 HIGH HIGH O 4 O -15 +15 -15 +15 LOW LOW O O +10 +10 AUX1 PRE AUX1 PRE 5 O O +10 +10 AUX 2 AUX 2 6 LR LR 7 PAN BALANCE O O 8 +10 +10 LEVEL LEVEL Mono Channel Stereo Channel 4
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 12 / MIXPAD 9 Channels 1: Mic inputs - Provided in monophonic channels only (channels 1 - 6 in the MIXPAD 12 and channels 1 - 3 in the MIXPAD 9). Use these electronically balanced XLR jacks to connect microphones to any of the MIXPAD’s monophonic channels. These are intended to accept signal from low-level, low-impedance mics but can also be used for signal from other sources (such as direct injection boxes) if the channel’s Trim control is turned down (see #2 below). A
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 12 / MIXPAD 9 Channels Balance control)—see the “Using Pan/Balance” section on page 28 for more information. See the “Connecting The MIXPAD” section on page 19 for additional information on how best to use channel inputs. 4: Equalizer (violet) - These knobs determine the amount of boost or attenuation in each of two frequency areas. The high and low frequency knobs provide 15 dB of cut or boost at 10 kHz and 100 Hz, respectively. Both frequency controls utilize a shelvin
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 12 / MIXPAD 9 Channels 7: Balance (brown) - Provided in stereo channels only. When both inputs are connected to a stereo channel, the upper input signal (channels 7, 9, and 11 in the MIXPAD 12 and channels 4, 6, and 8 in the MIXPAD 9) is automatically panned hard left and the lower input signal (channels 8, 10, and 12 in the MIXPAD 12 and channels 5, 7, and 9 in the MIXPAD 9) is automatically panned hard right. In this case, the “Balance” knob controls the relative level
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 12 / MIXPAD 9 Main Section TAPE/CD 1 LEFT RIGHT 2 LEFT RIGHT 4 3 POWER O +10 AUX RET.1/2 5 O +10 AUX RET. 3/4 6 O 7 +10 MAIN LEVEL 1: Tape/CD inputs (L, R) - Use this set of dual RCA jacks to connect the outputs of a tape or CD player to the MIXPAD. In the MIXPAD 12, signal connected here appears at stereo channel 11/12 and is mixed at unity gain with any line input signal connected to channel 11/12. In the MIXPAD 9, signal connected here appears at stereo channel 8
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 12 / MIXPAD 9 Main Section 2: Left/Right Peak LEDs (red) - These warning lights indicate an overload situation. They light whenever the main left or right output signal is 5 dB short of clipping. To stop them from lighting (and to eliminate the accompanying sonic distortion), turn down the Main Level control (see #7 below). See the “Setting the Correct Gain Structure” section on page 23 in this manual for more information. 3: Power LED - This LED lights steadily red when
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 12 / MIXPAD 9 Jackfield 2 1 OUTPUT AUX AUX LEFT RIGHT BALANCED SEND 1 SEND 2 +4dBu AUX RETURN 1/2 AUX RETURN 3 3/4 1: Aux Sends (1, 2) - These unbalanced 1/4" outputs allow you to route signal from each of the two discrete Aux Sends to external devices such as effects processors. Aux send 1 is pre-fade but post-EQ, while Aux send 2 is both post-fade and post-EQ. See the “Using the Aux Sends and Returns” section on page 32 in this manual for more information. 2: Main
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M I X P Connecting the MIXPAD 4 Carrying Strap XLR/LINE INPUT MIXPAD PAD4 2/TIP + 1 5 3/RING - AVIS; RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE 1/SLEEVE GND NE PAS OUVRIR DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT 2 4 AUX SEND/RETURN TO RAIN OR MOISTURE 3 TIP + SLEEVE GND. D.C. INPUT PIN 1 +15V PIN 4 +32V S/N DC INPUT PIN 2 -15V PIN 5 GND PIN 3 GND The MIXPAD 4 is supplied with a handy carrying strap for easy portability. As shown in the illustration above, attach the strap to the MIXPAD 4 by placing the bu
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 4 Channels 1 MIC -10 -20 2 0 -50 -6 TRIM 3L 4R 3 LINE LINE O O -15 +15 -15 +15 HIGH HIGH O O 4 -12 +12 -12 +12 MID MID O O -15 +15 -15 +15 LOW LOW O O 5 +10 ∞ +10 ∞ AUX AUX 6 LR LR PAN BALANCE 7 O O 8 ∞∞ +10 +10 LEVEL LEVEL 12
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 4 Channels 1: Mic inputs - Provided in monophonic channels only (channels 1 and 2). Use these electronically balanced XLR jacks to connect microphones to either of the MIXPAD 4’s two monophonic channels. These are intended to accept signal from low-level, low-impedance mics but can also be used for signal from other sources (such as direct injection boxes) if the channel’s Trim control is turned down (see #2 below). When the channel’s Phantom Power switch is pressed in (
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 4 Channels 4: Equalizer (violet) - These knobs determine the amount of boost or attenuation in each of three frequency areas. Each knob provides 15 dB of cut or boost at 12 kHz (High) and 80 Hz (Low) frequencies, and 12 dB of cut or boost at the Mid (2.5 kHz) frequency. The High and Low frequencies utilize shelving curves and the Mid frequency utilizes a bell (peaking) curve. In the stereo channel (channels 3 - 4), the EQ settings affect both inputs, although the signal
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 4 Channels 7: Balance (brown) - Provided in the stereo channel (channels 3 - 4) only. When both inputs are connected to the stereo channel, the channel 3 input signal is automatically panned hard left and the channel 4 input signal is automatically panned hard right. In this case, the “Balance” knob controls the relative levels of the paired input signals. When the knob is placed at its center (detented) position, both signals are at equal strength. When moved left of c
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 4 Main Section TAPE/CD INPUT 1 3L 4R PHANTOM POWER 2 CH1 CH2 3 L PEAK R 5 4 POWER O 6 ∞ +10 AUX RET 1/2 7 O 8 ∞ +10 MAIN LEVEL 1: Tape/CD inputs (L, R) - Use this set of dual RCA jacks to connect the outputs of a tape or CD player to the MIXPAD 4. Signal connected here appears at the stereo channel (channels 3 and 4) and is mixed at unity gain with any line input signal connected to channel 3/4. 2: Phantom Power switches (Ch 1, Ch 2) - When pressed in, 18 volt
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 4 Main Section 3: Left/Right Peak LEDs (red) - These warning lights indicate an overload situation. They light whenever the main left or right output signal is 5 dB short of clipping. To stop them from lighting (and to eliminate the accompanying sonic distortion), turn down the Main Level control (see #8 below). See the “Setting the Correct Gain Structure” section on page 23 in this manual for more information. 4: Power LED (green) - This LED indicates battery strength.
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Guided Tour - MIXPAD 4 Jackfield 1 MAIN OUTPUT LEFT RIGHT BALANCED +4dBu AUX SEND AUX RET 1/MONO 3 2 AUX RET 2 1: Main out (L, R) - These are the MIXPAD 4’s main outputs. You’ll usually use these to connect the MIXPAD 4 to a tape recorder or to a power amp and loudspeakers. The Main out jacks are electronically balanced, so you should use balanced three-conductor cabling and TRS plugs wherever possible (unbalanced two-conductor plugs can also be inserted into these outputs, but you’ll get b
