Rane MM 8z - Manual (Page 6)

Manual-6
ACTIVE CROSSFADER
With the ASSIGN switches in the PRE position, Sources 1
and 2 create the A Mix and Sources 3 and 4 create the B Mix.
The output of these Mixes are under control of the Active
Crossfader. When the appropriate ASSIGN switch is in the
POST position, only Source 2 and/or 3 is routed to the
Crossfader.
When the Crossfader is in its left-most position, only A
Mix (PRE) or Source 2 (POST) appears at the Output. In the
center, both Mixes are present in equal levels, and only B Mix
(PRE) or Source 3 (POST) is heard once the Crossfader
reaches its far right position. With the ASSIGN switches in
POST, Source 1 and 4 are still active, unaffected by the
Crossfader.
With the CROSSFADER CONTOUR set to the full ccw
position, the sound pressure level does not change as this
transition progresses. See Figure 1 on page Manual-1 for
response curves.
Active Crossfader technology dramatically increases the
service life of the crossfader. In the unlikely event of cross-
fader failure, there is no loss of signal—all Sources are
present in equal levels, as if the crossfader was in its center
position. Use the Source Input faders to set the audio levels
while the Crossfader is out of service. If a Crossfader be-
comes rough or noisy, it is possible to remove and replace
(“hot swap”) the control during a performance with no
interruption of the audio signal.
MAIN OUTPUT
The output signal from the Crossfader and Source Input
faders is routed to the Program Loop jack. The signal can be
fed to external effects units and returned to the MM 8z. The
Program Loop return signal is combined with the Mic and
Aux Input signals and presented to the Master Level fader,
Aux Out Level control, headphone amplifier, and peak meter.
The Master Level fader should be set at the lowest position
while still achieving overall desired sound output level. The
least amount of gain in the output stage will avoid amplifying
unavoidable noise and provide the cleanest output. For unity
gain in the output stage, set the Master Level fader at the “0
dB” marking.
MICROPHONE OPERATION
Connect the microphone to the appropriate connector. The
Main Mic Input on the front panel allows a gooseneck-
mounted microphone. The connector is rotated such that a
right angle connector may be used when connecting via mic
cable. Use only one of the front or rear Main Mic Inputs, both
are not operable simultaneously. Leave the Master Level
fader in roughly the same position as it was for music. Press
in the Mic On switch, lighting the adjacent indicator, and
adjust the Main Mic (or Aux Mic) Level. The tonal balance of
the Main and Aux Mic Inputs may be adjusted via the Mic
EQ controls. Modifying the sound of the mic in this way
won’t affect the EQ of the music. When the mic is not in use,
release the Mic On switch to its out position to disconnect the
mic signal. Should the mic preamp become overloaded, the
Overload indicator will light. By reducing the appropriate
Mic Level control and increasing the Master Level fader, the
desired microphone level may be restored without overload
distortion.
The TAPE OUTPUT does not contain any signal from the
microphone section. If you need to record the mics, use the
Aux Out for your recording signal; this output is a composite
of the Program, Microphone, and Aux Inputs.
AUXILIARY IN/OUT
The Auxiliary Input is an insertion point for added signals.
This Input combines with the program mix and microphone
signal to provide a final mixer output. Leave the Master Level
fader in roughly the same position as it was for program
music. Adjust the Aux In Level control for the desired sound
output.
The Aux Out provides a separate final mixer Output,
unaffected by the Master Level fader, for external devices
such as tape recorders and video cameras, or for additional
zone feeds. The Aux Out Level control varies the output
signal level.
METERING
The MM 8z’s meter displays signal level in peak dBu.
Two display modes are provided, Stereo Master and Mono
Cue/Mono Program. The mode is selected with the meter
mode switch. With the switch in the out position (LEFT/
RIGHT), the meter indicates the level of the left and right
Main Outputs as measured at the output jacks (what you see is
what you hear). The Master signal is the sum of Program,
Microphone, and Aux Input signals.
With the switch in the in position, the left meter indicates
the sum of selected Mono Cue levels and the right meter
indicates Mono Program level. Mono Cue levels are measured
at the output of the Source Input fader (just before the
Crossfader). The Input fader of a cued Source will need to be
advanced to see level indication on the meter. Mono Program
level is measured at the output of the Crossfader and Source
Input faders (Pre Master summing and Master Level fader).
This arrangement allows matching of Source levels and beat
prior to Crossfading. Note that if two Sources are to be in an
A or B mix, both need to be cued for the meter to reflect the
combined levels.