Yamaha MT3X - Manual (Page 22)

MIXDOWN
Mixdown is the final stage in the recording process at which you transform your multitrack master tape into a mono or
stereo master tape that is the final creative product. The process involves re-recording the multitrack tape, via the
MT3X’s mixer, onto a conventional stereo tape deck while you finely balance the tracks to achieve just the right
sound. Tracks can be faded in or out as required, and refinements such as overall reverberation or equalization can
be added using external signal processing equipment. The mixer’s PAN controls can be used to position each track at
the appropriate location in the stereo image, and you can even pan a sound from one channel to the other for
dramatic effect.
Here’s how your system should be set up:
. TAPE-OFF-LINE Selectors
Make sure that all four TAPE-OFF-LINE selectors are
set to TAPE.
• Channel Faders
Set all channels to “0.”
. REC SELECT Switches
All REC SELECT Switches to OFF.
• EQ Controls
Set all to their center positions for the time being.
. AUX and AUX SEND Controls
Set all AUX and AUX SEND controls to MIN for the
time being.
• PAN Controls
Start with ali PAN controls set to center.
• MASTER Fader
Set to about “7” or “8” on the scale.
• AUX RTN Controls
Set to MIN for the time being.
. PHONES SELECT Switch
Set to STEREO if you’ll be mixing using headphones or
via a sound system connected to the MONITOR OUT
jacks. We recommend using an external sound system
or a pair of powered monitor speakers (such as the
YAMAHA MS101 Monitor Speaker) connected to the
ST
out
jacks for mixdown, in which case the
PHONES SELECT switch setting doesn’t matter.
• MONITOR Controls
Set all MONITOR controls to “0.”
• dbx Switch
If you started recording with the dbx switch ON, leave it
ON. If OFF, it should stay OFF.
1. Sit in a comfortable, central position in front of your
monitor speakers.
2. Listen to, evaluate, and adjust the sound of each
track individually. This simply means raising the
fader of a single track, adding effects or other signai
processing as required, then repeating the process
on the next track until all tracks have been carefully
checked. If you have an external signal processing
device such as the YAMAHA SPX900 Professional
Multi-Effect Processor connected into one of the
MTSX’s AUX SEND/RTN loops as described in the
following section (“USiNG THE AUX SEND/RTN
LOOPS), it’s a simple matter to select the desired
effect on your signal processor and add the re­
quired amount of effect to each track using the AUX
controls. The AUX RTN control(s) must also be set
to an appropriate level.
3. When all tracks have been individually checked,
bring the first four channel faders up to about “7” or
“8” on the scale and play back the tape. Adjust the
faders for the best overall balance. Now adjust the
PAN controls to place each track at the desired lo­
cation in the stereo sound field. Now listen carefully
— too much or too little reverb on any track? Read­
just the AUX controls to achieve the desired effect.
Balance not quite right? Keep readjusting until you
are satisfied. How about EQ? You might need to
tweak the EQ controls a bit to make the tracks
blend smoothly. You should also rehearse any
fades or pans you plan to do while actually record­
ing the mix.
4. When you’re sure everything is ready, prepare to
actually record the mix. To do this you’ll have to
connect the MT3X ST OUT jacks to the inputs of a
stereo cassette recorder. Plug your monitor head­
phones into the stereo cassette deck phones jack if
you want to listen as you record the mix, or simply
leave them connected to the MT3X PHONES jack
and listen with the PHONES SELECT switch set to
STEREO. Of course, the MONITOR OUT jacks
could be connected to a stereo sound system for
open-air monitoring. Use the stereo cassette deck
record level control(s) and, if necessary, the MT3X
MASTER fader to set the optimum record level,
then go ahead and record. The MT3X MASTER
fader can also be used to add a slow fade at the
end of the piece.
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