the primary reasons for using automation.

Automation is used to fix level problems, bring effects in and out, and mute

unwanted sounds.

two types of mix data

Snapshot

Takes a picture of all automated parameters of the console. Not

dependant on SMPTE

controllers used in an automation systems

Switches

referred to as events, on/off value only

Moving Faders

audio and control voltage is sent to the fader and control voltage is

used to record ther position of the fader in the computer.

VCA Fader

fader only sends control voltage changes to the VCA and the computer,

no audio goes through the fader itself

Write or Absolute

Records mix data, Destructive.

Read

Plays back previously recorded mix data, Non Destructive.

Update or Trim

Offsets previously recorded mix data.

An automation pass is playing the mix in write mode so that automation is recorded.

The first pass is the “static pass” where the initial reference or “null” points for the

faders are established

Mute automation

used to cut unwanted sounds

SMPTE Timecode

a typical timing reference used to capture a consoles automation mix data

two search modes of the AMEK Supertrue 4 Automation recall

system.

Manual – Allows designation of the displayed I/O by use of the “select” button

fader status’ used in the AMEK Supertrue 4 Automation

system

Write – Records mix data

Read – Plays back mix data

Update – Offsets mix data

“On Stop Options” and how are they useful when using the AMEK

Supertrue Automation

Write to end – Writes reference or “null” points from beginning to end

automatically when play is engaged. Used for a static pass.

Return to Mix – Allows moves to be added during subsequent mix passes.

Write to next – Keeps fader in write mode until next automated event.

What is the recall function used for on the AMEK Supertrue 4 Automation system

The recall function stores all non-automatable functions

Fader Group

use for controlling a mix by use of a group master. The group

master controls the voltage of the group members.

Switch Group

use for grouping together any number of automatable switches

the above data stored and played back on the AMEK Supertrue 4

Automation system

System Disk (Hard Drive)

The title folder of the AMEK Supertrue 4 Automation contains information that is

key to the automation process.

The Channel List – Allows naming of the I/Os.

The Cue List – Displays the cues or “soft locate points”.

recall parameters.

switch groups.

the on-board transport functions.

Virtual Dynamics.

Mix Data – Deals with mix and automation parameters.

AMEK Supertrue 4 Automation hierarchy

Project – the top level of the hierarchy

Title – Stored within the project

Mix – Stored within a title

The AMEK Supertrue 4 Automation system has a total of six main menus

Filing Menu – Deals with file management.

Console Menu – Allows setup and manipulation of console functions.

Setup Menu – Sets up timecode and machine control.

Automation Menu – Allows the setting and manipulation of recorded mixes and

snapshots.

Recall Menu – Allows storing of all non-automatable parameters.

Dynamics Menu – Deals with assignment and storing of virtual dynamics

List and describe each of the three main areas, which make up the AMEK

Supertrue 4 Automation screen.

Menu Area – lists the menu items.

Main Area – Displays selected sub menus.

Mix area – Allows display ad manipulation of mix and automation parameters.

AMEK Supertrue 4 Automation computer

system including the software used.

The AMEK 9098i uses a D.O.S. (Disk Operating System) based automation system

in which automation data is recorded to the hard drive.

How is SSL 9000J automation data stored

Control voltages from the faders and switches are converted into a digital word

against incoming timecode, which then is stored on the System Disk that is in the

computer

What are the fader status’ called on the SSL 9000J?

Read, Write, Trim

How do we clear automation on the SSL 9000J computer?

How do we turn on automation on the SSL 9000J?

How many hard groups does the computer provide? How many soft groups are

provided?

There are 8 hard groups and 32 soft groups available on the SSL 9000J.

Give a brief definition of the following:

a. Snap

b. AutoGlide

c. Immediate Pickup

Snap – returns the fader status to read and the fader to the null point when

released

AutoGlide – once a fader returns to read by hitting the status button the

fader moves to the null point gradually according to a glide time

Immdiate Pickup is used to drop the VCA into write mode as soon as it is

moved

On the Amek 9098i, what switch allows us to record

multitrack recorder? To the 2-track recorder?

To send the oscillator signal to all 48 busses in the routing matrix, press 48TK. To

assign the signal to the stereo buss press MIX.

How many aux masters are located in the master section? How many Studio Cue

masters?

How many aux masters are located in the master section? How many Studio Cue

masters?

Where does the output of these Studio Cue masters feed into?

The output of these sections feed the inputs of Cue amps.

On the Amek 9098i, what buttons allows the Talkback Communications

Microphone to be sent to the multitrack recorder and the 2-track recorder?

SLATE sends the talkback microphone to the routing matrix, which feeds the

multitrack recorder. MIX sends the talkback microphone to the stereo buss, which

feeds the 2-track recorder.

What is the difference between the PFL solo mode and the AFL solo mode on the

SSL 9000J?

PFL stands for ‘Pre Fader Listening’, and it means the signal is fed to the solo buss

right after the Channel Input section. AFL stands for ‘After Fader Listening’, and it

places the signal in the solo buss post fader and pan. Both of them are nondestructive

types of solo.

List and describe what the Channel Meters can monitor.

The channel meters can display either peak or VU dB level. It displays either

Channel path or Monitor path signal depending on the status of the ‘Meter Input’

switch.

What does the Slate button in the Communications section of the console allow

you to do?

How would you record the Oscillator’s output to the multitrack recorder? How

would you record the Oscillator’s output to the 2 track recorder

Hit BUSS 1-48 to send the oscillator to the MTR. Hit MIX to send the oscillator to

the 2 track recorder.

How many dedicated Foldback sends to headphone amps does the SSL 9000J

give you? What are they called?

The SSL 9000J has 3 sends to headphone amps named Foldback A,B, and C,

situated in the ‘Studio Headphones’ section of the master section.

How many mono FX masters does the SSL 9000J have? How many Stereo FX

Returns does the SSL have?

Name in order the ten basic patchpoints found on most patchbay

a. Mic Lines

b. Channel Mic Inputs

c. Multitrack Returns

d. Channel Line Inputs

e. Channel Insert Sends

f. Channel Insert Returns

g. Group Outputs

h. Multitrack Sends

i. Multitrack Returns

j. Tape Monitor Inputs

In your own words please provide a definition for the following terms.

a. Cross patching

b. Dead patching

c. Multing

d. “Patch across”

a. To move or copy an output to another input using a patch cable

b. To kill an input by only patching one side of the cable in order to defeat a

normalled connection

c. Mults make up to 3 copies of the original input signal

d. To insert an audio device into the path of your signal

Please explain the difference between Fully normalled and Half normalled patch

points.

Fully normalled patch points break their normalling when used. Half normalled

patch points keep the signal normalled while also sending signal through the patch

cable.

What button do we press on the Amek 9098i and SSL 9000J to allow the buss

signal to be returned to the corresponding module and become the audio subgroup

master?

In your own words please explain what an audio subgroup is and under what

circumstances you may choose to use it.

An audio subgroup involves combining signals to the same set of busses in order to

‘group’ them there. It is mainly used to process many signals through one processor,

normally a dynamic one.

Please provide a basic step by step procedure for doing a track bounce on the

AMEK 9098i and for the 9000J (don’t forget to include which buttons you would

choose). Don’t forget the MTR too!

AMEL 9098i = 1. Press LCRS off by the small faders to take each of the sources

I/O’s out of the stereo buss, 2. Hit Mon to 48tk on each of the source I/O’s to send

the monitor fader signal to the corresponding routing matrix, 3. Send all I/O’s

across the same busses (one buss= mono, two busses = stereo), 4. Arm the same

tracks on the tape machine, 5. Bring up the small faders to monitor the returns

from the tape machine, 6. Pan returns if necessary, 7. Hit play and record to bounce

tracks on MTR.

On the SSL 9000 J during record mode which fader is typically the channel fader?

Large fader

Please explain why we would want to assign the small fader to the stereo bus in

Mix mode.

To allow more signals to be added to the mix by sending the monitor path to the

stereo buss simultaneously with the channel path.

On some occasions we might want to re-record a blend of tracks to an open track

on tape, what is this called?

Track Bouncing

We can assign the large and/or the small faders both to the same stereo bus. How

do we do this on the 9000J and the AMEK 9098i?

SSL 9000J = Press LF MIX and SF MIX to send large and small fader

AMEK 9098i = Press LCRS for both the large and small fader

Will the channel output fader be pre or post channel fader?

Which fader is typically used as the channel output level control?

Small Fader

When using channel output what patchpoint is used to take signal out of the

console and plugged into the time based processor?

Group Output

In your own words please provide a basic description of channel output and 2

situations in which you might choose to use it.

Channel output allows the small fader of an I/O to act as an automatable EFX send.

It is used if you need to automate the send level going to an EFX processor, or if all

of the I/O’s aux sends are used up and you need one more EFX send.

On the AMEK 9098i what is the mic/line switch called?

In detail please describe what the difference is between the “Trim” and “Mic

Gain” control.

Mic Gain is a notched control that steps the gain up in 6dB increments from 0dB to

+72dB. The Trim will continuously adjust the signal between -6dB and +6dB.

What button do we select to move the EQ section/s between the channel and

monitor path?

The MON button in the EQ section will move the EQ from the channel path to the

monitor path.

When engaging the Insert “In” button we are turning on the return or send?

What allows us to send the monitor path to routing matrix? (it’s a button)

MON TO 48TK

How do we assign the large and/or the small faders to the stereo bus (button)

Please explain which fader in record mode is feeding the routing matrix, and what

path is that fader in?

The Large Fader is feeding the routing matrix in record mode. It is in the channel

path.

Please explain which fader in mix mode is feeding the stereo bus, and what path is

that fader in?

In mix mode the console is setup to send both the channel path and monitor path to

the stereo buss to allow all the inputs into console to be used in the mix.

How many Aux buses are there on the 9098i?

How many Studio Cue Sends are there on the 9098i?

On the SSL 9000J what is the mic/line switch called?

On the SSL 9000J please describe what the High Z is used for.

High Z changes the input impedance of the line input. It is mainly used as a DI box

to allow the console to accept a high impedance signal input.

How do we move the EQ section between the Monitor and Channel path?

The MON button in the EQ section will move the EQ from the channel path to the

monitor path.

What does Split do?

Split is found in the EQ section. It disconnects the Filters from the EQ and positions

them immediately after the Channel Input section.

How do we assign the Large and Small faders to the stereo bus?

The LF MIX button will send the large fader to the stereo buss. The SF MIX button

will send the small fader to the stereo buss.

What allows us to send the monitor path to routing matrix in record mode?

The LF/SF buttons in the routing matrix will allow us to switch from SF (channel

path) to LF (monitor path).

Please explain which fader in mix mode is feeding the stereo bus, and what path is

that fader in?

The Large Fader is feeding the stereo buss in mix mode. It is in the channel path

Please explain which fader in record mode is feeding the routing matrix, and what

path is that fader in?

The Small Fader feeds the routing matrix in record mode. It is in the channel path.

How many Aux buses are there on the 9000J?

8 aux busses = 1 st.cue send + 6 mono FX sends.

Please explain in detail the following status selections:

A. Record Status

B. Mix Status

A. Record status is mainly used in a tracking session. It sets up the console to allow

signal from the mic or line inputs to flow through the channel path up to the routing

matrix in order to be assigned to a track on the tape machine. The tape machine

returns to the input of the monitor path through the monitor fader and out to the

stereo buss.

B. Mix status sets the console up for a mixing session. The tape machine signal

enters the console on the channel path which is assigned directly to the stereo buss.

Typically the monitor path is also assigned to the stereo buss, allowing all inputs to

be used for mixing.

What is the difference between Digital Consoles and Audio Workstations?

Digital consoles do not store audio internally, do not allow any kind of audio editing,

but they include a comprehensive control surface. Digital Audio Workstations

(DAWs) allow the internal recording, editing, mixing, and mastering of audio in the

same environment. DAWs do not include a control surface (user interface), but one

can be purchased separately.

Describe the differences in signal flow between an Analog Console and a Digital

Console?

Analog signal flow involves discrete electrical components in the audio signal path

that inherently posses noise. Digital signal flow is the manipulation of the digital

word to modify level and other parameters through a user interface. Digital signal

flow always has an analog part to it, before the A/D converter, which is the ‘analog

head’ which can include a mic and/or line preamplifier.

What format do most Large Format Digital Consoles use to connect to an MTR?

How many channels of audio are transmitted through this connection?

M.A.D.I., which allows the connection of up to 56 channels of digital audio per

conductor.

What are the main advantages of Digital Consoles?

a. Zeroing out

b. Instant Recall

c. Completely automatable parameters.

What are the two main layouts of Large Format Digital Consoles?

The two main layouts are Analog Style and Digital Style layout. Analog style layout

is characterized by an approach called ‘knob-per-function’ in which each parameter

has its own dedicated controller. Digital Layout refers to those consoles in which the

controls perform different functions, called multifunctional encoders.

How many total mic inputs and line inputs does the Sony DMX R-100 have?

It has a total of 12 mic inputs and 24 line level inputs.

Describe all the different digital cards available for the Sony. How many inputs

and outputs does the user get per card?

Describe the function of each Page in detail. What are we using Page 1-24 for on

our Sony Labs?

a. Page 1-24: This page sends signal to MTR (record).

b. Page 25-48: This page receives signal from the MTR (mix).

c. Page Masters: This page contains the buss masters, aux masters, and

aux returns

In our specific situation in the Digimix Labs, the output of the time-based

processors is being returned to Page 1-24 on line inputs (input B) 1-8.

Describe the connections to and from the EFX processors in the Sony Lab.

Our labs use stereo effect sends to the different time-based processors. Auxes 1 & 2

are connected to the respective left and right input of the first processor. The left

and right outputs of the processor return back to the Sony on Page 1-24, line inputs

(input B) 1 & 2. Same for the rest of the processors.

Describe the process of linking on the Sony DMX R-100.

It is only possible to link odd numbered inputs to even numbered ones, from left to

odd numbered I/O and change the channel from MONO to STEREO.