Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product 7-51-0121-A Alesis
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Re fe rence Manual.
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Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................... 3 Welcome! .........................................................................................................3 About the Smashup .............
Table Of Contents 2 Line conditioners and spike protectors ......................................................40 Care and Maintenance ................................................................ 4 1 Cleaning ....................................
Introduction 3 Welcome! Thank you for making the Alesis Smashup a part of your studio. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We belie ve in ou r products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you ha ve achie ved with them.
Introduction 4 About the Smashup Your new Smashup is a member of the Alesis ModFX family of performance effects boxes. This particular ModFX unit is a deluxe compressor with the ability to model several different types of compression.
Introduction 5 Smashup Key Featu res • Digital emulation of six different kinds of analo g compression • Adjustable threshold, attack, release, and output le vel • Look Ahead feature anticipates.
Introduction 6 How to Use This Manual A little technical kno wledge will help you get the most out of y ou r gear...it’s really pretty simple. This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications for the Smashup.
Safety Instructions/Notices 7 Important Safety Instructions (English) Sa fe ty sy mbols used in this p roduct This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance inst ructions in the literature accompanying this unit.
Important Safety Instructions 8 11. Use only attachments or accessories specified by the manufactu rer. 12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use with professional audio or music equipment. In any installation, make sure that inju ry or dama ge will not result from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting.
Important Safety Instructions 9 CE Declaration Of Conformity See ou r website at: http://www.alesis.com FCC Compliance Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules.
Important Safety Instructions 10 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Sy mboles u tilisés dans ce p roduit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateu r qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe a vec ce produit.
Important Safety Instructions 11 11. N’utilisez que des accessoires spécifiés par le const ructeur. 12. N’utilisez qu’a vec un stand, ou table conçus pou r l’utilisation d’audio professionnel ou instruments de musique.
Important Safety Instructions 12 Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicherheit Sy mbole verwende t in diesem Produkt Dieses Symbol alarmiert den Benutzer, daß es wichtige Funktionieren und Wartung Anweisungen in der Literatu r gibt, die diese Maßeinheit be gleitet.
Important Safety Instructions 13 11. Benutzen Sie nur das vom Hersteller empfohlene Zubehör. 12. Verwenden Sie ausschließlich Wagen, Ständer, oder Tische, die speziell für professionelle Audio- und Musikinst rumente geeignet sind.
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1 Quick Start Guide 15 If you can’t w ait to get sta rted The Alesis Smashup is a unique product, but its basic hookup and operation is similar to other in-line signal processors (like EQs and compressors) in most respects.
1 Quick Start Guide 16 A quick overview of the controls Siz zle Add s “p u nc h” an d “a i r” to the s ig n al , e sp ec ia lly u s e f ul for b as s s ou n ds . I t p ut s a h i g h- pa s s f ilte r be for e the c om pr es s or ’s de te cto r, a n d a dd s a b it o f H F EQ on th e o ut pu t.
2 Connections 17 Unpacking and Inspection Your Smashup was packed car efully at the factory. The shipping carton was designed to protect the unit du ring shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely e vent that you need to retu rn the Smashup for servicing.
2 Connections 18 Connecting audio The Smashup will work in many different applications, whether y ou are connecting an inst rument directly into it, or connecting it through a mixing console. But since the Smashup is a stereo effect unit, it’s important to know whether the source will be stereo or mono.
Connections 2 19 Connecting to the Channel Inserts o f a mixing console: Most recording consoles ha ve a jack in each channel near the mic and line inputs labeled "Insert". This is typically a TRS jack with the send and return on the same jack.
2 Connections 20 Connecting to the Main Ou tputs o f a mixing console: In addition to channel inserts, most mixing consoles have main insert jacks near the main outputs. You can use insert cables to connect the Smashup to the main L/R bus the same way y ou connect it to a pair of channels.
Connections 2 21 Connecting to equipment with XLR inpu ts and outputs: If you are connecting the Smashup to a product with XLR balanced inputs and outputs, y ou will need to convert this signal to a 1/4” unbalanced connector. Make sure that Pin 2 of the XLR connector is connected to the Tip of the 1/4” adapter or cable.
2 Connections 22 Using the ModLink The Smashup can be connected to other effect bo xes in the ModFX family via the ModLink. The ModLink is a cable-free connection between two ModFX units that transfers digital audio and word clock. The 9-pin male connector on the left side of the unit is the ModLink IN port.
3 Using the Smashup 23 This section defines compression, and e xplains the functions of the Smashup’s cont rols in greater detail. What is a compressor? Most types of signal processors, such as re verbs, phaser/flangers, and equalizers, make an obvious change in the sound.
3 Using the Smashup 24 What the cont rols do Let's go back to the "engineer with his hand on a fader and eyes on the meter" analogy. The top panel cont rols simply tell the "engineer" what rules he should follow.
Using the Smashup 3 25 How the Smashup goes be y ond “just comp ression” Ha ving explained what the controls are designed to do, you should be aware that the Smashup’s digital compression algorithms do much more than just control levels.
3 Using the Smashup 26 Operational advice Gain structu re Extreme settings will lead to extreme results. If you turn the threshold do wn all the way, the Smashup will do what it's being told to do: tu rn the level way do wn.
Using the Smashup 3 27 Description of Controls Th reshold The [THRESHOLD] knob sets the le vel where compression will begin. As long as the input signal level is belo w the Threshold level, the Smashup will do nothing to the signal. Once the input signal crosses the Threshold, the Smashup will begin compressing (tu rning down the level).
3 Using the Smashup 28 Attack The [A TTACK] knob cont rols the amount of time before compression starts. The range of this control is generally in the range from 0.1 (full counter-clockwise) to 300 milliseconds; but this may vary depending on the [TYPE] setting.
Using the Smashup 3 29 Ou tput The [OUTPUT] knob controls the level of the Smashup’s output. The Output control is useful for making up level that was lost du ring compression, or matching the input le vel of a mixer or recorder.
3 Using the Smashup 30 Type Select Switch The up/do wn [TYPE] rocker switch on the right side of the unit selects the type of compression used by the Smashup. The LEDs ne xt to the switch light up to indicate the cu r rent Type. The Smashup contains six different compression styles.
Using the Smashup 3 31 De-Ess De-essing is commonly used to process voices where the “s” sound and other sibilants are too loud and dist racting. By telling the compressor to be e xt ra sensitive to a certain range of frequencies, the “s” sound can be almost completely remo ved from a voice.
3 Using the Smashup 32 Bypass This button sends the signal directly from the input to the output without any compression. Press [BYPASS] to check the sound of the sou rce without any effect from the Smashup. When the red BYPASS LED is lit, the compressor is off.
4 Sample Settings 33 While there’s nothing like disco vering new sounds for yoursel f, we thought it would be a good idea to pro vide some sample settings of the Smashup to help get you started. Simply set the knobs on yo ur Smashup so they’re at the positions shown, and press the rocker switches so each effect is in the mode shown by the LEDs.
4 Sample Settings 34 Opto This du p lica tes the so un d o f o pt i c al co mp r es so rs us ed in c l a ss ic r e co r di ng s ( an d tod ay ). This is eq u ally us eful o n vo c a ls an d ins tr u me n ts . F at Try th is o n a ny in s tr u m e n t tha t ne e ds a st ro ng lo w e n d , e s p ec i a ll y b a s s es a n d k ic k d r u ms .
Sample Settings 4 35 B lank F ill in y o u r ow n fa v or it e s et tin g s h er e . Pho toc op y the n e x t p a g e if yo u ne e d mo r e s pa c e . Transparent This se ttin g wil l p r ov id e c on s is te n t c o mp r e ss i on with o ut ca l ling a tte nti o n to it s elf .
4 Sample Settings 36 Blank Set tings Templates.
5 Troubleshooting 37 Troubleshooting Index If you experience problems while operating your Smashup, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis Product Support for assistance. Sy mptoms Cause Solution No au dio ou tput s.
5 Troubleshooting 38 Sy mptoms Cause Solution AC hum Gro und lo op Place al l equ ip ment in the stu d io on a com m on gro un d (see ne xt pa ge).
Troubleshooting 5 39 Avoiding g round loop noise In today’s studio, where it seems every piece of equipment has its own computer chip inside, there are many opportunities for ground loop problems to occu r.
5 Troubleshooting 40 4. Keep all cables as short as possible, especially in unbalanced circuits. If the basic experiments don’t unco ver the sou rce of the problem, consult your dealer or technician t rained in proper studio grounding techniques.
Troubleshooting 5 41 Care and Maintenance Cleaning Disconnect the AC cord, then use a damp cloth to clean the Smashup’s metal and plastic surfaces. For heavy dirt, use a non- abrasive household cleaner such as Formula 409™ or Fantastik™.
5 Troubleshooting 42 Obtaining repai r service Before contacting Alesis, check over all your connections, and make sure you’ve read the manual. Customers in the USA and Canada: If the problem persists, contact Alesis and request the Product Support department.
Specifications 43 Audio Input Input Connectors: 2 unbalanced 1/4” jacks Maximum Input Le vel: +10 dBV Nominal Level: -10 dBV Input Impedance: 470k Ω Input Converter Resolution: 24-bit, 48 kHz samp.
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Index 45 amplifier, 20 Attack , 16, 24, 28 BYPASS , 16, 32 with foot switch, 32 cables, 21 Classic, 24, 30 clipping, 29 compression defined, 23 compression ratio, 30 defined, 24 De-Ess, 31 digital con.
Warranty / Contact Alesis 46 Alesis Limited Wa rranty AL ES I S C ORP OR ATI ON ( "AL ES IS" ) w ar ra nt s th is product t o b e fr ee of def ect s in material an d w o rk man sh i p for a pe rio d of on e (1 ) yea r f or pa r ts an d for a p eriod of one ( 1) year fo r l abo r fr om the date of ori gin al ret ail pu rc hase.
Warranty/Contact Information 47 Alesis Contact Information Alesis Studio Elect ronics Los Angeles, CA USA E-mail: support@alesis.com Website: http://www.alesis.com Alesis Smashup Reference Manual Revision 1.0 by Dan Tinen Copy right 2002, Alesis. All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.
An important point after buying a device Alesis 7-51-0121-A (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Alesis 7-51-0121-A yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Alesis 7-51-0121-A - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Alesis 7-51-0121-A you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Alesis 7-51-0121-A will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Alesis 7-51-0121-A, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Alesis 7-51-0121-A.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Alesis 7-51-0121-A. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Alesis 7-51-0121-A along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
