MX8A - Mixer TASCAM - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL MX8A TASCAM

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. For U.S.A. Declaration of Conformity Model Number: MX-8ATrade Name: TASCAMResponsible party: TEAC AMERICA, INC.Address: 10410 Pioneer Blvd., Unit #1 and #4, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90640, U.S.A.Telephone number: 1-323-726-0303This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

INFORMATION TO THE USER

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential instal-lation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures.a) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.b) Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.c) Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.d) Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. CAUTION Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by TEAC CORPORATION for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.IN USA/CANADA, USE ONLY ON 120 V SUPPLY. For Canada THIS CLASS B DIGITAL APPARATUS COMPLIES WITH CANADIAN ICES-003.CET APPAREIL NUMERIQUE DE LA CLASSE B EST CONFORME A LA NORME NMB-003 DU CANADA.This product complies with the European Directives request and the other Commission Regulations. CE Marking Information EN55103-2a) Applicable electromagnetic environment: E1, E2, E3, E4

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance

with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat

registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or

grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched

particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table

specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/ apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when

unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing

is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

• The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the AC outlet with its POWER or STANDBY/ON switch not in the ON position.

• The mains plug is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.

• Caution should be taken when using earphones or headphones with the product because excessive sound pressure (volume) from earphones or headphones can cause hearing loss.

• If you are experiencing problems with this product, contact TEAC for a service referral. Do not use the product until it has been repaired. CAUTION

• Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes.

• Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

• Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a book case or similar unit.

• The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any time.

• If the product uses batteries (including a battery pack or installed batteries), they should not be exposed to sunshine, fire or excessive heat.

• CAUTION for products that use replaceable lithium batteries: there is danger of explosion if a battery is replaced with an incorrect type of battery. Replace only with the same or equivalent type. WARNING

construction are equipped with a power supply cord that has a grounding plug. The cord of such a product must be plugged into an AC outlet that has a protective grounding connection.

RACK-MOUNTING THE UNIT

Use the supplied rack-mounting kit to mount the unit in a standard 19-inch rack, as shown below. Remove the feet of the unit before mounting. ATTENTION

Leave 1U of space above the unit for ventilation.

Allow at least 10 cm (4 in) at the rear of the unit for venti- lation. For European Customers Disposal of electrical and electronic equipment and batteries and/or accumulators (a) All electrical/electronic equipment and waste batteries/ accumulators should be disposed of separately from the municipal waste stream via collection facilities designated by the government or local authorities. (b) By disposing of electrical/electronic equipment and waste batteries/accumulators correctly, you will help save valuable resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment. (c) Improper disposal of waste electrical/electronic equipment and batteries/accumulators can have serious effects on the environment and human health because of the presence of hazardous substances in the equipment. (d) The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) symbols, which show wheeled bins that have been crossed out, indicate that electrical/electronic equipment and batteries/accumulators must be collected and disposed of separately from household waste. (e) Return and collection systems are available to end users. For more detailed information about the disposal of old electrical/electronic equipment and waste batteries/ accumulators, please contact your city office, waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the equipment.TASCAM MX-8A

Introduction Thank you very much for purchasing the TASCAM MATRIX MIXER MX-8A. Before using this unit, read this Owner's Manual carefully so that you will be able to use it correctly and enjoy working with it for many years. After you have finished reading this manual, please keep it in a safe place for future reference. You can also download this Owner’s Manual from the TEAC Glob- al Site (http://teac-global.com/). Features 0 Matrix mixer with eight mic/line input channels and eight line output channels 0 Euroblock terminals, which are optimal for permanent instal- lations, used for input/output connectors 0 Extensive onboard DSP for audio processing according to ap- plication and conditions 0 Remote control via Ethernet possible 0 USB audio interface supports easy recording and background music playback with a computer 0 Support for serial control systems possible with built-in RS- 232C connector 0 RS-485 connector enables connection of a dedicated external controller 0 Compact 1U rackmount size Included items This product includes the following items. Take care when opening the package to avoid damaging the items. Keep the box and packing materials for transportation in the future. Please contact the store where you purchased this unit if any of these items are missing or have been damaged during transpor- tation. 0 Main unit ...............................................................................................× 1 0 Power cord ............................................................................................ × 1 0 Euroblock plug ..................................................................................× 16 0 Cable band kit .....................................................................................× 1 0 Rackmount screw kit .........................................................................× 1 0 Owner's Manual (this document) including warranty ..........× 1 Contents

Conventions used in this manual In this manual, we use the following conventions: 0 When we refer to buttons, connectors and other parts of this unit and other equipment, we use a bold font like this: POW- ER switch. 0 As necessary, additional information is provided under TIP, NOTE and CAUTION headings. TIP These are tips about how to use the unit. NOTE These provide additional explanations and describe special cases. ATTENTION Failure to follow these instructions could result in damage to equipment or lost data, for example.

CAUTION Failure to follow these instructions could result in injury. Precautions for placement and use 0 The operating temperature range of this unit is 0–40 °C. 0 Do not install this unit in the following types of locations. Do- ing so could make the sound quality worse or cause malfunc- tion. Places with significant vibrations Next to a window or in another location exposed to direct sunlight Near heaters or other extremely hot places Extremely cold places Very humid or poorly ventilated places Very dusty places 0 To enable good heat dissipation, do not place anything on top of the unit. 0 Do not place this unit on top of a power amplifier or other device that generates heat. Notes about power supplies 0 Insert the included power cord all the way into the AC IN con- nector. 0 Do not connect a power supply other than one that is AC100V - 240V (50/60Hz). 0 Hold the power cord by its plug when connecting or discon- necting it. Beware of condensation Condensation could occur if the unit is moved from a cold place to a warm place, it is used immediately after a cold room has been heated or it is otherwise exposed to a sudden temperature change. To prevent this, or if this occurs, let the unit sit for one or two hours at the new room temperature before using it. Cleaning the unit Use a dry soft cloth to wipe the unit clean. Do not wipe with chem- ical cleaning cloths, thinner, alcohol or other chemical agents. Doing so could damage the surface or cause discoloration. Using the TEAC Global Site You can download updates for this unit from the TEAC Global Site: http://teac-global.com/ In the TASCAM Downloads section, select the desired language to open the Downloads website page for that language. Product registration Customers in the USA, please visit the following TASCAM website to register your TASCAM product online. https://tascam.com/us/ About TASCAM customer support service TASCAM products are supported and warrantied only in their country/region of purchase. To receive support after purchase, on the TASCAM Distributors list page of the TEAC Global Site (http:// teac-global.com/), search for the local company or representative for the region where you purchased the product and contact that organization. When making inquiries, the address (URL) of the shop or web shop where it was purchased and the purchase date are required. Moreover, the warranty card and proof of purchase might also be necessary.TASCAM MX-8A

Names of parts Front panel 1 POWER switch and indicatorsPress to turn the unit on and off.2 USB portThis is a B-type USB port.Use a USB cable (Type-A to Type-B) to connect the unit to a computer or iOS/Android device. (See “USB audio interface functions” on page 10.)This unit can be used as a 2-channel audio interface with 44.1/48kHz and 16/24-bit resolution.ATTENTIONThe unit should be connected directly with the computer in-stead of via a USB hub. NOTE You will need a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter and the USB cable included with this unit to connect an iOS device.3 STATUS indicator The blue STATUS indicator shows the status of the unit by lighting, blinking and turning off. See “Explanation of STATUS indicator status (lit/blinking/un-lit)” on page 7. Explanation of STATUS indicator status (lit/blinking/unlit) STATUS indicator NoteStarting up Blinking mode 1 Slow blinking (at 0.5-second intervals)Ordinary operation LitError Blinking mode 3 Fast blinking (at 0.1-second intervals)Responding to application Blinking mode 1 Slow blinking (at 0.5-second intervals)Initializing Blinking mode 2Repeatedly blinks three times quickly, followed by one time slowly (3 times at 0.1-second intervals and 1 time at a 0.5-sec-ond interval)Initializing complete LitInitializing error Blinking mode 3 Fast blinking (at 0.1-second intervals)Updating unit firmware Blinking mode 2Repeatedly blinks three times quickly, followed by one time slowly (3 times at 0.1-second intervals and 1 time at a 0.5-sec-ond interval)Updating unit firmware complete Lit8

Rear panel 4 ANALOG input/output connectors These are balanced Euroblock analog input/output connec- tors. (HOT, COLD, GND from the left) 5 RS-232C connector This is a 9-pin D-sub RS-232C control input/output connector. Pin No. Signal

NOTE You cam download the TASCAM Mixer protocol for MX-8A from the TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.com/). 6 RS-485 connector Use this to connect an external controller. Use a cable that is category 5e or higher for connection. Pin No. Signal 1 B 2 A

The RS-485 connector is not an Ethernet (LAN) connector. Never connect a cable that is connected to a network to this unit. Connecting such a cable mistakenly could cause this unit or another device connected to the cable to malfunction.

Always turn the unit power off before connecting or discon- necting a cable. Connecting and disconnecting while the power is on could cause malfunction. NOTE A cover is attached to the RS-485 connector to prevent acci- dental insertion of an Ethernet LAN cable. Remove this cover before use. 7 Ethernet connector This is an Ethernet port. Use this to connect to a network and control the unit externally. NOTE You can download the TASCAM Mixer protocol for MX-8A from the TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.com/). 8 Link status/activity indicator Green indicates that a link is established between the devices. Blinking indicates that signals are being transmitted between the devices. 9 100Mbps link status indicator Orange indicates that a 100Mbps Ethernet link has been es- tablished. 0 Operation mode switches Use these switches to change the operation mode of the unit. See “Using the operation mode switches” on page 11. q AC IN connector Plug the included power cord in here.TASCAM MX-8A

Connecting Euroblock plugs Euroblock plugTerminal screw2.5 mm or lessEuroblock plug tabFlat-blade screwdriver

1. Loosen the Euroblock plug terminal screws.

NOTE Use a flat-blade screwdriver with a width of 2.5mm or less.

NOTE AWG16–AWG28 wires are compatible with the included Eu-roblock plugs. Using wires within the compatible range, trim about 7 mm of the protective sheaths from their ends.

3. Tighten the Euroblock plug terminal screws.

NOTE Confirm that the wires cannot be pulled out.

4. Use an included wire band to attach the wires to the Eurob-

lock plug tab. DSP overview Input channels Input polarity setting Set according to the polarity of the input channel signal. Compressor When the input volume exceeds the THRESHOLD level, the input volume is compressed, reducing output volume variation. Input equalizer This unit has 4-band equalizers for the input channels.Use the equalizer to increase or decrease the levels of specific frequency ranges. This can be used, for example, to enhance the sound of individual instruments, to adjust the balance of a wide frequency range and to cut specific unwanted frequencies. Automatic level control function When the input sound level is too low or too high, the input level will be increased or decreased automatically to an appropriate level. Input channel fader Adjust the level sent to the matrix and USB buses. Input mute Mute the input channel signal. Mixer Matrix mixer This unit has simple matrix mixer functions. Ducking function When a mic signal is input, the ducking function can automatical-ly lower the volume of background music or other sound input through the line input channels. Ambient noise compensator (ANC) function The ANC function can measure ambient noise and automatically adjust the volume to make the main sound source easier to hear. Routing setting Audio can be routed to multiple output channels through the matrix mixer, the ducking function and the ANC function. Output channels Output equalizer This unit has 10-band equalizers for the output channels.Use the equalizer to increase or decrease the levels of specific frequency ranges. This can be used, for example, to enhance the sound of individual instruments, to adjust the balance of a wide frequency range and to cut specific unwanted frequencies. Delay function Use to adjust the delay of output channel signals. Output channel fader Use to adjust the level sent to the output jack. Output mute Mute the output channel signal. Output limiter function This prevents distortion caused by sudden excessive output sig-nal levels. Output polarity setting Set according to the polarity of the output channel signal.10

Application overview Using the TASCAM MX CONNECT remote control application, you can operate the unit from a distance.For details about the application, please see its Owner’s Manual.You can download the application Owner’s Manual from the TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.com/).INPUT screen Connecting with Ethernet Connect a LAN cable to the ETHERNET connector on this unit. Requirements for LAN cables used for con- nections with the connectors on this unit Use STP cables that are at least category 5e.Both crossover and straight cables can be used. USB audio interface functions To use this unit as a USB audio interface with a Windows comput-er, dedicated software must be installed on the computer.Download the latest software from the TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.com/).Installing the dedicated software will install a driver.ATTENTION Before starting to install software, quit other applications. With a Mac, iOS or Android, the standard OS driver will be used, so there is no need to install any software. Installing the Windows dedicated soft- ware Follow the procedures below to install the Windows dedicated software.ATTENTION Complete installation of the Windows dedicated software on the computer before connecting the unit to it with the USB cable. If you connected the unit to the computer using the USB ca-ble before installing the Windows dedicated software and the “Found New Hardware Wizard” launched, close the Wizard and disconnect the USB cable. Windows dedicated software installation procedures

1. Download the latest Windows dedicated software from the

TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.com/) and save it on the computer to be used with the unit.

2. Uncompress the saved software (zip file) on the computer

desktop or another location.

3. Double-click the “TASCAM_MX-8A_Installer_x.xx.exe” file in

the folder that appears after uncompression to launch the installation software.ATTENTIONIf you open a zip file without decompressing it and dou-ble-click the “TASCAM_MX-8A_Installer_x.xx.exe” file in the folder that opens, installation will not start. Right-click the zip file and select “Extract All”, for example, to decompress it and then try again.

4. When a Security Warning or User Account Control screen ap-

pears, click the Yes button.

5. Read the contents of the User License Agreement, and select

“I accept the agreement” if you agree to the terms. Then, click the Next > button.

6. Next, click the Install button.

8. The following screen appears when installation has com-

pleted. The following screen appears when installation has completed. Click the Finish button. NOTE The first time you connect the unit by USB to the computer af- ter installing the software, installation of the device driver will be executed. Some time might be necessary before the unit is recognized because Windows Update will be automatically searched at this time. If the unit is still not recognized after a while, open the software installation screen from the notifi- cation area at the bottom right of the computer display, and click “Skip obtaining driver software from Windows Update” to stop the search. Uninstalling the Windows dedicated soft- ware Uninstalling from the Programs and Features Control Panel NOTE Normally, there is no need to uninstall the dedicated software. Follow these procedures if a problem occurs or you no longer intend to use the unit with the computer.

1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel and launch

Programs and Features. NOTE

In Windows 10, right-click the Start button and click Control Panel when it appears.

In Windows 8.1, click the button that appears at the bot- tom left of the Start screen to open the Apps screen, and click Control Panel.

2. If View by: is set to Category, click Uninstall a program under

the Program item. If View by: is set to Large icons or Small icons, click Programs and Features.

3. Select “TASCAM MX-8A version x.xx” from the list, and double

4. Then, follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

Using the operation mode switches Use these switches to change the operation mode of the unit. Set these switches when the power is off to set the operation mode of the unit when it is turned on again with the POWER switch. Operation mode switches Ordinary mode Factory settings mode ATTENTION

Set this to RESUME unless otherwise necessary. Do not set the switches to any setting other than those shown in this table. Doing so could cause this unit or a connected device to mal- function.

Do not change the settings of the operation mode switches when the unit power is on. Factory settings mode When various settings have been changed using the dedicated application, use this mode to restore them to their factory default values.

1. Turn the unit off.

2. Set the operation mode switches.

Operation mode switches Factory settings mode

3. Turn the unit on.

The STATUS indicator blinks while the settings are being re- set to their defaults. See “Explanation of STATUS indicator status (lit/blinking/un- lit)” on page 7.

4. The STATUS indicator will stop blinking and stay lit when

resetting completes.

5. Turn the unit off.

ATTENTION Do not turn the power off while the settings are being reset. This completes restoring default settings. Set the operation mode switches back to ordinary mode (RE- SUME) before using the unit.12

LINE OUT, GAIN MIN, JEITA) S/N ratio 106 dB or higher (+24 dBu input, 44.1 k/48 kHz sampling frequency, MIC IN

LINE OUT, GAIN MIN, JEITA) Note: JEITA indicates compliance with JEITA CP-2150 Other Power AC100-240 V, 50/60 Hz Power consumption 21W Dimensions 483 × 45 × 304.1mm (W x H x D, including protrusions) Weight 3.0kg Operating temperature range 0°C–40°C 0 See the back of this manual for dimensional drawings and lev- el and block diagrams. 0 Illustrations in this manual might differ in part from the actual product. 0 Specifications and external appearance might be changed without notification to improve the product.TASCAM MX-8A

TASCAM is a registered trademark of TEAC Corporation.

Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Apple, Mac, Mac OS, macOS, iPad, iPod, iPod touch, Lightning, App Store and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc.

iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the United States and other countries and is used under license.

1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copy-

right notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above

copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following dis- claimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.

3. The name of the author may not be used to endorse or pro-

mote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR `AS IS’ AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIM- ITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDI-

RECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL

DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. FreeRTOS (v6.0.4)< In the United States > This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty is only valid within the country the unit was originally purchased.

WHAT IS AND IS NOT COVERED

Except as specied below, this warranty covers all defects in materials and workmanship in this product. The following are not covered by the warranty:

1. Damage to or deterioration of the external cabinet.

2. Damages resulting from accident, misuse, abuse or neglect.

3. Damage resulting from failure to perform basic daily maintenance and/or calibration or otherwise

resulting from failure to follow instructions contained in your owner’s manual.

4. Damage occurring during shipment of the product. (Claims must be presented to the carrier)

5. Damage resulting from repair or attempted repair by anyone other than TEAC or an authorized

TASCAM service station.

6. Damage resulting from causes other than product defects, including lack of technical skill,

competence, or experience of the user.

7. Damage to any unit which has been altered or on which the serial number has been defaced,

modied or is missing.

WHO IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY

This warranty may be enforced only by the original purchaser. This warranty is not valid if the product was purchased through an unauthorized dealer.

All parts except heads and disk drives are warranted for one (1) year from the date of original purchase. Heads and disk drives are warranted to ninety (90) days from date of original purchase. Labor is warranted for ninety (90) days from date of original purchase.

WHAT WE WILL PAY FOR

We will pay all labor and material expenses for items covered by the warranty. Payment of shipping charges is discussed in the next section of this warranty.

HOW YOU CAN GET WARRANTY SERVICE

Your unit must be serviced by an authorized TASCAM service station in the United States. (This warranty is not enforceable outside the U.S.) If you are unable to locate an authorized TASCAM service station in your area, please contact us. We either will refer you to an authorized service station or instruct you to return the unit to the factory. Whenever warranty service is required, you must present a copy of the original dated sales receipt from an Authorized TASCAM Dealer. You must pay any shipping charges if it is necessary to ship the product to service. However, if the necessary repairs are covered by the warranty, we will pay return surface shipping charges to any destination within the United States.

LIMITATION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES

Any implied warranties, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, are limited in duration to the length of this warranty.

EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES

TEAC’s liability for any defective product is limited to repair or replacement of the product, at TEAC’s option. TEAC shall not be liable for:

Damages based upon inconvenience, loss of use of the product, loss of time interrupted operation or commercial loss; or

2. Any other damages, whether incidental, consequential or otherwise.

Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/or do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. To locate an Authorized Service Center in Your Area