AUDITION

M-AUDIO PROJECTMIX I/O

FIREWIRE CONTROL SURFACE AND AUDIO INTERFACE (MAC, PC)

by Stephen Fortner

WHICH PRO TOOLS? Digidesign owns M-Audio now, which begs the question, How easily can I use ProjectMix with Pro Tools? Its control surface features will work with any version via HUI emulation, but to get audio in and out of PT, you'll need the MPowered version that works with M-Audio interfaces. To create music for film or video (in Pro Tools, that is), go for a Digi 002 with PTLE instead, as M-Powered does not support Digidesign's DV Toolkit.
I was pleasantly surprised to get to know ProjectMix I/O, whose four-digit price feels more mid-market than the high-quality entry-level gear M-Audio is known for. You certainly wont see many computer recording solutions with moving faders for much less, though. Project Mix doesnt skimp on analog inputs: all have XLR and 1/4" balanced jacks, and a 1/4" guitar input for channel 1 is smartly located on the front. Dedicated word clock I/O is a nice some would say essential pro feature, and a footswitch input is for punching in and out. I used the control surface with Apple Logic, MOTU Digital Performer, and Digidesign Pro Tools on my Mac, then Steinberg Cubase SX and PT on my Windows laptop. While I needed some time with the online manual (a quick-start card comes in the box) to learn all the controls in each program, studying was handsomely rewarded. The PM handled like a controller built exclusively for whatever DAW I had running, from simple volume changes to writing passes of plug-in automation. Switching programs requires turning it off, then on again while holding down the right button. Thats easy enough, but possibly a workflow de-railer. The manual says to shut off your computer during this process, but on the Mac, I could get away with just putting it to sleep. Whatever you've heard about FireWire, do not hot-plug this rig: The digital noise burst ensuing from my attempt was by far the least enjoyable way Ive ever killed brain cells. Another word to the wise: your ProjectMix must be the last device in your FireWire chain; with only
one FireWire port to work with, youll figure it out pretty fast. As for sound thats supposed to come out, an A-B with my old faithful MOTU 1296, which still holds its own next to newer and pricier interfaces, was nano-close. After a lot of listening to everything from a 24-bit, 88.2kHz jazz recording Id made to low-bitrate MP3s, high-end transients and reverb tails seemed to have ever so slightly roomier living quarters in the ProjectMix. On the input end, mic inputs were low-noise and detailed, and Id have no qualms using them for anything in a demo or pop recording, though I might reach for a dedicated preamp to capture every nuance of an intimate vocal. Competition? The comparably-priced TASCAM FW-1884 has more I/O, including four MIDI ports and eight analog outs; four on the ProjectMix mean you cant hook it directly to a 5.1 powered-speaker setup. On the other hand, the Pro Mixs LCD scribble strip is on the unit itself where it belongs; on the FW-1884 its on the computer screen to keep costs down, requiring a precise lineup between the box and your monitor. The Pro Mix cant double as stand-alone digital mixer (unlike Yamahas O1X), but its 100mm skin-sensitive faders are superior. In a word, compatibility is ProjectMixs trump card, and its what pushes it into Key Buy territory. Its the box to buy if you use multiple applications, especially if you want to have Pro Tools as one of your options. It handles and sounds thoroughly professional, and should further elevate the recording worlds perception of M-Audio.

VITAL STATS

ANALOG INPUTS 8 channels, mic/line, XLR and 1/4" balanced. ANALOG OUTPUTS 4 channels, 1/4" balanced, 2 stereo headphone outs. DIGITAL I/O 8-ch. ADAT lightpipe, 2-ch. S/PDIF. MIDI In, out. DISPLAYS 2 line x 55 character LCD; 2-digit LED. AUDIO FORMATS CoreAudio (Mac); ASIO, DirectX, MME, WDM, GSIF2 (WinXP). PROGRAM TEMPLATES Steinberg Cubase, Digidesign Pro Tools, Apple Logic, Cakewalk Sonar. MOTU Digital Performer, Ableton Live 5. CLAIM CHECK M-Audio says, ProjectMix I/O is a centralized control surface and audio interface for any size studio. It exploits HUI, Mackie Control, Logic Control, and standard MIDI protocols, making it a perfect companion for any combination of software, even Pro Tools MPowered, since many musicians use a wide variety of programs when composing. Controlling software is only half the solution, so ProjectMix I/Os integrated audio interface completes the feature set, sporting multiple mic pres, line ins and outs, and digital connections. Any way you cut it, the ProjectMix I/O is a great value for the studio.

PROS Open, detailed sound quality. Tight, thorough control surface integration with all programs tested. Low-latency direct monitoring. Endless rotary knobs. CONS Power-down routine required to change modes. M-Audio software control panel cant be addressed by the physical faders at this time. M-Audio, www.m-audio.com. $1,599

GORY DETAILS

ProjectMix supports 24-bit recording at sample rates up to 96kHz. Though it wont do lightpipe and S/PDIF digital I/O at the same time, it will take eight channels of ADAT lightpipe alongside the eight analog ins. Add an 8-channel mic pre with ADAT out, and you can record 16 mic inputs at once; not bad! At 88.2 or 96kHz, lightpipe carries four channels, thanks to support of the SMUX protocol.

keyboard

03-2006

What's in the Box

Before you begin setting up your ProjectMix I/O, please check that the following equipment was included in your box:
< M-Audio ProjectMix I/O < 6-Pin-to-6-Pin FireWire Cable < 6-Pin-to-4-Pin FireWire Cable < External Power Supply < M-Audio FireWire Series CD-ROM (includes drivers, documentation, and control panel application) < Printed Quick Start Guide

About ProjectMix I/O

The ProjectMix I/O features a professional quality FireWire audio interface which is capable of 16 simultaneous inputs and 12 simultaneous outputs. It offers eight mic inputs with high-quality preamps and phantom power, eight line inputs, four line outputs, eight channels of ADAT lightpipe I/O, and coaxial S/PDIF I/O. In addition to professional features like word clock I/O, the ProjectMix I/O gives you a conveniently located front-panel instrument input, two front-panel headphone outputs, and footswitch control. A single IEEE 1394 cable connects the ProjectMix I/O to your computers FireWire port. (If your computer is not equipped with a native FireWire port, you may purchase a FireWire PCI card at any computer electronics retailer.)*
*NOTE: Please check the Product Support page at www.m-audio.com for a list of compatible 1394A PCI and PCMCIA adapters.
The ProjectMix I/O is also a full-featured control surface, with touch-sensitive motorized faders, rotary encoder knobs, and dedicated mute, solo, select and record switches, as well as banking switches to address all channels of your DAW software. It features a full transport control section, including jog/scrub wheel, loop and locate buttons, and a full complement of multi-function soft buttons dedicated to work with your specic audio application. The easy-to-use software control panel of the ProjectMix I/O provides you with powerful routing and mixing control. Using the panel you can route any analog or digital input to any output, you can select digital input and output types, create special headphone mixes and select functions for the encoder knobs to control a number of other features.
IMPORTANT: We've enclosed two high-quality FireWire cables with your Project I/O a six-pin-tosix-pin cable and a six-pin-to-four-pin cable. Determine whether your computer is equipped with a six-pin or four-pin interface and choose the appropriate cable for connecting ProjectMix I/O to your computer. We strongly suggest you use one of the enclosed cables (or one of equal quality) for optimum audio performance. Also note that the ProjectMix I/O requires the included external power adapter; it will not function using only FireWire bus power. NOTE: Some computer manufacturers may use a different nomenclature to refer to their FireWire connections, such as Sony's "Link," or simply "1394."

18. Scrub Button (SCRUB): The SCRUB button is typically used in conjunction with the jog wheel (19) to scrub selected audio tracks for editing and auditioning purposes. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 19. Jog Wheel: The jog wheel is used for various purposes specic to the DAW application, including shuttle and scrubbing functions. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 20. Rewind Button (REW): Sends the rewind transport command to the DAW software. 21. Fast Forward Button (FF): Sends the fast forward transport command to the DAW software. 22. Stop Button (STOP): Sends the stop transport command to the DAW software. 23. Play Button (PLAY): Sends the play transport command to the DAW software. 24. Record Button (RECORD): Sends the record command to the DAW software, activating record function for any tracks enabled with the REC buttons (9). 25. Locate Buttons (t LOCATE u): The LOCATE buttons are normally mapped to the DAW application's left and right locate points. In most cases, pressing the tLOCATE button will move the transport to the left or rst locate point, while pressing the LOCATEu button will move the transport to the right or second locate point. Typically, holding the SET button (26) and pressing one of the LOCATE buttons will store a new locate point at the transport's current location. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 26. Set Button (SET): The SET button is normally mapped to the DAW application's Set Marker functions. Typically, holding the SET button and pressing one of the LOCATE buttons (25) will store a new locate point at the transport's current location. As well, holding the SET button and pressing in IN or OUT button (27) will typically store a new drop-in or drop-out point for automated recording. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 27. In and Out Buttons (IN, OUT): These buttons are normally mapped to the DAW application's drop-in and drop-out points for automated recording functions. In most cases, when either the IN or OUT button is pressed, the transport will move to the stored location. As well, when the SET button is held and either the IN or OUT button is pressed, it will typically store a new drop-in or drop-out point at the transport's current location. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 28: Lock Button (LOCK): Pressing the LOCK button will lock the transports buttons. For example, this prevents turning off a loop by accident or putting the DAW into play mode while you're editing. 29. Loop Button (LOOP): The LOOP button is normally mapped to the DAW application's Activate/Deactivate Loop (repeat) mode function. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 30. Nudge Buttons (t NUDGE u): These buttons are normally mapped to the DAW application's Nudge function. Typically, they are used to move selected audio parts by pre-set increments within an arrangement. The NUDGEu button moves the part forward, while the tNUDGE button moves it backward. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 31. Bank Select Up/Down Buttons (ttBANK, BANKuu): The ProjectMix I/O channel faders (13) are normally mapped to the channel faders of the DAW application. Typically, pressing the BANKuu button will shift the ProjectMix I/O faders to address the next bank of eight faders on the software application's virtual mixer (e.g., if the faders are currently addressing channels 1-8, pressing it once will address channels 9-16). Pressing the ttBANK button will cause the faders to address the previous bank of eight faders on the software application's virtual mixer (e.g., if the faders are currently addressing channels 9-16, pressing it once will address channels 1-8). 32. Bank Single Channel Up/Down Buttons (tBANK, BANKu): The ProjectMix I/O channel faders (13) are normally mapped to the channel faders of the DAW application. Typically, pressing the BANKu button will shift the ProjectMix I/O faders to address the next higher single channel fader on the software application's virtual mixer (e.g., if the faders are currently addressing channels 1-8, pressing it once will address channels 2-9). Pressing the tBANK button will cause the ProjectMix I/O faders to address the next lower single channel fader on the software application's virtual mixer (e.g., if the faders are currently addressing channels 9-16, pressing it once will address channels 8-15). 33. Shift Button (SHIFT): This is a modier button. When held, it modies the behavior of other selected buttons. Its behavior is entirely dependent on the DAW software. In some cases it will replicate the behavior of the associated button on your computer keyboard, while in others it may address the ProjectMix I/O surface controls. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details. 34. Alt Button (ALT): This is also a modier button. When held, it modies the behavior of other selected buttons. Its behavior is entirely dependent on the DAW software. In some cases it will replicate the behavior of the associated button on your computer keyboard, while in others it may address the ProjectMix I/O surface controls. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details.

NOTE: Holding down one of the AUX buttons while powering up the ProjectMix I/O will select from a variety of DAW operation modes. Refer to the Application Notes section describing your audio software for details.
45. Headphone Level Knobs: The two headphone level knobs regulate the output level (volume) of the two independent headphone mixes (selected by the headphone A/B button (46)). The headphone mixes themselves are set within the Control Panel software. See the Control Panel section for more information. 46. Headphone Mix Select Switch (A/B): The A/B switch selects between the two separate headphone mixes, as set within the Control Panel software. See the Control Panel section for more information. 47. Level Knob (LEVEL): The LEVEL knob controls the level of the software return, input, output, or aux send, as selected in the Control Panel software. See the Control Panel section for more information. 48. MIDI Channel Display: This two-digit LED display shows different information depaending on which DAW you are using. For example, the abbreviated mode type is displayed when using Logic. 49. MIDI Activity Indicators (MIDI IN, OUT): These indicator LEDs light when MIDI data is seen at the ProjectMix I/O rear-panel MIDI input or MIDI output. 50. Front-Panel Instrument Input: Connect an instrument-level input (guitar, bass, etc.) to this jack. This jack shares its input with Line input 1, and is only active when the INST switch (1) is in the down position. The Gain 1 (2) control can be used to adjust the recording level of the instrument.
51. Headphone Outputs: These jacks are stereo headphone outputs for connection of standard TRS headphone plugs. These are separate outputs whose levels are controlled by the two headphone level knobs (45). 52. Mic Inputs (MIC INPUTS): Balanced XLR inputs at +4dBu featuring high-quality mic preamps. These inputs are wired in parallel with their associated Line Inputs, and selected with the channel Mic/Line switches (3). To use the XLR jack as the input source for a channel, the corresponding MIC/LINE switch will need to be in the up position.
53. Line Inputs (LINE INPUTS): Balanced line-level (+4 dBu) 14" analog inputs. These inputs are wired in parallel with their associated MIC INPUTS, and selected with the channel MIC/LINE switches (3). To use the Line Input jack as the input source for a channel, the corresponding MIC/LINE switch (3) must be in the down position. 54. Line Outputs (LINE OUT 1 4): Balanced +4dBu line-level outputs on 14" jacks. Two independent output mixes may be congured using Outputs 1 and 2, or Outputs 3 and 4, using the Control Panel for routing. See the Control Panel section for more information. 55. Word Clock In and Out (WORD CLOCK IN, OUT): Coaxial BNC connectors for input of external word clock signal from another device (input), or for output of the ProjectMix I/O word clock signal to another device (output). 56. S/PDIF In and Out (S-PDIF IN, OUT): S/PDIF coaxial digital input and also on RCA connectors. 57. ADAT In and Out (ADAT IN / OUT): Fiber-optic input and output to accommodate eight-channel ADAT digital lightpipe format. 58. Kensington Lock Port: This connector is compatible with Kensington security cables to protect your device from theft. 59. FireWire Input: FireWire (IEEE 1394) input for connecting the ProjectMix I/O to your computer. 60. Power Input: Connect the 12VDC power supply to this jack. 61. Foot Switch Input (FOOT SWITCH): Accommodates a standard momentary contact-closure footswitch on 14" connector. This input automatically detects the polarity of a connected footswitch upon power-up. 62. MIDI In and Out (MIDI IN / OUT): MIDI input and output on standard 5-pin DIN connectors.

Control Surface Modes and Setup
Nearly every audio software company has created some method for controlling their application from an external controller. The difference, though, is in how these companies have implemented external control in their programs. One of the main differentiators for external control is the supported protocol. For years, standard MIDI protocol has been used to communicate between software applications and external hardware devices and indeed, this method has proven extremely powerful. With the constant development and improvement in computer software however, MIDI is sometimes not enough for controlling today's robust audio applications. Because of this, a few other protocols have been developed on top of the original MIDI spec. Two of these, Mackie HUI and Mackie Control, have been implemented in the ProjectMix I/O. This means the ProjectMix I/O will be compatible in some shape or form with many of the software applications availablethe ProjectMix I/O can even work using standard MIDI protocol if necessary. ProjectMix I/O various control modes are accessed by holding down specic buttons while powering on the unit. This is detailed in the sections to follow. The ProjectMix I/O will retain the last mode you used even if you turn the power off. You only need to perform these powerup procedures when you want to change the mode you're using.

Pro Tools Mode

To enter Pro Tools mode: Hold down the AUX 1 button while powering on the ProjectMix I/O. The mode will be conrmed in the LCD display when the ProjectMix I/O has initialized. Setup: With the ProjectMix I/O in Pro Tools mode, launch Pro Tools and select Hardware Setup > Peripherals > MIDI Controllers. Under Type, select HUI. Under Receive From, select ProjectMix I/O Control. Under Send To, select ProjectMix I/O Control.
NOTE: ProjectMix I/O communicates with all Pro Tools systems (TDM, LE and M-Powered) using the Mackie HUI protocol. If you are using an application other than Pro Tools that supports HUI protocol, you'll want to switch the ProjectMix I/O to this mode.
Please note that many of Pro Tools' features consist of multiple pages of editing parameters. To move between multiple pages, hold the ALT button and press the tBANKu buttons.
(Regarding the use of multiple-page parameter controls specic to Pro Tools, in most cases we have attempted to document the full range of editing parameters. However, many virtual instruments and plug-ins available in Pro Tools contain in excess of 50 pages of parameters. This fact, combined with the sheer number of plug-ins and virtual instruments on the market, makes it nearly impossible to document them all. We have therefore focused this manual on those control aspects specic to the Pro Tools program itself. ) Pro Tools On-Screen Dialog Warnings Certain dialog messages that appear on-screen in Pro Tools will also appear in the ProjectMix I/O display. You must close these dialogs in Pro Tools before continuing work with the ProjectMix I/O. Pro Tools "Lost Communication" Message If Pro Tools loses communication with the ProjectMix I/O, it will display "OFFLINE" in its Time Counter display. If this occurs, turn off power to the ProjectMix I/O, wait a few seconds, and then turn on the ProjectMix I/O again. If communication problems persist, check connections to the ProjectMix I/O.

If you are not using the ProjectMix I/O, deselect it in the "MIDI control surfaces" eld in the Peripherals dialog.
Active in Background Message In most setups, the Pro Tools Active in Background option should be selected in the Operations menu. If this option is not selected and another application is brought to the foreground, a warning will appear in the ProjectMix I/O display. Select Operations > Active in Background, and ProjectMix I/O activity will be restored.
The Control Surface Pro Tools Mode
How the ProjectMix I/O Control Surface Works with Pro Tools
Channel Faders The channel faders are used for level control of disk tracks, master faders, auxiliary inputs, and MIDI tracks. Gain calibration ranges from innity (bottom of fader travel) to +6dB (top of fader travel). The ProjectMix I/O channel fader tapering scheme provides resolution of 8.8dB per MIDI value in the 60 to 70dB range, and 2.5dB per MIDI value in the 70 to 100dB range. The result is smooth fade outs to silence at low level.
< Moving Grouped Faders
The rst fader in a mix group touched in any single mix operation becomes the group master. When the group master is established, faders that are in the same mix group will also move in a relative fashion. However, faders that are in the same mix group and concurrently touched are temporarily disengaged from the group, and will move independently of the mix group. Once a fader that is temporarily disengaged is released, it will resume following the mix group master's movements. When the group master is released, if there are any faders in the mix group that are concurrently being touched, the fader that was touched earliest in time becomes the new group master. Subsequent moves of this new group master will cause all other untouched faders in the mix group to follow.
LCD Display The LCD will show different information depending on which operation buttons are pressed.

< Level display

When you press ALT and move a fader, the level display shows the level in dB on LCD.
< Numeric Pan position

Aux Buttons (AUX 1 AUX 5) The AUX 1 AUX 5 buttons access the ve individual aux sends of the selected channels. When an AUX button is selected, the LCD will display the aux sends level for each of the 8 currently selected channels. The 8 encoder knobs control the aux send level for each channel. Hold down the ALT button while turning the encoder knobs to see a numeric value in the LCD. Pan Buttons (PAN) The channel PAN buttons show the pan setting for the current 8 channels. The 8 encoder knobs control the pan setting for each channel. The LCD will show a graphic of the pan position. Hold down the ALT button while adjusting pan to see a numeric value. Plug In Button (PLUG IN) Pressing the PLUG IN button displays the rst four inserts of the selected channel. To see the fth insert, turn the fth encoder knob. Press the REC button located under the insert you wish to select and the parameters of that plug-in will be displayed in the LCD. Turn the fth encoder knob to see additional parameters of the selected plug-in. In this mode, the rst four REC buttons are used to toggle switches in plug-ins on and off. The fth REC button backs you out of this mode and displays the available inserts on this channel again. Select In Button (SEL IN) Press the CHAN INFO button so the LED is on and then press the SEL IN button. This shows the input assignment for the current eight channels on the LCD. Use the encoder knobs to change the input assignment per channel. Press the CHAN INFO button again for these changes to take affect. Select Out Button (SEL OUT) Press the CHAN INFO button so the LED is on and then press the SEL OUT button. You'll see the output assignment for the current eight channels on the LCD. Use the encoder knobs to change the output assignment per channel. Press the CHAN INFO button again for these changes to take affect. Meter Button (MTR) The MTR button activates the ProjectMix I/O channel meters, which show up as horizontal bar meters in the LCD display. Flip Button (FLIP) Pressing the FLIP button switches the parameter assignment between the faders and the encoder knobs (i.e., the parameter assigned to the encoder knob is now controlled by the fader, and vice-versa). As the faders are touch-sensitive and the encoder knobs are not, assigning the encoder knob functions to the faders allows you to write smoother automation to these values. Channel Information Button (CHAN INFO) This is only a modier button and has no function of its own.
Set Up Button (SET UP) Press the SET UP button to access utility functions of the ProjectMix I/O like LCD Contrast. The SET UP button will light solid red. After pressing SET UP, press the SEL key below the function you wish to edit on the LCD, then follow the instructions on the LCD to access parameters and edit values.
Hold down the SET UP key for one second and the key will blink red. This will turn off the motorized faders on the ProjectMix I/O. Hold down the SET UP key again for one second to turn the motorized faders back on.

< Encoder knob 1edits the Frequency parameter of odd-numbered EQs.
< Encoder knob 2edits the Gain parameter of odd-numbered EQs.
< Encoder knob 3edits the Q parameter of odd-numbered EQs.
The value can be defaulted to 0 pressing the SEL 3 button for one second.
< Encoder knob 4edits the Bypass parameter of odd-numbered EQs.
The value can be defaulted to 0 pressing the SEL 4 button for one second.
< Encoder knob 5edits the Frequency parameter of even-numbered EQs.
< Encoder knob 6edits the Gain parameter of even-numbered EQs.
< Encoder knob 7edits the Q parameter of even-numbered EQs.
< Encoder knob 8edits the Bypass parameter of even-numbered EQs.
< The arrow left and right buttons (t, u) switch to the next or previous EQ band.
Aux 4 Button (AUX 4): Send Functions
Instrument Assignment Modes Press the AUX 4 button to switch to Instrument Multi Channel view.
Please note that when in Plug-In Edit view, pressing the AUX 4 button a second time switches to Instrument Edit view.
If you can't see the Audio Instrument channels, use the BANK or CHANNEL buttons in the Fader Banks zone of the ProjectMix I/O, or switch to Global view by pressing the AUX 4 button. (This assumes that you have created at least one Audio Instrument channel in the Environment Audio layer of Logic). Multi Channel View This mode shows the instrument insert slot (slot 1) for all channels.
< The mode display shows "In." < The upper row of the LCD shows track names. < The lower row of the LCD shows the currently selected Instrument. Bypassed instrument names are preceded by an asterisk. < Turning the encoder knobs pre-selects a new instrument. Until activated, the pre-selected instrument name ashes. To activate,
press and hold the already lit SEL button for that channel until Logic begins to load the new instrument.
< Turning another encoder knob will cancel any previous pre-selection and start pre-selection on the newly selected track.
To remove an instrument plug-in, pre-select the value of "--" (by turning the encoder knob all the way counterclockwise), and press the SEL button for one second. Logic Control will not switch to Instrument Edit view, and no plug-in window will be launched. If one was previously opened, it will be closed (if the chain icon is inactive).

Instrument Edit View

< The mode display will show "In." < Dependent on the CHAN INFO button, the LCD changes in the following ways: < CHAN INFO (LED blinking on)The upper LCD row shows the track's name, instrument name, current parameter page and total
number of parameter pages. The lower LCD row shows the name of the parameter edited with the encoder knob below it.
< CHAN INFO (LED off)The upper LCD row shows the name of the parameter edited with the encoder knob below it. The lower

< Turning the encoder knobs pre-selects a new plug-in. Until activated, the plug-in name ashes. To activate, press and hold the
SEL button on that channel for one second.

Plug-In Edit View

< The mode display shows "P1" to "P8," depending on the number of the selected plug-in insert slots. < The LCD display will change in the following ways between the two modes: < CHAN INFO (LED blinking on)The upper LCD row shows the track's name, insert number, plug-in name, current parameter
page and total number of parameter pages. The lower LCD row shows the name of the parameter, which is edited via the encoder knob below.
< CHAN INFO (LED off)The upper LCD row shows the name of the parameter that is edited via the encoder knob below. The
lower LCD row shows the current value of the parameter edited with the encoder knob. If there is sufcient onscreen space, the unit type will be addede.g. "Hz."
< Turning the encoder knobs changes the parameter. < The arrow left and right buttons (t, u) switch to the next or previous parameter page.
Note that when shifting by page, this always quantizes to integer pages. As an example, if the plug-in has 19 parameters:
< ProjectMix I/O shows parameters 1 to 8. < CURSOR RIGHT shifts to 9 to 16. < CURSOR RIGHT shifts to 12 to 19. < CURSOR LEFT shifts back to 9 to 16, not to 4 to 11.
This way, you always revert to the page positions you expect to nd.
< To switch by a single parameter, rather than by page, hold down the ALT button while pressing the arrow left or right button (t, u). < The arrow left and right buttons (t, u) change the currently displayed plug-in insert slot (1 to 8).
When exiting Plug-In Edit view, the Plug-In window will be closed (if the chain icon is inactive).
Compatibility Logic Control can edit all plug-ins that have automatable parameters, no matter what the plug-in type (built-in, TDM*, VST, AU, RTAS, DirectX). Some plug-ins don't provide parameter names and/or values as text. In this case, the parameters are numbered as "Control #1," "Control #2," etc., and the values are displayed as numbers between 0 and 1000. Some VST plug-ins don't allow you to retrieve the value range; in this case the range 0 to 1000 is assumed. This can be inconvenient with switch controllers on the plug-in since they can't be toggled using the encoder knobs. In this case hold down the SHIFT button and turn the encoder knob to toggle the plug-in switch. DirectX supports automatable parameters since version 8. However it is not sufcient to install this versionthe DirectX plug-ins must also support the new functions. As a rule, you should contact the plug-in's manufacturer in order to get a version that supports the features offered on the ProjectMix I/O.

When pressing and holding the ALT button: Encoder Knob 1 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 1 Encoder Knob 2 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 2 Encoder Knob 3 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 3 Encoder Knob 4 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 4 Encoder Knob 5 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 5 Encoder Knob 6 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 6 Encoder Knob 7 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 7 Encoder Knob 8 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on Channel 8 Page 2 and 3: Encoder Knob 1 controls EQ Band 1 On/Off on selected channel Encoder Knob 2 controls EQ Band 2 On/Off on selected channel Encoder Knob 3 controls EQ Band 3 On/Off on selected channel Encoder Knob 4 controls EQ Band 4 On/Off on selected channel

AUX 3 Button

Page 1 (AUX 3 LED ashing): Faders control Master, Sub-Group and Effect Send channels. Encoder Knobs control EQ Band 1 frequency on corresponding channels. Page 2 (AUX 3 LED lit): Faders control Master Output channels. Press AUX 3 a third time to return to normal operational mode.
AUX 4 Button Press AUX 4 to insert a new audio track in the current project. AUX 5 Button Pressing AUX 5 inserts a new MIDI track in the current project. Pan Button (PAN)
Page 1: Encoder Knobs control Pan Left Right on channels Page 2: Encoder Knob 1 controls Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 2 controls FX 1 Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 3 controls FX 2 Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 4 controls FX 3 Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 5 controls FX 4 Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 6 controls FX 5 Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 7 controls FX 6 Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 8 controls FX 7 Pan of selected channel
Plug In Button (PLUG IN) The PLUG IN button generally selects encoder knob control for the parameters of the rst selected plug-in in the FX stack. (If there is no plug-in loaded on the track, nothing will open.)
Again, due to the vast number of different plug-ins on the market, it is beyond the scope of this manual to document each plug-ins specic editing parameters.
Select In Button (SEL IN) The SEL IN button selects SONARs UNDO function.
Hold ALT and press SEL IN to select SONARs REDO function.
Select Out Button (SEL OUT) Fit tracks to the window. Meter Button (MTR) Fit project to the window.
Flip Button (FLIP) Press the FLIP button to switch the parameter assignment between the faders and the encoder knobs (i.e., the parameter assigned to the encoder knob is now controlled by the fader, and vice-versa). As the faders are touch-sensitive and the encoder knobs are not, assigning the encoder knob functions to the faders allows you to write smoother automation. Channel Information Button (CHAN INFO)
Encoder Knob 1 controls Volume Level of selected channel Encoder Knob 2 controls Pan of selected channel Encoder Knob 3 controls Output Selection of selected channel Encoder Knob 4 controls Input Selection of selected channel Encoder Knob 5 controls Phase Inversion of selected channel Encoder Knob 6 controls Stereo/Mono Selection of selected channel Encoder Knob 7 controls FX On/Off Selection of selected channel Encoder Knob 8 controls FX Send Level of selected channel

The tNUDGE button sets the loop start point. The NUDGEu button sets the loop end point.
Locate Buttons (t LOCATE u) The LOCATE (t / u) buttons move the transport to the previous or next assigned marker. Set Button (SET) SET activates and deactivates Punch In mode. In Button (IN) The IN button sets the Punch In point. Out Button (OUT) The OUT buttons sets the Punch Out point. Window Button (WINDOW) Pressing the WINDOW button repeatedly cycles through all open windows. Zoom Button (ZOOM) The ZOOM button works in conjunction with the arrow buttons (t, p, u, q). Press the ZOOM button repeatedly to toggle through three different modes:
Scroll Mode (ZOOM button LED not lit) left/right arrow buttons (t, u) scroll the transport. Zoom Mode (ZOOM button LED lit) left/right arrow buttons (t, u) zoom the display. Nudge Mode (ZOOM button LED blinking) left/right arrow buttons (t, u) nudge selected part(s).
Arrow Buttons (t, p, u, q) The arrow buttons (t, p, u, q) perform multiple functions depending on the mode selected, as referenced throughout this section. Scrub Button (SCRUB): Press the SCRUB button to engage the jog wheel to scrub the selected audio waveform. If no audio is selected, the jog wheel scrolls the transport as usual. Jog Wheel: Scrolls the transport. ALT + REW: Press ALT & REW together to return the transport to Zero (RTZ).

Using MIDI Mode

The ProjectMix Control Application allows you to congure the ProjectMix I/O control surface to communicate standard MIDI messages instead of the default Mackie Control protocol. This lets you to use the ProjectMix I/O with almost any audio application that supports standard MIDI protocol (nearly every audio application supports MIDI control in some way). In MIDI mode, you can assign MIDI Continuous Controllers to the knobs, faders, and jog wheel as well as assign MIDI Note events to nearly all of the buttons. Furthermore, the lights behind the buttons can be controlled by MIDI events, thus allowing the audio application to create a two-way relationship with the ProjectMix I/O if it is within the audio applications capabilities. Technically speaking, MIDI is a system in which controls on the ProjectMix I/O are assigned MIDI control numbers, thereby allowing them to send specic messages to specic receivers when you adjust the knobs, faders and buttons on the unit. Each knob, fader and button on the ProjectMix I/O can be assigned a different number so the controller youre moving sends its messages to the exact device you want to receive them. The range of numbers available in the MIDI system, run from 0-127. This may seem like a lot of different assignment possibilities, but by todays standards, with plug-ins and virtual synthesizers having countless parameters to control, one could run out of assignment numbers rather quickly. To expand the choices, MIDI offers 16 separate channels, each with two groups of 128 number assignments. The two groups are Notes (used for buttons on the ProjectMix I/O) and Continuous Controllers (abbreviated CC which is used for the knobs, faders, and the jog wheel). Therefore, every button, knob, and fader on the ProjectMix I/O (or any MIDI device) has two numerical assignments: a channel number, from 1 to 16, and a parameter number, which is either a Note or CC from 0 to 127. Because of this, you need to set two values for each of the controls on the ProjectMix I/O when youd like to them to control something with MIDI. The ProjectMix I/O Control Application makes this very simple by using a point-and-click interface and familiar dialog boxes.

Installing and Running the ProjectMix Control Application

Windows XP

1. Insert the FireWire Series CD-ROM into your computers CD-ROM drive. 2. A welcome screen will appear, as shown below. If this does not appear automatically, click on Start > My Computer > FireWire Series.
3. From the menu in the bottom-right corner of the welcome screen, choose ProjectMix Control. Click Install. 4. The ProjectMix Control installer will start. Follow the onscreen directions. 5. When installation is complete, you can launch the program by clicking Start > M-Audio > FireWire Family > ProjectMix Control.

Mac OS X

1. Insert the FireWire Series CD-ROM into your computers CD-ROM drive. 2. Double-click the CD icon that appears on your computers desktop. A new window will open. 3. Double-click the Mac OS X Start Here icon contained in the new window. The welcome screen, shown below, will appear.
4. From the menu in the bottom-right corner of the welcome screen, select ProjectMix Control and click Install. 5. When installation is complete, you can launch the application by locating it in your Applications folder and double-clicking its icon.

Using ProjectMix Control

Downloading Current Settings
When ProjectMix Control rst starts, it will check to see that the ProjectMix I/O is connected to your computer. Once it establishes a connection, a dialog box will appear conrming connection. It will also ask you if youd like to download the current MIDI settings of the ProjectMix I/O into the application. Click OK and the settings will be loaded into the application.

The Interface

The ProjectMix Control application is a simple window containing a graphic representation of the knobs, buttons, and faders on the ProjectMix I/O.
As you move your mouse over these controls, a balloon will appear showing you the current values assigned to the control.
Youll nd that every control on the ProjectMix I/O has MIDI parameters assigned to it except for the MIDI button. This is because the MIDI button is used to enter and exit the ProjectMix I/O MIDI mode.
Changing MIDI Assignments
To change the assignments to a control, simply click on it with your mouse. A small dialog box will appear containing the relevant parameters for the control.
Simply type in your desired values and press OK. This will lock in your new settings for the control. Continue clicking on controls and reprogramming them until youve made all the necessary changes.

Uploading Changes

While performing the reprogramming detailed above, your settings are being saved on your computer only. Once you have nished editing the controls, you will need to upload these new settings to the ProjectMix I/O in order for them to take effect. Click on the OPTIONS menu in the upper-left corner of the screen. Click on the rst option, Send Current Conguration to Control Surface, to begin the upload.

Once the upload completes, your changes will now be available when you engage MIDI mode on the ProjectMix I/O.

Updating Firmware

The ProjectMix I/O contains a set of processors that handle all the tasks necessary to make the unit work. Some processors handle the audio functions of the ProjectMix I/O; others handle the control surface. These processors are running programs that can be updated, just like updating software on your computer. These programs, called rmware, will be updated from time to time in order to enhance the functionality of the ProjectMix I/O. The latest rmware versions for both the audio interface and control surface are included in every driver package (including those on the CD-ROM) that are available on the M-Audio Web site (www.m-audio.com). In order to have the most recent rmware, youll need to install the most recent driver package. The audio interface rmware is uploaded every time you start your computer. The control surface rmware, however, must be updated using the Firmware Updater supplied with ProjectMix Control. Before you update the control surface rmware, take a moment to check whether or not you actually need an update. It is quite possible that improvements may be made to the audio driver while the control surface rmware stays the same. In other words, just because theres a new driver available doesnt mean theres a new control surface rmware available, too. To see your current control surface rmware version, simply turn off the ProjectMix I/O and turn it back on. The version will be displayed on the LCD screen during initialization. Write this number down for reference.
Youll start the control surface rmware updater by clicking OPTIONS in the upper-left corner of the ProjectMix Control window. Then click on Update Firmware within the pop-up menu.
Once you select Update Firmware, the Firmware Updater will launch.
Before you click Update, take a look at the version number displayed in the title bar. If this number matches the ProjectMix I/O rmware number that you wrote down above, then you do not need to run the Updater. If your ProjectMix I/O has an older version than the number shown in the title bar, then you can proceed with the update. To initiate the update, click the Update button and follow the on-screen directions. Once the rmware upload begins, a bar will slowly ll from the left to right indicating the progress of the upload. Once the upload is complete, turn the ProjectMix I/O off, then back on. During initialization, conrm that the new rmware version is shown in the LCD screen.

Specications

Mic Inputs (A/D) Input Impedance Maximum Input Level at Minimum Gain Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk SNR Dynamic Range THD+N Frequency Response Preamp Gain Phantom Power 3.4k -3dBu, balanced < -110dB @ 1kHz -104dB, A-weighted 104dB, A-weighted 0.00188 % (-94.6dB) @ -1 dBFS, 1kHz 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.1dB 55dB 48 Volts DC @ 16mA Headphone Output (D/A) 560k bal/280k unbal +14 dBu bal/+11.8 dBV unbal -100dB, A-weighted 100dB, A-weighted 0.00243 % (-92.3dB) @ -1 dBFS, 1kHz 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.1dB @ 48kHz Supported Sampling Rates Analog Ports S/PDIF Digital I/O ADAT Digital I/O Line Inputs (A/D) Input Impedance Maximum Input Level at Minimum Gain Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk SNR Dynamic Range THD+N Frequency Response 20k bal/10k unbal +10dBu bal/+7.8dBV unbal < -110dB @ 1kHz -104dB, A-weighted 104dB, A-weighted 0.00243 % (-92.3dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz 20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.1dB @ 48kHz Digital Parameters Converter Bit Depth 24 bits 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz. 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz. 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz. Maximum Output Working Range -2.9dBV at THD+N < 0.03% into to 600 Line Outputs (D/A) Output Impedance Maximum Output Level Channel-to-Channel Crosstalk SNR Dynamic Range THD+N Frequency Response 300 bal/150 unbal +10dBu bal/+1.8dBV, unbal < -109dB -110dB, A-weighted 110dB, A-weighted 0.00205 % (-93.8dB) @ -1dBFS, 1kHz 20Hz to 22kHz, +/- 0.1dB @ 48kHz 20Hz to 44kHz, +/- 0.2dB @ 96kHz
Instrument Input (A/D) Input Impedance Maximum Input Level at Minimum Gain SNR Dynamic Range THD+N Frequency Response

ProjectMix I/O

Tested to comply with FCC standards

FOR HOME OR STUDIO USE

051130_ProjMix_UG_EN01

Warranty Specications