1608 Automation

Operators Manual

Revised
5-18-12
Written for Automated Processes Incorporated
by Daniel Pfeifer
2012

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Table of Contents
1.0

Overview
1.1 Introduction and Features

2.0

Automation System Components

2.1 940B Automation Controller (ACM)
2.1.1
LCD Display
2.1.2
Control Panel Buttons
2.1.3
Navigation Buttons and Jog-wheel
2.1.4
Memory Card Slot
2.1.5
Reset Button
2.1.6
Group Master Faders
2.1.7
Program Master Fader
2.1.8
DAW Worksurface Enable Button
2.2 948B Fader Modules
2.3 Fader Automation and DAW Controls
2.4 548B Input Modules
2.5 Rear Interface Panel
2.6 System Architecture

3.0

Software Overview
3.1 Starting the Automation Package
3.2 Software Organization
3.3 Software Navigation
3.3.1
Page and Navigation Buttons
3.3.2
Jog-Wheel
3.3.3
Navigation Procedures
3.3.4
Text Entry
3.3.5
Screen Capture
3.4 Status Page and Main Menu
3.4.1
Status Page Button
3.4.2
Status Page
3.4.3
Select All Button
3.4.4
Main Menu
3.5 Project Pages and Menus
3.5.1
Project Pages Button
3.5.2
Mix Tree Page and Menu
3.5.3
Groups Page and Menu
3.5.4
Snapshots Page and Menu

4.0

File Management
4.1 Project Files
4.2 File Structure
4.3 Memory Card
4.3.1
Format A Memory Card
4.4 New Project
4.5 Open Project
4.6 Mix Export & Import
4.7 Snapshot Export & Import
4.8 Card Reader
4.8.1 File Back-up
4.8.2 Renaming Projects and Files
4.8.3 Deleting Projects and Files
4.8.4 Firmware File

5.0

Automation Concepts
5.1 Mix Pass and Mix Tree Concepts
5.1.1
Mix Passes
5.2 Manual Mixing
5.3 Initial Positions
5.3.1
Setting Initial Positions
5.4 Creating a New Mix and Project
5.5 End-Of-Pass Processing
5.6 Timecode and Synchronization
5.7 Function Enables
5.8 Low Memory Warning

6.0

Automation Modes
6.1 MANUAL
6.2 READ
6.3 UPDATE
6.4 WRITE
6.5 Automation Mode Assignment
6.5.1
Status Page Mode Assignment
6.5.2
Fader Mode Assignment

7.0

Automation Sub-modes
7.1 None
7.2 STATIC
7.3 LATCH
7.4 TOUCH WRITE
7.5 MUTE WRITE
7.6 Automation Sub-mode Assignment
7.7 Online Fader Trim

8.0

Mix Tree Page

8.1 Mix Tree Page Display
8.2 Current Mix
8.3 Mix Menu
8.3.1
Make Current
8.3.2
Delete Mix
8.3.3
Mix Properties
8.3.3.1
Change Mix Name
8.3.3.2
Change Mix Glide Rate
8.3.3.3
Change Mix Color
8.3.4
Copy/Swap
8.3.4.1
Copy/Swap Procedure
8.3.5
Clear Data
8.3.5.1
Clear Data Procedure
8.3.6
Offline Trim
8.3.6.1
Offline Trim Procedure
8.3.7
Export Mix
8.3.8
Import Mix
8.4 Low Memory Warning

9.0

Automation Procedures
9.1 Starting a New Mix
9.1.1
New Mix in a New Project
9.1.2
New Mix in an Existing Project
9.1.3
Tips for Working on a Mix
9.2 Make a Mix Current
9.3 Change the Glide Rate
9.4 Export a Mix
9.5 Import a Mix

10.0

Global Functions
10.1 Kill Mix
10.2 Auto Safe
10.3 Bridge Gaps
10.4 Auto Takeover

11.0

Automation Safe Modes

11.1 Safe Fader
11.2 Safe Mute
11.3 Safe Insert

12.0

Groups
12.1 Groups Page
12.2 Enable Groups
12.3 Group Masters
12.3.1
Insert Group Masters and Members
12.4 Groups Menu
12.4.1
New Group
12.4.2
Edit Group
12.4.3
Delete Group
12.4.4
Disable/Enable Group
12.4.5
Coalesce & Delete Group
12.4.6
Coalesce & Keep Group
12.4.7
Coalesce w/Audio Master
12.5 Default Groups
12.5.1
Saving Default Groups
12.5.2
Reloading Default Groups
12.6 Group Setup Procedures
12.6.1
Enabling Groups Globally
12.6.2
Create a New Group
12.6.3
Edit an Existing Group
12.6.4
Delete a Group
12.6.5
Disable a Group
12.6.6
Enable a Group
12.6.7
Coalesce a Group

13.0

Snapshots
13.1 Snapshots Page
13.2 Snapshots Menu
13.2.1
Project: Load Snapshot
13.2.2
Project: New Snapshot
13.2.3
Project: Delete Snapshot
13.2.4
Project: Export Snapshot
13.2.5
Project: Import Snapshot
13.2.6
VSS File: Load Snapshot
13.2.7
VSS File: New Snapshot
13.3 Default Positions
13.3.1
Saving Default Positions
13.3.2
Reloading Default Positions
13.4 Snapshot Procedures
13.4.1
Create a New Snapshot (Project)
13.4.2
Load an Existing Snapshot (Project)
13.4.3
Delete a Snapshot (Project)
13.4.4
Export a Snapshot (Project)
13.4.5
Import a Snapshot (Project)
13.4.6
Load a Snapshot (VSS File)
13.4.7
Create a New Snapshot (VSS File)

14.0

DAW Control
14.1 DAW Configuration
14.2 DAW Enable
14.3 DAW Controls
14.4 Shift Channels
14.5 DAW Control Applications
14.6 DAW Control Procedures
14.6.1
Using the console control surface to control a DAW

15.0

Ancillary Fader Functions

15.1 Position Faders
15.2 Demo Functions

16.0

System Configuration, Calibration, and Firmware

16.1 Automation Interfacing
16.1.1
Timecode Interfacing
16.1.1.1
LTC Timecode
16.1.1.2
MIDI Timecode
16.1.2
MIDI Interfacing
16.1.3
Expander Interfacing
16.2 System Menu
16.2.1
Software Versions
16.2.2
Load Firmware
16.2.2.1
FCM Firmware Programming
16.2.3
Set Clock
16.2.4
Calibrate Faders
16.2.5
DAW Configuration
16.2.6
General Configuration
16.3 Setup Procedures
16.3.1
Format a Memory Card
16.3.2
Firmware Updates
16.3.2.1
View Currently Loaded Software
16.3.2.2
Enable FCM Programming
16.3.2.3
Load/Update Firmware
16.3.3
General Configuration
16.3.3.1
Number of Channels
16.3.3.2
Timecode Source
16.3.3.3
Freewheel Frames
16.3.3.4
Default Timecode Frame Rate
16.3.4
Set Date and Time
16.3.5
Fader Calibration
16.4 Emergency Recovery

17.0

Software Revision Notes

Version 0.39
Version 0.40

Daniel Pfeifer is a professor in the Department of Recording Industry at

Middle Tennessee State University

1.0

Overview
Leveraging our prior experience with console automation in combination with extensive customer input,
API has developed a proprietary, easy-to-use Automation Package for the 1608 console and 1608EX 16channel expander.

1.1 Introduction and Features

The 1608 Automation Package is a fully integrated, self-contained, and comprehensive moving
fader, mute, and insert automation system with DAW control and snapshot capabilities. We've
designed the system to enhance the operation of the console and allow for an entirely new range
of mixing capabilities, while making sure the system was simple and easy to use.
The 1608 Automation Package contains features and operational control previously unheard-of in
a small console of this type. The following operational functions are included:

Automation: Moving fader, mute, and insert automation

Groups: Fader, mute, and insert groups

Snapshots: Capture, store, and load static snapshots of faders, mutes, and inserts

DAW Control Surface: HUI DAW control

File Management: Projects, snapshots, and mixes

Automation features include:

Full automation of all Channel faders, Program Masters, and Group Masters

Full-sized 100mm faders

Channel mute automation

Channel insert automation

Unlimited groups with two dedicated Group Masters

Unlimited mix restore points

Time saving automation sub-modes

Copy and swap mix data functions

Clear mix data functions

Off-line fader data trim

Synchronization with SMPTE Timecode (LTC) or MIDI Timecode (MTC)

DAW Control features include:

Fader control

Mute, Solo, Select, and Record Ready control

Channel Shifting for flexible channel assignment

HUI control over MIDI

Unity gain audio bypass in DAW control mode

Additional features include:

Intuitive hardware and software interface (We work the way you work!)

Self-contained system with no external computer required

Intuitive and user-friendly software and hardware interfaces

Save files to standard memory cards

Easy portability with room for hundreds of mixes

Easily retrofits to existing 1608 consoles

Expandable to 48 channels

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2.0

Automation System Components

The 1608 Automation Package is made up of a series of components that work together to form an
integrated system. The following components make up the Automation Package:

940B Automation Controller

948B Fader Modules

548B Input Modules

Rear Panel Interface

Automation Power Supply

2.1 940B Automation Controller (ACM)

The 940B Automation Controller (also known as the Automation Control Module or ACM) is the
central component in the 1608 Automation Package. It is the primary user interface and handles
all global automation operations. The Automation Controller is responsible for all real time
automation features and holds the most recent mix pass (current mix) in its RAM memory. The
Automation Controller contains the following components:

On-Board Computer: Stand-alone and fully integrated dedicated computer

LCD Display: 2 X 3 Color LCD display

Control Panel Buttons: Navigation, mode, safe, and control buttons

Navigation Buttons: Control buttons for computer navigation and control

Jog Wheel: Selection tool within software windows and entry fields

Memory-Card Slot: Card slot with LED activity indicator

Reset Button: Recessed system reboot button

Group Master Faders (G1 & G2): Two (2) dedicated Group Master Faders

Program Master Fader (PGM): Stereo Program Master Fader

The image on the previous page illustrates the location of each control grouping of the Automation
Controller. Each of these components will be explained in detail in the following sections of this
manual.

2.1.1

LCD Display
The Automation Controller is equipped with a color 2 X 3 LCD Display. Together with
the lights on the 948B Fader Modules, the LCD Display provides the primary visual
interface with the system. It displays the status and project software pages, menus, and
allows user interaction using the navigation buttons and jog wheel.

2.1.2

Control Panel Buttons

The Automation Controller contains a series of buttons that are used to operate the
system. These buttons are organized as indicted in the image below.

Each of these buttons will be explained in detail in subsequent sections of this manual.

2.1.3

Navigation Buttons and Jog-wheel

The
Automation
Controller
includes
three
navigation buttons and a jog-wheel that are
used to operate the automation computer. These
controls are used in conjunction with the STATUS
PAGE, PROJECT PAGES, and SELECT ALL buttons
to select pages and menus, select options, and
enter information.
Use of these controls will be explained in detail in
subsequent sections 3.3 Software Navigation.

2.1.4

Memory Card Slot

The 1608 Automation Package employs standard, commonly
available memory cards for the storage of projects and their
associated files. The slot for the MEMORY-CARD and a LED that
shows when it is being accessed is included on the Automation
Controller. File storage and the MEMORY CARD will be explained
in detail in subsequent sections of this manual.

2.1.5

Reset Button
A recessed RESET button is included on the Automation Controller (next to
the MEMORY-CARD slot). Pressing this button will immediately reboot the
automation system.

2.1.6

Group Master Faders

Two
(2)
dedicated
and
fully
automated Group Master Faders (G1 &
G2) are included on the Automation
Controller. These faders provide
additional
master
faders
when
creating groups.
The Group Master Faders do not carry
audio and are control faders only.
The Group Master Faders (G1 & G2)
each have the following features:

Faders:
100mm,
touch
sensitive fader with classic API
control cap

Automation Controls: Buttons

and indicators for automation
control
The Group Master Faders will be
explained in detail in section 12.0
Groups.
The Group Master Faders
include a MUTE button
that is used to control
the mutes of group
members.

2.1.7

Program Master Fader

The Automation Controller includes the Program Master Fader
(PGM) for the console. This dedicated and fully automated
master fader controls the level of the program (mix) output.
The Program Master Fader (PGM) has the following features:

Faders: 100mm, touch sensitive fader with classic API

control cap

Automation Controls: Buttons and indicators for

automation control
If automation has been added to a non-automated 1608, the
Program Master Fader on the Automation Controller will
replace the originally installed 440B Program Master Fader.
The DAW button activates the DAW worksurface control for the
Group Master and Program Master faders.
The Program Master Fader will be explained in detail in
subsequent sections of this manual.

2.1.8

DAW Worksurface Enable Button

The DAW button included on the Automation Controller (above the Program
Master Fader) activates DAW control for the Group Master Faders and
Program Master Fader.
DAW control will be explained in detail in section 14.0 DAW Control.

2.2 948B Fader Modules

The 1608 Automation Package includes a 948B Fader Module (also known as Fader Control
Module or FCM) for every eight (8) Input Channels installed in the console and expander. Each 8channel Fader Module has the following features:

Faders: Eight (8) 100mm, touch sensitive faders with classic API control cap

Automation Controls: Buttons and indicators for automation control for each fader

DAW Mode Button: Activates the DAW worksurface for that 8-channel module

Fader modules are controlled by the Automation Controller. If a fader module fails, most parts of
the fader and input modules under its control will stop working. However, the audio paths will
continue to operate. No mix data is stored in the FCM, so a FCM failure will not cause any loss of
data.
If automation has been added to a non-automated 1608, the 948B Fader Modules will replace the
originally installed 448B Fader Pack.
The 948B Fader Module and its controls will be explained in detail in subsequent sections of this
manual.

2.3 Fader Automation & DAW Controls

In addition to being a primary gain control, all faders (Channel, Group Master, and Program
Master) have a collection of automation controls. These controls include:

Fader: Level control

Fader Cap: Control of touch-sensitive automation features

Mode Selectors: READ, UPDATE, WRITE, MUTE WRITE

Sub-mode Indicators: STATIC and SUB-MODE

DAW Controls: MUTE, SOLO, SELECT, & RECORD

Null Indicators: Up and down arrows

The four automation mode buttons are dual function buttons and perform different operations
depending if the DAW control is enabled or not. In normal operation the READ, UPDATE, WRITE,
MUTE WRITE buttons change the automation mode of the fader. When DAW control is enabled,
these buttons change function and become MUTE, SOLO, SELECT, & RECORD controls for the
assigned DAW tracks. The automation modes are labeled with white letters and the DAW controls
are labeled with blue letters.

Fader: Primary level control for the audio path

Fader Cap: Every fader cap is touch-sensitive and can serve
as a trigger for various automation functions (such as
switching from playback to record in Update mode).

Fader NULL Indicators: Up and down indicators that show the offset
between the written automation data and the physical fader position.

Indicates the fader is below the written datamove the fader up to

match positions
Indicates the fader is above the written datamove the fader down
to match positions

The image below illustrates the location of each automation/DAW control and indicator. Each of
these components will be explained in detail in subsequent sections of this manual.

The automation and DAW controls included on each fader will be explained in detail in subsequent
sections of this manual.

2.4 548B Input Modules

The automated channel MUTE and INSERT are part of the 548B Input Module.
These controls are part of the stock 1608 channel strip, but are connected to the
automation system via the Fader Control Module.
If automation has been added to a non-automated 1608, connections to the
548B will be made.
Automating the channel MUTE and INSERT will be explained in detail in
subsequent sections of this manual.

2.5 Rear Panel Interface

The rear panel of the 1608 supports the interfacing of the Automation Package with a DAW,
multitrack tape machine, video, or any other time code source. The rear panel also provides
automation connections for interfacing a 1608EX Expander console and the Automation Power
Supply. The automation connections on a 1608 console are as follows:

MIDI I/O (DAW CONTROL): 5 In and 5 Out MIDI ports on a female 25-pin D-sub connector
(MIDI Out 5 is not currently used)

EXPANDER AUTOMATION 17-32: Automation data interface for 1608EX Expander, channels
17-32 on a female 25-pin D-sub connector

EXPANDER AUTOMATION 33-48: Automation data interface for 1608EX Expander, channels
33-48 on a female 25-pin D-sub connector

SMPTE LTC: Balanced, line-level input for SMPTE Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) on a female
3-pin XLR connector

AUTOMATION POWER: Connection to the Automation Power Supply on a male 4-pin XLR
connector
1608 Rear Panel Automation Interface

The automation connections on a 1608EX Expander console are as follows:

EXPANDER AUTOMATION 17-32: Automation data interface for 1608EX Expander,
channels 17-32
AUTOMATION POWER: Connection to the Automation Power Supply
1608EX Expander Rear Panel Automation Interface

2.6 System Architecture

The hardware and processing for the automation package is distributed among four subsystems:

940B Automation Controller (ACM): System computer and primary control panel

948B Fader Control Module (FCM): 8-channel fader control module, fader, and mute

548B Input Module: Channel input module (automated insert)

Rear Panel: Interface with DAW, Timecode, Automation Power Supply, and Expander(s)

3.0

Software Overview
3.1 Starting the Automation Package
The Automation Package will boot up when the Automation Power Supply is switched on.
After initialization screen the emergency
recovery screen will appear for a brief
period and the KILL MIX button will start
flashing.
Pressing the KILL MIX button while its
flashing and this screen is displayed, will
cause the system to reload the firmware
file stored on the Memory card. For details
regarding
emergency
recovery,
See
section 16.3 Emergency Recovery.

After the emergency recovery screen

times out, the KILL MIX button will stop
flashing and system will load the software
stored in the Automation Controller
firmware. The loading and startup process
is indicated by the Proceeding. prompt.

Once the firmware is loaded the default

Status page will be displayed and the
system is ready to create a new Project
file or load and existing one.
A Project file must be open in order to
create, save, and edit mixes and
snapshots.

3.2 Software Organization

The operational aspects of the automation system are organized within four (4) primary software
pages, each with its own menu. Each page facilitates the operations of the related area of the
system. These primary pages and menus are as follows:

Status Page & Main Menu: System status and global operations

Mix Tree Page & Mix Menu: Mix pass storage, recall, and editing

Groups Page & Groups Menu: Group creation and editing

Snapshots Page & Snapshots Menu: Snapshot creation, recall, and editing
Many menu items open dialog boxes that contain the parameters, selection fields, and entry fields
related to that function.

3.3 Software Navigation

To facilitate navigation of software pages, menus, and dialogs the Automation Controller employs
a jog-wheel and button system. This easy to use system eliminates the need for an external
keyboard and mouse, but does require knowledge of how the system works. This section will
explain how to navigate the 1608 automation software.
3.3.1

Page and Navigation Buttons

There are several buttons associated with the navigation of the automation software. These
button fall into one of two categories: page buttons and navigation buttons.
The two page buttons open the four primary software windows. The functions of the page
buttons are outlined as follows:
STATUS PAGE: Pressing this button opens the Status Page.

Provides access to the Main Menu

Illuminates when the Status Page is open

IMPORTANT NOTE: Pressing the STATUS PAGE button will immediately close any
open page, menu, or dialog box and open the Status Page. In
addition to its normal function, this serves as a panic
button that will return the user to Status Page no matter
what.
PROJECT PAGES: Pressing this button will cycle through the Project Pages

The first press of this button opens the Mix Tree

A second press of this button will open the Groups page

A third press will open the Snapshots page

Subsequent presses will start the cycle over

Each page provides access to the its related menu

Illuminates when a Project Page is open

IMPORTANT NOTE: Pressing the PROJECT PAGES button will immediately close
any open page, menu, or dialog box and open the Mix Tree
Page. In addition to its normal function, this serves as a
panic button that will return the user to Mix Tree Page no
matter what.
The three navigation buttons are used to move within the software pages. The functions of
the navigation buttons are outlined as follows:
MENU:

Pressing this button opens the menu for the current page.
Pressing this button will close an open menu
The MENU button works as a back-space key in text-entry fields
Illuminates when a menu is open

ESC (Escape): Pressing this button will exit from the current menu, list, pulldown menu, or text-entry field.

Pressing this button will close an open menu

Pressing this button will not exit a dialog box. Only selecting CANCEL
or OK will exit a dialog box.
SEL (Select): Pressing this button will select the highlighted item on a page,
in menu, dialog box, list, or text-entry field.

Pressing this button is equivalent to a mouse click on the highlighted

item

3.3.2

Jog-Wheel
Jog-Wheel: The Jog-Wheel is used highlight items within a page,
menu, dialog box, or list.

Rotating the Jog-Wheel clockwise or counter-clockwise will

move the highlight cursor from item to item in
consecutive order.

The Jog-Wheel is used to move the cursor and select text

characters in a text-entry field.

When the Jog-Wheel is being turned slowly, the highlight

cursor will move one position for each click of the wheel.
When the Jog-Wheel is being turned rapidly, however, the
cursor will move much faster, allowing the user to scroll
through long lists quickly.

3.3.3

Navigation Procedures
Page Navigation: Use the following procedures to navigate software pages:
1.

Open the page with the operations to be performed using the STATUS PAGE or
PROJECT PAGES buttons.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed item within the page.

3.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select or activate the highlighted item

Menu Navigation: Use the following procedures to navigate software menus:

1.

Open the page with the needed menu.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the menu for that page.

3.

Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll through the list of menu items and highlight the needed
item.

4.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted menu item.

5.

To close a menu, press MENU or ESC (Escape).

NOTE: A Project must be open for the Mix Tree Menu and Snapshots Menu and their
associated dialog boxes to be available.
Dialog Box Navigation: Use the following procedures to navigate software dialog boxes:
1.

Open the page with the needed menu.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the menu for that page.

3.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed menu item.

4.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted menu item and open its
dialog box.

5.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed item in the dialog box.

6.

Press the SEL (Select) button to:

Select an item

Put a check in a check box

Activate a list or pull-down menu

Activate the cursor in a text-entry field (see section 3.3.4 Text Entry)

7.

For lists and pull-down menus, use the following procedure

i. Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the list or pull-down menu and press SEL
(Select) to activate it. The Jog-Wheel will now scroll and highlight within the
available options.
ii. Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed item within the list or pull-down
menu.
iii. Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted item.
iv. Press ESC (Escape) to exit a list or pull-down menu.

8.

To close a dialog box highlight either Ok or Cancel and press SEL (Select):

OK: Selecting Ok will apply the changes made within the dialog box and
then close the box.

Cancel: Selecting Cancel will close the dialog box without applying any
changes made within it.
NOTE: Pressing ESC (Escape) will not close a dialog box. Only highlighting
Cancel or Ok and pressing SEL (Select) will close a dialog box.

3.3.4

Text Entry
Text is used to name Projects (Title and File Name), Mixes, Groups, and Snapshots.
Accordingly, text can only be entered in the text-entry fields in dialog boxes.
Since the Automation Controller does not have a keyboard, text is entered using the JogWheel and navigation buttons.
The following steps will outline the procedures needed to enter a name or label in a textentry field:
1.

Navigate to the page, menu and dialog box with an operation that contains textentry fields. Entering a Title in the New Project dialog box will be used for this
example.
The New Project dialog box to
the left was opened by selecting
New Project from the Main
Menu from the Status Page.
The New Project default text is
shown in the Title and
Filename text-entry fields.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the desired text-entry field and press the SEL
(Select) button. A flashing cursor will appear at the beginning of the text-entry field.

Text can be entered at this point, but it might be desirable to start with a blank
text-entry field.
3.

Rotate the Jog-Wheel clockwise to move the cursor to the end of the existing text.

4.

Press the MENU button repeatedly to back-space through the existing text,
deleting the last character with each press.

5.

Press the SEL (Select) button to open the character selection tool. A blinking letter
A will appear in the text-entry field.

6.

Rotate the Jog-Wheel to scroll through the available characters to arrive at the
needed character.

7.

Press SEL (Select) to accept the character shown. The selected character will be
entered and the text-entry field will be ready for the next character.

8.

Press SEL (Select) again to reopen the character selection tool to enter the next
character.

9.

Select the next needed character and press SEL (Select)

10. Repeat steps 1-9 until the complete text has been entered.

11. Press ESC (Escape) to exit the cursor.

12. Press ESC (Escape) to exit the text-entry field. The Jog-Wheel will return to
highlighting the different items within the dialog box.
When the text selection tool is open, the characters will appear in this order when the
Jog-Wheel is rotated:
Clockwise:
Upper-case Letters
Lower-case Letters
Numbers
Punctuation & Symbols
Blank Space

Counter-Clockwise:
Blank Space
Punctuation & Symbols
Numbers
Lower-case Letters
Upper-case Letters

NOTE: Only upper-case letters and numbers can be entered in the Filename textentry field in the New Project dialog box.
3.3.5

Screen Capture
At any time, the image of currently displayed page, menu, or dialog box can be captured as
a bitmap (.BMP) file.
Pressing KILL MIX and STATIC simultaneously will capture the currently displayed image.
The image will be stored as a .BMP file in the SCRNSHOT
folder on the memory card.

3.4 Status Page and Main Menu

Along with the fader modules and channel strips, the Status Page and Main Menu are the primary
means for performing automation operations. The Status Page is the default page that opens after
the software has started.
3.4.1

Status Page Button

STATUS PAGE: Pressing this button opens the Status Page.

Provides access to the Main Menu

Illuminates when the Status Page is open

IMPORTANT NOTE: Pressing the STATUS PAGE button will immediately close
any open page, menu, or dialog box and open the Status
Page. In addition to its normal function, this serves as a
panic button that will return the user to Status Page no
matter what.
3.4.2

Status Page
The Status Page is the primary software interface for automation operation. It provides the
information and controls needed for easy and efficient automation of channel Faders, Mutes,
and Inserts.

The Status Page provides information and operational functions as follows:

Current Time Code: Current or last time code location

Project Information:
o Project: Name of currently loaded project file
o Mix: Name of currently loaded mix (current mix)
o TC: Time Code information:

Frame rate for the current project in Frames-Per-Second (FPS)

Time code source (LTC = SMPTE time code, MTC: MIDI time code)

Channel Status and Selection Grid:

o Indicates the current automation mode and sub-mode for each fader
o Works with the navigation tools to allow selection of channels to which
modes and sub-modes will be assigned
Global Automation Functions:
o Auto Safe: Sets all channels in WRITE to UPDATE when timecode is stopped.
o Bridge Gaps: Applies automation data over a span of time code addresses
o Auto Takeover: Automatic change of automation mode at a user defined
time code address
Function Enables:
o Timecode: Enables the Automation Controller to chase Timecode
o Group: Enables Group functions through automation
o Switch: Enables automation control of mutes and inserts
o Fader: Enables automation control of faders
o Leave Write: Enables the position-data matching mode

When a fader is touched, its level is displayed on the Status Page.

The fader level display indicates the

fader being touched and its level in
decibels.
The display above shows that the
Program Master Fader is set to
0.00dB (unity gain).

The various areas of the Status Page will be explained in detail in the following sections of
this manual.
3.4.3

Select All Button

The SELECT ALL button is used to select or deselect all channels when selecting channels in
the Status Page channel grid. This feature is useful when applying automation modes and
sub-modes on a console wide basis. Similarly, all channels can be deselected so individual
channels can be selected.
SELECT ALL: Pressing this button will select all channels in the channel grid
on the Status Page.

If all channels are already selected, pressing SELECT ALL will

deselect all channels

This button only applies to the channel grid on the Status Page
Channel selection from the Status Page is covered in detail in section 6.5.1 Status Page
Mode Assignment.

3.4.4

Main Menu
To open the Main Menu, open the
Status Page and press the MENU
button.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the
needed menu item.
Press SEL (Select) to open the dialog
box for that item.

The Main Menu facilitates the following operations:

File Management: Creation, storage, and recall of Project files

o Open Project: Opens existing Projects
o New Project: Creates a new Project
o Format Memory Card: Formats storage media for use

System Setup: System configuration, calibration, and firmware updates

o System Menu: System configurations, fader calibration, and firmware

Fader Operations:
o Position Faders: Set faders to a defined decibel level
o Demo Functions: Operation of the three fader demonstrations

Mix Setup: System configuration, calibration, and firmware updates

o Save Default Groups: Default Groups stored in the ACM memory
o Save Default Positions: A default Snapshot of Fader, Mute, and Insert
positions stored in the ACM memory
These areas will be explained in detail in the following sections of this manual.

3.5 Project Pages and Menus

The three (3) Project Pages and their associated menus facilitate the three primary automation
system functions:
Mix Tree: Management and editing of automation mix passes
Groups: Management and editing of Fader, Mute, and Insert Groups
Snapshots: Management and editing of Fader, Mute, and Insert Snapshots
3.5.1

Project Pages Button

PROJECT PAGES: Pressing this button will cycle through the Project Pages
starting with the Mix Tree Page.

Subsequent presses will open the Groups Page, Snapshots Page,

and back to the Mix Tree Page

Each page provides access to the its related menu

Illuminates when a Project Page is open

IMPORTANT NOTE: Pressing the PROJECT PAGES button will immediately close
any open page, menu, or dialog box and open the Mix Tree
Page. In addition to its normal function, this serves as a
panic button that will return the user to Mix Tree Page no
matter what.

3.5.2

Mix Tree Page and Menu

The Mix Tree Page displays the mix
passes (mixes) that were created in
the current project. This includes the
mixes created while mixing and
mixes created from performing an
edit. Information for each mix is
displayed.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select)
button to select mixes for editing.
Pressing the MENU button will open
the Mix Menu for the selected mix.

The Mix Menu facilitates the management and editing

of the mix passes in the Mix Tree.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select) button to select
the needed menu item.
NOTE: A project must be open for the Mix Menu to be
available.

The Mix Menu facilitates the following operations:

Mix Management: Apply the selected operation to the mix selected in the Mix Tree
o Make Current: Make the selected mix the current mix
o Delete Mix: Delete the selected mix from the Mix Tree
o Export Mix: Save the selected mix as a mix file
o Import Mix: Add an existing mix file to the Mix Tree

Mix Editing: Apply the selected operation to the mix selected in the Mix Tree
o Mix Properties: Change the mix name, glide rate, and color
o Copy/Swap: Copy or swap automation data between channels
o Clear Data: Clear automation data within a mix
o Offline Trim: Apply a level offset to fader data
The Mix Tree Page and Mix Menu will be explained in detail in section 8.0 Mix Tree Page.
3.5.3

Groups Page and Menu

The Groups Page displays the
groups that were created in the
current project or the groups
created without a project open.
Information for each group is
displayed.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select)
button to select groups for editing.
Pressing the MENU button will open
the Groups Menu.

The Groups Menu facilitates the management and editing

of the groups on the Groups Page.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select) button to select the
needed menu item.
NOTE: Groups can be created and edited without a
project being open. However, these groups
cannot be saved to a project.

The Groups Menu facilitates the following operations:

Group Management: Apply the selected operation to the group selected on the
Groups Page
o New Group: Create a new group
o Delete Group: Delete the selected group from the Groups Page
o Disable/Enable: Disable or enable the selected group

3.5.4

Coalesce Groups: Coalesce the group selected on the Groups Page

o Coalesce & Delete: Writes the relative automation data for all Group
Members to a new mix pass and deletes the group
o Coalesce & Keep: Writes the relative automation data for all Group Members
to a new mix pass and retains the Group Master and Members, but deletes
the Master Fader moves
o Coalesce w/ Audio Master: Writes the relative automation data for all Group
Members to a new mix pass and retains the Group Master and Members, but
keeps the Master Fader moves
Group Editing: Edit the group selected on the Groups Page
o Edit Group: Make changes to group name, master, members, and controls.

Snapshots Page and Menu

The Snapshots Page displays the
snapshots that were created in the
current project. Information for each
snapshot is displayed.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select)
button to select snapshots for
editing.
Pressing the MENU button will open
the Snapshots Menu.

The Snapshots Menu facilitates the management of the

snapshots on the Snapshots Page.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select) button to select the
needed menu item.
NOTE: A project must be open for the Snapshots Menu
to be available.

The Snapshots Menu facilitates the following operations:

Snapshot Management: Apply the selected operation to the snapshot selected on

the Snapshots Page
o Load Snapshot: Load an existing snapshot
o New Snapshot: Create a new snapshot
o Delete Snapshot: Delete the selected snapshot from the Snapshots Page
o Export Snapshot: Save the selected snapshot as a snapshot file
o Import Snapshot: Add an existing Snapshot file to the Snapshot Page

4.0

File Management
The 1608 automation software is designed for easy management of the various files generated by the
system during use. The Main Menu, Mix Tree, and Snapshot Page are the primary tools for file
management. Projects are stored on commonly available memory cards.

4.1 Project Files

A project is intended to support one or more individual audio recordings that are part of a larger
work, like a CD or movie. For each individual recording, a collection of mixes, groups, and
snapshots are generated and stored within a project. For music recordings, individual songs
would be saved as individual projects. For film/video projects, individual scenes could be stored
as individual projects. This concept is not enforced, so when working with a concert or other
lengthy source material, it might be desirable to mix multiple compositions or scenes as a single
project or whatever method is appropriate.
Projects, mixes, groups, and snapshots are organized as follows:

Groups are created and stored within mixes

The Mix Tree contains mixes

Snapshots are created and stored within projects

The project file contains a Mix Tree and Snapshots

The various components of a project (mixes, groups, and snapshots) are organized as illustrated
in the diagram below. Example file and folder names are shown in parentheses.

4.2 File Structure

There are several files and folders that support the 1608 automation package:

Project File (.VPJ): The primary software file that is generated by the system for each
recording. It contains the Mix Tree (mixes), Groups, and Snapshots that are associated
with the recording.

Mix Files (.VMX): Mix files are the data files that are created and used by the automation
package. Every time a new mix is generated by the system, a new mix file is created. Mix
files are stored in the open projects folder and are displayed in the Mix Tree. Mix files can
be exported and imported for use with other projects. Groups are stored as part of the
mix files.

Snapshot Files (.VSS): Snapshot files store static fader, mute, and insert positions, that
can be recalled for later use. Snapshot files are stored virtually within the Snapshots Page
within the Project file, but actual files are not created unless the export function is used.
Snapshot files can be exported and imported for use with other projects.

Firmware File (.bin): The firmware file contains the application programs that the
Automation Controller (ACM) and Fader Control Modules (FCM) use for operation. It is
stored in the root directory of the memory card.

Screenshots (.BMP): Bitmap screenshot files contain images of the display screen
captured by the system.

1608 files and folders are organized as follows:

The project file contains the Mix Tree and snapshots

Mix files are generated automatically and stored within the open project folder

Mixes and snapshots can be exported as separate files and stored anywhere on the
memory card*

The PROJECTS folder contains project folders

The SCRNSHOT folder contains screenshot files

The root directory of the memory card contains the PROJECTS folder, SCRNSHOT
folder, and the firmware file.
The project files and folders are typically organized as illustrated in the diagram below. Example
file and folder names are shown in parentheses.

* Exported snapshot and mix files can be saved anywhere on the memory card, but project
folders are recommended for efficient organization.
When a new project is created, a project folder that contains the project file and the initial mix file
is created. Subsequent mix files will be stored in this folder as they are created by the system.
Exported mix and snapshot files may be stored in this folder as well.
Individual projects folders are stored in the PROJECTS folder by default. This folder is stored in
the root directory of the memory card. Backing up the PROJECTS folder will backup all the
projects within it.

4.3 Memory Card

The Automation Controller uses commonly available memory cards of at least 2 gigabytes in size
for file storage.
A 2GB memory card is included with the system. Additional memory cards may be used in with
the system.

4.3.1

Format A Memory Card

Before a memory card can be used, it must first be formatted.
To format a memory card, insert the card
in the MEMORY-CARD slot.
Highlight Format Memory Card from the
Main Menu from the Status Page and
press SEL (Select).
A confirmation dialog box will open.

Highlight Yes and press SEL (Select) to

proceed to format the memory card.

Since this operation will erase all files

on the memory card, a second prompt
is provided to make sure you really
want to format the memory card. This
feature is designed to help prevent
accidental erasure.
Highlight Yes and press SEL (Select) to format the inserted memory card.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
NOTE: The memory card can also be formatted using an external computer and the card
reader. Make sure to use the FAT32 format.

4.4 New Project

For the automation package to be fully functional, a Project file must be open.
To create a new project, highlight New Project
from the Main Menu from the Status Page.
Press SEL (Select) the New Project dialog
box.

The New Project dialog box will allow the

following selections to be made:
Title: Name of the new project folder
Filename: Name of the new project file
Timecode: Frame rate for the project
Basis: Gives three options for what data to
use in the first mix in the Mix Tree of the
new project: Current Positions, Current
Mix, and Default Positions.

Enter the name of the new project folder in the Title: text-entry field.

Enter the name of the new project file in the Filename: text-entry field.

Select a frame rate from the Timecode: pull-down menu.

The following frame rates are available:

23.976

24

25

29.97 (default)

29.97 drop

30
Choose the Basis for the new project.

Current Positions: Creates a new default mix in the Mix Tree (Mix 1) and uses the current
positions of the faders, mute and insert switches as the initial positions.
Current Mix: Uses the current mix in the ACM as the first mix in the Mix Tree of the new
project.
Default Positions: Creates a new default mix in the Mix Tree (Mix 1) and uses the Default
Positions as the initial positions and includes the Default Groups.

Highlight OK and press the SEL (Select) button to create

the new project.

A Project Created message will be displayed and the new project will
become the current project

The dialog box will close and the display will return to the Status Page. A new project folder with
the entered name will be created in the PROJECTS folder on the memory card. The new folder will
contain the new project file with the entered name and selected parameters. The default mix (Mix
1) for the new project will be the current mix.
Highlight Cancel and press the SEL (Select) to cancel the new project and close the dialog box.
NOTE: Pressing ESC (Escape) will not close the dialog box. Only highlighting Cancel or OK
and pressing SEL (Select) will close the dialog box.

4.5 Open Project

To open an existing project, highlight Open
Project from the Main Menu from the Status
Page.
Press SEL (Select) to open the Open Project
dialog box.

The Open Project dialog box will display a

list of the project folders in the PROJECTS
folder on the memory card.
Press SEL (Select) to activate access to the list
of folders.

Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll through the list

and highlight the needed project folder.
Press SEL (Select) to select the highlighted
project folder.
The folder will open, revealing its contents.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed

project file (.VPJ). (There is usually only one
project file in the folder.)
Press SEL (Select) to select the project file.

The name of the project folder will appear in

the Project: text box.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight OK.
Press SEL (Select) to open the selected project
file.

A Project Opened message will be displayed and the selected project

will become the current project
The dialog box will close and the display will return to the Status Page.

4.6 Mix Export & Import

Mixes can be exported from an open project for use in other projects. Accordingly, exported
mixes can be imported into other 1608 projects.
Mix files are exported as .VMX files.
4.6.1

Export Mix
The Export Mix menu item facilitates the export of the
highlighted mix as a .VMX mix file.
An exported mix remains in the Mix Tree and is not deleted
as a result of using this function.
To export a mix from a project, highlight it in the Mix Tree
and select Export Mix from the Mix Menu.

The Mix File Export dialog box will

appear, displaying a list of folders and
files on the memory card and a textentry box.
Select a location for the mix file to be
exported. The default location is the root
directory of the memory card.

If a different location is needed (such as

another project folder), press the SEL
(Select) button while the directory list is
highlighted to activate access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select)
button to navigate to the needed
location, highlight it, and press the SEL
(Select) button to select it.

Once the needed location is selected, use

the Jog-Wheel to highlight the File:
text-entry field.
Press SEL (Select) to enter a name for
the mix file.
Press ESC (Escape) when finished.

Once the mix file name has been

entered, use the Jog-Wheel to highlight
OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to save the
mix file in the selected location.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select)
to cancel.

4.6.2

Import Mix
The Import Mix menu item facilitates the importing of
.VMX mix files into the currently open project and Mix
Tree.
To import a mix into a project, open the Mix Tree and
select Import Mix from the Mix Menu.

The Mix File Import dialog box will

appear, displaying a list of folders and
files on the memory card and a textentry box.
The list will open in the root directory of
the memory card.

Press the SEL (Select) button while the

directory list is highlighted to activate
access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel to locate and
highlight the mix file to be imported.
Press the SEL (Select) button to select
the highlighted mix file.

Once the mix file has been selected, the

name of the mix file to be imported will
appear in the File: text box
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to import
the selected mix file in the current Mix
Tree and project.

4.7 Snapshot Export & Import

Snapshots can be exported from an open project for use in other projects. Accordingly, exported
snapshots can be imported into other 1608 projects.
Snapshot files are exported as .VSS files.
4.7.1

Export Snapshot
Snapshots can be exported from the Snapshots Page for use in other projects.
The Export Snapshot menu item facilitates the export of
the highlighted snapshot as a .VSS snapshot file.
An exported snapshot remains on the Snapshot Page and
is not deleted as a result of using this function.
To export a snapshot as a .VSS file, highlight it on the
Snapshots Page and select Export Snapshot from the
Snapshots Menu.

The Snapshot Export dialog box will

open, displaying a list of folders and files
on the memory card and a text-entry
box.
Select a location for the snapshot file to
be exported. The default location is the
root directory of the memory card.

If a different location is needed (such as

another project folder), press the SEL
(Select) button while the directory list is
highlighted to activate access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select
button to navigate to the needed
location, highlight it, and press the SEL
(Select) button to select it.

Once the needed location is selected, use

the Jog-Wheel to highlight the File:
text-entry field.
Press SEL (Select) to enter a name for
the snapshot file.

Once the snapshot file name has been

entered, use the Jog-Wheel to highlight
OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to save the
snapshot file in the selected location.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select)
to cancel.

4.7.2

Import Snapshot
Snapshots can be imported to the Snapshots Page of an open project.
The Import Snapshot menu item facilitates the importing
of .VSS snapshot files into the currently open project and
Snapshots Page.
To import a snapshot into a project, open the Snapshots
Page and select Import Snapshot from the Snapshots
Menu.

The Snapshot Import dialog box will

open, displaying a list of folders and files
on the memory card and a text-entry
box.
The list will open in the root directory of
the memory card.

Press the SEL (Select) button while the

directory list is highlighted to activate
access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel to locate and highlight
the snapshot file to be imported.
Press the SEL (Select) button to select
the highlighted snapshot file.

Once the snapshot file has been selected,

the name of the snapshot file to be
imported will appear in the File: text
box
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to import
the selected snapshot file in the current
project and Snapshot Page. Highlight
Cancel and press SEL (Select) to
cancel.

4.8 Card Reader

A card reader is included with the 1608 Automation Package to provide an easy means of backing
up the project folders and files on the memory card. It also allows folders and files to be deleted
or renamed.
The card reader has a common interface that allows easy connection to any modern computer.
Once connected and the memory card is inserted, the card will appear as an external storage
device in the computers directory system.
4.8.1

File Backup
To make a backup of the project folders and files on the memory card, connect the card
reader to an external computer and insert the card.
Open the memory card on the computer and copy the project folders and files to the
computer hard drive or other connected storage device.
When a new project is created, a project folder that contains the project file and the initial
mix file is created. Subsequent mix files will be stored in this folder as they are created by
the system. Exported mix and snapshot files may be stored in this folder as well.
Individual projects folders are stored in the PROJECTS folder by default. This folder is
stored in the root directory of the memory card. Backing up the PROJECTS folder will
backup all the projects within it.
Stored files can be reloaded to the memory card by copying the needed project folder(s)
and/or files from the storage device to the memory card.

4.8.2

Renaming Projects and Files

To rename a project folder or project file, connect the card reader to an external computer
and insert the memory card.
Open the memory card and click on the name of the project folder to be changed, enter a
new name or edit the existing one, and press the return key on the computer keyboard.
NOTE: Only the name of the project folder should be changed. The files within a project
folder should NOT be changed. If the names of the files generated within a project
are changed, they will not be recognized when the project is reopened.

4.8.3

Deleting Projects and Files

Individual project folders and files on the memory card can be deleted using the card reader
and computer.
To delete an individual project folder or file, connect the card reader to an external
computer and insert the memory card.
Open the memory card and delete the unwanted folder or file.

NOTE: Deleting the PROJECTS folder will delete all the projects within it.
4.8.4

Firmware File
The most current software file will be available to 1608 automation package owners from
api. The included card reader should be used to transfer the software file from your
computer to a memory card. The software file is loaded into the firmware from the memory
card. Once the firmware is loaded the file is only used as a backup in the unlikely event the
loaded software gets corrupted.
The memory card can have more than one software file, but the system will only load the
latest one. The system relies on file name recognition, so never rename the software file.
NOTE: Do NOT delete the firmware file from the memory card.

This page has been intentionally left blank.

5.0

Automation Concepts
To operate the automation system and make full use of its features, the engineer must first understand
some basic automation concepts and how the system components interact with one another. This
section will explore these concepts and how to prepare the system for use. It is important for new users
to read this entire section.
NOTE: This and subsequent manual sections assume that the automation package and console have
been properly set up and interfaced. For automation package setup, refer to section 16.0
System Configuration, Calibration, and Firmware.

5.1 Mix Pass and Mix Tree Concepts

The Automation Controller provides a suite of automation controls and a display. The 948B Fader
Modules and 548B Input Modules provide additional automation controls. Used as a system, the
console hardware and software components allow the creation and modification of an automated
mix.
The 940B Automation Controller (ACM) provides enough memory for one mix pass (also called
mix file or just mix). Only one mix can be stored in the volatile memory at a time. This mix
is known as the current mix.
The mix pass in memory can be modified at any time using hardware or software interfaces.
When changes are made, the altered mix pass becomes the current mix and is automatically
saved to the Mix Tree. The Mix Menu provides an additional suite of tools for editing and working
with mixes and mix data.
Performing additional moves and/or edits to an existing mix will add a new mix to the Mix Tree
without deleting the original. Because of this method, the manipulation of mixes can be
performed in a nondestructive manner and numerous levels of undo are provided among the
mix passes stored in the Mix Tree.
A project file must be open to work with the mix in memory and the mixes in the Mix Tree. The
project file (and therefore the Mix Tree) is stored to the memory card and is considered to be
non-volatile.
5.1.1

Mix Passes
A mix pass or mix is simply a file containing time-stamped fader, mute, and insert
changes throughout the entire length of the recording. Whenever timecode is played back
and changes are made, a new mix pass is created. When playback is stopped, the new
moves are processed, the new pass becomes the current mix, and the mix is added to the
Mix Tree.
The ACM can hold only one active pass at a time in its operational memory. This mix is
known as the current mix and it is the one that will be played back in READ mode. Any
recorded changes will be added to the data in the current mix and a new mix pass will be
generated. The resulting mix will become the new current mix.
Whenever a new mix pass is generated, it is added to the Mix Tree. A new mix file is also
created and added to the project folder for the current project as a .VMX file.
Any mix pass in the Mix Tree can be made current at any time.
Mix files can be exported for use in other projects. Accordingly, mixes can be imported into
the Mix Tree in an open project, adding it to the project folder as a .VMX file.
As an aside, group assignments are stored in mix passes. This means that when an existing
mix is loaded from the Mix Tree, all of the groups are exactly as they were when the mix
was saved. If you change to a different mix, those groups are restored. If groups were
created in later mixes, they will not be included in earlier mixes.

5.2 Manual Mixing

When tracking, overdubbing, and/or rough mixing, the program mix is often created without
automation. When working in this manner, put all of the channels into MANUAL mode.
MANUAL mode disables the automation on each channel. It allows you to experiment with levels
and build a basic, unchanging mix to use as a starting point for your automated mix.
To put the entire console in MANUAL mode, press the SELECT ALL button to select all channels
and MANUAL to engage MANUAL mode.

SELECT ALL: Selects all channels in the channel grid for mode or sub-mode
assignment.

MANUAL: Assigns MANUAL mode to the selected channels in the channel grid.

With all channels in MANUAL, you can mix and experiment as much as you like without recording
your changes or interference from the automation system.
Once youve arrived at a good starting point for your mix, a snapshot can be made to save the
static positions of the faders, mutes, and inserts. This snapshot will be available for use at any
time, for example at the start of an overdub or final mix session.
As noted above, this unchanging mix can also be used as a starting point for automation. If you
are ready to start a final mix, the automation system may be engaged at this time.
Note: A rough mix should be established before creating a new mix.

5.3 Initial Positions

When a new project is created, the initial positions of all faders, mutes, and inserts must be
established. These positions serve as a starting point for an automated mix.
When a new project is created, a new Mix Tree is created that includes a default mix (Mix 1). This
mix will contain the currently stored initial positions for all faders, mutes, and inserts. If With
Existing Mix is checked in the New Project dialog box when the project was created, the default
mix will be the same as the current mix in the ACM. If With Existing Mix is not checked, the
Default Positions stored in the ACM will become the initial positions for the default mix (Mix 1).
Initial positions are written for the entire duration of timecode, from 00:00:00:00 to
23:59:59:2X, and essentially becomes an initial mix snapshot. These positions will be the
starting point for subsequent fader, mute, and insert moves. Channels in READ or UPDATE will
play back the initial positions in the default mix (Mix 1) no matter where timecode is started.
If these positions are changed with any channels in MANUAL mode, the faders, mutes, and inserts
will move to the initial positions of Mix 1 when switched back to READ or UPDATE. Any changes
will be lost and there is no undo when this happens. So, the changed positions must saved as
the initial positions if they are to be used as a starting point for subsequent automated mixes.
As noted above, this must be done before channels are changed from MANUAL mode. The
procedures for saving new initial positions are described in the following sections, 5.3.1 Setting
Initial Positions.
5.3.1

Setting Initial Positions

When starting a new mix (or starting over with an existing mix), its common to put all
channels in MANUAL mode and create a preliminary mix that will serve as the starting point
for subsequent automated mixes.

A new project will be needed for the new mix, so at a convenient time, create a new
project. This new project can be created before starting the preliminary mix or after its
been established.
The initial positions in the default mix (Mix 1) will differ from the fader, mute, and insert
positions of the preliminary mix, so the initial positions need to be reset using the current
positions of the preliminary mix. Be sure to keep all channels in MANUAL, since changing to
READ or UPDATE will result in the loss of the preliminary mix positions.
Once the new project is open and the preliminary mix is ready, select all
channels in the channel grid on the Status Page by pressing the SELECT ALL
button on the Automation Controller.

Press the STATIC button to engage the STATIC sub-mode on all channels.
This will allow WRITE mode to be engaged from the Automation Controller
(ACM) without being in UPDATE first.

With STATIC engaged, press the WRITE button to engage WRITE mode on
all channels.

Making sure that timecode is properly configured and enabled, start timecode play back. Let
timecode run for a few seconds and then stop playback. The positions of the faders, mutes,
and inserts when the timecode was stopped will become the initial positions in a new mix.
The new mix will appear in the Mix Tree (Mix 2) and a new mix file will be created in the
project folder that contains the new initial positions. It will also become the active mix.
Once the new mix with initial positions from the preliminary mix has been created,
channels can be changed to READ or UPDATE. Channels in these modes will play back the
initial positions in the new mix (Mix 2) no matter where timecode is started.

5.4 Creating a New Mix and Project

When starting a new automated mix, a preliminary mix should be created with the initial positions
of faders, mutes, and inserts, as well as any groups. This should be done with all channels/faders
in MANUAL mode.
After the preliminary mix is ready for automated moves, create a new project by selecting New
Project from the Main Menu and setting the parameters needed for new mix. Make sure to select
the proper timecode frame rate to match the media to me mixed.
Mix 1 (the default mix) in the Mix Tree will be the current mix. It will contain either the existing
mix from the ACM or the Default Positions stored in the ACM, depending if With Existing Mix was
checked in the New Project dialog box when the new project was created.
Since the fader, mute, and insert positions of the preliminary mix will be different than the initial
positions in the default mix (Mix 1), it will be necessary to save the current positions as the
initial positions in a new mix. Use the procedures outlined in section 5.3.1 Setting Initial
Positions to create a new mix with initial positions that match the preliminary mix.
The resultant mix (Mix 2) will become the current mix. Since it contains the initial positions of
the preliminary mix, the entire console can be set to READ or UPDATE mode. Timecode can be
started from any location and all faders, mutes, and inserts will hold their positions.
If no changes are written to automation, the initial positions will be used throughout the mix. If
changes to faders, mutes, and/or inserts are written to automation, they will be played back at
the timecode locations at which they were recorded. If playback is started at before any recorded
moves, the initial positions will be replayed by the automation system and held until the first
recorded move is played back.

5.5 End-Of-Pass Processes

When any changes are written, end-of-pass processes are performed when timecode playback is
stopped. These processes include:

Processing of all data transitions

Updating the current mix pass with the new data

Creating a new mix in the Mix Tree and making it the current mix

Auto Safe functions (if engaged)

Bridge Gaps functions (if engaged)

Auto Takeover functions (if engaged)

Nothing is written to memory until timecode is stopped.
The behavior of the data transitions or reverts between newly recorded moves and previously
recorded moves (i.e. WRITE to READ) is determined by the active mode, sub-mode, global
function, and glide rate.
End-of-pass processes may be modified using the following global functions:
KILL MIX: Suppresses end-of-pass processes when timecode is stopped.
It
activates a flag to discard any changes made during the current automation pass.

The KILL MIX function can be engaged anytime before timecode is

stopped, by pressing the KILL MIX button.

The KILL MIX button can be toggled on and off anytime while timecode is
running. If the button is engaged when timecode is stopped, the KILL MIX
function will apply.
Auto Safe: Sets all channels in WRITE to UPDATE when timecode is stopped.

Auto Safe can be engaged at any time, by clicking its button on the
Status Page.

Bridge Gaps: Allows positions and modes at the point when timecode is
stopped to be applied to a later timecode location

Transport must be stopped and restarted at a later location without

rewinding.

Bridge Gaps can be engaged at any time, by clicking its button on

the Status Page.
Auto Takeover: Keeps track of the channels that are in
UPDATE or WRITE at the point where timecode is stopped and
restores those modes when that point in timecode is reached
on a subsequent pass.

Auto Takeover can be engaged at any time, by

clicking its button on the Status Page.
Watch out when looping! Many engineers will want to loop the transport over a certain portion of
the media, updating moves until you get it exactly right. Be aware that the Automation Controller
requires a small amount of time at the end of each pass to process the moves that have been
made. This time is typically a few seconds, but it can grow with larger mix files. During this time,
the Automation Controller will not chase Timecode and will not record moves.
When using a DAW with instant locates and looping, be sure to build in enough pre-roll to allow
the Automation Controller time to lock to the incoming timecode.
For more information, refer to section 10.0 Global Functions

5.6 Timecode and Synchronization

The recorded media to be mixed (typically on DAW) must be synchronized with the 1608
automation package.
SMPTE Timecode (LTC) or MIDI Timecode (MTC) is used for
synchronization.
The
current
timecode
address, frame rate, and
source are displayed on
the Status Page.

Timecode Display:
Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames

The timecode frame rate is determined by

the frame rate of the open project.
The timecode source is set in the General Configuration dialog box in the System Menu.
The project frame rate is set at the time a new project is created.
The system can use six (6) SMPTE timecode
frame rates:

23.976

24

25

29.97 (default)

29.97 drop

30

Timecode must be enabled in order to be used by the Automation

Controller. To enable timecode, engage the Timecode button on
the Status Page.
In addition to synchronization, the automation system uses timecode in other ways:

Stopping timecode causes the automation system to perform its end-of-pass processes

Auto Takeover uses a timecode address to restore the previous automation mode

Bridge Gaps uses timecode to know the transport has been moved forward

Setting timecode ranges for offline data trimming

Setting timecode ranges for copy and swap mix data functions

Setting timecode ranges for clear mix data functions

SMPTE timecode (LTC) is received via the line-level XLR input on the back of the console.
MIDI timecode (MTC) is received via a MIDI IN port on the back of the console. A MIDI port must
be configured for MTC communication.
To improve synchronization accuracy, the number of freewheel frames needs to be set. This is
set using the Freewheel pull-down menu in the General Config dialog box, available from the
System Menu. The number of frames will determine the tolerance the system will use when

chasing timecode. More precisely, it sets the number of frames the system will freewheel if the
timecode source briefly drops out or has other minor errors. 1 to 15 frames can be selected.
To set the number of freewheel frames,
highlight the Freewheel pull-down menu and
press the SEL (Select) button to activate the
menu.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed
number of frames and press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.

Please refer to section 16.0 System Configuration, Calibration, and Firmware for details regarding
setting-up the console to use timecode.

5.7 Function Enables

Several functions of the automation package must be enabled in order to operate as part of the
system.
The Function Enables
are found on the Status
Page.

There

are five (5) functions that can be enabled:

Timecode: Enables timecode to be read and chased
Group: Enables group functions
Switch: Enables automation control of mutes and inserts
Fader: Enables automation control of faders
Leave Write: Enables the Leave Write data matching
function

Each function can be enabled or disabled independently of the others.

enabled to access the automation system.

Each function must be

A function can be disabled whenever necessary. Disabled controls will not be controlled by the
automation system. During a tracking or overdub session, disabling functions prevents any
interaction with the automation system. During an automated mix, it allows the engineer to
quickly suspend automation control over any disabled functions so different settings can be
explored without interference from automation.
All of the enable buttons are found on the Status Page.
Timecode: Enables the ACM to chase incoming timecode

When timecode is enabled, the Timecode button on the

Status Page turns yellow.

Group: Enables group functions to operate

When groups are enabled, the Group button on the Status

Page turns yellow.

Switch: Enables automation control over mute and insert switches

When inserts are enabled, the Switch button on the Status

Page turns yellow.

Fader: Enables automation control over faders

When Faders are enabled, the Fader button on the Status

Page turns yellow

Leave Write: Enables the automation system to automatically switch

from record to playback (UPDATE or WRITE to READ) when the
position of the fader matches the previously recorded position

Enable Leave Write and put the desired fader(s) in

UPDATE or WRITE

Start timecode playback and move the fader away from its
recorded position

While the fader is away from its recorded position, press the
READ button on the fader module once

The mode LED will shimmer to indicate the fader is in

Leave Write

One of the fader null indicators (up or down arrows) will

illuminate to indicate which direction to move the fader to
match the previously recorded level

When the fader is moved to match the previously recorded

position or the previously recorded moves catch up to the
current position, the fader will automatically switch to READ

When the fader is released, it will stay in READ

Leave Write can be enabled and disabled at any time

When Leave Write is enabled, the Leave Write button on

the Status Page turns yellow

Leave Write is useful for editing fader moves when its desired to change a recorded move and
match seamlessly back up with the existing data. This will avoid possible jumps in fader position
and the related jumps in level and helps assure smooth fader movement.

5.8 Low Memory Warning

The Automation Controller (ACM) has a limited amount of memory for the current mix. If a mix is
loaded that exceeds 350,000 records (about 4 megabytes), a warning prompt will appear on the
Status Page.
This warning indicates the onboard memory
is approaching capacity and only a few
more changes can be safely made to the
mix.
The system will lockup if it runs out of
memory. A dialog box will appear indicating
you have run out of memory and must
reboot. The mix files will not be corrupted,
but the current mix pass will be lost.

6.0

Automation Modes
Automation modes and sub-modes determine how the automation system records and plays back
control moves. Modes dictate basic functionality. Sub-modes allow the value of a control position to be
applied to the mix in a variety of ways.
There are four (4) primary automation modes:

MANUAL: No automation control

READ: Playback of recorded moves

UPDATE: Records fader moves only when touched. Records mutes and inserts when engaged.

WRITE: Records moves whenever engaged, replacing existing data

Automation modes govern how and when moves made to faders, mutes, and inserts are recorded and
played back. These modes may be assigned to any channel at any time. Channels may be in different
modes at the same time.
MANUAL, READ, UPDATE, and WRITE can be assigned to channels on a global basis using the buttons
on the Automation Controller. READ, UPDATE, and WRITE can be assigned on individual channels using
the corresponding mode buttons on the faders. MANUAL can be engaged from the fader by holding
down the READ button for 2 seconds. MUTE WRITE is only available on individual faders.
The function and operation of each automation mode is described below. The buttons on the Automation
Controller (ACM) and Status Page channel grid are shown for each mode. The buttons and LED
indicators on the fader modules are also shown.

6.1 MANUAL
MANUAL: The channel is disconnected from automation

Channels will not record moves

Channels will not play back recorded moves

MANUAL can be engaged at any time

MANUAL can be engaged from the fader by holding down the READ button
for 2 seconds

When MANUAL is engaged on at least one channel:

o The MANUAL button on the Automation Controller illuminates
o Channels are grey in the Status Page channel grid
o READ, UPDATE, and WRITE LEDs on the fader are not illuminated
Use MANUAL mode for tracking, manual mixing, or suspending automation control for
experimentation during an automated mix.
Note: Groups will remain active when MANUAL mode is selected. Channels in MANUAL will still
function as Group Masters or Group Members if so assigned.

6.2 READ
READ: Recorded moves are played back

When entering READ mode, faders, mutes, and inserts will move to their
correct position for the current timecode

Channels without recorded moves will move to their initial positions

Faders may be moved to audition different levels, but moves will not be
recorded.

Faders will snap back to their recorded positions when moved and then
released

Mutes and inserts may be changed, but will not be recorded

Mutes and inserts will continue to playback recorded moves after any
changes have been made

READ can be engaged at any time

When READ is engaged on at least one channel:

o The READ button on the Automation Controller illuminates
o Channels are green in the Status Page channel grid
o The green READ LED on the fader will illuminate
Use READ to play back existing moves while building an automated mix. READ should also be
used when printing a final mix.

6.3 UPDATE
UPDATE: Recorded moves are played back until a change is made. When a change
is made, any moves will be recorded, but playback will resume after the change is
made.

Playback is exactly as if in READ until changes are made

When a fader is touched, it will start recording moves as if in WRITE and

will keep recording as long as it is being touched

When a touched fader is released, it will glide back to its recorded position
and resume playback of previously recorded moves

Mutes and inserts will record any changes and will also playback any
previously recorded changes

UPDATE can also function as a record ready state for the WRITE mode

UPDATE can be engaged at any time

When UPDATE is engaged on at least one channel:

o The UPDATE button on the Automation Controller illuminates
o Channels are yellow in the Status Page channel grid
o The yellow (orange) UPDATE LED on the fader will illuminate

Use UPDATE to record changes over a short period of time or to touch-up existing moves.
UPDATE can also be used as a Record Ready mode to prepare selected channels to enter WRITE
mode.

6.4 WRITE
WRITE: Current positions and moves will be recorded over any existing moves:

Previously recorded moves are not played back

Existing moves overwritten

Fader and switch positions are recorded at all times, even when faders are
not touched

Recording will continue until timecode is stopped or the mode/sub-mode is

changed

WRITE can be engaged at any time

WRITE can be engaged from the Automation Controller only if UPDATE or

STATIC is engaged first

WRITE can be engaged from MANUAL or READ without being in UPDATE

using the WRITE button on the fader

When WRITE is engaged on at least one channel:

o The WRITE button on the Automation Controller illuminates
o Channels are red in the Status Page channel grid
o The red WRITE LED on the fader will illuminate
Use WRITE mode to write initial moves and record new positions over longer periods of time. It
also provides an easy way to erase unwanted moves during a certain time window.

Whenever a channel is in WRITE while timecode is running, existing data is being erased and new
data is being recorded. Changing modes from UPDATE to WRITE allows the operator to punchin to the automation data on the selected channels. Changing modes from WRITE to READ
allows the operator to punch-out and stop recording new automation data on the selected
channels.
WRITE mode can be very destructive to your mix, so there is a safety interlock for entering WRITE
globally from the Automation Controller. Any channels commanded to enter WRITE via the
Automation Controller will not do so unless they are already in UPDATE mode. This allows you to
record-enable a selection of channels using UPDATE, start playback, and punch the selected
channels into WRITE mode using the global WRITE button on the Automation Controller.
Pressing the WRITE button will put individual channels directly in WRITE mode from
any other mode.

It is occasionally useful to go directly from MANUAL or READ directly to WRITE mode, without
being in UPDATE. This can be accomplished on individual channels using the WRITE button on the
fader. As mentioned above, this cannot be done on the Automation Controller without being in
UPDATE first.

6.5 Automation Mode Assignment

Automation modes can be assigned to channels in two ways:

Using the Status Page and the mode buttons on Automation Controller

Using the fader mode buttons

6.5.1

Status Page Mode Assignment

Automation modes can be assigned to channels using the channel grid on the Status Page,
the mode buttons, and navigation tools on the Automation Controller. Using this method,
modes can be assigned to individual channels, a subset of channels, or all channels.
Press the
STATUS PAGE
button to open
the Status
Page.

The channel grid displays the current mode of each channel and its selection status. It also
provides the means for mode assignment.

The numbered channels are associated with the input channels. G1 and G2 are the two
Control Group Master Faders and PG is the Program Master Fader.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the desired channel and press

the SEL (Select) button. This will select that channel, making it
ready for mode assignment.

The grid below shows all channels in MANUAL mode and channel 1 selected.

A subset of channels can be selected by highlighting and selecting multiple channels before
assigning an automation mode.

Press the SELECT ALL button to select all channels for mode and sub-mode
assignment.
If all channels are selected, they will all be deselected when the SELECT ALL
button is pressed.

Once the channels have been selected, use the mode buttons to assign the needed
automation mode.

The grid below shows channel 1 selected and in READ with all other channels in MANUAL.

The selected channels will change colors to reflect the assigned mode as follows:
MANUAL

UPDATE

READ

WRITE

The associated buttons on the faders will also illuminate to indicate the mode they are in.
MUTE WRITE cannot be assigned from the Status Page.
6.5.2

Fader Mode Assignment

Automation modes can be assigned to individual channels
by pressing the needed mode button on the fader module.

The mode button will illuminate to indicate that mode is

assigned and the corresponding channel in the Status Page
channel grid will change color.
MANUAL mode can be assigned on individual faders by
pressing and holding the READ button for at least 2
seconds.

7.0

Automation Sub-modes
Automation sub-modes further defines the behavior of the automation system in specific ways. The
mode continues to govern when channels record and when they playback, the sub-mode changes the
exact nature of what is recorded and how.
There are four (4) automation sub-modes:

None: No sub-modes assigned

STATIC: Resets initial positions

LATCH: Writes the last recorded position to the end of timecode

TOUCH WRITE: Channels in UPDATE will change to WRITE when its fader is touched

MUTE WRITE: Overwrites mute and insert moves without affecting fader moves
Sub-modes are indicated by a colored section in the lower part of the channel box in the Status Page:
No Sub-mode

Static Sub-mode Engaged

Sub-modes are also indicated on faders as follows:

STATIC: Indicates the STATIC sub-mode is engaged on that channel.

SUB-MODE: Indicates the either the LATCH or TOUCH WRITE sub-mode is engaged
on that channel.
Sub-modes cannot be assigned from the fader module.
The function of each automation sub-mode is described below.

7.1 None
CLEAR SUB-MODE: Clears the automation sub-modes for all channels selected in
the channel grid on the Status Page

7.2 STATIC
STATIC: Resets initial positions

When timecode is stopped, the initial positions will be replaced with the last
physical positions of the faders, mutes, and inserts

All moves for the channel will be erased throughout the entire range of
timecode (00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:2X)

STATIC is only effective in WRITE mode

STATIC has no effect when used in MANUAL or READ modes

UPDATE mode does not record moves while STATIC is engaged

STATIC can be engaged at any time

When STATIC is engaged on at least one channel:

o The STATIC button on the Automation Controller illuminates
o Channels have a blue sub-mode box in the Status Page channel
grid
o The blue STATIC LED on the fader illuminates

Use STATIC in WRITE mode to create initial positions at the start of a mix or when it is desirable
to clear all recorded moves and start over with new initial positions.

7.3 LATCH
LATCH: The last positions of controls are recorded to the end of timecode:

When the fader is released in UPDATE or timecode is stopped in WRITE, the

current position of the fader, mute, and insert will be recorded to the end of
timecode (23:59:59.2X)

From the point the fader is released or timecode is stopped, all existing
moves will be replaced with the last fader, mute, and insert positions

LATCH can be used in UPDATE and WRITE modes only

LATCH has no effect when used in MANUAL or READ modes

LATCH can be engaged at any time

With LATCH engaged, faders can be released or timecode can be stopped at

any time

When LATCH is engaged on at least one channel:

o The LATCH button on the Automation Controller illuminates
o Channels have a turquoise sub-mode box in the Status Page
channel grid
o The yellow SUB-MODE LED on the fader illuminates

Use LATCH to apply the position of faders, mutes, and/or inserts from the point timecode was
stopped all the way to the end. For example, the level of a track was moved to a good level at
the beginning of the vamp out of a song. With UPDATE and LATCH engaged, release the fader
once the desired level is reached. When timecode is stopped, that position will be written over all
remaining moves to the end of timecode without having to play the song past the end.

7.4 TOUCH WRITE

TOUCH

WRITE: Faders change from UPDATE to WRITE when touched:

Playback is exactly as if in UPDATE until a fader is touched
When a fader is touched, the fader changes from UPDATE to WRITE
The fader will stay in WRITE after the fader is released and recording will
continue
Any moves will be recorded until timecode is stopped or the mode/submode is changed
Any previously recorded moves will be erased as long as recording
continues
TOUCH WRITE only applies to faders
TOUCH WRITE can be used in UPDATE mode only
TOUCH WRITE has no effect when used in Manual, Read, or WRITE modes
When TOUCH WRITE is engaged on at least one channel:
o The TOUCH WRITE button on the Automation Controller illuminates
o Channels have an orange sub-mode box in the Status Page channel
grid
o The yellow SUB-MODE LED on the fader illuminates

Use TOUCH WRITE to playback previously recorded moves up to a certain point and then start
recording in WRITE mode. For example, if you like the fader moves in the first verse of a song,
but want replace the moves in the chorus with new ones, playback the verse and touch the fader
at the start of the chorus. The verse moves will be played back and recording in WRITE mode will
start at the beginning of the chorus.

7.5 MUTE WRITE

The MUTE WRITE mode allows mutes and inserts to be changed without affecting the fader.
MUTE WRITE: Puts the mute and insert in WRITE mode when held:

Holding down the MUTE WRITE button on the fader, will replace all existing
mute and insert moves for that channel while the button is held down

Previously recorded moves will be erased

MUTE WRITE is only effective when used in UPDATE mode

MUTE WRITE has no effect when used in MANUAL, READ, or WRITE modes

Section safes are respected by the MUTE WRITE function

The MUTE WRITE function is only available from the fader

Both the MUTE WRITE button and the yellow SUB-MODE LED on the fader
illuminate while MUTE WRITE is held down
The MUTE WRITE provides a quick way to over-write mute and insert positions without
overwriting the fader moves.
MUTE WRITE is only available on the fader and can only be assigned momentarily that is as long
as its button is held down.

7.6 Automation Sub-mode Assignment

Automation sub-modes can be assigned to channels in the same manner as modes are assigned
using the channel grid on the Status Page, the mode buttons, and navigation tools on the
Automation Controller. Using this method, modes can be assigned to individual channels, a subset
of channels, or all channels.
With the exception of MUTE WRITE, sub-modes cannot be assigned from the fader. STATIC,
LATCH, and TOUCH WRITE can only be assigned from the Status Page. MUTE WRITE can only be
assigned from the fader.

7.7 Online Fader Trim

Online Fader Trim is used in a similar way as the Offline Trim function (described in section
8.3.6). Online Fader Trim allows you to apply an offset value to fader moves while maintaining
the moves that have already been written. Activate Online Fader Trim by putting the fader into
UPDATE mode, then hold the Update button (on the desired channel) for 2 seconds, until the
red null LEDs begin flashing rapidly. The fader will continue to track any existing moves as it
normally would in UPDATE mode.
If you touch the fader, however, the automation system will keep track of the cumulative
displacement of the fader from the moment that you touched it. When the fader is released, that
offset will be tentatively applied to that fader, and may be adjusted by moving the fader again.
Pressing Kill Mix or changing the automation mode of the fader while timecode is running will
discard any of the changes that have been made. Stopping timecode while the fader is still in
Online Fader Trim mode will cause the established offset value to be applied to the existing
moves.
Again, Online Fader Trim does not replace fader moves, but simply modifies them with the
established offset value. By default, Online Fader Trim will only affect the range of timecode that
was played through on the last pass. If the Static sub-mode is active on the fader in question,
however, then the Online Fader Trim offset will be applied to all timecode values.
Online Fader Trim can only be activated by the buttons on the fader. It cannot be activated from
the ACM keypad.

8.0

Mix Tree Page

The Mix Tree Page displays and manages the mix files for the current project. This includes the mixes
created using console hardware and using the Mix Menu edit functions.
Press the
PROJECT
PAGES
button until
the Mix Tree
Page opens.

The Mix Tree will not be functional

unless a project file is open.
The Mix Menu will not open unless
a project is open.

8.1 Mix Tree Display

The Mix Tree Page displays information
about the open project and its mixes.
The name of the open project and project
file are shown at the bottom of the Mix
Tree Page.
Information and history is provided for
each mix.
The diagram below indicates each area of
the Mix Tree Page and steps taken to
create each of the displayed mixes (mix
pass evolution).

For each mix, the following information is displayed:

Mix Name: Name of the mix

Size: The size of the mix

Grps (Groups): The number of groups contained within the mix

Change: A summary of changes made (moves saved/trimmed, groups created, etc.)

Origin Lines: Lines connect each mix to the mix from which it was made

The Mix Tree will branch as many times as needed, each time indicating the previous mix that
was current when the mix was created. These origin lines will show the history of a mix that can
be traced back to its initial mix. In the example on the previous page, mixes 1-4 were created
consecutively, each based upon the previous mix. The Vocal Up Mix, Vocal Down Mix, and No
Vocal Mix were all derived from the Final Mix.

8.2 Current Mix

The arrow icon
in the left hand column of the Mix Tree indicates which mix is the current
mix. This is the mix that will be replayed in READ. Any recorded changes will be added to the
data in the current mix and a new mix will be generated. The resulting mix is added to the Mix
Tree and becomes the current mix.
To make a mix current, open the Mix
Tree Page and use the Jog-Wheel to
highlight the needed mix.
In this example, the current mix is No
Vocal Mix and Final Mix is highlighted.
Once the mix is highlighted, press the SEL
(Select) button. The Change Mix prompt
will appear.

Press the SEL (Select) button and the

highlighted mix will become the current
mix.

An arrow will appear next to the mix

name, indicating it is the current mix.

A mix can also be made current by

highlighting it and selecting Make
Current in the Mix Menu. Refer to section
8.3.1 for details.

8.3 Mix Menu

The mixes in the Mix Tree can be named, edited, color-coded, and deleted using the Mix Menu.
With the Mix Tree Page open, highlight the mix to be manipulated and press the
MENU button to open the Mix Menu. The function selected in the Mix Menu will
affect the mix highlighted in the Mix Tree when the menu was opened. Several of
the Mix Menu edit functions will result in the creation of a new mix.
The Mix Menu will not open unless a project is open.

NOTE: A mix does not have to be the current mix to be selected for Mix Menu functions.
The Mix Menu contains eight (8) items that facilitate the
management of mixes and mix editing functions:

Make Current: Makes the highlighted mix the current mix

Delete Mix: Deletes the highlighted mix

Mix Properties: Facilitates edits to the name, glide rate,

and color of the highlighted mix

Copy/Swap: Facilitates copying and swapping of mix data

from one channel to another in the highlighted mix

Clear Data: Clears mix data within the highlighted mix

Off-line Trim: Facilitates the trimming fader levels within

the highlighted mix

Export Mix: Saves the highlighted mix as a separate mix

file

Import Mix: Loads an exported mix file into the current Mix
Tree
8.3.1

Make Current
To make a mix the current mix, highlight it in the Mix Tree
and select Make Current from the Mix Menu. The
Change Mix dialog box will open.

Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to make the

highlighted mix the current mix.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
8.3.2

Delete Mix
To delete a mix, highlight it in the Mix Tree and select
Delete Mix from the Mix Menu. A confirmation dialog box
will open.

Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to delete the

highlighted mix.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

8.3.3

Mix Properties
The Mix Properties menu item facilitates editing of the
name, glide rate, and color of the highlighted mix.
To rename a mix, change its glide rate, or change its
color, highlight it in the Mix Tree and select Mix
Properties from the Mix Menu. The Mix Properties dialog
box will appear.

8.3.3.1

Change Mix Name

The mix name is set in the Mix
Properties dialog box.
To change the name of a mix,
highlight the Name: text-entry
field and press the SEL (Select)
button.
Using
the
text-entry
procedures, edit the existing name
or enter a new one. Press ESC
(Escape) once the name has been
entered.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to assign the edited name to the highlighted
mix.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

8.3.3.2

Change Mix Glide Rate

The glide function is always active.
The glide rate is the speed at which a fader will return to its recorded position after
one of the following events occurs:

A fader in READ is moved away from its recorded position and is released

A fader in UPDATE is released

Glide does not apply when:

A fader in WRITE is changed to READ

Any end-of-pass process when the physical position of the fader does not
match the recorded position when timecode is stopped. In these cases, the
faders will snap to match the READ mix data without glide.
The movement of a gliding fader is carried out at a constant, decibel-relative rate.
The actual speed of the fader movement will be scaled to accommodate the audio
taper depending on its physical position. (Constant glide rate in dB/frame requires
slower physical motion at the bottom of the fader.)

Glide rate is set in

Properties dialog box.

the

Mix

To change the glide rate of a mix,

highlight the Glide Rate: selection
field and press the SEL (Select)
button. The Glide Rate: field will
become active and turn grey. Use
the Jog-Wheel to scroll to the
needed glide rate and press SEL
(Select).
The nine (9) glide rate choices are shown
to the left.
Glide rate is expressed in decibels per
frame (dB/frame). The lower the glide rate
number, the slower the rate of return. At
higher glide rates faders essentially snap
back.

Press the SEL (Select) button once the needed glide rate has been selected.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to assign the selected glide rate to the
highlighted mix.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
NOTE: Changes to the glide rate do not apply to previously recorded fader moves.
Changing the glide rate does not affect any of the fader moves within the mix.
However, the new glide rate will be applied to the fader moves in any mixes derived
from this mix. So, when you change the glide rate in a mix you are really setting it for
any subsequent mixes made from that mix.
Only one glide rate can be assigned to a mix at a time. However, multiple glide rates
can be used within a mix. After moves have been recorded using one glide rate, the
rate can be changed and the subsequent moves will use the new rate.
NOTE: When the glide rate for a mix is changed, the mix is not automatically made
current. The mix must be made current for the changed glide rate to be
used in a mix.
NOTE: The glide rate for new moves is always determined by the current mix.
Mixes created earlier or later may have different glide rates. The system will
apply the glide rate set for whatever mix is current.
8.3.3.3

Change Mix Color

Mix color is set in
Properties dialog box.

the

Mix

To change the color of a mix,

highlight the Mix Color: selection
field and press the SEL (Select)
button. The Mix Color: field will
become active and turn into a pulldown menu. Use the Jog-Wheel to
scroll to the needed color and press
SEL (Select).

The colors to the left can be selected.

Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to assign the selected
color to the highlighted mix.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

8.3.4

Copy/Swap
The Copy/Swap menu item facilitates copying and
swapping of data between channels within the highlighted
mix.
To copy or swap data within a mix, highlight it in the Mix
Tree and select Copy/Swap from the Mix Menu. The
Copy/Swap dialog box will appear.
The copy or swap function can apply to all timecode
addresses (00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:2X) or only to a
user-defined range of timecode addresses.
A new mix with the copied or swapped data will be created
in the Mix Tree as a result of using this function.

The mix data copy and swap functions

are facilitated by the Mix Data Copy or
Swap dialog box.
Each section of this dialog box
explained in the following sections.

is

Channel Selection: Selects channels for the copy or swap function

From Ch (From Channel): Pull-down menu to select the channel from
which the copied or swapped data originates
To Ch (To Channel): Pull-down menu to select the channel to which the
data will be copied to or swapped with
These pull-down menus will contain the number of installed input channels (1-16, 1-32, 148), the Group Master Faders (G1, G2), and Program Master Fader (PGM).
To select the From and To channels, highlight the pull-down menu
and press the SEL (Select) button. Use the Jog-Wheel to select the
needed channel and press the SEL (Select) button.

Copy is the default function of the Mix Data Copy or Swap dialog box. This allows data
from one channel to be copied to another.

Swap: Changes the Copy function to the Swap function. This allows data
to be swapped between two channels.
To select the swap function, highlight the Swap: check box and press the SEL (Select)
button. An X will appear in the check box when the swap function is selected.
Timecode Range: Selects the range of timecode to which the
Copy/Swap function will be applied. Either all timecode
addresses or a range of addresses with user-defined
beginning and ending points can be selected.

From TC (From Timecode): The starting timecode address for the Copy/Swap function
To TC (To Timecode): The ending timecode address for the Copy/Swap function
Timecode has four fields to enter:

Hours: 00-23

Minutes: 00-59

Seconds: 00-59

Frames: 00-2X (X depends on frame rate)

To select the From and To timecode addresses, highlight
the needed field and press the SEL (Select) button. The field
will turn grey. Use the Jog-Wheel to select the needed value
and press the SEL (Select) button.
All TC (All Timecode): Selects the entire range of timecode addresses
(00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:2X)
To select all timecode addresses for the Copy/Swap function, highlight the All TC: check
box and press the SEL (Select) button. An X will appear in the check box all timecode
addresses are selected.
Copy: Selects the controls whose data will
be copied or swapped.
Fader, Mute, and Insert data can be copied or swapped.
To select the controls for the Copy/Swap function, highlight the needed check
box and press the SEL (Select) button.
Each control must be selected
separately.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to apply the copy or swap function to the selected
channels during the selected timecode window. This will create a new mix in the Mix Tree.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
8.3.4.1

Copy/Swap Procedure

To copy or swap data from one channel to another, use the following procedure:
1.

Highlight the desired mix in the Mix Tree and select Copy/Swap from the Mix
Menu.

2.

Select the channel to copy or swap from.

3.

Select a channel to copy or swap to.

4.

Check Swap to change from the copy function to the swap function if needed.

5.

Select the timecode region to which the copy or swap data will be applied.

6.

Select the OK button to create new mix with the copied or swapped data.

8.3.5

Clear Data
The Clear Data menu item facilitates clearing data within
the highlighted mix.
To clear data within a mix, highlight it in the Mix Tree and
select Clear Data from the Mix Menu. The Mix Data
Clear dialog box will appear.
The clear data function can apply to all timecode addresses
(00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:2X) or only to a user-defined
range of timecode addresses.
A new mix with the cleared data will be created in the Mix
Tree as a result of using this function.
The mix data clear function is facilitated
by the Mix Data Clear dialog box.
Each section of this dialog box
explained in the following sections.

is

Channel Selection: Selects a range of channels for the clear data

function
From Ch (From Channel): Pull-down menu to select the first channel
whose data will be cleared
To Ch (To Channel): Pull-down menu to select the last channel whose
data will be cleared
These pull-down menus will contain the number of installed input channels (1-16, 1-32, 148), the Group Master Faders (G1, G2), and Program Master Fader (PGM).
To select the From and To channels, highlight the pull-down menu
and press the SEL (Select) button. Use the Jog-Wheel to select the
needed channel and press the SEL (Select) button.

All Ch (All Channels): Selects all channels for the channel clear function.
To select all channels for the Clear Data function, highlight the All Ch: check box and
press the SEL (Select) button. An X will appear in the check box when all channels are
selected.
Timecode Range: Selects the range of timecode to which the
Clear Data function will be applied. Either all timecode
addresses or a range of addresses with user-defined
beginning and ending points can be selected.

From TC (From Timecode): The starting timecode address for the Clear Data function
To TC (To Timecode): The ending timecode address for the Clear Data function

Timecode has four fields to enter:

Hours: 00-23

Minutes: 00-59

Seconds: 00-59

Frames: 00-2X (X depends on frame rate)

To select the From and To timecode addresses, highlight
the needed field and press the SEL (Select) button. The field
will turn grey. Use the Jog-Wheel to select the needed value
and press the SEL (Select) button.
All TC (All Timecode): Selects the entire range of timecode addresses
(00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:2X)
To select all timecode addresses for the Clear Data function, highlight the All TC: check
box and press the SEL (Select) button. An X will appear in the check box when all
timecode addresses are selected.
Clear: Selects the controls whose data will
be cleared.
Fader, Mute, and Insert data can be cleared.
To select the controls for the Clear Data function, highlight the needed check
box and press the SEL (Select) button.
Each control must be selected
separately.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to apply the Clear Data function to the selected
channels during the selected timecode window. This will create a new mix in the Mix Tree.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
8.3.5.1

Clear Data Procedure

To clear mix data on one or more channels, use the following procedure:

8.3.6

1.

Highlight the desired mix in the Mix Tree and select Clear Data from the Mix Menu.

2.

Select the first channel to clear data.

3.

Select the last channel to clear data.

4.

Select the timecode region in which the data will be cleared.

5.

Select the OK button to create new mix with the cleared data.

Offline Trim
The Offline Trim menu item facilitates fader data
trimming within the highlighted mix.
Offline Trim allows the fader levels for the highlighted
mix to be trimmed offline by a user-defined amount.
The trimmed levels can apply to all timecode addresses
(00:00:00:00 to 23:59:59:2X) or only to a user-defined
range of timecode addresses.
A new mix with the trimmed levels will be created in the
Mix Tree as a result of using this function.

The Offline Trim function is facilitated by

the Offline Trim dialog box.
To trim fader data within a mix, highlight
it in the Mix Tree and select Offline
Trim from the Mix Menu. The Offline
Trim dialog box will appear.
Each section of this dialog box
explained in the following sections.

is

Trim Amount: Selects a +/- 50dB offset of fader data in .5dB

increments.
Fade In/Out: Selects the number of frames (1-99) it takes for the trim
to fade in and out from existing levels.
To select the Trim Amount, highlight the dB field and press the SEL
(Select) button. Use the Jog-Wheel to select the amount of trim and
press the SEL (Select) button.

To select the Fade In/Out time, highlight the Frames field and press
the SEL (Select) button. Use the Jog-Wheel to select the needed
number of frames and press the SEL (Select) button.

Timecode Range: Selects the range of timecode to which the

Offline Trim function will be applied. Either all timecode
addresses or a range of addresses with user-defined
beginning and ending points can be selected.

From TC (From Timecode): The starting timecode address for the Offline Trim function
To TC (To Timecode): The ending timecode address for the Offline Trim function
Timecode has four fields to enter:

Hours: 00-23

Minutes: 00-59

Seconds: 00-59

Frames: 00-2X (X depends on frame rate)

To select the From and To timecode addresses, highlight
the needed field and press the SEL (Select) button. The field
will turn grey. Use the Jog-Wheel to select the needed value
and press the SEL (Select) button.
All TC
TC (All
(All Timecode):
Timecode): Selects
Selects the
the entire
entire range
range of
of timecode
timecode addresses
locations
All
(00:00:00:00
(00:00:00:00 to
to 23:59:59:2X)
23:59:59:2X).
To select all timecode addresses for the Offline Trim function, highlight the All TC: check
box and press the SEL (Select) button. An X will appear in the check box when all
timecode addresses are selected. All TC will be selected by default in Offline Trim.

Fader Selection: The Offline Trim dialog box provides instructions on how to
select faders for trimming. As the prompt indicates, use the WRITE buttons to
select faders to trim.
WRITE: Selects the faders to be trimmed, if pressed while the Offline Trim
dialog box is open.
SELECT ALL (on the ACM keypad): Alternately selects all faders or no faders to
be trimmed, if pressed while the Offline Trim dialog box is open.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to apply the trim and fade values to the selected
channels during the selected timecode window. This will create a new mix in the Mix Tree.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
8.3.6.1

Offline Trim Procedure

To trim mix data on one or more channels, use the following procedure:

8.3.7

1.

Highlight the desired mix in the Mix Tree and select Offline Trim from the Mix
Menu.

2.

Select the trim value (+/- 50dB).

3.

Select number of frames for the fade-in/fade-out time.

4.

Select the timecode region in which the data will be trimmed.

5.

Select the faders to be trimmed using the fader WRITE buttons.

6.

Select the OK button to create new mix with the trimmed data.

Export Mix
The Export Mix menu item facilitates the export of the
highlighted mix as a .VMX mix file.
An exported mix remains in the Mix Tree and is not deleted
as a result of using this function.
The Export Mix function is facilitated by the Mix File Export
dialog box.
To export a mix from a project, highlight it in the Mix Tree
and select Export Mix from the Mix Menu.

The Mix File Export dialog box will

appear, displaying a list of folders and
files on the memory card and a textentry box.
Select a location for the mix file to be
exported. The default location is the root
directory of the memory card.

If a different location is needed (such as

another project folder), press the SEL
(Select) button while the directory list is
highlighted to activate access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select
button to navigate to the needed
location, highlight it, and press the SEL
(Select) button to select it.

Once the needed location is selected, use

the Jog-Wheel to highlight the File:
text-entry field.
Press SEL (Select) to enter a name for
the mix file.
Press ESC (Escape) when finished.

Once the mix file name has been

entered, use the Jog-Wheel to highlight
OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to save the
mix file in the selected location.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select)
to cancel.

8.3.8

Import Mix
The Import Mix menu item facilitates the importing of
.VMX mix files into the currently open project and Mix
Tree.
The Import Mix function is facilitated by the Mix File
Import dialog box.
To import a mix into a project, open the Mix Tree and
select Import Mix from the Mix Menu.

The Mix File Import dialog box will

appear, displaying a list of folders and
files on the memory card and a textentry box.
The list will open in the root directory of
the memory card.

Press the SEL (Select) button while the

directory list is highlighted to activate
access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel to locate and highlight
the mix file to be imported.
Press the SEL (Select) button to select
the highlighted mix file.

Once the mix file has been selected, the

name of the mix file to be imported will
appear in the File: text box
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to import
the selected mix file in the current Mix
Tree and project.

8.4 Low Memory Warning

The Automation Controller (ACM) has a limited amount of memory for the current mix. If a mix is
loaded that exceeds 350,000 records (about 4 megabytes), a warning prompt will appear on the
Status Page.
This warning indicates the onboard memory
is approaching capacity and only a few
more changes can be safely made to the
mix.
The system will lockup if it runs out of
memory. A dialog box will appear indicating
you have run out of memory and must
reboot. The mix files will not be corrupted,
but the current mix pass will be lost.

This page has been intentionally left blank.

9.0

Automation Procedures
This section is intended to provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to start an automated mix on the
1608. It assumes the engineer has basic knowledge of system navigation, automation concepts, and file
management. Detailed information and procedures for these areas are provided in their respective
sections of this manual.

9.1 Starting a New Mix

For all procedures below:
1.

Synchronize the 1608 with the multitrack media using MIDI timecode (MTC) or SMPTE
timecode (LTC) at the same frame rate as the open project file.

2.

Make sure groups, switches, and faders are enabled.

9.1.1

New Mix in a New Project

This method is useful at the end of a session after youve been recording and/or mixing in
MANUAL mode and you are ready to start an automated mix.
To create a new mix using this method, perform the following procedure:
1.

Start in MANUAL mode:

Press the SELECT ALL button to select all channels

Press the MANUAL button to put all channels in MANUAL

2.

Enable timecode by selecting Timecode on the Status Page.

3.

Create a preliminary mix on the console.

4.

Press the STATUS PAGE button, then press MENU to bring up the main menu.

5.

Highlight New Project and press SEL.

6.

Use the text entry methods (described in section 3.3.4) to enter a title and filename for the
new project.

7.

Choose a timecode rate, and use the default Basis, Current Positions.

8.

A new project will be created with the current fader, mute, and insert positions as the
initial positions of Mix 1 of the new project.

9.1.2

New Mix in an Existing Project

This method is useful if you want to start over with a new mix while staying within an existing
project.
To create a new mix using this method, perform the following procedure:
1.

Disable timecode by deselecting Timecode on the Status Page.

2.

Select Auto Safe on the Status Page.

3.

Put all

channels in STATIC and WRITE:

Press the SELECT ALL button to select all channels
Press the STATIC button to enable the STATIC sub-mode on all channels
Press the WRITE button to enable WRITE mode on all channels

NOTE: The STATIC button must be engaged before WRITE can be enabled on the ACM.
NOTE: DO NOT engage UPDATE in order enable WRITE on the ACM. Doing so will result in
the loss of your preliminary mix positions.
4.

Create a preliminary mix on the console.

5.

After you have a good starting mix for automation, enable timecode by selecting
Timecode on the Status Page.

6.

Play back your recording to start timecode and let it run for a few seconds. When timecode
is stopped:

The positions of the faders, mutes, and inserts will be written to all timecode
addresses

A new mix that contains the initial positions of your preliminary mix will be created
in the Mix Tree

Since Auto Safe is on, the mode will change from WRITE to UPDATE when
timecode is stopped

7.

Press the CLEAR SUB-MODE button to disengage STATIC.

8.

You may want to change the color of the mix that has just been created to differentiate it
from other mixes in the project.

9.1.3

Tips for Working on a Mix

1.

To record additional moves, select the needed channel(s) and engage UPDATE or WRITE to
record your moves at the proper time:

Channel selection and mode can be changed at any time, even while timecode is
running

Pressing UPDATE plays back the mix: faders record only when touched and
mutes/inserts are added to the existing mix

Pressing WRITE on a fader allows automation to be punched-in directly from READ

2.

It might be helpful to engage Auto Safe on the Status Page so all channels in WRITE will
change to UPDATE after moves have been recorded and timecode is stopped. Auto Safe
acts as a safety device to help prevent recorded moves from being overwritten
accidentally.

3.

Each time timecode is stopped after new moves have been recorded, a new mix will be
saved to the Mix Tree.

Pressing the KILL MIX button before timecode is stopped will kill the current mix
pass, discard any recorded moves, and prevent a new mix from being created in the
Mix Tree

4.

Open the Mix Properties from the Mix Menu to adjust the Glide Rate as needed. It can
also be helpful to rename and color code mixes as needed.

5.

To fine-tune the mix, use a combination of mode and sub-modes as needed. Using the Mix
Menu edit functions (Copy/Swap, Clear Data, Offline Trim) might also help fine-tune the
mix.

6.

As all the moves for a set of controls (fader, mute, or insert) have been completed, it
might be helpful to set the Safe mode for that set of controls to help prevent accidental
changes.

If no changes are written to automation, the initial positions will be used throughout the mix. If
changes are written to automation, they will be played back at the timecode locations at which
they were recorded. If playback is started before any recorded moves, the initial positions will be
replayed by the automation system and held until the first recorded move is played back.

9.2 Make a Mix Current

As mixing continues, the Mix Tree will grow with time. To make an existing mix the active mix,
perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button to open the Mix Tree.

2.

Highlight the desired mix in the Mix Tree.

3.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted mix.

4.

Highlight OK and press the SEL (Select) button to make the highlighted mix current.

5.

An arrow icon

will appear in the Mix Tree to indicate that this is the current mix.

9.3 Change the Glide Rate

As mixing continues, it may become necessary to change the Glide Rate. To change the Glide
Rate, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button to open the Mix Tree.

2.

Highlight the desired mix in the Mix Tree. Ideally this will be the current mix.

3.

Press the MENU to open the Mix Menu.

4.

Highlight the Mix Properties item and press the SEL (Select) button. The Mix Properties
dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight the Glide Rate: selection field and press the SEL (Select) button. The selection
field will turn grey indicating it has been activated.

6.

Use the Jog-Wheel to select the needed glide rate and press the SEL (Select) button.

7.

While you have the Mix Properties dialog box open, make any changes to the mix name
and color as needed

8.

Highlight OK and press the SEL (Select) button to assign the new glide rate, name, and
mix color to the highlighted mix.

9.

If it is not already current, make the highlighted mix the current mix.

Fader moves recorded using this mix as the current mix will use the newly set glide
rate
NOTE: The glide rate for new moves is always determined by the current mix. Mixes
created earlier or later may have different glide rates. The system will apply the
glide rate set for whatever mix is current.

9.4 Export a Mix

To export a mix, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button to open the Mix Tree Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the mix to be exported.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Mix Menu.

4.

Highlight Export Mix and press the SEL (Select) button.

5.

Press the SEL (Select) button to activate the directory list. Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL
(Select) button to navigate to the needed location (Folder) for the exported mix file.

6.

Once the location for the new mix file has been selected, press the ESC (Escape) button to
exit the directory. The name of the selected location will appear in the Folder text field.
Highlight the File text-entry field and use text-entry procedures to enter a mix file
name. Press the SEL (Select) button when finished.

7.
8.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to export the highlighted mix
as a .VMX file.

9.5 Import a Mix

To import a mix, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button to open the Mix Tree Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Mix Menu.

3.

Highlight Import Mix and press the SEL (Select) button.

4.

Press the SEL (Select) button to activate the directory list. Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL
(Select) button to navigate to the mix file to be imported.

5.

Press the SEL (Select) button once the needed mix file is highlighted. Once the file has
been selected, its name will appear in the File: text box.

6.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to import the selected mix
into the current project and Mix Tree Page.

10.0 Global Functions

There are four (4) automation functions that apply to the automation system on a global basis and are
not channel oriented. Collectively, these functions are known as Global Functions.
There are four (4) global automation functions:

Auto Safe: Automatically changes any channels in WRITE to UPDATE when timecode is stopped

Bridge Gaps: Allows control positions and modes at the point when timecode is stopped to be
applied up to a later location if timecode is started at a later location without rewinding

Auto Takeover: Keeps track of the channels that are in UPDATE or WRITE at the point where
timecode is stopped and restores those modes when that point in Timecode is reached on a
subsequent pass

Kill Mix: Activates a flag to discard any changes made during the current automation pass

Auto Safe, Bridge Gaps, and Auto Takeover

are found on the Status Page.
The KILL MIX is a button on the Automation
Controller.

10.1 Kill Mix

KILL MIX: Activates a flag to discard any changes made during the current
automation pass and suppress the end-of-pass processes when timecode is
stopped.

The KILL MIX function can be engaged at any time before timecode is
stopped, by pressing the KILL MIX button.

The KILL MIX button will illuminate when engaged

KILL MIX functions as an instant undo if engaged before timecode is stopped. When engaged,
the KILL MIX function activates a flag to discard any changes made during the current
automation pass and a new mix is not created.
KILL MIX only works if the button is engaged when timecode is stopped. The button can be
engaged whenever while timecode is running and must remain engaged when timecode is
stopped. If KILL MIX is not engaged, as soon as timecode stops, any changes made during the
pass will be committed to a new mix in the Mix Tree.
KILL MIX can be toggled on and off while time code is running. If KILL MIX is engaged and you
change your mind before you stop playback, press the KILL MIX button again to disengage the
function.
If unwanted changes are recorded and KILL MIX was not engaged before Timecode was stopped,
the previous mix can be made current in the Mix Tree.

10.2 Auto Safe

Auto Safe: Sets all channels in WRITE to UPDATE when timecode is stopped.

Auto Safe can be engaged at any time, by selecting its button on the
Status Page

Auto Safe will turn yellow when engaged

Designed as a safety feature, Auto Safe automatically resets all channels in WRITE to UPDATE
whenever timecode is stopped. It helps prevent accidental erasure of moves from forgetting to
take channels out of WRITE after moves have been recorded and restarting timecode playback.

10.3 Bridge Gaps

Bridge Gaps: Allows control positions and modes at the point when timecode is
stopped to be applied to a later location, if timecode is started at a later
location without rewinding.

Transport must be stopped and restarted at a later location without

rewinding

Bridge Gaps can be engaged at any time, by selecting its button on

the Status Page

Bridge Gaps will turn yellow when engaged

After recording moves and playback is stopped, faders, mutes, and inserts will normally revert
to their previously recorded positions at the location where timecode was stopped. With Bridge
Gaps engaged, those reverts are flagged as speculative.
If the media is rewound, playback is started before the stopping point, and then played through
the stopping point, the reverts will playback as they normally would.
If instead you start playback from the stopping point or fast forward by an arbitrary amount and
start playback, those speculative reverts will be discarded and all intervening data will be written
over, as if timecode had never stopped at all. The positions and modes when timecode was
stopped will bridge the timecode gap be applied over the gap and recording will continue from
the restart position.
The speculative reverts will become permanent if you rewind to an earlier timecode location and
start playback. The system will operation as if Bridge Gaps was not engaged.

In other words, the positions of faders in WRITE will be held or remembered when timecode is
stopped. If timecode is restarted at that point or a later timecode address, those positions will be
applied between the stopping point and the later starting point. Recording will be resumed at the
point where timecode was restarted. The net result is the gap between the previous stopping
point and later starting point is bridged or filled-in with the positions the controls where in at the
stopping point.
Bridge Gaps only affects faders, mutes, and inserts in WRITE when timecode stops
Bridge Gaps must be engaged before timecode is stopped for this function to be activated.

Bridge Gaps can be used to perform complicated edits incrementally, starting and stopping
playback without having your faders jump back to their previous positions each time playback is
stopped.
Bridge Gaps is also handy for bulk erasing moves over large sections of a song or scene.

10.4 Auto Takeover

Auto Takeover: Keeps track of the channels that are in
UPDATE or WRITE at the point where timecode is stopped and
restores those modes when that point in timecode is reached
on a subsequent pass.

Auto Takeover can be engaged at any time, by

selecting its button on the Status Page

Auto Takeover will turn yellow when engaged

When Auto Takeover is engaged and timecode is started,
the Auto Takeover button will change to Auto Takeover
Ready. This indicates that Auto Takeover is ready to
capture the timecode address when the transport is stopped.
When timecode is stopped any channels in WRITE or UPDATE will automatically be set to READ.
The Auto Takeover button will display the timecode address
where the timecode was stopped. This timecode address is
where the previous modes will be restored on the next pass.
When the media is rewound and then played up to the point where timecode was stopped, Auto
Takeover will restore all the channels that were previously in WRITE or UPDATE to their former
modes at that point.
Auto Takeover can be activated or deactivated at any time. When deactivated, the memorized
activation timecode and saved modes will be discarded.

Auto Takeover is useful when you want to review the moves recorded through a section of a mix
and then automatically resume mixing in the same modes at the point where the timecode was
stopped.

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11.0 Automation Safe Modes

After automation moves have been recorded, faders, mutes, and inserts can be put in a safe mode on
a global basis. Changes cannot be made to the existing automation data for controls in safe mode.
For example, engaging SAFE FADER allows fader moves to be protected while the channel is put into
WRITE so mute and insert moves can be rewritten. Engaging SAFE MUTE and SAFE INSERT allows fader
moves to be rewritten in WRITE while protecting existing mute and insert moves.
The SAFE buttons for the faders, mutes, and inserts are
located on the Automation Controller.

Changing a control in safe will audition the new position without recording new moves, regardless of
which mode the channels are in.
Once a mix is finished, it might be beneficial to engage all SAFE buttons while recording the final mix.

11.1 Safe Fader

SAFE FADER: Engages Safe mode for faders console-wide

Protects the fader automation data from recorded changes

The SAFE FADER button will illuminate when engaged

11.2 Safe Mute

SAFE MUTE: Engages Safe mode for mutes console-wide

Protects the mute automation data from recorded changes

The SAFE MUTE button will illuminate when engaged

11.3 Safe Insert

SAFE INSERT: Engages Safe mode for inserts console-wide

Protects the insert automation data from recorded changes

The SAFE INSERT button will illuminate when engaged

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12.0 Groups
Groups can be set up to control the following:

Faders

Mutes

Inserts
Groups are set up with a Master fader or input channel and one or more Members.
Any fader can be a group Master or Member for faders, including channel faders, the two Control Group
Master faders (G1 & G2), and the Program Master fader (PGM). Any channel or Control Group Master
fader can be a group Master or Member for mutes. Any channel or the Program Master can be a group
Master or Member for inserts.
NOTE: Mutes cannot be controlled from the Program Master Fader (PGM).
NOTE: Inserts cannot be controlled from the Control Group Masters (G1 & G2).
The only limit to the number of groups that can be set up is the number of 548B Input Modules installed
in the console. On a fully loaded 16-channel console, there is a total of 16 channel faders, 2 Control
Group Masters, and 1 Program Master fader. On a console this size a maximum of 8 groups can be set
up and a maximum of 16 groups can be set up on a 32-channel console. As long as there is at least
one fader or channel available to be the Master and at least one channel to be the Member, a new
group can be set up.
Groups are stored within mixes. The number of groups in each mix is displayed in the Mix Tree. Every
time a group is created, edited, or deleted, a new mix is created and the difference from the original
mix is shown in the Changes column of the Mix Tree.
Mixes 20-23 in the Mix Tree to the left shows
the changes made to the groups within each mix
and the number of groups in each mix.

12.1 Groups Page

The Groups Page displays and manages the fader, mute, and insert groups within a mix.
Press the
PROJECT
PAGES
button until
the Groups
Page opens.

A project does not have to

be open in order to create
fader, mute, and insert
groups. However, groups
made outside of a project
are temporary.

The Groups Page displays information

about the open project, current mix, and
its groups.
The Groups Page to the left shows three
(3) groups set up to support vocals on
channels 14-15 as Members with
channel 16 as the designated Master
channel for faders, mutes, and inserts and
a drum set on channels 1-6 as Members
with Control Group Master #1 (G1)
designated as the Master channel.
The diagram below indicates each area of the Groups Page.

For each group, the following information is

displayed:

Name: Name of the group

Type: The type of group (fader, mute

or insert)

Null: The null level of the master

fader

Mstr (Master): Group masters

Members: Group members

The name of the open project file and
current mix are shown at the bottom of the
Groups Page.

NOTE: Only the groups for the current mix will be displayed on the Groups Page.

12.2 Enable Groups

Groups will not function until they are enabled.
Groups are enabled using
the
Group
function
enable button on the
Status Page:

To enable Groups, open the Status Page, highlight the Group

button, and press the SEL (Select) button. The button will turn
yellow when engaged.
Faders and switches do not need to be enabled to be used in
groups, but must be enabled to be used in automation.

12.3 Group Masters

A group master must be designated in order to control the faders, mutes, and inserts on other
channels.
Any fader on the console, including the channel faders, the two Control Group Master faders (G1G2), and the Program Master fader (PGM) may be designated as a Group Master Fader or simply
group master.
Any channel and either of the two Control Group Master faders (G1-G2) may be designated as
group master for mutes. Mutes cannot be controlled from the Program Master fader (PGM).
Any channel and/or the Program Master (PGM) may be designated as group master for inserts.
Inserts cannot be controlled from either of the two Control Group Master faders (G1-G2).
Channel Fader

Any 548B input channel can be designated as a Group Master Fader for faders,
mutes, and inserts. Its common to use an unused channel as a Group Master,
but any fader, including one carrying audio, may be used. If the Group Master is
passing audio and is adjusted (i.e. fader change or mute), it will affect the group
Members as well as its own audio.
An advantage of using channel faders as masters is the ability to locate a Group
Master near the Members it controls. Channel Group Masters can also control
channel inserts.
The MUTE switch on the 548B Input Module is typically used as
the Mute Group Master when that channel is designated as a
Group Master Fader. However, mute groups can be set up
independently of fader groups.

The INSERT switch on the 548B Input Module is typically used as

the Insert Group Master when that channel is designated as a
Group Master Fader. However, insert groups can be set up
independently of fader and mute groups.
Channel Group Masters faders, mute, and inserts are fully automatable and can be set up to
control faders, mutes, and inserts on their assigned Member channels.
Control Group Masters

The two (2) Control Group Master Faders (G1 & G2) on the
Automation Controller that can be designated as Group Masters for
faders and mutes.
Control of inserts is not available from the Control Group Master
Faders (G1 or G2).
These Control Group Masters are control devices only and cannot be
used to carry audio.
An advantage of using the Control Group Master is they do not use
any channel resources and are located next to the Program Master
Fader.
The MUTE switch on the G1 and G2 masters is
typically used as the Mute Group Master when that
fader is designated as a Group Master Fader.
However, mute groups can be set up independently
of fader groups.
Control Group Master Faders and mute are fully automatable and
can be set up to control faders and mutes on their assigned
Member channels.

Program Master
The Program Master fader on the Automation Controller can also be designated
as a Group Master for faders and inserts.
Control of mutes is not available from the Program Master Fader (PGM).
Program Master Fader feeds the console Program Outputs, so it is not commonly
used as a Group Master Fader.
The Program Insert (PGM INS) switch on the 268B program
master module can be used as the Insert Group Master when
that Program Master fader is designated as a Group Master
Fader. However, insert groups can be set up independently of
fader groups.

The Program Master Fader and insert are fully automatable and can be set up to
control fader and inserts on the assigned Member channels.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the Program Master Fader (PGM) is used as a Group Master in addition
to carrying the program audio (mix), the level of Member Channels will be
doubly affected when the Program Master Fader is moved. If the Program
Master is moved downward, the contribution of Member Channels to the
Program Bus will be attenuated as well as the Program Outputs of the
console. The result will be a decreasing amount of Member Channel
contribution to the mix as the mix is faded. The Member Channels will
effectively disappear from the mix towards the end of a final fade.
12.3.1 Insert Group Masters and Members
The INSERT switches on the 548B Input Modules and the PGM INS (Program Insert) in the
268B Program Master Module can be a Master or Member of a group. The input channel and
program master inserts cannot be controlled from the Control Group Master faders (G1 or
G2) since these faders do not have inserts.
Any 548B Input module on the
console may be designated as an
Insert Group Master. It is
common practice to use an unused
channel as a Group Master, but any
channel, including one carrying
audio, may be used.
The INS (Insert)
switch on the 548B
Input Module is
typically used as
the Insert Group Master when
that channel is designated as a
Group Master Fader. However,
insert groups can be set up
independently of fader and mute
groups.
The 548B Insert Group Masters
are fully automateable and control
their Member channels.

The insert on the 268B Program

Master module may be designated
as an Insert Group Master.
The
PGM
INS
(Insert) switch on
the 268B Program
Master
Module
is
used typically used
as the Insert Group
Master when the Program Master
Fader is designated as a Group
Master Fader. However, insert
groups can be set up independently
of fader and mute groups.
The 268B Insert Group Masters
are fully automateable and control
their Member channels.

12.4 Groups Menu

Groups can be created, named, edited, and deleted using the Groups Menu.
With the Groups Page open, press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu. The
function selected in the Groups Menu will affect the group highlighted on the
Groups Page when the menu was opened. Several of the Groups Menu edit
functions will result in the creation of a new mix in the Mix Tree.
The Groups Menu contains seven (7) items that facilitate the
management of groups and group editing functions:

New Group: Creates a new group

Edit Group: Facilitates edits to the name, master, and

members of the highlighted group

Delete Group: Deletes the highlighted group

Disable/Enable Group: Disables/enables the highlighted

group

Coalesce & Delete: Writes the relative automation data for

all Group Members in the highlighted group to a new mix
pass and deletes the group

Coalesce & Keep: Writes the relative automation data for

all Group Members in the highlighted group to a new mix
pass and retains the Group Master and Members, but
deletes the Master Fader moves

Coalesce w/ Audio Master: Writes the relative automation

data for all Group Members in the highlighted group to a
new mix pass and retains the Group Master and Members,
but keeps the Master Fader moves
12.4.1 New Group
To create a new group, select New Group from the
Groups Menu. The New Group dialog box will open.
Fader, mute, and/or insert groups can be created.

The New Group dialog box allows a new

group to be named.
To enter the name of the new group,
highlight the Name: text-entry field
and press the SEL (Select) button. Using
the text-entry procedures, edit the
existing name or enter a new one. Press
ESC (Escape) once the name has been
entered.
The New Group dialog box allows the selection of group Type:

Fader

Mute

Insert
Type: Check boxes that select the controls for the
new groups.

Faders, mutes, and inserts can be selected for new group creation in any
combination. A new group will be created for each of the selected controls.
To select the controls to be included in the new group(s), highlight the needed
check box and press the SEL (Select) button. Each control must be selected
separately.
The fader automation mode buttons are used to select the group master and members. The
New Group dialog box indicates the function of each button in the Fader Buttons box.
When the New Groups dialog box
is open, the fader automation
mode buttons function as follows:
READ: Indicates the channel-fader
is already in use.
UPDATE: Designates the channel
as a Group Member when pressed

WRITE: Designates the channelfader as the Group Master when

pressed

The faders to the

right indicate the
following
group
assignments:
Ch. 1: Master
Ch. 2-5: Members
Ch. 6-8: In use

To designate the Group Master, press the WRITE button on the desired fader after opening
the New Group dialog box.
To assign members to the new group, press the UPDATE buttons on other channels to
designate them as Group Members.
Once the Group Master has been designated, its channel number (1-48, G1, G2, PGM) and
null level will be displayed in the New Group dialog box.
Master: Indicates which channel/fader has been selected as the master
Master Null: Indicates the master fader null level (in dB)
The Master Null is the level of the Group Master fader at the time the group is created or
edited. It is the level where neither gain nor attenuation is applied to the Group Members
from the Group Master. You could think of this as a kind of unity gain position for the Group
Master, although the master fader does not have to be set at 0dB as a starting location.

Care should be taken when setting the null level of the Group Master in order to provide
adequate group gain and attenuation with detailed control. Setting null level too high or too
low may limit the effectiveness and resolution of the Group Master. A setting of 0dB is a
recommended null position for Group Masters and will typically provide maximum control
over the group.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not set the master null point with the fader all the way down
(-dB). All member faders will jump to their highest level if the null
point is set at -dB and the Group Master Fader is moved.

Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to create the new group(s) as determined by the New
Group dialog box and the selected group master and members. A new mix will be created
in the Mix Tree that contains the newly created group(s). This mix will become the current
mix.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
12.4.2 Edit Group
To edit a group, highlight the needed group in the Groups
Page and select Edit Group from the Groups Menu. The
Edit Group dialog box will open.
The following group parameters can be changed:

Group Master

Master null level

Group Members

Group name
The type of group cannot be changed.

To
the the
new name
group,of
highlight
the
To name
change
the selected
Name:
text-entry
field
and
press
the
group, highlight the Name: text-entry
SEL
button.
Using
the textfield (Select)
and press
the SEL
(Select)
button.
entry
procedures,
edit
the
existing
Using the text-entry procedures,
edit the
name
or name
enter or
a new
Press
existing
enterone.
a new
one.ESC
Press
(Escape)
once
the
name
has
been
ESC (Escape) once the name has
been
entered.
edited.

To change the Group Master, deselect the current master by pressing its WRITE button and
select the new master by pressing its WRITE button while the Edit Group dialog box is open.
To change the Group Master null level, change the level of the Group Master fader while the
Edit Group dialog box is open.
To change the Group Member, press the UPDATE button on the needed faders to add and
delete channels while the Edit Group dialog box is open.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to apply the edits to the group as determined by the
New Group dialog box and the selected group master, members, and master null level. A
new mix will be created in the Mix Tree that contains the newly edited group. This mix will
become the current mix.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

12.4.3 Delete Group

To delete a group, highlight the needed group in the
Groups Page and select Delete Group from the Groups
Menu. A confirmation dialog box will open.

Highlight YES and press SEL (Select) to delete the highlighted group. A new mix will be
created in the Mix Tree that does not contain the deleted group. This mix will become the
current mix. The deleted mix will still be in the previous mix that was edited.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
12.4.4 Disable/Enable Group
To disable a group, highlight the needed group in the
Groups Page and select Disable Group from the Groups
Menu.
This function allows the selected group to remain intact,
but be disabled and re-enabled as needed.
This function is similar to the Groups Enable button on the
Status Page that disables and enables groups on a global
basis, but does so for individual groups.

Disabled
groups
will
appear
dimmed on the Groups Page.
The Vocals fader group is
Disabled in the Groups Page on
the right.

To re-enable a disabled group, highlight the needed group

in the Groups Page and select Enable Group from the
Groups Menu.
Disabling/enabling groups does not create new mixes in
the Mix Tree.

12.4.5 Coalesce & Delete Group

Selecting Coalesce & Delete Group will cause the
automation system to create a new mix in the Mix Tree
with the following attributes:

Applies the Group Master's recorded moves to the

Group Members

Deletes all Group Master moves

Deletes the group

This is useful when you are finished working with a group,
but want to keep the moves that were made to the Group
Members. Once the group is deleted, the Group Master
and Members can be reassigned to other groups.
To coalesce & delete a group, highlight the
needed group in the Groups Page and select
Coalesce & Delete from the Groups Menu.
A confirmation dialog box will open.

Highlight YES and press SEL (Select) to apply the relative Group Master automation
moves to the data of each Group Member and delete the highlighted group. A new mix will
be created in the Mix Tree that contains the coalesced data applied to the Group Members,
but does not contain the deleted group. This mix will become the current mix. The deleted
group will still be in the previous mix that was edited.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
12.4.6 Coalesce & Keep Group
Selecting Coalesce & Keep Group will cause the
automation system to create a new mix in the Mix Tree
with the following attributes:

Applies the Group Master's moves to the Group

Members

Deletes all Group Master moves

Keeps the group intact

This is useful when you want to keep the moves that were
made using the group, but want to "clear" all the moves of
the Group Master. This allows the Group Master to be
moved to a more convenient location (using the Group
Edit function) and additional moves can be made using the
Group Master from the new position.
Typically this option is used when an unused audio channel is used as the Group Master.
This option may not be appropriate when the Group Master is carrying audio as part of a
group (such as when the bass drum channel/fader is the Master for a drum group).
To coalesce & keep a group, highlight the
needed group in the Groups Page and select
Coalesce & Keep from the Groups Menu.
A confirmation dialog box will open.
Highlight YES and press SEL (Select) to apply the relative Group Master automation
moves to the data of each Group Member and keep the highlighted group intact. A new mix
will be created in the Mix Tree that contains the coalesced data applied to the Group
Members, as well as the group. This mix will become the current mix.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

12.4.7 Coalesce w/ Audio Master

Selecting Coalesce w/ Audio Master will cause the
automation system to create a new mix in the Mix Tree
with the following attributes:

Applies the Group Master's moves to the Group

Members

Keeps all Group Master moves

Deletes the group

This is useful when you are finished working with a group,
but the Group Master is carrying audio as part of the group
(such as the bass drum channel/fader being the Group
Master in a drum group).
In such a case, it would be inappropriate to delete the moves made to the Group Master
(bass drum) since its audio should change with the rest of the group.
To coalesce a group, delete it, but retain
the moves of the Group Master,
highlight the needed group in the
Groups Page and select Coalesce w/
Audio Master from the Groups Menu.
A confirmation dialog box will open.
Highlight YES and press SEL (Select) to apply the relative Group Master automation
moves to the data of each Group Member, retain the moves of the Group Master, and delete
the highlighted group. A new mix will be created in the Mix Tree that contains the coalesced
data applied to the Group Members and Group Master moves, but without the deleted mix.
This mix will become the current mix. The deleted group will still be in the previous mix that
was edited.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

12.5 Default Groups

A set of groups can be stored in the console as the Default Groups. This is a convenience
feature that allows a commonly used set of groups to be stored and reloaded as needed. This is
very useful if the same starting place is used on multiple or repeated projects.
Default Groups are stored using the procedure outlined below in section 12.5.1 Saving Default
Groups.
Default Groups are reloaded whenever the automation package is powered-up or after the RESET
button has been pressed.
Default Groups are stored in the Automation Controller, independent of any project. Like any
groups, they can be created and saved without a project being open.
The Default Groups can also serve as the initial groups for an automated mix. If With Existing
Mix is not selected in the New Project dialog box when the project is created, the Default Groups
will be included in the default mix (Mix 1) for the new project.
12.5.1 Saving Default Groups
To save new Default Groups, create the needed groups using the procedures outlined in
sections 12.0 Groups and 12.6 Group Setup Procedures. Once the desired groups have
been created, open the Main Menu from the Status Page.

Highlight Save Default Groups

press the SEL (Select) button.

and

A confirmation dialog box will open.

Highlight Yes button and press the SEL

(Select) button to save the groups as the
Default Groups.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to
cancel.
12.5.2 Reloading Default Groups
To reload the Default Groups, carefully press the RESET button on the Automation
Controller. It is the recessed button next to the MEMORY-CARD slot. Youll need a toothpick
or paperclip to access the button. Alternately, cycling the power for the automation package
will reload the Default Groups.
The automation package will reboot. When the reboot process is complete, the Default
Groups will be loaded and active.

12.6

Group Setup Procedures

12.6.1 Enable Groups Globally

To Enable all groups on a global basis, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Using the Jog-Wheel, highlight the GROUPS button.

3.

Press the SEL (Select) button to enable groups.

4.

The button will turn yellow when groups are enabled.

To Disable all groups on a global basis, perform the following procedure:

1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Using the Jog-Wheel, highlight the GROUPS button.

3.

Press the SEL (Select) button to disable groups.

4.

The button will turn grey when groups are disabled.

12.6.2 Create a New Group

To make a new group, perform the following procedure:
1.

Make sure that Groups, Faders, and Switches are enabled on the Status Page.

2.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

4.

Highlight New Group and press the SEL (Select) button. The New Group dialog box
will open.

5.

Enter a name for the new group in the Name text entry field.

6.

Highlight the check box for each group Type (fader, mute, and/or insert) needed.
Press SEL (Select) to select each checkbox.

7.

Press the WRITE button on the channel to be designated as the Group Master.

8.

If setting up a fader group, set the Master Null level on the Group Master. Make
sure the Group Master Fader is set to 0dB or another desired value.

9.

Press the UPDATE button on the channels to be designated as Group Members.

NOTE: Channels whose READ buttons are illuminated are already in use and are
unavailable for use in the new group.

10. Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to create the new
group.
11. The New Group dialog box will close and the new group will appear on the Groups
Page. If a project is open, a new mix containing the new group will appear in the
Mix Tree and become the current mix.
12.6.3 Edit an Existing Group
To edit an existing group, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the group to be edited.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

4.

Highlight Edit Group and press the SEL (Select) button. The Edit Group dialog box
will open.

5.

To edit the group name, enter a new name in the Name text entry field as needed.
NOTE: The group Type cannot be edited.

6.

To change the Master Null level, reposition the Group Master Fader as needed.

7.

To change the Group Master, press the WRITE button on the current Group Master
to deselect it and press the WRITE button on the channel or fader to be designated
as the new Group Master.

8.

To delete the Group Members, press the UPDATE buttons on the current Group
Members to deselect them.

9.

To add the Group Members, press the UPDATE button on the channels to be added
to the group.
NOTE: Channels whose READ buttons are illuminated are already in use and are
unavailable for use in the new group.

10. Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to accept the edits to
the group.
11. The Edit Group dialog box will close and the changes to the edited group will appear
on the Groups Page. If a project is open, a new mix containing the edited group will
appear in the Mix Tree and become the current mix.

12.6.4 Delete a Group

To delete a group, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the group to be deleted.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

4.

Highlight Delete Group and press the SEL (Select) button. A confirmation dialog
box will open.

5.

Highlight Yes and press the SEL (Select) to delete the highlighted group.

6.

The confirmation dialog box will close and the deleted group will disappear from the
Groups Page. If a project is open, a new mix without the deleted group will appear
in the Mix Tree and become the current mix.

12.6.5 Disable a Group

To Disable a group, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the group to be disabled.

3.
4.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

Highlight Disable Group and press the SEL (Select) button.

5.

The disabled group will appear dimmed (grey) on the Groups Page, indicating its
status. The group will cease to operate. Since the group can be easily re-enabled, a
new mix is not created in the Mix Tree.

12.6.6 Enable a Disabled Group

To Enable a disabled group, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the group to be enabled.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

4.

Highlight Enable Group and press the SEL (Select) button.

5.

The enabled group will appear normal on the Groups Page and will resume normal
operation. A new mix will not be created in the Mix Tree.

12.6.7 Coalesce a Group

To Coalesce and Delete a group, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the group to be coalesced and deleted.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

4.

Highlight Coalesce & Delete and press the SEL (Select) button. A confirmation
dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight Yes and press the SEL (Select) to coalesce the Master moves with the
Members and delete the highlighted group. The confirmation dialog box will close.

6.

The Group Masters moves will be applied to the Group Members, the Group
Masters moves will be deleted, and the group will be deleted. The group will also be
removed from the Groups Page.

7.

A new mix without the coalesced moves and deleted group will appear in the Mix
Tree and become the current mix.

To Coalesce and Keep one or more groups, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the group to be coalesced and kept.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

4.

Highlight Coalesce & Keep and press the SEL (Select) button. A confirmation
dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight Yes and press the SEL (Select) to coalesce the Master moves with the
Members and keep the highlighted group intact. The confirmation dialog box will
close.

6.

The Group Masters moves will be applied to the Group Members, the Group
Masters moves will be deleted, but the group will remain intact.

7.

A new mix with the coalesced moves will appear in the Mix Tree and become the
current mix.

To Coalesce w/ Audio Master one or more groups, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Groups Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the group to be coalesced with Audio Master (Group
Master).

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Groups Menu.

4.

Highlight Coalesce w/Audio Master and press the SEL (Select) button. A
confirmation dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight Yes and press the SEL (Select) to coalesce the Master moves with the
Members, keep the Group Master moves, and delete the highlighted group. The
confirmation dialog box will close.

6.

The Group Masters moves will be applied to the Group Members, the Group
Masters moves will be retained, but the group will be deleted.

7.

A new mix with the coalesced moves and deleted group will appear in the Mix Tree
and become the current mix.

13.0 Snapshots
A snapshot is a captured static image of the positions of the faders, mutes, and inserts on a selected
set of channels.
The items in the Snapshot Menu, allow the engineer to take a snapshot of the faders and/or mutes &
inserts on selected channels and store it on the Snapshot Page or to a separate .VSS file. The
snapshots in the list can be loaded and further managed as needed.
Snapshots are typically stored as part of the current project file. Multiple snapshots can be saved in a
project. A snapshot can be exported as a file and imported into another project
In common practice, snapshots can be very useful for quickly storing and recalling fader, mute, and
insert positions when moving between projects and songs or storing settings for use at a later time.

13.1 Snapshots Page

The Snapshots Page provides the means to create, display, and manage snapshot files.
Press the
PROJECT
PAGES button
until the
Snapshots
Page opens.

The
Snapshots
Page
displays
information
about the open project
and its snapshots.

The Snapshots Page to the left shows

three (3) snapshots.
The Mix Start and Mix End snapshots
contain control positions for channels 116, the two Control Group Masters (G1 &
G2), and the Program Master (PG).
The Drums snapshot contains control
positions for channels 1-4 and Control
Group Master #1 (G1).

The diagram to the right indicates each

area of the Snapshots Page.
For
each
snapshot,
the
following
information is displayed:

Name: Name of the snapshot

Channels: The channels included in

the snapshot.
The name of the open project file is shown
at the bottom of the Snapshots Page.

13.2 Snapshots Menu

Snapshots can be created, loaded, deleted, imported, and exported using the Snapshots Menu.
With the Snapshots Page open, press the MENU button to open the Snapshots
Menu. The function selected in the Snapshots Menu will affect the snapshot
highlighted on the Snapshots Page when the menu was opened.

The Snapshots Menu contains seven (7) items that facilitate the
management of snapshots:

Project: Load Snapshot: Loads the highlighted snapshot

from within the current project

Project: New Snapshot: Creates a new snapshot within

the current project

Project: Delete Snapshot: Deletes the highlighted

snapshot within the current project

Project: Export Snapshot: Saves the highlighted snapshot

from the current project as a separate snapshot file
(.VSS)

Project: Import Snapshot: Loads a separate snapshot file

(.VSS) into the current project

VSS File: Load Snapshot: Loads a separate snapshot file

without adding it to the current project and can be used
even when no project is open

VSS File: New Snapshot: Creates a new snapshot and

saves it directly to a separate snapshot file (.VSS), even
when no project is open
When a new project is first opened, there will be no snapshots
on the Snapshot Page. Until at least one snapshot is on the
Snapshot Page, the Project: Load Snapshot, Project: Delete
Snapshot, and Project: Export Snapshot options will be
unavailable on the Snapshot Menu.
Once a snapshot has been loaded, created, or imported, all
Snapshots Menu items will be available.

13.2.1 Project: Load Snapshot

To load a snapshot from the current project, open the
Snapshots Page and highlight the needed snapshot.
Select Project: Load Snapshot from the Snapshots Menu.
The Load Snapshot dialog box will open.

Highlight OK and press SEL (Select)

to load the highlighted snapshot. The
saved positions for the controls and
channels stored in the snapshot will
replace the current positions on those
channels.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
13.2.2 Project: New Snapshot
To create a new snapshot within the current project,
select Project: New Snapshot from the Snapshots Menu.
The New Project Snapshot dialog box will open.
A new snapshot of faders and/or mutes & inserts on
selected channels can be created.

The New Project Snapshot dialog box

allows a new snapshot to be named.
To enter the name of the new snapshot,
highlight the Name: text-entry field
and press the SEL (Select) button. Using
the text-entry procedures, edit the
existing name or enter a new one. Press
ESC (Escape) once the name has been
entered.
NOTE: The snapshot name cannot be edited after the snapshot is created.
The New Project Snapshot dialog box allows the selection of snapshot Type:

Fader

Mute & Insert

Type: Check boxes that select the controls for
the new snapshot.
Faders and mutes & inserts can be selected for capture in the new
snapshot.
To select the controls to be included in the new snapshot, highlight the needed check box
and press the SEL (Select) button. Each set of controls must be selected separately.
The channel WRITE mode buttons are used to select the channels to be included in the new
snapshot. The New Project Snapshot dialog box indicates the function of each button in the
Fader Buttons box.

Channel Selection: The New Project Snapshot dialog box provides instructions
on how to select the channels to be included in the new snapshot. As the
prompt indicates, use the WRITE buttons to select channels.
WRITE: Includes the channel in the new snapshot, if pressed while the New
Project Snapshot dialog box is open.
SELECT ALL (on the ACM keypad): Alternately selects all channels or no
channels to be included in the new snapshot, if pressed while the New Project
Snapshot dialog box is open.
The faders to the
right indicate the
following
snapshot
selections:
Ch. 1-4: Selected
Ch. 5-8: Unselected

When the New Project Snapshot dialog box opens, all channels will be selected for inclusion
in the snapshot. To deselect a channel for inclusion in the new snapshot, press the WRITE
button on the desired fader before closing the New Project Snapshot dialog box. Alternately,
you can press SELECT ALL to deselect all channels for inclusion.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only the controls and channels captured in a snapshot can be
reapplied to the console hardware when the snapshot is loaded.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to create the new snapshot as determined by the New
Project Snapshot dialog box and the selected channels. The new snapshot will appear on
the Snapshot Page.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
13.2.3 Project: Delete Snapshot
To delete a snapshot, highlight the snapshot on the
Snapshots Page and select Project: Delete Snapshot
from the Snapshots Menu. A confirmation dialog box will
open.

Highlight YES and press SEL (Select) to delete the highlighted snapshot. The snapshot will
disappear from the Snapshots Page.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A deleted snapshot cannot be recovered once it has been deleted,
unless it has been exported as a separate file.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
13.2.4 Project: Export Snapshot
The Project: Export Snapshot menu item facilitates the
export of the highlighted snapshot as a .VSS snapshot file.
An exported snapshot remains on the Snapshot Page and
is not deleted as a result of using this function.
To export a snapshot as a .VSS file, highlight it on the
Snapshots Page and select Project: Export Snapshot
from the Snapshots Menu.

The Snapshot Export dialog box will

open, displaying a list of folders and files
on the memory card and a text-entry
box.
Select a location for the mix file to be
exported. The default location is the root
directory of the memory card.

If a different location is needed (such as

another project folder), press the SEL
(Select) button while the directory list is
highlighted to activate access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel and SEL (Select
button to navigate to the needed
location, highlight it, and press the SEL
(Select) button to select it.

Once the needed location is selected, use

the Jog-Wheel to highlight the File:
text-entry field.
Press SEL (Select) to enter a name for
the snapshot file.
Press ESC (Escape) when finished.

Once the snapshot file name has been

entered, use the Jog-Wheel to highlight
OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to save the
snapshot file in the selected location.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select)
to cancel.

13.2.5 Project: Import Snapshot

The Project: Import Snapshot menu item facilitates the
importing of .VSS snapshot files into the currently open
project and Snapshots Page.
To import a snapshot into a project, open the Snapshots
Page and select Project: Import Snapshot from the
Snapshots Menu.

The Snapshot Import dialog box will

open, displaying a list of folders and files
on the memory card and a text-entry
box.
The list will open in the root directory of
the memory card.

Press the SEL (Select) button while the

directory list is highlighted to activate
access to it.
Use the Jog-Wheel to locate and highlight
the snapshot file to be imported.
Press the SEL (Select) button to select
the highlighted snapshot file.

Once the snapshot file has been selected,

the name of the snapshot file to be
imported will appear in the File: text
box
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight OK.
Press the SEL (Select) button to import
the selected snapshot file in the current
project and Snapshot Page.

13.2.6 VSS File: Load Snapshot

The VSS File: Load Snapshot menu item facilitates the
loading of .VSS snapshot files without importing them into
the currently open project (or without any project open at
all).
To load a snapshot directly from a VSS file, open the
Snapshots Page and select VSS File: Load Snapshot
from the Snapshots Menu.

The Load Snapshot VSS File dialog box

will open, displaying a list of folders and
files on the memory card and a textentry box.
The list will open in the root directory of
the memory card.
Select and load a VSS file using the same
procedure as described in the preceding
section Project: Import Snapshot
13.2.7 VSS File: New Snapshot
To take a new snapshot directly to a VSS file, open the
Snapshots Page and select VSS File: New Snapshot from
the Snapshots Menu.
It is not necessary to have a project open to take a
snapshot. A snapshot taken directly to a VSS file will not
be added to the current project if one is open.

The New Snapshot VSS File dialog box

will open. Follow the same procedure to
take a snapshot as is described in section
13.2.2 Project: New Snapshot

After selecting Ok, the Snapshot Save

dialog will open. Choose a location and
file name as is described in section
13.2.4 Project: Export Snapshot

13.3 Default Positions

A set of fader, mute, and insert positions can be stored in the console as the Default Positions.
This is a convenience feature that allows a commonly used set of positions to be stored and
reloaded as needed. This is very useful if the same starting place is used on multiple or repeated
projects and can be thought of as a default snapshot.
Default Positions are stored using the procedure outlined below in section 13.3.1 Saving Default
Positions.
Default Positions are reloaded whenever the automation package is powered-up or after the
RESET button has been pressed.
Default Positions are stored in the Automation Controller, independent of any project.
Accordingly, they can be created and saved without a project being open.
The Default Positions can also serve as the initial positions for an automated mix. If With
Existing Mix is not selected in the New Project dialog box when the project is created, the Default
Positions will be the initial positions in the default mix (Mix 1) for the new project.
13.3.1 Saving Default Positions
To save the Default Positions, put all channels in MANUAL mode and set the faders, mutes,
and inserts to the needed positions. Once the controls have been positioned, open the Main
Menu from the Status Page.
Highlight Save Default Positions and
press the SEL (Select) button.
A confirmation dialog box will open.

Highlight Yes button and press the SEL

(Select) button to save the current fader,
mute, and insert positions as the Default
Positions.
Highlight No and press SEL (Select) to
cancel.
13.3.2 Reloading Default Positions
To reload the Default Positions, carefully press the RESET button on the Automation
Controller. It is the recessed button next to the MEMORY-CARD slot. Youll need a toothpick
or paperclip to access the button. Alternately, cycling the power for the automation package
will reload the Default Positions.

The automation package will reboot. When the reboot process is complete, the Default
Positions will be loaded in the ACM. All channels will be in MANUAL after rebooting. Select all
channels in the Status Page channel grid and press READ or UPDATE. The faders, mutes,
and inserts will move to the Default Positions.

13.4

Snapshot Procedures

13.4.1 Create a New Snapshot (Project)

To make a new snapshot, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Snapshots Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Snapshots Menu.

3.

Highlight Project: New Snapshot and press the SEL (Select) button. The New
Project Snapshot dialog box will open.

4.

Enter a name for the new Snapshots in the Name text entry field.

5.

Highlight the Type check boxes for each set of controls to be included in the
snapshot (fader and/or mute & insert). Press SEL (Select) to select each checkbox.

6.

Press the WRITE button on the channels to be included in the snapshot.

7.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to create the new
snapshot.

8.

The New Project Snapshot dialog box will close and the new snapshot will appear on
the Snapshots Page.

13.4.2 Load an Existing Snapshot (Project)

To load an existing snapshot, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Snapshots Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the snapshot to be loaded.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Snapshots Menu.

4.

Highlight Project: Load Snapshot and press the SEL (Select) button. The Load
Snapshot dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight the OK button and press SEL (Select) to load the highlighted snapshot.

13.4.3 Delete a Snapshot (Project)

To delete a snapshot, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Snapshots Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the snapshot to be deleted.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Snapshots Menu.

4.

Highlight Project: Delete Snapshot and press the SEL (Select) button. A
confirmation dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight Yes and press the SEL (Select) to delete the highlighted snapshot.

6.

The confirmation dialog box will close and the deleted snapshot will disappear from
the Snapshots Page.

13.4.4 Export a Snapshot (Project)

To export a snapshot, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Snapshots Page.

2.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the snapshot to be exported.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Snapshots Menu.

4.

Highlight Project: Export Snapshot and press the SEL (Select) button.

5.

Press the SEL (Select) button to activate the directory list. Use the Jog-Wheel and
SEL (Select) button to navigate to the needed location (Folder) for the exported
snapshot file.

6.

Once the location for the new snapshot file has been selected, press the ESC
(Escape) button to exit the directory. The name of the selected location will appear
in the Folder text field.

7.

Highlight the File text-entry field and use text-entry procedures to enter a
snapshot file name. Press the SEL (Select) button when finished.

8.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to export the
highlighted snapshot as a .VSS file.

13.4.5 Import a Snapshot (Project)

To import a snapshot, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Snapshots Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Snapshots Menu.

3.

Highlight Project: Import Snapshot and press the SEL (Select) button.

4.

Press the SEL (Select) button to activate the directory list. Use the Jog-Wheel and
SEL (Select) button to navigate to the snapshot file to be imported.

5.

Press the SEL (Select) button once the needed snapshot file is highlighted. Once the
file has been selected, it name will appear in the File: text box.

6.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to import the selected
snapshot into the current project and Snapshots Page.

13.4.6 Load a Snapshot (VSS File)

To load a snapshot directly from a VSS file, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Snapshots Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Snapshots Menu.

3.

Highlight VSS File: Load Snapshot and press the SEL (Select) button.

4.

Press the SEL (Select) button to activate the directory list. Use the Jog-Wheel and
SEL (Select) button to navigate to the snapshot file to be loaded.

5.

Press the SEL (Select) button once the needed snapshot file is highlighted. Once the
file has been selected, it name will appear in the File: text box.

6.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to load the selected
snapshot file.

13.4.7 Create a New Snapshot (VSS File)

To make a new snapshot and save it directly to a VSS file, perform the following procedure:
1.

Press the PROJECT PAGES button 1 to 3 times to open the Snapshots Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Snapshots Menu.

3.

Highlight VSS File: New Snapshot and press the SEL (Select) button. The New
Snapshot VSS File dialog box will open.

4.

Enter a name for the new Snapshots in the Name text entry field.

5.

Highlight the Type check boxes for each set of controls to be included in the
snapshot (fader and/or mute & insert). Press SEL (Select) to select each checkbox.

6.

Press the WRITE button on the channels to be included in the snapshot.

7.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to create the new
snapshot.

8.

The New Snapshot VSS File dialog box will close and the Save Snapshot dialog will
open.

9.

Press the SEL (Select) button to activate the directory list. Use the Jog-Wheel and
SEL (Select) button to navigate to the needed location (Folder) for the saved
snapshot file.

10. Once the location for the new snapshot file has been selected, press the ESC
(Escape) button to exit the directory. The name of the selected location will appear
in the Folder text field.
11. Highlight the File text-entry field and use text-entry procedures to enter a
snapshot file name. Press the SEL (Select) button when finished.
12. Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to save the snapshot to
a .VSS file.

This page has been intentionally left blank.

14.0 DAW Control

A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) can be controlled from the 1608 automation package using the
Human User Interface (HUI) protocol over MIDI. The following DAW controls can be operated from the
console hardware:

Fader

Mute

Solo

Record Ready

Channel Select
Similarly, the DAW can control the 1608, allowing moves made in the DAW (and automation) to control
the 1608 faders.
A maximum of thirty-two (32) channels can have DAW control simultaneously. There are four (4) pairs
of MIDI IN and OUT ports that can carry data between the console 8-channel Fader Control Modules
(FCM) and DAW tracks. Each set of ports shares data with up to eight (8) DAW channels.
A fifth MIDI IN port is used to provide MIDI timecode (MTC) to the system. The fifth MIDI OUT port is
not used.
The MIDI ports are available on a female 25-pin D-sub connector and the MIDI breakout cable supplied
with the console. Connect the MIDI ports on the console rear panel to the MIDI interface for the DAW.

14.1 DAW Configuration

To use DAW control, the system must be first configured. This
involves mapping the four pairs of MIDI ports with the 8channel Fader Modules. This is accomplished using the DAW
Config dialog box, available from the System Menu.
To configure DAW MIDI mapping, open the Status Page and
press the MENU button to open the Main Menu. In the Main
Menu, highlight System Menu press the SEL (Select) button.
Highlight DAW Config and press the SEL (Select) button to
open the DAW Config dialog box.
The DAW Config dialog box has four (4) pulldown menus that allow each pair of MIDI in
and out ports to be mapped to one of the 8channel fader modules.
MIDI 1-4: Each menu assigns a pair of MIDI
in/out ports with one fader module.
To set channel mapping, highlight the pulldown menu for needed MIDI ports and press
the SEL (Select) button.
The pull-down menu will open, revealing the
following choices:

1-8: Channels 1-8 (FCM #1)

9-16: Channels 9-16 (FCM #2)

17-24: Channels 17-24 (FCM #3)

25-32: Channels 25-32 (FCM #4)

32-40: Channels 33-40 (FCM #5)

41-48: Channels 41-48 (FCM #6)

G1-PGM: Control Group Masters 1 & 2

(G1 & G2) and Program Master (PGM)
on the Automation Controller (ACM)
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed channels and press the SEL (Select) button. The
selected channels will be mapped to the MIDI ports associated with that menu.

The Bypass option for each bank of faders

determines how the audio signal on each
channel of the 1608 interacts with the fader
when it is under DAW control.
Yes is the default choice, and allows the
audio to bypass each fader at unity gain. This
means that the movements of the faders in
conjunction with the DAW software will not
affect the audio levels passing through each
channel.
Choosing No for Bypass means that the audio signal level will continue to be affected by the
movements of the faders in conjunction with the DAW software. In addition, the audio mute
circuit in each channel will be under control of the DAW software. Muting a track in the DAW will
mute the corresponding channel on the 1608 and vice-versa. Working in this way, the DAW
effectively becomes the brains of the automation system.
It is recommended that when Bypass is set to No, the audio of each track is output from the
DAW pre-fader. Otherwise the gain change of the fader will be applied twice (once by the virtual
fader in the DAW software, and once by the hardware fader of the 1608). It is also recommended
that the Shift Channels function (see section 14.4) not be used while Bypass is set to No, as
fader and mute controls will likely be applied to the wrong audio signals.
Note 1: There is no way to transfer automation data (i.e. fader and mute moves) between DAW
software and the automation system. Setting Bypass to No simply allows the audio signal path
of the 1608 to be controlled by the DAW software.
Note 2: There are two possible fader curves
to choose from (ProTools and Linear). This
is to account for the fact that different DAW
programs scale the fader control over the HUI
interface differently. ProTools is the default
choice and is designed to match the actual
gain of the fader to what is displayed in Pro
Tools software.

Note 3: The HUI protocol that links the console to the DAW has a significantly lower resolution
than the built in automation system. Therefore the precision and responsiveness may be
degraded when using the DAW mode.
DAW Mode:

Automation
Data Stored By:

Channel Levels Affected By:

Audio Mute
Controlled By:

Off

1608

1608 Hardware Faders

1608

On, Bypass: Yes

DAW

Virtual DAW Faders

1608

On, Bypass: No

DAW

1608 Hardware Faders

DAW

14.2 DAW Enable

Once the DAW configuration has been completed, channels must be enabled for DAW
control. Each 8-channel Fader Control Module (FCM) has a DAW button in its upper
left-hand corner. The Automation Controller also has a DAW button that enables
DAW control for the Control Group Masters (G1 & G2) and the Program Master
(PGM). This DAW button is located above the Program Master Fader.
A project does not need to be open to enable DAW control. DAW control can be enabled on up to
four (4) control modules at a time in any combination:

The DAW button illuminates in blue when engaged

When the DAW control is enabled, faders will move to match the position of the faders in the
DAW. The DAW enabled 1608 faders and DAW faders will track with each other as long as DAW
control is enabled. Control of the DAW Mute, Solo, Record Ready, and Select functions will also be
enabled from the 1608 faders using the controls labeled with blue letters.
When the DAW control is disabled, the faders will move to restore their previous positions. Faders
in MANUAL or WRITE mode will return to their last position before the DAW button was pressed.
Faders in READ or UPDATE mode will return to their position as determined by the current mix.
The fader automation controls (labeled with white letters) will resume their normal functions.

14.3 DAW Controls

Console controls are mapped to the DAW as follows:
1608
Fader
MUTE WRITE*
READ
UPDATE
WRITE

=
=
=
=
=
=

DAW
Fader
Mute
Solo
Select (DAW channel select)
Record Ready

1608 faders are mapped directly to the associated DAW faders, but mute, solo, record ready,
and select functions must be borrowed from alternate console controls. The four automation
mode buttons are dual function buttons and perform different operations depending if the DAW
control is enabled or not.
In normal operation the MUTE WRITE, READ, UPDATE, and WRITE buttons change the automation
mode of the fader. When DAW control is enabled, these buttons change function and become
MUTE, SOLO, SELECT, and RECORD controls respectively for the assigned DAW tracks. The
automation controls are labeled in white and the DAW controls are labeled in blue.
*NOTE: When Bypass is set to No in the DAW Config dialog, the MUTE control that is part of
the 548B module will also be mapped to the DAW Mute control. The SOLO button on the 548B
input module is never part of the automation system or the DAW control system.

14.4 Shift Channels

Even with 1608 EX expanders installed, since the 1608 is a small format console it is common to
have more DAW audio tracks recorded than console faders for control. To help control a large
number of tracks from a limited number of faders, a Shift Channels feature is included. This
feature allows the user to shift the DAW tracks assigned to faders, one track at a time.
To shift channels, press the SHIFT CHANS button on the Automation Controller.

The SHIFT CHANS button illuminates when engaged

The DAW Channels grid will open.
The DAW Channels grid has a box for each of
the channels set up in the General Config
dialog box. The grid to the left is configured
for a 16-channel console.
Channels configured for DAW control will
inherit the name of the DAW track it is
controlling and display it in abbreviated form.
Channels not configured for DAW control will
not inherit a track name and will display ----.

While the DAW Channels grid is open, the JogWheel can be used to shift the DAW tracks
applied to each of the 1608 faders. Each click
of the Jog-Wheel will shift the assigned tracks
by one to the left or the right.
A channel shift of 10 tracks is shown in the
grid to the left when compared to the grid
above.

Continual turns of the Jog-Wheel will continue

to shift the assigned channels back and forth.
A channel shift to the end of a 32-track DAW
session is shown in the grid to the left when
compared to two grids above.
DAW control does not need to be enabled for
SHIFT CHAN to function.

It is recommended that the Shift Channels function not be used while Bypass (in the DAW
Config) is set to No, as fader and mute controls will likely be applied to the wrong audio signals.
This is true even if one bank of faders is set to Bypass: Yes and another is set to Bypass: No.

14.6 DAW Control Applications

DAW control can be applied in a variety of ways. A few examples are listed below, but the system
is not limited to these applications.
1.

The fader, mute, solo, and record ready could be controlled from the console to provide a
tactile control while recording or mixing-in-the-box.

2.

Using DAW control of tracks returning to the Program Bus via the 1608 echo returns
during a mix.

3.

Using the console for signal processing, sends, and program summing while using DAW
automation during a mix.

14.7 DAW Control Procedures

For all procedures below:
1.

Set up the needed routing and channel settings.

2.

Connect the MIDI ports on the console rear panel to the MIDI interface for the DAW

3.

Set the needed configuration in the DAW to allow HUI control over MIDI

14.7.1 Using the console control surface to control a DAW

To establish DAW control, perform the following procedure:
1.

Highlight the System Menu from the Main Menu via the Status Page and press
the SEL (Select) button. This will open the System Menu.

2.

Highlight the DAW Config item from the System Menu and press the SEL
(Select) button. This will open the DAW Config dialog box.

3.

Use the pull-down menus for each pair of MIDI ports (1-4) and assign fader
modules (8 faders) to the MIDI Ports.

4.

Use the pull-down menus to set the Bypass to either Yes or No for each fader
module.

5.

Highlight the OK button to and press the SEL (Select) button to save the current
configuration.

6.

Press the DAW button on the configured channels to establish DAW control.

7.

Press the SHIFT CHANS button to shift the assigned DAW tracks across the
configured DAW channels on the 1608 (if Bypass is set to Yes).

15.0 Ancillary Fader Functions

The 1608 automation package provides two (2) ancillary fader functions:

Position Faders: Sets all faders to a specific value

Demo Functions: Activates the fader demonstration mode

15.1 Position Faders

All console faders can be set to a specific value using the Position Faders function, available in
the Main Menu. Position faders can be useful at the start of a tracking session when it is desirable
to set all faders to unity gain. It is also useful when using console processing, routing, and
summing while using DAW automation to playback the mix.
To position faders, open the Status Page and
press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.
Highlight Position Faders and press the SEL
(Select) button to open the Position Faders
dialog box.

The Move All Faders To pull-down menu

allows the faders to be set to one of fifteen
(15) levels:
+12
+9
+6
+3
0

dB
dB
dB
dB
dB

-3
-6
-9
-12
-15

dB
dB
dB
dB
dB

-18
-24
-30
-48
-

dB
dB
dB
dB
dB

0 dB is the default level in the pull-down

To select the level for fader positions, highlight
the Move All Faders To pull-down menu and
press the SEL (Select) button. The pull-down
menu will open.
Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll through the fader
level choices and highlight the needed value.
Once the needed level is highlighted, press the
SEL (Select) button to select that value.
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to set all faders to the selected level.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There is no undo for the Position Faders function. Once faders have been
positioned, there is no way to restore the previous fader positions, unless
they have been saved in a snapshot or mix.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

15.2 Demo Functions

There are three (3) Demo Functions for the automation system:

Wave: Faders will move up and down according to the selected waveform, speed, and
period

Up/Down: Faders will move up and down in unison with each other, according to the
selected waveform and speed

Follow Me: When any fader is moved, all other faders will follow in unison

In each of these functions, the all faders will perform a different pattern of pre-programmed
motion for a total of 100 fader cycles. After 100 fader cycles the demo function will time-out.
To start a fader demo function, open the Status
Page and press the MENU button to open the
Main Menu.
Highlight Demo Functions and press the SEL
(Select) button to open the Demo Functions
dialog box.

Once the Demo Functions dialog box opens, the

default demo function will begin. The settings
for this demo are shown in the dialog box to
the left.
Demo settings can be changed as described in
the following sections.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to
cancel the Demo Function.
The demo Type pull-down menu allows the
selection of one of the three demo functions:

Wave (default)

Up/Down

Follow Me
To select the demo function, highlight the
Type pull-down menu and press the SEL
(Select) button. The pull-down menu will open.

Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll through the three choices and highlight the needed demo function.
There are three (3) Demo Functions for the automation system:

Wave: Faders will move up and down according to the selected waveform, speed, and
period

Up/Down: Faders will move up and down in unison with each other, according to the
selected waveform and speed

Follow Me: When any fader is moved, all other faders will follow in unison
Once the needed demo function is highlighted, press the SEL (Select) button and that demo will
start. For Wave and Up/Down, the cycle count will reset to 100 and start counting down.
One of the three waveforms can be applied to
the Wave and Up/Down demos functions.
The Waveform pull-down menu allows the
selection waveforms:

Sine (default)

Triangle

Square

To select the waveform for the selected demo function, highlight the Waveform pull-down menu
and press the SEL (Select) button. The pull-down menu will open.
Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll through the three choices and highlight the needed waveform.

Once the needed waveform is highlighted, press the SEL (Select) button. The selected waveform
will be applied and that demo will start over. The cycle count will continue counting down from its
current position.
The speed (frequency) of the Wave and Up/Down demo functions
can be set to one of eight (8) values:

64

1024

128

2048

256 (default)

4096

512

8192
To increase the speed of the demo function, highlight the minus
button and press the SEL
(Select) button. Each press will shorten the speed value incrementally and increase the rate of
fader movement.
To decrease the speed of the demo function, highlight the plus
button and press the SEL
(Select) button. Each press will lengthen the speed value incrementally and decrease the rate of
fader movement.
The period (wavelength) of the Wave demo function can be set to
one of sixty-three (63) values, 2 through 64.
Each value determines the number of faders needed for a complete waveform cycle. 2 is the
minimum value since at least two faders are needed to represent a complete cycle. Even though a
maximum of 51 faders can be controlled with the 1608 automation package, the period can be
mapped as if there are 64 faders.
To increase the period of the Wave demo function, highlight the plus
button and press the
SEL (Select) button. Each press will shorten the period of the selected waveform incrementally.
The complete waveform will be spread over fewer faders and the rate of individual fader
movement will increase.
To decrease the period of the Wave demo function, highlight the minus
button and press the
SEL (Select) button. Each press will lengthen the period of the selected waveform incrementally.
The complete waveform will be spread over more faders and the rate of individual fader
movement will decrease.
The Wave and Up/Down demo functions are limited to 100 cycles before
automatically timing out.
This feature will prevent fader damage if a demo function is started and inadvertently left running
unattended. The Cycles display will indicate how many cycles are left and will count down to 0.
At 0, the demo will stop running.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel the Demo Function.

This page has been intentionally left blank.

16.0 System Configuration, Calibration, and Firmware

The System Menu provides access to several functions that support system configuration, calibration,
and firmware information/updates. All of these functions will be needed for the initial setup of the
automation package after installation (assuming DAW control is to be included). These functions also
support ongoing maintenance and updates.

16.1 Automation Interfacing

Some simple connections are needed to interface the 1608 automation package with other studio
equipment. These connections include:

LTC timecode interfacing

MIDI interfacing (timecode and DAW control)

1608 EX expander interfacing

16.1.1 Timecode Interfacing
For proper operation, the automation package must be synchronized with the media to be
mixed. Any media can be synchronized as long as the playback device can provide either
SMPTE longitudinal analog time code (LTC) or MIDI timecode (MTC).
16.1.1.1

LTC Timecode
To use LTC, analog longitudinal SMPTE timecode must be provided to
the system. A female, 3-pin XLR connector is included on the rear panel
of the console to support SMPTE timecode. This connector is labeled
SMPTE LTC and will accept balanced, line-level of approximately
-12dBu to +12dBu.
LTC must be selected as the
timecode source. This is set in
the General Config dialog box,
available from the System
Menu. For details, see section
16.2.6 General Configuration.
Timecode must also be enabled
for synchronization to operate.
For details see section 5.7
Function Enables.

16.1.1.2

MIDI Timecode
To use MTC, MIDI timecode must be provided to the system.
A female DB-25 (D-sub) connector is included on the rear
panel of the console to support MIDI interfacing.
The ACM accepts MIDI timecode on MIDI 5 IN of the MIDI breakout cable provided
with the system. This MIDI connector must be interfaced with MIDI Out port on the
playback device that carries MTC. For details regarding he MIDI breakout cable, see
section 16.1.2 MIDI Interfacing.
MTC must be selected as the
timecode source. This is set in
the General Config dialog box,
available from the System Menu.
For details, see section 16.2.6
General Configuration.
Timecode must also be enabled
to synchronization to operate.
For details see section 5.7
Function Enables.

16.1.2 MIDI Interfacing

MIDI interfacing is provided via a female DB-25 (D-sub) connector
on the rear panel of the console. This MIDI interface supports DAW
control and synchronization using MIDI timecode (MTC).
A MIDI breakout cable is supplied with the automation package. This cable has a male DB25 on one end, and ten (10) male 5-pin DIN connectors on the other. The DB-25 connector
interfaces with MIDI I/O (DAW CONTROL) connector on the rear of the console. The ten DIN
connectors interface with the MIDI In and Out ports on the DAW. The DIN connectors are
labeled as follows:

MIDI 1 IN

MIDI 1 OUT

MIDI 2 IN

MIDI 2 OUT

MIDI 3 IN

MIDI 3 OUT

MIDI 4 IN

MIDI 4 OUT

MIDI 5 IN (MTC)

MIDI 5 OUT (not used)

MIDI IN and OUT 1-4 support DAW control for up to 32 channels. Each set of ports is
mapped to an 8-channel fader module via 1608 software (see section 14.0 DAW Control).
Therefore, the MIDI IN and OUT 1-4 connectors need to be interfaced with the MIDI ports
on the DAW that are configured for HUI control.
MIDI 5 IN supports MIDI timecode (MTC). It should be interfaced with the MIDI Out port on
the DAW that is configured to provide MTC when its transport is started.
MIDI 5 OUT is currently not used.
The standard MIDI breakout cable supplied with the automation package is thirty (30) feet
in length. Other lengths can be ordered and cables of up to fifty (50) feet in length have
been tested successfully. Performance can vary with the environment in which the system is
used.
16.1.3 Expander Interfacing
If the 1608 console and automation package are expanded to 32 or 48 channels, each 1608
EX expander must be interfaced with the ACM in the main console.
Automation expander cable(s) will be supplied with the automation package. Each cable is
terminated with male DB-25 (D-sub) connectors on each end. The cables are connected as
indicated in the diagram below.
Expander Chan. 17-32

Main Console

Expander Chan. 33-48

NOTE: Typically the data port on all 1608 EX expanders is mounted in the 17-32 position
(although it can easily be moved at customer request.)

16.2 System Menu

To access the System Menu, open the Status
Page and press MENU to open the Main Menu.
Highlight System Menu and press the SEL
(Select) button. The System Menu will open.

The System Menu contains six (6) items that support system
configuration, calibration, and firmware:

Software Versions: Displays the software versions of

currently loaded firmware

Load Firmware: Update and/or reinstall ACM and FCM

firmware

Set Clock: Sets the system month, day, year, and time of
day

Calibrate Faders: Fader calibration tool

DAW Config: Maps fader modules to MIDI ports for DAW

control

General Config: Sets the number of channels, timecode

source, freewheel frames, and default timecode frame
rate
16.2.1 Software Versions
To view the currently loaded software versions, highlight
Software Versions in the System Menu and press the
SEL (Select) button.
The Software Versions dialog box will open.

The Software Versions dialog Box will

display the currently loaded software
versions for:

ACM: Automation Controller

FCM 1-6: Fader modules 1-6

APP: Application version

FPGA: Field Programmable Gate

Array version

System Version: Software set

o Green = Consistent software
versions on all FCMs
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to exit the Software Versions dialog box.
16.2.2 Load Firmware
The software for the Automation Control Module (ACM) and Fader Control Modules (FCM) is
loaded into firmware installed in each module.

The most current software file will be available to 1608 automation owners from api. The
included card reader should be used to transfer the software file from your computer to a
properly formatted memory card. The software file is loaded into the ACM and FCM firmware
from the memory card.
The memory card can have more than one software file, but the system will only load the
latest one. The system relies on file name recognition, so never rename the software file.
To load new software or reload the software in the ACM and FCM firmware, first make sure
the most current software file is loaded on a properly formatted memory card.
Use the procedure outlined in 16.1.2.1 FCM Firmware Programming (below) to
enable the FCM firmware to accept programming if the FCMs are to be reloaded.
This must be done first since it requires the system to be rebooted.
Highlight Load Firmware in the System Menu and press
the SEL (Select) button.
The Load Firmware dialog box will open.
NOTE: The Cancel button will be highlighted
automatically to help prevent accidental firmware
loading.

The automation software is made up of

four (4) separate components that are
integrated into a single .bin file to be
load in to ACM and FCM firmware.
The Firmware File in
Firmware dialog box to
api1608fw_00_032.bin

the Load
the left is

The four software components can be loaded as a group or

individually. The Load Firmware dialog box will open with all four
components selected for loading. This is the typical and suggested
method of installing software.
Each software component can be deselected to prevent it from being loaded when the OK
button is highlighted and selected.
To deselect a software component, highlight its check box
button.
The X in the check box will disappear

and press the SEL (Select)

indicating it is not selected.

To load software into the firmware, open
the Load Firmware dialog box from the
System Menu.
Deselect
any
unneeded
software
components (not usually recommended).
Highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to
start loading the selected software
components

Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

The loading progress of each component will be displayed with a percentage counter.
If the FCMs are enabled for programming, the up null indicator on the leftmost
fader on the enabled Fader Control Module will flash as the FCM firmware is
loaded.
Loading the firmware cannot be interrupted once its been started.
components have been loaded, the dialog box will close.

Once all selected

After loading the firmware, reboot the system using the RESET button on the Automation
Controller.
Check the Software Versions" dialog
box.
It should give an overall version number
(i.e. 0.32). If it says "inconsistent", then
something didn't program correctly or
there are different versions of the
software loaded in the FCMs. Make sure
youre using a valid software file and try
again.
A fader calibration should also be performed after updating the firmware.
16.2.2.1

FCM Firmware Programming

If the FCM firmware is to be loaded, each Fader Module (FCM) must be enabled to
accept programming.
To enable a Fader Module to load firmware, press the RESET button
then immediately press and hold the DAW buttons. Continue to hold the
DAW buttons until the DAW button and the STATIC LEDs on the faders
start to flash, indicating the firmware in the FCMs is ready to be loaded.
One or more FCMs can be enabled to accept programming simultaneously. Only the
enabled FCMs will accept programming when the load process is started. Make sure all
FCMs are loaded from the same firmware file.
Once the FCMs are ready to accept programming, follow the procedure outlined above
in section 16.1.2 Loading Firmware.

16.2.3 Set Clock

The Automation Controller has a built in system clock that time stamps any new folder,
file, or mix at the time of its creation.
The time, day, month, and year
timestamps are displayed with the
file name can in the directory lists
on the memory card.

To set the system clock, highlight Set Clock in the

System Menu and press the SEL (Select) button.
The Set Clock dialog box will open.

The current clock setting is displayed at

the top of the page.

To set the month, highlight the month

pull-down menu and press the SEL
(Select) button to activate the menu.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the
needed month and press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.

To set the day, highlight the day field and press

the SEL (Select) button to activate the field.
Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed day. Press the SEL (Select) button
to select the highlighted day and deactivate the field.
To set the year, highlight the year field and press
the SEL (Select) button to activate the field.
Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed year. Press the SEL (Select) button
to select the highlighted year and deactivate the field.
To set the hour, highlight the hour field and press the SEL
(Select) button to activate the field.
Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed hour. Press the SEL (Select) button
to select the highlighted hour and deactivate the field.
To set the minute, highlight the minute field and press the
SEL (Select) button to activate the field.
Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed minute. Press the SEL (Select)
button to select the highlighted minute and deactivate the field.
To set the second, highlight the second field and press the
SEL (Select) button to activate the field.
Use the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed second. Press the SEL (Select)
button to select the highlighted second and deactivate the field.

Once the date and time are entered, highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to set the
system time.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
16.2.4 Calibrate Faders
The 1608 automation package provides a fader calibration utility that aligns the physical
fader positions with the related positions in the software. It is recommended to perform
this routine periodically to assure the continued accuracy of fader movement. Calibration
should also be performed after firmware updates are installed or hardware changes have
been made.
To calibrate faders, highlight Calibrate Faders in the
System Menu and press the SEL (Select) button.
The Calibrate Faders dialog box will open.
The Calibrate Faders dialog box allows faders to be
selected in one of three ways:

All Faders (default)

One Fader

Groups of Eight Faders

To select faders for calibration, highlight

the needed radio-button and press the
SEL (Select) button.
To calibrate all faders, highlight the All
Faders radio-button and press the SEL
(Select) button.

To calibrate just one fader, highlight the

One Fader radio-button and press the
SEL (Select) button.
Highlight the fader pull-down menu and
press the SEL (Select) button to activate
it.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the
needed fader and press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.
To calibrate faders in groups of eight (8),
highlight the Groups of Eight radiobutton and press the SEL (Select) button.
Highlight the checkbox and press the SEL
(Select) button select each group of eight
faders to be calibrated. The faders with
checks will be calibrated when OK is
selected.

Once the faders are selected, highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to start the calibration
routine.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

When the calibration routine starts, the selected fader(s) will move up and down and then
each fader within each set of eight will move to the bottom of its travel and start a rapid
back and forth motion, slowly working its way back up to the top. Then the next selected
faders will repeat this action until all selected faders are calibrated. This routine will take
several minutes and should not be canceled or interrupted. After the routine is finished,
normal operation will resume.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Faders SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHED while the calibration routine is
running.
NOTE: In an emergency situation, the calibration routine can be stopped by pressing the
RESET button (next to the MEMORY-CARD slot) or by cycling the power to the
automation package. This should only be used in extreme circumstances and is not
recommended. If the calibration routine is interrupted, the faders may be out of
calibration and the procedure should be repeated when safe to do so.
16.2.5 DAW Configuration
To use DAW control, the system must first be configured.
This involves mapping the four pairs of MIDI ports with
the 8-channel Fader Modules. This is accomplished using
the DAW Config dialog box, available from the Main
Menu.
To configure DAW MIDI mapping, highlight DAW Config
in the System Menu and press SEL (Select).
The DAW Config dialog box will open.

The DAW Config dialog box has four (4)

pull-down menus that allow each pair of
MIDI in and out ports to be mapped to
one of the 8-channel fader modules.
MIDI 1-4: Each menu assigns a pair of
MIDI in/out ports with one fader module.

To set channel mapping, highlight the pull-down menu for needed MIDI ports and press the
SEL (Select) button.
The pull-down menu will open, revealing
the following choices:

1-8: Channels 1-8 (FCM #1)

9-16: Channels 9-16 (FCM #2)

17-24: Channels 17-24 (FCM #3)

25-32: Channels 25-32 (FCM #4)

32-40: Channels 33-40 (FCM #5)

41-48: Channels 41-48 (FCM #6)

G1-PGM: Control Group Masters 1

& 2 (G1 & G2) and Program Master
(PGM) on the Automation Controller
(ACM)
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed channels and press the SEL (Select) button. The
selected channels will be mapped to the MIDI ports associated with that menu.

The Bypass option for each bank of faders

determines how the audio signal on each
channel of the 1608 interacts with the fader
when it is under DAW control.
Yes is the default choice, and allows the
audio to bypass each fader at unity gain. This
means that the movements of the faders in
conjunction with the DAW software will not
affect the audio levels passing through each
channel.
Choosing No for Bypass means that the audio signal level will continue to be affected by the
movements of the faders in conjunction with the DAW software. In addition, the audio mute
circuit in each channel will be under control of the DAW software. Muting a track in the DAW will
mute the corresponding channel on the 1608 and vice-versa. Working in this way, the DAW
effectively becomes the brains of the automation system.
It is recommended that when Bypass is set to No, the audio of each track is output from the
DAW pre-fader. Otherwise the gain change of the fader will be applied twice (once by the virtual
fader in the DAW software, and once by the hardware fader of the 1608). It is also recommended
that the Shift Channels function (see section 14.4) not be used while Bypass is set to No, as
fader and mute controls will likely be applied to the wrong audio signals.
Note 1: There is no way to transfer automation data (i.e. fader and mute moves) between DAW
software and the automation system. Setting Bypass to No simply allows the audio signal path
of the 1608 to be controlled by the DAW software.
Note 2: There are two possible fader curves
to choose from (ProTools and Linear). This
is to account for the fact that different DAW
programs scale the fader control over the HUI
interface differently. ProTools is the default
choice and is designed to match the actual
gain of the fader to what is displayed in Pro
Tools software.

Note 3: The HUI protocol that links the console to the DAW has a significantly lower resolution
than the built in automation system. Therefore the precision and responsiveness may be
degraded when using the DAW mode.
DAW Mode:

Automation
Data Stored By:

Channel Levels Affected By:

Audio Mute
Controlled By:

Off

1608

1608 Hardware Faders

1608

On, Bypass: Yes

DAW

Virtual DAW Faders

1608

On, Bypass: No

DAW

1608 Hardware Faders

DAW

Once all channels are set up, highlight OK and press SEL (Select) to save the DAW
configuration.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.
16.2.6 General Configuration
A set of parameters must be set to configure the system for operation within each individual
installation.

To configure the system for use, highlight General

Config in the System Menu and press the SEL (Select)
button.
The General Config dialog box will open.
The General Config dialog box has four (4) pull-down
menus used to set the system parameters.

The general configuration parameters

include the following:

Channels: The number of 548B

channels to be supported by the
Automation Controller

TC Source: Selects SMPTE or MIDI

timecode

Freewheel: Number of frames for

timecode drop-out tolerance

Default TC: Default timecode frame

rate for new projects
The number of installed channels needs
to be specified in the system. This
number should match the number of
548B Input Modules and channel faders
installed in the console. Three (3) choices
are available:

16 channels

32 channels

48 channels

This number will determine the number of channels to be controlled and displayed in
software pages and lists.
To set the number of installed channels, highlight the Channels pull-down menu. Press the
SEL (Select) button to activate the menu.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed number of channels and press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.
The timecode source can be set to one of
two (2) sources:

LTC: Longitudinal SMPTE timecode

(via SMPTE LTC analog line-level
XLR input)

MIDI TC: MIDI timecode (via the

MIDI 5 IN port)

To set the timecode source, highlight the TC Source pull-down menu and press the SEL
(Select) button to activate the menu.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed timecode source and press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.

Freewheel sets the tolerance the

system will use when chasing timecode.
The pull-down menu selects the number
of frames the system will freewheel if
the timecode source briefly drops out or
has other minor errors. This can improve
synchronization accuracy, depending on
the timecode source. 1 to 15 frames can
be selected.

To set the number of freewheel frames, highlight the Freewheel pull-down menu and
press the SEL (Select) button to activate the menu.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed number of frames and press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.
The default timecode frame rate for new
projects can be specified using the
Default TC pull-down menu.
Six (6) frame rates are available:

23.976

24

25

29.97 (default)

29.97 drop

30
To set the number of default timecode frame rate, highlight the Default TC pull-down
menu and press the SEL (Select) button to activate the menu.
Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed frame rate and press the SEL (Select) button to
select it.
Once all configuration parameters have been selected from the pull-down menus, highlight
OK and press SEL (Select) to save the new configuration.
Highlight Cancel and press SEL (Select) to cancel.

16.3 Setup Procedures

To prepare the 1608 console for operation, several setups should be performed when the
console is initially set up or upgraded:

Firmware Updates: Verify the installed software for the Automation Control Module (ACM)
and Fader Control Modules (FCMs) is the most current stable version. Download and install
any stable updates as needed

General Configuration: Set the basic system parameters

o Number of Channels: Specify the number of 548B input channels
o Timecode Source: Select the timecode source (SMPTE LTC or MIDI TC) for
automation synchronization
o Freewheel Frames: Adjust Freewheel Frames for the needed timecode tolerance
o Default Timecode Frame Rate: Set the default frame rate for new projects

Set Clock: Sets the system clock for timestamps

Fader Calibration: Perform a fader calibration routine

DAW Configuration: Set up the channel mapping to MIDI ports for DAW control

16.3.1 Format Memory Card

Before a memory card can be used with the 1608 automation package, it must be
formatted.
To format a memory card, use the following procedure:
1.

Insert a memory card in the MEMORY-CARD slot. Make sure the write protection tab
is not in place.

2.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

3.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

4.

Highlight Format Memory Card using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select)
button. The Format Memory Card dialog box will open, displaying a warning
prompt.

5.

Highlight OK and press the SEL (Select) button to indicate you want to format the
inserted memory card. A second dialog box and warning prompt will open.

6.

Highlight OK and press the SEL (Select) button to format the inserted memory
card. This process will erase all files on the memory card and format it for use in
the 1608 automation system.

7.

Alternately, a memory card can be formatted using an external computer and the
card reader. Format the card to the FAT32 format.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All existing files of any type will be erased when a memory
card is formatted. There is no undo when formatting a
memory card. Exercise caution when formatting memory
cards.

16.3.2 Firmware Updates

1608 automation packages are shipped from API with the most current firmware installed.
As updates are released, they become available from API online. When an update becomes
available, download the latest version, and use the card reader to transfer the file from your
computer to the memory card.
The automation software is made up of four (4) separate components that are integrated
into a single .bin firmware file:

ACM ELF: Executable and Linkable Format file for the Automation Control Module

ACM FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array for the Automation Control Module

ACM ELF: Executable and Linkable Format file for the Fader Control Modules

ACM FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array for the Fader Control Modules
16.3.2.1 View Currently Loaded Software
To view the currently loaded software versions, use the following procedure:
1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

3.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select)
button. The System Menu will open.

4.

Highlight Software Versions and press the SEL (Select) button. The Software
Versions dialog box will open.

5.

Check to see if the currently installed software is the most recent version.

6.

Highlight OK and press the SEL (Select) button to exit the Software Versions
dialog box.

16.3.2.2 Enable FCM Programming

To enable Fader Controls Modules (FCM) to load firmware, use the following
procedure:
1.

Press the RESET button on the Automation Controller.

2.

Immediately press and hold the DAW button on the FCMs to be enabled for
programming.

3.

Continue holding the DAW as the system reboots.

4.

When the reboot is complete, the DAW button and STATIC LEDs on the enabled
fader module will flash, indicating the FCM is ready to accept programming. The
UP null indicator on the leftmost fader will flash as the FCM firmware is loaded.

16.3.2.3 Load/Update Firmware

To load updated software into the Automation Control Module (ACM) and Fader
Control Module (FCM) firmware, use the following procedure:
1.

Make sure the most current version of the 1608 software file (.bin) is on the
memory card.

2.

Enable the FCMs to receive programming as described above (if needed).

3.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

4.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

5.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select)
button. The System Menu will open.

6.

Highlight Load Firmware and press the SEL (Select) button. The Load
Firmware dialog box will open.

7.

The checkboxes for all of the software components will be selected by default.
Highlight the checkbox of any unneeded software components and press the
SEL (Select) button to deselect those components from loading. Any uncheck
components will not load when OK is selected.

8.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to start loading the
firmware. Percentage counters will monitor the progress as each component
loads. This process cannot be interrupted.

16.3.3 General Configuration

There are four basic parameters that need to be set when configuring the system for
operation:

Number of Channels: Specify the number of 548B input channels

Timecode Source: Select the timecode source (SMPTE LTC or MIDI TC) for
automation synchronization
Freewheel Frames: Adjust Freewheel Frames for the needed timecode tolerance

Default Timecode Frame Rate: Set the default frame rate for new projects
16.3.3.1

Number of Channels
The number of channels to be controlled must be specified within the system. This
information is used to populate the channel grid and the channel pull-down menus
and entry fields in the software pages and dialog boxes.

To specify the number of channels to be controlled, use the following procedure:

16.3.3.2

1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

3.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select)
button. The System Menu will open.

4.

Highlight General Config and press the SEL (Select) button. The General
Config dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight the Channels pull-down menu and press the SEL (Select) button
to activate the menu.

6.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed number of channels (16, 32, or
48).

7.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted number of channels.

8.

Set other general configuration parameters as needed.

9.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to apply the
selected number of channels and other general configuration parameters.

Timecode Source
The timecode source (LTC or MIDI TC) must be selected.
To select the timecode source, use the following procedure:

16.3.3.3

1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

3.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select)
button. The System Menu will open.

4.

Highlight General Config and press the SEL (Select) button. The General
Config dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight the TC Source pull-down menu and press the SEL (Select) button
to activate the menu.

6.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed timecode source (LTC or MIDI
TC).

7.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted timecode source.

8.

Set other general configuration parameters as needed.

9.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to apply the
selected timecode source and other general configuration parameters.

Freewheel Frames
The number of freewheel frames needs to be set. This sets the tolerance applied
when chasing timecode.
To set the number of freewheel frames, use the following procedure:
1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

16.3.3.4

3.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select)
button. The System Menu will open.

4.

Highlight General Config and press the SEL (Select) button. The General
Config dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight the Freewheel pull-down menu and press the SEL (Select) button
to activate the menu.

6.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed number of freewheel frames (115).

7.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted timecode source.

8.

Set other general configuration parameters as needed.

9.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to apply the
selected timecode source and other general configuration parameters.

Default Timecode Frame Rate

The default timecode frame rate for new projects must be selected.
To select the default timecode frame rate, use the following procedure:
1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

3.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select)
button. The System Menu will open.

4.

Highlight General Config and press the SEL (Select) button. The General
Config dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight the Default TC pull-down menu and press the SEL (Select)
button to activate the menu.

6.

Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed timecode frame rate (23.976, 24,
25, 29.97, 29.97 drop, or 30).

7.

Press the SEL (Select) button to select the highlighted default timecode
frame rate.

8.

Set other general configuration parameters as needed.

9.

Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to apply the
selected default timecode frame rate and other general configuration
parameters.

16.3.4 Set Date and Time

The system clock must be set to the time, day, month, and year.
used to timestamp new folders and files.

This time and date is

To select the set the system date and time, use the following procedure:
1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

3.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select) button.
The System Menu will open.

4.

Highlight Set Clock and press the SEL (Select) button. The Set Clock dialog box will
open.

5.

Highlight the month pull-down menu and press the SEL (Select) button to activate
the menu. Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed month and press the SEL
(Select) button to select it.

6.

Highlight the day entry field and press the SEL (Select) button to activate it. Use the
Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed day. Press the SEL (Select) button to
select the highlighted day.

7.

Highlight the year entry field and press the SEL (Select) button to activate it. Use the
Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed year. Press the SEL (Select) button to
select it.

8.

Highlight the hour entry field and press the SEL (Select) button to activate it. Use the
Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed hour. Press the SEL (Select) button
to select it.

9.

Highlight the minute entry field and press the SEL (Select) button to activate it. Use
the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed minute. Press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.

10. Highlight the second entry field and press the SEL (Select) button to activate it. Use
the Jog-Wheel to scroll to and highlight the needed second. Press the SEL (Select)
button to select it.
11. Highlight the OK button and press the SEL (Select) button to apply the entered
time and date.
16.3.5 Fader Calibration
The 1608 automation package provides a fader calibration utility that aligns the physical
fader positions with the related positions in the software. It is recommended to perform
this routine periodically to assure the continued accuracy of fader movement. Calibration
should also be performed after initial installation, after firmware updates are installed, or
after hardware changes have been made.
To calibrate one or more faders, use the following procedure:
1.

Press the STATUS PAGE button to open the Status Page.

2.

Press the MENU button to open the Main Menu.

3.

Highlight System Menu using the Jog-Wheel and press the SEL (Select) button.
The System Menu will open.

4.

Highlight Calibrate Faders and press the SEL (Select) button. The Calibrate Faders
dialog box will open.

5.

Highlight the radio button for the needed method of fader selection and press the
SEL (Select) button to select it:

All Faders

One Fader

Groups of Eight

6.

If One Fader is selected, highlight the fader pull-down menu and press the SEL
(Select) button to activate the menu. Use the Jog-Wheel to highlight the needed
fader and press the SEL (Select) button to select it.

7.

If Groups of Eight is selected, highlight the checkbox and press the SEL (Select)
button for each group of eight faders to be calibrated.

8.

Once all the needed faders have been selected, highlight the OK button and press
the SEL (Select) button to start the fader calibration routine. This routine will take

several minutes and should not be canceled or interrupted.

finished, normal operation will resume.

After the routine is

IMPORTANT NOTE: Faders SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHED while the calibration routine
is running.
NOTE: In an emergency situation, the calibration routine can be stopped by pressing
the RESET button (next to the MEMORY-CARD slot) or by cycling the power
to the automation package. This should only be used in extreme
circumstances and is not recommended.
If the calibration routine is
interrupted, the faders may be out of calibration and the procedure should be
repeated when safe to do so.

16.4 Emergency Recovery

In the rare event the currently loaded project or the software loaded in the ACM firmware
becomes corrupted, it may be necessary to perform an Emergency Recovery of the system. This
procedure will reload the system software from the memory card.
To assure continuity of work, its a good idea to have 2-3 spare memory cards that are formatted
for 1608 and contain the most current software file.
To perform an emergency recovery of the system, use the following procedure:
1.

Mute the control monitor system

2.

Insert a memory card with a known valid and current version of the software file.

3.

Carefully press the RESET button (next to the MEMORY-CARD slot on the Automation
Controller).

4.

The automation package will restart and the boot-up splash page will be displayed:

5.

Press the KILL MIX button while this screen is being displayed to initiate the emergency
recovery procedure. You will only have a few seconds. The emergency recovery will begin.
The splash screen will indicate the
firmware update has started. The
MEMORY-CARD LED indicator will
show activity and the software file
is read and loaded into the ACM
firmware.
This procedure only loads the ELF
and FPGA software into the ACM.
Fader module firmware is not
reloaded using the emergency
recovery.

A progress bar will indicate the

progress of each file (ACM ELF and
FPGA) as it loads.

When the software reload has been completed, the system will boot-up normally.
6.

Press the RESET button to reboot the system from the newly loaded firmware.
The system should reboot normally and resume normal operation.

17.0 Software Revision History

This section details changes made and features added in each release of the automation software. Each
feature lists a section of this manual with relevant information.

Version 0.39
DAW No Bypass Mode
Added the option to set Bypass to either Yes or No in DAW Config dialog. In previous
versions, the bypass was always activated when in DAW mode. Also added the Curve
option in the DAW Config dialog (section 14.1).
DAW Remember Fader and Switch Positions
When faders are in Manual or Write mode, the console will remember fader and mute
positions when switching back and forth between DAW and normal modes (section 14.2).
Online Fader Trim
Use the fader to establish an offset for a channel as can be done with the Offline Trim
feature (section 7.7).
Basis Choice for New Projects
Gives the user options for the initial mix of a project, including the current positions of the
faders (section 4.4). Note, section 9 has also been edited to reflect the change in
functionality for creating a new project.
Snapshot Directly to VSS File
Snapshots can be taken directly to a VSS file without having a project open (section 13).
Select All for Offline Trim and Snapshot Fader Selection
The Select All button can be used to select all/none when selecting channels to be
included in the Offline Trim or Snapshot function (sections 8.3.6 and 13.2.2).
Jog Wheel Acceleration
Cursor movement accelerates when jog-wheel is being turned rapidly (section 3.3.2).
Mix Tree Notifier
The software alerts the user if no project is open when Menu is pressed on Mix Tree page.
TC Range Defaults
In the Copy/Swap, Clear Data, and Offline Trim functions, the timecode range will now
default to All TC.
Button Illumination
Mute Write, Esc, and Sel buttons now illuminate when pressed.
Project Pages Button Functionality
Project Pages button now functions as a universal escape button (the Status Page button
has this function as well, section 3.3.1).
Import/Export Mix Details
Mix files now retain properties such as color and glide rate when exported and imported.

Version 0.40
Timecode rate is now set correctly for new projects
Timecode rate is now set correctly when opening a project
The timecode rate dropdown in the New Project dialog is greyed out if Current Mix is selected
The user is prevented from importing mix files with an incorrect frame rate

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= F E

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