DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The MixDreamXP design plan provides for stereo mixdown
at the analog level. This concept offers high-grade
analog summing without panorama and fader controls,
in turn allowing an engineer to retain the entire
scope of his computer automation. In use, the MixDreamXP
requires almost no departures from an engineer‘s
usual working mode, so that all his trusted DAW features
and familiar working routines remain available while
the MixDreamXP seamlessly expands his aural mixing
palette.
One MixDreamXP can sum up to 16 audio tracks to a
stereo signal, and should the need arise for more
than 16 tracks, several MixDreamXP may be linked together.
Owners of a MixDream, model 2384, can expand this
unit with the cost effective MixDreamXP at an identical
quality level and by the way, that‘s where the
suffix „XP“ comes from (=Expansion).
The MixDreamXP discrete class A technology is based
on the same 60-volt rails (+/- 30V) of the MixDream
model 2384. Newly developed circuitry, based on the
most modern analog components, guarantees an extremely
high slew rate, a very low noise level of -97dBu and
a dynamic range of 125dB. Thus the MixDreamXP easily
reaches the technical level of the best analog consoles.
Analog vs. Digital Summing
Nowadays, many are asking whether analog summing is
better than digital summing. But perhaps the real
question is whether digital summing better than analog
summing? We at SPL don‘t know of anyone who
says so. We do know that summing with the MixDreamXP
creates an amazing signal depth, precise localization
and a wonderful stereo imaging. Moreover, the addition
of individual instruments results in soft and pleasant
transitions.
These are analog summing results that we appreciate
from past decades of the best analog technology. The
MixDreamXP now allows DAW users to exploit this potential
with maximum comfort and uncompromising quality, ensuring
that nothing can stand in the way of the engineer‘s
having the best of both analog and digital worlds.
Connection of Sampler, Keyboards etc.
Along with DAW audio tracks and effects machines or
processors in the insert loops, samplers, keyboards
and expanders may also be connected directly to the
MixDreamXP. Then the Midi tracks need only be added
in the DAW project, the outputs (for example, from
a keyboard) are then routed directly to the MixDreamXP.
Mono Controls
To save converter channels, all channels may be switched
to Mono so that two signals can be converted by a
paired D/A. In this case such signals are characteristically
chosen which would receive a more central placement
in the stereo mix (e.g. kick, snare, lead vocal, bass).
All channel pairs must otherwise be panned hard left/right
in the mix.
Summing
Tracks destined for analog summing are routed from
the DAW to the MixDreamXP via A/D converters. Identical
converters are ideal to exclude level and sound differences.
Although you may often wish to sum more than 16 tracks,
a general recommendation to reduce track numbers is
to route those tracks to a common output bus of the
sequencing program which are not played back simultaneously
in your arrangement. This way you avoid digital summing
and your production benefits from the full potential
of 100% analog summing.
With mono signals one should switch these to mono
mode to confine them to single D/A converter, thereby
avoiding the waste of having to use a D/A pair for
one mono track. In the DAW such signals must be panned
hard left or right.
Summing of Subgroups
To reduce track numbers, there are two other options
besides the above mentioned „Summing“
tip:
Well, you could buy additional MixDreamXP (which we
confess would make us happy—and we‘re
sure would not disappoint you) or sum your grouped
tracks with the MixDreamXP itself.
For example, if you‘ve done a chorus backup
in 16 solo tracks, you can adjust your panning in
the DAW and the MixDreamXP sums a stereo mix which
is recorded again—the sound benefits of analog
summing are larger than the disadvantage of a further
A/D-D/A conversion.
MixDreamXP in Mastering Applications
Your MixDreamXP is predestined for mastering applications,
as we‘ve planned its superior sound quality
for just such occasions.
Two applications are especially interesting: discrete
Mastering, and upsampling to SACD/DVD-A formats. Normally
a studio mastering engineer requires that a stereo
file be made available for his or her work. But in
such a mixdown, any problems (for example, significant
variations in volume among instrumental subgroups)
will mean equally significant limitations to your
final mastering options. Instead, however, if one
masters from a discrete mix with single tracks or
subgroups, each of these can be adjusted just as easily
and quickly in the mastering process—to the
extent that even individual groups can be tweaked
with different processing. Your final result is clearly
better and the time needed, minimal—especially
since it is less likely that a new mix will be called
for.
Multichannel sessions can be summed in the infinite
resolution of analog signal processing equipment,
something that may also be of special importance when
an engineer wishes to upsample to SACD or DVD-A.
Linking Several MixDreamXP
An expansion connector provides for a second MixDreamXP
input should 16 channels not suffice. The Main Outputs
of the second MixDreamXP must be connected to the
Expansion Inputs of the first unit; do not connect
both Expansion Inputs.
If more than three MixDreamXP are to be summed, we
recommend to employ a further MixDreamXP as master—otherwise
the signals from the first MixDreamXP (to cite a „worst
case scenario“) would unnecessarily be summed
in each following unit.
In such a chain One MixDreamXP is connected to the
Expansion Inputs while all other units are connected
to the usual (DB25) Input Channels.
