Akai MT8 Mix Tab Operator's Manual

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Akai MT8 Mix Tab. Connected with the DR8 Hard Disk Recorder, the MT8 enables remote control of the DR8's internal mixer (TRACK MIX, THRU MIX) for functions like fading, panning, sending, or EQ processing (if the DR8 has an optional EQ board). It is useful for capturing snapshots for automated mixing.

Please read this manual thoroughly before using the MT8 and keep it in a convenient location for future reference.

Note: The DR8 software version 1.3 or later is required for proper MT8 operation. Consult your AKAI professional dealer for software updates if your DR8 uses an earlier version.

Protecting Yourself and the MT8

• Only allow an "AKAI professional" dealer or qualified professional engineer to repair or reassemble the MT8. Unauthorized servicing may expose you to live internal parts and risk electrical shock.
• Do not insert any objects, especially metal ones, into the MT8.
• If liquid spills into or onto the MT8, disconnect the power and contact your dealer.
• Ensure the unit is well-ventilated and away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the MT8 away from sources of direct heat (stoves, radiators, etc.) to prevent damage to internal circuitry and the external finish.
• Avoid using aerosol insecticides near the MT8, as they may damage the surface or ignite.
• Do not use denatured alcohol, thinner, or similar chemicals for cleaning, as they will damage the finish.
• Modifying the equipment is dangerous and can impair its functions. Never attempt to modify the MT8.
• Select a suitable location for optimum performance, avoiding:
1. Humid or dusty environments
2. Rooms with poor ventilation
3. Surfaces that are not horizontal
4. Vehicles where the unit may be subject to vibration
5. Extremely hot or cold environments

General Notes on Handling the MT8

Cleaning the chassis or panels

Use a dry soft cloth for cleaning. For stubborn stains, use a cloth slightly dampened with a weak solution of dishwashing detergent and water. Do not use chemicals like paint thinner or benzine.

Aerosol spray insecticides

Do not spray insecticides directly onto the device, as the spray may damage the finish.

Relocation

Before moving the MT8, turn off the DR8 and disconnect the remote cable. Handle the MT8 carefully as it is a precision device.

Malfunctioning and servicing

If the device malfunctions or is suspected to be damaged, contact the dealer from whom you purchased it, or the nearest AKAI professional dealer.

Copyright Notice

The AKAI MT8 is a computer-based device containing software protected by copyright laws. This software and its documentation are proprietary and may not be copied, transferred, or modified without prior written consent from AKAI Electric Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

Warranty

AKAI Electric Co. Ltd. warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for 12 months from the date of purchase, provided the AKAI Warranty Registration Card is returned within 14 days of purchase. Warranty service is available only to the original purchaser.

Warranty coverage extends to factory-authorized updates to AKAI instruments and software when installed by an authorized AKAI Service Center with a completed Warranty Registration Card.

To obtain service, the product must be properly packed and shipped to the nearest AKAI Service Center. Proof of original ownership and purchase date is required.

Under a valid warranty, AKAI will repair or replace defective parts at no charge for parts or labor. If the warranty is not valid, the owner is responsible for all repair costs.

AKAI warrants that it will perform necessary adjustments, repairs, and replacements at no cost to the original owner within 12 months of the purchase date if:

1. The product fails to perform its specified functions due to component failure.
2. The product fails to perform its specified functions due to workmanship defects.
3. The product has been maintained and operated according to the instructions in this Operator's Manual.

Owners should determine the product's suitability for their intended use and assume all risk and liability. AKAI is not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising from the use or inability to use the product.

The warranty does not cover defects or repairs resulting from acts beyond AKAI's control, including:

• Damage from abuse, accident, or negligence.
• Damage to original factory disks due to mishandling.
• Tampering, alteration, or modification of the product, its operating software, or components.
• Failure to maintain and operate the product according to the manual's instructions.
• Repairs or attempted repairs by unauthorized persons.
• Damage from fire, smoke, falling objects, water, liquids, or natural events (rain, floods, earthquakes, lightning, storms, etc.).
• Operation on improper voltages.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This warranty is void if the product or its software is electronically modified, altered, or tampered with.

AKAI is not liable for costs associated with packing, shipping, or transporting the product to and from an AKAI Authorized Service Center or Authorized Dealer.

AKAI will not cover apparent malfunctions determined to be user error or the owner's inability to use the product.

Any other warranties, express or implied, including the implied warranty of merchantability, are limited to the duration of this express warranty.

AKAI excludes incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of time.
• Inconvenience.
• Delay in warranty performance.
• Loss of use of the product.
• Commercial loss.
• Breach of any express or implied warranty, including the implied warranty of merchantability.

1. Panel Descriptions

Operation Panel

The operation panel features various controls for managing the DR8's mixer functions. Key controls include:

• Channel keys 1-8: Select corresponding TRACK MIX channels on the DR8. When the THRU MIX 9-16 key is active, these keys select THRU MIX channels. They also function as numeric keys 1-8 for DR8 machine ID selection.
• SOLO/9 key: Toggles soloing for selected channels. Also functions as the numeric key 9.
• MACHINE/0 key: Selects the DR8 machine ID. When the MT8 is powered on, the MACHINE/0 and channel 1 LEDs light briefly, indicating the current machine ID is "0". Channel numbers 1-8 correspond to machine IDs 0-7. Also functions as the numeric key 0.
• THRU MIX 9-16 key: Controls the DR8 THRU MIX. Its red LED indicates activation.
• EQ key: Activates EQ setting mode when an optional EQ board is attached to the DR8. Its green LED indicates activation.
• BUS key: Displays "bus-assigned" channels in green. Pressing channel keys (1-8) at this point reassigns channels to buses.
• DISPLAY key: When pressed, its green LED lights up, and the DR8 display shows the MT8's graphic display (initially fader level). Turning a PAN control shows a panning display, and a SEND 1 control shows a send level display. If multiple controls are adjusted, the DR8 displays the last adjusted control. Pressing the DISPLAY key again turns off the green LED and reverts the DR8 to its previous display.
• STORE key: Memorizes mixer settings as a snapshot using a two-digit number. Pressing the STORE key flashes its red LED and the numeric keys (1-8, SOLO/9, MACHINE/0). Entering a two-digit number (e.g., 03) stores the current mixer setting as snapshot "03", and all flashing LEDs turn off.
• RECALL key: Recalls a stored snapshot. Pressing the RECALL key flashes its green LED and the numeric keys (1-8, SOLO/9, MACHINE/0). Entering a two-digit number (e.g., 03) recalls the snapshot's mixer settings immediately, and all flashing LEDs turn off.
• SNAPSHOT key: Activates the auto-mix playback feature. Its green LED lights up.
• Fader mode (Channel fader/Master fader): Selecting one of these keys (its LED lights up) puts the MT8 into Fader mode, allowing direct control of the DR8's internal level settings.
• ABSOLUTE key: The MT8 fader position always matches the corresponding DR8 level.
• RELATIVE key: Moving an MT8 fader changes the corresponding DR8 level by the same amount (increase/decrease).
• UPDATE key: When an MT8 fader moves past the corresponding DR8 current level, the DR8 level changes.

Note: Pressing a fader mode key a second time (its LED turns off) disables the MT8 from sending fader or pot control values to the DR8. This is useful for changing fader modes without causing drastic level changes.

• Channel faders: Adjust DR8 channel levels from 0 to 127.
• MASTER fader: Adjusts the DR8 MASTER OUT stereo level from 0 to 127.
• Fader position LED: Indicates if the current fader level is above or below the corresponding DR8 level. The left "V" LED lights if the fader level is over the DR8 level. The right "A" LED lights if the fader level is under the DR8 level. These LEDs turn off when the fader level matches the DR8 level.
• PAN control: Adjusts the corresponding DR8 channel panning from L63 to R63. Note that due to volume control resolution, specific PAN values may be rounded to L63 or R63. For precise settings, adjust on the DR8.
• FADE control: Adjusts the fade time between snapshots. Settings range from OFF (leftmost) to ALL (rightmost). Refer to the DR8 Version 1.3 addendum manual for details.
• SEND 1 control: Adjusts the SEND 1/SENDS level of the corresponding DR8 channel from 0 to 127.
• SEND 2 control: Adjusts the SEND 2/SDPAN level of the corresponding DR8 channel from 0 to 127/L63-MID-R63.
• EQ controls: Used with an optional EQ board. Press the EQ key to enter EQ setting mode. Adjust Hi, Mid, and Low EQ settings for the selected channel(s) using the LEVEL and FREQ controls. Refer to the optional EQ board manual and DR8 Version 1.5 addendum manual for details.

Rear Panel

The rear panel includes terminals for connection and configuration:

• REMOTE/THRU terminals: The REMOTE terminal connects to the DR8 REMOTE terminal via the included remote cable. The THRU terminal allows connecting another MT8 for separate control of TRACK MIX and THRU MIX from two MT8 units.
• DIP switches: Define MT8 ID number, DR8 or EXPANSION mode.
• ID: Sets the MT8's ID number. When using two MT8 units, set one to ID "1" and the other to ID "0". ID "1" enables THRU MIX control, while other ID settings enable TRACK MIX control.
• EXPANSION: For future use. The MT8 software version 1.0 does not support this function.
• DR8: Selects DR8 mode.
• ID settings table: Shows DIP switch settings for ID numbers 0 through 7.
• EXPANSION terminal: A 9-pin D-sub (male) connector for future expansion.

2. Connection

The illustration shows two MT8 units controlling the DR8 TRACK MIX and THRU MIX separately.

Notes on connections:

1. Always turn the DR8 off before connecting the remote cable. Use the included remote cable or an optional AL-X50 remote cable. Connecting the cable while the DR8 is on may prevent the MT8 from booting up.
2. If the remote cable is disconnected during operation, turn the DR8 off, reconnect the cable, and reboot the DR8.

3. Operation

Powering Up

1. Turn on the DR8. The LEDs of the channel key "1" and MACHINE/0 key will light briefly, indicating the current machine ID is "0". Channel numbers 1-8 correspond to machine IDs 0-7. The LED of the ABSOLUTE key will light up.
2. When using two MT8 units, one (ID=0) controls TRACK MIX, and the other (ID=1) controls THRU MIX.
3. Use the MT8 panel faders and controls to remotely operate the DR8 TRACK MIX. THRU MIX is accessible via the THRU MIX 9-16 key.
4. Up to 99 mixing conditions can be stored as snapshots. Arrange snapshots using the DR8's MAP feature for fully automated mix playback.
5. To execute auto-mix playback, press the SNAPSHOT key on the MT8, then press the PLAY key on the DR8.

4. Specifications

• Power Source: DC supplied from the DR8 REMOTE terminal.
• Operational temperature: 5–40°C (41–104°F).
• Operational humidity: 30–80% (non-condensing).
• Dimensions: 320 x 82 x 243.5 mm (W x H x D).
• Weight: 2.1 kg (4.6 lb.).
• REMOTE/THRU terminal: DIN 8P.
• EXPANSION terminal: 9-pin D-sub (male).
• DIP switches: For ID selection and DR8/EXPANSION mode selection.
• Accessories: Remote cable (7m x 1), Operator's Manual.

Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.