MX822

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS - READ FIRST

This symbol ⚠️, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltages inside the enclosure that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.

This symbol ❗, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature. Please read the manual.

Read instructions

Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this user guide.

Do not open

There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer any service work to qualified technical personnel only.

Power sources

Only connect the unit to mains power of the type described in this user guide or marked on the rear panel. The power source must provide a good ground connection.

Power cord

Use the power cord with sealed mains plug appropriate for your local main supply as provided with the equipment. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet consult your service agent. Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be walked on, stretched or pinched by items placed upon or against.

Grounding

Do not defeat the grounding and polarization means of the power cord plug. Do not remove or tamper with the ground connection on the power cord.

Moisture

To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose the unit to rain, moisture or use in damp or wet conditions. Do not place container of liquid on it, which may spill into any openings.

Heat

Do not locate the unit in a place close to excessive heat or direct sunlight, as this could be a fire hazard. Locate the unit away from any equipment, which produces heat such as: power supplies, power amplifiers and heaters.

Environment

Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibration when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drink spillage and smoke especially that associated with smoke machines.

Handling

Protect the controls from damage during transit. Use adequate padding if you need to ship the unit. To avoid injury to yourself or damage to the equipment take care when lifting, moving or carrying the unit.

Servicing

Switch off the equipment and unplug the power cord immediately if it is exposed to moisture, spilled liquid or the power cord or plug becomes damaged during a lightning storm or if smoke odor or noise is noted. Refer servicing to qualified technical personnel only.

Installation

Install the unit in accordance with the instruction printed in the user guide.

INTRODUCTION

The ART MX822 Eight Channel Stereo Mixer with Effects Loop is a versatile eight input rack mount mixer for studio, live sound or install use. Each input channel accepts a mono or stereo signal and provides independent level, pan and effects send controls. Convenient signal level monitoring is provided with signal and clip lights for each channel and five level metering with separate clip indicators for the main output channels. Channel 1 includes a switchable mic/line source select and the XLR mic connector provides switchable phantom power.

Multiple MX822s may be chained for additional inputs using common 1/4-inch TRS cables. External effects processors can be linked in and mixed with independent level controls. A front panel headphone jack with separate level control allows you to monitor your sound without changing the main output level.

The ART MX822 may be used on stage, in the studio, or for permanent install applications including conference rooms, corporate boardrooms, churches, restaurants, small clubs, health clubs and more. For a band in a live setting, it's ideal for sub-mixing a player using multiple instruments or could serve as the only mixer for a small live setup.

Features:

• Eight stereo/mono input channels with individual level, pan and effects send controls
• Mono input signals plugged into left input are sent to both left and right channels
• Switchable balanced microphone XLR or 1/4-inch TS inputs on Channel 1
• Switchable low noise +48V phantom power for microphone input
• Separate green and red LED signal and clip indicators for each input channel
• Six level left and right main output metering including clip indicators
• Balanced left and right XLR main outputs
• Front panel 1/4-inch stereo (TRS) headphone jack with amplifier and independent level control for output monitoring
• Multiple units may be chained to provide extra inputs using common 1/4-inch TRS cables
• External effects loop with independent send and return controls
• Rugged 1U rack mount steel case
• Three year warranty

CONNECTIONS

Rear Panel Connections

MIC Input (Channel 1)
Channel 1 may be used with either an unbalanced line level signal or a lower level balanced microphone signal, controlled by the CH 1 SOURCE SELECT switch on the front panel. A female XLR connector is provided if you choose to use a microphone in Channel 1. An additional 40 dB of gain is provided for use with low output level mics. Also, +48V phantom power to operate microphones that contain active electronic circuitry (such as condenser mics) may be supplied by pushing in the adjacent PHANTOM POWER switch. This is a mono signal input and is routed to both the left and right channels.

CHANNEL Inputs (1-8)
These inputs are used with either mono or stereo line level signals. A signal source plugged into the top (LEFT (MONO)) jack, with nothing plugged into the bottom (Right) jack, will be routed to both left and right stereo channels. Otherwise, these inputs operate as two separate mono signals or one stereo signal. Use cables with 1/4-inch TS plugs.

MAIN EXPAND (IN and OUT)
Use these jacks to chain multiple MX822s together. The MAIN EXPAND OUT jacks of the first mixer connect to the MAIN EXPAND IN jacks of the next mixer in line, and so on. Use a stereo cable with 1/4-inch TRS plugs to make the connection. The last mixer in the chain will be the "master" of all the previous mixers, meaning its MASTER LEVEL control will control the final volume to the output device via its MAIN OUT connectors. Note that the MAIN EXPAND OUT connection is brought out from a point in the signal path before the MASTER LEVEL control, so this control will have no effect on the "slave" mixers located before the master unit in the chain.

MONITOR OUT
This is an additional unbalanced version of the main outputs, affected by the MASTER LEVEL control. Use a stereo cable with a 1/4-inch TRS plug to connect to an auxiliary recorder or other device.

EFX BUS IN
This connection provides a means of sharing an external effects processor between two MX822s. In essence, it allows the first mixer to connect directly to the AUX or effects buss of the second mixer. Using a dual 1/4-inch TS to single 1/4-inch TRS cable, connect the separate TS plug ends into the EFFECTS SEND outputs of the first mixer and connect the TRS plug end into the EFX BUS IN of the second mixer (tip is left and ring is right). Connect your external effects processor as normal to the EFFECTS SEND and EFFECTS RETURN jacks of the second mixer. The EFX SEND controlled signal levels from both mixers will now be routed to the effects processor. Control the overall effect level using the EFX RETURN knob on the front panel of the second mixer.

EFFECTS SEND and EFFECTS RETURN
These jacks allow you connect an external effects processor (such as a reverb unit or vocal processor) to your MX822 in order to add effects to your mix. Connect the EFFECTS SEND outputs to the inputs of your processor and the processor outputs to the EFFECTS RETURN inputs. Use cables with 1/4-inch TS plugs. If the effects processor is mono, connect it to just the LEFT (MONO) jacks to route the effect to (and from) both stereo channels. These are unbalanced connections. The level of each input channel sent to the effects processor is controlled by that channel's EFX SEND control. The effects processor's contribution to the total mix is controlled by the EFX RETURN control.

MAIN OUT
Two male XLR connectors are provided to connect your MX822 to the destination device, such as an amplifier, powered speakers, or main mixer. These outputs are affected by the MASTER LEVEL control. They are balanced connections that may be used to provide excellent noise immunity with long cable runs.

Front Panel Connection

Headphone Jack
This is a 1/4-inch TRS stereo jack that will drive a standard pair of headphones. Like the MAIN EXPAND OUT connection, the signal to the headphone jack is brought out from a point in the signal path before the MASTER LEVEL control, so this control will have no effect on the level provided to the headphone jack. The HEADPHONE LEVEL control adjacent to the jack controls the headphone level independently from the main outputs. Refer to the block diagram for more information on how these connections are connected internally.

OPERATION

Front Panel Controls

Channel Controls (1-8)

CH 1 SOURCE SELECT
This pushbutton switch selects whether the Channel 1 signal comes from the 1/4-inch line jacks or the XLR microphone jack. In the LINE (out) position, the line signal is selected. Pushing the button in (MIC position) lights the switch green and selects the microphone signal.

LEVEL
Each of these controls adjusts the level of the associated input channel and determines its contribution to the overall mix. Normally, for best noise performance and to minimize distortion, you should adjust each control so that its associated green SIGNAL LED (? SIGNAL) is on continuously and its red CLIP LED (? CLIP) never comes on or comes on only very briefly during the loudest audio passages.

PAN
Each of these controls adjusts the relative position of the associated input channel in the overall left-right panorama. Fully counterclockwise is Left and fully clockwise is Right. For a stereo signal, this control could also be considered a balance control.

EFX SEND
Each of these controls adjusts the amount of signal of the associated input channel that is sent to an external effects processor, if connected. Note that this control is located after that channel's LEVEL control in the signal path, so that the channel level sent to an external effects processor will also be affected by the setting of the LEVEL control.

Master Controls

LEVEL
This control adjusts the overall level of the mixed signal output to the MAIN OUT jacks. Normally you would adjust this so that the LEFT and RIGHT MASTER LEVEL meters stay in the green most of the time and the yellow LEDs light only during the loudest audio passages. The red CLIP (+20) LEDs come on just before the onset of audible distortion.

HEADPHONE LEVEL

This control adjusts the signal level sent to the headphone jack. Note: that the headphone output level is not affected by the setting of the Master LEVEL control.

EFX RETURN

This control adjusts the level of the signal sent back from an external effects processor, if connected, and determines its contribution to the overall mix.

POWER Switch

Controls the application of AC power to the MX822. When the switch is pushed in at the top (ON position ? ON), an indicator lights, showing power is applied.

REAR PANEL CONTROL

PHANTOM POWER (+48 VOLTS) Switch

This pushbutton switch controls the application of phantom power to the rear-panel MIC INPUT XLR connector. In the OFF (out) position (⚫ OFF), no phantom voltage is applied. Pushing the button in (ON position ? ON) lights the switch green and applies phantom voltage. Note that when phantom voltage is applied, the current supplied is limited to 7 mA for each leg of the balanced line.

BLOCK DIAGRAM

The block diagram illustrates the signal flow within the ART MX822 mixer. Key components and signal paths include:

• Inputs: Signals enter via the MIC Input (Channel 1 only) and CHANNEL Inputs (1-8). The MIC input accepts balanced XLR and is routed to both Left and Right channels. CHANNEL inputs accept mono or stereo 1/4-inch TS signals.
• Channel Processing: Each input channel features controls for LEVEL, PAN (for stereo placement), and EFX SEND (to route signal to external effects).
• Phantom Power: A switchable +48V DC phantom power supply is available for the MIC input to power condenser microphones.
• Effects Loop: The EFFECTS SEND outputs from each channel can be routed to an external effects processor. The processor's output is returned via the EFFECTS RETURN inputs. The EFX RETURN control on the front panel adjusts the level of the processed signal in the mix.
• EFX BUS IN: Allows chaining mixers, where the EFFECTS SEND of one mixer can feed into the EFX BUS IN of another, enabling shared use of an external effects processor.
• Main Outputs: Balanced XLR MAIN OUT connectors provide the primary stereo output, controlled by the MASTER LEVEL.
• Monitor Outputs: Unbalanced MONITOR OUT connectors offer an additional output, also affected by the MASTER LEVEL control.
• Main Expand: MAIN EXPAND OUT and IN jacks allow multiple MX822 units to be linked. The last unit in the chain acts as the master, controlling the overall output level of all linked units. The MAIN EXPAND OUT signal is taken before the MASTER LEVEL control.
• Headphone Output: A front panel 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone jack provides monitoring. The signal is taken before the MASTER LEVEL control, with an independent HEADPHONE LEVEL control.
• Master Section: The MASTER LEVEL control adjusts the overall output volume for the MAIN OUT and MONITOR OUT. Signal presence and clipping are indicated by LED meters.