American Audio Digital Producer VMS4 Traktor User Manual
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5. MASTER VOLUME, BALANCE, & BOOTH CONTROLS MASTER VOLUME CONTROL - This knob is used to control the master output level. To avoid dis- torted output try to maintain an average output signal level no greater \ than +4dB. To avoid speaker damage that may be caused by excessive volume, be sure this knob is always set to zero (completely down) before turning the unit on. MASTER OUTPUT BALANCE CONTROL - This knob is used to control the pan, adjust how much of the signal is sent to the left and right output level. For true stereo imaging, maintain the knob in the 12 o’ clock position. BOOTH LEVEL - This knob is used to adjusts the monitor volume output level. Turn the knob in a clockwise direction to increase the monitor volume. 6. IN/BROWSE, OUT/KEY RST, RELOOP/U1, & LOOP/SNAP BUTTONS IN BUTTON - “CUE ON THE FLY” - This function allows you to set a CUE POINT without music inter- ruption (“on the fly”). This button also sets the starting point\ of a seamless loop. BROWSE BUTTON - Press SHIFT (9) and the IN button to set the software to Browser only mode. OUT BUTTON - This button is used to set the ending point of a loop. A loop is starte\ d by pressing the IN BUTTON, pressing the OUT BUTTON set the loop ending point. The loop will continue to play until the OUT BUTTON is pressed once again. KEY RST BUTTON - Press SHIFT (9) and the OUT button to reset (default) the harmonic tone (key) of the corresponding TRAKTOR deck. RELOOP BUTTON - If a SEAMLESS LOOP has been made, but the player is not actively in SEAMLESS LOOP mode (a loop is not playing), pressing the RELOOP BUTTON will instantly reacti- vate the SEAMLESS LOOP mode. To exit loop, press the OUT BUTTON. U1 BUTTON - Is not mapped and can be set by the U1 user button. LOOP/SNAP BUTTON - LOOP BUTTON - This button will automatically set a 4 Beat Loop from that point. SNAP BUTTON - The Snap feature is located on the left side of the controller. Press SHIFT (9) and the LOOP button to set TRAKTOR into snap mode. In Snap mode loops will automatic\ ally snap Cue Points to the nearest beat. QUANT BUTTON - The Quant feature is located on the right side of the controller. Press SHIFT (9) and the LOOP button to set TRAKTOR into quantize mode. In Quantize mode if a Cue Poi\ nt or Loop is set, it will be kept in sync to the beat. 7. SEARCH BUTTONS - This search button allows you to quickly scan backwards through a track. This search button allows you to quickly scan forwards through a track. 8. VINYL/KEYLOCK - Pushing this button activates VINYL mode (scratch effect). Pushing the SHIFT BUTTON (9) and then pushing this button at the same time activates Key\ lock. 9. SHIFT - Enables secondary MIDI command on buttons, jog wheel, and MIDI function\ s on mouse pad. Example: Press SHIFT and VINYL to activate Keylock. 10. SONG SCROLL TOUCH STRIP - Use this touch strip to scroll up and down your song list under the TRAKTOR browser. 11. CHANNEL VOLUME LEVEL INDICATORS - The LED indicators that run along each channels EQ section are used to measure incoming signal levels. Use these indicator to visually maintain an GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND CONTROLS (Cont.) ©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 11
©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 12 average signal output of +4dB. A consistent average output level of +4dB will produce a clean output signal. When no CUE sources are selected, these indicate the volume level on the MASTER OUTPUT. When one or more CUE sources are selected, these indicate the volume level on all of the CUE sources combined. At power-on, these indicate the VMS4 firmware version. If the left side lights up 1 LED, and the right side lights up 3 LEDs, the firmare version is 1.3. 12. CROSSFADER - This fader is used to blend the output signals of channels A and B toget\ her. When the fader is in the full left position (channel A), the output signal of channel A will be controlled by the master volume level. The same fundamentals will apply for channel B.\ Sliding the fader from one position to another will vary the output signals of channels A and B respectively. When the crossfader is set in the center position, the output signals of both the channels A\ and channels B will be even. 13. FOLDER SCROLL TOUCH STRIP - This touch strip is user assingnable to numerous actions, e.g. effects control, song scrolling, browser scroll, etc. 14. A/C BUTTON - Press this button to choose between the A and C deck controls located on the left side or the B and D controls located on the right side. 15. PLAY/PAUSE/MASTER BUTTON - Press this button to PLAY your desired music source. Press this button to PAUSE what ever music source is playing. 16. CUE/CUP BUTTON - Pressing the CUE button during playback immediately pauses playback and returns the track to the last set cue point. The red CUE LED will glow when the unit is in cue mode. The LED will also flash every time a new CUE POINT is set. The CUE\ button can be held down to momentarily play the track. When you release the CUE button it instantly returns to the CUE POINT. You can also tap the CUE button to create a BOP EFFECT. 17. JOG WHEEL - This wheel has three functions; Attention: Make sure that NOTHING is touch or resting on the jog wheels when you power on the VMS4. A. The wheel works as a pitch bend during Playback. Turning the wheel clockwise can increase the pitch percentage up to 100%, and turning the wheel in the counter-clockwise direction can de- crease the pitch percentage down to -100%. The pitch bend will be determined on how long you turn the jog wheel continuously. B. The jog wheel also controls the scratch effect, when the scratch effect is active. C. The jog wheel can also serve as frame search. Note: The inside of the wheel is touch sensitive and the outside edge of the \ wheel is not. Example: You can scratch by touching the inside or center of the wheel, and pitch bend when you touch the outside edge of the wheel. 18. (-) PITCH BEND BUTTON - The (-) pitch bend function creates a momentary “Slow Down” in the BPM’s (Beats per minute) while it is playing. This will allow you to match\ the beats between two play- ing audio sources. Remember, this is a momentary function. When you remove your finger from the pitch button, the BPM’s will automatically return to PITCH SLIDER'S pitch value Holding down this button will give a maximum of -100% pitch. Use this function to slow to another playing music source. Be sure to notice that this function is a momentary pitch adjustment, for a mo\ re precise adjustment use the PITCH SLIDER (7) to match the BPM’s with another playing music source. (+) PITCH BEND BUTTON - The (+) pitch bend function creates a momentary “BUMP” in the BPM’s (Beats per minute) while it is playing. This will allow you to matc\ h the beats between two play- ing audio sources. Remember, this is a momentary function. When you remove your finger from this button, the BPM’s will automatically return to the PITCH SLIDER'S selected pitch. Holding down this GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND CONTROLS (Cont.)
©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 13 button will give a maximum of +100% pitch. 19. BANK BUTTONS - These buttons are used to store four (4) cue points. 20. PITCH SLIDER - This slider is used to adjust the playback pitch percentage. The slider is a set adjustment and will remain set until the pitch slider is moved or the pitch function has been\ turned off. FRONT PANEL - GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND CONTROLS FRONT PANEL - MIC SECTION (21-23) - the VMS4 is equipped with 2 microphone inputs, easy to use, no ASIO rout- ing required. Each microphone channel has an independent on/off switch, gain control, and 3 band EQ. 21. MIC ON/OFF - Turns the corresponding microphone on/off. When you Mic is on the button will be backlit by a red LED. 22. MIC GAIN CONTROL - Increase or decrease the microphone output. 23. MIC EQ - Adjust the treble, mid, and bass on the corresponding Mic inputs. MIXER CONTROLS (24-25) - the VMS4 can be used as a MIDI control, a stand alone mixer, or com- bination giving you maximum control of your music collection whether it be on vinyl, digital CD's or Computer DJ software (TRAKTOR™ included). 24. USB/ANALOG SWITCH - These will switch the corresponding Channel from USB audio stream or analog audio input. USB will route the software assigned ASIO audio channel thru the corre- sponding MIDILOG channel. Analog will route the analog audio input from the rear panel thru the corresponding MIDILOG channel. 25. CF ASSIGN A & B - CF Assign A will select the desired channel to the left side of the crossfad- er.* CF Assign B will select the desired channel to the right side of the crossfader.* * Normal Mode: This will be the opposite when the crossfader is reversed. * The CROSSFADER will only effect a channel's volume when the channel is assigned. Interface Mode (26-28) - the VMS4 can be used as a MIDI control, a stand alone mixer, or combi- nation giving you maximum control of your music collection whether it be on vinyl, digital CD's or Computer DJ software (TRAKTOR™ included). 21222324 25 24 26 24242729 25 3031 28
©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 14 FRONT PANEL - GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND CONTROLS 26. 4 OUT: 4 OUT X 4 IN USB - Sets MIDILOG channels 2 & 3 to receive audio from software with ASIO outputs and sends audio or control tones from the channel 2 & 3 RCA inputs to your software ASIO inputs. 8 OUT: 8 OUT X 2 IN USB - Sets 4 MIDILOG channels to receive audio from software with ASIO outputs and sends the audio from the master output via USB for recording. 27. NORMAL/REVERSE - Switches the crossfader from normal to reverse mode. In reverse mode the CF A assignments will be on the right of the crossfader and the CF B on the left. 28. CURVE KNOB - This knob will adjust the curve of the crossfader from mix curve, dipped curve, to scratch curve. Headphone Controls (28-30) 29. CUE/MASTER KNOB - Sets the headphone output from Cue or Master. When set to the Cue position, the headphones will receive the signal from any and all channels with the Cue button acti- vated. When set to the Master position, the headphones will receive the pre fader master output signal, allowing you to cue the master at any output level and even if i\ t is fully off. Any knob settings in between Cue and Master will blend the Cue and Master signals. 30. HEADPHONE GAIN - Will set the output level of the headphones. 31. HEADPHONE JACK - Connect your headphones to this jack. The headphone signal is con- trolled by the controls described previously.
©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 15 REAR PANEL - GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND CONTROLS 32 3435 3333363738 4141 4039394039394243 REAR PANEL - 32. POWER SWITCH - This switch will turn the VMS4 on/off. Attention: Make sure that NOTHING is touch or resting on the jog wheels when you power on the VMS4. OUTPUTS (33-38) 33. Q-START - These 1/8 jacks remotely start playback in Q-Start equipped or compatiable CD players. The start and stop correspond to the audio start and stop of the corresponding side of the crossfader. 34. POWER SUPPLY - The power supply is not required, but the LED indicators on the mixer knobs will be dim, headphones may be underpowered, and there is an increased chance of audio distor- tion. Note: Using anything other then a power supply rated 6V 1Amp may cause p\ erformance issues when using the VMS4 35. USB PORT - Connect to your PC for MIDI interface and USB interface (audio in and \ outs). 36. XLR BALANCED OUTPUTS - The VMS4 has RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced) connec- tions to connect to amplifiers or connect directly to powered speakers. It is highly recommended that the XLR outs be used for any connection of more then 20ft. Never connect the XLR outs and the RCA outs at the same time, this may affect your output. To set your desired volume use the Master volume knob. 37. BOOTH OUTPUTS - The VMS4 offers a secondary output usually used to monitor your mix or to route to an outboard recording device. This output has independent volume control "Booth" knob. 38. RCA OUTPUTS - The VMS4 has RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced) connections to con\ nect to amplifiers or connect directly to powered speakers. It is highly recommended that the XLR outs be used for any connection of more then 20ft. Never connect the XLR outs and the RCA outs at the same time, this may affect your output. To set your desired volume use the Master volume knob. INPUTS (39, 42-43) 39. RCA INPUTS - RCA connectors for CD, turntable, and other analog inputs. MIDILOG 1: Line level RCA input use to control CD players, Mp3 players, or other line level sources. MIDILOG 2: Phono/line level RCA input use to connect turntables, CD players, Mp3 play- ers, or other line level sources. The type of input must directly reflect the selected mode of the LINE/PHONO SELECTOR SWITCH. Turntables equipped with MM pickup cartridge (All DJ turntable use MM pick-up cartridges) may be connected to these jacks as lo\ ng as the
LINE/PHONO SELECTOR SWITCH is in the “PHONO” position. CD players, Mp3 players, and other line level instruments may only be connected to these jacks as\ long as the LINE LEVEL SELECTOR SWITCH is in the “LINE” position. MIDILOG 3: Phono/line level RCA input use to connect turntables, CD players, Mp3 play- ers, or other line level sources. The type of input must directly reflect the selected mode of the LINE/PHONO SELECTOR SWITCH. Turntables equipped with MM pickup cartridge (All DJ turntable use MM pick-up cartridges) may be connected to these jacks as lo\ ng as the LINE/PHONO SELECTOR SWITCH is in the “PHONO” position. CD players, Mp3 players, and other line level instruments may only be connected to these jacks as\ long as the LINE LEVEL SELECTOR SWITCH is in the “LINE” position. MIDILOG 4: Line level RCA input use to control CD players, Mp3 players, or other line level sources. 40. PHONO GROUND - Be sure to connect turntable ground leads to either or both of the two available ground terminals. This will reduce the humming and popping noises associated with magnetic phono cartridges. 41. LINE/PHONO SELECTOR SWITCH - These switches are used to change the voltage line lev- els of there respected Line/Phono RCA inputs jacks. When connecting turntables with magnetic cartridges to these jacks be sure the corresponding switch is in the “PHONO” position, and when using line level input devices be sure this switch is in the “LINE” position. 42. MIC 2 - XLR and 1/4" combo jack for microphone connection. The volume output level for this microphone will be controlled by its own respective volume knob. 43. MIC 1 - XLR and 1/4" combo jack for microphone connection. The volume output level for this microphone will be controlled by its own respective volume knob. REAR PANEL - GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND CONTROLS ©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 16
©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 17 AUDIO INTERFACE MODE Audio Interface Mode: 4 Out Mode: The VMS4 can act like a 4x4 audio interface. Your USB audio is routed through the VMS4's MIDILOG Ch. #2 and #3 inputs. If you wish to route the inputs via USB for software play through or Time Code Control, set your desired VMS4 Channel to the USB setting and the chan- nels' LINE/PHONO SELECTOR SWITCH (41) to the correct setting. Note: For the best performance, if no inputs are in use, set the Inputs to Disabled by "clicking" on the ASIO Driver Interface. Your inputs and outputs can be set to channels 1-16, but your software may not support the ASIO stream of the channel numbers. Check the software manual to make sure it does.
©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 18 AUDIO INTERFACE MODE 8 Out Mode: This mode supports 4 USB audio inputs. Perfect for using it \ with software that has 3-4 decks. This will also route your master output via USB for recording USB audio or analog inputs. MIDI LATENCY MODES There are two MIDI Latency modes; Normal mode and Turbo mode. Normal mode has MIDI Latency of 10 milliseconds, this is the default mode. Turbo mode has a MIDI latency of 1 millisecond. To set the VMS4 to "Turbo mode: Before powering on press and hold the CUE, PLAY, and PAUSE buttons on the LEFT side. Hold the buttons until CHANNEL VOLUME LEVEL INDICATORS (7) light up with the code version. See page 11 CHANNEL VOLUME LEVEL INDICATORS for information on the code version. It is recommended that you use the default mode if your computer does not meet \ the recommend- ed system requirements or are using Windows Vista. It is also strongly recommended that you close all programs running in the background, this will free up RAM and minimize CPU process. If you are using a laptop, turn off your wireless card if possible since this may cause sound problems. Allow your computers hard drive to have at least 20% free space.
©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 19 EQ MODES The EQ for the USB audio can work in two different modes, Pre & Post EQ. These EQ modes can work in both 4 out and 8 out interface modes that are described on pages 19-20. In Pre EQ the USB audio signal is affected by the VMS4 EQ. Pre EQ is the default EQ. In Pre EQ mode the ASIO Driver will list the VMS4 device number, the first number in the sequence will be a "0". Please see the window below. ***Beware that mapping the MIDI on the EQ knobs in this mode will cause your audio to process the EQ from the software and VMS4 EQ.
EQ MODES Post EQ is for users who prefer using the EQ from their software. To toggle the post EQ mode on and off; before powering up the VMS4, press and hold the PFL CUE (4) on the 4th channel MIDILOG and then power "ON" the unit. Release the button, your computer may reinstall the VMS4 as a new device, please allow 10-20 seconds for the change to take place\ . Confirm the EQ change by checking the ASIO Driver configuration. The first number in the sequence will be a "1" in this mode. Please see the window below. Make sure you are using software where you can map the MIDI from the EQ and that the EQ has been mapped when using this mode. ©American Audio® - www.americanaudio.us - VMS4 Instruction Manual Page 20