American Audio Digital Producer VMS4 User Manual

							ChANNEL  BASS CONTROL - This  knob  is  used  to  adjust  the  low  frequency  levels  of  a  channel 
allowing for a maximum bass gain of +6dB or maximum signal decrease of -100dB. Turning the knob 
in a counter-clockwise direction will decrease the amount of bass applied to a channel signal, turning 
the knob in a clockwise direction will increase the amount of bass applied to a channel signal.
CUE BUTTON - These buttons are used to activate a channels “CUE” mode. The CUE LED will glow 
when  a  channels  cue  mode  is  activated.  The  Cue  function  sends  a  channels  incoming  signal  to  the 
headphones. The cue level is adjusted by the cue level  knoB. 
NOTE: The MIDILOG™ cue button has a additional function. During power-on, hold this button down to toggle 
the post EQ mode on and off. For more on this please refer to the Virtual DJ Setup near the end of this manual.
Ch ANNEL  FADER - These faders are used to control the output signal of any source assigned to its 
particular player. 
5. MOUSE PAD - This will function as a normal mouse pad on laptop would function. The LOAD but-
tons underneath are the left and right click buttons. When any of the SHIFT buttons are active (LED lit) 
the mouse pad is disabled and is able to send MIDI messages. Adjustments to the mouse pad can be 
made in the Control Panel (PC) or Utilities (Mac).
6. MASTER VOLUME, BALANCE, & BOOT h 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. 
BOOT h  LEV EL  - This  knob  is  used  to  adjusts  the  monitor  volume  output  level.  Turn  the  knob  in  a 
clockwise direction to increase the monitor volume.
7.    Ch ANNEL  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 
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.
8. CROSSFADER - This fader is used to blend the output signals of channels A and B together. 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 posi-
tion 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.
9. TOUCh STRIPS - The touch strips are user assingnable to numerous actions, e.g. effects control, 
song scrolling, browser scroll, etc.
10.  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. 
 gENErAL FUNCTIONS  AND CONTrOLS (Cont.)
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11.  PAUSE BUTTON - Press this button to PAUSE what ever music source is playing.
12.  PLAY BUTTON - Press this button to PLAY your desired music source.
13.  CUE  -  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.
14. 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.
15. VINYL - Pushing this button activates VINYL mode.
16. ShIFT - Enables secondary MIDI command on buttons, jog wheel, and MIDI functions on mouse 
pad. Example: Press SHIFT and VINYL to activate Keylock.
17. (-) 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  more  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 match 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 
button will give a maximum of +100% pitch. 
18. BANK BUTTONS - These buttons are used to store either four (4) cue points or four (4) samples. 
Each Bank Button can store either a sample or a cue point.
19.  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.  
20. S YNC B UTTON - Use this button to set this deck to master and auto sync and the other deck's 
tempo to master.  
 gENErAL FUNCTIONS  AND CONTrOLS (Cont.) 
						

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 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 (v irtual dJ 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 (v irtual dJ included).
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.
21222324
25
24
26
24242729
25
3031
28 
						

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 FrONT  PANEL - gENErAL FUNCTIONS  AND CONTrOLS
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 it 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. 
						

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 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.
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 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.
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 long 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 long 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.
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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. 
						

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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. 
						

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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 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.
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