Creative Emu 1820m Manual

							4 - The PatchMix DSP Mixer
Main Section
E-MU Digital Audio System51
Input
Selecting the Input display view shows a graphic representation of the PatchMix DSP 
Mixer inputs. This screen is only a display, unlike the Effects and Outputs screens, which 
allow you to make routing changes. Input routing changes are made by adding mixer 
strips. See 
Mixer Strip Creation.
fThe Input and Output 
displays make it much 
easier to understand the 
signal routings of a 
complex mixer setup.The input routings are divided into two categories: Physical Inputs and Host Inputs. 
Select either category by clicking on the Physical or Host button. 
Output
Selecting the Output display view shows a graphic representation of the PatchMix DSP 
Mixer outputs. The output routings are divided into two categories: Physical Outputs 
and Host Outputs. Select either category by clicking on the Physical or Host button.
The Physical Output screen displays and allows you to connect the Main and Monitor 
outputs of the mixer to “physical” analog or digital outputs. Click on the box in the mix 
or monitor area to make (or break) a connection.
The Host Output screen displays and allows you to view the Host (ASIO or WAVE) 
outputs of the mixer. See “
Insert Section” for information on how to connect the inserts.
fTip: Clicking on any 
of the input routings in 
the TV display highlights 
the corresponding mixer 
strip.
Physical Input Display Host Input Display
Physical Output Display Host Output Display
The Host Output display shows all the Insert Routings in addition to the Main Mix and Monitor 
out routings. Click on the desired row to make or break a physical output connection.     
						

							4 - The PatchMix DSP Mixer
Main Section
52Creative Professional
Auxiliary Effects & Returns
fThe Wet/Dry mix 
setting in the effect 
should normally be set to 
100% when the effect is 
inserted as a sidechain 
effect. This is because the 
Aux Return Amount will 
control the wet/dry mix.The section immediately below the TV Screen is where you assign the Auxiliary Effects. 
In a traditional mixing console, auxiliary effects sends are used to send part of the signal 
to outboard effect devices, then return the effected signal back into the mix using the 
effect returns. This is called a sidechain routing because the aux signal takes a detour 
through the effects before being summed back into the main mix.
Sidechain effects are usually effects that you might want applied to several channels, 
such as reverb. Effects such as EQ and compressors are usually NOT used as sidechain 
effects because they can cause unpredictable results when returned to the main bus.
You can also use the Auxiliary Sends as two extra mix buses. By turning the Aux Return 
amount all the way down and dropping an Insert Send into the chain, you can send the 
Auxiliary bus to any output you wish. See “
Insert Section” for more information.‚
Sync/Sample Rate Indicators
The Sync/Sample rate Indicators show the current session’s 
sample rate and whether it is internal or slaving to an external 
source. The LEDs indicate which sample rate is currently in 
effect. If an external source is being used, the Source display 
reads “EXTERNAL”.
When slaving to an external master source, the clock may drift 
slightly or change dramatically (i.e. abrupt sample rate 
change or unplugging of physical master source). PatchMix 
DSP is tolerant to minor drifting within the supported rates 
of 44.1k, 48k, 88k, 96k, 176k and 192k, but if the sample rate 
drifts out of this range the “LOCKED” LED will extinguish.
If the external clock source makes a radical sample rate change from the lower rates of 
44.1k/48k to a higher rate (or between any of the higher rates), the hardware automati-
cally switches to internal 48kHz clock until the proper external clock is restored. The 
“LOCKED” LED will be off and the two units are NOT synchronized. Always check the 
“LOCKED” LED when using an external clock source.
Main Bus
Side
Chain
Input
Fader
Mute
Output
Return
AmountSend
Amount
Input
Pan
Aux
AmtAux
AmtAux Bus 
Sidechain Diagram
(Post-Fader Aux Sends)   
						

							4 - The PatchMix DSP Mixer
Main Section
E-MU Digital Audio System53
Output Section
Main Inserts
The main inserts allow you to apply effects to the main stereo signal coming out of the 
mixer (both mains and monitor). You might want to apply EQ or a compressor here. 
These inserts work just like the other insert locations—just drag and drop effects from 
the palette or right-click and add Sends, Sends/Returns. etc. R
efer to the Mixer Block 
Diagram
Main Output Fader
The main output fader controls the level of the main output (and the Monitor output as 
well since it is downstream from this control). The normal setting for this control is at 
unity or 0dB, but the control allows you to add up to +12dB of gain. High output levels 
may cause clipping on outboard amplifiers or other equipment.
Output Level Meters
This stereo bar-graph meter reflects the digital level at the output of the mixer. The 
topmost red bar represents 0 dB or a full-scale digital signal. The peaks hold for a 
moment so that short transients can be monitored. Each bar = 1dB.
Monitor Output Level
This control adjusts the monitor output level. Keep in mind that since the monitor level 
control comes after the Main Output Fader, nothing will be heard from your monitors if 
the main level is turned down.
Monitor Balance Control
fHot Tip: The System 
Volume Control on your 
Mac or PC can be used to 
control the Monitor 
Output Level on 
PatchMix.This control sets the relative volume of the stereo monitor outputs and works just like 
the balance control on your home music system. This control is primarily used to make 
the volume from each speaker sound equal if you are not sitting exactly in the center of 
the two speakers.
Monitor Output Mute
This button completely cuts off the monitor output and provides a convenient way to 
instantly kill all sound without having to re-adjust the monitor level later. When the 
telephone rings, just hit the monitor mute to cut the noise.
Main
Insert
Section
Output Level 
MetersMain Output Level Fader 
Monitor 
Mute
Monitor 
VolumeMonitor 
Balance
Sync/Sample 
Rate Indicators
Clip Indicators
LR
MAIN MIX
-12dB  0dB10
20
30
40
5010
20
30
40
50  
						

							4 - The PatchMix DSP Mixer
Main Section
54Creative Professional 
						

							5 - Effects
Overview
E-MU 1820M/1820/1212M PCI Digital Audio System 55
5 - Effects
Overview
PatchMix DSP comes complete with a host of great core DSP effects including 
Compressors, Delays, Choruses, Flangers and Reverb. Each 32-bit effect has various 
parameters for editing, as well as factory presets. You can also create and save as many of 
your own effect presets as you wish.
Since the effects are implemented in hardware, they don’t place any load on your host 
computer. This allows your valuable CPU cycles to be used for other applications or 
software plug-ins. The effects are only available at the 44.1 and 48kHz sample rates.
fSaving a session 
“defragments” the effect/
DSP resources. If you 
have used all your effects 
and need another, try 
saving the session.There is a finite limit to how many effects you can use at the same time. As you use up 
the PatchMix DSP resources, certain effects will appear “grayed out” and cannot be 
added to the mixer. Complex effects such as reverb use more DSP resources than say a 1-
Band EQ. If you continue to add effects, all of the DSP resources will eventually be used 
up.
The Effects Palette
Click the FX button on the toolbar to bring up the Effects Palette. The Effects Palette 
contains two types of folders. The “Core Effects” folder contains the effect algorithms 
themselves. This folder cannot be modified. The other folders contain “Effects Chains”, 
consisting of two or more effects grouped together. You can also add, delete, or modify 
Effects Chains and the folders that contain them. For more information on Effects 
Chains, see “
FX Insert Chains” on page 56.
Effect Categories
Core Effects
Multi-Effects
Distortion Lo-fi
Drums & Percussion
Environment
Equalization 
Guitar 
Morpher
Multi Effects
Reverb
Synths & Keys
VocalNew Folder IconImport/Export FX  
						

							5 - Effects
The Effects Palette
56Creative Professional
To Select an Effect
1.Click the FX button to bring up the Effects Palette. The effect palette contains 
numerous folders containing effects presets. Click on any folder to open it.
fThe order of effects in 
a chain can have a big 
effect on the sound. 2.Select the effect you wish to use by clicking on it with the left mouse button and 
while continuing to hold the mouse button, drag the effect into the desired location 
on the PatchMix DSP mixer screen and release the mouse button. Multi effects 
contain several effects along with their parameter settings.
 This icon will 
appear when you drag 
an effect to a new 
location. 3.If you want to change the order of effects, simply Left-click and drag the effect to the 
desired location. Drag the effect to the area above or below the final destination and 
release the mouse button to move the effect.
To Edit an Effect
1.Click on the Insert Location containing the effect you wish to edit. The effect 
controls now appear on the TV screen.
2.Edit the effect parameters as desired.
To Delete an Effect
1.Right-click on the Insert location containing the effect you wish to delete and a pop-
up list appears. 
2.Select “Delete Insert(s)” from the top of the list. The effect will be deleted.
FX Insert Chains
FX Insert Chains can be used to save several effects and their settings into a single multi-
effect. When an effects chain is selected and dropped into an insert location, all the 
effects with control settings are copied as a single entity. Once dropped into an insert 
location, the effects are totally separate just as if you had placed them individually.
To Save FX Insert Chains
1.Select two or more effects and place them into any consecutive insert locations.
fTrim pots, peak meters 
and test tone generators 
will also be included in 
the FX chain. 2.Set the effect parameters the way you want them, including wet/dry mix settings.
3.Right-click to bring up the list of options.
4.Select “Save FX Insert Chain”. The New FX preset dialog box appears.
5.Select a category folder where your preset will be placed, and enter a new preset 
name for your FX Chain.
6.Select a folder where your new preset will be placed, then type in a new preset name 
and click OK. Your preset is now saved.  
						

							5 - Effects
The Effects Palette
E-MU Digital Audio System57
The Order of Effects
PatchMix DSP allows you to record your tracks without effects (dry) and monitor with 
effects enabled (wet). It works like this: If the effect is inserted BEFORE the ASIO send in 
the signal path, it will get recorded; if the effect is inserted AFTER the ASIO send, it will 
not be recorded.
Recording dry allows you to 
hear your performance with 
effect (to get the proper feel), 
but gives you the flexibility to 
add or modify effects later 
during mixdown. This way if 
you don’t like the way the 
effect sounds, you can change 
or modify the effect without 
having to perform the part 
again.
Creating, Renaming & Deleting Categories or Presets
There are several utilities to help you organize your effects presets.
To Create a New Preset Category
You can create your own category folders to help organize your effects presets.
1.Left-click on the New Folder icon at the top of the Effects Palette. A pop-up dialog 
box appears asking you to “Enter the Name of the New Category.”
•Alternatively, you can Right-click over an Effects Folder, which calls a pop-up 
dialog box with the option to “Create New Category.”
2.Type in a name for your new folder.
3.Click OK to create a new folder or Cancel to cancel the operation.
To Delete an Effect Category or Preset
1.Right-click on the category folder you wish to delete. A pop-up selection box 
appears.
2.Select “Delete Category”. A popup dialog box appears warning you that this action 
will delete all presets in the folder.
3.Click OK to delete the folder or Cancel to cancel the operation.
To Rename an Effects Category
1.Right-click on the category folder you wish to rename. A pop-up selection box 
appears.
2.Select “Rename Category”. A pop-up dialog box appears, asking you to “Enter New 
Category Name.”
3.Click OK to rename the folder or Cancel to cancel the operation.
Output
Reverb
Return
Amount
To Monitor Speakers
Send
Amount
Aux 1 Bus
ASIO
Send
Input
1L/1R
Fader
Panning
Main Output Bus
To ASIO If you want Effects
to be recorded 
insert them Above
the ASIO Send.
To monitor Effects, 
but not record them, 
insert them Below 
the ASIO Send or
in a Sidechain. 
						

							5 - Effects
The Effects Palette
58Creative Professional
Importing and Exporting Core FX Presets and FX Insert Chains
These utilities make it easy to import or export your FX Presets and FX Insert Chains. 
You can share presets with your friends or download new presets from the Internet.
To Import Core FX Presets
This option imports complete folders of Core FX presets into the E-MU PatchMix DSP 
folder (normally located here: “C:\Program Files\Creative Professional\E-MU PatchMix 
DSP\Core Effects”). If the name of an imported FX preset exactly matches a preset you 
already have, a number will be appended to end of the imported preset name.
1.Click the Import/Export FX Library button  from the FX Palette.
2.Select Import FX Library. The “Browse for Folder” window appears.
3.Choose the folder where the Core FX presets you wish to import are located.
4.The selected folder of Core FX presets will be copied into the Core Effects folder of 
PatchMix DSP.
To Import FX Category Folders
This option imports complete category folders of FX Chains into the E-MU PatchMix 
DSP folder (normally located here: “C:\Program Files\Creative Professional\E-MU 
PatchMix DSP\Effect Presets”). If the name of an imported FX preset exactly matches a 
preset you already have, a number will be appended to end of the imported preset 
name.
1.Click the Import/Export FX Library button  from the FX Palette.
2.Select Import FX Category. The “Browse for Folder” window appears.
3.Choose the folder where the FX Chains you wish to import are located.
4.The selected folder of FX Chains will be copied into the Effect Presets folder of 
PatchMix DSP.
To Export your Core FX Presets
This option exports your Core FX presets to a folder of your choice.
1.Click the Import/Export FX Library button  from the FX Palette.
2.Select Export FX Library. The “Browse for Folder” window appears.
3.Choose a destination location for the Core FX presets, then press OK.
4.The Core FX presets will be copied to the selected destination.
To Export your FX Category Folders
This option exports a single category of FX chains to a folder of your choice.
1.Click the Import/Export FX Library button  from the FX Palette.
2.Select Export FX Category. A pop-up dialog box appears asking you to “Choose the 
FX Category to be exported”.
3.Choose the desired FX Category to export. Press OK to continue or Cancel to 
cancel the operation.
4.The “Browse for Folder” window appears. Choose a destination location for the 
Core FX presets, then press OK.
5.The FX Chains will be copied to the selected destination.      
						

							5 - Effects
FX Edit Screen
E-MU Digital Audio System59
FX Edit Screen
ENote: Effects have to 
be placed into an insert 
location before you can 
program them.Click on an FX Insert to display the parameters for that effect. If an insert effect is not 
selected, the FX display will read “No Insert”. 
Most effects have a wet/dry mix parameter to control the ratio of effect-to-plain signal. 
The wet/dry setting is stored with the FX preset. The effect parameters vary with the type 
of effect. Generally if an effect is placed in an Aux Send, the wet/dry mix in the effect 
should be set to 100% wet since the Aux Return amount controls how much effect is 
applied.
The User Preset section is located at the bottom of the FX Edit screen. User presets are 
variations of the main effect and can be edited, deleted, renamed or overwritten as you 
wish.
To Bypass an Insert:
Inserts can be bypassed if you want to temporarily hear the audio without the effect or 
insert. Bypass can also be used to turn off a Send Insert.
Method #1
1.Click on the Effect (in the Insert section)
2.Click the Bypass button in the TV display.
Method #2
1.Right-click over the Insert you want to bypass (in the Insert section). A pop-up 
menu appears.
2.Select “Bypass Insert” from the list of options. The insert effect name will “gray-out” 
to indicate that the insert effect is bypassed.
To Solo an Insert:
Inserts can also be soloed. Solo bypasses all the other inserts in the strip and allows you 
to hear only the soloed effect. This feature is very useful when adjusting the effect 
parameters.
Method #1
1.Click on the Insert Effect (in the Insert section).
2.Click the Solo button in the TV display.
Effects Display
View ButtonEffect Location
Wet/Dry Mix Control
Effect Parameters
Effect Bypass & 
Solo Buttons
User Preset Section  
						

							5 - Effects
FX Edit Screen
60Creative Professional
Method #2
1.Right-click over the Insert Effect you want to Solo (in the Insert section). A pop-up 
menu appears.
2.Select “Solo Insert” from the list of options. The other Insert Effect names in the 
strip will “gray-out” to indicate that they are bypassed.
To Bypass ALL
All the inserts in a strip can be bypassed with a single command.
1.Right-click over any Effect in the Insert section. A pop-up menu appears.
2.Select “Bypass All Inserts” from the list of options. All the insert names will be 
“grayed-out” to indicate that they are bypassed.
To Un-Bypass ALL
All the inserts in a strip can also be un-bypassed with a single command. This command 
works even if only some of the effects are bypassed.
1.Right-click over any Effect in the Insert section. A pop-up menu appears.
2.Select “Un-Bypass All Inserts” from the list of options. All the insert names will light 
to indicate that they are active.
User Preset Section
ETo copy or share User 
Presets, you must save 
them as FX Palette 
effects.Each core effect has a set of User Presets, that you can use to store your favorite effect 
parameter settings. We’ve included a good collection of user presets to get you started. 
The user presets are accessed from the bar at the bottom of the TV screen. The user preset 
edit menu allows you to select stored presets, create new presets, rename or delete 
existing presets, or overwrite existing presets with your modified settings. User presets 
stay with the Mixer application regardless of which Session is open.
To Select a User Preset
1.Select the FX display in the TV screen.
2.Select the desired insert effect, highlighting it. The effect parameters appear in the TV 
screen.
3.Click on the   icon on the preset menu. A drop-down preset list appears.
4.Select a preset from the list.
To Create a New User Preset
1.Select the FX display in the TV screen.
2.Select the desired insert effect, highlighting it. The effect parameters appear in the TV 
screen.
3.Click on the Edit button. A pop-up menu appears.
4.Select New. A pop-up dialog box appears asking you to name the new preset.
5.Name the preset and click OK. Your new preset is now saved. 
Click here for Edit Menu
Click here to Select Presets