API Flashcards
At CRAS, the 212L Mic Pre modules are found in which slot
Upper 200
At CRAS, the 215L Sweep Filters, 225L Compressors, and 235L Gate modules are found in which slot?
Lower 200
API circuitry type
Discrete
Discrete circuitry
Composed of individual electronic components which allows customisation, upgrades, easier to fix broken parts
Discrete vs Integrate circuitry
Integrated circuitry has many components embedded in 1 circuit - this cannot be customised. If it breaks, the whole thing needs to be replaced
Button to globally change inputs of all large & small faders
INP FLIP
Button in Master Section to monitor external sources
C/R PLAY
Button in Master Section to monitor internal sources
C/R PGM
What is normalled to the input of the MTR
MTB 1-24
How many total stereo input sources can be assigned to the GM fader?
5 = STA, STB, STC, GM aux, and Aux 11/12
At CRAS, which input defaults to the Large Fader path
Tape
At CRAS, which input defaults to the Small Fader path
Mic
Input that the Grand Master Fader is normalled to
Masterlink MDR
Button to globally restore all channel inputs to default
INP CLR
BAM meaning
Bus Assignment Module
Modular console
Modules are small, independent processors with patchable I/O; this allows us to move modules around, add, remove, completely customise. If a section of the I/O breaks, the entire channel won’t break. Signal also does not travel down the entire I/O. Signal will only go through a module if you turn it on.
In default mode, the 212L is normalled to which input patch
Small channel input
In default mode, the multi-track output is normalled to which input patch
Large channel input
At CRAS, do modules in the lower 200 need to be patched?
Yes
API patch bay
Majority of things need to be patched, but you can patch just about anything. API patch bays also include “active” relay switching, so you will literally hear the patch bay switch things on if you switch them on on the console
GM
Grand Master
DIR
Routes the Small Fader path to the direct out
24
Routes the Small Fader path to the MTB (BAM)
What are the outputs of the MTB normalled to?
Otari MTR-90 & ProTools
Where can you find the Pan on/off buttons
In the BAM
Which console output must be patched into the MTR?
Direct out
215L
API Legacy Plus Sweep Filter
235L
API Legacy Plus Gate/Expander
212L
API Legacy Plus Mic Pre
205L
API Legacy Plus Direct Input (DI)
225L
API Legacy Plus Compressor/Limiter
Which EQ bands offer option to switch between peaking and shelving
1 & 4, high & low
550L
API Legacy Plus 4 Band Selectable EQ
560L
API Legacy Plus 10 Band Graphic EQ
VU LRG
Displays Large Fader path input levels; directly after the Large Fader channel input patch point
-6
PAD the Tape return input
Meters above the Master section
PGM Meters (program meters)
L/R PEAK
Changes the PGM meters to display peak amplitude rather than RMS
EQ default path
Large fader path
Stereo Mix Busses
A, B, C
VU SM
Displays Small Fader path input levels; directly after the Small Fader channel input patch point
BUS TO VU
Displays the multi-track summing bus outputs across meters 1-24
VU DIR
Displays the direct output levels
550L 4 Band EQ
4 bands = each band offers 7 selectable frequencies with proportional Q
12 dB boost/cut
Bands 1 & 4 can switch between peak/shelf
Top blue pot chooses frequency
Bottom gray pot boosts/cuts dB
Button to accept signal returning from an insert patch
INS
Two physical types of meters on the console
- VU
2. LED
Specific stereo source that can be view on the PGM
GM
API module with sweep control for threshold, depth, release, hold
235L
API module with three sweep controls for threshold, ratio, release
225L
Which fader offers a dedicated HPF
Large fader
560L 10 Band Graphic EQ
Channels 41-48
Pre-determined frequencies per octave
12 dB boost/cut
Proportional Q
215L Sweep Filter
Lo-pass: 500 Hz - 20 kHz at 6 dB per octave
Hi-pass: 20 Hz - 600 Hz at 12 dB per octave
225L Compressor/Limiter
Threshold: +10 to -20 dBu Attack time: Slow, Medium, Fast (slow is normal) Meter: amount of compression Ratio: 0 to infinity Knee: Hard, soft, new, old
Feed-forward compression
New “VCA” style of compression
Feed-back compression
Classic type of compression
235L Gate/Expander
Threshold: +25 to -45 dBu Attack time: Fast, normal Meter: Shows amount of noise reduction Depth: 0 to -80 dB Release: release time Expander: 2:1, up to the threshold Gate: Gate mode activates at threshold Hold: Knob for hold time Release: Knob for gate decay time
205L Direct Input
Gain: input level control
Tone: Thin to fat (fat is flat - normal level), reduces muddy sound
Hi-Z input: Brings instrument level to line level
Bright: brightens high end, adds clarity
Meter: Output level, VU
-20 PAD
LOAD: Adds a 100k load for changing the tone of guitar/bas pick up - makes it feel like you’re playing through an amp
BAM section
MTB: Odd is on left, even is on right 1/25 to 23/47 (left) 2/26 to 24/48 (right) Stereo Mix Busses: STA, STB, STC Pan buttons (SM and LRG)
Which fader feeds the MTB by default?
Large fader
Which fader feeds the Direct Out by default?
Large fader
Total amount of auxes
12
How many auxes can be used simultaneously?
10
Mono auxes
Aux 1-6 (6 total)
Stereo auxes
Aux 7-12(3 total)
Aux sends default
Post-fader from the Large fader paths
Which aux sends can switch to pre-fader?
All aux sends
Which aux sends can switch to Small fader path?
Aux 9-12
Aux sends 1-6 primary use
Effects sends during recording and mixing
Aux sends 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12 primary use
Cue sends during recording and stereo Effects sends during mixing
Mono aux sends pots
Top pot controls odd numbered aux
Bottom pot controls even numbered aux
Stereo aux sends pots
Top pot controls level
Bottom pot controls pan
At CRAS, when turning on speakers, what must be turned on first and why?
The sub must be turned on first because it acts as a crossover for the KRKs/Tannoy
Channel I/O track mute location (before applying/removing +48v)
Yellow button with I/O channel number below the Small fader
Channel I/O mute post-fader on the monitor path
Yellow button with I/O channel number below the Large fader
How to patch a Direct Out
Press DIR on channel. Patch out from Direct Out (same channel) into the Multi-Tape Input (same channel)
API Lunchbox
They’re like metal lunchboxes, with cartridge slots where you can connect modules
How many stereo aux busses can be used simultaneously?
2: 7/8 and 9/10 or 11/12 since 9/10 and 11/12 cannot be used at the same time
Which auxes will always (cannot be changed) split off the Large Fader path?
Aux 1-8
Which auxes can be assigned to split off the Small Fader path by pressing SM in the aux section?
Aux 9-12
Which auxes feed the Cue 1 L/R masters?
Aux 7-8
Which auxes feed the Cue 2 L/R masters?
Aux 9-10
Which auxes feed Cue masters 1-3?
Aux 7-12
Which Cue masters normal to the headphone amps?
Cues 1 and 2
How many STEREO headphone mixes can be made SIMULTANEOUSLY?
2
Steps to create a headphone mix using Cue 1
- Set up HP box
- Set Cue master to nominal level
- Route TB Mic to Cue
- On Channel - Press PF and ON for Aux 7-8
- Put on headphones
- On Channel - Set aux level and pan
Button that assigns TB mic to each individual cue master
T/B
Button that must be pressed to assign the console TB mic to ALL cues
T/B Cue
In master section, what dedicated mic pre can be used for the artist’s TB mic?
Listen Mic
Default solo mode
AFL - non-destructive
Which solo mode monitors through the solo bus?
PFL and AFL
What solo mode monitors through the stereo bus?
SIP - destructive
SIP
Solo in place
AFL solo includes panning while a PFL will always be mono. T/F
True
When is it safe to use a destructive solo (SIP)?
During mixing
When a fader is soloed, its level can be seen on which meter?
PGM meters
When engaged, which button protects a fader from a destructive solo?
SAFE
Top or bottom pot controls level for auxes 1, 3, 5
Top pot
Top or bottom pot controls level for auxes 2, 4, 6
Bottom pot
Top or bottom pot controls level for stereo auxes 7-12
Top pot
Top or bottom pot controls pan for stereo auxes 7-12
Bottom pot
In addition to aux sends, what other STEREO source is assignable to Cues 1-3?
GM
Channels normalled to the MTR-90
1-24
Channels normalled to Pro Tools
25-48
Redundant bussing
Channels 25-48 that feed Pro Tools are literal copies of channels 1-24
What normals to the MDR Masterlink
GM
Functions that meter incoming signal (inputs)
VU LG
VU SM
Functions that meter outgoing signal (outputs)
BUS TO VU
VU DIR
L/R PEAK function
Affects PGM meters, and switches metering between VU (RMS) & peak (peak amp)
Non-destructive vs destructive solo
Non-destructive: take the signal to the solo bus and is not affecting signals going to the GM
Destructive: when soloing, it essentially MUTES all the other tracks going to the GM
AFL & fader effects
Any changes made with the fader will be heard in the solo bus because the fader is affecting signal being fed to the solo
PFL & fader effects
Any changes made with the fader will NOT be heard in the solo bus, because signal is splitting to the solo bus before reaching the fader
LRG SIP
Mutes all signal on large faders other than what has been soloed
SM SIP
Mutes all signal on small faders other than what was been soloed
SIP LINK
Links LRG and SM
If you switch aux 1 & 2 to PF, what happens to aux 3 & 4?
They also change to PF because they are linked to the same PF switch
Which auxes can be assigned to the small fader?
9/10 or 11/12
Which channels have 550Ls?
Channels 1-40
Which channels have 560Ls?
Channels 41-48
Module definition
Independent signal processor with a patchable I/O
Large channel in v. Large fader in
Large channel in: normal routing that has access to whole channel (EQ, inserts, etc.)
Large fader in: enters right at the fader trim and fader, skipping everything coming before it in signal flow
Bus grouping
Grouping multiple channels to one bus on one channel using the BAM
Accepting a Bus grouping
There is no ‘bus’ button to accept this signal on a channel, therefore it must be accepted by patching from ‘Bus Out #’ to ‘LG channel in #’ on the number channel you bussed to
Patching outboard TBP and setting up the return channel
Patching: Stereo aux sends > TBP > LG channel in #s
Return channel: Pan, send to SB, bring up fader
Patching reroute GM to Pro Tools for printing (MDR)
GM BSTR L/R > Multi-tape in 47/48
After patching GM to Pro Tools, what additional patch must be made? Why
Dead patch Large channel out 47/48 - this helps avoid feedback loops