Alesis airFX manual

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34

Go to page of

A good user manual

The rules should oblige the seller to give the purchaser an operating instrucion of Alesis airFX, along with an item. The lack of an instruction or false information given to customer shall constitute grounds to apply for a complaint because of nonconformity of goods with the contract. In accordance with the law, a customer can receive an instruction in non-paper form; lately graphic and electronic forms of the manuals, as well as instructional videos have been majorly used. A necessary precondition for this is the unmistakable, legible character of an instruction.

What is an instruction?

The term originates from the Latin word „instructio”, which means organizing. Therefore, in an instruction of Alesis airFX one could find a process description. An instruction's purpose is to teach, to ease the start-up and an item's use or performance of certain activities. An instruction is a compilation of information about an item/a service, it is a clue.

Unfortunately, only a few customers devote their time to read an instruction of Alesis airFX. A good user manual introduces us to a number of additional functionalities of the purchased item, and also helps us to avoid the formation of most of the defects.

What should a perfect user manual contain?

First and foremost, an user manual of Alesis airFX should contain:
- informations concerning technical data of Alesis airFX
- name of the manufacturer and a year of construction of the Alesis airFX item
- rules of operation, control and maintenance of the Alesis airFX item
- safety signs and mark certificates which confirm compatibility with appropriate standards

Why don't we read the manuals?

Usually it results from the lack of time and certainty about functionalities of purchased items. Unfortunately, networking and start-up of Alesis airFX alone are not enough. An instruction contains a number of clues concerning respective functionalities, safety rules, maintenance methods (what means should be used), eventual defects of Alesis airFX, and methods of problem resolution. Eventually, when one still can't find the answer to his problems, he will be directed to the Alesis service. Lately animated manuals and instructional videos are quite popular among customers. These kinds of user manuals are effective; they assure that a customer will familiarize himself with the whole material, and won't skip complicated, technical information of Alesis airFX.

Why one should read the manuals?

It is mostly in the manuals where we will find the details concerning construction and possibility of the Alesis airFX item, and its use of respective accessory, as well as information concerning all the functions and facilities.

After a successful purchase of an item one should find a moment and get to know with every part of an instruction. Currently the manuals are carefully prearranged and translated, so they could be fully understood by its users. The manuals will serve as an informational aid.

Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    REFERENCE MANUAL ©2000 Alesis ™[...]

  • Page 2

    2 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Alesis airFX Reference Manual © Copyright 2000, Alesis Studio Electronics . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. “airFX” and “Axyz” are trademarks of Alesis Studio Electronics, Inc. “Axyz” technology is patent pending. ALESIS CONTACT INFORMATION E-Mail: support@alesis.com Webs[...]

  • Page 3

    AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 3 C ONTENTS Important Safety Instructions ...................................................... 5 Safety symbols used in this product ......................................................................... 5 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) ........................................................... 7 Bei[...]

  • Page 4

    Introduction/Safety Instructions 4 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Introduction Thank you for purchasing this Alesis airFX™. To take full advantage of this processor’s functions, and to enjoy long and trouble-free use, please read this user’s manual carefully. How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the [...]

  • Page 5

    Introduction/Safety Instructions AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 5 I MPORTANT S AFETY I NSTRUCTIONS Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dange[...]

  • Page 6

    Introduction/Safety Instructions 6 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. When the provided p[...]

  • Page 7

    Introduction/Safety Instructions AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 7 Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Symboles utilisés dans ce produit Ce symbole alèrte l’utilisateur qu’il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l’utilisateur de la présence d’un[...]

  • Page 8

    Introduction/Safety Instructions 8 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 10. Evitez de marcher sur le cordon secteur ou de le pincer, en particulier au niveau de la prise, et aux endroits où il sor de l’appareil. 11. N’utilisez que des accessoires spécifiés par le constructeur. 12. N’utilisez qu’avec un stand, ou table conçus pour l’utilisation d[...]

  • Page 9

    Introduction/Safety Instructions AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 9 Beim Benutzen dieses Produktes beachten Sie bitte die folgenden Sicherheitshinweise: (German) 1. Lesen Sie die Hinweise. 2. Halten Sie sich an die Anleitung. 3. Beachten Sie alle Warnungen. 4. Beachten Sie alle Hinweise. 5. Bringen Sie das Gerät nie mit Wasser in Berührung . 6. Verwende[...]

  • Page 10

    Introduction/Safety Instructions 10 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL CE Declaration of Conformity See our website at: http://www.alesis.com[...]

  • Page 11

    Introduction/Safety Instructions AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 11 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE USER (FCC compliance) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential instal[...]

  • Page 12

    Introduction/Safety Instructions 12 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL FRONT PANEL REAR PANEL Axyz™ Controller LED Display Program Knob RCA Outputs RCA Inputs Power Jack[...]

  • Page 13

    Chapter 1: Quick Start Guide AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 13 C HAPTER 1 Q UICK S TART G UIDE This page gives you brief instructions so that you can start using the airFX right away. If you have questions about any of the steps, don’t worry – the following chapters will expand on these instructions with mind-numbing detail. Step 1: Hook it up Pull [...]

  • Page 14

    Quick Start Guide: Chapter 1 14 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL[...]

  • Page 15

    Chapter 2: Connections AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 15 C HAPTER 2 C ONNECTIONS Unpacking and Inspection Your Alesis airFX was carefully packed at the factory, and the shipping carton was designed to protect the unit during shipping. Please retain this container in the highly unlikely event that you need to return your processor for servicing. The ship[...]

  • Page 16

    Connections: Chapter 2 16 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Connecting between a CD Player and a Stereo Receiver The above system allows you to hear the effect of the airFX on a CD through any stereo system. Using one of the supplied stereo RCA (phono) cables, plug the Left and Right outputs of your CD player into the Left and Right Inputs of the airFX. Us[...]

  • Page 17

    Chapter 2: Connections AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 17 Connecting into a DJ System This section explains how to connect the airFX into a DJ system. The first point to mention is that the output of a turntable is not at line level. Therefore, unlike a CD player, you can’t just connect the output of the turntable into the airFX. You need to connect th[...]

  • Page 18

    Connections: Chapter 2 18 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL want to connect the airFX to one of the inputs to your mixer while the other plays unaffected. To do this, connect the outputs of your preamp or CD player into the inputs of the airFX. Then connect the outputs of the airFX into the inputs of your mixer. Now you can mix between the effected mix fro[...]

  • Page 19

    Chapter 2: Connections AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 19 Connecting to a Synthesizer The airFX can add great filter effects to a synthesizer. In the diagram above, we demonstrate how the Left and Right outputs of the synthesizer are connected to the inputs of the airFX, then the stereo outputs of the airFX are connected to two inputs of a mixer. The out[...]

  • Page 20

    Connections: Chapter 2 20 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Connecting to a Studio Mixer The best method of connecting the airFX to a mixing console or multitracker is to use the channel inserts. You’ll need two "insert splitter" cables with a TRS stereo 1/4” connector on one side splitting to two RCA connectors on the other. (Note: this is N[...]

  • Page 21

    Chapter 3: Performance AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 21 C HAPTER 3 P ERFORMANCE Selecting a Program The Alesis airFX contains 50 programs for adding a variety of new effects to the incoming signal. There is a list of program names printed on the bottom of the unit, and you should have received a program chart with the unit that describes each program. [...]

  • Page 22

    Performance: Chapter 3 22 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Using the Axyz™ Controller The airFX is the first Alesis product to use the groundbreaking Axyz controller. This controller allows you to use your hand to control the sound of your music in a way never before possible. The Axyz controller works by sending a beam of invisible infrared light out o[...]

  • Page 23

    Chapter 3: Performance AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 23 Effect Hold The airFX has a function that allows you to freeze the current effect from the airFX without needing to hold your hand in place. This function is called Hold. To use the Hold function: 1. Recall a program as described in the previous section. There should be no decimal points showing i[...]

  • Page 24

    Performance: Chapter 3 24 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Effect Bypass The effect Hold function can also be used as a Bypass. This function turns off the Axyz controller so that the effect is not accidentally triggered. To use the Bypass function: 1. Recall a program as described in the previous section. There should be no decimal points showing in the [...]

  • Page 25

    Chapter 4: Troubleshooting AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 25 C HAPTER 4 T ROUBLESHOOTING Troubleshooting Index If you experience problems while operating your airFX, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis Product Support for assistance. Symptom Cause Solution No audio from outputs No input audio T[...]

  • Page 26

    Troubleshooting 26 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Symptom Cause Solution Axyz controller is not as sensitive as it should be Infrared interference (rare) Shade the airFX from IR sources. Too much interference from smoke If a fog machine or cigarette smoke is nearby, try moving the airFX. Can’t change programs Software problem Unplug the airFX and plug[...]

  • Page 27

    Chapter 4: Troubleshooting AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 27 problem over with one of our technicians; if necessary, you will be given a return order (RO) number and instructions on how to return the unit. All units must be shipped prepaid and COD shipments will not be accepted. For prompt service, indicate the RO number on the shipping label. Units wit[...]

  • Page 28

    Program Chart 28 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL P ROGRAM C HART Special FX 1 # Pro g ram Name Description X Axis Y Axis Z Axis 0 Pitch Out Like holding your finger on a record player, slows it down then stops the music -- M i x 1 Lord of the Flies A vocoder effect that fades between noise and synth tones Synth Pitch Synth/ Noise Balance Mix 2 Vinylizer [...]

  • Page 29

    Program Chart AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 29 Filters # Pro g ram Name Description X Axis Y Axis Z Axis 10 Telephone Tight filter, great for thinning out the mix Fre q uenc y Bandwidth Mix 11 Big Bottom Six-pole lowpass filter, perfect for synths and bass Fre q uenc y Resonance Mix 12 Snake Bite Highpass filter, sucks all the bass out for icy sweeps F[...]

  • Page 30

    Program Chart 30 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Flange/Phase # Pro g ram Name Description X Axis Y Axis Z Axis 20 Tokyo Phase Phaser with positive feedback, like wasabi for guitars Fre q uenc y Feedback Mix 21 Phasors on Stun Other-worldly phasor with negative feedback Fre q uenc y Feedback Mix 22 Liquid Metal 25-band phase shifter for amazing metallic [...]

  • Page 31

    Program Chart AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 31 Special FX 2 # Pro g ram Name Description X Axis Y Axis Z Axis 30 Strobe Gate Stutterin g tremolo effect that keeps time with the music - Dut y C y cle Tempo 31 Nervous A tremolo effect, it rapidly changes the volume up and down Rate - Depth 32 Psychic Pan Autopanner in sync to the beat, too much makes the[...]

  • Page 32

    Program Chart 32 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL Synth Patches # Pro g ram Name Description X Axis Y Axis Z Axis 42 Skratch! The sound of a record scratching. Chicka-chicka - - Scratch 43 Haunted Landscape Spooky wind effects to keep you up nights Fre q uenc y Resonance Mix 44 Headhunter Talking drum, move your hand down faster for a louder sound Pitch D[...]

  • Page 33

    Specifications AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL 33 S PECIFICATIONS I/O: Stereo RCA in and out Nominal Input Voltage: -10dBu Max Input Voltage: 11.96dBu (4.34Vpp) Dynamic Range: 102.8 dB (A-weighted) Signal to Noise Ratio: -102.4dB (A-weighted) THD+N: 0.0065% Frequency Response: 20-20000Hz +0/-2.0 dB Sampling Frequency: 44.1KHz Converter Resolution: 24bit [...]

  • Page 34

    Warranty 34 AIR FX R EFERENCE M ANUAL A LESIS L IMITED W ARRANTY ALESIS CORPORATION ("ALESIS") warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year for parts and for a period of one (1) year for labor from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is enforceable only by the origina[...]