RFC M 20X Desktop Digital Mixer Owner’s Manual

June 4, 2024
RFC

RFC M 20X Desktop Digital Mixer

FCC & IC GRANT

INFORMATION TO THE USER:
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  1. Read all precautions, in particular those related to safety, very carefully as they provide important information. Keep these instructions in a safe place.
    WARNING: to prevent the risk of fire or electric shock, never expose this product to rain or humidity.

  2. POWER SUPPLY FROM MAINS
    a. The mains voltage is sufficiently high to cause electrocution; install and connect the device before plugging it in.
    b. Before powering up, make sure that all the connections have been made correctly.
    c. The metallic parts of the unit are earthed through the power cable. The device is a CLASS I apparatus and must be plugged into an earthed socket.
    d. Protect the power cable from damage; make sure it is positioned in a way that it cannot be stepped on or crushed by objects.
    e. To prevent the risk of electric shock, never open this product: there are no parts inside that the user needs to access.

  3. Make sure that no objects or liquids get into the device, as this may cause a short circuit. The device must not be exposed to drips or splashes. Do not place objects filled with liquid, such as vases, on the device. Do not place naked flames (such as lighted candles) on the device.

  4. Never attempt to carry out any operations, modifications or repairs that are not expressly described in this manual. Contact your authorized service center or qualified personnel should any of the following occur:
    – The device does not work (or works anomalously).
    – The power cable has been damaged.
    – Objects or liquids have got into the device.
    – The device has been subject to a heavy shock.

  5. Unplug the device if it will not be used for a long time.

  6. Switch the device off immediately and unplug it if emission of strange odours or smoke is noticed.

  7. Do not connect the device to any equipment or accessories other than those provided for the purpose. Also check the suitability of the support surface on which the product is placed.

  8. Supports and trolleys. The equipment should be only used accessories of the type recommended by the manufacturer.

  9. Hearing loss Exposure to high sound levels can cause permanent hearing loss. The sound pressure level which causes hearing loss is different from person to person and depends on the exposure time. Adequate protection devices must be used to prevent potentially dangerous exposure to high sound pressure levels. Ear plugs or protective ear muffs must be worn when a transducer capable of producing high sound levels is used.

  10. Correct disposal of this product. This symbol indicates that this product must not be disposed of with household waste, according to the WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU) and your national law. This product should be taken to a collection center licensed for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).

The mishandling of this type of waste could have a possible negative impact on the environment and human health due to potential hazardous substances that are generally associated with EEE. At the same time, your cooperation in the correct disposal of this product will contribute to the efficient use of natural resources. For more information about where you can take your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city office, or your household waste collection service.

| IMPORTANT NOTES
To prevent the occurrence of noise on line signal cables, use screened cables only and avoid putting them close to:
– Equipment generating high-intensity electromagnetic fields – Power cables – Speaker lines
– Place the device away from sources of heat and always ensure an adequate air circulation around it.
– Do not overload this product for a long time.
– Never force the controls (buttons, knobs etc.).
– Do not use solvents, alcohol, benzene or other volatile substances for cleaning the external parts of the device.
---|---
| IMPORTANT NOTES
Please read this manual carefully and keep it on hand for future reference before connecting and using the device. The manual is an integral part of the device and must accompany it when it changes ownership as a reference for correct installation and use as well as for the safety precautions. RCF S.p.A. will not assume any responsibility for the incorrect installation and/or use of the device.
| LEGAL DISCLAIMER
RCF S.p.A. accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph, or statement contained herein. Technical specifications, appearances, and other information are subject to change without notice. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

DESIGNED FOR SOUND TECHNICIANS

MANUAL

This manual is intended for give to the user the information necessary for the first use of RCF M 20X digital mixer. Follow carefully this manual for a correct use of the device.
Visit the SUPPORT page on the M SERIES section of our website http://mixer.rcf.it to download the full Owner’s manual.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX
  1. This Manual
    Read carefully this manual before start using you RCF M 20X Digital Mixer

  2. Warranty Certificate
    Read Carefully the Warranty Certificate. It allows you to extend the Warranty time to 3 years only registering your product
    in the web site www.rcf.it/product-registration

  3. Warning sheet
    Read carefully the Warning Sheet to avoid any possible injuries to the user or damages of the product during use.

  4. M 20X Digital Mixer

  5. Power Cord
    Each M 20X is provided with a power cord matching the region of delivery.

FRONT PANEL – UPPER SECTION

  1. MENU KEYS
    4 menu keys allow an intuitive and immediate navigation trought menu pages.

  2. TFT CAPACITIVE TOUCH SCREEN
    A highly responsive 5-inch TFT touchscreen offers intuitive navigation of all the available features, and can be optionally paired with an external tablet to augment interaction with the M 20X.

  3. LEVEL METER
    This 12 LED elements level meter normally allows you to control the Main Mix output level. When a channel CUE button is pressed, the level meter shows the PFL level present in the selected channel. Keep the input level below the “-20” indication to avoid overloaded signals that can cause distortion.

  4. WI-FI DONGLE ENABLED LED INDICATOR
    This led light up when the WI-FI AP function for the USB port “B” is enabled, allowing the use of a WiFi USB dongle.

  5. MINI JACK STEREO INPUT 19-20
    Connect here your stereo line level sources like smartphones, laptops or others external audio devices.

  6. USB PORTS
    Two USB host ports on the top panel are available for WiFi dongles, USB-MIDI devices, and USB mass storage devices that can be used for stereo audio record/ playback, system backups and firmware updates.

  7. PHONES
    Connect your headphones here either for CUE or the Main Mix listening.

  8. SD CARD SLOT
    An integrated SD card multitrack engine offers a maximum of 20 simultaneous tracks at 24-bit, 48 kHz, with extensive routing options.

  9. CUE ACTIVE LED
    This led light up when one or more CUE button are pressed.

  10. PARAMETERS EDIT ENCODERS
    5 dedicated encoders allow an intuitive and immediate control of each function and parameter on the screen.

  11. USER KEYS
    A set of 8 User Keys with extensive programming option are always available, and offers immediate control of scene selection, play/record transport, tap tempo, user interface shortcuts.

FRONT PANEL – LOWER SECTION

  1. FADER SELECTION KEYS
    4 layers of faders assignments allow immediate access to input channels 1-10 and 11 20, to FX returns and outputs.

  2. GEQ ON FADER SELECTION LED
    This LED lights up when the function Graphic EQ on Fader is enabled.

  3. MAIN SELECTION KEY
    The control surface can be assigned to the stereo MAIN mix buss; the MASTER fader is always associated to the output level of the selected bus.

  4. FX SELECTION KEYS
    The control surface can be assigned to 4 FX busses; the MASTER fader is always associated to the output level of the selected bus.

  5. MIX SELECTION KEYS
    The control surface can be assigned to 8 MIX busses; the MASTER fader is always associated to the output level of the selected bus.

  6. MOTORIZED FADERS
    11 x 100-mm motorized faders allow precise mix control with immediate visual feedback. Special care has been taken to minimize movement noise.

  7. FADER SELECTION LED
    These 4 leds light to show the current assigned layer of faders.

  8. CHANNEL MUTE KEYS
    MUTE buttons when pressed inhibit the signal to flow to output bus or main mix paths.

  9. CHANNEL CUE KEYS
    The CUE keys allow to listen the signal present on the channel, through the cue bus routed to PHONES OUTPUT. All audio paths can be monitored at any time via the CUE bus, which features a real-time analyzer (RTA).

  10. CHANNEL SELECTION KEYS
    The SELECTION KEYS allow an intuitive and immediate navigation trought channel functions and parameters.

BACK PANEL

  1. MIC INPUTS 1-8 FEMALE XLR
    Connect your Microphones to these remotely controlled 60dB gain-range inputs. Use balanced XLR cables to obtain best performance from your microphones.

  2. MIC/LINE INPUTS 9-16 COMBO
    Input 9 to 16 provide Mic inputs on the XLR connection and Line inputs on the TRS jack connection.

  3. MIX OUTPUTS 1-8 MALE XLR
    Connect to these +24dBu balanced XLR outputs your stage monitors or external effects.

  4. MIX OUTPUTS 9-10 TRS
    Connect to these +24dBu balanced TRS outputs your stage monitors or external effects.

  5. POWER
    Use this switch to turn On and Off your M 20X device. Connect to the VDE inlet the provided power cord.

  6. MAIN OUTPUT
    Connect your active speaker or your amplifier, in case of passive speakers, to these +24dBu balanced Output.

  7. LAN PORT
    The mixer can be remotely controlled via LAN, and an external Wi-Fi Access Point can be connected to the LAN port to communicate with remote control apps running on iOS and Android.

  8. USB AUDIO PORT
    A 24-track, 24-bit, 48-kHz audio interface is available and allows access to all inputs and several internal signal nodes.
    Extensive routing options allow both offline soundcheck and host-based effects processing.

  9. AES DIGITAL OUTPUT
    Connect here any AES device. Each of the audio output paths is routable to the AES port.

  10. LINE INPUTS 17-18 TRS
    Connect here your line level sources like keyboard, external audio device or other small analog consoles used for submix

FEATURES

20 input channel, 14 mix busses.

In detail:

16 preamp inputs (8 Mic + 8 Mic/Line)
4 auxiliary line inputs
12 balanced outputs + phones
AES digital output
20-Tracks SD card Rec/Play
Stereo USB drive Play/Rec (WAV, MP3, AIFF)
24 x 24 USB Audio Interface (24-bit/48kHz)
28 x 16 Mixing matrix
LAN / WiFi control, up to 10 clients with external access point

M 20X Digital Mixer offers all-in-one mixing, processing and routing capabilities, including a comprehensive set of recording and playback functions. The User Interface has been designed so that every parameter is reachable within a few operations. M 20X is equipped with 20 analog inputs (16 of which are with remote controlled preamps) and 14 output channels, between the balanced analog outputs and the AES digital output.

A fast reacting 5-inch capacitive touchscreen, 5 dedicated encoders and 4 menu keys allow an intuitive and immediate control of every function and parameter. You have full control of your live mix, all within one of the most compact systems on the market.

Each of the 20 inputs features a 12 dB/oct HPF, noise gate, a compressor/de- esser (inputs 1-16 only), a flexible 4-band parametric EQ, and a delay line. The source can be selected between the analog input, the USB audio interface and the SD card player.

M 20X boast 4 stereo FX engines available on dedicated busses, offering two high quality digital reverbs, a programmable delay and a 4th effect which can be configurated as a modulation or a second delay. All FX Engines offer multiple algorithms to match the specific needs of a show.

A complete processing section is available on all outputs: a flexible 8-band parametric EQ with several selectable modes, that also allow different slopes, a delay with up to 85 meters compensation, a compressor/limiter. A stereo 30-band graphic equalizer is available on the MAIN outputs for precise correction of the overall frequency response. Extensive routing options allows flexible use of physical outputs.

SETUP

This section explains how to set up the M 20X digital mixer the first time you turn it on.

Configure Mixer Menu

Press the SYSTEM key, go to the UTILITIES > CONFIG MIXER page, and set the M 20X boot mode. If LAST STATUS is enabled, at power-up the M 20X will load all the settings available before turning off the unit. This is the preferred option. If LAST STATUS is disabled, the mixer will boot with the default initialization.

If you press and hold the FACTORY RESET button, you can reset the console to the default initialization, erasing the current show, every stored show and every stored preset.

If you want to initialize the console and maintain your saved shows, presets and global settings, press the SYSTEM key and on the page SHOW, hold pressed DEFAULT option.

A SHOW includes all parameters pertaining to inputs, outputs and IO Routing, except the global configuration parameters. For details on the Faders Calibration and Brightness adjustment, please refer to the Owner’s manual.

I/O Routing

The M 20X console offers versatile routing capabilities to easily manage all inputs and outputs, including the USB audio interface and the internal players and recorders.
Direct Patches are internal intermediate routing points that can be routed to multiple destinations.

To reset routing settings, go to the I/O ROUTING > ROUTING PRESET page, then press and hold the DEFAULT button. All routing options will be reset as detailed below.

Default INPUTS routing

CH 01 Analog IN 1
CH 02 Analog IN 2
CH 03 Analog IN 3
CH 04 Analog IN 4
CH 05 Analog IN 5
CH 06 Analog IN 6
CH 07 Analog IN 7
CH 08 Analog IN 8
CH 09 Analog IN 9
CH 10 Analog IN 10
CH 11 Analog IN 11
CH 12 Analog IN 12
CH 13 Analog IN 13
CH 14 Analog IN 14
CH 15 Analog IN 15
CH 16 Analog IN 16
CH 17 Analog IN 17
CH 18 Analog IN 18
CH 19 Analog IN 19
CH 20 Analog IN 20
FX1 RET Internal FX – Reverb 1
FX2 RET Internal FX – Reverb 2
FX3 RET Internal FX – Delay 1
FX4 RET Internal FX – Modulation

Default REC OUTS routing (SD Card REC Channels)

TRACK 01 DIRECT PATCH 01
TRACK 02 DIRECT PATCH 02
TRACK 03 DIRECT PATCH 03
TRACK 04 DIRECT PATCH 04
TRACK 05 DIRECT PATCH 05
TRACK 06 DIRECT PATCH 06
TRACK 07 DIRECT PATCH 07
TRACK 08 DIRECT PATCH 08
TRACK 09 DIRECT PATCH 09
TRACK 10 DIRECT PATCH 10
TRACK 11 DIRECT PATCH 11
TRACK 12 DIRECT PATCH 12
TRACK 13 DIRECT PATCH 13
TRACK 14 DIRECT PATCH 14
TRACK 15 DIRECT PATCH 15
TRACK 16 DIRECT PATCH 16
TRACK 17 DIRECT PATCH 17
TRACK 18 DIRECT PATCH 18
TRACK 19/Stereo L MAIN OUT L PFL
TRACK 20/Stereo R MAIN OUT R PFL

Default STREAM OUTPUTS routing (USB audio interface upstreaming tracks)

CH 01 DIRECT PATCH 01
CH 02 DIRECT PATCH 02
CH 03 DIRECT PATCH 03
CH 04 DIRECT PATCH 04
CH 05 DIRECT PATCH 05
CH 06 DIRECT PATCH 06
CH 07 DIRECT PATCH 07
CH 08 DIRECT PATCH 08
CH 09 DIRECT PATCH 09
CH 10 DIRECT PATCH 10
CH 11 DIRECT PATCH 11
CH 12 DIRECT PATCH 12
CH 13 DIRECT PATCH 13
CH 14 DIRECT PATCH 14
CH 15 DIRECT PATCH 15
CH 16 DIRECT PATCH 16
CH 17 Analog IN 17
CH 18 Analog IN 18
CH 19 Analog IN 19
CH 20 Analog IN 20
CH 21 FX SEND 01
CH 22 FX SEND 02
CH 23 FX SEND 03
CH 24 FX SEND 04

Default OUTPUTS routing

MIX OUT 01 MIX BUS 01
MIX OUT 02 MIX BUS 02
MIX OUT 03 MIX BUS 03
MIX OUT 04 MIX BUS 04
MIX OUT 05 MIX BUS 05
MIX OUT 06 MIX BUS 06
MIX OUT 07 MIX BUS 07
MIX OUT 08 MIX BUS 08
MIX OUT 09 MAIN OUT L PFL
MIX OUT 10 MAIN OUT R PFL
AES OUT L MAIN OUT L PFL
AES OUT R MAIN OUT R PFL
PHONES L MAIN OUT L PFL
PHONES R MAIN OUT R PFL

Default DIRECT PATCH routing

DIRECT PATCH 01 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 02 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 03 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 04 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 05 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 06 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 07 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 08 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 09 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 10 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 11 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 12 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 13 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 14 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 15 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 16 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 17 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 18 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 19 PRE EQ
DIRECT PATCH 20 PRE EQ

For details on the I/O Routing options, please refer to the Reference Guide

www.rcf.it
RCF S.p.A.
Via Raffaello Sanzio, 13 42124 Reggio Emilia – Italy
Tel +39 0522 274 411
Fax +39 0522 232 428
e-mail: info@rcf.it

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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