The sophisticated Mixer and Router functions of the TwK® make it possible to configure your system, based on your available source unit outputs and your amplifier channel configuration. JL Audio TüN® software is used to set up these functions in one of two ways.
1) Identify your system’s input and output configurations and the Project Setup Tool auto-populates the TwK®’s Input Mixer and Router. You can view the resulting Mixer/Router configuration in the “SETUP” tab, where you can make changes, rerouting signals to different EQ’s or outputs, or configuring more channels where needed.
2) It is possible to set the inputs to 'Blank' and configure the functionality of the Mixer and Router manually. The user will name the Inputs, decide whether and how they are mixed, which EQ Bank they are assigned to, and which TwK® Outputs they will feed, and what these Outputs will be called.
In this document, “Inputs” refers to the input connections of the TwK® D8 (two-channel optical Digital), or the TwK® 88, which has 8 analog inputs (labeled 1,2,3…8) + two-channel Digital Input, optical or coaxial). Input connections can be named, for easy reference. Learn more about the TwK® 88 and TwK® D8 Inputs.
“Mixer” refers to the TwK®’s mechanism for combining multiple signals into one signal. For example, a left input signal and a right input signal can be combined into one mono signal.
“EQ Bank” is a processing block in the TwK® that applies user-defined frequency response equalization to a signal, or group of signals. The TwK® 88 and D8 each have eight equalizer banks. The design of the TwK® permits a wide range of equalizer routing options so that you can equalize all eight output channels from a single pair of EQ Banks, or assign one EQ Bank per output channel… or any combination in between. TwK® EQ Banks are presented in reverse numerical order, from 8 to 1 as you read from left to right. This order is deliberate in order to keep the mixer connection graphics orderly. EQ Banks are adjusted in the “TUNE” tab. Read more on the TwK®'s Graphic Equalization and Parametric Equalization.
“Router” refers to the TwK®’s mechanism for routing audio signals, from the various inputs, through its EQ banks and onto the outputs. As you will see, there is a lot of flexibility in how you can set a TwK® signal flow.
“Outputs” send signals out from the TwK® to your amplifiers. Each TwK® output can be named, for easy reference. The TwK® processors offer 8 total analog outputs (labeled A, B, C…H), plus a special, pass-through digital output. In the “TUNE” tab, each output has the following processing blocks assigned to it: High-Pass Filter, Low-Pass-Filter, Delay Trim, Polarity Switches and Level Trim. The "SETUP" tab includes processing blocks for Speaker Distance Delay, for each output.
Now that we have defined the terms used to describe the TwK® signal routing and mixing functions, let’s turn to how to use the interface to create your desired signal flow.
At first glance, the interface might look a little intimidating, but soon you will realize that routing a signal is usually as simple as two mouse clicks. The mixer itself is made up of a grid of “+” icons. When a “+” above the EQ Banks is clicked, it creates a link from an “Input” to the corresponding “EQ Bank”. A second click on the grid below the EQ Banks, creates a link to one of the “Outputs”.
Let’s look at a simple scenario where two channels of signal need to be run through EQ1 and EQ2 and out through outputs A & B.
Beginning with Input 1 there is a row of eight “+” icons. Hover over the last icon and a temporary grey line will show a preview of the signal path from Input 1 to EQ 1. (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Click the “+” logo and the signal path turns orange and confirms that the audio signal is now routed to EQ 1. (See figure 2, “Click 1”)
To set the Outputs, follow same process at the OUTPUTS section. Find the “+” icon that links EQ1 to Output A and click it. (See figure 2, “Click 2”)
There should now be an orange signal path running from Input 1 to EQ 1 to Output A.
For the right channel (or input 2) go to the second from last “+” icon which links up with EQ2 and click. (See figure 2, “Click 3”)
Click on the “+” icon linking EQ2 and Output B and the routing is finished. (See figure 2, “Click 4”)
Figure 2
There are now two channels of input with separate EQ’s, each running to Outputs A & B.
Always remember: Click to connect, Right Click to Delete.
IMPORTANT: Router, EQ Bank and Mixer configurations exist within each PRESET! This means you can create different Presets within a Project, each with a different Router, EQ and Mixer layout… or you can make them all the same, if you prefer. This flexibility allows you to use the TwK® 88 as a source selector, for example. It also allows you to create PRESETs that activate or de-activate, or even re-purpose outputs. You can also compare different input mixing schemes for derived center channels and surround channels. Read the article on Presets for more information.