QUICK START GUIDENOTEPAD SERIES• NOTEPAD-5   • NOTEPAD-8FX   • NOTEPAD-12FX

WelcomeThank you for purchasing a Soundcraft NOTEPAD mixing console.
This Quick Start Guide is a short guide to the NOTEPAD’s major features. Use it in addition to the NOTEPADPDF Manual, downloadable from the NOTEPAD product web pages:
NOTEPAD-5
https://www.soundcraft.com/en/products/notepad-5#downloads_and_docs
NOTEPAD-8FX
https://www.soundcraft.com/en/products/notepad-8fx#downloads_and_docs
NOTEPAD-12FX
https://www.soundcraft.com/en/products/notepad-12fx#downloads_and_docs

Included Contents•

NOTEPAD Mixer•

AC to DC External Power Supply (with removable power lead to AC connection)•Quick Start Guide (this document)

All graphic representations in this manual are of the Notepad-12FX model.
The Notepad-5 and Notepad-8FX models are similar, but with a reduced feature set.

Step 1: Connecting Inputs & Outputs
Make sure the mixer and all devices being connected to the mixer are powered off. To power off the mixer, unplug
the power plug from the AC power source.
Mono/StereoKeyboardMicrophones

Media Player

USB FromComputerGuitar
Speaker Outputs
Headphone Output
PreampGain/TrimHeadphone Level

EQ
Aux/FX Send
L/R PanChannel Level

Aux Master Level
Mix Master Level

Connecting Microphones
Connect the microphones to the channel XLR inputs using balanced XLR microphone cables.
Connecting Guitar Instruments
Plug the guitar into the center of the combi jack using an instrument cable with a ¼-inch tip/sleeve phone
connector. Engage the HI-Z switch on the connected channel (Hi-Z is available on channel 1 of all NOTEPAD
models, as well as channel 3 of the NOTEPAD-12FX).
Connecting Line Instruments
Keyboards often have ¼-inch tip/ring/sleeve connections and offer mono or stereo connectivity. Plug the keyboard
or other line instrument into the NOTEPAD’s line inputs using cables with ¼-inch tip/ring/sleeve connectors (onecable for mono or two cables for stereo). Use the MONO input whenever connecting a mono connection.
Connecting Media Players
Consumer-level devices should be connected to the RCA input jacks. Devices with a 3.5mm output can beconnected using a 3.5mm to RCA stereo cable (sold separately). Audio signals from the RCA inputs are summed
with audio signals coming in from the USB connection.
Connecting Powered Speakers
Powered speakers should be connected to the MASTER L and MASTER R XLR output jacks. The level of theseoutputs is controlled by the MASTER fader (NOTEPAD-8FX or NOTEPAD-12FX) or MASTER rotary control(NOTEPAD-5).
Connecting Headphones
Plug the headphones into the ¼-inch HEADPHONE output. The level of this output is controlled by the PHONESLEVEL rotary knob. (NOTEPAD-5’s TRS MONITOR output can be switched between MONO LINE OUT andMONITOR/MASTER source select by pressing the buttons on the surface of the mixer.)

Step 2: Powering on the Mixer & Adjusting Levels
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Before powering on the NOTEPAD, turn all the red knobs to the left (MASTER, PHONES LEVEL preamp GAIN/TRIM, and channel LEVEL knobs).
Power on the mixer by connecting the power supply to the AC inlet, then connect the barrel connector to theback of the NOTEPAD, ensuring all power supply connections are secure.
Power on all connected devices.
For the channels in use, set the LEVEL knobs to the 2 o’clock position (0dB), then slowly turn up the MASTERcontrol until you begin to hear the signal or reach 0dB.
Slowly raise the preamp GAIN/TRIM knob on each channel until the desired mix balance is achieved. If a peak
LED lights, back off the control.
Readjust the MASTER control for the desired output level.

Step 3: Using FX (audio effects)

Tap Tempo

Parameter Control

NOTEPAD-8FX and NOTEPAD-12FX include a built-in Lexicon
effects processing section.

aAdd Lexicon Effects to Your Mixa.
b.
c.
d.
e.

DelayChoruseSelect the desired effect algorithm by pressing aReverb
combination of DELAY, CHORUS, and REVERB buttons.
Set the blue AUX MASTER knob to the 2 o’clock positionc(0dB). If using the NOTEPAD-12FX, also set the FX RTNb
LEVEL knob to the 2 o’clock position (0dB).
Raise the AUX/FX knob for each channel until the desiredbeffect level is achieved.
Adjust the PARAMETER knob to change the parameter ofthe selected effect.
If using the delay effect, the delay time can be synchronized to the music by tapping the TAP TEMPO buttonseveral times, in time with the music.
dUsing External Effects Processors
On all NOTEPAD models, the effects/monitoring controls may also be used to send a signal to an external effects
processor. See the User Guide for more information.

Step 4: Connecting a Computer via USB
The NOTEPAD can be connected to a Windows® or Mac® computer using a USB A to USB B computer cable (soldseparately). Before connecting, download and install the latest driver, control panel, and firmware updates fromthe downloads section of the NOTEPAD product web pages.
USB routing can be selected in the downloaded Soundcraft Control Panel user interface running on the connectedcomputer.

NOTEPAD SERIESQUICK START GUIDENOTEPAD Signal FlowSignal flow enters through the input jacks on theupper-left section of the surface of the mixer. The
signal is routed toward the front of the mixer, thenmoves horizontally to the right on the monitor row(MON on NOTEPAD-5) or effects row (AUX/FX on
NOTEPAD-8FX or NOTEPAD-12FX) and channel
LEVEL controls at the front of the surface. Thesemixes feed each master level control on the rightside of the surface, (MONITOR MASTER, AUX
MASTER, or MASTER level), which then flow up theright side of the mixer to the different output jacks.

Troubleshooting
Power does not come on
There are three connections between the AC source and the NOTEPAD: at the AC connection, at the AC power
lead cable to the power supply body, and the barrel jack connector that plugs into the back of the NOTEPAD.
Make sure all three are fully inserted.
No soundWith all the red rotary knobs turned down, start turning up each of the red knobs 10% at a time, until you achievethe desired volume. With each red knob at about the 2 o’clock position, you should have a mix with input-tooutput levels that are about equal.
Sound is faint, distorted, or not clear
Best signal level performance is often achieved when the meters peak mostly in the yellow LED area of the master
meters.
No effects applied
Review the “Using FX” section of this document.

Additional Information
For more information, software downloads, specifications, and more visit the NOTEPAD product web pages:
NOTEPAD-5
https://www.soundcraft.com/en/products/notepad-5#downloads_and_docs
NOTEPAD-8FX
https://www.soundcraft.com/en/products/notepad-8fx#downloads_and_docs
NOTEPAD-12FX
https://www.soundcraft.com/en/products/notepad-12fx#downloads_and_docs

Soundcraft, NOTEPAD, and Lexicon are registered trademarks of HARMAN Professional.
Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
Soundcraft NOTEPAD Series Quick Start GuideIssued: 8/2019