MICROPHONE X™ usb mic with aphex analog processing OWNER’S MANUAL
Microphone X Safety Declarations CAUTION: For protection against electric shock, do not remove the cover. No user serviceable parts inside. WARNING: 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.
Owner’s Manual Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 2.0 FRONT CONTROLS 2.1 Input Level Knob 2.2 Headphone Volume Knob 2.3 Headphone Output Jack 4 4 4 4 3.0 REAR CONTROLS 3.1 Optical Compressor On/Off 3.2 Exciter/Big Bottom On/Off 3.3 Exciter Amount Knob 3.4 Big Bottom Amount Knob 5 5 5 5 5 4.0 INSTALLATION 4.1 System Requirements 4.2 Drivers and Firmware 4.3 Mac OS 4.4 Windows 4.5 USB Connection 4.6 Audio Setup in Your DAW 4.
Microphone X 1.0 Introduction Microphone X is a USB condenser microphone featuring: • Mac OSX and Windows compatibility • 24-bit/96kHz A/D and D/A converters • Aural Exciter® analog processing • Big Bottom® analog processing • Analog optical compressor • High-output headphone amp • On/off switches for compressor and enhancement • Separate Aural Exciter and Big Bottom level controls 2.0 Front Controls INPUT LEVEL CONTROL Turn this knob clockwise to boost the input level as needed.
Owner’s Manual 3.0 Rear Controls OPTICAL COMPRESSOR ON/OFF Engaging the optical compressor will limit the dynamic range of the input signal providing a more consistent output level to your DAW. This will allow you to record hotter input levels without the fear of peaking the DAW’s input. EXCITER/BIG BOTTOM ON/OFF This switch allows you to quickly A/B the sound of the mic with or without Exciter/ Big Bottom processing.
Microphone X 4.0 Installation SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS (please go to www.aphex.com for the latest information) Apple Macintosh with Intel CPU and an available USB port OS: Mac OS X 10.5 – 10.8 and beyond. Windows compatible computer with an available USB port OS: Windows XP SP3 (32-bit), Windows Vista SP2 (32-bit/64-bit), Windows 7 SP1 (32-bit/64-bit). DRIVERS AND FIRMWARE All drivers required by the Microphone X is available for download from the Aphex website.
Owner’s Manual Your OS should automatically switch the computer’s default audio outputs to be the USB port to which Microphone X is connected. To verify this, go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Manage Audio Devices and ensure that “Default Playback” and “Recording” are set to Microphone X. Some DAWs will not launch the Microphone X control panel. Access it from the Windows system tray in the lower right of your screen.
Microphone X Pro Tools 9 and 10 require the DAW to be exited and relaunched when changing the hardware buffer size. Pro Tools 11 does not unless Ignore Errors During Playback/Record is checked in the Playback Engine window. Pro Tools will take control of the Microphone X driver. Leave the Lock Sample Rate checkbox in the driver control panel unchecked. Aphex recommends following this same method with other DAWs: Leave the Lock Sample Rate checkbox unchecked and allow the DAW to control the driver.
Owner’s Manual Camera Connection kit and the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter. Microphone X was tested with following apps: • Apple GarageBand for iOS version 1.4 (180.6) • WaveMachine Labs Inc. Auria version 1.091. No other iPads, iOS versions or apps were tested prior to the publication of this owner’s manual. Please check www.aphex.com for up to date testing results with new iPads, new versions of iOS and other apps. Microphone X is powered via USB.
Microphone X 7.1 LIMITED WARRANTY PERIOD One year from date of original purchase. SCOPE All defects in materials and workmanship. The following are not covered: • Voltage conversions. • Units on which the serial number has been defaced, modified or removed.
Owner’s Manual 7.2 SERVICE INFORMATION If it becomes necessary to return this unit for repair, you must first contact Aphex LLC for a Return Authorization (RMA number), which will need to be included with your shipment for proper identification. If available, repack this unit in its original carton and packing material. Otherwise, pack the equipment in a strong carton containing at least 2 inches of padding on all sides. Be sure the unit cannot shift around inside the carton.
Rev. A - September 2013 MICROPHONE X OWNER’S MANUAL Copyright © 2013 by Aphex LLC. All rights reserved. Aphex LLC, 3500 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505 USA PH: (818) 767-2929 FAX: (818) 767-2641 www.aphex.