MOTU 896HD ™ User’s Guide for Macintosh 1280 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 Business voice: (617) 576-2760 Business fax: (617) 576-3609 Technical support: (617) 576-3066 Tech support fax: (617) 354-3068 Tech support email: techsupport@motu.com Web site: www.motu.
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Contents 5 Quick Reference: 896HD Front Panel 6 Quick Reference: 896HD Rear Panel 7 Quick Reference: MOTU FireWire Audio Console 9 About the 896HD 13 Packing List and Macintosh System Requirements 15 Installing the 896HD Hardware 33 Installing the 896HD Macintosh Software 37 MOTU FireWire Audio Console (Mac OS X) 45 MOTU FireWire Control Panel (Mac OS 9) 53 Digital Performer 61 AudioDesk 69 Other Mac OS X Audio Software 75 Cubase, Nuendo and OS 9 ASIO Software 85 Reducing Monitori
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This toggle switch provides phantom power for a condenser mic plugged into this input. Up is on. If you have +4 inputs for which you’d like to maintain unity gain (for levels up to +18dBu), set the rear-panel 3-way switch to +4/FIXED. You can use either an XLR or quarter-inch plug. For -10dB (unbalanced) inputs (like synths) or +4 (balanced) signals, set the rear panel 3-way switch to LINE and use the trim knob to adjust the level.You can use either an XLR or quarter-inch plug.
Use the word clock input and output for digital transfers with devices that cannot slave to the clock supplied by their digital I/O connection with the 896HD. MIC: This setting feeds the input signal (XLR or quarter-inch) to the built-in preamp for additional gain. Use it for any microphone or unamplified instrument pickup. Engage phantom power for condenser mics with the front-panel 48V switch (up is on). Use the corresponding front-panel trim knob and level meter to adjust the input level as needed.
Quick Reference: CHAPTER FireWire Audio Console MOTU If you are running under Mac OS 9, and any of these settings are grayed out (not available), see “If 896HD settings are grayed out” on page 51. Determines the clock source for your 896HD. If you’re just using the 896HD by itself, choose Internal. Use the other settings to resolve the 896HD to other devices. You can also resolve the 896HD to another audio device (such as a PCI-424 system), or even the Mac’s built-in audio.
CHAPTER 1 About the 896HD OVERVIEW The 896HD is a computer-based hard disk recording system for Mac OS and Windows that provides 18 separate inputs and 22 separate outputs (at 44.1 or 48kHz), including separate main outs and headphone out. All inputs and outputs can be accessed simultaneously. The 896HD consists of a standard 19-inch, doublespace, rack-mountable I/O unit that connects directly to a computer via a standard IEEE 1394 FireWire™ cable. The 896HD offers the following: ■ Operation at 44.
■ Two XLR main analog outputs with volume knob (on the front panel) ■ One 9-pin ADAT SYNC IN connector ■ BNC word clock input and output ■ Two 1394 FireWire jacks 18 inputs and 22 outputs All 896HD inputs and outputs can be used simultaneously, for a total of 18 inputs and 22 outputs at 44.1/48kHz: Connection Input Output 24-bit 192kHz XLR analog 8 8 24-bit 192kHz XLR main outputs - stereo Headphone output - stereo ADAT optical digital (at 44.
to the system—or any device that supports the ADAT sync format. For example, if you digitally transfer a single track of material from an ADAT via light pipe into audio workstation software on the computer, and then transfer the track back to the ADAT, it will be recorded exactly at its original location, down to the sample. Word clock The 896HD provides standard word clock that can slave to any supported sample rate. In addition, word clock can resolve to and generate “high” and “low” sample rates.
The 896HD front panel also displays stereo meters for the main analog outs and AES/EBU. The AES/ EBU meters can display either input or output as specified in the MOTU FireWire Audio Console software. A status LED to the right shows whether you are viewing input or output. 16-BIT AND 24-BIT RECORDING The 896HD system handles all data with a 24-bit signal path, regardless of the I/O format.
CHAPTER 2 Packing List and Macintosh System Requirements PACKING LIST PLEASE REGISTER TODAY! The 896HD ships with the items listed below. If any of these items are not present in your 896HD box when you first open it, please immediately contact your dealer or MOTU. Please send in the registration card included with your 896HD system. As a registered user, you will be eligible to receive on-line technical support email and announcements about product enhancements as soon as they become available.
PACKING LIST AND MACINTOSH SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER 3 Installing the 896HD Hardware OVERVIEW CONNECT THE 896HD INTERFACE Here’s an overview for installing the 896HD: 1 Plug one end of the 896HD FireWire cable (included) into the FireWire socket on the computer as shown below in Figure 3-1. Connect the 896HD interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Connect the 896HD to the computer. Connect audio inputs and outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONNECT AUDIO INPUTS AND OUTPUTS The 896HD audio interface has the following audio input and output connectors: ■ 8 XLR analog outputs ■ 8 Neutrik™ XLR/quarter-inch analog inputs ■ 2 XLR main outs ■ AES/EBU input/output ■ ADAT optical input/output Analog inputs The 896HD analog inputs are Neutrik combo connectors that accept either a male XLR plug or a quarter-inch plug. You can use either type of plug, regardless of whether it is a mic, synth, or whatever.
CONNECT A FOOT SWITCH A TYPICAL 896HD SETUP (NO MIXER) If you would like to use a foot switch with your 896HD, connect it to the PUNCH IN/OUT jack. See “Quick Reference: MOTU FireWire Audio Console” on page 7 for information about how to program the foot switch to trigger any computer keystroke you wish. Here is a typical 896HD studio setup. This rig can be operated without an external mixer. All mixing and processing can be done in the computer with audio software.
USING THE 896HD WITH A MIXER While there are many ways to use the 896HD with an external mixer, typically the 896HD serves as a multi-channel “pipeline” between the mixer and the computer. If your mixer is analog, connect the analog section of the 896HD to your mixer. If your mixer is digital, and it has ADAT optical I/O, you can connect them optically as shown below in Figure 3-4. Add more 896HD’s for additional banks of eight-channel I/O.
MAKING SYNC CONNECTIONS If you connect devices digitally to the 896HD, or if you need to synchronize the 896HD with an outside time reference such as SMPTE time code, you must pay careful attention to the synchronization connections and clock source issues discussed in the next few sections.
DO YOU NEED A SYNCHRONIZER? Whether or not you’ll need a synchronizer depends on your gear and what you will be doing with your 896HD system. The following pages give you specific information about common sync scenarios. At least one of them will likely apply to you. Here are some general considerations to help you determine if you need (or want) a synchronizer for your 896HD system. You don’t need a synchronizer if...
synchronizer. The following pages illustrate how to set up this type of synchronization with various kinds of gear. Regardless of the specific equipment you have, you can follow the basic connections shown. SAMPLE-ACCURATE SYNC Your 896HD system provides you with the most advanced, accurate synchronization possible with Alesis modular digital tape decks and hard disk recorders — or any device that supports sampleaccurate ADAT sync. Figure 3-8 below shows a few best-case scenarios.
SAMPLE-ACCURATE ADAT SYNC Use this setup if you have: The 896HD can achieve sample-accurate sync with ADATs, Alesis hard disk recorders or any ADAT Sync-compatible devices. Sample-accurate software is required, such as AudioDesk, Digital Performer, or Mac OS 9 ASIO 2.0-compatible software that also supports sample-accurate sync. Connect the 896HD to the end of the ADAT Sync chain and make the software settings shown below in Figure 3-10.
SAMPLE-ACCURATE ADAT SYNC WITH NO SYNCHRONIZER Even if you don’t have an ADAT synchronizer, you can achieve sample-accurate sync between ADATsync compatible devices, an 896HD, and any sample-accurate software (such as AudioDesk or Digital Performer). Just connect the 896HD to the end of the ADAT sync chain as shown below. You don’t get transport control from your computer, nor can you slave the system to SMPTE time code.
SYNCING TO VIDEO AND/OR SMPTE TIME CODE To synchronize (continuously resolve) the 896HD with SMPTE time code, word clock, video or blackburst, you will need a MOTU Digital Timepiece, MIDI Timepiece AV or any other universal synchronizer equipped with word clock. The synchronizer resolves continuously to the chosen time base, and the 896HD slaves to the synchronizer via word clock.
SYNCING OPTICAL DEVICES For ADATs or other devices that support ADAT sync, synchronize them with the 896HD as described in the previous sections of this chapter. The word optical is our short-hand way of referring to any device that connects to the 896HD via an optical cable. But we make a further distinction: an optical device is also one that doesn’t care about sample location. An example is a digital mixer.
SYNCING AES/EBU DEVICES ■ Transfer digital audio into the 896HD without the need for any external synchronization arrangements. If you would like to transfer stereo audio digitally between the 896HD and another device that has AES/EBU I/O, connect it to the 896HD’s AES/EBU jacks with balanced, AES/EBU grade audio cables. Transfer digital audio out of the 896HD at double or half the 896HD system clock rate.
Not phase-locked Phase-locked Device A Device B Figure 3-15: When transferring audio without sample rate conversion, two devices must have phased-locked audio clocks to prevent clicks, pops or other artifacts. Without sample rate conversion, there are two ways to achieve phase lock: slave one device to the other, or slave both devices to a third master clock. If you have three or more digital audio devices, you need to slave them all to a single master audio clock.
Clocking scenarios for AES/EBU input There are three possible clocking scenarios for the 896HD AES/EBU input: 1. Simple transfer (slave the 896HD system clock to the AES/EBU input signal — no sample rate conversion). 2. Sample rate convert the AES/EBU input. 3. Use word clock to resolve the 896HD system clock and the other AES/EBU device with each other. These three AES/EBU input scenarios are summarized below.
(when the system clock is at 88.2 or 96 kHz). For further details about this option, see “Sample Rate Conversion” on page 41. SYNCING WORD CLOCK DEVICES The 896HD word clock connectors allow you to synchronize it with a wide variety of other word clock-equipped devices. Figure 3-21: The Sample Rate Conversion option in the MOTU FireWire Audio Console gives you access the AES/EBU output clock options. The last option is either “x2” or “÷2” depending on the system sample rate.
this causes problems. Instead, use a dedicated synchronizer like the Digital Timepiece or a word clock distribution device of some kind. Slaving to a 2x and 1/2x word clock The 896HD has the ability to slave to a word clock signal running at either twice or half their current clock rate. For example, the 896HD could be running at 96 kHz while slaving to a 48 kHz word clock signal from a MOTU Digital Timepiece. Similarly, the 896HD could run at 88.2 kHz and slave to 44.1 kHz word clock.
CONNECTING MULTIPLE MOTU FIREWIRE INTERFACES You can daisy-chain up to four MOTU FireWire interfaces on a single FireWire bus, with the restrictions described in the following sections. Most computers have only one built-in FireWire bus (even if it supplies multiple FireWire sockets). Connect them as follows: Multiple interfaces in the MOTU FireWire Audio Console The MOTU FireWire Audio Console displays the settings for one interface at a time.
Make the Clock Source settings for each interface as follows: For the master interface, click its tab (as demonstrated in Figure 3-25) and choose any clock source you wish (except any of the slave interfaces, of course). 828’s with other MOTU FireWire interfaces using a standard FireWire hub. Up to four interfaces can be combined on one FireWire bus. ■ ■ For each slave interface, click its tab and choose the master interface from the Clock Source menu.
CHAPTER 4 Installing the 896HD Macintosh Software OVERVIEW Software installation for Mac OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Software installation for Mac OS 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CueMix Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AudioDesk workstation software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION FOR MAC OS 9 Install the 896HD software as follows: 1 Insert the MOTU FireWire Installer disc and launch the installer. 2 Follow the directions that the installer gives you. MOTU FireWire Audio Control Panel The MOTU FireWire Audio Console is placed by the installer in your Mac’s Apple menu (under Control Panels). It gives you access to all of the settings in the 896HD hardware, such as the sample rate.
Figure 4-2: The MOTU FireWire Control Strip module gives you access to all of the settings in the MOTU FireWire hardware, just like the MOTU FireWire Audio Console. ASIO MOTU FireWire Audio driver ASIO stands for Audio Streaming Input and Output. The ASIO MOTU FireWire Audio driver allows 896HD to provide multi-channel input and output for Steinberg’s Cubase VST software, or any other audio application that supports ASIO drivers. Figure 4-3: The ASIO MOTU FireWire Audio driver.
AUDIODESK WORKSTATION SOFTWARE The MOTU FireWire installer places AudioDesk on the top level of your Macintosh’s startup volume. AudioDesk is an advanced workstation software package for the 896HD that lets you record, edit, mix, process, bounce and master multi-track digital audio recording projects. Advanced features include real-time 32-bit effects processing, sampleaccurate synchronization with ADATs, 24-bit recording, and much more. See the AudioDesk manual included with your 896HD system for details.
CHAPTER 5 MOTU FireWire Audio Console (Mac OS X) OVERVIEW Accessing the 896HD settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896HD Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sample Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clock Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Default Stereo Input/Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ From within other ASIO-compatible programs, refer to their documentation. General tab settings The General tab provides settings that apply globally to all connected MOTU FireWire interfaces. 896HD tab settings The 896HD tab provides settings that apply to a specific 896HD interface. If you have several 896HD’s (or other MOTU FireWire audio interfaces) connected, you’ll see a separate tab for each one. 176.4 or 192KHz. If you are operating at a sample rate between 44.
■ All digital I/O is disabled (there is no optical and no AES/EBU input/output). ■ The 896HD provides 8 channels of analog input and 10 channels of analog output (8 XLR outputs plus stereo headphone out), simultaneously. CueMix DSP supports 2 independent monitor mixes (instead of 4, as with the lower sample rates). For details about CueMix DSP, see chapter 12, “CueMix Console” (page 93). ■ ■ The Mix1 input, as described in “Mix1 1-2” on page 64, is not available.
information, which allows AudioDesk and Digital Performer to transfer audio to and from ADATsync compatible recorders without drifting by as much as one sample. Use this setting when you are using the 896HD with one or more ADAT-sync compatible recorders. Make sure the 896HD is connected to the end of the ADAT sync chain.
If your Macintosh system software does not meet these minimum requirements, the Default Stereo Input/Output options do not appear in the MOTU FireWire Console window. Optical input/output The Optical input and Optical output settings let you choose between ADAT (‘lightpipe’) or OFF. Turning it off frees up FireWire bandwidth. In other words, it opens up resources on the FireWire bus for other devices connected via FireWire.
None No sample rate conversion occurs. Both the AES/ EBU input and output match the sample rate of the 896HD’s system clock. AES In The AES/EBU input locks to the sample rate of the input signal (whatever it happens to be) and converts it to the 896HD system clock rate. The Rate Conversion LEDs on the 896HD front panel indicate the incoming sample rate and that rate conversion is occurring.
Word Out The Word Out menu appears when the 896HD is operating at a 2x sample rate (88.2 or 96kHz) or 4x sample rate (176.4 or 192kHz). This menu lets you set the word clock output either to match the current sample rate (System Clock) or force it to the corresponding 1x rate (either 44.1 or 48kHz). For example, if the 896HD were operating at 176.4kHz, choosing the Force 44.1/48kHz option would produce word clock output at 44.1kHz. (e.g. “vocal mic”, “lead guitar”, etc.
Figure 5-5: 896HD channel names as they appear in Digital Performer.
CHAPTER 6 MOTU FireWire Control Panel (Mac OS 9) OVERVIEW ACCESSING THE 896HD SETTINGS The MOTU FireWire Control Panel provides access to all 896HD settings. These settings can also be accessed from the MOTU FireWire Control Strip module or from the Configure Hardware Driver command in AudioDesk or Digital Performer (Basics menu). There are several ways to access the MOTU FireWire Control Panel settings: Accessing the 896HD settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896HD Settings . . . .
■ From within other ASIO-compatible programs, refer to their documentation. It doesn’t matter which way you access the 896HD settings. They are the same in all three places. ☛ Mismatched sample rates cause distortion and crackling. If you hear this sort of thing, check the sample rate settings in your hardware and here in the MOTU FireWire Audio Console. Operation at 4x sample rates (176.4 or 192kHz) At the 4x sample rates (176.
are doing is playing tracks off hard disk in your digital audio software on the computer. In a situation like this, you most often don’t need to reference an external clock of any kind. an external word clock source, such as the word clock output from a digital mixer or another MOTU FireWire interface. Another example is transferring a mix to DAT.
synchronizing digitally to the 896HD or an external synchronizer such as the Digital Timepiece. In this case, the ADAT Optical clock source setting lets you slave the 896HD to the device itself via its digital input to the 896HD. your host audio software. When doing so, you may hear or feel some “sponginess” (delay) between the source and the processed signal. If so, don’t worry. This effect only affects what you hear: it is not present in what is actually recorded.
them. If your host audio software has a processor meter, check it. If it starts getting maxed out, or if the computer seems sluggish, raise the Samples Per Buffer until performance returns to normal. If you are at a point in your recording project where you are not currently working with live, patchedthru material (e.g. you’re not recording vocals), or if you have a way of externally monitoring input, choose a higher Samples Per Buffer setting.
At the 4x sample rates (176.4 and 192kHz), the headphone output can be assigned to any analog output pair or the Phones setting, as described above. But at the 4x sample rates, the Phones output is not available as an output destination for software on the computer. Instead, it is only available as a destination for the two CueMix DSP mixes. In other words, it can only take CueMix inputs. Sample Rate Conversion This option lets you control AES/EBU sample rate conversion.
Peak Hold Time The 896HD front-panel level meters support standard peak/hold metering, where the LED for the highest level recently measured on the channel remains illuminated for a brief period of time while the rest of the LEDs below it remain fully dynamic. The Peak Hold Time controls how long the peakhold LED remain illuminated before going dark again. Word Out The Word Out menu appears when the 896HD is operating at a 2x sample rate (88.2 or 96kHz) or 4x sample rate (176.4 or 192kHz).
MOTU FIREWIRE CONTROL PANEL (MAC OS 9)
CHAPTER 7 Digital Performer OVERVIEW SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM This chapter provides a brief overview of Digital Performer’s basic I/O and synchronization operation with the 896HD hardware. This chapter covers both DP3 with Mac OS 9 and DP4 with Mac OS X. As described in chapter 4, “Installing the 896HD Macintosh Software” (page 33), the Digital Performer and MOTU 896HD software installers will properly install and update everything for you. Setting up your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7-1: The 896HD settings in Mac OS 9. 896HD settings in Mac OS X In Mac OS X, choose the 896HD as your audio input output device by choosing MOTU Audio System options>Configure Hardware Driver from the Setup menu. This window shows some of the 896HD settings, such as sample rate and clock source, but to access all of the 896HD settings, open the MOTU FireWire Audio Console, as shown in Figure 5-1 on page 38.
existing files that do not match this sample rate will be displayed in the Soundbites window with a red ‘X’ on its move handle to indicate that it cannot be played. Use the commands in the Soundbites window mini-menu to sample rate convert the files, if desired. Before running the 896HD at the 4x sample rates, see “Operation at 4x sample rates (176.4 or 192kHz)” on page 38. Clock Source This setting is very important because it determines which audio clock the 896HD will follow.
As another example, if you are using analog, AES/EBU and ADAT optical, you need 22 voices (the maximum number of simultaneous output channels provided by the 896HD). TRIMMING THE ANALOG INPUTS The 896HD analog inputs provide trim knobs on the front panel. To calibrate an audio input: 1 Record-enable a track in Digital Performer. 2 Choose the desired 896HD input for the track. 3 Open the Audio Monitor window.
Occasionally, you may encounter a situation in which you observe a slight offset of one sample — or maybe a few — caused by inherent latencies in the devices you are using with the 896HD. Usually, these offsets will be consistent, and you can compensate for them in Digital Performer. To do so, choose MOTU Audio System Options>Finetune Audio I/O Timing from the Setup menu (Basics menu under Mac OS 9) as shown in Figure 7-3. Figure 7-3: Fine-tuning the timing of audio playback and recording.
Similarly, with the help of a MOTU Digital Timepiece, Digital Performer and a 896HD can perform sample-accurate transfers with Tascam digital recorders. A sample-accurate transfer is one in which the original location of the audio is preserved in the transfer, down to the sample. For details on how to set up sample-accurate sync, see “Sample-accurate sync” on page 21.
can route it to your 896HD interface via any of Digital Performer’s extensive audio routing features. For details, consult your Digital Performer documentation.
DIGITAL PERFORMER
CHAPTER 8 AudioDesk OVERVIEW SETTING UP YOUR SYSTEM This chapter provides a brief overview of AudioDesk’s basic I/O and synchronization operation with the 896HD hardware. For complete information about all of AudioDesk’s powerful workstation features, see the AudioDesk manual included with your 896HD system. This chapter covers both AudioDesk Version 1 with Mac OS 9 and AudioDesk Version 2 with Mac OS X.
THE 896HD SETTINGS 896HD settings in Mac OS 9 In Mac OS 9, the 896HD settings can be accessed by choosing MOTU Audio System options>Configure Hardware Driver from the Basics menu. This is where you choose the 896HD as your audio input output device. Once you’ve done so, you should see the 896HD settings as shown below in Figure 8-1. 896HD settings in Mac OS X In Mac OS X, choose the 896HD as your audio input output device by choosing MOTU Audio System options>Configure Hardware Driver from the Setup menu.
For complete details about the 896HD settings, see chapter 5, “MOTU FireWire Audio Console (Mac OS X)” (page 37) or chapter 6, “MOTU FireWire Control Panel (Mac OS 9)” (page 45). The following sections provide a brief explanation of each 896HD setting for use with AudioDesk. Sample rate Choose the desired overall sample rate for the 896HD system and AudioDesk. Newly recorded audio in AudioDesk will have this sample rate.
■ Zero or 8 channels for optical, depending on whether you have optical turned off or set to ADAT optical For example, if you are using analog only, the 896HD requires a minimum of 12 voices (for 12 channels of output). If you are using analog and AES/EBU, you need 14 voices. As another example, if you are using analog, AES/EBU and ADAT optical, you need 22 voices (the maximum number of simultaneous output channels provided by the 896HD).
FINE-TUNING I/O TIMING The 896HD has the ability to be sample accurate. This means that when you transfer audio between AudioDesk and an ADAT (or other ADAT-sync compatible recorder), for example, you can record the audio back and forth as many times as you want between them and it will remain exactly at its original sample location (unless you move it in AudioDesk, of course).
☛ If you have an ADAT sync compatible device, don’t use SMPTE time code. Instead, use sampleaccurate sync as described in the next section. See the MIDI Machine Control chapter in your MIDI Timepiece AV or Digital Timepiece manual for details on how to set this up. Sample-accurate sync to ADAT and Tascam Together, AudioDesk and the 896HD provide you with sample-accurate transfers with ADATs, Alesis recorders and any other devices that support standard ADAT sample address (ADAT Sync).
AudioDesk Version 2 projects If you are running Digital Performer 4 on Mac OS X, you can exchange files with AudioDesk Version 2. Just use Save As in Digital Performer’s File menu and choose the AudioDesk 1.0 file format. To open AudioDesk Version 2 (or Version 1) files in DP4, just use the Open command. (No conversion is required beforehand in AudioDesk.) AUDIODESK AND MIDI SEQUENCING AudioDesk can play audio as a background application, allowing you to run a sequencer at the same time in the foreground.
AUDI O DE SK
CHAPTER 9 Other Mac OS X Audio Software OVERVIEW The 896HD provides multichannel audio and MIDI input and output for all Mac OS X audio applications. This chapter covers third-party audio applications. For information about running Digital Performer or AudioDesk under Mac OS X, refer to chapter 7, “Digital Performer” (page 53) or chapter 8, “AudioDesk” (page 61). Installing the 896HD Mac OS X drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Run the MOTU FireWire Audio Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you do not have any digital audio connections to your 896HD (you are using the analog inputs and outputs only), and you will not be slaving your host software to an external clock source, choose Internal. If you are slaving the 896HD to the ADAT Sync or Word Clock input connector, choose ADAT 9-pin or Word Clock In, respectively. Cubase SX and Nuendo Go to the Devices menu and choose Device Setup. Choose the MOTU 896HD CoreAudio driver from the “ASIO Driver” menu as shown below.
AUDIO INPUT AND OUTPUT NAMES The 896HD CoreAudio driver supplies text string labels for its inputs and outputs to clearly identify each one, but some applications do not display these labels. For example, in Cubase SX, the 896HD outputs are numbered like this: Figure 9-3: Enabling the 896HD in Logic Audio. Other audio software For other audio applications, the procedure is similar to that shown above for Cubase and Logic. Consult your owner’s manual for further information.
Most programs will likely address this issue in future updates. In the meantime, here is how you can identify each input and output. Inputs are always listed in the same order as follows: Input Channels List position Comment Analog 8 1-8 - AES/EBU 2 9-10 - Mix1 2 11-12 See “The ‘Mix1’ input pair” below. Optical 8 @ 44.1/48kHz 4 @ 88.2/96kHz 13-20 13-16 If the optical bank is set to None, then no optical inputs are displayed.
TRIMMING THE ANALOG INPUTS USING A FOOT SWITCH The 896HD analog inputs provide trim knobs on the front panel. To calibrate an audio input: Use a foot switch connected to the 896HD to trigger recording punch-in and punch-out, or any other feature in your host audio software that is assigned to a computer keystroke. By default, the foot switch triggers the 3 key on the computer keypad. To trigger a different set of keystrokes with the foot switch, visit the MOTU FireWire Audio Console.
OTHER MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE
CHAPTER 10 Cubase, Nuendo and OS 9 ASIO Software OVERVIEW This chapter explains how to use the 896HD with Mac OS 9 ASIO-compatible audio software such as Cubase and Nuendo. For Mac OS X operation of Cubase, Nuendo, and all other third-party OS X audio software, see chapter 9, “Other Mac OS X Audio Software” (page 69).
RUN THE MOTU FIREWIRE AUDIO CONSOLE chapter. However, the basic procedures are the same and can be easily applied to any ASIOcompatible software. Just follow the general descriptions at the beginning of each main section in this chapter. Consult your software documentation for details about each topic, if necessary. Before you run Cubase, launch the MOTU FireWire Audio Console to configure your 896HD hardware.
Sample rate Choose the desired overall sample rate for the 896HD system and Cubase. Newly recorded audio in Cubase will have this sample rate. Before running the 896HD at the 4x sample rates, see “Operation at 4x sample rates (176.4 or 192kHz)” on page 38. Clock Source This setting is very important because it determines which audio clock the 896HD will follow.
Driver menu as shown below. Make the other settings in the dialog as needed for your system and synchronization scenario. ■ Temporarily switch to a different ASIO Device in the System dialog, and then run the MOTU FireWire Audio Console from the Finder In either case, any changes you make to the MOTU FireWire Audio Console window will be reflected in Cubase when you reactivate the MOTU FireWire ASIO driver in Cubase.
features. For further information, see “Controlling CueMix DSP from within Cubase or Nuendo” on page 91. ☛ Warning: the Mix1 1-2 input can cause feedback loops! DO NOT assign this input to a track that shares the same 896HD output pair as MIX1. OTHER SYSTEM DIALOG SETTINGS Consult your Cubase or Nuendo documentation for details about the rest of the settings in this dialog.
Figure 10-6: To assign an 896HD input to a Cubase VST audio channel: command-click the input button at the top of the channel strip. For Nuendo or Cubase, consult your documentation. TRIMMING THE ANALOG INPUTS Figure 10-5: Activating 896HD inputs in Nuendo. ASSIGNING INPUTS Once you’ve activated the 896HD inputs as shown in the previous section, you can then assign them to Cubase or Nuendo audio channels in the channel mixers in the usual fashion.
ASSIGNING OUTPUTS Once you’ve chosen the MOTU FireWire ASIO driver in the Audio System dialog as explained earlier in “Choosing the MOTU FireWire ASIO driver” on page 77, 896HD outputs will be available in Cubase or Nuendo as output destinations. In Cubase VST, these outputs appear in the VST Master Mixer window as output assignments for the master fader and busses, as shown below in Figure 10-7.In Nuendo, they appear in the VST Outputs window.
The “Phones 1-2” output If you’ve chosen to treat the 896HD headphones as an independent output, you’ll see Phones 1-2 as an 896HD output destination. Audio tracks assigned to this output pair will be heard on the headphone jack only. For further explanation, see “Phones” on page 77. CHANGING 896HD SETTINGS To change the 896HD settings at any time, run the MOTU FireWire Audio Console. See “The ASIO Control Panel button” on page 78 for details.
example, in Figure 3-12 on page 24, word clock is being used to resolve an 896HD interface, so the Clock Source setting is Word Clock In. Cubase VST ☛ If you have an ADAT sync or a Tascam sync compatible device, don’t use SMPTE time code. Instead, use sample-accurate sync as described in the next section.
MTP AV (or other MMC device). In this scenario, transport control is handled by Cubase or Nuendo itself. 5 In Cubase VST’s Controls window, enable SYNC. In Nuendo, enable (check) the Sync Online command in the Transport menu. 24-BIT OPERATION Your 896HD hardware fully supports Cubase and Nuendo’s 24-bit recording capabilities. Simply enable 24-bit operation as instructed in your Cubase or Nuendo manual.
CHAPTER 11 Reducing Monitoring Latency OVERVIEW Monitoring latency is that slight delay you hear when you run an input signal through your host audio software. For example, you might hear it when you drive a live mic input signal through a reverb plug-in running in your audio sequencer.
MONITORING LIVE INPUT There are two ways to monitor live audio input with an 896HD: 1) through the computer or 2) via CueMix™ DSP hardware monitoring. Figure 11-1 on page 86 shows method 1, which allows you to add effects processing such as reverb and guitar amp effects via plug-ins in your audio software. See the next section, “Adjusting the audio I/O buffer” for details about how to reduce — and possibly eliminate — the audible monitoring delay that the computer introduces.
computer (for a bit of reverb) and mix that processed signal on the main outs with dry vocals from CueMix DSP. ADJUSTING THE AUDIO I/O BUFFER A buffer is a small amount of computer memory used to hold data. For audio interfaces like the 896HD, buffers are used for the process of transferring audio data in and out of the computer.
Figure 11-4: In Cubase SX or Nuendo, choose Devices menu> Device Setup and click VST Multitrack to access the window above and the Audio Buffer Size setting. Figure 11-6: Lowering the ‘Samples Per Buffer’ setting in the MOTU FireWire Audio Console Window reduces patch thru latency. But doing so increases the processing load on your computer, so keep an eye on the Performance Monitor window in AudioDesk (or similar feature in your host audio software).
increase the buffer size, you reduce the load on your computer, freeing up bandwidth for effects, mixing and other real-time operations. ■ First, it completely eliminates the patch thru delay (reducing it to a small number of samples — about the same amount as one of today’s digital mixers). ■ Secondly, CueMix DSP imposes no strain on the computer. Figure 11-7: When adjusting the buffer size to reduce monitoring latency, watch the ‘processor’ meter in Digital Performer or AudioDesk’s Performance Monitor.
independent of your host audio software. For complete details, see chapter 12, “CueMix Console” (page 93). Controlling CueMix DSP from your audio software Some audio applications allow you to control CueMix DSP monitoring from within the application (without the need to use CueMix Console). In most cases, this support consists of patching an 896HD input directly to an output when you record-arm a track. Exactly how this is handled depends on the application.
because you enjoy the benefits of CueMix DSP patch thru, plus separate, independent mixing under CueMix Console, thanks to the much more powerful CueMix DSP engine. Using CueMix with Sound Manager (Mac OS 9 only) To enable CueMix DSP for a host application that is using the MOTU FireWire Sound Manager driver: 1 Open the Sound Control Panel, click the Input tab, and check the Play sound through output device option.
REDUCING MONITORING LATENCY
CHAPTER 12 CueMix Console OVERVIEW CueMix Console provides access to the flexible on-board mixing features of the 896HD. CueMix lets you route any combination of inputs to any stereo output pair. These mixes can be set up entirely independently of your host audio software. CueMix allows you to set up four completely independent mix configurations with the 896HD. You can also save and load mix configurations. CueMix Console can be used independently of host audio software, or together with it.
ADVANTAGES OF CUEMIX MONITORING CueMix Console provides several major advantages over monitoring live inputs through your host audio software: CueMix has no buffer latency. Thanks to the 896HD’s DSP chip, CueMix provides the same throughput performance as a digital mixer. ■ CueMix imposes absolutely no processor drain on the computer’s CPU. ■ ■ CueMix routing can be maintained independently of individual software applications or projects.
Viewing a mix To view a mix, click its tab at the bottom of the window, as shown in Figure 12-1. The mix name appears in the tab. Naming a mix Double-click the mix name in the tab. Master mute The master mute button (Figure 12-1) temporarily disables (silences) the mix. Master fader The master fader (Figure 12-1) controls the overall level of the mix (its volume on its stereo output). Use the individual input faders to the left to control individual input levels.
SHORTCUTS Hold down the following modifier keys as shortcuts: Shortcut Result Shift key Applies your action to all inputs in the mix. Command key Applies your action to the stereo input pair Option key Applies your action to all busses Double-click Returns the control to its default value (pan center, unity gain, etc.
This menu item is essentially a pre/post switch for the computer audio insert to the stream of audio going to Mix1’s 896HD output pair (and also back to the computer). Show meter in dock icon (Mac OS X only) This CueMix Console File menu item, when checked, causes the CueMix Console dock icon to display a small level meter that mirrors the main output meter for the current mix being displayed in CueMix Console. EDIT MENU The commands in the Edit menu let you copy and paste entire mix bus settings.
Enabled Check this menu item to turn on control surface operation of CueMix Console. Uncheck it to turn off control surface support. Configure… Choose this menu item to configure your control surface product. Launch the on-line help for specific, detailed instructions for configuring CueMix Console for operation with your control surface product. instructions (Figure 12-2) for HUI operation. Consult the SAC-2.2 manual for details about how put it into HUI emulation mode.
Figure 12-3: An example setup of a system that takes full advantage of CueMix DSP. STAND-ALONE OPERATION All settings, including all mix settings and global settings, are saved in the 896HD’s memory, and they remain in effect even when the 896HD is not connected to a computer. This allows you to use the 896HD as a stand-alone 8-bus mixer. You can make adjustments to the four mix bus master faders at any time from the front panel.
CUEMIX CONSOLE
CHAPTER 13 Troubleshooting Using Pro Tools, Sound Manager and -50 error (OS 9 only) When using Sound Manager, Pro Tools software will only allow audio input via the Macintosh's Built-in hardware. Therefore, you cannot use the 896HD as the input device to Pro Tools software. If the 896HD driver is selected as the input device in the Sound Control Panel, Pro Tools will return a 50 error and not launch.
Connecting or powering gear during operation It is not recommended that you connect/ disconnect, or power on/off devices connected to the 896HD while recording or playing back audio. Doing so may cause a brief glitch in the audio. No optical inputs or outputs are available in host audio application Check to make sure you have the desired optical inputs and/or outputs enabled in the MOTU FireWire Audio Console.
02R mixer 25 connecting 18 115V/220V switch 6 1394 connector 6, 11, 15 192kHz operation 38 2408mk3 Word Clock In setting 39, 47 24-bit AudioDesk 64 Digital Performer 56 optical 6, 10 recording 12 24i/o Word Clock In setting 39, 47 828 connecting 32 896HD expansion 31 input/output summary 10 installing 15 rear panel overview 9 summary of features 9 896HD tab 38 A Aardvark Aard Sync 30 ADAT metering 5 sync 24 ADAT 9-pin 10, 39, 47 ADAT IN/OUT LEDs 5 ADAT lightpipe 25 ADAT optical 6, 10 clock source setting 4
audio input/output 40 Input gain 11 Input level meters 5 Inputs analog 6 optical 6 Installation hardware 15 software 34 Installer CD replacing 102 Interface menu 49 Interface tabs 7 Internal (sync setting) 39, 46 iTunes audio input/output 40 L Latency 11, 48, 55, 63, 77, 85, 88 Launch console when hardware becomes available 7, 43 LEDs 11 Level meters configuring 42, 50 Lightpipe 25 Logic Audio 70 M Mac OS X 69 input and output names 71 sound input/output 40 Mackie worksurfaces 97 Main outs 10 jacks 6 maki
W Word clock 11, 19, 24, 29 2x or one-half x 30 connectors 6 sync setting 39, 47 Word Clock In setting 39, 47 Word Out 7, 43, 51 X XLR connectors 16 Y Yamaha 02R connecting 18 Yamaha 02R mixer 25 105
