User`s guide

INSTALLING THE 896HD HARDWARE
16
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.
Set the 3-way input level switch as follows:
For a microphone or unamplified instrument
pickup, set the rear-panel 3-way switch to MIC,
plug in your mic (XLR or quarter-inch plug), flip
on 48V phantom power (if necessary) and use the
trim knob as needed to adjust the level.
For -10dB (unbalanced) inputs (like synths) or +4
(balanced) signals that may need to be boosted, set
the rear panel 3-way switch to LINE and use the
trim knob to adjust the level. Yo u c a n u s e either an
XLR or quarter-inch plug. (Note: the complete
trim range, from all the way down with the MIC
setting to all the way up with the LINE setting is
around 55dB total. The MIC setting provides a
40dB range and the LINE setting offers a 30dB
range with some overlap between them.)
If you have +4 inputs for which you’d like to
maintain unity gain, set the 3-way switch to +4/
FIXED. Use either an XLR or quarter-inch plug.
Analog outputs
Connect an XLR cable and set the desired output
level with the 2-way level switch (+4 or -10dB).
ADAT optical
Use standard ADAT optical cables. Reminder:
optical goes OUT to IN and IN to OUT, like MIDI.
AES/EBU
Connect standard AES/EBU input and output. 2x
sample rates (88.2 & 96 kHz) are supported; 4x
samples rates (176.4 or 192kHz) are not supported.
Main outs
When the 896HD is operating at any sample rate
up to 96kHz, the main outputs serve as a separate,
independent output pair. The main out volume can
be controlled by the main volume knob on the
front panel (when the switch is up). In a typical
studio, the main outs are intended for a pair of
monitors. However, if you are using the 896HD in
other ways, such as in a live performance situation,
you could use the main outs for stage monitors or
for some other purpose.
Using an external mixer
The 896HD can be used with or without a mixer, as
shown on the following pages. In Figure 3-3 (no
mixer), all mixing and effects processing occurs in
the audio software running on the computer. If
you’d like to use external mixing, see “Using the
896HD with a mixer” on page 18.
Figure 3-2: the 896HD rear panel.