248 8M 16A MOTU AVB Switch User Guide Title Page 1280 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 Business voice: (617) 576-2760 Business fax: (617) 576-3609 Web site: www.motu.com Tech support: www.motu.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 1248, 8M, 16A, and MOTU AVB SWITCH (“PRODUCT”) CAUTION! READ THIS SAFETY GUIDE BEFORE YOU BEGIN INSTALLATION OR OPERATION. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN BODILY INJURY OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE. HAZARDOUS VOLAGES: CONTACT MAY CAUSE ELECTRIC SHOCK OR BURN. TURN OFF UNIT BEFORE SERVICING. WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR OTHER MOISTURE.
Contents Part 1: Getting Started 7 Quick Start Guide 9 1248 Front Panel 10 1248 Rear Panel 11 8M Front Panel 12 8M Rear Panel 13 16A Front Panel 14 16A Rear Panel 15 MOTU AVB Switch 17 MOTU AVB Control Web App 27 About Your MOTU AVB Audio Interface 31 Packing List and System Requirements 33 Software Installation 37 Hardware Installation Part 2: Using your MOTU interface 57 Presets 61 The Front Panel LCD 65 Working with Host Audio Software 73 Mixer Effects 79 Networking Pa
About the Mark of the Unicorn License Agreement and Limited Warranty on Software TO PERSONS WHO PURCHASE OR USE THIS PRODUCT: carefully read all the terms and conditions of the “click-wrap” license agreement presented to you when you install the software. Using the software or this documentation indicates your acceptance of the terms and conditions of that license agreement. Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. (“MOTU”) owns both this program and its documentation.
Part 1 Getting Started
Quick CHAPTER Start Guide Thank you for purchasing a MOTU AVB interface! Follow these easy steps to get started quickly. ■ From your iPad or iPhone, launch the MOTU AVB Discovery app, and tap your interface. 1 Download and run the MOTU AVB Installer or MOTU AVB USB Installer.exe found here: ■ You should now see the MOTU AVB Control web app in your browser, as shown on page 18. If not, visit Appendix A, “Troubleshooting” (page 87). http://www.motu.
5 4. GUITAR INPUTS with volume control. These are highimpedance guitar inputs that provide authentic guitar amp volume response and feel. 2. MONITOR OUT volume control. 8. S/PDIF DIGITAL METERS (stereo input and output). 7. ANALOG OUTPUT METERS for the eight balanced (TRS) quarter-inch outputs, main outs, and monitor outs. 6. ANALOG INPUT METERS for the four mic inputs, two guitar inputs, and eight balanced (TRS) quarter-inch inputs on the rear panel. 4 3. PHONE OUTPUTS with volume control.
2 11 7. The 1248’s eight analog outputs are balanced (TRS) quarter-inch connectors that can also accept an unbalanced plug (with the ring disconnected).The output trim can be adjusted from the Output Setting section of the Device Tab in the MOTU AVB Control web app software. 4. These jacks provide stereo, 24-bit S/PDIF digital input and output at all supported sample rates (up to 96 kHz). The input provides sample rate conversion, as explained in “S/PDIF with sample rate conversion” on page 46. 7 6.
3. INPUT METERS for the eight mic inputs. If the 8M’s V-Limit™ feature is engaged for a mic input, and V-Limit kicks in, you’ll see a compression meter extend downwards from the top right of the meter, as shown on channels 1 and 6 in the illustration above. For more information, see “8M mic/guitar input meters with V-Limit™ compressor” on page 61. Also see “Soft Clip™” on page 45. 2. MIC INPUT preamp gain, switchable 48V phantom power, and optional -20 dB pad for each mic input.
1 7 3 6 3. These ADAT optical “lightpipe” jacks provide 16 channels of 24-bit ADAT optical digital I/O at 1x sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz) and 8 channels at 2x sample rates (88.2 or 96 kHz). They are disabled at higher sample rates. The IN and OUT ports on the right provide channels 1-8 (or 1-4), and the left-hand ports provide channels 9-16 (or 5-8). 2. BNC word clock jacks.
3. ADAT OPTICAL input and output metering. At 1x sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz), there are sixteen channels of input and output. At 2x (88.2 or 96 kHz), there are eight channels. 5. POWER SWITCH: Thunderbolt, AVB, and USB are “plugand-play” protocols.That means you can turn the 16A off and back on without restarting your computer. 2. ANALOG OUTPUT METERS for the sixteen balanced (TRS) quarter-inch outputs. 1 4.
1 7 3 6 3. These ADAT optical “lightpipe” jacks provide 16 channels of 24-bit ADAT optical digital I/O at 1x sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz) and 8 channels at 2x sample rates (88.2 or 96 kHz). They are disabled at higher sample rates. The IN and OUT ports on the right provide channels 1-8 (or 1-4), and the left-hand ports provide channels 9-16 (or 5-8). 2. BNC word clock jacks.
1 4 2 3 Another MOTU AVB Switch (to extend the network) A 3rd-party AVB switch An Ethernet device, Wi-Fi router or Ethernet network A third-party AVB device ■ ■ ■ ■ The switch establishes and maintains extremely accurate timing and synchronization among all connected devices. The switch negotiates audio routing throughout the network and guarantees that audio integrity is maintained, regardless of external (non AVB) network traffic. The switch consolidates audio, synchronization, and control together.
MOTU AVB Control Web App CHAPTER OVERVIEW MOTU AVB Control is a web app that gives you complete control over your MOTU audio interface. If you have several MOTU AVB interfaces networked together, such as the 1248, 16A and 8M, you can control them all. If you are working with a large-scale network of many MOTU AVB interfaces, you can access and control any device on the network. MAKE HARDWARE AND NETWORK CONNECTIONS Connect your MOTU interface to your computer or laptop with a Thunderbolt or USB cable.
DEVICE TAB 6 7 8 9 10 5 4 3 2 11 12 13 14 1 15 16 17 18 19 1. If you have two or more MOTU AVB interfaces, the Device list lets you choose the one you are currently controlling with the web app. 2. The Aux Mixing tab lets you view each Aux bus in the mixer, by itself. 3. The Mixing tab gives you access to the mixing and DSP in the interface. 4.
DEVICE TAB (CONTINUED) 20 21 19 27 22 26 23 25 24 Scroll down to view these additional Device tab settings. 19. In the Input/Output Banks sections, you can disable banks that you are not using. This hides them from the routing tab and mixer to simplify operation and conserve DSP power. 20. AVB is IEEE’s Audio Video Bridging Ethernet standard for highbandwidth, low-latency audio streaming over Ethernet.
ROUTING TAB 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 11 2 12 1 13 14 20 15 19 18 17 16 The Routing Tab lets you route inputs to outputs. Outputs are listed by row on the left; inputs are listed in columns across the top. Simply click in the grid to make a single connection. Click and drag to make multiple connections in one gesture. To route a single input to multiple outputs, make multiple connections vertically in the same column below the input.
MIXING TAB 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 2 17 1 30 18 29 28 19 20 27 21 26 22 23 24 25 The Mixing tab gives you full access to the 48-channel mixer in your MOTU AVB interface, which provides a main mix bus, monitor bus, three group busses, seven aux busses, and a dedicated reverb bus. Use the Device tab to configure how many inputs you wish to work with (up to 48). Use the Routing tab (page 20) to route channels to the mixer inputs.
AUX MIXING TAB 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 1 11 12 16 15 14 13 The Aux Mixing tab provides quick access to your MOTU AVB interface’s mix busses (aux busses, groups and reverb bus), viewed one at a time. Choose a bus in the Aux Mix Target section and then use the faders to directly mix the send levels from all mixer inputs, groups, and the reverb bus. 1. Shows and hides the Mixer Setup sidebar (3), which lets you show and hide channels. 2.
MIXER INPUT CHANNEL STRIPS 1 2 6 25 4 5 To access a mixer input channel strip, go to the Mixing tab (page 21), reveal the side bar (item #3 on page 21), and then show the input channel you want in the Mixer Inputs section (29). 26 7 3 2 8 To show and hide sections of the channel strip, such as EQ or the compressor, use the Controls section of the side bar (item #3 in the Mixing tab on page 21). 9 1. Click the input channel name to change it. Delete the current name to restore the default name.
MAIN MIX AND MONITOR CHANNEL STRIPS 1 2 3 3 14 4 5 6 4 7 To access the Main Mix and Monitor channel strips, go to the Mixing tab (page 21) and scroll the display to the right, beyond the inputs and groups. To show and hide sections of the channel strip, such as EQ or the Leveler, use the Controls section of the side bar (item #3 in the Mixing tab on page 21). 8 1. By default, the Monitor bus serves as a solo bus.
AUX BUS CHANNEL STRIPS 1 10 2 3 Aux busses can be used to create sub-mixes. An aux bus can be assigned to any output in the Routing grid (page 20). 4 9 To access an Aux bus channel strip, go to the Mixing tab (page 21), reveal the side bar (item #3 on page 21), and then show the aux busses you want in the Mixer Outputs section (26). To show and hide the four-band EQ section of the channel strip, use the Controls section of the side bar (item #3 in the Mixing tab on page 21). 1. A stereo aux bus. 2.
GROUP AND REVERB CHANNEL STRIPS 1 9 2 3 Group busses can be used to create a mix subgroup, which is a set of inputs you wish to control together as a group. Groups differ from aux busses in that they have aux sends, a reverb send, as well as a main mix send. In addition, group busses are equipped with the Leveler. 4 The Reverb bus is a special group bus that provides a reverb processor. If you disable the reverb, the reverb bus functions as a (fourth) regular group bus.
CHAPTER 1 About Your MOTU AVB Audio Interface The 1248, 8M, and 16A are hybrid Thunderbolt™/ USB2 audio interfaces with 48-channel digital mixers and AVB Ethernet networking capability. They can operate as audio interfaces for a computer, as stand-alone digital mixers, as gateways to an expanded studio system, as components of an extended AVB audio network, or as capable hybrid devices performing all of these roles simultaneously.
Other MOTU AVB interfaces The 1248, 8M and 16A are part of a larger family of audio interfaces, summarized below, with complementary I/O configurations. 24Ai 72 simultaneous audio channels Connection Input Output Balanced analog on 3x D-sub or 6x Phoenix 24 - ADAT optical digital (at 44.1 or 48 kHz) 24 24 Total 48 24 Connection Input Output Balanced analog on 3x D-sub or 6x Phoenix - 24 ADAT optical digital (at 44.
Ethernet cable. You can network up to five MOTU interfaces together using a MOTU AVB Switch™ (sold separately), and then run them as a standalone network or as an extended bank of I/Os for your computer-based production system (or both). You can even connect multiple computers, each with full access to all devices on the network (including the other computers). With additional standard AVB switches (from MOTU or other brands) and standard Ethernet cabling, you can build an extensive AVB audio network.
port for word clock daisy-chaining. To configure, use the LCD menu to navigate to Settings -> Word Clock Thru Mode. mic inputs and guitar inputs can be adjusted from the knobs on the front panel. You can save your trim configurations as a preset for instant recall. Comprehensive metering The large backlit LCD displays all signal activity at a glance with detailed metering for all analog and digital I/O. You can access many hardware settings directly from the front panel.
CHAPTER 2 Packing List and System Requirements PACKING LIST PLEASE REGISTER TODAY! Your MOTU interface ships with the items listed below. If any of these items are not present in the box when you first open it, please immediately contact your dealer or MOTU. Please register your MOTU interface today. There are two ways to register. ■ One audio interface ■ One USB cable ■ One power cord ■ One manual ■ Product registration card ■ Visit www.motu.
PACKING LIST AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER 3 Software Installation OVERVIEW USB 2.0 class-compliant operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation as an AVB Ethernet audio interface . . . . . . . Software installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audio drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MOTU AVB Discovery app for Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MOTU AVB WebUI Setup for Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If none of the above scenarios apply to you, then you can skip software installation if you wish, and proceed to details about accessing the web app through the network port, see “MOTU AVB Control Web App” on page 17. or on your network, and displays them in a list. Choose an interface to access its settings through the web app (“MOTU AVB Control Web App” on page 17).
produce more delay; smaller buffers produce less. For complete information about this setting, see “Working with Host Audio Software” on page 65. AUDIODESK WORKSTATION SOFTWARE AudioDesk is an advanced workstation software package for Mac and Windows that lets you record, edit, mix, process, bounce and master multi-track digital audio recording projects. Advanced features include real-time effects processing, recording, and much more.
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
CHAPTER 4 Hardware Installation OVERVIEW Rack installation and heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Thunderbolt audio interface setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 USB audio interface setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 AVB Ethernet audio interface setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Setup for two interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Setup for three to five interfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
USB AUDIO INTERFACE SETUP AVB ETHERNET AUDIO INTERFACE SETUP Use this setup if you want to use your MOTU device as an audio interface, and your computer doesn’t have Thunderbolt. As an alternative to Thunderbolt or USB, use this setup if you want to use the your MOTU interface as an AVB Ethernet audio interface for a recentgeneration Mac (i.e. any Mac with a Thunderbolt port on it). Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10) or later is also required for AVB audio I/O. ■ Use a standard USB cable.
SETUP FOR TWO INTERFACES OR About CAT-5e cables Use shielded CAT-5e or CAT-6 cables, which are a higher grade version of a standard Ethernet patch cable. They are available wherever network cables are sold. Use this setup if you want to connect two MOTU interfaces to your computer. ■ The connection to the computer should be Thunderbolt, if possible, to support all the I/O for the networked interfaces. ■ Use a standard Thunderbolt cable. Place it at the end of the Thunderbolt chain.
SETUP FOR THREE TO FIVE INTERFACES Use this setup if you want to connect three to five MOTU interfaces to your computer using a MOTU AVB Switch™ (sold separately). ■ The connection to the computer should be Thunderbolt, to support a large number of audio streams to and from the networked interfaces. A single Thunderbolt connection supports 128 channels in and out, simultaneously.
SETUP FOR A MULTI-SWITCH NETWORK ■ You can daisy-chain switches in serial fashion, but don’t create loops. For example, switches A, B, and C below are chained properly, but don’t connect C back to A. Alternately, you could connect both Switches B and C to Switch A. Use this setup if you want to connect more than five MOTU interfaces to an extended network that employs multiple AVB switches. AVB Ethernet is an industry standard, so you can use MOTU AVB Switches or 3rd-party AVB switches.
SETUP FOR MULTIPLE THUNDERBOLT AND USB INTERFACES It is possible to connect multiple MOTU interfaces directly to your host computer through multiple Thunderbolt and USB ports. Alternately, you can connect multiple interfaces, operating as AVB Ethernet audio interfaces, using an AVB switch connected directly to the Mac.
SETUP FOR WEB APP CONTROL The MOTU AVB Control web app gives you access to all settings, routing, mixing, and effects processing in your audio interface, and each interface on the AVB network, if applicable. For more info, see “MOTU AVB Control Web App” on page 17. Mixing and matching web app control scenarios The web app connection scenarios shown in the following sections are not exclusive from one another.
Ethernet cable A simple Ethernet cable connection can be used for web app control, even without a USB or Thunderbolt connection to your computer. For example, if you are using your MOTU device as a mixer or audio router, you could control the on-board routing, mixing and effects from the web app through a standard Ethernet connection. WiFi When using standard WiFi as shown, you can control your MOTU interface from multiple WiFi devices simultaneously.
AUDIO CONNECTIONS Here are a few things to keep in mind as you are making audio connections to your MOTU interface. Mic inputs with preamps Connect a microphone using a standard mic cable. ☛ Do not connect a +4 dBu (line level) signal to the mic inputs without using the -20dB Pad. It is recommended you connect line level signals to the quarter-inch inputs instead.
TRS quarter-inch analog trims All quarter-inch analog inputs and outputs can be trimmed. This allows them to support a variety of standards, including EBU-R68, SMPTE RP-155, +4dBu, -10dBV, 2vRMS, 1vRMS. Quarter-inch analog inputs are equipped with high-quality, digitally controlled analog trim that provides a 22dB range (+2dBu to +24dBu) in 1dB steps. Outputs can be trimmed at the digital stage, before the DAC. Range is 16 dB. Trim controls are most easily accessed in the web app.
When the 1248 clock mode is set to any other source besides S/PDIF, then sample rate conversion is automatically enabled for the input, which can record any S/PDIF signal up to 96 kHz. This is not an exact bit-for-bit digital transfer, but sophisticated filtering is applied to ensure the highest possible audio quality. The S/PDIF output is not equipped with sample rate conversion, so it always outputs at the 1248’s current operational sample rate (item #13 on page 18).
A TYPICAL 1248 SETUP recording, you can use the 1248’s on-board mixing to listen to what you are recording via the main outs, headphone outs, or any other output pair. You can control all mixing and effects processing from your laptop, tablet, or smart phone. Here is a typical 1248 studio setup. This rig can be operated without an external mixer. All mixing and effects processing can be done in the 1248 itself, on the computer with audio software, or both.
A TYPICAL 8M SETUP Here is a typical 8M studio setup. Like the 1248, this rig can be operated without an external mixer. All mixing and effects processing can be done in the 8M itself, on the computer with audio software, or both. During recording, you can use the 8M’s on-board mixer to listen to what you are recording via the headphone out or any output pair. You can control all mixing and effects processing from your laptop, tablet or smart phone.
A TYPICAL 16A SETUP Here is a typical 16A studio setup, although the 16A is certainly flexible and supports many operational configurations not shown here. This diagram is meant to give you just a few ideas of what is possible. The 16A can be used as an audio interface, mixer, effects processor, or even as a patch bay. You can control all mixing, effects processing, and routing from your laptop, tablet or smart phone. 5.1 or 7.
SYNCHRONIZATION If you connect devices digitally to your MOTU device, or if you need to synchronize your MOTU device with an outside time reference such as word clock, you must pay careful attention to the synchronization connections and clock source issues discussed in the next few sections.
SYNCING S/PDIF DEVICES The 1248 provides RCA (coax) S/PDIF digital input and output. Your 1248 and the other S/PDIF device will sync to each other by way of the S/PDIF connection itself. One device is the master, and the other device is the slave. Syncing the 1248 to its S/PDIF input When you transfer audio from the S/PDIF device into the 1248, choose S/PDIF as the clock source (item #13 on page 18) to resolve the 1248 to its S/PDIF input.
Daisy-chaining word clock If necessary, you can daisy-chain several word clock devices together. When doing so, connect WORD CLOCK OUT from the first (master) device to the WORD CLOCK IN on the second device. Then connect its WORD CLOCK THRU port to the next device’s WORD CLOCK IN port, and so on. On your MOTU interface, use its WORD CLOCK OUT port and change its operation from OUT to THRU in the Device tab of the MOTU AVB Control web app (item #15 on 18).
Mode menu (in the Device tab). Doing so effectively resolves the entire AVB network to the external clock source. SYNCING MULTIPLE AVB AUDIO INTERFACES CONNECTED TO A MAC There are several options for clocking multiple AVB audio devices connected to the Mac: ■ You can resolve them to an external clock source (like word clock, if available). ■ You can create an aggregate device, as usual.
Part 2 Using your MOTU interface
CHAPTER 5 Presets OVERVIEW AUDIO INTERFACE Because of its advanced, extensive feature set, your MOTU AVB interface can be used for many different purposes. This chapter discusses common use cases and their corresponding device presets, to help you use the hardware for your needs. Choose the Audio Interface preset to use your MOTU AVB device as a standard USB or Thunderbolt audio interface.
STAND-ALONE MIXER INTERFACE + MIXER Choose the Stand-alone mixer preset to use your MOTU AVB device as a mixer. Doing so routes all physical inputs to the mixer with the mixer main out and monitor out going to two hardware output pairs. Choose the Interface + Mixer preset to use your MOTU AVB device as both an audio interface and mixer, simultaneously. Doing so routes all physical inputs and outputs to and from the computer, connected through USB or Thunderbolt.
LIVE RECORDING WITH MONITOR MIXING Choose the Live recording with monitor mixing preset when you are tracking in the studio. The setup is pretty much the same as for the “Interface + mixer” preset discussed in the previous section, shown in Figure 5-3 on page 58. All physical inputs on the interface are routed to both the computer (for recording) and the Main Mix and Monitor busses in the mixer (for near-zero latency monitoring).
STUDIO OUTPUT EXPANDER Use the Studio Output Expander preset when you already have a main system set up, but you want to add additional outputs. This preset routes AVB network streams to all physical outputs on the expansion MOTU AVB interface. You must choose which network streams are used in the AVB Stream Connections section of the Device tab of the expansion MOTU AVB interface.
CHAPTER 6 The Front Panel LCD OVERVIEW LEVEL METERS The front panel LCD displays level meters for all inputs and outputs (except the phones). On the 1248 and 8M, the LCD also provides horizontal “long-throw” input metering when adjusting preamp gain. In its default state when the unit is first powered on, the LCD displays level meter activity for all physical audio inputs and outputs on the device. Inputs and outputs are labeled by channel number or left/right stereo configuration, if applicable.
PUSH-BUTTON KNOBS On the 1248 and 8M, the knobs (Figure 6-2) are push-button digital rotary encoders. Push the knob for the function labeled in blue. to show the horizontal meter until the active channel’s knob is pushed again. Switch directly to another channel’s horizontal meter by pushing or turning its knob. Push the selected channel’s knob again to unpin.
Network menu The Network menu displays the following network-related information: Version menu The Version menu displays firmware version information. Setting Explanation CLOCK Serial/UID Unique AVB network identifier that can be used for troubleshooting. IP address The unique network address for the unit. Type this address into your web browser to access the unit’s settings in the MOTU AVB Control web app. AVB Indicates whether AVB networking is currently enabled or disabled.
THE FRONT PANEL LCD
CHAPTER 7 Working with Host Audio Software OVERVIEW RUN THE WEB APP Your MOTU interface provides multi-channel audio input and output for Core Audio compatible audio applications on the Mac and ASIO or Wave compatible applications on Windows, including MOTU’s Digital Performer and AudioDesk, Apple’s Logic Pro and GarageBand, and other third-party software applications such as Ableton Live, Avid Pro Tools, Cockos Reaper, Propellerhead Reason and Record, Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo, Cakewalk SONAR, PreSon
Specifying the number of computer channels In the web app Device tab (page 19), in the Computer Setup section, specify the number of computer channels for streaming audio to and from your host audio software. You might want enough channels to cover the following: Physical inputs you want to record on your computer. ■ ■ The physical outputs you want to send audio playback to.
Configuration presets The presets menu (item #7 in the Devices tab on page 18) provides many useful presets for various host routing scenarios. These presets are a convenient shortcut for the routing grid setups discussed in the next few sections. Naming computer input and output channels Click on any computer input or output name in the routing grid (Figure 7-1) to change its name.
Conversely, you can stream audio from the computer into the mixer. Channels coming from the computer are represented across the top of the routing grid as inputs. To route a computer channel to the mixer, click the grid at the intersection of the computer channel column and the desired mix input row. Now, that computer channel will be routed to the mixer input.
Where to go in popular audio hosts Here is the location for this setting in various popular audio software host applications: Host software Location for choosing your MOTU interface Digital Performer and AudioDesk Setup menu > Configure Audio System > Configure Hardware Driver Pro Tools 9 or later Setup menu > Playback Engine or Current Engine Logic Pro Preferences > Audio tab > Devices tab > Core Audio tab Garage Band Garage Band menu > Preferences > Audio/ MIDI > Audio Output/Input menus Cubase
In either case (routing directly in the grid or routing through the mixer), be sure to maintain the input’s connection to the computer as well, so the input signal can be recorded in your host software. In other words, you’ll want to make sure there are two tiles enabled in the input’s column in the grid: one tile for the connection to the computer and another tile for your monitoring output (or a mixer input, if you are using the mixer to apply effects).
Figure 7-7: When adjusting the buffer size to reduce monitoring latency, watch the ‘processor’ meter in Digital Performer or AudioDesk’s Performance Monitor. If you hear distortion, or if the Performance meter is peaking, try raising the buffer size. Figure 7-6: In Logic Pro, go to the Audio Driver preferences to access the Buffer Size option shown above. Adjusting buffer size on Windows To adjust buffer size on Windows, visit the MOTU AVB USB Control Panel. See “MOTU AVB USB Control Panel” on page 34.
can even save a particular mixing configuration as a preset for future recall. For details, see “Mixing tab” on page 21. SYNCHRONIZATION You may encounter situations in which you need to synchronize your audio software and your MOTU interface to other components of your system. For details, see “Synchronization” on page 51.
CHAPTER 8 Mixer Effects OVERVIEW Leveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 This chapter provides further information about the effects processors available in the DSP mixer in your MOTU AVB interface. For basic mixer operation, see: The Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor, which provides vintage, musical automatic gain control Reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GATE All input channel strips provide a Gate module. Enabling EQ Each band has an enable/disable button (Figure 8-2), allowing you to enable as few or as many bands as needed for the channel strip. Figure 8-1: The Gate module. The gate silences the signal when the input signal’s level drops below the Threshold. Enable/disable The rate at which the gate responds, (opens to let signal through) is determined by the Attack parameter.
be flexible enough to cover a broad range of applications. By adjusting Gain and Bandwidth together, you can emulate the smooth and musical character of classic analog EQ circuits, in which the Gain/Bandwidth dependency was dictated by the actual circuit design and electrical components used. Low and high shelf filters The Low and High bands offer a shelf option that is similar to those found in most conventional parametric EQs. COMPRESSOR All mixer input channel strips provide a compressor module.
LEVELER The Leveler™ (Figure 8-4) provides an accurate model of the legendary Teletronix™ LA-2A® optical compressor, known for its unique and highly sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC) characteristics. Figure 8-4The Leveler module. The Leveler is available on the Main Mix bus and all Group busses, including the Reverb bus. A model of an optical compressor An optical leveling amplifier works by shining a light on a photoresistor.
Enabling or disabling the Leveler The Leveler models the LA-2A so closely, it also models the time it takes for an actual LA-2A to “warm up” after it is turned on. Therefore, when you enable the Leveler, give it a moment to “settle” before you begin processing signals with it. Gain Reduction Gain Reduction (Figure 8-4) sets the strength of the signal sent to the AGC model. Makeup Gain Makeup gain (Figure 8-4) amplifies the output signal to make up for gain reduction.
setting represents the bottom frequency of the Mid band. The Ratio determines the length for each band specified in a percentage of the low frequency reverb time. DSP USAGE The DSP Usage meter (item #26 on page 23) shows how much of the available DSP processing power is currently being used by the mixer for the mix and for effects processing. If there aren’t enough DSP resources for all effects to be enabled on a channel, effects are disabled for that channel and all subsequent channels.
CHAPTER 9 Networking OVERVIEW The Audio Video Bridging (AVB) network port on your MOTU interface opens up a world of possibilities for creating expanded, customized audio network systems. About AVB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MOTU’s AVB implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Networking examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A quick guide to networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
■ AVB is already shipping on current Macs — Apple supports AVB on all current shipping Macs, and your MOTU interface can operate as a standard AVB audio interface when connected to your Mac’s AVB-equipped Ethernet port. MOTU’S AVB IMPLEMENTATION MOTU engineering has faithfully implemented the IEEE 802.1 AVB standard for the MOTU AVB products. This means that MOTU devices are fully interoperable with any 3rd party AVB-compatible device.
computer system. Despite the distance, the two interfaces operate as a seamless system, controlled from your computer or iPad. Studio installation A studio installation of three to five interfaces can be handled with a single MOTU AVB Switch. See “Setup for three to five interfaces” on page 40. Networking is ideal for studio installation because you can position interfaces at strategic locations. Running cables becomes much simpler and more cost effective.
A QUICK GUIDE TO NETWORKING MOTU AVB networking has been designed to be powerful, yet straightforward to set up and use. Here are a few things that are useful to know. ■ You can daisy-chain switches in serial fashion, but don’t create loops. For example, in the network below, do not make any additional connections between any two switches. Networking basics ■ Before proceeding below, review the networking connection diagrams on pages 39-41.
SETTING UP A MOTU AVB INTERFACE FOR NETWORKING Depending on the model, MOTU AVB interfaces have the ability to broadcast up to sixteen 8-channel streams to the rest of the network. Conversely, it can “listen” to as many as sixteen 8-channel streams from anywhere else in the network. The specific number of streams supported depends on the model. For each device on the network, set it up for network operation as follows: 1 In the MOTU AVB Control web app, choose the device (item #1 on page 18).
NETWORKING
Part 3 Appendices
APPENDIX A Troubleshooting Some or all of my MOTU interface inputs and outputs are not available in my host audio software. Make sure that the inputs and outputs are enabled in the Device tab (“Device tab” on page 18) and routed to and from the computer in the Routing tab (“Routing tab” on page 20). For details, see “Making inputs and outputs available to your host software” on page 66. I have absolutely no audio input or output happening to or from my interface.
I hear clicks and pops under word clock sync. Many problems result from incorrect word clocking. It is essential that all digital devices in the system be word locked. Consult “Synchronization” on page 51 for detailed information on how to word clock your gear. Whenever there is any unexpected noise or distortion, suspect incorrect word lock. Clicks and pops due to hard drive problems...
APPENDIX B Audio Specifications 1248 Line Out Connector Type 1/4” Female, TRS Balanced, tip hot Output Impedance 100 ohm Per leg Dynamic Range 123 dB A-weighted THD+N -110 dB (0.0003%) -1 dBFS, Unweighted, 1 kHz Frequency Response +0, -0.1 dB, 20 Hz/20 kHz Ref.
S/PDIF Includes Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) on input Connector Type RCA Termination 75 ohm I/O Lock Range 44.1k/48k, +/- 0.5% 1x, 2x Input Voltage Range 0.2 Vpp/1Vpp With termination Output Drive 0.5.0 Vpp With termination DC coupled THD+N In (SRC) -122 dB Unweighted, With SRC Specification IEC-958/60968-3 Phones Connector Type 1/4” Female, TRS Stereo Tip Left, Ring Right Dynamic Range 108 dB A-Weighted THD+N -100 dB Unweighted Frequency Response +0 -0.
8M Line Out Connector Type 1/4” Female, TRS Balanced, Tip hot Output Impedance 100 ohm Per leg Dynamic Range 123 dB A-weighted THD+N -110 dB (0.0003%) -1 dBFS, Unweighted, 1 kHz Frequency Response +0 -0.1 dB, 20 Hz/20 kHz Ref. 1 kHz Max Level Out +20 dBu Trim Range 24 dB in 1 dB steps -4 dBu to +20 dBu Combo-style, XLR / TRS Pin 2 hot, tip hot MIC in Connector Type XLR Impedance load 3 k ohm, 4.
Word Clock In/Out/Thru Specification AES-11 2009 Annex B Jack Type BNC Termination 75 ohm (in/out) THRU is unterminated Lock Range 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz, +- 0.5% x1/x2/x4 Input 1 vpp to 3 v p-p (with termination) AC coupled Output 5.0 vpp, (2.5 v p-p terminated) DC coupled Jitter Complies with AES3-4-2009 < 0.
16A Line Out Connector Type 1/4” Female, TRS Balanced, Tip hot Output Impedance 100 ohm Per leg Dynamic Range 123 dB A-weighted THD+N -110 dB (0.0003%) -1 dBFS, Unweighted, 1 kHz Frequency Response +0 -0.1 dB, 20 Hz/20 kHz Ref.
APPENDIX B: AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS
APPENDIX C Mixer Schematics MONO INPUT CHANNEL 95
STEREO INPUT CHANNEL + 96 APPENDIX C: MIXER SCHEMATICS
GROUP BUS + 97 APPENDIX C: MIXER SCHEMATICS
MONITOR BUS + 98 APPENDIX C: MIXER SCHEMATICS
APPENDIX D Updating Firmware MOTU periodically posts firmware updates for your MOTU AVB interface. These updates may include bug fixes, enhancements, and new features. Updates are posted on MOTU’s servers. If your computer or Wi-Fi device has access to the internet, the MOTU AVB Control app notifies you as soon as an update is made available. Otherwise, you can check motu.com/avb periodically for the latest firmware update.
Updating off-line, without internet access If your MOTU AVB interface (and the computer it is connected to) has no internet access, you can download a firmware update file from another computer that does have internet, and then use the file to update your MOTU interface, as follows: 1 Download the firmware file. 2 Transfer the file to a computer with a network cable connection to your MOTU interface. 3 Launch the MOTU AVB Control web app on the computer, as usual. 4 Go to the Device tab.
APPENDIX E OSC Support Open Sound Control (OSC) is a protocol for communication among computers and other multimedia devices that is optimized for modern networking technology. MOTU AVB audio interfaces support OSC, which provides remote control of all device settings and mixer controls from any OSC-enabled controller. For further details about remote control through OSC, along with complete documentation for the MOTU AVB OSC API, visit: http://www.motu.
APPENDIX E: OSC SUPPORT
Index +4dB analog input 45 -10dB analog input 45 1248 expansion 39 front panel 9 installing 37 rear panel 10 summary of features 27 16A expansion 39 front panel 13 installing 37 rear panel 14 summary of features 27 24-bit optical 10, 12, 14 2x SMUX mode 19, 46 8M expansion 39 front panel 11 installing 37 rear panel 12 Soft Clip 45 summary of features 27 V-Limit 45, 61 A Ableton Live 65, 69 ADAT optical 10, 12, 14 connecting 46 SMUX Type 63 Analog inputs/outputs 10, 12, 14, 46 making connections to 45 Apple
L Latency 69, 71 LCD menu 62 Level meters 9 Leveler 21, 76 Lightpipe 2x mode 63 Limit button 77 Live 69 Live recording with monitor mixing preset 7, 59 Logic Pro 69 Logic Pro/Express 65 clock source 65 sample rate 65 Lookahead 61 M Mac OS X 65 input and output names 67 software installation 33 system requirements 31 USB class compliant operation 33 Makeup gain 77 Mic inputs 45 preamp gain/pad/48V 9 Mic/guitar inputs 45 connecting 48, 49, 50 Soft Clip 45 V-Limit 45, 61 Mixer accessing 21 aux bus 25 effects
T Technical support 88 Threshold Compressor 75 Thru (word clock) 53 To Computer 20 TOSLink 10, 12, 14, 29, 46 Trim 45 Troubleshooting 87 TRS analog inputs/outputs 46 TRS connectors 45 Type I, II optical mode 63 Type II (Legacy) optical setting 46 U Unbalanced analog 45 Update From File 19 USB class compliance 33 installing drivers 34 USB Streaming Mode 34 V View Personal Mix 22 V-Limit 45, 61 Lookahead 61 W Wave driver 68 Width reverb 78 WiFi setup 44 Windows driver installation 33 shortcut 34 system req
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