User Manual

CHAPTER
21
4
Installing the Track16 Hardware
OVERVIEW
Here’s an overview for installing the Track16:
Connect the Track16 interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Connect the Track16 to the computer.
Connect audio inputs and outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Make optical and analog connections as desired.
Connect MIDI gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Connect a controller, synth or control surface.
Power options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Choose from among several convenient options.
A typical Track16 setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
An example setup for computer-based mixing/FX.
Connecting multiple MOTU FireWire interfaces . . . . . 29
CONNECT THE TRACK16 INTERFACE
Your Track16 audio interface is equipped with both
FireWire B connectors (running at 400 Mbit/sec)
and a high-speed USB2 connector (480 Mbit/sec),
and you can use either port to connect the Track16
to your computer. This gives you maximum
flexibility and compatibility with today’s ever-
expanding universe of Mac and Windows
computers.
Type B FireWire ports
The Track16 has a FireWire 9-pin Type B port,
which provides the most reliable FireWire
connection available. The port operates at 400
Mbit/s, and it can be connected to any available
FireWire port on your computer: Type A (6-pin),
Type A “mini” (4-pin), or Type B (9-pin). If your
computer has FireWire Type B ports, use the
included 9-pin-to-9-pin FireWire cable. If your
computer has either standard Type A ports or
miniature Type A ports, use the appropriate 9-pin-
to-6-pin or 9-pin-to-4-pin FireWire cable (sold
separately).
Which should I use: FireWire or USB2?
If your computer does not have a FireWire port,
then obviously you will need to connect the
Track16 to one of its high-speed USB 2.0 ports.
If your computer has both FireWire and USB2,
then it is your choice, and your decision may
depend mostly on other peripherals you may also
have, or bus power, as explained below.
Bus-powered operation requires FireWire
There is only one significant difference between
FireWire and USB2 operation: bus power. FireWire
provides enough power on the FireWire bus that
the Track16 can be powered solely by its FireWire
connection to the computer. For complete
information, see “Bus power requirements” on
page 26.
If you use USB2, you must also use the DC power
supply included with your Track16, as USB2 does
not supply enough power by itself.
If you are connecting via FireWire
1 Before you begin, make sure your computer and
the Track16 are switched off.
2 Plug one end of the Track16 FireWire cable
(included) into the FireWire socket on the
computer.
☛ You can also connect the Track16 to a 400Mbit
“FireWire A” port using a 9-pin-to-6-pin FireWire
B cable (not included). The Track16 will still
operate at its specified 400Mbit (FireWire A) data
rate.