User guide

INSTALLING THE ULTRALITE-MK3 HYBRID HARDWARE
20
CONNECT AUDIO INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
The UltraLite-mk3 audio interface has the
following audio input and output connectors:
■ 10 balanced quarter-inch analog outputs
■ 6 balanced quarter-inch analog inputs
■ 2 XLR/quarter-inch “combo” analog inputs with
preamps
■ 1 pair of RCA S/PDIF in and out
Here are a few things you should keep in mind as
you are making these connections to other devices.
Mic/instrument inputs
Connect a microphone, guitar, instrument or other
analog input to the XLR/TRS combo jack with
either a standard mic cable or a balanced cable with
a quarter-inch plug.
☛ Do not connect a +4 (line level) XLR cable to
the front-panel inputs (because of the preamps).
Use a rear-panel quarter-inch input instead.
Phantom power
If you are connecting a condenser microphone or
other device that requires phantom power, push
and hold the corresponding front-panel TRIM
rotary encoder for a few seconds to toggle phantom
power. The red LED below will turn on or off
accordingly.
Tr im
The XLR mic input and the TRS instrument input
are equipped with 60 dB and 32 dB of trim control,
respectively. Use the digital trim encoders on the
front panel to adjust the input level as needed for
each input. The LCD provides visual feedback as
you turn the trim knob. The UltraLite-mk3’s input
trims are digital controlled, so they allow you to
make fine-tuned adjustments in precise 1dB
increments. You can also adjust trim in the MOTU
CueMix FX software. See “Input trim” on page 67.
20 dB pad
The mic input (XLR jack) is equipped with a 20 dB
pad, so “hot” signals are best connected via an XLR
cable so that you can use the pad. To toggle the
20 dB pad for a mic input, quickly push its TRIM
rotary encoder. The green LED below will turn on
or off accordingly.
Since the pad is not available on the TRS jack, hot
signals connected via the TRS jack will probably
overdrive the input.
Combo jack summary
Use these general guidelines for the 48V phantom
power, pad and trim settings on the two combo
input jacks:
Quarter-inch analog
The quarter-inch analog inputs (3-8) and outputs
(1-8 plus main out) are balanced (TRS) connectors
that can also accept an unbalanced plug.
The quarter-inch outputs are calibrated to produce
a +4 dBu line level output signal.
Quarter-inch analog input trims
The quarter-inch inputs are calibrated to
accommodate either +4 or -10 dBu signals and are
equipped with digitally controlled analog trims
that provide +22 dB of gain and -96 dB of cut. You
can use either the front panel LCD or the included
CueMix FX software to adjust the input trim. To
Input 48V Pad Trim
Condenser mic On As needed As needed
Dynamic mic Off As needed As needed
Guitar Off n/a As needed
-10 dB Line level via TRS Off n/a As needed
-10 dB Line level via XLR Off -20 dB +12dB
+4 dB line level (XLR only) Off -20 dB Zero