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Owner’s Manual Version 2.
Important Safety Instructions 1. Read Instructions - Be sure to read all of the safety and operating instructions before operating this product. 2. Retain Instructions - The safety instructions and owner's manual should be retained for future reference. 3. Heed Warnings - All warnings on your Echo product and in the Owner's Manual should be followed. 4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions should be followed. 5.
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©2009 by Echo Digital Audio Corporation 6450 Via Real Carpinteria, CA 93013 Echo® and AudioFire™ are trademarks of Echo Digital Audio Corporation. Apple®, FireWire®, iTunes®, iMovie®, iDVD®, Mac®, Macintosh®, Mac OS®, Power Mac®, PowerBook®, QuickTime®, and GarageBand™ are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................8 WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED IN THE BOX .................................................8 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS .........................................................................................9 INSTALLATION ...................................................................................................10 LOG IN AS ADMINISTRATOR ........................................................
Introduction Introduction Thank you for choosing Echo Digital Audio. We think you’ll find your Echo product to be an extremely flexible, high-performance tool for your computerbased hard disk recording system.
Introduction System Requirements In order to use AudioFire 2, AudioFire 4, AudioFire 8, AudioFire Pre8 or AudioFire 12 you’ll need the following: • An Apple brand Macintosh computer (desktop or notebook) with: • • • • • Mac OS X (10.3.
Installation Installation To properly install your AudioFire product you will need to log in as an administrator, check your OS X version, run software update, connect the audio interface to a FireWire port and to your peripheral audio hardware and install the Console software. The following steps will guide you through installing your AudioFire product.
Installation Installing the AudioFire Hardware and Software Now that you have logged in as an administrator, checked the OS X version, and updated your software, you are ready to install your AudioFire product in your computer. 1. Install the AudioFire Console. Insert the AudioFire Install CD-ROM into your machine. Simply drag the AudioFire Console to your Applications folder or whatever folder you prefer. 2.
Installation NOTE: You should check the driver downloads area of our website (www.echoaudio.com) for any software updates and install them before continuing. The AudioFire hardware must be installed and powered on for the firmware update to load properly. You should also check the website periodically in the future in case any more updates are released at a later time. 6. You can now attach external audio devices to the connectors on the AudioFire interface box.
Connecting to the Audio Interface Connecting to the Audio Interface The AudioFire 2, AudioFire 4, AudioFire 8, AudioFire Pre8 and AudioFire 12 audio interfaces contain a wide variety of connections that allow great flexibility in operation. For optimal performance, it is critical to use the appropriate cabling and connectors.
Connecting to the Audio Interface Analog Inputs and Outputs – AudioFire 4 AudioFire 4’s front panel has two universal inputs (1 – 2) with meters and trim knobs, a phantom power indicator (+48v), and a power button with an amber power indicator light. There is also an 1/8” stereo headphone output jack, with a corresponding volume knob, which monitors analog outputs 1 and 2. AudioFire 4 has two analog line inputs (3 – 4) and four analog line outputs on the rear panel.
Connecting to the Audio Interface headphone output jack, with a corresponding volume knob, which monitors analog outputs 1 and 2. AudioFire 8 has six analog line inputs (3 – 8) and eight analog line outputs on the rear panel. These analog inputs (3 – 8) operate with an input impedance of 10Kohms. The input and output connections can be used with balanced or unbalanced cables via the ¼” connectors. By default, the inputs and outputs are set to receive or send a +4dBu signal.
Connecting to the Audio Interface The new AudioFire 8 (as of July 2009) now has optical S/PDIF and ADAT I/O, in addition to coaxial S/PDIF. Analog Inputs and Outputs – AudioFire Pre8 AudioFire Pre8’s front panel has two universal inputs (1 – 2) with meters and trim knobs. Inputs 1 – 2 also have Phase, 80Hz, Pad, LoZ, DI and phantom power buttons with corresponding LEDS.
Connecting to the Audio Interface The rear panel has universal inputs 3 – 8, line outputs 1 – 8, 2 channel inserts, MIDI i/o, S/PDIF i/o, ADAT i/o, BNC WordClock connectors, and two FireWire connectors. AudioFire Pre8 Analog Inputs 1 – 2 Microphone and Line Buttons Analog inputs 1 – 2 each have 6 associated buttons: Phase, 80Hz, Pad, LoZ, DI and +48V (phantom power). Microphone buttons: Ø (Phase): Inverts the polarity of the signal. Useful for miking drums, etc.
Connecting to the Audio Interface Universal Inputs – AudioFire 4, AudioFire 8 and AudioFire Pre8 The universal input connections can accept balanced or unbalanced signals via ¼” or XLR connectors. Since your AudioFire has built-in preamps, you can just plug your microphone or guitar cable right into the universal input. No external preamp, direct box, or mixer is needed! To use a microphone, plug the microphone’s XLR cable into any of the universal inputs.
Connecting to the Audio Interface For optimal audio quality, you should adjust the input trim knob so that your loudest recorded signal lights up the yellow light, but not the red. When the red meter light shines extra bright – you’ve clipped! If the signal level ever exceeds 0dBFS the signal will be “clipped” and you will hear a “pop” or “tick” in the recording.
Connecting to the Audio Interface By default, the inputs and outputs are set to receive or send a +4dBu signal. You can switch between +4dBu and –10dBV for each individual input and output via the console software (see section below). The FireWire Connector On the rear panel of each AudioFire interface box is a pair of connectors with the FireWire symbol above them.
Connecting to the Audio Interface When connecting devices to the S/PDIF jacks, the use of standard analog RCA audio cables is not recommended. For reliable S/PDIF operation, 75-ohm coaxial (RG59) video cables are recommended. Optical S/PDIF and ADAT (2009 AudioFire 8 and AudioFire Pre8) The 2009 AudioFire 8 and AudioFire Pre8 are equipped with Optical S/PDIF and ADAT. There is a digital mode switch in the Echo console which lets you choose the digital format that you prefer.
Connecting to the Audio Interface MIDI and S/PDIF Dongle (AudioFire 2) To conserve the space on your AudioFire 2, the MIDI and S/PDIF ports are located on an external cable included with your AudioFire 2. This cable connects to the MiniDIN connector on the back of your AudioFire 2. This cable can be left off when you are not using MIDI or S/PDIF. The S/PDIF and MIDI ports are labeled IN and OUT on the dongle.
Connecting to the Audio Interface Word Clock (AudioFire 8, AudioFire Pre8 and AudioFire 12) Next to the MIDI ports are the Word Clock connectors. These connectors allow you to synchronize your Echo product to any other device equipped with a Word Clock connector. The Word Clock I/O uses a BNC connector. As with the S/PDIF I/O, a shielded 75-ohm (RG-59) coaxial video cable should be used. BNC connectors have been widely used in the electronics industry for both video and computer networking.
Software Configuration Software Configuration Now that you have installed your AudioFire product, you can verify that everything is working properly. Open “System Preferences” from the Dock or Apple menu, select “Show All”, and select the “Sound” panel. Under the “Output” tab, you should see your AudioFire product listed as a sound output device. If you want to use your AudioFire product with iTunes, iDVD, iMovie, QuickTime, etc. you will need to select it as the sound output device.
Software Configuration You can also check out your hardware with the “Audio MIDI Setup” application. Go to your Applications folder on your hard disk and from there to the Utilities folder. Open “Audio MIDI Setup.” In addition to listing all the audio devices in the system, Audio MIDI Setup lets you examine the various audio formats supported by the hardware in your Mac.
Software Configuration By clicking on the “MIDI Devices” tab, you will display the available CoreMIDI devices. You should see your AudioFire product shown as an icon here.
Console Software Console If you followed the instructions in Step 1 of the “Installing the AudioFire Hardware and Software” section of this manual, then you installed a “virtual control surface” application called the AudioFire Console. The console allows you to control the audio I/O and clocking functions of your AudioFire product, and it brings these controls to a single easy-to-use location.
Console Software The AudioFire 8 Console Window: Analog Out 1-2 Tab selected. Bus Select Tabs The output bus is selected by clicking on one of the tabs at the top of the console window. The above example shows the console window for AudioFire 8. Eight different output busses are shown here: four analog busses and four digital busses. Note: The digital busses are collapsed in this view. To view the digital busses, click on the left facing arrow.
Console Software bus. Clicking on an output bus tab simply selects the settings that are displayed. This means all input monitor parameters such as volume, pan, and mute only apply to the audio coming out analog outputs 1 and 2 of AudioFire 8. To select, view and change the input monitoring and playback settings for another set of outputs you must select a different output bus by clicking on one of the other output bus tabs.
Console Software Analog Inputs The controls for the analog inputs are on the left side of the console and have the labels “ANALOG” and “1” through “8” at the top. There is one strip, or input channel, corresponding to each of AudioFire 8’s eight physical analog inputs. The input level meters remain visible at all times, whereas the input monitor controls (pan, solo, mute, faders and gang) that you see will change depending on which output bus is currently selected.
Console Software The AudioFire 8 Console Window: Analog Out 3-4 Tab selected. Note that since the Analog 3-4 tab is selected you are no longer looking at the input monitor and output controls for analog outputs 1 and 2. You are now looking at the controls for analog outputs 3 and 4. However, you can still see the input signal on the input level meters for Analog input 1-2. At the top of each input channel, below the channel number, is a green label field that can be changed by clicking in it and typing.
Console Software Moving down the input channel strip you find the input monitor controls, starting with the input monitor pan knob. This knob changes how the input channel is monitored between the two channels of the currently selected output bus. Holding the Ctrl key and clicking on a pan knob will set it to the center position. Below each pan knob is a non-selectable green field that tells you the current setting of the pan knob.
Console Software The AudioFire 8 Console Window: Digital Out 1-2 Tab selected. Adjusting Playback Volume Output volume adjustments are made in the digital domain. When you lower a volume fader below 0dB, you are actually decreasing the number of available bits, thereby taking away from the potential dynamic range of the system. Therefore, we suggest that whenever possible you leave the output faders (Playback & Output Bus) set to 0dB, and perform any necessary attenuation on your external mixer.
Console Software Nominal Levels The console buttons that are labeled “+4” or “-10” are nominal level buttons. These buttons allow you to change the nominal level settings for the analog inputs and outputs. By default, the levels are set to send a +4dBu signal. You can switch between +4dBu (professional level) and –10dBV (consumer level) for each analog output and input by clicking on the appropriate button. This feature allows you to connect either professional or consumer gear to each input and output.
Console Software The AudioFire 8 Console Window: Analog Out 3-4 Tab selected. Sample Rate The sample rate for your AudioFire hardware is set here. The sample rate, also known as clock rate, affects recording and playback. For more information please refer to Appendix C: An Introduction to Digital Recording. The application or audio software you are using may change the sample rate. The settings tab gives you an easy way to see exactly what sample rate your audio is set to.
Console Software Clock Source Under clock source you may select the input clock source. The clock source setting is used to synchronize your AudioFire hardware to another piece of audio hardware. If a given synchronization source (input clock) is not detected, that clock source will be grayed out. You will only be allowed to select input clocks that are currently connected. For more information please refer to “Synchronizing Multiple Devices” later in this manual.
Console Software Copy Version Information to Clipboard The About Dialogue Box also has a button labeled "Copy to clipboard". Clicking this button will copy all of the version information displayed on this dialog to the system clipboard; you can then paste it into an e-mail if you need to communicate with our customer service. The AudioFire 8 About Dialogue box Flash Update The console will automatically update your firmware.
Console Software Audio applications see the AudioFire’s outputs listed as "Playback 1" through "Playback 6". Using the console, you can then route the playback channels to either the analog outputs, headphones (AudioFire2 only), or digital outputs. Each playback pair can be independently routed to any of the outputs. You can also duplicate playback pairs so the same audio goes to more than one set of outputs. To change the routing, open the AudioFire Console.
Console Software Console Sessions The AudioFire console supports saving and loading the state of the AudioFire device to a file, called a “session”. Sessions are stored in the “(My) Documents” folder in a sub-folder named after the device. For example, AudioFire 8 sessions are stored in a folder named “AudioFire 8 sessions”. To save or load a session, select one of the audio output tabs at the top of the console window and click the appropriate button.
Console Software Synchronizing External Devices Your AudioFire is designed to work alongside other audio equipment. If you are planning on using your AudioFire with other audio equipment, please note the following: You can use your AudioFire product with other audio devices outside of your computer, but in order for accurate synchronization to occur, the other audio product(s) must support a synchronization mode that is compatible with your AudioFire hardware.
Console Software Note: To preserve the high audio quality of the AudioFire 8 and AudioFire Pre8’s converters it is best to use the internal input clock setting instead of synchronizing to an external ADAT clock, which may add unwanted jitter to the signal. S/PDIF (AudioFire 2, AudioFire 4, AudioFire 8 and AudioFire Pre8) – The Sony/Phillips Digital Interchange Format is a serial bit-stream that has a clock signal embedded in the data stream.
Console Software No matter how many devices you are synchronizing, the concept is essentially the same. You are merely “daisy-chaining” devices together using compatible clocks. One device will operate as the source of the master clock, with each successive device using that clock to sync.
Console Software With multiple AudioFires, multiple console windows will open when you open the console. Each console will be identified by the AudioFire’s unique name.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide Contacting Echo Customer Service If you experience any trouble with your Echo hardware please go to the support area of our website at www.echoaudio.com, and check out the “QuickTips” & FAQ’s we have there. If you can’t find a solution to your problem there, please contact technical support via email. There is an example form that can be copied and sent to our technical support staff, and they will respond to you quickly. Please fill in all the details completely.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide Appendix A: General Troubleshooting Guide Problem: You can’t get your AudioFire product to install properly under Mac OS 8, OS 9, or OS X (10.3.8 or lower). Solution: There is no driver support for AudioFire 8 or AudioFire 12 under Mac OS 8 or 9. There is only driver support for Mac OS X (10.3.9 or later). Problem: You’ve installed your AudioFire product, but it isn’t listed in the System Preferences or the Audio MIDI Setup application.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide Problem: You are unable to get your DAT recorder to recognize the S/PDIF output from AudioFire 2, AudioFire 4 or AudioFire 8. Solution: Digital information is transmitted in either of two modes, “professional” or “consumer.” The professional mode is usually implemented in devices that are likely to be used in professional recording environments, whereas the consumer mode is commonly implemented on equipment designed for home use in the consumer market.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide Problem: When you play an audio file, it plays at an altered pitch. Solution: When your AudioFire product is set to synchronize with an external device, it will play back at the rate generated by that device. For example, if the sound you are playing was sampled at 44.1kHz, but you are synchronized with a device running at 96kHz, the sound will play back at this faster rate.
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide Problem: The sound cuts in and out, or the left or right channel doesn’t work. Solution: You may have a bad audio cable. Try using a different cable in the problem channel. Problem: There is no sound unless I pull the audio plug out a little. Solution: Not all ¼” plugs are made to the exact same dimensions. Try a plug/cable from a different manufacturer.
Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording Converting Sound into Numbers In a digital recording system, sound is represented as a series of numbers, with each number representing the voltage, or amplitude, of a sound wave at a particular moment in time. The numbers are generated by an analog-to-digital converter, or ADC, which converts the signal from an analog audio source (such as a guitar or a microphone) connected to its input into numbers.
Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording Each digit in the number is called a bit. The binary numbers expressed in Figure A are sixteen bits long, and have a maximum value of 65,535. The more bits that are used to store the sampled value, the more closely it will represent the source signal. In a 16-bit system, there are 65,535 possible combinations of zeroes and ones; so 65,535 different voltages can be digitally represented. (See Figure A above). Figure B.
Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording Also important to the quality of a digital recording is the frequency with which the samples are stored, called the sample rate. In order for a waveform to be faithfully digitized, it must be sampled at a minimum of twice the highest frequency to be stored. Failure to sample frequently enough results in a kind of distortion called aliasing. (If you like technical issues, do some research on The Nyquist Theorem, which explains why this happens).
Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording level of analog audio signals. The most common are dBu and dBV decibels. Both of these represent voltage levels and still double for every increase of 6dB. It is only the reference point, or 0dB level that is different. A 0dBV signal has a voltage level of 1.0 volts. A 0dBu signal has a voltage level of .775 volts. Since .775 is approximately 2dB less than 1.0, converting dBV levels into dBu levels is as simple as subtracting 2dB (2.21 to be exact).
Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording The above nominal levels represent typical or average levels that are often exceeded when recording loud signals such as drum beats. The difference between the nominal level and the loudest signal that can be recorded without clipping is called “headroom”. Your Echo product provides approximately 14dB of headroom allowing an 18dBu signal to be recorded.
Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording are matched, any noise added to the minus component will still be approximately the same as that picked up by the plus component and will be subtracted out by the input amplifier. Your Echo product uses this type of output. Balanced signals connect with either XLR connectors or TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) connectors. Your Echo product uses XLR connectors for microphones and TRS connectors for connecting balanced (and unbalanced) line level signals.
Appendix B: An Introduction to Digital Recording read these levels, the low noise requirements of the surrounding circuitry such as power supplies and amplifiers would be so stringent that they would either be impossible or too expensive to build. In answering the second question, consider the fact that music is often compressed or amplified after it is recorded, and that some headroom is necessary when recording to avoid clipping.
Index Index A M ADAT.............................................. 41 adjusting playback levels ................ 34 analog-to-digital converter.............. 50 B microphone preamp .........................19 MIDI ................................................22 MIDI time code......................... 22, 23 MTC.......................................... 22, 23 balanced........................................... 54 P C phantom power ................................19 professional mode..............
