MobilePre User Guide
Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2010 by Avid Technology, Inc., with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Avid Technology, Inc. Avid, Pro Tools, Pro Tools M-Powered, and M-Audio are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction to MobilePre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 MobilePre Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 6. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Check Your Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Check the MobilePre Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Before Updating Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
chapter 1 Introduction to MobilePre Congratulations on your purchase of M-Audio® MobilePre™. This audio interface is powered by a single USB connection to a computer, and works with your favorite music software to deliver professional-quality recordings. You can use it to capture your guitar and vocal performances, voice-overs, podcasts, or anything else you need to record. Furthermore, its lightweight compact design allows you to take MobilePre anywhere. Please take the time to read this User Guide.
System Requirements Minimum system requirements and product specifications can be found on the M-Audio website at www.avid.com. Registration Review the enclosed Registration Information Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly register your purchase online.
chapter 2 Controls and Connectors Front Panel 1 2 3 1 Phantom Power Indicator (48V) This red LED illuminates when the Phantom Power switch (back panel) is set to the “on” position. Although phantom power can be used safely with most microphones, it may damage some ribbon microphones. Always turn off phantom power and wait at least ten seconds before connecting a ribbon microphone.
Top Panel 8 8 8 Channel Gain Knobs These knobs control the input volume for their corresponding channels when setting recording levels. For more information, refer to “Setting Your Recording Levels” on page 12 4 MobilePre User Guide 9 10 9 Headphone Volume Knob This knob controls the level of the Headphone output signal 10 Line Output Knob This knob controls the output level for both back panel Line Outputs.
Back Panel 11 12 13 14 11 Line Outputs These sockets allow you to con- 14 48V Phantom Power Switch When this nect MobilePre to either a pair of powered studio monitors, a mixer, or stereo amplifier using a pair of 1/4-inch TRS cables. The volume level for these outputs is controlled by the Line Output knob on the top panel. switch is in the “on” position, 48V phantom power is sent to both front panel inputs. This is used with condenser microphones requiring external power.
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chapter 3 MobilePre Installation Installing MobilePre Drivers Follow these steps below to install the most current drivers from www.avid.com. If you do not have access to the Internet, the installer can also be found on the MobilePre disc. Windows To install the MobilePre driver: 1 Make sure MobilePre is not connected to your computer. 2 Download the latest MobilePre driver from www.avid.com/support.
Hardware Connections Back Panel Once you have installed the driver and connected your MobilePre to an available USB port on your computer, microphones, instruments, mixers or powered speakers can be connected to the device as described below. Front Panel The Line Output sockets are used to connect MobilePre to the inputs of a mixer, stereo power amplifier, or powered studio monitors using a pair of 1/4-inch TRS cables.
chapter 4 MobilePre Software Control Panel The Software Control Panel allows you to adjust settings such as latency and sample rate. Latency Tab (Windows) The Software Control Panel is available after the MobilePre drivers have been installed as described in Chapter 3, “MobilePre Installation”. Accessing the Control Panel Windows Double-click the M-Audio logo located in the system tray, generally located at the bottom right of your Windows desktop.
Sample Rate Tab (Windows) About Tab This page allows you to select a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. This is provided so that MME applications in Vista have access to both supported sample rates. ASIO and WDM applications allow you to change the sample rate within the recording software, regardless of the setting on this tab. This page contains information about your hardware and current driver versions. This is helpful should you ever have to contact technical support.
chapter 5 Using MobilePre Setting the Output Level Once the MobilePre Line Outputs have been connected to a mixer, amplifier or powered monitors as described in the MobilePre Quick Setup Guide, the overall output volume is controlled by the top panel Line Output knob. In your music software, select the appropriate MobilePre input as the source for the track you will be recording to.
Setting Your Recording Levels To set the gain levels for an input channel turn the corresponding Channel Gain knob fully counter-clockwise. While the sound source is playing at its loudest levels, slowly turn the knob clockwise until the red LED of the Signal/Clip Indicator for the channel begins to illuminate. Once this happens, turn the knob counter-clockwise until the Signal/Clip Indicator no longer illuminates red. At this point, you should be ready to record with the optimum gain setting.
chapter 6 Troubleshooting MobilePre has been designed and tested under a wide range of systems and operating conditions to give you high performance and professionalquality audio. However, there is a large number of operating scenarios that could affect your system’s performance. Although this chapter cannot cover all issues you may encounter, it does offer some suggestions for dealing with common problems. We recommend that you avoid connecting too many devices via USB.
Check the MobilePre Drivers If you are using MobilePre as a class compliant device (using the drivers already built into the computer’s operating system), download and install the latest drivers from the M-Audio website at www.m-audio.com/drivers.
Music Software Configuration Make sure your music software has been configured for use with MobilePre. Windows • Open the Sound Control Panel (Windows Vista and Windows 7) or Sounds and Audio Devices Control Panel (Windows XP), and make sure MobilePre is set as the Default Playback device. • Check the audio preferences page in your music software to see if the correct ASIO or WDM drivers are selected. Mac OS X • Go to System Preferences > Sound, and select MobilePre under the Input and Output tabs.
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appendix a Compliance Information Environmental Compliance Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users in the European Union Proposition 65 Warning This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. Perchlorate Notice This product may contain a lithium coin battery.
EMC (Electromagnetic Compliance) Australian Compliance Avid declares that this product complies with the following standards regulating emissions and immunity: • FCC Part 15 Class A • EN 55022 Class A • EN 55024 • AS/NZS CISPR 22 Class A • CISPR 22 Class A Canadian Compliance FCC Compliance for United States This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Important Safety Instructions 1) Read these instructions. 12) For products that are not rack-mountable: Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the equipment. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/equipment combination to avoid injury from tip-over. 2) Keep these instructions. 3) Heed all warnings. 4) Follow all instructions. 5) Do not use this equipment near water. 6) Clean only with dry cloth.
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Avid Technical Support (USA) Product Information 5795 Martin Road Irwindale, CA 91706-6211 USA Visit the Online Support Center at www.avid.com/support For company and product information, visit us on the web at www.avid.
