UCON CX User’s Guide
The UCON CX conforms the following standards: EN 55022: 1998 + A1: 2000 + A2: 2003; class A EN 55024: 1998 + A1: 2000 + A2: 2003; class A In order for an installation of this product maintain compliance with the limits of a class A device, shielded audio cables must be used, not longer than 50 cm. Attention: This is a device of the class A and can cause interference to radio or television reception within the residential area. The user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by suitable measures.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome 5 Features 7 Installation 8 Scope of Supply 8 System-Requirements 8 Connectors Spot on the UCON CX 10 12 The First Contact 12 The Mixer What is it all about? The channels The master channel Adaptable – changing the view of the UCON Mixer 13 13 14 17 17 The Outputcontrol What is it all about? Adaptable – changing the view of the Outputcontrol 19 20 21 Saving and Loading Setups 22 The Settings Operation Modes Clock settings USB Audio Options MIDI filter ASIO Dev
Hands on the UCON 40 Setting up the Latency of the UCON Background Setting up the “USB Audio Latency” Setting up the audio driver latency 40 40 41 42 Sounding Good Background How to do it? 43 43 43 The UCON in a Project Studio Situation Hardware routing Software routing Volume settings Finalizing 44 44 44 44 45 45 The UCON in a Live Session Situation Hardware routing Setting up the monitors Software routing Setting up the monitor volumes Finalizing 46 46 46 47 47 47 47 The UCON as Hard-Disk-Record
Glossary 58 Technical Facts 63 Service and Support 64 Warranty 64 Care and maintenance 64 Contact 65 3
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Welcome Congratulations and thank you very much that you decided for a product of MARIAN. Your decision was placed on one of the most innovative and powerful sound systems ever created. We proudly present to you: the UCON CX. On minimal space this high quality device combines plenty of functions, which will give you almost unlimited possibilities of working with digital and analog audio signals.
spontaneous producing “on the road”. No matter if you want to record one single microphone or a complete band with up to 16 signals simultaneously – all channels are available any time - in full resolution. The highdeveloped driver structure supporting all commonly used interfaces guarantees stress-free and reliable operation, also in full-time use. Take your time to also go through the next pages of this manual.
Features Your UCON CX comes with a lot of great functions. Here you can find a small list of properties and capabilities. 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 4 high-quality microphone connectors with pre-amplification; usable as Hi-Z instrument inputs (guitar; bass); Connection of up to 8 analog line signals (e.g.
Installation In the quickstart guide you will find all important installation steps graphically listed. If you encounter problems while installing, please consult our support service. In the appendix you can find different ways of how to contact the support service. Scope of Supply After opening the package of the UCON CX, please check if the following components are to be found completely and undamaged.
Furthermore, we would like to point out to you these important issues when using the USB interface for audio purposes: For the operation of the UCON CX, the installation of the Microsoft USB patch „WinXP-KB822603-X86-ENU.exe“ is urgently requested, if Microsoft Windows™ XP including service pack 1a is installed on the computer. The operation of the UCON CX with small latencies is unfortunately hindered by certain types of USB-host-controllers.
Connectors Here is one example of how the UCON can be set up in a music-studioenvironment.
If you intend to connect a condenser-microphone to the UCON CX, you may turn on the needed phantom-power with the “PHATOM”-button, on the front of the UCON. Though turned on, dynamic microphones can be connected parallel to condenser microphones. Next to each microphone plug there is a ”-20dB”-switch. Pushing it will lower the level of a connected signal prior the pre-amp by 20dB.
Spot on the UCON CX The First Contact After the successful installation the symbol of the UCON manager appears in the Windows™ taskbar of your computer. It offers you direct access to important driver settings, the DSPbased 32 channel Mixer and the Output Control of the UCON CX. Furthermore, you can save and load the setups for Mixer and Output Control. “Info” shows the current driver version of the UCON CX. This is needed when consulting our support service with certain questions.
The Mixer What is it all about? In this window all input channels and the master section of the UCON manager are shown. 2 input channel types can be distinguished. In the upper part of the window you can read the labels “INPUT” and “PLAY” for the different channel types. “INPUT”-channels are physical inputs. These are the 8 analog inputs and the ADAT- or S/PDIF-input on the case of the UCON. As opposed to “PLAY”-channels, which are virtual inputs.
The channels All channels can basically appear in 2 forms, as stereo- or mono channel. Inputs “Analog 1” to “Analog 4” are predefined mono channels. So, as an example for all, let’s take a look at input channel “analog 1” from top to bottom. First we have the “GAIN”-knob. It serves for adjusting the audio level directly at the input of a channel. Especially on analog input channels, this level adjustment is executed within the analog digital converter of the UCON.
or aux 3 and 4 are connected functionally. That means: when opening up “AUX 1” “AUX 2” is equally pulled up. Just like that, “PRE”-button of “AUX 2” is activated when pushing “PRE”button of “AUX 1”. Now here comes the balance knob “BAL”. It regulates the volume relation between left and right channel of the signal, the way it shall appear in the master sum. If the “Solo”-button is active in one or more channels, the mix out of the UCON provides only the signal of these channels.
With the help of the fader at the end of the channel strip, the portion of volume of the channel on the master sum is regulated, which ends up at the mix out of the UCON. Next to it, the level meter with clipping LED (up) and “PRE”-button (down) are located. If “PRE” is active, the level of the signal is shown independently of the position or before the gain knob. The only exception made is for the analog inputs. Here, the level is captured after the gain knob but before the fader.
The master channel The upper knobs regulate the volume of the aux sums. Between “AUX 1” and “AUX 2” as well as “AUX 3” and “AUX 4” a “LINK”-button is situated. If clicked on, aux volume and pre buttons for aux 1 and 2 or aux 3 and 4 are connected functionally. That means: when opening up “AUX 1”, “AUX 2” is equally pulled up. Z If you set up different volumes for “AUX 1” and “AUX 2” or the right and the left fader without the „LINK”-button activated, this relation remains with the “LINK”-button pushed.
Z Note: Hidden channels are still active, just like they were shown. But that’s not all. In order to further adjust the look of the Mixer according to your needs, single rows of control elements can be hid or shown with the help of “Parts”. This applies to all gain-, aux- or bal knobs. All these functions can be very handy for saving precious space on your computer screen. But it's also useful if you wish to secure certain setups of faders or knobs from accidentally being changed.
The Output Control So far, we have taken a look at signals, which either entered the UCON via a physical input or as a playback signal of a software. The Output Control controls all signals, leaving the UCON CX. It is opened with single click on “Output Control” via the UCON symbol on the Windows™ taskbar. You probably figure, that this window looks pretty much like the Mixer window, save it doesn’t have gain-, aux and bal knobs, but routing buttons instead.
What is it all about? Z In „The UCON Settings“ you get to know how to switch between these modes, and what the outcome will be. In this window, all available physical outputs of the UCON CX are shown as stereo channel strips with the name “OUTPUT”. In ADAT Mode you can see “ADAT 1-2” to “ADAT 7-8” as separate channel strips besides the regular “Analog 1-2” to “Analog 7-8”. In Non ADAT Mode you can see the optical digital port as a separate channel strip instead of “ADAT 1-2” to “ADAT 7-8”.
Adaptable – changing the view of the Output Control As you know from the Mixer, there is a “SHOW” section in the bottom left corner of the Output Control. With click on “Analog”, “Digital” or “ADAT” the channels of this type can be either hid or shown. Z Important on this one: Those channels are not deactivated but simply visually faded out! If the UCON runs in ADAT Mode, for every ADAT output there is one output channel.
Saving and Loading Setups Within the UCON CX manager the options “Save Setup…” and “Load Setup…” can be found. With those you can save all current settings of the UCON Mixer and the Output Control into one single file and recall it when needed. Clicking “Save Setup…” opens the Windows™ file browser where location and file name of a setup are to be assigned. You can save many, many different setups.
The Settings The following chapter is all about the system settings of the UCON CX. You open the corresponding window via the UCON symbol on the taskbar. Don’t worry about all those plenty of options, which it offers. We’ll take it easy with’em, one after the other. Should questions remain, we recommend taking a look at the “hands on”-part of this manual. Especially the section “The clock settings” contains simple examples for right handling of the clock settings.
Operation Modes The UCON CX can be operated in two modes. Depending on the desired mode, set the dot to “ADAT Mode” or “Non ADAT Mode”. What’s the difference? The ADAT Mode switches the optical digital ports of the UCON to ADAT usage. Now, it is not possible any more, to operate an S/PDIF signal there. According to the ADAT specifications, the operation of audio signals is now limited to max. 48 kHz + 15 % pitch.
Clock settings When working with digital audio signals, a clock is always required. The settings listed here, define where this clock comes from. If no clock is available or a wrong clock setting is made, playback errors or even system malfunction can be the result. In most cases, you can work fine with the setting “Choose Clock Source Automatically”. This makes the UCON choose the correct clock himself, and switch, if needed and if no playback is active, between different clocks.
The UCON CX as clock slave Z See example 1 of “The UCON in the Orchestra of Digital Devices” If one of the next 4 options is chosen, the UCON will work synchronously to connected digital devices and therefore turn into a clock slave. Z See example 2 of “The UCON in the Orchestra of Digital Devices” When choosing “S/PDIF” or “ADAT Input” the clock is extracted out of the digital audio input signal.
Important notes on specialties of the UCON and the clock. 1. Level metering in the UCON Mixer In order for the UCON Mixer to show the levels of a digital input signal, he has to use the clock of this input. This leads to the following specialties: If the clock source is “Intern” (The UCON is clock master), no digital input signal can be used or shown. This is indicated with a small red square in the level meter of the affected input channel in the UCON mixer.
Internal Clock In the section “Use this sample rate”, you can type in, which sample rate the UCON CX shall work with, if he is not busy with playing back or recording tasks of an audio application. For example, if you use the UCON purely as a digital mixer. In choosing “last used”, the sample rate, which was used last by a recording or a playback through a software, is kept by the UCON. Start/Stop Synchronization The start/stop synchronization can be turned on or off for all audio devices.
Clock/Samplerate/Device Conflicts As you can see in ”Important notes on specialties of the UCON and the clock” in chapter “The clock settings”, situations can occur, where certain requirements to the UCON can not be met. For example: 1. You already use “Internal Clock” for a recording or a playback. Additionally you wish to record from S/PDIF- or ADAT input. For this, a switching of the clock source would have to be done. But this could lead to disturbing signals on the running recording or playback.
messages. You’d be busy for quite a while confirming these by clicking “OK”. By standard, error- and warning messages are therefore deactivated. For diagnostically purposes it is recommended to deactivate this option, since it can provide a good hint on searching causes for problems in this field.
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USB Z Note: The latency set up here, defines the minimal latency that can be at all achieved with the UCON. The value of the latency of the audio driver interface (e.g. ASIO) must never be smaller than this. Z Important hints on how to set up the latency of the UCON you can find in the “hands on”part. 32 USB Audio Latency Via the upper slider you can set up the minimal possible latency achievable with the UCON CX. Depending on the position, the value of the latency is displayed in the middle beneath it.
By clicking “Test tone on 'Analog 1-2'“ a sine wave is played back at the UCON on analog output 1-2 with –6dBfs. Listen to this signal and setup the value for the USB Audio Latency as small as possible, but without receiving distortion on the sine wave. „Latency Booster active“ enables minimal latencies and stabilizes them. Z If you receive distortions on the audio signal no matter which USB Audio Latency is set up, please test wise deactivate the option „Latency Booster active“.
Audio Options Classical MME Drivers On Windows™ XP, the MME drivers function via WDM. This may result in certain disadvantages. By activating this option, all in- and outputs of the UCON CX can be used via the “classical” MME interface. They appear with the suffix “(MME)” on recording and playback devices within an audio application. Please quit all audio applications prior to activating this option. GigaStudio This section is availably only if a Tascam GigaStudio application is installed.
MIDI filter This section gives you many options to optimize and adjust the MIDI inand outputs of the UCON CX. Those features are usually found in pretty complex audio applications only. Device Choose the MIDI in- or output which you would like to edit. “MIDI Stream Optimizing active” filters unneeded data out of the transmitted MIDI data. You get shorter processing times of the MIDI signals, but without loosing a single MIDI command. “Filters active” activates all existent MIDI filter options.
On “View by Command”, “Command Filters” shows the MIDI commands, which can now be filtered for each single channel. By clicking “On” or “Off”, the chosen MIDI command is filtered or passed through on all channels. On “View by Channel”, “Command Filters” shows all MIDI channels, on which the MIDI commands can now be filtered.
On “View by Matrix” all MIDI channels and the MIDI command filters are shown in form of a matrix. System Data Filter The command filters offered here are MIDI channel independent, but concern the chosen MIDI port.
ASIO Device Setup Z Please consult the manual of your audio application to get to know, where exactly the configuration of the ASIO driver is made. Z Note: Depending on the mode the UCON runs in, ADAT- or Non ADAT Mode, either only S/PDIF or only ADAT devices will work, even though they are both listed. Due to small latency time, the ASIO interface has become a standard for professional music production. The ASIO Device Setup offers important settings for the UCON CX using the ASIO interface.
With a click on an entry of an in- or output in the column “name (alias)”, you can change its name. This name will also appear this way in the ASIO application. For example: You re-name “UCON CX Digital Record” to “From CD-Player”. Now you can see in the audio program at first glance, which signal origins from the CD-player. In the bottom left corner of the window, the “Execution priority”-slider is situated. It can be moved between “high” and “low” by dragging it with the mouse.
Hands on the UCON Setting up the Latency of the UCON In digital systems the processing of audio data always comes with a certain delay time. Here is where you get to know, how to set up and optimize this delay time (latency) for the UCON CX. Background Within a computer, digital audio data is transported in small packages, the so called buffers. Thus, an audio signal is split up in little portions (data amounts) and is send away piece by piece.
To adjust the latency times of your computer please proceed as follow: Setting up Latency” the “USB Audio Connect your stereo to the analog output 1-2 at the UCON CX. 1. Activate “Test tone on Analog 1-2” in the settings window 2. Wait approx. 2 to 4 seconds to check if distortions appear during playback 3. If clicks and crackles appear continuously, move the slider one position to the right. If no distortions appear, move the slider one position to the left.
Setting up the audio driver latency Z Sometimes it is needed to subsequently adjust the USB Audio Latency and/or the audio driver latency. This is mostly the case, if the system load has increased due to a extended music project (e.g. lots of audio tracks and plug-ins.) 1. Open the audio application 2. Start playing back a simple signal (e.g. a stereo track) and control it via the UCON. 3. Go to the audio setup of the audio application 4.
Sounding Good Background Surely at least once in your life you have recorded something with a cassette recorder. You also probably noticed that the signal can let the overload lamps flash in the bottom parts once in a while, without the music instantly sounding distorted and unpleasant. On digital audio systems, the level meter must never reach the overload status. In that case, distortions would appear instantly.
The UCON in a Project Studio Situation Z This article bases on section “Mixer” and “Output Control”, as well as “Sounding Good” from the “Hands on”part. Let’s imagine the following: Producing your brand-new chart hit you reach a critical phase: you want to record the vocals. For a singer to provide a perfect performance it is important, that the surrounding conditions are as well: most advantageous. The first step towards this, is a latency-free headphone mix in best possible quality.
Volume settings In order for your musician to hear him/herself on the headphones, you need to pull up “AUX 1” and “Aux 2” in his/her channel (analog input 1) in the UCON Mixer. For a portion of the signal going to the effect unit, “AUX 3” and “AUX 4” have to be pulled up. (Push the “LINK”-button between the knobs.) The Output signal of the effect unit reaches the Mixer via analog input 5-6. In order for your musician to hear this reverb effect, you need to pull up “Aux 1-2” in this channel as well.
The UCON in a Live Session Situation Z This article bases on section “Mixer” and “Output Control” as well as “Sounding Good” from the “Hands on”part. Let’s imagine the following: A good friend of yours, asks you to do the mixing at a live concert of his band with 4 musicians. “No problem” is your simple answer. You grab the UCON CX and your notebook and off you go for the sound check at the concert hall. Here the already set up PA and a bunch of cables, with the different signals of the band, await you.
Setting up the monitors Connect the amps of the monitor-speakers (or headphone pre-amps) to the analog output 1 to 4. Analog output 1 goes to the singer, analog output 2 goes to the bass guitarist, analog output 3 goes to the rhythm guitarist, and analog output 4 goes to the drummer. Software routing Open the UCON CX Output Control and perform the following changes: On output analog 1-2 under “SOURCE” push “AUX 1-2”, on analog output 3-4 the “SOURCE”-button “AUX 3-4”.
Simply save this setup with the help of the UCON manager. Now you can take your time and drink a coffee… when the gig starts, turn on the notebook, load the UCON setup – and here we go! The UCON as Hard-Disk-Recording-System Due to its great number of audio connectors simultaneously made available by the UCON, he is capable of upgrading your computer to a great multitrack recorder. With the following example, we would like to show you, how to setup and optimize the UCON CX for such purposes.
24 bit * 44100Hz = 1058400 bit per second 1058400 bit/s = 129Kbyte/second 60 seconds * 60 minutes * 16 tracks = 57600 seconds 1Kbyte *57600 seconds = approx. 7 Gbyte Depending on the audio software, there is mostly more data stored. Always plan about 1/3 more memory than calculated. That means you need quite a modern hard drive with at least 10 Gbyte of memory and a high saving rate.
Z We urgently recommend activating the options “Classical MMEdriver” and “Start/Stop Synchronization” within the UCON manager. in- and outputs of the UCON appear in the format “Analog 1-2 (MME)” Using the ASIO driver, all wanted in- and outputs have to be activated via the ASIO device setup. Using the multimedia driver, all wanted in- and outputs are commonly activated via the audio software. Set up the latency for MME/ASIO. Again: rather enter bigger buffers, for a more relaxed system load.
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The UCON in the “Orchestra” of Digital Devices Background As you probably already know, there is one big difference between analog and digital audio signals: analog audio signals are continuous. That means at any given time you can measure this signal and receive a defined measuring value. As opposed to digital audio signals. They consist of many single values (samples), which follow each other in a certain frequency (sample rate).
The rules in the digital audio world Connecting digital audio devices the following 3 simple rules have to be maintained. 1. All devices have to be synchronized with each other. (Using the clock) 2. There can only be one! That is the device (the master) governing the rate. All other devices have to look in on this rate (the clock) of the master and are thereby slaves. 3. Digital audio connections mostly include a clock. (S/PDIF; ADAT or AES/EBU).
Example 2 – Connection via optical ADAT port In this example the digital output of an ADAT converter is connected with the digital input of the UCON CX. The audio cable transmits the clock signal simultaneously. In order to operate the UCON CX synchronously with the ADAT converter, the option „ADAT input“ must be active. The ADAT converter has to be configured as clock master.
Example 4 – Clock-Setup using the WC-input In this example the UCON CX is synchronized external via a soundcard or a synchronizer. Depending on the wordclock signal the option „Wordclock Input“, „Superclock Input (128 x Fs) or „Superclock Input (256 x Fs) must be active. If the wordclock cable of the UCON CX is not lead further to another device, the termination switch must be turned on.
The UCON in Stand Alone Operation What in the world is “stand alone”? That means the UCON CX is operated without being connected to a computer! Situation You own a digital mixer and wish to use all available channels. Mostly digital mixers do not support as many analog inputs as they could digitally work with. Solution Use the UCON CX as an independent ADAT converter. If supported, you can connect the input of the mixer with the ADAT output of the UCON.
with microphone pre-amps, can reach your computer – via one single USB cord! Z Attention: The gain knob of the Mixer „remembers“ its last setting. When operated in stand alone mode the UCON CX this last setting is still active. Example: you turn down one gain knob of the Mixer when the UCON CX is connected to the computer.
Glossary ASIO Z The UCON CX supports the current version 2.0 of the ASIO standard ASIO stands for “Audio Streaming Input Output” and is a driver interface for soundcards developed by the company Steinberg. With ASIO very small latency times can be achieved. The ASIO driver is not multi-client capable. That means, different audio applications may not use the same audio device simultaneously.
Aux In the audio world “Aux” or “Auxiliary” names an additional in- or output. That means a physical in- or output or a mix signal besides the main mix signal. Z The UCON features 4 aux sums. CX Buffersize/Buffer When transporting audio data within a computer (e.g. recording or playing back a signal), they are chopped in equal blocks called “buffer”. That means, they are a certain time frame out of a complete signal. The number and size of the buffer defines the delay time (latency).
DSP Z Within the UCON CX a DSP calculates all settings of the Mixer and the Output Control. The calculation takes place without using any computer-resources. DSP stands for “Digital Signal Processing”. Most times this names an electrical component, processing audio signals digitally. It calculates, for example, the sum of two signals or an effect into an audio signal. GSIF Z The UCON CX supports the current version 3 of the GSIF standard.
Metering Or level metering. Means the visualization of volume relations of an audio signal. MIDI MIDI stands for “Musical instrument digital Interface” and is a standard of transmitting control signals for sound expanders. It transmits e.g. note information, which request a sound expander to play certain notes. Z Within the manager of the UCON CX, there is a precise metering taking place.
S/PDIF Z The UCON CX features a switchable S/PIDF in- and output in TOSLINK format. S/PDIF stands for “Sony Philips Digital Interface” and was developed by the companies Sony and Philips. With it a digital audio signal is transported either with a light conductor cable (TOSLINK) or a cinch coaxial cable. USB Z The UCON CX exchanges audio data with the computer using USB 2.0. USB stands for “Universal Serial Bus” and is a computer interface, which can be found on most modern computers. With USB 2.
Technical Facts Inputs 1-4 front Impedance ¼“ jack Impedance XLR jack Level adjustment Max. input level bal. Phantom power Inputs 5-8 back Impedance Level adjustment Max. input level bal. Outputs 1-8 Max. output level 0 dBFS bal. @ 600 Ohm Max. output level 0 dBFS bal. @ 10 kOhm Frequency response @ 44,1 kHz Frequency response @ 96 kHz SNR AD @ 44.1 kHz SNR DA @ 44.
Service and Support Warranty Each UCON CX leaving us, is put under extensive functionality checks. We allow full 24 month of warranty. A copy of the receipt or bill serves as proof of purchase. If there is a deficiency occurring during the time of warranty, you can exchange the unit at your dealer. Damages originating in inappropriate handling or false operation are excluded of the warranty. You can still send the unit in to us for repair after the warranty has expired.
Contact If you have any questions or problems when installing or operating the UCON CX, please proceed as follows: 1. Make sure, the newest driver is installed. The current driver-files can be found on: www.marian.de/en/downloads 2. Take a look at our Audio Guide published on the internet under: www.marian.de 3. If still any questions remain, you can contact us via the internet using our support form at: www.marian.de/en/support. 4. Or talk to us personally.
