24-Bit USB Microphone 1
Studio 24 USB Thank you for purchasing the MXL Studio 24 USB microphone. With 24-bit recording capability, zero latency monitoring and a custom GUI, you’ll experience the highest level of sonic detail and the kind of audio quality normally found in expensive, high-end multi-channel computer interfaces. The Studio 24 USB is simple to set up and plugs directly into the USB port of your PC or Mac computer.
User Manual Begin by unpacking your Studio 24 USB microphone. You should have the following components: • • • • • • • Studio 24 USB microphone Travel case Mic stand Mic Stand adapter USB cable Software CD Cleaning cloth If any of these items are missing, contact the retailer where you purchased your Studio 24 USB. Note: To optimize the performance of the Studio 24 USB with Windows, we recommend downloading and using the free Asio4All driver from www. ASIO4ALL.
Studio 24 USB This microphone is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device, and interfaces directly with Windows and Macintosh computers without the need for any special drivers. It also carries the added benefit of not requiring an external microphone preamp. However, unlike microphones designed for live performance or dynamic models, this instrument requires careful handling.
User Manual Correct Positioning and Controls The red LED should be facing you when you speak or sing into the microphone. If recording instruments, the red LED should be facing the instrument. Maintain a distance of approximately 4 – 6 inches when speaking or singing into the microphone. For instruments, experiment with the distance to find the best results. Red LED: When the red LED is illuminated, this indicates that the microphone is connected to USB power and functioning correctly.
Studio 24 USB Connecting the Studio 24 to Your Computer: The MXL Studio 24 USB will operate with both USB 2.0 (high speed USB) and USB 1.1 data buses. We recommend you connect your microphone directly to the computer’s USB port as opposed to using a USB hub. USB hubs have been known to interfere with the performance of various USB devices. Note: Audio and video recording can be very taxing to a computer’s resources. For this reason, you should close any and all running applications that are non-essential.
Setup 3. The red LED on the MXL Studio 24 USB will illuminate indicating it is receiving power from the computer. 4. To take advantage of the zero latency monitoring connect a pair of headphones to the 1/8” headphone jack on the side of the microphone. Initial Setup with Windows XP: 1. To select the MXL Studio 24 USB microphone as the default audio device, go to the Start Menu and select Control Panel. 2. Select Sounds and Audio Devices.
Studio 24 USB 3. Click on the Audio tab and select MXL STUDIO 24 USB as the default device for Sound Playback and Sound Recording.
Setup 4. After making changes to the audio properties click the OK button for these changes to take effect. Your Windows XP computer is now set up to use the MXL Studio 24 USB with most recording applications. Some applications will require additional settings to be changed within the program. Please see your recording software’s manual for proper setup.
Studio 24 USB Initial Setup with Windows Vista and Windows 7: 1. To select the MXL Studio 24 USB as the default audio device, go to the Start Menu and select Control Panel. 2. Double click the Sound icon.
Setup 3. Select the Playback tab. Highlight the speaker icon labeled as MXL STUDIO 24 USB and click the Set Default button. (Be sure to click on the Apply button for the changes to take effect).
Studio 24 USB 4. To make adjustments to the playback sample rate and bit depth doubleclick on the speaker icon labeled MXL STUDIO 24 USB. Then click on the tab labeled Advanced. From the drop-down menu, you can change the sample rate and bit-depth for audio playback. When you are finished making changes, click the OK button. *Please note that you should verify that these settings match the settings in your recording application. 5.
Setup 6. To make adjustments to the recording sample rate and bit depth doubleclick on the microphone icon labeled MXL STUDIO 24 USB. Click on the tab labeled Advanced. From the drop-down menu you can change the sample rate and bit-depth for audio recording. *Please note that you should verify that these settings match the settings in your recording application. Your Windows Vista computer is now set up to use the MXL Studio 24 USB with most recording programs.
Studio 24 USB For more in advanced controls such as volume, noise gate, monitor mixing, etc go to page xx for installation and user instructions for the Studio Control GUI. Initial setup with Macintosh® OS X: 1. To select the MXL Studio 24 USB as the default audio device, click on the Apple icon at the top of the screen then select the System Preferences. 2. Double click on the speaker icon labeled Sound.
Setup 3. Click on the Input tab then select the device named MXL STUDIO 24 USB. You will notice there are no input level controls for this device. This is because the analog gain control is found on the side of the MXL Studio 24 USB and further control can be accessed using the Studio Control GUI (See page xx for details on the Studio Control GUI). 4. Next, click on the Output tab and select the device named MXL STUDIO 24 USB. You will notice there are no output volume controls for this device.
Studio 24 USB 5. Further adjustments to the sample rate and bit-depths can be found in the Audio Midi Setup (Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Audio Midi Setup). You should, however, check the settings in the recording program you are using as they may override or conflict with these settings. A. By selecting the MXL STUDIO 24 USB as the “Default Input,” the MXL STUDIO 24 USB will automatically be selected as the audio input device the next time it is plugged in.
Setup B. By selecting the MXL STUDIO 24 USB as the “Default Output” the MXL Studio 24 USB will automatically be selected as the audio output device the next time it is plugged in. By selecting the MXL STUDIO 24 USB as the “System Output,” the microphone will be used as the output device for any system sounds. C. Select the MXL STUDIO 24 USB to make adjustments to the sample rate and bit-depth. You will see sections D and E appear in the lower portion of the window. D.
Studio 24 USB Using the Studio Control Graphic User Interface (GUI): The MXL Studio 24 USB includes a custom GUI that controls the analog functions within the microphone. This feature allows you to fine tune adjustments such as phase, roll-off, noise gate and more. The Studio 24 USB works without the Studio Control GUI; however, the GUI can be a valuable tool for making audio adjustments and experimenting with sound.
Graphic User Interface 4. Drag the icon named MXL Studio Control to your Applications folder 5. Follow the instructions on the screen Leveler: The Leveler automatically adjusts the microphone input gain to limit the dynamic range and to prevent clipping. This is accomplished by increasing the gain when the input level drops below a set Min Threshold and decreasing the gain when the input level goes over a set Max Threshold.
Studio 24 USB Noise Gate: The noise gate automatically mutes the microphone input when the signal goes below the set Threshold. When the microphone signal returns above the Threshold the microphone input will be un-muted. The effects of the noise gate will be heard in the headphone monitoring and will be recorded on the computer. On/Off: Turns the Noise Gate on and off Threshold: Adjust the Threshold from -82dB to -34dB with the current setting displayed in the adjacent window.
Graphic User Interface Input: All of the changes in this section will effect what you hear in the direct monitoring and the signal recorded on the computer. Microphone Mute: Mutes the microphone input signal Microphone Gain: Use this in conjunction with the analog control on the side of the microphone to optimize the recording level.
Studio 24 USB Output: This section will affect only the signals going to the headphone jack on the side of the microphone. None of the signals being recorded on the computer will be affected.
Graphic User Interface Recall Settings: This section is for saving, loading, and resetting all of the parameters on the Studio Control GUI. Save: After you have setup the perfect monitoring mix and optimized your recording level save the settings for quick and easy recall later.
Studio 24 USB Testing Your MXL Studio 24 USB After you have connected your microphone and set up your computer, plug a set of headphones into the 1/8-inch stereo jack located on the side of the Studio 24 USB. Important Note: The headphone amplifier can produce very loud sound levels that, when exposed to over a period of time, can cause irreparable hearing damage. Please adjust the headphone level carefully! You should now be able to hear your computer audio playback as well as the live microphone.
Tips Recording Tips: While it is important to record at a loud enough volume to hear the performance over any background noise, keep in mind that with multi-track recording, each track will eventually be added together (summed) into a final Left and Right stereo mix. Since this summing increases the level of the final signal, tracks should be recorded with a fair amount of space between your maximum signal level and the 0 dB clipping level (this is called headroom).
Studio 24 USB Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Warranty: Marshall Microphones are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship for three years from date of purchase. Should you encounter any problem with this unit, promptly contact the company you purchased it from for assistance. The original dated sales receipt will be necessary for any warranty claim.
MXL Microphones The Professional Audio Division of Marshall Electronics El Segundo, CA Phone 310 333-0606 | 800 800-0688 www.mxlmics.com | sales@mxlmics.
Studio 24 USB MXL Microphones The Professional Audio Division of Marshall Electronics El Segundo, CA Phone 310 333-0606 | 800 800-0688 www.mxlmics.com | sales@mxlmics.
