User`s guide

User's Guide Fireface 400 © RME
7
5. First Usage - Quickstart
5.1 Connectors and Front Panel
The front of the Fireface 400 features instrument, microphone and line inputs, a stereo
line/headphone output, a rotary encoder with 7 segment display, and several status and MIDI
LEDs.
The Neutrik combo jacks of the
Mic/Line inputs accept the use of
XLR and 1/4" TRS plugs. Both
inputs display overload (CLIP),
signal presence (SIG) and phan-
tom power (48V) via green, red
and yellow LEDs.
Inputs 3/4, INST/LINE, accept both
a balanced line signal as well as an unbalanced intrument signal via 1/4" TRS plug.
The rotary encoder serves to set the input and output levels directly at the unit. This is not only
useful in stand-alone operation, but for example also when setting up the monitor volume.
Pushing the knob changes the encoder from CHANNEL to LEVEL mode and back. Pushing the
knob for more than a second activates either the single channel or stereo setup mode.
The State LEDs (WC, SPDIF, ADAT) indicate a valid input signal separately for each digital
input. Additionally, RME's exclusive SyncCheck indicates if one of these inputs is locked, but
not synchronous to the others, in which case the LED will flash. See also chapter 11.3/22.3,
Clock Modes - Synchronization.
The red HOST LED lights up when the Fire-
face 400 has been switched on. It operates
as error LED, in case the FireWire connec-
tion hasn't been initialised yet, or has been
interrupted (error, cable not connected etc.).
The yellow MIDI LEDs indicate MIDI data
received or sent, separately for both inputs
and outputs.
Phones is a low impedance line output of highest quality. It provides a sufficient and undis-
torted volume even when used with headphones.