MicroBook II User Manual - MOTU.com

54 Pages·2012·4.61 MB·English

by  Jim Cooper

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02138, U.S.A.
MicroBook I I
™

User Guide
1280 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Business voice: [phone]
Business fax: [phone]
Web site: www.motu.com
Tech support: www.motu.com/support
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR OTHER MOISTURE.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO
USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
PERSONNEL.
WARNING: DO NOT PERMIT FINGERS TO TOUCH THE TERMINALS OF POWER PLUGS WHEN

INSTALLING OR REMOVING THE PLUG TO OR FROM A POWER SOURCE.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
1. Read instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the MicroBook.
2. Retain instructions — The safety instructions and owner's manual should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings — All warnings on the MOTU MicroBook and in the owner's manual should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions — All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Cleaning — Unplug the MOTU MicroBook from the computer before cleaning and use a damp cloth. Do not use liquid or
aerosol cleaners.
6. Power Sources — This MOTU MicroBook should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking
label.
7. Power-Cord Protection — Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by
items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the MOTU MicroBook.
8. Lightning — For added protection for the MOTU MicroBook during a lightning storm, unplug its power supply from any wall
outlets. This will prevent damage to the MOTU MicroBook due to lightning and power line surges.
9. Servicing — Do not attempt to service this MOTU MicroBook yourself as opening or removing covers will expose you to
dangerous voltage and other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
10.Damage Requiring Service — Unplug the MOTU MicroBook from the computer and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions.
a. When the power supply cord or plug is damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the MOTU MicroBook.
c. If the MOTU MicroBook has been exposed to rain or water.
d. If the MOTU MicroBook does not operate normally by following the operating instructions in the owner's manual.
e. If the MOTU MicroBook has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged.
f. When the MOTU MicroBook exhibits a distinct change in performance, this indicates a need for service.
11.Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts
specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in
fire, electric shock or other hazards.
12.Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to this MOTU MicroBook, ask the service technician to perform
safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating conditions.
ENVIRONMENT
Operating Temperature: 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°)
AVOID THE HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND FIRE
Do not handle the power supply, or power cables with wet hands.
CAUTION: DANGER OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED. REPLACE ONLY WITH THE
SAME OR EQUIVALENT TYPE RECOMMENDED BYMANUFACTURER. DISPOSE OF USED
BATTERY ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.
Contents
4 Quick Reference: MicroBook Front Panel
5 Quick Reference: MicroBook Rear Panel
6 Quick Reference: MicroBook Top Panel
7 Quick Reference: CueMix FX

9 About the MicroBook
13 Packing List and System Requirements
15 Installing the MicroBook Software
17 Installing the MicroBook Hardware
23 Mac OS X Audio Software
33 Windows Audio Software
39 CueMix FX
49 Troubleshooting
51 Index
3
5

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croBook Fro This is a standard quarter-inch headphone jack. To control volume, push the VOL rotary encoder (5) repeatedly until the phones LED is lit. You can control phone volume independently or together with main out volume. To obtain your product serial number, see “Obtaining your MicroBook serial number” on page 14.
Mi 3.
k Reference: 2 Plug in your guitar here using a standard quarter-inch guitar cable. This input is designed with the high-impedance characteris-tics necessary to properly handle both passive and active guitar pickups. To make your guitar sound and “feel” even more like it is plugged directly into a actual guitar amplifier, consider using MOTU’s ZBox guitar impedance adapter (sold separately), which simply goes between your guitar cable and this input (no extra cable needed).
c 2.
Qui0 1 Plug in your dynamic or condenser mic here. Use the MIC digital rotary encoder on the top panel (4) to engage the -20 dB pad (push) and/or 48V phantom power (push and hold) for a condenser mic, if necessary. Make sure 48V power is turned OFF BEFORE plugging anything in to the mic input. Only engage 48V power when a device that requires it is plugged in.
1.
l To minimize noise that may be produced by connected devices: • Use balanced TRS quarter-inch cables whenever possible. • Use the MicroBook’s balanced quarter-inch connectors instead of the eighth-inch stereo “mini” connectors whenever possible. • Don’t make unbalanced audio connections between the Micro-Book and a FireWire or USB device while the other device is connected to any computer.
e
n
6
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oBook Rear P 5 This eighth-inch “stereo mini” jack serves as a stereo line level analog output that is completely independent from the Main Out (to the right). These two balanced, quarter-inch jacks serve as the MicroBook’s main outputs. You can connect them to a set of powered studio monitors. To control volume, push the VOL knob on the top repeat-edly until the speaker LED is lit. You can hear the output of your audio software on these Main Outs, and also use CueMix FX to monitor live MicroBook inputs.
r 4 5. 6.
c
Reference: Mi 23 These two analog inputs are balanced TRS (tip/ring/sleeve) quarter-inch connectors that can also accept an unbalanced plug. These inputs (3-4) do not have mic pre-amps, so they are best used for synthesizers, drum machines, effects processors, and other devices with line level signals (either -10 or +4). The CueMix FX software lets you adjust the input level for recording. If you use these quarter inch jacks, DO NOT plug a cable in to the stereo mini jack.
k 4.
c
Qui0 1 The MicroBook is powered by its USB connection to the computer. This stereo, 24-bit S/PDIF digital output mirrors the Main Out. This eighth-inch “stereo mini” jack serves as an alternative input for Line Inputs 3-4. For example, you can plug in an iPod or CD player here, instead of using the quarter- inch jacks to the right. DO NOTplug a cable into this mini jack at the same time as the quarter-inch jacks. To avoid ground loop , don’t connect a device with noiseanother power source (such as an iPod connected to a computer).
1. 2. 3.
6
5
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Reference: Mi Three-LED metering for the LINE OUTs. The VOL digital rotary encoder controls the volume of the main outs and phones. Push it repeat-edly to cycle among three states: a) Main outs (speaker icon) b) Phones (headphone icon) c) Both Push and hold the VOL encoder . to enable Guitar Trim ModeIn this mode, you can use the VOL knob to adjust the guitar input level; the MIC knob continues to adjust the mic input level, as usual. The MIC and GTR signal activity meters (4) become level indicators. If the level is turned all the way down, the the bottom LED flashes.
k 5. 6.
Quic0 The MIC digital rotary encoder controls the trim for the mic input. The preamp provides 53 dB of gain. Push to toggle the -20 dB pad; push and hold to toggle the 48V phantom power. Make sure 48V power is turned OFF BEFORE plugging anything in to the mic input. Only engage 48V power when a device that requires it is plugged in. Three-LED metering for the LINE IN jacks. Stereo three-LED metering for the MAIN OUTs. Four-LED metering for the MIC input and GUITAR input. In “Guitar Trim Mode” (see below), these meters indicate the input level setting (not signal activity).
1. 2. 3. 4.
CQHAuPiTcERk Reference: CueMix FX
Launch CueMix FX (in your Mac Applications folder or in the Windows Start menu
under Programs>MOTU>CueMix FX) to control the MicroBook. This chapter gives
you a quick overview. For further details, see chapter 7, “CueMix FX” (page 39).
1 2 3 4 5

7 6
1. Input settings include trim 3. Output settings include 5. Control the volume of the
level, mono/stereo toggle, EQ choosing what you will hear MicroBook’s outputs here.
and dynamics. For more input on each output (a mix bus,
settings (pad, phantom power, host computer audio, or a 6. Signal Generator tab provides
etc.) click the Focus button and signal generator), EQ, and settings for white/pink noise
go to the Channel tab. dynamics. See the next page, and a sine wave generator.
or “The Outputs tab” on
2. The MicroBook provides four page 44 for more info. 7. Meters for all ins/outs/busses.
stereo mix busses. Use the Mix
tab to mix sources (inputs, 4. Click a focus button (in the
host computer audio, etc.) for Inputs, Outputs, or Mixes tabs)
each mix bus. See “The Mixes to view individual channel
tab” on page 43. settings here in the Channel,
EQ and Dynamics tabs.
7
1 5 4

2
3
1. Click the Outputs tab to access White, or Pink produces a sine 3. If you want to apply EQ or
settings for the MicroBook’s wave or white/pink noise from dynamics processing to the
outputs. For example, you can the MicroBook’s signal genera- output, click here to enable it
choose one of four different tor (item 8 on the previous and then adjust settings in the
mixes for each output. page). channel section (4).
2. Choose the audio source for 4. Adjust output settings in the
each output pair from these EQ and dynamics tabs here. In
menus. The MicroBook gives the EQ tab, click the power
you a lot of flexibility, as icon to enable an EQ band and
shown in the menu to the then either adjust its knobs or
right. You can choose one of drag its settings directly in the
the four mixes, which let you graph above.
mix inputs with computer
audio. Or you can choose an 5. Use this menu to access the
input or computer audio spectrogram waterfall, real
directly (the Aux option). A time FFT display, and other
mix can go to as many outputs diagnostic tools. See “Audio
as you want. Choosing Sine, analysis tools” on page 47.
8