E-Mu CREATIVE TRACKER pre Reference Manual
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E-Mu CREATIVE TRACKER pre Reference Manual

Audio interface / mobile preamp
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TRACKERpre Reference Manual
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Summary of Contents for E-Mu CREATIVE TRACKER pre

  • Page 1 A u d i o I n t e r f a c e / M o b i l e P r e a m p R e f e r e n c e M a n u a l R e f e r e n c e M a n u a l TRACKERpre Reference Manual...
  • Page 2 Audio Interface / Mobile Preamp Reference Manual © 2007 E-MU Systems All Rights Reserved Revision: A E-MU World Headquarters Europe Creative Labs (Ireland) Ltd E-MU Systems Ballycoolin Business Park 1500 Green Hills Road Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 Scotts Valley, CA 95066...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Uninstalling the Audio Drivers and Applications ..........11 Basic Connections ..............12 Insert Connection Example ............13 Controls & Headphone Output ........... 14 Input/Output ................15 E-MU USB Audio Control Panel ........... 16 Direct Monitoring ............... 17 Tutorials ..................18 Introduction ....................18 Before you Begin..................18 Getting Started with Steinberg Cubase LE 4 (Windows, OS X) ......19...
  • Page 4 Cables - balanced or unbalanced? ..............49 Balanced Cables ..................49 Unbalanced Cables ..................49 Adapter Cables ....................50 Grounding ...................... 50 Phantom Power ....................50 Technical Specifications .............. 51 Declaration of Conformity ............53 Index ..................55 E-MU Systems...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Introduction INTRODUCTION Thank you for your purchase of the E-MU Tracker Pre USB 2.0 Audio Interface/ Mobile Preamp. This interface brings an unparalleled level of USB audio quality to the Mac or PC, with pristine 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters, ultra-low jitter clock, and XTC™...

  • Page 6: Package Includes

    • IK Multimedia AmpliTube LE • SFX Machine LT • T-Racks EQ Ableton Live Lite 6 E-MU Edition CD-ROM (OS X, Windows) • Ableton Live Lite 6 E-MU Edition Waldorf Edition LE CD-ROM (OS X, Windows) • Waldorf Edition LE...

  • Page 7: Computer Requirements

    Computer Requirements COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS The minimum computer system requirements for the E-MU Tracker Pre USB 2.0 are listed below. Windows • Intel® or AMD® processor — 1.2 GHz or faster • Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard & chipset • Microsoft® Windows® XP (SP 2 or greater), Windows XP x64, Windows Vista, or Windows Vista x64 •...

  • Page 8: Software Installation

    SOFTWARE INSTALLATION Windows XP or Windows Vista Follow these instructions to install the Tracker Pre USB 2.0 software and E-MU Production Tools software bundle on a Windows XP or Windows Vista computer. 1. First connect the Tracker Pre USB 2.0 to your computer using the supplied USB cable, and turn it on.

  • Page 9: Macintosh Os X

    Software Installation 4. Select the E-MU Audio Drivers entry and then click the Change/Remove button. 5. In the InstallShield Wizard dialog box, select the Remove ALL option. 6. Click the Yes button. 7. Restart your computer when prompted. You may now re-install existing or updated E-MU device drivers or applications.
  • Page 10 Connecting a MIDI keyboard will allow you to use the virtual instruments provided in the software bundle and get the most out of your purchase. You’ll also need a MIDI interface such as the E-MU Xmidi 2x2 or Xmidi 1x1. 14. Click the MIDI Devices button. The window shown below appears.

  • Page 11: Uninstalling The Audio Drivers And Applications

    At times you may need to uninstall or reinstall the Tracker Pre USB 2.0 application and device drivers to correct problems, change configurations, or upgrade outdated drivers or applications. Before you begin, close the E-MU Tracker Pre Audio control panel application. Applications running during the uninstallation will not be removed.

  • Page 12: Basic Connections

    (unbalanced-TS) Powered Speakers 1/4” male to 1/4” male (balanced-TRS or unbalanced-TS) 1/4” male TS Male RCA to Stereo 1/8” to female RCA male stereo 1/8” stereo-stereo Male stereo Powered Y-cable coupler 1/8” to speakers Computer Speakers E-MU Systems...

  • Page 13: Insert Connection Example

    Insert Connection Example INSERT CONNECTION EXAMPLE EXTERNAL PROCESSOR (Compressor, EQ, etc.) COMPRESSOR ATTACK FAST SLOW MEDIUM LINK BYPASS FAST SLOW 2 +3 RELEASE POWER OUTPUT RED. METER GAIN GAIN REDUCTION TIP . . . Input Output Tracker Pre can be used as a standalone, high-quality Ring stereo microphone preamp...

  • Page 14: Controls & Headphone Output

    See page 46 for more information. Input Grounded R-GND LIFT L-GND LIFT Input Ground Lifted The input ground is lifted when the L or R slide switch is closest to the GND LIFT label. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 15: Input/Output

    Input/Output INPUT/OUTPUT 7. 5 VDC Power Adapter (optional) Although the Tracker Pre is normally bus-powered via USB, it can also be powered by an external 5-Volt DC power adapter (optional) to allow it to be used as a stand-alone stereo microphone preamplifier. 8.

  • Page 16: E-Mu Usb Audio Control Panel

    After you have successfully installed the audio drivers, launch the E-MU USB Audio control panel. The E-MU USB Audio control panel is shown below. • Windows: The E-MU USB Audio control icon will be visible in the Taskbar, which is normally located in the bottom right of the screen. It can also be launched from the Start Menu (All Programs, Creative Professional, E-MU USB Audio Application).

  • Page 17: Direct Monitoring

    Direct Monitoring DIRECT MONITORING Direct monitoring allows you to monitor inputs without having any software applications open. It can also be used as an alternative to software monitoring if you desire the lowest latency monitoring possible. When using a computer for digital recording, an audible time delay occurs while the audio signal is being input to the computer, processed by the software and then returned to the output for monitoring.

  • Page 18: Tutorials

    • OS X: Applications Drive\Library\Documentation\ E-MU Tracker Pre USB\ 3rdParty.htm\ Before you Begin... • You should have already installed the E-MU and Third-Party software on your computer. • You should hear the computer sounds coming out of the Tracker Pre and WARNING!

  • Page 19: Getting Started With Steinberg Cubase Le 4 (Windows, Os X)

    Audio 7. Select VST Audio System from the left pane. 8. Choose ASIO E-MU TRACKER Pre|USB as the ASIO Driver. A pop up dialog box asks you if you want to keep or switch the ASIO driver. Select Switch. Buffer Latency Setting 9.
  • Page 20 15. Select Project Setup (Shift +S) from the Project menu. This is where you set disk that doesn’t contain the Sample Rate and Record Format (bit depth), among other things. Set the your operating system. Record Format to 24 Bit and the Sample Rate to 44.100 kHz. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 21: Basic Multitrack Recording

    Tutorials 2 - Basic Multitrack Recording This tutorial assumes you’re using a single input or a pair of inputs. For more advanced recording, refer to the Cubase LE 4 manual. Add an Audio Track 1. From the Cubase LE 4 menu bar, select Project, Add Track, Audio. A pop-up dialog box appears, asking you if you would like to add a mono or stereo track.
  • Page 22 16. Press the Record button on the Cubase transport control panel and you’re recording again. You’ll hear your first track playing along with you. 17. Repeat steps 12-14 to record more audio tracks. 18. Press the Mute button to silence any tracks you don’t want to hear. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 23: Recording A Midi Track Using Proteus Vx (Windows Only)

    Tutorials 3 - Recording a MIDI Track using Proteus VX (Windows only) You’ll need a MIDI interface and a MIDI keyboard (or other MIDI input device) for this tutorial. Make the Connections 1. Connect the MIDI out of your MIDI keyboard to the MIDI input of your MIDI interface.
  • Page 24 6. Now we can load the Proteus X Composer bank. Select Proteus X Composer from the File menu. The bank is installed here: “Program Files\Creative Professional\ E-MU Sound Central\Proteus X Composer.” Loading takes a few seconds. 7. Change the Preset using the Inc/Dec keys. You also have to select a preset before you can hear anything.
  • Page 25 Tutorials 11. Feel free to play around for awhile and don’t worry about losing anything. Nothing is made permanent until you Save the bank, so have fun. To Record a MIDI Track 12. Make sure the Record Enable button on the MIDI track is on (it should be on by default).

  • Page 26: Getting Started With Cakewalk Sonar 6 Le (Windows)

    1. After installation Sonar 6 LE will automatically open. After completing the product registration, the following dialog box appears: 2. If you have a MIDI interface or USB keyboard connected (such as the E-MU Xmidi 2x2 or Xboard), select “Choose MIDI Inputs Now.” If you don’t have a MIDI interface, select “Continue with No MIDI Input.”...
  • Page 27 Tutorials Set-up the Audio Options 5. From the Options menu, select Audio... The following dialog box appears. 6. Click on the Advanced Tab to access the next window. 7. Select ASIO as the Driver Mode and click OK. You’ll get a pop-up dialog box explaining that the ASIO settings won’t take effect until the next time you start Sonar 6 LE.
  • Page 28 16. Select 24 bits as the Recording Step 16 Bit Depth. The Tracker Pre is a 24-bit device so why not use the best possible resolution? 17. Click OK to select your choices and close Global Options. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 29: Basic Multitrack Recording

    If you wish to record a mono signal on the Left input of the Tracker Pre USB, select Left ASIO E-MU Tracker Pre|USB Mic In A. To record both inputs in stereo select Stereo ASIO E-MU Tracker Pre|USB Analog In A.
  • Page 30 Old and New when asked in the Drag & Drop Options.) Save your Project 18. Choose Save As… from the Sonar 6 LE File menu to save your project. Choose a name and location that will make the project easy to find later. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 31: Recording A Midi Track Using Proteus Vx

    MIDI interface. Select the Virtual Instrument 2. From the Insert menu, select Soft Synths, E-MU, ProteusVX from the View menu. 3. The following pop-up dialog box appears. 4. Select the default options (MIDI Source Track & First Synth Output) as shown.
  • Page 32 8. Open the Proteus X Composer bank. Select Proteus X Composer from the File menu. The bank is installed here by default: “Program Files\Creative Professional\ E-MU Sound Central\Proteus X Composer.” Loading takes a few seconds. Change the Preset using the Inc/Dec keys. (You also have to select a preset before you can hear anything.) This bank contains 1024 different presets...
  • Page 33 Tutorials 10. Bring up the mini keyboard by clicking the icon on Proteus VX and play a few notes. You should be hearing sound. If not, verify that the Tracker Pre is properly configured. • Note: If the sound volume is very low, you can decrease the Headroom of Proteus VX.
  • Page 34 VSTi’s with one channel each. 25. Select MIDI Track from the Insert menu. A new MIDI track appears. 26. Make sure Omni is selected as the MIDI input (see below). 27. Make sure Proteus VX is selected as the Output (see below). E-MU Systems...
  • Page 35 Tutorials 28. Select MIDI Channel 2 in the Ch. field as shown at right. 29. Record Disable the previous MIDI track by clicking the Track Record Enable button. 30. Record Enable your new MIDI track by clicking its Track Record Enable button. Record Disable this track Record Enable this track 31.

  • Page 36: Getting Started With Ableton Live Lite 6 (Windows/Os X)

    Getting Started with Ableton Live Lite 6 (Windows/OS X) This guide contains a basic walk-through of Ableton Live Lite 6 (E-MU Edition) to get you recording and playing back audio. A Proteus VX tutorial is also included for Windows users. We encourage you to perform the steps on your computer as you read so that you can “learn by doing.”...
  • Page 37 Demo Mode In order to save your Live Sets, Demo Mode must be Off for all products. Ableton Live Lite 6 - E-MU Edition installs with Demo mode On for the other Ableton products such as Operator and Simpler. 5. Select the Products tab.

  • Page 38: Follow The Live 6 Lessons

    Lesson provides a good background for using Proteus VX VSTi in Ableton Live. 3. After Lessons 1 and 2, feel free to continue on with the rest of the Lessons. When you’re ready to add Proteus VX to the mix, read on. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 39: Running Proteus Vx From Ableton Live (Windows Only)

    (See the image on the following page.) Load the Proteus X Composer bank. 6. Open Proteus X Composer from the File menu. The bank is installed here by default: “Program Files\Creative Professional\ E-MU Sound Central\Proteus X Composer.” Loading takes a few seconds. TRACKERpre Reference Manual...
  • Page 40 Clip area on your Proteus VX MIDI track. Step 11 (Whurlie -Chords shown) 13. Press the Scene Launch button for the Verse scene. 14. Drag and drop a few more clips over to the track and try them out. E-MU Systems...
  • Page 41 Tutorials Change the Preset from Live 15. When you have a clip you like, click the Clip Overview Hot Spot or simply NOTE double-click on the clip. (Hint: Shift+Tab toggles the view.) Proteus VX sounds are called Presets or Programs. Ableton Live Programs are offset by +1 from Proteus Clip Overview Hot Spot...

  • Page 42: Record A Midi Track In Live Using Your Midi Keyboard

    The preset selection dialog box appears. Click Here 5. Hit the Spacebar to start Live, then browse though the presets. Click OK when you find one you want to use for recording. 6. Close the Proteus VX editor by clicking the close box. E-MU Systems...
  • Page 43 Tutorials 7. Open the Preferences via the Options menu (PC) or Live menu (OS X) and choose the Record/Warp/Launch tab. Set the Count-in to any value other than “None.” Live doesn’t start recording until the count-in period has elapsed and gives you time to get ready after pressing “Record.” Close the Window. 8.
  • Page 44 Add Another MIDI Track IMPORTANT! - Ableton Live Lite 6 - E-MU Edition only allows you to create four MIDI tracks and we already have four. Solution: Delete track 6 Crash, Step 22: which is only used as an accent for the song.

  • Page 45: Other Cool Tips

    Tutorials Get Ready to Record on Channel 2 28. Turn Arm Session Record On. You should now be hearing the preset you selected on channel 2 when you play your MIDI keyboard. 29. Start up the Verse using the Scene Launch button and practice playing along with it.

  • Page 46: Troubleshooting

    Audio Device”. 1. Open the Control Panel, then select Sounds and Audio Devices. 2. Click the Audio tab and select E-MU Tracker Pre USB 2.0 as the Default device under Sound Playback. 3. Click the Volume button under Sound Playback and turn up Wave volume.
  • Page 47 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sample rates, you must be operating in USB 2.0 mode. The included E-MU USB Audio Control panel software includes an indicator to let you know which mode the device is running in.

  • Page 48: Internet References

    Cubase, ASIO & Digital Audio..http://www.steinberg.net ASIO, Cubase & Digital Audio..http://www.steinbergusers.com/cubasele/ le_support.php Cubase Users Group ......http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ cubase/messages Forums Unofficial E-MU Forum..... http://www.productionforums.com/emu Sound-On-Sound Forum ....http://www.soundonsound.com Computer Music Forum ....http://www.computermusic.co.uk/main.asp Home Recording Forum....http://homerecording.com/bbs Studio Central Forum ......

  • Page 49: Useful Information

    Useful Information USEFUL INFORMATION Cables - balanced or unbalanced? All inputs and outputs on the E-MU Tracker Pre are designed to use EITHER WARNING! balanced or unbalanced cables. Balanced signals provide an additional +6 dB of Balanced cables should gain on the inputs and are recommended for best audio performance, although ONLY be used when unbalanced cables work fine for most applications.

  • Page 50: Adapter Cables

    However, since ribbon microphones are fairly specialized and generally expensive, you’ll know if you own one. Most microphones are either of dynamic or condenser type and these will not be harmed by phantom power. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 51: Technical Specifications

    Anti-Pop speaker protection minimizes noise during power on/off Ultra-low jitter clock subsystem: <100ps RMS Combo Microphone Preamplifier/Hi-Z/Line Input (2) Type: Balanced combo mic preamplifier and Hi-Z/line input A/D converter: AK5385 Phantom Power: Phantom-Z™ bus powered, E-MU CurrentMorph™, (patent-pending) Microphone Input Type: Balanced Input Impedance: 1.5 K Ohms Max Level: balanced: +6.4dBV;...
  • Page 52 THD+N: (1kHz at -1dBFS) -99dB (.0011%) Stereo Crosstalk: (1kHz at -1dBFS) -90 dB Dimensions / Weight Weight: 0.94 lb / 0.43 kg Dimensions: W: 6.5” H: 2.0” L: 5.5” W: 165 mm H: 50.8 mm L: 140 mm E-MU Systems...

  • Page 53: Declaration Of Conformity

    Declaration of Conformity DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY E-MU Systems Trade Name: EM8740 Model No.: E-MU Systems Responsible Party: 1500 Green Hills Road, Suite 101 Address: Scotts Valley, CA 95066 U.S.A. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the...
  • Page 54 This product has been tested and found compliant with the limits set out in the EMC Directive for using connection cables shorter than 3 meters (9.8 feet). Notice If static electricity or electromagnetism causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart the application or disconnect and connect the USB cable again. E-MU Systems...

  • Page 55: Index

    Grounding 50 1/8" Mini-phone to 1/4" Adapters 50 48 Volt Phantom Power 50 Headphone Level Control 14 Headphone Output 14 Ableton Live Lite 4 for E-MU Hi-Z Inputs 15 running Proteus VX in 39 Hum, cause 50 setting up 36...
  • Page 56 TRS Plugs & Jacks 49 Tutorials Ableton Live Lite 4 36 Cakewalk Sonar LE 26 Proteus VX with Ableton Live Lite 39 Proteus VX with Cubase LE 23 Proteus VX with Sonar LE 31 Steinberg Cubase LE 19 E-MU Systems...

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