M-Audio AIR 192 4 Manual

Introduction

Box Contents

Support

For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit m-audio.com.

For additional product support, visit m-audio.com/support.

Quick Start

Windows users: Before connecting AIR 192|4 to your computer, install the drivers:

1. Go to m-audio.com/drivers and download the latest AIR 192|4 driver for your operating system.
2. Open the file you downloaded and double-click the driver installer file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.

Software: We've included Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition and Ableton Live Lite with your AIR 192|4 so you can get started making music with professional software right out of the box. Register your AIR 192|4 on m-audio.com, and follow the Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition install instructions in your User Account. Also, visit ableton.com to check for any available software updates.

Virtual Instruments: Follow the instructions on the software download card for installing the included virtual instrument plugins. After installation, most DAWs will not load virtual instrument plugins automatically. In order to access the virtual instrument plugins with Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition and Ableton Live Lite, you will need to choose the plugin folder for the software to scan:

Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition (AAX) plugin folders:
Windows (32-bit): C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
Windows (64-bit): C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
macOS: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins

Ableton (VST) Plugins:
Windows (32-bit): C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTplugins
Windows (64-bit): C:\Program Files\VSTplugins
macOS: Macintosh HD\Library\Audio\Plugins\VST

To set your plugin folder in Ableton Live Lite:

1. Go to the Preferences menu.
2. Select the File Folder tab. Under Plug-In Sources click Browse and select the appropriate plugin folder.
3. After making your selection, the Use VST Custom Plug-In Folder button should be ON. If it is not, click the button to turn it on.
4. Exit the Preferences menu.

Connection Diagram

Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.

Note:

• Use the +48V (Phantom Power) Switch only if a microphone requires phantom power. Most dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones do not require phantom power, but most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone's documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power.

Setting Up AIR 192|4 with Your Software

Setting Up AIR 192|4 with Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition

1. Use the included USB cable to connect the AIR 192|4 to your computer.
2. Open Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition.
3. Go to Setup > Playback Engine....
4. Open the Playback Engine dropdown menu and select M-Audio AIR 192|4.

Note: You may need to save and restart your project.

5. Select your Sample Rate and then click OK to close the Setup window.
6. Go to the Setup > I/O and select M-Audio AIR 192|4 for the Input and Output devices.

You can now add tracks to send and receive audio from sources connected to AIR 192|4 inputs and stream recorded audio back through the AIR 192|4 outputs.

Setting Up AIR 192|4 with Ableton Live Lite

1. Use the included USB cable to connect the AIR 192|4 to your computer.
2. Open Ableton Live Lite.
3. Go to Preferences > Audio tab.
4. Click on Driver Type to select CoreAudio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows).
5. Select AIR 192|4 in the Input and Output Config section.
6. Select your Sample Rate and then close the audio preferences window.

You can now add tracks to send and receive audio from sources connected to AIR 192|4 inputs and stream recorded audio back through the AIR 192|4 outputs.

Features

Top Panel

1. Input Gain: Adjusts the input's gain level. Set this knob so the corresponding LED Meter (located below the knob) displays a "healthy" level during performance—but not so high that the meter "clips" or peaks, causing distortion in the audio.
2. LED Meters: Indicates the input signal 2 2 level from the Combo Input or Instrument Input.
3. USB / Direct Blend: Adjusts the mix of the audio signal from your inputs (Direct) and the audio output of your computer (USB) that will be sent to the Main Outputs and Headphone Output.
   This knob is useful for dealing with "latency" when you are recording in your DAW. Latency is a delay in sound that may occur between the incoming sound (playing your instrument, singing, etc.) and outgoing sound (when you hear it in the DAW).
   Latency is often the result of the "buffer size" setting, which is usually located in your DAW's Preferences, Options, or Device Setup menu. Higher buffer sizes generally result in higher latency. In some cases, lower buffer size settings can consume a lot of your computer's CPU and cause audio glitches. To prevent these audio glitches, you will need to use a higher buffer setting, and this may result in latency.
   If you are experiencing latency when recording, adjust the knob towards the Direct position to increase the blend of unprocessed audio from your inputs directly to your Main Outputs and Headphone Output. This will let you hear the incoming audio from your inputs without latency while still being able to hear the audio from your DAW. When listening to the playback, adjust the knob all the way to the USB position.
   If your computer is powerful enough, you may be able to set the buffer size setting in your DAW low enough such that you may never need to listen to the direct audio signal from your inputs. In this case, set the USB / Direct Blend knob all the way to the USB position to monitor only the audio output of your DAW.
4. Headphone Level: Adjusts the output volume of the Headphone Output.
5. Monitor Level: Adjusts the output volume of Main Outputs, which should be connected to your powered monitors or amplifier system.
6. Power LED: Lights up when a valid USB connection has been established between your computer and AIR 192|4. Use this light to verify that AIR 192|4 is receiving power and is ready to use.
7. +48V (Phantom Power) LED: Lights up when phantom power is engaged.

Rear Panel

1. USB Port (Type C): This connection will allow you to send audio and MIDI data to and from a computer. Use the included USBC-to-USB-C or USB-C-to-USB-A cables to connect the AIR 192|4 to a computer. The AIR 192|4 requires a USB 2.0 connection (or higher).
2. Combo Input: Connect a microphone, a guitar or bass with an active pickup, or a line level device to this input. For microphones, use an XLR or 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS cable. For a guitar or bass with an active pickup, use a standard 1/4" (6.35 mm) TS cable. For line level signals, use a 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS cable. View the input signal level with the LED Meters.
3. Main Outputs: Use standard 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these outputs to your powered monitors, amplifier system, etc. The mix you hear from these outputs will be determined by the USB / Direct Blend knob. The level of these outputs is controlled by the Monitor Level knob.
4. Kensington Lock Slot: You can use this Kensington lock slot to secure AIR 192|4 to a table or other surface.

Front Panel

1. Headphone Output: Connect 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS headphones to this output. The mix you hear from this output will be determined by the USB / Direct Blend knob. The level of this output is controlled by the Headphone Level knob.
2. Instrument Input: Connect a guitar with a passive pickup or other high-impedance signal to this input with a 1/4" (6.35 mm) TS cable. View the input signal level with the LED Meters.
3. +48V (Phantom Power) Switch: This switch activates and deactivates phantom power. When activated (lit), phantom power supplies +48 volts to the Combo Input. Please note that most dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones do not require phantom power, while most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone's documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power.