M-Audio OmniStudio USB User Manual
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M-Audio OmniStudio USB User Manual

Multi-channel recording and playback solution
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OMNISTUDIO USB
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Summary of Contents for M-Audio OmniStudio USB

  • Page 1 OMNISTUDIO USB English...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Using the OmniStudio USB’s Direct Monitoring ........
  • Page 3 14. Troubleshooting ..................38 15.

  • Page 4: Introduction

    The OmniStudio USB offers low-noise mic preamps with phantom power for condenser microphones, XLR mic and 1/4” line and instrument level analog inputs. But the OmniStudio USB is more than just another analog “front end” for your computer. The OmniStudio USB also offers an impressive array of hardware input and output options to give you the kind of routing control previously only possible with a hardware mixing console.

  • Page 5: Features

    2. Features 4-in, 4-out USB audio connectivity High-resolution, high-performance 24-bit/96kHz A/D and D/A converters with a dynamic range of 103dB on input and 109dB on output. Dual low-noise mic/instrument preamps on Channel 1 and 2, featuring hybrid XLR/TRS (1/4”) front panel inputs, switchable 48V phantom power, individual gain controls, individual -20dB pads, LED metering, and up to 60dB of available gain.

  • Page 6: What's In The Box

    Microsoft. On the Mac, the OmniStudio USB is supported under MacOS 9.2.2 or later, and Mac OSX version 10.1.5 or later. Earlier versions of Mac operating systems are not supported.

  • Page 7: Features And Technical Information

    6 6 . . D D i i r r e e c c t t M M o o n n i i t t o o r r E E n n a a b b l l e e 1 1 & & 2 2 S S w w i i t t c c h h – In the OUT position, OmniStudio USB outputs 1 and 2 monitor the output from your audio software. Pressing this switch and engaging it in the IN position monitors the audio directly from OmniStudio USB’s Inputs 1 and 2, giving you zero- latency monitoring.

  • Page 8: Rear Panel

    2 2 2 2 . . P P o o w w e e r r L L E E D D – This LED indicates that the OmniStudio USB is connected and powered on.
  • Page 9 2 2 5 5 . . U U S S B B C C o o n n n n e e c c t t o o r r – Connect your computer to the OmniStudio USB here using the included USB cable.

  • Page 10: Theory Of Operation

    “split console” design, where the recording and monitoring sections function independently. Two high quality M-Audio Mic/Instrument preamps are routed to the OmniStudio USB’s analog inputs 1 and 2. The level you record is controlled by the OmniStudio USB preamp’s independent gain controls in conjunction with the 20dB pad switch. An insert jack added to the record path allows you to process the signal with outboard gear, should you choose to.

  • Page 11: Inputs And Outputs

    I/O Levels The OmniStudio USB’s Line Inputs (3 and 4), and its outputs 1/2 and 3/4, can be configured for +4 or -10 line level input simply by pressing their associated rear panel level selection switches. This allows for seamless integration with professional balanced (balanced...

  • Page 12: Operational Basics And Definitions

    TRS plugs on the outputs. XLR connectors also carry a balanced signal. If your device or monitoring system accepts an XLR connector, you may need a cable that has 1/4” TRS to male or female XLR. The OmniStudio USB Mic/Instr Inputs accept a male XLR, with a balanced mic cable being female XLR to male XLR.

  • Page 13: Balanced Cabling & Connections

    Alternatively, 1/4” TRS plug can carry an unbalanced stereo audio signal over a two-conductor cable with a shield, which applies to the Stereo Aux In and the Insert TRS jacks on the OmniStudio USB. A TRS plug on one end with two mono TS plugs on the other is in fact a stereo cable, and is sometimes referred to as an “insert cable.”...

  • Page 14: Line Levels Vs. Mic/Instr Levels

    Microphones and guitar pickups typically emit a low signal level, requiring a pre-amp such as those found in the OmniStudio USB’s Mic/Instr 1 & 2 Inputs. The OmniStudio USB’s Mic/Instr inputs provide up to 60dB of gain at the XLR mic inputs, and up to 45dB of gain at the high impedance inputs.

  • Page 15: Software Installation

    9. Software Installation Windows XP Insert the M-Audio driver CD-ROM into your computer. From the Start menu, select “Run…” then click the Browse button. Browse to the CD drive and double-click the OmniStudio USB folder to open it. Click on the Setup.EXE icon to begin the installation.
  • Page 16 When you see the “M-Audio OmniStudio USB Installed Successfully” screen, click Finish to complete the installation. Your OmniStudio USB is now ready to use. You will see the M-Audio OmniStudio USB control panel icon in your system tray (lower right corner of your desktop). Click on the icon to open the control panel.

  • Page 17: Windows 2000

    Windows 2000 Insert the M-Audio driver CD-ROM into your computer. From the Start menu, select “Run…” then click the Browse button. Browse to the CD drive and double-click the OmniStudio USB folder to open it. Click on the Setup.EXE icon to begin the installation.
  • Page 18 DirectX version 8.1 (or higher) in your system. Your OmniStudio USB is now ready to use. You will see the M-Audio OmniStudio USB control panel icon in your system tray (lower right corner of your desktop). Click on the icon to open the control panel.

  • Page 19: Windowsme

    Do NOT connect the OmniStudio USB to your computer’s USB port at this time. Insert the M-Audio driver CD-ROM into your computer. From the Start menu, select “Run…” then click the Browse button. Browse to the CD drive and double-click the OmniStudio USB folder to open it. Click on the Setup.EXE icon to begin the installation.
  • Page 20 Click Yes to continue. After the installation is complete, you may double-click on the M-Audio OmniStudio USB Control Panel icon to open the OmniStudio USB Control Panel. Refer to section 10, “Using the Control Panel” for more information on the Control Panel’s features and functions.

  • Page 21: Windows 98Se

    Do NOT connect the OmniStudio USB to your computer’s USB port at this time.Insert the M-Audio driver CD-ROM into your computer. From the Start menu, select “Run…” then click the Browse button. Browse to the CD drive and double-click the OmniStudio USB folder to open it.
  • Page 22 In some cases, Windows will ask you to update your stream.sys file. Click “Yes” to continue. After the installation is complete, you may double-click on the M-Audio OmniStudio USB Control Panel icon to open the OmniStudio USB Control Panel. Refer to section 10, “Using the Control Panel” for more information on the Control Panel’s features and functions.

  • Page 23: Mac Osx

    Mac OSX Insert the M-Audio driver CD into your CD-ROM drive and open the CD to view its contents. Double click on the OmniStudio USB folder to open the installer. Double click the M-Audio OmniStudio USB Installer.dmg file. An icon labeled OMNISTUDIO USB will appear on your desktop.
  • Page 24 When prompted, click "Restart" to finish the installation. After the computer has restarted, plug the OmniStudio USB into your computer’s USB Port and power it on. Go to "System Preferences" in the Apple Menu. Select the "Sound" preference panel, and click the "Output" tab. Select "M-Audio OmniStudio USB" to choose the OmniStudio...

  • Page 25: Mac Os9

    OMS below for more information. Insert the M-Audio driver CD into your CD-ROM drive and open the CD to view its contents. Double click on the OmniStudio USB folder to open the installer.

  • Page 26: Installing And Configuring Oms (Macos 9 Only)

    The “Create A New Studio Setup” dialog box now appears. Click “OK.” The “OMS Driver Search” dialog will ask you to choose the port to which you’ve connected the OmniStudio USB (either Modem or Printer). DO NOT choose a port, just click “Search.”...

  • Page 27: Using The Control Panel

    10. Using the Control Panel Along with your driver installation, the OmniStudio USB Control Panel is also installed on your system. On the PC, you’ll find a tiny “M” logo located in your system tray, which can be double-clicked to open the panel. On the Mac, the Apple menu’s Control Panel section will allow you to select and open the OmniStudio USB Control Panel.
  • Page 28 Latency is defined as the time it takes for your input signal to pass through your audio software and appear at the outputs. Smaller buffer sizes result in lower latency, but may not function well with slower systems. This drop-down menu selects the buffer size OmniStudio USB uses to handle digital audio streaming.

  • Page 29: Hardware Connections

    You can connect the OmniStudio USB’s Direct Outputs 1 through 4 to an external mixer. Shown in the illustration below is a typical audio setup using the OmniStudio USB. Of course, since the OmniStudio USB offers so many routing possibilities, your actual setup may vary.

  • Page 30: Using The Mic/Inst And Line Inputs

    Using the rear panel Line In 3/4 Input Level switch, and the Direct Out 1/2 and 3/4 Output Level switches, you may change the operating line level for the OmniStudio USB’s Line In 3 and 4 inputs and Direct Outs 1-4. In the OUT position, the level is set to a +4dBu line level. Pressing the input level switch and locking it to the IN position changes the operating line level to a -10dBV setting.

  • Page 31: Using The Inserts

    Using the channel Aux Mon/Rec switches, you can bus the Aux Inputs’ audio to the main stereo bus (Aux Mon/Rec switch in Mon (OUT) position). By selecting the Rec (IN) position, you can bus up to two Stereo Aux Input pairs to the OmniStudio USB’s A/D converters, and directly to your audio software for recording.

  • Page 32: Basic Recording/Playback Operation

    (see the next section, Adding Effects). Use the meters in your audio program to set the record levels for the input signal at OmniStudio USB inputs 1 and 2. Adjust the gain associated with your line level signals accordingly.

  • Page 33: Adding Effects

    FX Send output, and on to your external device. In your audio software, assign your audio tracks to any of the OmniStudio USB’s four outputs. Start playback of your audio tracks, and raise the FX 1 – 4 levels. Adjust the input level on your external processor to a moderate level. You should begin to see level at the input of your effects unit, and hear the effect as the processed signal returns to the FX Returns.

  • Page 34: Setting Record Levels Using The Mic/Inst And Line Inputs

    Since an insert is often found on a patch bay, using an insert to add a processor to the signal flow is sometimes called “patching-in.” We will refer to these patch points as “insert out” and “insert in.” Use the left side of the cable for the OmniStudio USB ‘insert out’ point.

  • Page 35: Recording External Effects

    The OmniStudio USB provides you with four Stereo Aux Ins which are primarily designed for monitoring your MIDI sound modules while you are creating MIDI tracks (though they can be used for other purposes as well). The stereo 1/4” TRS jack gives the OmniStudio USB more Aux Ins (four stereo pairs, or eight in all), though note that you will need to use an insert cable to connect two mono outputs to these inputs.

  • Page 36: Recording Your Midi Instruments As Audio Tracks

    Stereo Aux Input to the OmniStudio USB’s A/D converter and directly to your audio software for recording. It should also be noted that you will no longer hear the Aux Input signal going directly to the OmniStudio’s internal mixer. Once you engage the Mon/Rec switch, you must either use the Direct Monitor circuitry or monitor through the audio software (see the section, “Using ASIO or WDM Software Monitoring”) to hear your Aux Inputs.
  • Page 37 “virtual tracks” from your MIDI instruments. These virtual tracks and the audio from your recording program all pass through the OmniStudio USB’s mixer, and all appear at the Main Outs. Audio input into the FX return will also appear at the Main Outs. As mentioned earlier, you can also record all your MIDI instruments and effects processing as audio tracks.

  • Page 38: Optimizing Your Computer For Audio

    13. Optimizing Your Computer for Audio Recording multi-channel audio and MIDI with a computer is a complex process at best, and volumes have been written about it. Setting up your computer to run smoothly and avoid problems is often complicated by the sheer number of different types of computer hardware, operating systems, and other hardware and software components.

  • Page 39: Troubleshooting

    Problem: On my Mac, I cannot select the OmniStudio USB ASIO driver in my audio software. Possible Cause: If the OmniStudio USB’s ASIO driver has not been copied to the correct folder (e.g., the ASIO folder in the System Folder, rather than the ASIO folder in your audio software’s ASIO folder), it will not be recognized by your application.

  • Page 40: Contact Us

    15. Contact Us M-AUDIO U.S. 45 E. Saint Joseph St. Arcadia, CA 91006-2861 U.S.A. Sales Information: 626-445-2842 Sales Information (email): info@m-audio.com Tech Support: 626-445-8495 Tech Support (email): techsupt@m-audio.com Fax: 626-445-7564 Internet Home Page: http://www.m-audio.com M-AUDIO U.K. Unit 5, Saracen Industrial Estate Mark Rd.

  • Page 41: Product Specs

    16. Product Specs Recording/Playback Configurations (USB bandwidth limited) 16-bit / up to 48 kHz = 4-in, 4-out 24-bit / up to 48 kHz = 4-in, 2-out OR 2-in, 4-out 24-bit / 88.2 or 96 kHz = 2-in OR 2-out Performance Specifications All measured performance specifications were obtained using 24-bit 48kHz settings.

  • Page 42: Input Specifications

    Mic In to Main Output: +0.0/-0.3dB, 20Hz-20kHz Frequency Response: Instrument In to Main Output: +0.0/-0.3dB, 20Hz-20kHz Line 3/4 in to Main Output: +0.0/-0.5dB, 20Hz-20kHz Input Specifications Max Input Levels: Mic In, Min gain (no pad): 3.4Vpp balanced Mic In, Max gain (no pad): 3.8mVpp balanced Mic In, Min gain (w/ pad): 34Vpp balanced Mic In, Max gain (w/ pad): 38mVpp balanced Inst In, Min gain (no pad): 9.5Vpp...

  • Page 43: Minimum System Requirements

    Minimum System Requirements: Native USB compatibility G3 or G4 running OS 9.2.2 or later, or OS 10.1.5 or later 128 MB RAM (for 96kHz Operation) 64 MB RAM (for 48kHz Operation) OMS 2.3.8 for MIDI (under OS 9) Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 (SP3), Windows XP (SP1) UDMA EIDE or SCSI hard disk(s) Pentium III 500MHz, 128 MB of RAM (for 96kHz Operation) Pentium II 400MHz, 64 MB of RAM (for 48kHz Operation)
  • Page 44 SIGNAL FLOW BLOCK DIAGRAM...

  • Page 45: Warranty

    Return Authorization number must be obtained from M-AUDIO. After this number is obtained, the unit should be shipped back to M-AUDIO in a protective package with a description of the problem and the Return Authorization clearly written on the package.

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