How To Use Audio Kontrol 1 With A Laptop; Use Balanced Cables; Break The Loop With A Di Box; Check The Laptop’s Latency - Native Instruments AUDIO KONTROL 1 Operation Manual

8.4.2. Use balanced cables

Always use balanced audio cables if possible to connect the AUDIO KONTROL 1
to your mixer. If your mixer provides both unbalanced and balanced inputs, avoid
using the unbalanced inputs if you can.

8.4.3. Break the loop with a DI box

If you cannot fix the ground noise problem by disconnecting equipment and us-
ing balanced cables, you still have the possibility of using a DI (direct input) box
between the AUDIO KONTROL 1 outputs and the mixer inputs. (This is the same
kind of box that is used to connect a line-level instrument like a guitar). Most of
these boxes have a ground lift switch on them, this can be used to break the ground
loop and eliminate the noise. A DI box is especially recommended if your mixer
has unbalanced inputs only.

8.5. How to Use AUDIO KONTROL 1 with a Laptop

8.5.1. Check the Laptop's latency
First you should check if your computer is suited to handling real-time audio
processing without experiencing dropouts. Dropouts might be caused by certain
components in your computer. Please download a tool that scans your computer
regarding suitability for audio processing. You can find an appropriate one at
www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml.
There is no Software installation required, just launch the tool after downloading.
With AUDIO KONTROL 1 disconnected the tool will report if your Laptop can handle
real-time audio streaming without dropouts.
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