Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Prism Sound Manuals
  4. Accessories
  5. Atlas
  6. Operation manual

Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual

Usb audio interface
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Atlas and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Prism Sound Atlas

Summary of Contents for Prism Sound Atlas

  • Page 3 Atlas Operation Manual by Ian Dennis This manual is also available as 'on-line help' from the Atlas Control Panel app. You can access the on-line help from the 'Help' button in the top right-hand corner of the app.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Part 1 General information Part 2 Introduction to Atlas Features ..........................6 System requirements ..........................7 About this manual ..........................7 Part 3 Quick start guides Quick start for Mac ..........................10 Quick start for Windows ..........................10...
  • Page 5 Atlas Control Panel app ..........................36 Unit settings ............................... Inputs tab ............................... Outputs tab ............................... Mixer tabs ............................... Atlas drivers ..........................41 Part 7 Technical topics Stability and latency ..........................44 Clocking and jitter ..........................45 Dither and noise-shaping ..........................47 Analogue interconnections ..........................
  • Page 7 Part General information...

  • Page 8: General Information

    Email: tech.support@prismsound.com Web: http://www.prismsound.com Or contact your local Prism Sound distributor as detailed on the website. WARNING! TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
  • Page 9 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Statements of conformity This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against interference in a residential area.
  • Page 11 Part Introduction to Atlas...

  • Page 12: Introduction To Atlas

    Revision 1.00 Introduction to Atlas Atlas is a USB multi-channel audio interface for Windows PC and Mac. As well as eight analogue line inputs and outputs, Atlas provides eight high-quality microphone preamplifiers and a MIDI interface as well as a host of advanced synchronization and monitoring facilities.

  • Page 13: System Requirements

    System requirements Atlas will work with any modern host PC or Mac with a suitable operating system and USB 2.0 or 3.0 port. Macs must be Intel platform and must be running OS X 10.5 Leopard or later; PCs must be running Windows Vista, 7, 8 or later (32-bit or 64-bit).
  • Page 15 Part Quick start guides...

  • Page 16: Quick Start Guides

    USB 3.0 port. You must have OS X 10.5 Leopard, or later. · Connect your Atlas to the mains supply and to a USB port on your Mac with the cables provided. · Insert the installation disc into a DVD-ROM drive on your Mac, or else locate the folder containing the downloaded package.
  • Page 17 Part Installation procedures...

  • Page 18: Installation Procedures

    The full installation procedure is as follows: · Connect your Atlas to the mains supply and to a USB port on your Mac with the cables provided. · Insert the installation disc into a DVD-ROM drive on your Mac, or else locate the folder containing the downloaded package.
  • Page 19 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 · A copy of the EULA will appear, which you should read: · Agree to the EULA by clicking 'Continue'. · Having selected an install destination if required, click 'Install' to perform the installation: ·...

  • Page 20: Windows Installation

    USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port. · Connect your Atlas to the mains supply and to a USB port on your PC with the cables provided. · Insert the installation disc into a DVD-ROM drive on your PC, or else locate the folder containing the downloaded installation files.
  • Page 21 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 · A welcome screen announces that installation is abut to begin. If you wish to proceed, click 'Next': · You will be asked to agree to the EULA - if you agree, click 'Yes': ©...
  • Page 22 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 · Confirm your user name and organisation, and click 'Next': · Choose 'Complete' to perform a default installation. To change the installation location or which components will be installed, you can choose 'Custom' (not recommended). Click 'Next': ©...
  • Page 23 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 · Final check. To proceed with installation, click 'Next': · Installation will then proceed: © 2014 Prism Media Products Ltd 1.17...
  • Page 24 USB audio driver itself and one for the WDM driver. · Installation will then complete, click 'Finish': The Atlas device's ports should now be visible to Windows and any applications as both ASIO and WDM audio ports. · Remember to register your Atlas at http://www.prismsound.com/register.

  • Page 25: Operating Multiple Units

    It is possible that this feature may become available in future software releases. Software and firmware updates From time to time, new versions of the Atlas Control Panel app, the Windows driver, or the Atlas firmware itself will be made available. To view the latest versions available, please visit www.
  • Page 27 Part Atlas hardware...

  • Page 28: Atlas Hardware

    The figure above is a simplified block diagram of the Atlas audio signal paths. Atlas is basically a sound card, with all inputs made available to the host computer via the USB host bus, and all outputs likewise driven from the USB host bus. However, Atlas's signal paths contain a range of enhanced processing and mixing functions, which are described in the following sections.

  • Page 29: Overkiller

    Note that there is no explicit stereo width control provided in the matrix; however width can be adjusted by balancing the gains of the mid and side inputs - the gain steps of the Atlas microphone preamplifiers are fine and precise. In line input mode, no fine gain adjustment is available, so if the Atlas MS matrix is used with external preamplifiers, these must have fine and accurate gain control if width adjustment is required.

  • Page 30: Sample-Rate Converter

    In normal operation, the analogue outputs are fed directly with individual signals from the host PC or Mac; however, it is possible to feed the outputs from local digital mixers within the Atlas hardware if desired - this is described in the Output mixers section below.

  • Page 31: Digital Outputs

    In normal operation, the S/PDIF digital outputs are fed directly with individual signals from the host PC or Mac; however, it is possible to feed the outputs from local digital mixers within the Atlas hardware if desired - this is described in the Output mixers section.

  • Page 32: Word-Length

    Word-length It is possible to control the word-length of the S/PDIF output using the word-length control, uppermost in the DO1/2 strip in the Outputs tab of the Atlas Control Panel app. The control operates as follows: Setting Action 24 bit All 24 bits sent to the digital output are transmitted from the S/PDIF or AES3 output.

  • Page 33: Assignable Level Control

    The output mixers are primarily intended to provide low-latency foldback or monitor mixes incorporating Atlas's audio inputs in conjunction with feeds from the DAW software - since the mix is performed locally, the delay involved in passing live audio up to the host computer and back is removed.

  • Page 34: Mdio Expansion Slot

    Atlas incorporates Prism Sound's new MDIO expansion slot. This allows an optional expansion module to be added, enabling Atlas to connect to a host device using a different interface format from its default USB. MDIO modules of various formats will become available in the future.

  • Page 35: Synchronization

    Atlas's digital input or output. In the former case, the SRC simply converts any incoming digital signal of whatever sample rate to the sample rate of the Atlas unit. If the SRC is in the digital output, it is necessary to specify what the output sample rate must be; furthermore, it may be necessary to lock the output rate to an arbitrary external reference.

  • Page 36: Front Panel

    · Standby button: puts the unit into a low-power standby state. Note that the USB interface is still active in standby mode, so the Atlas unit can still be recognised by the host, although its inputs and outputs are inactive. The LED in the standby button flashes to identify the unit in multi-unit setups when the 'Identify' button in the Control Panel app is clicked.

  • Page 37: Rear Panel

    Unit settings section. · Host indicator: this indicator is normally lit green, to show that Atlas is connected to the host computer via the USB interface; however, when lit red, it indicates that the unit is using the MDIO (multi-channel digital IO) expansion module to connect to a non-USB host, as described in the MDIO expansion slot section.

  • Page 38: Fuses And Ratings

    Stand-alone operation It is possible to operate Atlas without a connection to a host computer. This is done by setting up the unit as required using the Atlas Control Panel app whilst it is connected to a host computer via its USB interface, then placing the unit in standby by pressing the standby button, before disconnecting the unit from the host and power source.

  • Page 39: Rack Mounting

    The hub can be initially raised with a small flat-bladed screwdriver. Retain the feet for later use. If Atlas units are rack mounted, an empty 1U gap should be left above each Atlas to ensure effective cooling.
  • Page 41 Part Atlas software...

  • Page 42: Atlas Software

    Accessing the Atlas Control Panel app The Atlas Control Panel app can be run directly like any other Mac or Windows program, or it can be accessed from the operating system itself, from the "Sound and Audio devices" dialogue in the ©...

  • Page 43: Unit Settings

    Atlas configurations, and for accessing on-line help. The Atlas model and serial number are displayed at the top of the Unit settings area. Note that the currently-installed firmware version of the Atlas unit can be displayed by hovering the mouse cursor over this text.
  • Page 44 Synchronization section. The LED Level control allows the brightness of the LEDs on Atlas's front panel to be adjusted to suit ambient lighting conditions. In Windows ASIO systems, the audio delay through the input and output buffers can be controlled with the Buffer control.

  • Page 45: Inputs Tab

    ULOK (unlock) is lit when no S/PDIF carrier is detected at the selected input; ASNC (asynchronous) is lit when the incoming carrier is not locked to Atlas's selected sync source. In ADAT modes, ULOK and ASNC indicators are also provided for the ADAT/SMUX inputs.

  • Page 46: Outputs Tab

    There is also a mute button (whose function is also available by pressing the volume knob on the Atlas front panel) and a numerical readout/setting box. Note that changes to the assignment of the level control can be prevented by engaging the lock button (marked with a key symbol) just above the level control.

  • Page 47: Mixer Tabs

    It is not necessary to run the Atlas Control Panel app for applications to be able to use Atlas; however, the app is needed if any but the most basic control of Atlas's functions is required.
  • Page 49 Part Technical topics...

  • Page 50: Technical Topics

    Technical topics The following sections contain detailed discussions of various relevant technical issues. The content of these sections is not required to operate Atlas, but is provided merely as background information. Stability and latency Ever since audio production has found its way inside the computer, new problems concerning issues of stability and latency have arisen.

  • Page 51: Clocking And Jitter

    Operation Manual Revision 1.00 In the case of Atlas, problems of latency and stability are improved by a couple of useful features: First of all, the operator can control the buffer delays within the Mac and Windows drivers directly, irrespective of what buffering is employed by the user's particular audio software. It is generally recommended that these buffer delays are set long, in order to provide best stability.
  • Page 52 AES3 or S/PDIF receiving chip, without any further jitter filtering. Remember that none of these side-tones is present in the digital audio signal - they are caused only by jitter. The lower trace shows almost complete jitter rejection across the band by the CleverClox process in Atlas. Listening experience In practice, it seems that the benefits of careful clock design are very apparent in listening tests.

  • Page 53: Dither And Noise-Shaping

    Atlas and CleverClox Atlas is designed to source clocks which are as stable and accurate as possible, and also with the aim of being insensitive to the quality of incoming clocks. It is designed to remove jitter from any selected reference sync source before it is used as a conversion timebase, so as to eliminate any audible effects of sampling jitter, whatever sync source is used.
  • Page 54 Atlas provides a comprehensive choice of dithering and noise-shaping processes. These comprise ‘ flat’ dithering, plus a selection of four Prism Sound ‘SNS’ (‘Super Noise Shaping’) algorithms. All produce high-quality 16 bit output: the choice of which one to use is purely subjective. The four SNS algorithms are designated SNS1 to SNS4, in increasing order of the degree of shaping.
  • Page 55 SNS2 is a good starting point for most situations. The Prism Sound SNS logo shown above is found on many of the world’s finest CDs, and is recognised as a standard of technical excellence. The logo, and accompanying sleeve note, is available by contacting sales@prismsound.com.

  • Page 56: Analogue Interconnections

    Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Analogue interconnections To maintain the high sound quality of Atlas, it is important to follow some basic guidelines when making analogue connections to the unit. This section discusses some things to watch out for. Cable quality Use of good-quality, heavy duty audio cables is recommended.
  • Page 57 A solution to this is the use of external 'sound cards', such as Atlas, with their own enclosures and power supplies allowing adequate space, power and electromagnetic peace and quiet for the well-being of studio-quality analogue circuits.

  • Page 58: Digital Interconnections

    (the outer of the instrument input jacks, or pin 1 of the mic input XLRs). Since no dedicated terminal exists on Atlas, it is usually easiest to connect the wire to the outer of one of the deck's unbalanced output connectors. In some situations, a direct connection to local mains ground may work better.
  • Page 59 Even though Atlas is insensitive to incoming clock jitter, and even though it transmits very low jitter at its digital audio and clock outputs, the question of cable quality may still be relevant if Atlas is transmitting to equipment which itself has poor jitter rejection capabilities.
  • Page 60 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 digital audio use, especially at high sample rates. Prefer also the shortest cable, since (all other things being equal) loss of bandwidth is proportional to length. Maximising cable bandwidth is important in optimising AES3 and S/PDIF data integrity at high sample rates such as 192kHz, and in optimising conversion quality in systems which include poor-quality converters.
  • Page 61 Part Specifications...

  • Page 62: Specifications

    Windows OS support: Mac audio driver: Core Audio device Windows audio driver: ASIO or WDM device Graphical user interface for control of Atlas unit under Mac OS X or Control Panel app: Windows © 2014 Prism Media Products Ltd 1.56...
  • Page 63 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Analog Line Inputs Electronically balanced, with fully-balanced analog signal path Configuration: Input sensitivity: Switchable ‘+4dBu’ (0dBFS=+18dBu) or ‘-10dBV’ (0dBFS=+6dBu) 14.5kR Input impedance: Unbalanced mode: Automatic -117dB (0.00014%, -0.1dBFS) Total harmonic distortion: THD+n: -111dB (0.00028%, -0.1dBFS)
  • Page 64 Full implementation, Consumer (S/PDIF) or Professional (AES3) Channel Status: Word-length: 24 bits, or reduction to 16 bits using flat TPDF dither or Prism Sound SNS (Super Noise-Shaping - four alternative shapes available) Via S/PDIF RCA, using RCA-XLR adapter (supplied) AES3 operation: Selectable at S/PDIF output;...
  • Page 65 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Synchronization 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz or 192kHz System sample rates: Synchronization sources: Master: Local Slave: Wordclock, DI (S/PDIF input) or ADAT +/-50ppm Local clock accuracy: Jitter rejection: 60dB/decade above 100Hz Internal mixer delay: 44.1k: 0.57ms;...
  • Page 66 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 © 2014 Prism Media Products Ltd 1.60...
  • Page 67 Prism Sound Atlas Operation Manual Revision 1.00 Except where otherwise stated, audio performance data are typical, RMS, unweighted, 20Hz..20kHz figures, measured at 997Hz, using fs=96kHz and '+4dBu' sensitivity settings. In keeping with our policy of continual development, specifications are subject to amendment without notice.

  • Page 68: Index

    14, 41 Features Assignable level control 27, 40 Firmware updates Async (ASNC) indicator 23, 39 Firmware version Atlas Control Panel app Foldback mixers FP Meters control - B - Front panel Fuse locations and ratings Balanced connections 22, 24 Baseclock...
  • Page 69 Phase-reverse Manual Phono cartridges 23, 50 Master indicator Prism Sound, CleverClox MDIO expansion slot 28, 30, 31 Prism Sound, SNS (Super Noise-Shaping) Meter panel Meters - Q - Mic inputs 22, 39 Mic pads 22, 39 Quick start guide, Mac...
  • Page 70 Quick start guide, Windows - U - - R - Unbalanced connections 22, 24 Rack mounting kit Unit settings Rear panel Unlocked (ULOK) indicator Re-dithering 26, 47 Unlocked (UNL) indicator Ref Sync 24, 26, 29, 45 Updating software Reference sync 24, 26, 29, 45 - V - RIAA de-emphasis filter...

Table of Contents