AKAI RPM3 Quick Start Guide

QUICKSTART GUIDE

ENGLISH ( 1 – 7 )

GUÍA DE INICIO RÁPIDO

GUIDE D’UTILISATION SIMPLIFIÉ

ESPAÑOL ( 8 – 14 )

FRANÇAIS ( 15 – 21 )

KURZANLEITUNG

DEUTSCH ( 22 – 28 )

GUIDA RAPIDA

ITALIANO ( 29 – 35 )

WWW.AKAIPRO.COM

BOX CONTENTS

Make sure that the following items can be located in the box:

 RPM3 Speakers
 Power Cable
 USB Cable

 1/8” Cable
 Quickstart Manual
 Safety & Warranty Information

READ THE SAFETY & WARRANTY INFORMATION BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT!

HOOKUP DIAGRAM

Refer to the possible connection scenario for hooking up the RPM3 speakers.

LAPTOP

KEYBOARD OR SOUND MODULE

TURNTABLE OR
OTHER DEVICE

POWER
SOURCE

CD PLAYER OR
OTHER DEVICE

1

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW

1. VOL/POWER – This knob is used to turn the

speakers on and adjust their volume. To turn on,
simply turn up the knob; you will feel a click when the
speakers turn on. A blue LED light on the left side of
the speaker will illuminate. To turn off, simply turn
the volume all the way down; the blue LED will turn
off to let you know that the speakers are off.

2. HEADPHONES – Connect your 1/8” headphones to

this output to hear the mix through your headphones.
Note that while the headphones are connected, you
will not be able to hear sound out of your speakers
until the headphones are disconnected.

REAR PANEL OVERVIEW

1. POWER – Use the included power cable to connect

the speakers to a live power source. Make sure your
AC Voltage Selector (see item #2 below) is set to the
correct voltage for your country.

2. AC VOLTAGE SELECTOR – This 2-position switch

sets the AC input voltage for the speaker. US users
should set this switch to “100-120V” whereas UK and
most European users will need to set this to “220­240V.

3. OUTPUT TO LEFT SPEAKER – This is the audio

connection to the left speaker. Use the included 1/8”
cable to connect the right speaker to the left speaker.

4. USB (1.1) – Use the supplied USB cable to connect

the speaker system to your computer. Note that the
RPM3 speakers are Plug-and-Play so there is no
additional driver installation necessary; the speakers
should be ready to use as soon as they are plugged
in.

5. 1/8” STEREO INPUT – Use a 1/8” stereo cable

(not included) to connect external sound
sources to this input.

6. 1/4” TS INPUTS – Use 1/4” TS cables (not

included) to connect external sound sources to
these inputs.

7. RCA INPUTS – Use a stereo RCA cable (not

included) to connect external sound sources to
these inputs.

8. BASS BOOST – This 2-position switch allows
you to boost the speakers’ bass frequencies.

If you experience problems
when connecting the speakers
through a USB hub, we
recommend connecting the
speakers directly to your

All three input options are
mixed together as a stereo pair
when recording your external
sources into your computer.

2

2

3

2

1

1

4

5

8

6

7

SPEAKER PLACEMENT

The placement of your speakers has a huge impact on how well they will perform in your
studio.

Although nearfield studio monitors are designed to be more forgiving when it comes to
placement, you should do your best to make sure they form an equilateral triangle relative
to your head. In other words, make sure that each speaker is equally distant from both
your head as well as the other speaker. Once each speaker has been placed, rotate the
speakers slightly so that the drivers are pointing toward the engineer.

Take a look at the diagram on

LEFT SPEAKER RIGHT SPEAKER

the right. Notice that the
distance from the engineer’s
head to each speaker is the
same as the distance between
the left and right speakers. Also
note that the speakers are
turned slightly so that the drivers
are facing the engineer.

This is an ideal setup but if it is
not practical (or possible) to do
this, try to match this setup as
closely as possible.

The speakers and
listener should be at
the three corners of a
triangle having equal

LISTENER

length sides.

SPEAKER HEIGHT

The ideal height for RPM3 speakers is so that the speaker is parallel to the ground and that
the midpoint of the woofer and tweeter is at ear-height.

The diagram below demonstrates the ideal placement height of the speakers relative to the
engineer. Notice that the engineer’s ears are directly between the woofer and tweeter.

If possible, use speaker stands and move the monitors off of your desk (or meter bridge, if
you are using a mixer). This usually results in better imaging since the monitor is
decoupled from your desk and there is less chance reflected sound from the desk (or
mixer) reaching your ears and smearing the imaging of your studio monitors.

WOOFER/TWEETER MIDPOINT

3

CONFIGURATION UNDER WINDOWS

The RPM3 speakers are plug-and-play under Windows XP/Vista so there is no special
driver installation necessary. Simply power on the speakers, connect them to your
computer’s USB port and all the necessary drivers will be automatically installed.

ABOUT LATENCY & THIRD-PARTY ASIO DRIVERS

“Latency” is the delay between the moment when audio is generated and the moment when
you actually hear it. Higher latency means a longer delay.

The RPM3 speakers feature zero latency direct monitoring so you don’t have to worry about
latency when monitoring input sources connected to the rear of the speakers. However,
latency may become an issue when using software synths and instruments.

Generally, you want to keep latency as low as possible while still allowing your equipment to
operate without glitches. Latency and buffering is usually adjusted in your software’s
Preferences settings.

If you still experience too much latency or “lag” when using software synths and
instruments, you might want to download one of the free and widely available ASIO (Audio
Stream Input/Output) drivers from the Internet. In general, ASIO drivers may perform better
and with lower latency since they create a more efficient communication between audio
devices and software. You may download and install the free ASIO4ALL driver (PC) by
visiting www.asio4all.com

When you first plug the speakers into your computer, you will
see a few messages similar to the one shown on the left. Allow
the process to complete.

Once the process has completed, you will see the
message displayed on the left. Your speakers are
now ready to use.

You may choose to use the RPM3 speakers as the
default audio output for your computer. To access
your computer’s default audio preferences, go to

 Control Panel  Sounds and Audio

Start
Devices and click on the Audio tab.

You will see the screen displayed on the left.

To select the speakers
as the default
playback device,
choose USB Audio

CODEC under Sound
Playback.

To select the speakers
as the default
recording device,
choose USB Audio
CODEC under Sound

Tip: While in Sounds and
Audio Devices, we
recommend turning off
Windows system sounds
so they do not interfere
with your audio while in the
middle of a session. You
can do this by clicking on
the Sounds tab and
selecting No Sounds
under the Sound Scheme
pull-down menu.

Recording.

.

4

CONFIGURATION UNDER MAC OSX

The RPM3 speakers are plug-and-play under Mac OSX so there is no special driver
installation necessary. Simply power on the speakers, connect them to your computer’s
USB port and the speakers should be ready to use immediately.

You may choose to use the RPM3
speakers as the default audio output
for your computer. To access your
computer’s default audio preferences,
go to Applications
double-click Audio MIDI Setup.

Under the Audio Devices tab, select
USB Audio CODEC as the default
system input and output.

 Utilities and

CONFIGURING YOUR DAW

Below are some tips on configuring your DAW to work with the speakers.

PLAYBACK

You may need to make sure that the speakers are enabled as an audio output device in
your DAW, if you have not set them to be the default system audio output. This is usually
done in the application’s Preferences dialog.

RECORDING

As you may have noticed, there are several inputs on the
rear panel of the left speaker. These inputs allow you to
record external sound sources directly into your computer.
Note that the three sets of inputs are summed together
before entering your computer as a stereo track. Therefore,
it’s important to ensure that the volume of the input signal
does not clip when using multiple external devices
simultaneously.

To record from the inputs, make sure that the speakers are
enabled as an audio input device in your DAW. This is
usually done in the application’s Preferences dialog.

IMPORTANT: Make sure
that software monitoring is
turned off when recording
from external sound
sources. Otherwise, you
may get feedback and
distortion. To turn off
monitoring on the
recording channel, you can
simply mute the channel in
your software.

5

TROUBLESHOOTING

Please refer to the following list of common troubleshooting scenarios if you run into
problems.

PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION

Speakers do not work.

I am only hearing audio from
the left speaker.

I am experiencing distortion
when recording from external
sources.

I am experiencing a lot of
latency or “lag“.

I am experiencing audio
dropouts and glitches.

My software DAW is not
“seeing“ the speakers.

Speakers not plugged in. Make sure that the speakers are

Speakers not turned on. Make sure that the speakers are turned

Speakers not connected to
computer.

Problem is caused by use of a
hub.

Headphones are plugged in. Remember that while the heaphones

Volume is all the way at
minimum..

Right speaker not connected. Make sure that the right speaker is

Gain levels of your input
sources are too hot.

Software monitoring has not
been truned off and is causing
a feedback loop.

Buffer size in your software is
set too high.

The class-compliant audio
drivers are insufficient.

Buffer size in your software is
set too low.

Speakers were connected
after the software was started.

connected to a live power source.

on. The blue LED will be illuminated
while the speakers are on.

Make sure that the speakers are
connected to a functioning USB port on
your computer.

We strongly recommend that you avoid
using USB hubs and connect the
speakers directly to your computer.

are plugged in, the speakers will not
output audio. Disconnect the
headphones if you would like to listen
through the speakers.

Turn up the volume knob on the front to
a suitable level.

connected to the left speaker with the
included 1/8“ cable.

Turn down the audio level of your input
sources. This is extrenely important
when using multiple sources, as the
inputs on the rear panel of the speakers
will be summed together before
entering your computer.

Make sure that your software
monitoring is turned off when recording
from external sources to avoid
feedback and distortion.

Set the buffer size to a lower value.
This is usually done in your software’s
Audio settings or perferences.

Download the free ASIO4ALL driver
from www.asio4all.com. It may help
achieve better results under extremely
low latency settings.

Exteremely low buffer sizes can result
in your computer working harder than it
can, causing unwanted dropouts and
glitches. Select a higher buffer size in
your software to avoid this.

Some configurations require that audio
and MIDI devices are connected prior
to starting any software applications
with which you may wish to use the
devices. Try restarting the application
with the speakers plugged in and
powered on.

6

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Woofer: 3” lightweight, magnetically-shielded,

polypropylene cone with rubber surround and high
power handling voice coil. 4 Ohm impedance.

Tweeter: 1” silk dome

Frequency Response: 80 Hz – 20 kHz

Bass Boost: 4.8dB at 100Hz

Power: 10 W per channel RMS

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 88dB weighted

Inputs: 1/4" TS, RCA, 1/8" Stereo, USB1.1

Input Impedance: 20k ohms

DAC/ADC 16 bit delta sigma, 44.1kHz or 48kHz sampling

rate

Dimensions (W x H x D): 6.0” x 5.0” x 7.5” / 15.3 cm x 12.7 cm x 19.0 cm

Net Weight (total): 7.5 lbs / 3.4 kg

7

CONTENIDO DE LA CAJA

Asegúrese que la caja contiene todos los siguientes artículos:

 Altavoces RPM3
 Cable de alimentación
 Cable USB
 Cable de 1/8” (3.175 mm)

 Manual de instalación rápida
 Información de Seguridad y

Garantía

¡LEA LA INFORMACIÓN DE SEGURIDAD Y GARANTÍA ANTES DE USAR EL

DIAGRAMA DE CONEXIÓN

PRESENTE PRODUCTO!

Refiérase al escenario posible de conexión para conectar sus altavoces RPM3.

LAPTOP

TECLADO O MÓDULO DE SONIDO

TORNAMESA U
OTRO DISPOSITIVO

FUENTE DE
ALIMENTACIÓN

REPRODUCTOR DE
CD U OTRO
DISPOSITIVO

8

DESCRIPCIÓN DEL PANEL FRONTAL

1. VOL/POWER – Esta perilla se usa para encender los
altavoces y para ajustar su volumen. Para encenderlos,
simplemente gire la perilla; usted sentirá un click cuando
encienda los altavoces. Una luz LED azul a la izquierda del
altavoz se iluminará. Para apagarlo, simplemente gire la
perilla de volumen completamente hacia abajo; el LED azul
se apagará, indicándole que los altavoces han sido
apagados.

2. AUDÍFONOS – Conecte la clavija de 1/8” (3.175 mm) de sus
audífonos a esta salida para escuchar la mezcla a través de
sus audífonos. Observe que mientras los audífonos están
conectados, usted no podrá escuchar ningún sonido de sus
altavoces hasta que los audífonos hayan sido
desconectados.

DESCRIPCIÓN DEL PANEL POSTERIOR

1. POWER – Use el cable de alimentación incluido para
conectar los altavoces a una fuente de alimentación viva.
Asegúrese que su selector de Voltaje de Corriente Alterna
(vea el elemento #2 debajo) esté ajustado al voltaje correcto
para su país.

2. AC VOLTAGE SELECTOR – Este interruptor de 2
posiciones selecciona el voltaje de CA para el altavoz. Los
usuarios de los Estados Unidos deben colocar este
interruptor en la posición “100-120V”, mientras que los
usuarios del Reino Unido y la mayoría de los usuarios de
Europa deberán colocar este interruptor en la posición “220­240V”.

3. OUTPUT TO LEFT SPEAKER – Esta es la conexión de
sonido al altavoz izquierdo. Use el cable de 1/8” (3.175 mm)
incluido para conectar el altavoz derecho al altavoz
izquierdo.

4. USB (1.1) – Use el cable USB incluido para conectar el
sistema de altavoces a su computadora. Observe que los
altavoces RPM3 son dispositivos Plug-and-Play, por lo que
no requieren de la instalación de controladores adicionales;
estos altavoces suelen estar listos en cuanto se les
conecta.

5. 1/8” STEREO INPUT – Use un cable estéreo de 1/8”
(3.175 mm) (no incluído) para conectar fuentes
externas de sonido a esta entrada.

6. 1/4” TS INPUTS – Use cables TS de 1/4” (6.4 mm, no
incluídos) para conectar fuentes de

sonido externas a

estas entradas.

7. RCA INPUTS – Use un cable RCA estéreo (no
incluído) para conectar fuentes de sonido externas a
estas entradas.

8. BASS BOOST – Este interruptor de 2 posiciones le
permite enfatizar las frecuencias bajas de los altavoces.

ALTAVOZ DERECHO

2

3

2

1

Si experimentaproblemas al
conectar los altavoces a través de
un concentrador USB, se
recomienda conectar los altavoces
directamente a su computadora.

Las tres opciones de entrada
mezclan juntas como un par
estéreo cuando grabe sus fuentes
externas en su computadora.

9

1

4

5

8

6

7

COLOCACIÓN DE ALTAVOCES

La colocación de sus altavoces tiene un gran impacto en el desempeño que tendrán en su
estudio.

Aunque los monitores de estudio están diseñados para ser mas complacientes en lo que
toca a su colocación, usted debe asegurarse de que formen un triángulo equilátero con
respecto a su cabeza. En otras palabras, asegúrese de que cada altavoz esté colocado a
la misma distancia de su cabeza y del otro altavoz. Una vez que cada altavoz ha sido
colocado, gire los altavoces ligeramente de modo que los drivers apunten hacia le
ingeniero.

LEFT SPEAKER RIGHT SPEAKER

Observe el diagrama a la
derecha; vea que la distancia de
la cabeza del ingeniero con
respecto a cada altavoz es la
misma distancia que hay entre
los altavoces derecho e
izquierdo. Observe también que
los altavoces están ligeramente
girados, de manera que los
drivers quedan frente al
ingeniero.

Esta sería la colocación ideal,
pero si no es práctica (o posible)
realizarla, trate de emular este
montaje tanto como pueda.

ESCUCHA

Los altavoces y el
escucha pueden
estar colocados en
las esquinas de un
triángulo equilátero.

ALTURA DE LOS ALTAVOCES

La altura ideal para los altavoces RPM3 debe ser tal que el altavoz este paralelo al piso, y
que el punto medio del woofer y del tweeter este a la altura de los oídos.

El siguiente diagrama muestra la altura ideal de la colocación de los altavoces con
respecto al ingeniero. Observe que los oídos del ingeniero están directamente entre el
woofer y el tweeter.

De ser posible, use soportes para los altavoces, retirando los monitores de su escritorio (o
puente de medición, si está usando una mezcladora). Esto usualmente redunda en una
mejor imagen de sonido, pues el monitor está desacoplado de su escritorio y hay menos
posibilidades de que sonidos reflejados de su escritorio (o mezcladora) lleguen a sus oídos
y afecten la calidad de imagen del sonido de sus monitores.

PUNTO MEDIO DE WOOFER/TWEETER

10