ARX USB DI User Manual

Using your Audibox

The USB-DI is a Direct Injection, or Direct, box. It is a self contained, stand alone stereo unit designed to interface stereo digital audio with professional balanced low impedance inputs. It will convert computer audio signals into ones that are happy to travel down a long line into a mixing console at the other end. It has many applications for Live Sound, Studio or Broadcast use.

Plug and Play

If you are running Win XP or Vista, as soon as you plug the USB-DI into a spare USB port on the computer it will be recognised as a USB Audio De- vice, and will be ready straight away.

With Win 98SE, as soon as you plug the USB-DI into a spare USB port on the computer it will be recognised as a USB Composite Device, and the Add New Hardware Wizard screen will pop up. Click NEXT on the first 2 screens, put in the 98SE CD Rom, then select CD Rom drive on the search screen and click NEXT. Click Next on the following pop up screen, then FINISH on the final screen.

It will then install the USB Device drivers, and repeat the install process for a USB Audio Device.

A complete set of pop up installation screens can be found on the ARX website at:

www.arx.com/audibox_usb_di.htm

IMPORTANT #1

The Windows default volume setting for USB Audio Devices is 50% of maximum. In many cases this will be too low, inducing noise and hum as excessive gain may need to be applied to deliver the level requireded. We suggest increasing this volume setting to 80 or 90%.

No matter which operating system you are using, once the USB-DI is installed, go to Control Panel, then Sounds and Audio Devices, then USB Audio Device, then the Volume tab, and move the slider to the right. This will give you the optimum signal to noise ratio.

IMPORTANT #2

Computers are very electrically noisy environments, and USB is a very popular Plug and Play protocol for lots of Windows devices.

For fastest and quietest audio operation you must plug the USB-DI into its own USB port. Experiment on your computer to find the quietest USB port, and keep it only for the USB-DI

- don't have anything else on the same buss.

Otherwise you may get a hissing and clicking noise every time you move the mouse, touch the keyboard, or click on the screen.

IMPORTANT #3

Keep mobile/cellular phones well away (at least 2 metres/8 feet) from the computer and the USB-DI. The "Dut dut-dah-dut dut-dah-dut dutdah-dut" sound of a mobile phone connecting is not one that audiences care to hear!

Operating instructions

Input Connections

Connect the USB connector to the USB-DI and to the USB port on the computer. On XP and Vista it will be available immediately and the LED on the front of the USB-DI will start

to flash. On 98SE follow the previous instructions. You will need the 98 SE install CD Rom. Adjust the Audio Level as described in the Important #1 note on the previous page.

Output Connections

Connect a balanced microphone lead from each 3 pin XLR connector on the USB-DI to a pair of input channels on the mixing console. Set the Input Gains on the channels, and Pan the channels Left or Right as required.

To check that the USB-DI is set up correctly, open your audio software, ensure that USB Audio Device is selected as the default audio device, open a music file and play.

That's all there is to it.

Put simply, the USB-DI is the USB pro audio interface that Audio Professionals have been waiting for!

Latest information updates are always available on the comprehensive ARX website:

www.arx.com.au

Did you know...

As well as the USB-DI, ARX manufacture other products in the unique Audibox range:

The ISO-Balancer for balancing unbalanced signals, and also the ISO De-Balancer, which will debalance a signal when required to connect to an unbalanced input.

The ISO-Later is a Dual channel Unbalanced to Balanced Low Impedance transformer isolated converter, and the ISO Splitter is a transformer isolated 1 input to 2 outputs splitter for splitting 1 input 2 ways in applications where complete Galvanic isolation is required.

Both available in Single Channel or Double Header format.

The Ear Driver is a Headphone Amplifier with 2 pairs of Stereo inputs each feeding two channels of headphone level outputs. It has individual Level controls plus a 12 15VDC power connector. A compact, flexible unit

The Pro-DI is an ultra compact Active Direct box, with normal High Impedance input as well as a separate speaker level input for connection to instrument amplifiers.

Other features include –20dB Pad and Audio Ground Lift switches,

Page 4

plus Phantom or DC power options.

Available in Single Channel or Double Header format

The DI-Pre is an Ultra compact Microphone Pre amp with XLR input, balanced jack output and 10 to 60dB Gain control.

Other features include –20dB Pad switch, Clip LED and Phantom Power switch, plus DC power connector.

Available in Single Channel or Double Header format

For the latest information on the complete Audibox range, visit our website:

www.arx.com.au/audibox.htm

Page 5

INTERNATIONAL LIFETIME WARRANTY

ARX Systems (ARX) warrants to the first purchaser of this Audibox product that it is free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. ARX’s sole obligation under this warranty shall be to provide, without charge, parts and labour necessary to remedy defects, if any, which appear within twelve (12) months from date of purchase; and to supply parts only for the life of the product to the original purchaser. This is our sole warranty. It does not cover finish or appearance items, nor does it apply if the Audibox has been, in ARX’s sole judgement:

• Subjected to misuse, abuse, negligence or accident;

• Repaired, worked on, or altered by persons not authorized by ARX,

• Connected, installed, adjusted or used otherwise than in accordance with the instructions supplied by ARX.

This warranty gives you and us specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which can vary from state to state.

To obtain warranty service for your Audibox, call, write, or Email to ARX or the dealer you purchased it from. They will give you the correct address to send your unit to. Have your sales receipt showing date of purchase handy, and include a copy of it with your Audibox. Please pack the unit well we are not responsible for any damage caused by unsuitable packing during shipment. Send the unit to us pre-paid, by a delivery service like FedEx, UPS, or any other service that can track the shipment. We will return it to you freight paid. If you have any questions, or any part of this is unclear, please write to ARX Systems in the country of purchase, or to the address below.

PO Box 15,Moorabbin, Victoria 3189, Australia. Phone: +61 (0)3 9555 7859 Fax: +61 (0)3 9555 6747

You can also Email the factory at: info@arx.com.au

Page 7Page 6

23456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789

23456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678

Owner's Manual

23456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678

Email: info@arx.com.au

On the Net: www.arx.com.au

International Fax: +61-3 -9555 6747

Phone: (03) 9555 7859 Fax: (03) 9555 6747

Moorabbin, Victoria 3189, Australia

ARX Systems Pty Ltd, PO Box 15,

USB-DI

Connections and Controls:

Type B USB input port; Transformer Balanced XLR Outputs. Status LED illuminates when the unit is connected and flashes when in use.

The USB-DI needs no external power supply - all power rerquired is supplied via the USB buss.

About the USB-DI

The USB-DI is a true Plug-and-Play Digital to Analog audio interface

Transformer isolated dual XLR connectors supply Balanced audio output from a USB connection.

Full transformer balanced output isolation eliminates earth loops / ground hum and other interaction noise and distortion.

A front panel status LED lights up to show the USB-DI is connected and will flash when it is operating.

No external power is required - all

power for the USB-DI is supplied by the USB bus.

No drivers are required for operation under Windows XP and Vista. The USB-DI is instantly recognised as a generic USB audio device, requiring no special driver program installation. Windows 98 SE is also supported and can be installed as a USB composite device. You will need the 98SE CD Rom for driver installation .

Put simply, this is the USB pro audio interface that Audio professionals have been waiting for!

Page 2

Thank you for choosing this unique Audibox product from ARX.

As with all ARX equipment, it has undergone extensive factory testing and ‘burn in’ before shipping.

To ensure continued trouble free use, please familiarise yourself with the contents of this manual before using.

All models in the Audibox range

feature the same heavy duty all-steel chassis finished in attractive matt blue textured powdercoat, with hardwearing epoxy screen printing and large slip resistant rubber foot pads.

By their very nature these units are compact and portable; to protect your investment we’ve added numerous security features including a slot for a computer lock, and the option of a permanent table mounting kit.

A rack mount kit is also available to rack up to 3 units plus power supply in 1 RU.

USB-DI Specifications

Input Connector

USB type B port

Output Impedance

300 Ohms Transformer Balanced

Output Level

Maximum nominal output level 0dB

Output Noise

USB - System dependent ISO trans - Enviroment sensitive

Frequency Response

20 - 20 KHz ± 0.5 dB

Power

Operating current via USB Port 80mA

Output Connectors

2 x Male XLR, wired Pin 2 + Hot, Pin 3 – Cold. Pin 1 Floating / not connected

Construction

All-steel powdercoated chassis, fibreglass PCB, epoxy printing, slip-resistant rubber feet

System Requirements

• Windows PC running Windows 98SE, ME, XP or Vista

• USB port

• Audio software

• 98SE will need its install CD Rom to install driver.

Page 3

ARX USB DI User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual