Cymatic Audio uTrack 24 User Manual

PRODUCT MANUAL

Version 1.0

Firmware Build 2136

December 2014

TABLE OF CONTENT

15. SETTINGS BAR ................................................................................................................20

1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ....................................................................................................4

1.1. AC adapter operation ........................................................................................................................ 4

1.2. Environment ...................................................................................................................................... 4

1.3. Handling ............................................................................................................................................ 4

1.4. Connecting cables and input and output jacks ................................................................................. 4

1.5. Alterations ......................................................................................................................................... 4

1.6. Volume .............................................................................................................................................. 4

2. USAGE PRECAUTIONS .....................................................................................................5

2.1. Electrical interference ....................................................................................................................... 5

2.2. Cleaning ............................................................................................................................................ 5

3. LIMITED WARRANTY .........................................................................................................5

4. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................6

5. UTRACK 24 FEATURE LIST ...............................................................................................6

6. WHAT’S IN THE BOX ..........................................................................................................7

7. HOW TO USE THIS USER’S MANUAL ..............................................................................7

8. UTRACK 24 FRONT PANEL ...............................................................................................8

9. UTRACK 24 REAR PANEL ...............................................................................................10

10. USING THE UTRACK 24 WITH A MIXER TO RECORD A LIVE CONCERT ...................12

11. USING THE UTRACK 24 WITH A RECORDING SPLIT/OUTBOARD MIC PREAMPS ... 13

12. GETTING STARTED WITH RECORDING AND PLAYBACK ...........................................14

12.1. Preparing the attached USB drive for recording ............................................................................. 14

12.2. USB Hard Drives vs. USB Flash Drives .......................................................................................... 14

2.12 .1. USB Hard Drive .................................................................................................................................................14

2.12.2. USB Flash Drive ................................................................................................................................................15

2.12.3. Auto-Detection of USB Drive Type ...................................................................................................................15

12.3. Starting a Recording ....................................................................................................................... 16

12.4. 24-Channel Input Metering ............................................................................................................. 16

12.5. Adding Markers ............................................................................................................................... 16

12.6. Gapless Recording ......................................................................................................................... 16

12 .7. Playing Back Audio ........................................................................................................................ 16

12.8. Autoplay on Startup .........................................................................................................................17

12.9. Looping Playback between In and Out Points .................................................................................17

16. RECORD PAGE ................................................................................................................21

17. MIX PAG E .........................................................................................................................22

18. LOADING AUDIO FILES FOR PLAYBACK .......................................................................23

19. P LAY PAGE .......................................................................................................................24

20. PLAYLIST SCREEN ..........................................................................................................25

21. UTRACK 24 SYSTEM MENUS .........................................................................................26

21.1. Clock Source Menu ......................................................................................................................... 26

21.2. Footswitch Menu ............................................................................................................................. 27

21.3. Recording Menu .............................................................................................................................. 27

21.4. Playback Menu ................................................................................................................................ 28

21.5. Utilities Menu .................................................................................................................................. 29

21.6. Load Settings .................................................................................................................................. 29

21. 7. Save Settings .................................................................................................................................. 29

22. USING THE UTRACK 24 AS A COMPUTER AUDIO INTERFACE ..................................30

22 .1. Using the uTrack 24 as an Audio Interface with Microsoft Windows .............................................. 30

1.2 2.1. Minimum System Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 30

1.22.2. WDM and ASIO driver installation ................................................................................................................... 30

1.2 2.3. uTrack 24 / Control Panel for PC ...................................................................................................................... 30

22.2. Using the uTrack 24 as an Audio Interface with an OS X ............................................................... 37

2.22.1. Minimum System Requirements .......................................................................................................................37

2.22.2. Driver Installation ..............................................................................................................................................37

22.3. Using the uTrack 24 as an Audio Interface with an Apple® iPad® ................................................. 38

3. 2 2 .1. Minimum System requirements ....................................................................................................................... 38

3.22.2. Driver Installation ............................................................................................................................................. 38

22.4. Control Room Features ................................................................................................................... 38

23. UPDATING THE FIRMWARE OF YOUR UTRACK 24 .....................................................39

23.1. Firmware update using the USB connection (PC only) ................................................................... 39

23.2. Firmware update using a Network Connection (PC & Mac) ........................................................... 39

24. LEGAL DISCLAIMER ........................................................................................................42

13. UTRACK 24 FILE FORMATS ............................................................................................18

14. UTRACK 24 FILE PLAYBACK MODES ............................................................................19

14 .1. Multitrack Mode ............................................................................................................................... 19

14.2. Stereo Mode.................................................................................................................................... 19

14.3. Default Mode ................................................................................................................................... 19

PRODUCT MANUALPRODUCT MANUAL

1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

2. USAGE PRECAUTIONS

1.1. AC adapter operation

Be sure to use only an AC adapter which supplies 15 V DC, 1500 mA and is equipped with a

“center plus” plug. The use of an adapter other than the specied type may damage the unit and

pose a safety hazard. Connect the AC adapter only to an AC outlet that supplies the rated voltage required by the adapter. When disconnecting the AC adapter from the AC outlet, always grasp plug itself and do not pull at the cable. During lightning or when not using the unit for an extended period, disconnect the AC adapter from the AC outlet.

1.2. Environment

To prevent the risk of re, electric shock or malfunction, avoid using your uTrack 24 in environments

where it will be exposed to:

• Extreme temperatures

• Heat sources such as radiators or stoves

• High humidity or moisture

• Excessive dust or sand

• Excessive vibration or shock

1.3. Handling

Never place objects lled with liquids, such as vases, on the uTrack 24 since this can cause electric shock. Do not place naked ame sources, such as lighted candles, on the uTrack 24 since this can cause re. The uTrack 24 is a precision instrument. Do not exert undue pressure

on the keys and other controls. Also take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject it to shock or excessive pressure. Take care that no foreign objects (coins or pins etc.) or liquids can enter the unit.

2.1. Electrical interference

For safety considerations, the uTrack 24 has been designed to provide maximum protection against the emission of electromagnetic radiation from inside the device, and protection from external interference. However, equipment that is very susceptible to interference or that emits powerful electromagnetic waves should not be placed near the uTrack 24, as the possibility of interference cannot be ruled out entirely. With any type of digital control device, the uTrack 24 included, electromagnetic interference can cause malfunctioning and can corrupt or destroy data. Care should be taken to minimize the risk of damage.

2.2. Cleaning

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the Live Recorder uTrack 24. If necessary, slightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleanser, wax, or solvents (such as paint thinner or cleaning alcohol), since

these may dull the nish or damage the surface. Please keep this manual in a convenient place

for future reference.

3. LIMITED WARRANTY

For the applicable warranty terms and conditions and additional information on Cymatic Audio’s Limited Warranty, please see complete details online at www.cymaticaudio.com

1.4. Connecting cables and input and output jacks

You should always turn off the power to the uTrack 24 and all other equipment before connecting or disconnecting any cables. Also make sure to disconnect all connection cables and the power cord before moving the uTrack 24.

1.5. Alterations

Never open the case of the uTrack 24 or attempt to modify the product in any way since this can result in damage to the unit.

1.6. Volume

Do not use the uTrack 24 at a loud volume for a long time since this can cause hearing impairment.

CERTIFICATIONS

This product complies with the European Union Council Directives and Standards relating to Directive 2004/108/EC for Electromagnetic c ompatibility (EMC) and Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC

This product is compliant with the EU Directive 2011/65/EU for the Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment. No lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), PBB or PBDE is intentionally added to this device. Any traces of impurities of these substances contained in the parts are below the RoHS

specied threshold levels.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the requirements of 47 CFR of PART 15 limit for radiation and conduction emission relating to FCC rules Part 15B: 2010.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS USAGE PRECAUTIONS

PRODUCT MANUALPRODUCT MANUAL

4. INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Cymatic Audio uTrack 24! The uTrack 24 is three powerful products in one:

• A 24-track solid-state recorder

• A 24-track digital audio le player

• A 24-input, 24-output computer audio interface

Never before has such a powerful combination of features been available at such an affordable price, and in such a compact footprint. The uTrack 24 records to and plays back from standard, off-the-shelf USB drives, while offering a large complement of professional features.

With its large detailed display and generous complement of dedicated front-panel hardware controls, operation is extremely intuitive and straightforward. Recording is never further away than a single push of the dedicated front panel “Record” button.

The uTrack 24 is also ready for the future; a dedicated expansion slot allows for alternate audio I/O to be added, while a network port allows for alternate control mechanisms.* The uTrack 24

also offers user-installable rmware upgrades, so that new features and capabilities may be

added in the future.

5. UTRACK 24 FEATURE LIST

24-Channel Multitrack Recorder

• Allows connection of 24 channels of balanced input/output through 25-pin D-Sub connectors

• Alternate format 24x24 audio I/O using future optional digital expansion modules

• Up to 24-bit resolution, 96kHz sample rate

• Records directly to standard USB drives, attached to convenient front-panel USB port

• 3-segment hardware input metering per input channel, also works as 24-segment full scale meter

• Large, easy to use illuminated front panel transport buttons

• Internal DSP mixer offers stereo monitor mix of all 24 inputs through front-panel headphone output and rear panel monitor outputs, with dedicated level controls. Adjust level, panning, mute, and solo for all 24-inputs while enjoying detailed 24-segment hardware input/output metering, all with no external mixer required!

• Synchronize two uTrack 24 recorders for a total track count of 48 tracks *

• RJ-45 Network connection for future remote control from external software *

• BNC Word Clock Input/Output allows integration into larger digital systems

• Large, detailed LCD screen, dedicated menu buttons, and rotary push control allow for fast and intuitive adjustment of various settings

24-input, 24-output Computer Audio Interface

• Dedicated control room and headphone outputs with individual hardware level controls

• 24-bit/96kHz support

• Compatible with OSX, Windows, and iOS

6. WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Your uTrack 24 comes with the following materials:

• uTrac k 2 4

• AC/DC Power Adapter and power cable

• Removable Rack Ears

• USB Cable

• Printed Quick Start Guide

7. HOW TO USE THIS USER’S MANUAL

This user’s manual is one of several documents available to you that detail different aspects of the uTrack 24 and its accessory software:

• This document is the full user’s manual. Refer to it for the most comprehensive information about the uTrack 24 and all of its operations.

• An 8-page printed “Quick Start Guide” is included in the box. Refer to the quick start guide for a concise how-to lesson on getting started with the product.

• The uTrack 24 works with free downloadable software named “WavTool”, that allows you to

convert the uTrack 24’s multi-channel broadcast wave les into standard mono wave les.

Download the WaveTool and its user’s manual at www.cymaticaudio.com

• The uTrack 24 also works with the free downloadable playlist editor software which allows you to create custom playlist that can be played back on the uTrack 24. Download the Playlist Editor and its user’s manual at www.cymaticaudio.com

24-Channel Multi-Track Player

• Play back 24 tracks of audio, perfect for virtual sound checks or expanding live performances with individual pre-recorded tracks

• Synchronized Play back of Standard MIDI Files *

• Edit song order on the y, during playback, directly from the front panel

• Playback start and stop via optional footswitch

• On the y loop playback and mark-in/mark-out points allows for easy looping

• Free downloadable playlist editor allows you to easily create custom audio playlists, with customization capabilities such as:

○ Assigning an audio le’s output channel ○ Creating set lists ○ Set pause times between songs ○ Assigning continuous play between songs

* Available in future rmware update

INTRODUCTION WHAT’S IN THE BOX

PRODUCT MANUALPRODUCT MANUAL

8. UTRACK 24 FRONT PANEL

3 4 7 8 9 10 12 13 14

11 156

1. USB Port

This port allows connection of a standard, off-the-shelf USB drive. The uTrack 24 records and plays back up to 24 tracks of audio to/from the connected USB drive. The uTrack supports USB drives from sizes ranging from 2GB to 16TB.

2. Front Panel Display

This monochrome LCD screen displays assorted useful information while recording and playing back audio, as well as when working with the settings menus.

3. Encoder Wheel

Rotate the encoder wheel to adjust various settings; it also contains a “push” function, allowing it to work as button.

4. MENU/LOOP Button

Press the MENU/LOOP button to bring up the uTrack 24 settings menus, allowing various adjustments to the products’ settings. When playing back audio, this button helps to setup the playback loop.

5. BACK Button

Press the BACK button to navigate backwards through the menu trees. Pushing it multiple times will return you to the home screen.

6. BROWSE Button

Press the BROWSE button to switch the BROWSER screen on/off. In the BROWSER screen you

can navigate the les on the attached USB drive and select them for playback.

In short; the uTrack24 allows you to capture the whole performance, even if you pressed the RECORD button a few seconds too late!

11. Meter s

The 24 separate LED meters display the signal strength for incoming signals during recording and display outgoing signals during playback. The meter LEDs work in two different ways:

• When recording or playing back audio, the 24 separate LEDs represent the input/output levels of channels 1-24. Each channel’s LED illuminates in three separate colors, acting as a 3-segment meter:

○ Green: -30dB ○ Yellow: -6dB ○ Red: Overload

• When working with the onboard monitor mixer for recording or playback, the meter bridge operates as a single, 24-segment input/output meter for the currently selected channel (“channel focus mode”).

12. Main Output Volume Control

Rotate to adjust the listening level of the rear panel’s main outputs, which carry the stereo signal of the onboard monitor mixer (standalone recorder/player mode) or outputs 1-2 of your DAW software (Computer Audio Interface).

13. Headphone Volume Control

Rotate this control to adjust the listening volume level of the front panel headphone output, which offers the same signal path as the main outputs.

14. Headphone Connector

Connect a pair of headphones to listen to the onboard monitor mix or channels 1-2 of your DAW

software. The uTrack 24’s onboard headphone amplier outputs a strong, clean signal to the

connected headphones.

15. Footswitch Connector

Connect a standard two-position footswitch to this connector for hands-free operation of various

functions. For specics, see “footswitch” in the menus section of this document.

7. Skip Back/Forward Buttons

During playback, press the skip back/skip forward buttons to navigate among saved markers in an audio take (recording). When playing back a playlist, press the buttons to navigate among the different songs in the playlist.

8. STOP Button

Press the STOP button to stop a current recording, or to stop the unit from playing back audio.

9. PLAY Button

Press the PLAY button to begin playback of the currently loaded audio project. When recording, each press of the PLAY button will add a new marker at the current timeline location.

10. RECORD Button

Press the RECORD button to begin a new recording. The uTrack 24 is always ready to start a new recording as soon as the RECORD button is pressed.

! NOTE: when the uTrack 24 is neither playing back nor in playlist-mode, it will automatically switch

to “pre-recording” mode. This means that it will constantly buffer a minimum of 2.7 seconds (depending on the number of recorded channels, sample rate and resolution) of the incoming audio signal and write this audio data to the recorded le once you have pressed the record button.

This means that if you do not remember to press RECORD until the band actually starts playing,

you will still have all of the rst song’s audio recorded as long as you press RECORD within a few moments of the downbeat of the rst song.

UTRACK 24 FRONT PANEL UTRACK 24 FRONT PANEL

PRODUCT MANUALPRODUCT MANUAL

9. UTRACK 24 REAR PANEL

main out

wordclock

sync

out

OUTPUT

17 - 24

INPUT

17 - 24

OUTPUT

9-16

INPUT

9-16

OUTPUT

1-8

INPUT

1-8

usb

network

12vdc

uTrack

midi out

5. Word Clock Input

The uTrack 24 can be “slaved” to an external word clock signal by connecting it to the BNC word clock input. This allows the uTrack 24 to be properly integrated into a larger complement of digital

audio equipment, where the clock signals of all connected equipment need to be synchronized.

Adjust the uTrack 24’s “Wordclock” menu to congure it to slave to an incoming external clock, as

opposed to running on its own internal clock. The settings bar at the top of the LCD screen will indicate whether the uTrack 24 is using an internal or external clock signal.

1. Option Card Slot (Not Yet Functional in version 1.0 Firmware)

The uTrack 24 can be tted with an optional 24-input, 24-output option card that provides an

alternate audio I/O path from the onboard analog I/O.

This option brings a powerful level of exibility to the uTrack 24, allowing you to:

• Expand the unit with 24 channels of digital I/O, and then use that I/O with your own A/D and D/A converters of choice.

• Add a digital I/O format to the uTrack 24 that allows 24x24 channels of networked audio, allowing the unit to conveniently integrate into large setups with a single cable.

For details of which specic Digital I/O Option cards will be available, please visit

www.cymaticaudio.com

2. Analog Inputs 1-24

Connect the 24 separate audio signals that you wish to record to these inputs; the 24 separate audio signals can then be recorded to either:

• A USB drive connected to the front panel USB port

• DAW software running on a computer connected to the rear panel USB port

3. Analog Outputs 1-24

These 24 outputs carry 24 channels of audio either from:

• A multi-track audio project from a USB drive connected to the front panel USB port

• A multitrack DAW session running on a computer connected to the rear panel USB port

Both the analog inputs and outputs operate at balanced line level, +20dB, and are congured as

three separate, 8-channel, 25-pin D-subminiature connectors. The D-sub connectors are wired to the “Tascam Standard” as shown below.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H

6. Word Clock Output

This connector outputs a standard digital word clock signal, running at the sample rate that the uTrack 24 is currently set to. The word clock output is useful when you want to use the uTrack 24 as a “clock master” and wish to slave other digital equipment to its internal clock signal.

7. Synchronization Input/Output Connectors (Not Yet Functional in version 1.0 Firmware)

These are used to synchronize multiple uTrack 24 units into a larger, 48-track recording system.

The synchronization function is not yet activated in the uTrack 24 1.0 rmware.

8. MIDI Output Connector: (Available in future rmware update)

The MIDI output connector outputs MIDI data from a SMF (Standard MIDI File) that resides in the

same folder as a project’s audio les.

This allows the uTrack 24 to output MIDI data to a software synthesizer, MIDI controlled lighting system, effects switching system, etc., synchronized and in time with audio data that is played out of the uTrack 24’s audio outputs.

9. USB Connector

The rear panel USB computer connects to the USB port of a Windows or OS X computer, as well as to the USB port of an iPad camera connection accessory. Upon doing so, the uTrack 24 acts as a 24-input, 24-output computer audio interface.

The ability to record 24 separate audio inputs to your favorite DAW allows you to record a large musical ensemble while still keeping each player and instrument separated, for maximum

exibility.

The 24 separate outputs allow for great exibility in routing outputs from a DAW session, such as sending many separate headphone mixes to an external headphone amplier, or sending 24

separate channels of audio to an external analog mixer, for “mixing out of the box”.

10. Network Connector

This RJ-45 connector allows connection of the uTrack 24 to a standard Ethernet network. In the

current rmware version the network connection can be used to update the uTrack 24’s rmware.

H = HOT • C = COLD • G = GROUND

4. Main Outputs

The main outputs carry a two-channel signal that can be sourced from either:

• The stereo output of the onboard 24-channel monitor mixer. In this scenario, the main outputs allow you to monitor a stereo mix of the 24 input or output channels, on a pair of connected monitor speakers.

• Output channels 1-2 of your favorite DAW software. In this scenario, the main outputs allow you to monitor a stereo mix of your DAW session, when using the uTrack 24 as a computer audio interface in a recording studio.

The main outputs are balanced ¼” tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) connectors, operating at +4dB.

UTRACK 24 REAR PANEL UTRACK 24 REAR PANEL

Future rmware updates will allow for the uTrack’s recording, playback, and mastering functions

to be controlled by computer and/or tablet software, running on a device connected to the same network.

11. Power Connector

Connect the included external power supply to this connector. Do not connect any other power supply except the one that was supplied with your uTrack 24.

Note that the uTrack 24 does not contain an “on/off” power switch; this is by design, as it reduces the possibility of accidentally shutting down the unit during a critical recording from pressing a power switch. As long as the power supply connector is attached and connected to a wall-power source, the uTrack 24 will always be powered on.

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10. USING THE UTRACK 24 WITH A MIXER TO RECORD A LIVE CONCERT

24-Channel

11. USING THE UTRACK 24 WITH A RECORDING SPLIT/OUTBOARD MIC PREAMPS

Mixer Line

Inputs

Analog Mixer

Mixer Direct

Outputs

uTrack 24

24 Channel

Splitter Snake

(3) 8-Channel

Microphone

Préamplifiers

In some instances, you may wish to use the uTrack 24 in a higher end remote recording setup, with a dedicated recording split of the stage snake (as opposed to the mixer’s direct outputs).

In this case, the connections would work as follows:

• The stage microphone signals are connected to a microphone splitter containing a

dedicated split of recorder outputs

• Connect the recorder outputs (mic level signals) to the inputs of the microphone

preampliers

• Connect the line level outputs of the microphone preamps to the analog inputs of the uTrack

• Connect a pair of headphones to the front panel phones jack, to monitor a stereo mix of the

uTrack 24’s multi-track recording

• If you are working in an acoustically separated space from the musicians themselves, you

can also connect a pair of powered monitors to the uTrack’s rear panel main outputs. This will allow you to monitor the onboard stereo mix on a pair of powered monitors speakers and also adjust the monitoring volume using the front panel volume control

Stereo

Headphones

Stereo

Powered

Monitors

uTrack 24

Outputs

Stereo Headphones

The uTrack 24 is the perfect tool for capturing 24 individual tracks of a live concert, which can then be imported into your DAW software of choice. The physical connections work as follows:

• Connect 24 balanced, direct outs of an analog mixer to the analog inputs of the uTrack 24

• Connect a pair of headphones to the uTrack 24’s front panel phones jack, or a set of monitors to the rear panel main output; You can monitor and adjust an onboard stereo mix of the 24-track recording, without the hassle, expense, and cabling of connecting an outboard monitor mixer.

• At the same time, the uTrack 24 allows you to play back 24 channels of multi-track audio back into the live sound console, perfect for performing a “virtual sound check” using recordings of previous performances, or for expanding live performers with individual prerecorded tracks.

• Connect the analog outputs of the uTrack 24 to the line inputs of the mixer. The FOH operator can switch to the mixer channel’s line inputs to monitor the uTrack 24’s 24 channels of playback.

USING THE UTRACK 24 WITH A MIXER TO RECORD A LIVE CONCERT U SIN G THE U TR ACK 24 W ITH A REC ORD ING S PLIT/OUT BOAR D MIC P RE AM PS

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