ESI Maya44 Ex User’s Guide

24-bit/96kHz PCIe Audio Interface

with 4 inputs / 4 outputs

User’s Guide

ESI - Copyright © 2016

Revision 1, November 2016

www.esi-audio.com

ESI MAYA44 eX

INDEX

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4

2. Description of MAYA44 eX ........................................................................................................ 4

2.1 PCIe card connectors ........................................................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Minimum System Requirements .......................................................................................................................... 5

3. Hardware Installation ................................................................................................................. 5

3.1 Preparation for Hardware Installation .................................................................................................................. 5

3.2 PCIe Card Installation .......................................................................................................................................... 6

4. Driver Software Installation ....................................................................................................... 7

5. Connecting External Devices ...................................................................................................... 9

5.1 MAYA44 eX Line Connectors ............................................................................................................................ 9

5.2 Connection Examples ........................................................................................................................................ 10

6. MAYA44 eX Control Panel ....................................................................................................... 11

6.1 Pull-Down Menus .............................................................................................................................................. 11

6.2 Input Section ...................................................................................................................................................... 12

6.3 Output Section ................................................................................................................................................... 13

6.4 Digital Section ................................................................................................................................................... 13

6.5 DirectWIRE ....................................................................................................................................................... 13

7. Windows Audio Settings ............................................................................................................ 15

8. Specifications .............................................................................................................................. 16

9. General Information .................................................................................................................. 17

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ESI MAYA44 eX

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the ESI MAYA44 eX, a high quality 24-bit / 96 kHz 4-in / 4-out PCIe
audio interface, providing a number of powerful and amazing features optimized for home
recording on a professional quality level and for various DJ applications.

The card can easily be used by home users making their first steps in computer audio as well as by
professionals who produce music on a budget, looking for a professional, yet affordable, PCIe audio
solution.

MAYA44 eX provides 2 stereo analog line inputs, 2 stereo line outputs, a microphone input with
+48V phantom power and preamp, a Hi-Z guitar instrument input, as well as an optical S/PDIF
output and an optical S/PDIF input.

2. Description of MAYA44 eX

2.1 PCIe card connectors

1. INPUT 1/2: analog line input connector (stereo) / microphone input (mono)

2. INPUT 3/4: analog line input connector (stereo) / Hi-Z instrument input (mono)

3. OUTPUT 1/2: analog line output connector (stereo) / headphone output (stereo)

4. OUTPUT 3/4: analog line output connector (stereo) / headphone output (stereo)

5. Optical In: optical digital S/PDIF input

6. Optical Out: optical digital S/PDIF output

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ESI MAYA44 eX

2.2 Minimum System Requirements

- Intel CPU or equivalent and compatible AMD CPU

- 512 MB RAM

- Direct X 8.1 or higher

- one available PCIe x1 (or higher) slot

- Windows Vista / 7 / 8.1 / 10 (in 32-bit or 64-bit)

- the latest chipset and mainboard utility drivers and system updates must be installed

3. Hardware Installation

3.1 Preparation for Hardware Installation

The MAYA44 eX PCIe card and other components in the computer can be damaged easily by
electrical shock. You should use an anti-static device that can discharge the static electricity of your
body to avoid potential static damage to the cards. If you do not feel capable of installing a PCIe
card into your computer please contact a computer specialist.

Turn off the computer power and remove the power cable from your computer power supply.

Disconnecting the Power Cord

Refer to your computer user’s manual and remove the computer cover. Make sure that you have an
available PCIe slot on your motherboard to install the MAYA44 eX.

Removing the computer cover

To avoid possible static shock damage to the computer parts, discharge it by touching the computer
case or something grounded. We recommend you use an anti-static device such as an anti-static
wristband.

When holding the MAYA44 eX card, touch only the guide or the edge of card. Do not grab the card
by the board or connector.

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ESI MAYA44 eX

3.2 PCIe Card Installation

Find an empty PCIe slot on the motherboard. If you are unsure, please check the manual of your
mainboard or computer to identify the PCIe slot, or consult a computer specialist. There are
different types of PCIe slot, MAYA44 eX will work both in a shorter PCIe x1 and in any longer
higher level PCIe slot, however not in old standard PCI slots.

Typical PC Motherboard Slot Configuration

If a faceplate or cover is behind the PCIe slot, you can remove it by removing the screw holding it
in place or by prying it off with a screwdriver.

Removing the slot faceplate

Insert the MAYA44 eX card into the PCIe slot, firmly pushing the card into the slot until it is seated
securely. Replace the screw, and tighten.

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