ESI U168 Xt User’s Guide

Professional 24-bit USB Audio Interface

User’s Guide

ESI - Copyright © 2016 - 2017

Revision 2, May 2017

www.esi-audio.com

ESI U168 XT

INDEX

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

1.1 Features ................................................................................................................................................................ 4

2. Installation .................................................................................................................................... 7

2.1 System Recommendation ..................................................................................................................................... 7

2.2 Hardware Installation ........................................................................................................................................... 7

2.3 Driver & Software Installation ............................................................................................................................. 7

2.3.1 Installation under Windows .............................................................................................................................. 7

2.3.2 Installation under Mac OS X............................................................................................................................. 9

3. Control Panel .............................................................................................................................. 10

3.1 Latency settings ................................................................................................................................................. 11

4. Specifications .............................................................................................................................. 11

5. General Information .................................................................................................................. 13

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ESI U168 XT

1. Introduction

U168 XT is a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed audio interface for Mac and PC, bringing USB audio technology
to a new level by providing better performance for better results.

This interfaces provides not less than 16 input channels and 8 output channels that are all available
for simultaneous usage. The 24-bit / 96kHz solution not only provides balanced 1/4" TRS line
connectors, it also includes 4 integrated microphone preamps with XLR inputs on the front of the
unit with switchable +48V phantom power, 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs for electric guitars as well as
coaxial digital S/PDIF input and outputs. There are two independent headphone outputs on the
front, next to an integrated monitoring mixer. External keyboards, synthesizers and sound modules
can be connected via the MIDI inputs and outputs on the backside of the unit.

U168 XT provides fast high performance low latency drivers based on our EWDM and
DirectWIRE technology with support for the latest WDM, ASIO 2.0 and CoreAudio technology for
both Mac and PC, making it possible to use the interface with all current standard audio
applications available for professional usage.

All this makes the stylish U168 XT an audio interface, bringing USB audio for professional
applications to a new level.

1.1 Features

The front panel of the U168 XT hardware has these main features:

1. microphone and Hi-Z instrument input channel 1 with XLR/TRS combo connector, use this

connector to connect a dynamic or condenser microphone or an electric guitar. Next to it is the
on switch that enables this input for usage when pressed. When not pressed, the corresponding
line input on the backside of the unit is used instead. With the gain knob you can control the
input level which is indicated with the LEDs above it. The +48V switch enables phantom
power if required for a condenser microphone; when enabled this is shown with the LED next
to it. Please note that for microphones you should use XLR connection while a guitar needs to
use a TRS connection.

2. microphone and Hi-Z instrument input channel 2 with XLR/TRS combo connector, use this

connector to connect a dynamic or condenser microphone or an electric guitar. Next to it is the
on switch that enables this input for usage when pressed. When not pressed, the corresponding
line input on the backside of the unit is used instead. With the gain knob you can control the
input level which is indicated with the LEDs above it. The +48V switch enables phantom
power if required for a condenser microphone; when enabled this is shown with the LED next
to it. Please note that for microphones you should use XLR connection while a guitar needs to
use a TRS connection.

3. microphone input channel 3 with XLR connector, use this connector to connect a dynamic or

condenser microphone. Next to it is the on switch that enables this input for usage when

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