ESI U46 XL User Manual

4-in/6-out USB Recording Interface

User’s Guide

Revision 1, September 2008

www.esi-audio.com

U46 XL ESI

INDEX

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

1.1 What’s in the box.................................................................................................................................................4

1.2 Key Features ........................................................................................................................................................4

2. Description of U46 XL.................................................................................................................5

2.1 Front Panel...........................................................................................................................................................5

2.2 Rear Panel............................................................................................................................................................6

2.3 Minimum System Requirements..........................................................................................................................6

3. Installation....................................................................................................................................7

3.1 Windows XP........................................................................................................................................................7

3.2 Windows Vista.....................................................................................................................................................8

3.3 Mac OS X ..........................................................................................................................................................10

4. U46 XL Control Panel ...............................................................................................................10

4.1 Pull Down Menu................................................................................................................................................10

4.2 Input section.......................................................................................................................................................11

4.3 Output section....................................................................................................................................................12

4.4 DirectWIRE.......................................................................................................................................................12

5. Audio Applications.....................................................................................................................15

5.1 Windows Multimedia setup............................................................................................................................... 15

5.2 Latency setting and ASIO applications under Windows....................................................................................15

5.3 Mac OS X Audio MIDI Setup...........................................................................................................................15

5.4 Cubase LE 4.......................................................................................................................................................16

6. Technical Specifications ............................................................................................................ 16

7. General Information..................................................................................................................18

U46 XL ESI

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the ESI U46 XL. U46 XL is an ideal mobile recording interface for both laptop and desktop computers. It offers 4

input and 6 output channels in a solid portable and stylish unit. It's the perfect solution for playback and recording applications on the road - all in a rugged and compact package that can travel with you everywhere.

The line level inputs and outputs are provided via RCA connectors. There is even a professional microphone input with XLR input, +48V phantom power support and adjustable input gain, a Hi-Z instrument input as well as a headphone output with separate volume control.

There is more: U46 XL is bus powered from your PC or Mac, which means that typically no external power supply is needed for its operation.

With its EWDM driver interface, U46 XL can be used perfectly with all current audio applications, even including professional recording and DJ programs from various companies. ASIO, MME, WDM, CoreAudio and DirectX support is provided. U46 XL works under Windows and Mac OS X.

Even if you are an experienced professional, please take some time to read through this user manual and familiarize yourself with the features and operation of U46 XL. You may also want to refer to your audio software’s documentation to better understand how U46 XL works with your program.

1.1 What’s in the box

- U46 XL USB audio interface

- Installation and Driver CD

- Steinberg Cubase LE 4 DVD

- User’s Guide

- USB cable

1.2 Key Features

- 4-in 6-out multi purpose USB audio interface

- 4 line inputs (mono)

- XLR microphone input with gain control

- +48V phantom power for condenser microphone

- direct instrument input for electric guitars (Hi-Z) with gain control

- 6 line level analog outputs with separate mix outputs

- headphone out with level control

- 4 channel recording and 6 channel playback at the same time – Full Duplex

- 4-in 6-out at 44.1 kHz, 4-in 4-out at 48 kHz

- WDM, MME, ASIO, CoreAudio and DirectSound support

- compatible with Windows XP/Vista and Mac OS X

U46 XL ESI

2. Description of U46 XL

2.1 Front Panel

Channel 1/2 input connector (CH 1/2)

- Input source (MIC/LINE) selector: This is where you select input sources of channel 1/2.

- MIC IN connector: Connect your microphone to this XLR connector.

- +48V phantom power switch: Supply +48V DC phantom power to input channels 1/2 by

pressing the button.

- GAIN control for microphone input: Control input level of microphone.

Channel 3/4 input connector (CH 3/4)

- Input source (HI-Z/LINE) selector: This is where you select input sources of channel 3/4.

- HI-Z IN connector: Connect an electric guitar or bass guitar to this unbalanced 1/4” connector.

Only unbalanced 1/4” phone jack connection is possible via this input.

- GAIN control for Hi-Z input: Control the input level of a connected electric guitar via this

control knob.

Headphone output with volume control (HEADPHONE): Monitor all input sources and output

sources through the headphone output. The output level can be adjusted with the control knob.

POWER switch: Allows you to turn on / off the unit.

U46 XL ESI

2.2 Rear Panel

External power supply connector (DC 9V):

If you use a microphone that requires phantom power, especially with a laptop computer,

it’s strongly recommended to use a DC +9V/500mA adapter (not included). When you turn on U46 XL or when you turn on/off phantom power, the current peak level might go over 500mA.

USB connector: Connects the USB cable to the computer. MIX OUT: You can monitor all input sources and output sources through the Mix output. Usually,

you can use Mix out to connect to powered monitor speakers.

OUTPUT 1~6: You can use these outputs to connect to various external devices with independent

playback channels or for a 5.1 surround connection.

INPUT 1~4: The line level inputs for line level sources like tape decks, mixer outputs, phono

preamps, CD-Players, etc.

2.3 Minimum System Requirements

- Intel Pentium III 600MHz CPU or equivalent AMD CPU

- 512 MB RAM

- Direct X 8.1 or higher

- Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher or Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit

- one available USB port

Mac

- Power Macintosh G4 or higher

- one available USB port

- 512 MB RAM

- Mac OS X 10.3 or higher

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