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LT-TB
User Manual
55 pgs993.46 Kb0

Lynx Studio LT-TB User Manual

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AuroraTB
User Manual
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................3
2 Before you begin ..........................................................................................................6
3 Nomenclature Used in this manual ............................................................................8
4 Warranty Registration ................................................................................................8
5 Installation Procedures ...............................................................................................9
6 Getting Started ..........................................................................................................20
7 Lynx Mixer Application Reference .........................................................................24
8 Using the LT-TB ........................................................................................................40
9 Troubleshooting .........................................................................................................50
10 Support....................................................................................................................53
11 License Agreement .................................................................................................54
12 Warranty Information...........................................................................................55
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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the LT-TB™! We have worked hard to create a reliable and high performance audio device using the latest high-speed interfacing technology available. We believe you will find our efforts to benefit all of your audio projects immensely.
This manual covers operation, product characteristics, and information to help you get started. Additional information is available via our website’s support resources. Please refer to Section 10 - Support, at the end of this manual for support contact information.
The LT-TB is an LSlot expansion interface that is designed to allow the Aurora professional audio AD/DA converters to be used with Thunderbolt™ equipped laptop and desktop computers. It utilizes the very latest Cactus Ridge Thunderbolt controller, insuring maximum bandwidth, minimal latency, and compatibility with the latest computer hardware and applications. The LT-TB is the first Thunderbolt audio product that is certified for use with Windows or Mac based computer systems. It includes a convenient and easy-to-use software interface for setting parameters, managing volume levels, monitoring input signals and viewing real-time meters, etc. Up to 6 Lynx interfaces, Auroras and/or Hilos can be daisy­chained from a single Thunderbolt port, with potential for an incredible 192 channels of audio.
From laptops to the most powerful workstations, Thunderbolt ports are found on the latest computer systems. Finally, high channel count systems can be configured inexpensively and with broad compatibility. Also, home users with modest means can enjoy the cutting edge of high-bandwidth audio with affordable hardware choices.
1.1 Overview
The LT-TB interface turns your computer into a powerful digital audio workstation, providing from 8 to 192 channels of high resolution, mastering-quality audio. The included Lynx Mixer application provides zero-latency monitoring, accurate metering, adapter configuration and flexible routing capabilities. Lynx Mixer is identical for computers running Windows or OS X. With support for WDM and ASIO on Windows computers and Core Audio with OS X computers, virtually all professional audio applications can work with the LT-TB.
The LT-TB has two Thunderbolt ports and supports daisy-chaining Aurora and Hilo converters, as well as any other certified Thunderbolt devices on both OS X and Windows computers. The LT-TB and accompanying Aurora and Hilo models are the first Thunderbolt audio devices certified for Windows as well as Mac.
Similar to other Lynx products, LT-TB incorporates an FPGA for audio mixing and control functions that can be easily updated in the field.
Whereas some earlier Thunderbolt-equipped converters are limited to two units and 32 analog channels, the LT-TB can be used in a chain of up to 6 Aurora converters, for up to 96 analog channels plus 96 digital channels on one Thunderbolt port. Theoretically, a computer
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with two Thunderbolt ports could deliver up to 384 channels. The 2014 Mac Pro, with 6 Thunderbolt II ports, can potentially deliver 1,152 channels, if processor speed and system throughput are adequate. The Thunderbolt spec allows for daisy chaining of unrelated devices as well, so hard drives, monitors, and other devices can be connected in a daisy chain with one or more Auroras. Since hot-plugging is integral to Thunderbolt, devices can be added or removed from the daisy chain without requiring a reboot or power cycle of the hardware.
The LT-TB was designed with adaptability in mind. The hardware can be field-programmed through simple firmware updates which can be downloaded from the Lynx Studio Technology website. In this way, the product’s functionality and feature-set can be easily upgraded by the end-user. Also, the host Aurora’s firmware can also be updated through the Thunderbolt connection to the computer. No MIDI Interface required!
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1.2 Features
Dual Thunderbolt ports Second Generation “Cactus Ridge” Thunderbolt controller With an Aurora 16, provides up to 32 channels of I/O (16 analog + 16 AES digital) at
sample rates up to 192kHz
With an Aurora 8, each unit provides 16 channels of I/O (8 analog + 8 AES digital) at all
sample rates
Up to six Auroras can be daisy chained for a total of 192 channels Adds 64 X 32 low latency hardware mixer to Aurora Supports routing of Thunderbolt audio streams to Aurora’s AES/EBU outputs Cable runs up to 3 meters / 9.8 feet possible with easily acquired third party copper
cables, and up to 100 meters with optical cables
Works with almost any certified, Thunderbolt equipped computer Supports ASIO and WDM for Windows and Core Audio for Mac OS X Fully supports current operating systems, from Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.8.5, and
above
All relevant settings, such as sample rate selection, sync source selection, channel
routing, latency, and buffer size are enabled, controlled and monitored from the host computer
Full WDM implementation allows multiple channel support of 5.1 and 7.1 surround
playback formats
Easily installed into Lynx Aurora or Hilo converter systems Supports external clocking with Windows and OS X Field programmable with downloadable firmware updates
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2 Before you begin
We recommend that you read through the entire manual to acquire an overview of the installation procedure and use of the LT-TB. This manual will presume a working knowledge of the Aurora converter. For additional information, please refer to the Aurora User Manual.
It is also highly recommended that you have a good working knowledge of Windows and/or Macintosh operating system basics and an understanding of computer hardware basics. This information is widely available on the web and from various computer hardware and software manufacturers.
We also strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with the basics of digital audio and computer recording, and particularly with the basic functionality of your chosen audio software. A solid grasp of the operational fundamentals of your Digital Audio Workstation software and its user interface will go a long way toward enhancing your experience with the LT-TB.
2.1 In the box
The following items are included in your LT-TB carton:
LT-TB card in an antistatic bag Quick Start Guide ½” Standoff Post
If any items are missing or damaged, please contact your dealer or Lynx at http://www.lynxstudio.com.
2.2 Operational requirements
There are three essential elements that must be met for compatibility with the LT-TB:
1. The host computer must have one or more compatible and functional Thunderbolt ports.
2. The host computer must meet the system requirements necessary for correct functioning of the LT-TB.
3. The Aurora must have firmware revision 28 or above.
A list of Intel approved Thunderbolt computers, motherboards and components is available online at www.thunderbolttechnology.net > Products
It also is important to note that most professional audio applications place significant demands on your computer’s resources, and it is therefore recommended that you meet or exceed the recommended system requirements for your Digital Audio Workstation software, which will likely be greater than those listed for the LT-TB. Please refer to your audio software’s documentation for more information. Also, daisy chaining multiple Auroras will place greater demands on the host computer than the minimum requirements.
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2.2.1 Windows
Intel Core 2 @ 1.6 GHz, or AMD equivalent PC or laptop manufactured in or after 2013 1GB RAM One functional Thunderbolt port Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) or Windows 8 A connection to the Internet to download the Lynx Driver (this can be from a different
computer than the one that the Aurora-TB is connected to).
NOTE: The LT-TB is not supported under Windows 95, 98, ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista. Windows installed via BootCamp is not supported.
2.2.2 Macintosh
Any Intel Processor based Apple Macintosh computer running OS X 10.8.5 or higher 1GB RAM One functional Thunderbolt port
NOTE: The LT-TB is not supported with OS X 10.7 or below.
2.2.3 Insuring compatible firmware on the Aurora
The LT-TB requires your Aurora converter to have Firmware Version 28 or later. This should be verified prior to installing and configuring the LT-TB card. To determine what firmware revision your Aurora has installed, press the TRIM and POWER buttons at the same time with the power to the Aurora off. This will put the Aurora into a Demo mode, where the front panel LEDs flash sequentially from left to right. In the Aurora METER display, there will be a number in the Input row, and a number in the Output row, that flash continuously. On an Aurora16, if the LED flashes over the numbers 2 on the input row & 8 on the output row or above (i.e. 3&1, 3&3, etc.) in the Aurora Meter Display, then your unit is compatible with the LT-TB. If pressing Power and Trim does not cause any LEDs to flash, causes a sequence lower than 28 to flash, or causes a single number to flash, then your unit needs to be updated.
If your Aurora has firmware version 13 or above, it can be updated by an Apple Macintosh running OS X or a Windows PC with a MIDI interface. The Aurora firmware updater program and instructions for use are available for download from the Lynx website at Support > Downloads. If your unit has revision 12 or earlier, please contact Lynx Technical Support (U.S. or Canada) or your local distributor for firmware update options. Please note that Auroras manufactured in 2006 or later should have firmware revision 13 or above.
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3 Nomenclature Used in this manual
The following typographic conventions are used in this manual:
ALL UPPER CASE TEXT refers to a specific parameter selection control (i.e. SYNC
SOURCE) or a cable connection.
Text in quotation marks indicates a parameter selection value or menu option (i.e.
“EXT”).
Phrases, such as: Start > Programs > Lynx Studio Technology use the greater than symbol
(“>”) to indicate multiple menu options or mouse selections within a software control
context.
4 Warranty Registration
Lynx is committed to providing you with the best service possible. To help us serve you better, please be sure to register your LT-TB.
Register on the web at: www.lynxstudio.com > Support> Register Your Product
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5 Installation Procedures
Please insure that the Aurora has firmware 28 or above before proceeding. See Section
2.2.3: Insuring compatible firmware
1. Remove the AC power cord and take the top cover off of the Aurora. There are seven large screws plus one small alignment screw near the center-front of the top lid that holds it on.
2. Before installing the LT-TB card, you must change a dipswitch setting on the Aurora that corrects the current draw for an Aurora with an LT-TB. Please note: if you are replacing a different LSLOT card with the LT-TB, it’s likely that the dipswitch setting is already in the correct position.
Slide switch 4 (labeled W4 on PCB) of SW1 to the OFF position (towards back panel).
If you are updating an older Aurora that has jumper pins at JP6, instead of the W4 switches, please call Lynx Technical Support for instructions.
3. Remove the LSLOT Expansion Port cover above the AES I/O Ports by removing the two mounting screws. Set these two screws aside, as they will be used to secure the LT-TB after installation.
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4. Remove the screw from the Aurora circuit board that is adjacent to the JP1 connector and the white serial number/barcode label. Set the screw aside for reuse.
5. Install the standoff post (included with the LT-TB) in this same hole.
6. Grounding yourself to earth ground, remove the LT-TB from its protective anti-static bag.
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7. Attach the multi-pin connector on the back edge of the LT-TB to the LSLOT connector (JP1) on the Aurora mainboard. The LT-TB LSLOT connector has a protective sheath to insure that the pins line up correctly with the Aurora LSLOT connector. It is also helpful to line up the screw hole of the card with the hole in the standoff post. When the LT-TB connector pins appear to be lined up correctly with the Aurora LSLOT connector, press gently until the connector snaps into place. In some cases, the board may need to be gently flexed for the LSLOT connector pins to line up correctly with JP1 on the Aurora mainboard.
Use caution to insure that the pins line up as shown. Incorrect installation could damage the unit.
8. Secure the LT-TB with three screws; one on the standoff and two from the back panel of Aurora. Keep screws loose until the LT-TB is properly aligned, then tighten snugly, but do not over tighten.
9. Reinstall the Aurora lid using the eight screws that had been removed in step 1, installing the small center alignment screw first. Do not over tighten this small screw as it is easily damaged.
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10. Plug in and power up the Aurora using the front panel standby switch. You can see the LT-TB from the slits in the Aurora top cover. If the green LED on the LT-TB corner (by the transformer) is flashing, the installation was successful. When a Thunderbolt cable is connected between the Aurora and a computer, and the driver is loaded, then the LED will go solid. If the LED does not light, unplug the Aurora and re-mount the LT-TB, making sure that it is securely attached. Then plug in and power up again. If the green LED still does not light, please contact Lynx Customer Support.
5.1 Cable Connections
The LT-TB has been tested with standard optical and copper Thunderbolt cables. For Copper cable, one can use lengths up to 3 meters (9.8 feet). Optical cables, while somewhat more difficult to acquire, do promise operation with much longer cable lengths, up to 100 meters.
Thunderbolt cables are somewhat unique in that they contain signal transmission electronics. For this reason it is important to practice good cable management, avoid crimping or allowing cables to be compressed. If such practices are adhered to, these cables should provide many years of faithful service.
5.2 Clock Settings and Connections
Please see Section 2.6: Clock Settings and Connections, of the Aurora User Manual for information about correct clocking of the Aurora within a digital audio system. With an active Thunderbolt connection, the SYNC SOURCE can ONLY be changed from the Lynx Mixer application. Generally, SYNC SOURCE should not be changed while an audio application is open.
On computer boot, or after restoring a Thunderbolt connection, the Aurora will return to the SYNC SOURCE of last Mixer state. This will be established by hardware ID, so with multiple Auroras, even if different SYNC SOURCES are established, all should return to the appropriate last state. It is critical that the Lynx Mixer application is closed before shutting down the computer, so that the mixer state can be written to a system file for later recall. If the computer is turned off while the Lynx Mixer is still open, the prior state may not be restored.
5.2.1 Using the Internal Clock
We recommend using Internal as the SYNC SOURCE for the best clock performance.
In this state, the Aurora can respond to sample rate changes from audio software, but not all applications will send these rate change requests.
In all compatible versions of Windows, ASIO applications will generally request sample rate changes to follow the project sample rate, or the rate of the audio being played.
In Windows 7 and Windows 8, MME/DirectSound applications sample rate requests do NOT get passed down to the audio driver and hardware. Instead they rely upon Sample Rate conversion built into the operating system to convert the play rate to the rate of the audio
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hardware. If one wishes to avoid the effects of this rate conversion, the sample rate can be changed globally from the Sound section of Windows control panel (Sound > Properties > Advanced). After changing the sample rate, the play application often will need to be restarted.
In OS X, some Core Audio applications will initiate a change of sample rate to match the project or audio file being played, and others will not. For the most part, professional audio recording software does request sample rate changes, and consumer or media playback software does not. Examples of the former would be Logic, ProTools, Cubase, Digital Performer, etc. Examples of the latter would be iTunes, DVD playback software or Quicktime.
When the application does not request a sample rate change, and one wishes to avoid sample rate conversion, the sample rate can be changed from within Audio MIDI setup in OS X to match the desired sample rate. After changing the sample rate, the play application often will need to be restarted.
5.2.2 Using External / AES A / AES B Clock
The Aurora can slave to a master/house clock source via Word clock or via its AES inputs. In this state, it is also important to verify that the clock source is operating at the same sample rate as the audio being played, no matter what driver model is being used by the LT-TB. See the Aurora manual for more information about these SYNC SOURCE choices.
5.2.3 Using LSLOT Clock
When an LT-TB-equipped Aurora is used with a computer, it is not possible to have the Aurora slave to the computer’s Thunderbolt port. Therefore LSLOT is not a valid SYNC SOURCE option.
5.2.4 Using Multiple Auroras
Whenever multiple Auroras are used in a Thunderbolt daisy-chain, it is critical that clock synchronicity is achieved. In the vast majority of cases we would recommend one of the following clock schemes:
- Use a master clock with multiple clock outputs, ideally as many outputs as there are
Auroras in the chain, and connect each Aurora to a unique word clock connection. In this case, ALL of the Auroras should be set to “EXT” as the SYNC SOURCE. In this state, it is important to set the Sample Rate on your clock master, to match the sample rate of your audio file or audio project.
- Use Aurora #1 in the chain, and have the other units slave in a clock daisy chain.
Connect a word clock cable from the WORD CLOCK OUT of unit #1, to Clock IN of unit #2, Clock OUT from Unit #2 to Clock IN of Unit #3, etc. Set unit number one to “INT” as the SYNC SOURCE and all of the other units to “EXT”. In this state, the system should respond to sample rate changes within the computer automatically.
NOTE: When 3 or more Auroras are used in a single system, some form of clock distribution is recommended to insure phase coherence of the clock signal.
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5.3 Installing the Lynx Driver
Lynx Drivers and firmware updaters are updated regularly. The most current versions can be easily downloaded from the Lynx Website: http://www.lynxstudio.com/ > Support> Downloads. Make sure that you choose LT-TB as the “Product”. Choosing Aurora as the product will not give access to the drivers that you will require for this system.
If you are updating an existing driver, the driver installation program will automatically remove the old driver when the new one is installed. When installing drivers, make sure that all software programs, especially audio applications, are closed.
5.3.1 Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) or Windows 8
1. Power up the Aurora and connect it to the computer with a Thunderbolt cable.
2. On first connection, you may receive a prompt that New Thunderbolt Devices have
been attached. Click this window to have the system connect to the Aurora as a Thunderbolt Device.
3. When the Select Device to Connect Window comes up, Choose “Always Connect”. If
there are multiple Auroras connected at install time, you will need to do this for each unit. (If this is a reinstall, you will not see this dialog box. Just continue on with the subsequent steps).
4. Locate the LT-TB driver from your downloaded files. The file name will be
V2Setup###.exe (where ### is the version number of the driver)
5. Double-click the installation file to start the driver installation.
6. Accept the License Agreement by clicking “Accept”
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7. The installer will extract the necessary files to the C:\Lynx directory. Click “Extract”
from this window
8. If you are prompted to let the program make changes to the computer, select “Yes”
9. You will next see the driver Install dialog. Click “Install”
10. You may get a Windows Security Dialog Bog. If so, select “Install”
11. Driver installation will proceed
12. Finally you will receive a confirmation that the install completed successfully
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13. The Aurora is ready to use, no reboot necessary.
NOTE: The driver installation process installs both the Windows driver and the Lynx Mixer application. The Lynx Mixer application is installed into the Lynx Studio Technology program group
5.3.2 OS X
1. Power up the Aurora and connect it to the computer with a Thunderbolt cable
2. Located the LT-TB driver from your downloaded files. The file name will be
Lynx_OSX_##.zip (where ## is the version number of the driver). Double-click to expand the installer package.
3. Double-click “Lynx OSX.pkg” that was expanded from the step above. This will start
the driver installation.
4. Click “Continue” at the “Install Lynx CoreAudio Driver Installer” dialog box.
5. Click “Continue” for the Software License Agreement after reading it.
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6. Click “Agree” from the next Window
7. Click “Install” in the Standard Install Window
8. Type in Password and click “Install Software”
9. Click “Continue Installation” for prompt about restarting computer after the
installation
10. The installation will continue
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