Lynx Studio LT-USB User Manual

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age 2 of 45

1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the LT-USB™! We are proud to provide you with a reliable, professional-quality product for your digital audio requirements.

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-USB is an LSLOT expansion interface that is designed to allow the Aurora professional audio AD/DA converters to be used with USB 2.0 equipped laptop and desktop computers. The LT-USB can be used with Windows or Mac based systems, with a convenient and easy-to-use software interface for setting parameters, managing volume levels, viewing real-time meters, etc. Up to 16 channels of simultaneous I/O are possible with an Aurora 16, and 8 channels with an Aurora 8.

From laptops, to the most powerful servers, USB ports are found on nearly every computer system in production. For the first time ever, Aurora converters can be used with virtually any computer.

1.1 Overview

The Aurora/LT-USB turns your computer into a powerful digital audio workstation, providing up to 16 total channels of mastering quality analog inputs and outputs at sampling rates up to 96 kHz, and up to 8 channels at 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz. The included remote control application provides zero-latency monitoring, accurate metering, adapter configuration and flexible routing capabilities. With support for WDM and ASIO on Windows computers and Core Audio with OS X Macintosh computers, virtually all professional audio applications can work with the LT-USB.

The LT-USB features a USB 2.0 Device port (Type B) which is typically connected to a computer via a standard high-speed USB 2.0 cable (provided). Installation of the LT-USB into an Aurora is straightforward, as is the driver installation routine (Please note that driver installation is not required for OS X – native support is provided by the operating system).

The Aurora Remote Control application allows control and status of hardware parameters such as Sample Rate, Clock Source, Trim levels, and routing. On Windows systems, an independent LT-USB control applet provides access to other important parameters such as buffer size, device settings and status.

The LT-USB 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.

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1.2 Features

¾ USB 2.0 Device port (Type B) ¾ USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant ¾ With an Aurora 16, provides 16 channels of I/O at sample rates up to 96 kHz and 8

channels at up to 176.4/192 kHz

¾ With an Aurora 8, provides 8 channels of I/O at all sample rates ¾ Supports routing of USB audio streams to Aurora’s AES/EBU outputs ¾ Works with almost any USB 2.0-equipped computer ¾ Supports ASIO and WDM for Windows and CoreAudio for Mac OS X ¾ Fully supports current operating systems, Windows 7 and OS X 10.6.4+, as well as

Windows XP and Vista

¾ 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

¾ Full WDM and Core Audio implementation allows multiple channel support of 5.1 and

7.1 surround playback formats

¾ Easily installed into Aurora ¾ Supports external clocking with Windows and OS X ¾ Field programmable ¾ Ideal for fixed location or mobile recording applications

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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-USB. 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-USB.

2.1 In the box

The following items are included in your LT-USB carton:

¾ LT-USB card in an antistatic bag ¾ One 6’ long Type-A to Type-B shielded USB 2.0 cable ¾ Lynx Installation CD containing current drivers and this manual ¾ Warranty registration card ¾ Quick Start Guide ¾ 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-USB:

1. The host computer must have a compatible and functional USB 2.0 port.

2. The host computer must meet the system requirements necessary for correct functioning of the LT-USB.

3. The Aurora must have firmware revision 24 or above.

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-USB. Please refer to your audio software’s documentation for more information.

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2.2.1 Windows

¾ Intel Core 2 @ 1.6 GHz, or AMD equivalent ¾ PC or laptop manufactured after January 2006 ¾ 1GB RAM ¾ One functional USB 2.0 port ¾ Windows XP with SP3 (32-bit), Windows Vista with SP2 (32-bit or 64-bit) or Windows

7 (32-bit or 64-bit)

NOTE: The LT-USB is not supported under Windows 95, 98, ME or Windows 2000. Windows installed via BootCamp is not officially supported.

2.2.2 Macintosh

¾ Any Intel Processor based Mac or MacBook computer running OS X 10.6.4 or higher ¾ 1GB RAM ¾ One functional USB 2.0 port

NOTE: The LT-USB is not supported under OS 9 or OS X 10.6.3 or below.

2.2.3 Insuring compatible firmware on the Aurora

The LT-USB requires your Aurora converter to have Firmware Version 24 or later. This should be verified prior to installing and configuring the LT-USB 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. If the LED flashes over the numbers 2 on the input row & 4 on the output row or above (i.e. 2&5, 2&9, etc.) in the Aurora Meter Display, then your unit is compatible with the LT-USB. If pressing Power and Trim does not cause any LEDs to flash, causes a sequence lower than 24 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 rev 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:

¾ ALL UPPER CASE TEXT refers to a specific parameter selection control (i.e. SYNC

SOURCE) or a cable connection.

¾ 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-USB using one of the following methods:

Fill out and mail the Warranty Registration Card included with your LT-USB. Register on the web at: www.lynxstudio.com > Support> Register Your Product Once you are registered you will automatically receive notifications of new products and upgrades.

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5 Ins

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age 8 of 45

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age 9 of 45

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P

ge 10 of 45

9. Reinstall the Aurora lid using the eight screws that had been removed in step 1. Do not over tighten the small screw near the center of the front faceplate as it is easily damaged.

10. Plug in and power up the Aurora using the front panel standby switch. You can see the LT-USB from the slits in the Aurora top cover. If the green LED on the LT-USB lights up, the installation was successful. If the LED does not light, unplug the Aurora and remount the LT-USB, 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 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. When used with an LT-USB, the SYNC SOURCE can only be from changed from the front panel of the Aurora while the USB cable is disconnected. After the SYNC SOURCE is selected and Synchrolock has achieved full lock, reconnect the USB cable. When the USB connection is active, the Aurora will enter a lock-out mode, where some parameters such as SYNC SOURCE/SAMPLE RATE cannot be altered from either the front panel or Remote Control software.

5.1.1 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 XP, applications using the WDM/DirectSound or MME/Wave Out driver models will also typically request a sample rate change of the driver to match the project or audio file rate.

In Windows Vista and Windows 7, WDM/DirectSound and WASAPI applications do NOT typically request sample rate changes. Instead they rely upon Sample Rate conversion built into the operating system to convert the play rate to the rate of the audio 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.

Page 11 of 45

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 of ten will need to be restarted.

5.1.2 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-USB. See the Aurora manual for more information about these SYNC SOURCE choices.

If you wish to use the Lynx Synchrolock technology while clocking externally, it is crucial to ensure Synchrolock has fully engaged before connecting the USB cable to the host computer. Synchrolock engaging while the USB bus is active could cause loud, highly distorted signal.

5.1.3 Using LSLOT Clock

When an LT-USB equipped Aurora is used with a computer, it is possible to have the Aurora slave to the clock generated by the USB interface. This would be the case when LSLOT is selected as the SYNC SOURCE. As a general rule, we do not recommend this clocking scheme. The clock signal derived from a USB device can be very inaccurate. Although SynchroLock is capable of regenerating poor quality clock sources, there may be cases where the USB-generated clock can fall outside of Synchrolock’s usable range, and the Aurora sound quality will be adversely affected.

5.2 Installing the Driver and Aurora Remote Control Application

The Lynx Installation CD contains all driver files and utilities mentioned in the subsequent installation steps, as well as the LT-USB manual, driver release notes and test files. If you do not have a CD-ROM drive or need a more recent version, these files are available on our website at http://www.lynxstudio.com/ > Support

If you have downloaded more recent drivers than those included on your Lynx Installation CD, the following instructions can still be followed. Launch the driver install file from the download rather than from the CD. If a previous driver version is present, it will automatically be removed as part of the driver installation process. Note: no driver installation is required for OS X, only for Windows.

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ge 13 of 45

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ge 14 of 45

Lynx Studio LT-USB User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual