Mackie Link.FireWire Quickstart Guide

Important safety InstructIons

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampliﬁers) that produce heat.

9. Only use attachments/accessories speciﬁed by the manufacturer.

10. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

11. Refer all servicing to qualiﬁed service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

FCC Information

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with

the limits for Class B digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Product Serial #:

Purchased at:

Date of purchase:

contents

Important safety InstructIons .................................2

IntroductIon ...................................................................................

The Link.FireWire Interface .........................................................4

Bundled Software ..............................................................................4

GettInG started .............................................................................5

Installing the Software ....................................................................5

On a PC: .................................................................................................................................6

Link.FireWire Console (PC only) ......................................................................10

On a

Connecting the Link.FireWire ..................................................13

Hookup Diagrams ..........................................................................14

Making a Recording .......................................................................16

Please write your Tracktion License Number here (packaged with the Link.FireWire CD):

Mac: ...........................................................................................................................11

____–____–____–____–____

Enter your my.mackie.com login information here:

Password ______________________________________________

Don’t forget to visit our website at www.tapcogear.com

for more information about this and other TAPCO products.

IntroductIon

Thank you for purchasing the TAPCO Link.FireWire Audio Interface for digital recording systems. This is a complete, compact solution for computer-based music production on either a Macintosh or a PC.

The Link.FireWire is a 4x6 audio interface that is powered directly oﬀ the FireWire connection (or by the included external power supply), and also includes Tracktion 2.1, our powerful audio and MIDI sequencing software for digital recording. This hardware and software combination provides all you need to record and create wonderful music using your laptop or desktop computer.

The Link.FireWire Interface

The Link.FireWire interface provides either two analog audio inputs that can accept microphone level, line level, or direct instrument input signals, or a stereo S/PDIF digital input. The analog audio signals are routed to high-quality ADCs (Analog-to-Digital Converters) operating at

44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz with 24-bits. The digital signals are then routed to the FireWire port for connection to your computer.

The analog inputs are “combo” jacks that accept either a mic-level balanced XLR connector or a line-level (or instrument-level if the INSTR button is pushed in) balanced or unbalanced 1/4" TRS or TS connector.

Stereo master mixes can also be transferred from your host computer back to the Link.FireWire for monitoring during tracking or overdubbing. Monitoring is provided by the headphone jack on the front and by balanced outputs on the back, which can be connected to your studio monitors. The Monitor outputs and Phones output each have their own level controls. The master mix also appears on the S/PDIF stereo output.

Note: The Link.FireWire provides two output streams from the DAW that are mirrored on the Phones, Monitor, and S/PDIF outputs. Alternate ﬁrmware is available on our website to conﬁgure the Link.FireWire so that it provides six discrete output streams from the DAW. Refer to the Link.FireWire Owner’s Manual for more information.

Bundled Software

The Link.FireWire comes with some powerful software to get you started with your own desktop multitrack audio recording music production studio.

Tracktion is an easy-to-use multitrack audio recording and MIDI sequencing software application, capable of unlimited track count, VST support, automation, and much more. It comes with a variety of EQ, compressor, and eﬀects plug-in processors for creating exactly the sound you want.

GettInG started

Use this section to get your Link.FireWire set up quickly. Refer to the Link.FireWire Owner’s Manual (PDF ﬁle) for more detailed information about the operation of the Link.FireWire.

Installing the Software

• The Link.FireWire CD contains an installer that will install the

drivers on your PC. If you are using a Macintosh (running OS X version 10.3.9 or later), you don’t need to install drivers because the FireWire drivers are included in OS X. Note: If you are using OS X 10.3, be sure to update to the latest released version, 10.3.9.

• Your Link.FireWire CD also contains Tracktion 2.1. Double-

click the ﬁle “TracktionSetup.exe” and follow the instructions to install Tracktion on your PC. For the Macintosh, double-click the ﬁle “TracktionSetup.dmg” and drag the Tracktion icon into your Applications folder.

• Visit http://my.tapcogear.com to register your Link.FireWire.

If you haven’t already done so, set up an account by entering your email address and clicking, “No, I want to create an account.” Then click “Continue.” Enter the information to set up your proﬁle. Then click “Create My Account.” Then proceed to register your Link.FireWire by clicking “TAPCO Product Registration.”

• Your computer

requirements:

PC Requirements

• Windows XP (SP2)

• Pentium III or better processor

• 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended)

• 30 MB hard disk space Macintosh Requirements

• OS X (10.3.9 or later)

• Power Mac G3 (600 MHz or faster), G4, or G5 processor

• 256 MB RAM (512 MB recommended)

• 35 MB hard disk space

must meet the following minimum system

To install the software on a PC running Windows XP (SP2):

1. Turn oﬀ any (non-essential) applications.

2. Insert the Link.FireWire CD-ROM into your PC’s CD-ROM drive.

The CD begins automatically, bringing up the Link.FireWire installer. If it doesn’t, click Start in the task bar, then click Run and click Browse. Browse to your CD drive and double-click Link.Firewire_SETUP.EXE. Then click OK to start the installation.

4. The Link.FireWire Installer opens. Click “Next.”

5. Next you will see the License Agreement. Read through the text and

click “I Agree.”

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