M-Audio Audio Buddy User Guide

Users Manual

Features

The Audio Buddy features include:

• 2 independent XLR, fully balanced inputs.

• 2 alternate, independent 1/4” unbalanced, high impedance inputs.

These alternate 1/4” inputs are impedance matched for ideal

performance with typical electric guitars.

• Separate gain controls for each of the two preamplifiers.

• Individual signal and clipping LEDs for each of the preamplifiers.

• XLR phantom power can be switched on and off for both of the mic preamps.

• Phantom power on or off LED indicator.

• Dual purpose independent 1/4” outputs which accept either

tip-ring-sleeve plugs for balanced signal or tip-sleeve plug for

unbalanced signal.

• Super-small size: 5.5" x 3.3" x 1.7".

• Very-quiet S/N specification.

• Heavy-duty all metal construction.

Specifications

• Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 50 kHz, +0, -3 dB.

• Mic Gain: 60 dB max.

• Mic Input Impedance: 1 K ohm.

• Guitar Gain: 40 dB max.

• Guitar Input Impedance: 100 K ohms.

• Approximate weight: under 1/2 lb.

• Power supply: 9 VAC; 500 milliamps.

Introduction

This product complies with European CE requirements.

Thank you for your purchase of the M-Audio
AudioBuddy™, mic preamp and direct box. M-Audio has
designed and manufactured several different audio mixers
including MiniMixer, MicroMixer 18, MultiMixer 6,
MultiMixer 10 and miXim 10. All of these mixers have two
things in common: 1.) they are exceedingly quiet -- quieter
than 99% of all mixers on the market and 2.) they are
uniquely configured to meet the specific needs of the MIDI
and multimedia musician.

The Audio Buddy, once again, fits these two criteria. First,
it is a very quiet mic preamp. This is because the unit’s
simple and efficient design and ultra compact layout
eliminates much of the noise. The unit also has a higher
than usual voltage “rail” across its internal op-amps. This
means that you get more “punch” and much more dynamic
audio output.

Secondly, the Audio Buddy (when coupled with its ultra quiet
performance) is the perfect audio “gateway” for recording the
two most significant, non-line level instruments in the studio:
microphones and electric guitars.

The Audio Buddy has two completely independent
preamplifier sections. Each of these sections has: 1.) a
balanced XLR input on the back of the unit, 2.) a high
impedance 1/4” unbalanced input (TS) on the front of the
unit, 3.) signal (present) and clipping LEDs, 4.) a gain
control and 5.) a 1/4” dual purpose output on the back of
the unit that provides either an unbalanced out (when a
mono plug is used) or a balanced out (when a stereo plug
is used).

IMPORTANT:

impedance inputs is used, the associated back panel XLR
is disabled.

Whenever one of the front panel high

The Audio Buddy also has built in phantom power which
can be switched on or off for both channels. When the rear
panel phantom power switch is in, phantom power to both
channels is turned on and the front Phan(tom) power LED
will light.

IMPORTANT:

phantom power on or off for both channels, there is no way
to turn phantom power on for one channel and off for the
other channel. If you are using the high impedance inputs
the phantom power switch has no effect.

Since the phantom power switch turns

Front and Real Panels

When reading the following description of front and rear panel harware
features, it may be helpful to refer to the adjacent diagram.

Front

1. High Impedance Input 1: High impedance (100K) input for

Preamp 1. This input is optimized for guitars or high impedance
microphones where you don’t want to load down the source. When
this input is being used XLR input 1 is disabled. IMPORTANT:
Because the high impedance input jack is switched, the XLR input
cannot be used whenever something is plugged into the high
impedance input.

2. Sig(nal) and Clip LED Preamp 1: Whenever a signal is applied to
either the high impedance ”In” or the XLR “In” of Preamp 1, these
LEDs will show signal present and clipping levels. If a signal is
applied in this manner and the clipping LED lights too much adjust
the Preamp 1 gain control accordingly.

3. Gain Control for Preamp 1: Adjusts the Output 1 volume level
for Preamp 1. If a signal is present at either the high impedance in
or the XLR in of Preamp 1 and the Clipping LED stays lit, turn down
this gain control and adjust accordingly.
4, 5 and 6. Same as 1, 2 and 3 for Preamp 2. Remember,
Preamp 1 and Preamp 2 are completely independent.

7. Phantom Power Indicator LED: When the phantom power
switch on the back of the unit is in, this LED will light indicating that
phantom power has been turned on for both XLR in 1 and XLR 2.
IMPORTANT: Phantom power is turned on for both preamps, i.e.
there is no independent phantom power control for each of the
channels.

8. Main Power Indicator LED: When power is properly applied to
the Audio Buddy and when the front power switch is in, the main
power LED will light indicating that the unit is turned on.

9. Power Switch: When power is properly applied to the Audio
Buddy and this switch is pressed in, the Audio Buddy is turned on.
When this is done the Main Power LED will light.

Warranty and Registration

Warranty Terms

M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned
by the original, registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for
terms and limitations applying to your specific product.

Warranty Registration

Thank you for registering your new M-Audio product. Doing so
immediately both entitles you to full warranty coverage and helps
M–Audio develop and manufacture the finest quality products available.
Register online at www.m–audio.com/register to receive FREE product
updates and for the chance to win FREE M-Audio gear

.

Rear

10. 9 VAC Power Jack. The rear panel power jack of the Audio

Buddy accepts a 9-Volt AC, 500 milliamp power adapter.
IMPORTANT: Audio Buddy will not function unless it receives power
at this jack and the front panel power switch is pushed in.
11 / 12. Outputs 2 and 1: These are the main outputs for the dual
Audio Buddy preamps. They provide unbalanced outputs if a tip­sleeve 1/4” plug is used. Or, they provide balanced outputs if a tip­ring-sleeve (stereo) 1/4” plug is used. The level of these outputs are
independently controlled by the front panel gain controls.
Remember, Preamp 1 and Preamp 2 are completely independent.

13. Phantom Power Switch: When in, phantom power is turned on
for both XLR In 1 and In 2. When in, the front panel phantom
power indicator LED will light showing that phantom power is on.

14., 15. XLR-In 1 & 2: (#15 is 1; #14 is 2) Balanced XLR inputs for
preamps 1 and 2. When the rear phantom power switch is in,
phantom power is turned on to both jacks.

IMPORTANT: If anything is plugged into either of the front-panel
high-impedance input jacks, the corresponding XLR input will be
disabled.

If, after reading the manual, you need additional tech support or have
comments or suggestions, we invite you to contact us directly, using the
following information:

M-AUDIO U.S.
5795 Martin Road, Irwindale, CA 91706-6211, U.S.A.

Sales Information: 626-633-9050
Sales Information (email): [e-mail]
Tech Support: 626-633-9055
Tech Support (email): [e-mail]
Fax: [phone]
Internet Home Page: http://www.m-audio.com

M-AUDIO U.K.
Floor 6, Gresham House, 53 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1LA
Tel: [phone] • Fax:[phone]

Sales Information (phone): 44 (0) 1442 416590
Sales Information (fax): 44 (0) 1442 246832
Sales Information (email): [e-mail]
Technical Support (PC): 44 (0) 1309 671301
Technical Support (Mac): 44 (0) 1765 650072
Technical Support (email): [e-mail]
Internet Home Page: http://www.maudio.co.uk

M-AUDIO France
Floor 6, Gresham House, 53 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1LA
Tel: [phone] • Fax:[phone]

Informations Commerciales: 0810 001 105
Informations Commerciales (email): [e-mail]
Assistance Technique:

0820 000 731 (PC) ou 0820 391 191

(Mac at général) [e-mail] ou [e-mail] (email)
Fax: [phone]
Site Internet: http://www.m-audio.fr

M-AUDIO Deutschland (Germany)
Kuhallmand 34, D-74613 Ohringen, Germany

Sales Information: 49 7941 98 7000
Sales Information (email): [e-mail]
Technical Support: 49 7941 98 70030
Technical Support (email): [e-mail]
Fax: [phone]
Internet Home Page: http://www.m-audio.de

M-AUDIO Canada
1400 St-Jean Baptiste Ave. #150

Quebec City, QC G2E 5B7, Canada

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Internet Home Page: http://www.m-audio.ca

M-AUDIO Japan
Annex Buliding 6F, 2-18-10 Marunouchi

Naka-Ku, Nagoya 460-0002, Japan

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Technical Support: 0820 00 731
Email: [e-mail]
Internet Home Page: http://www.m-audio.co.jp

050214_AudioBuddy_UG_01

M-Audio Audio Buddy

Tested to comply with

For Home or Studio Use

FCC Standards