MOTU MicroBook User Manual

MicroBook

User Guide

™

1280 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02138

Business voice: [phone]

Business fax: [phone]

Web site: www.motu.com

Tech support: www.motu.com/support

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS

APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR OTHER MOISTURE.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO

USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE

PERSONNEL.

WARNING: DO NOT PERMIT FINGERS TO TOUCH THE TERMINALS OF POWER PLUGS WHEN

INSTALLING OR REMOVING THE PLUG TO OR FROM A POWER SOURCE.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

1. Read instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the MicroBook.

2. Retain instructions — The safety instructions and owner's manual should be retained for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings — All warnings on the MOTU MicroBook and in the owner's manual should be adhered to.

4. Follow Instructions — All operating and use instructions should be followed.

5. Cleaning — Unplug the MOTU MicroBook from the computer before cleaning and use a damp cloth. Do not use liquid or
aerosol cleaners.

6. Power Sources — This MOTU MicroBook should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking
label.

7. Power-Cord Protection — Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by
items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the MOTU MicroBook.

8. Lightning — For added protection for the MOTU MicroBook during a lightning storm, unplug its power supply from any wall
outlets. This will prevent damage to the MOTU MicroBook due to lightning and power line surges.

9. Servicing — Do not attempt to service this MOTU MicroBook yourself as opening or removing covers will expose you to
dangerous voltage and other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

10. Damage Requiring Service — Unplug the MOTU MicroBook from the computer and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel under the following conditions.

a. When the power supply cord or plug is damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the MOTU MicroBook.
c. If the MOTU MicroBook has been exposed to rain or water.
d. If the MOTU MicroBook does not operate normally by following the operating instructions in the owner's manual.
e. If the MOTU MicroBook has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged.
f. When the MOTU MicroBook exhibits a distinct change in performance, this indicates a need for service.

11. Replacement Parts — When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts
specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in
fire, electric shock or other hazards.

12. Safety Check — Upon completion of any service or repairs to this MOTU MicroBook, ask the service technician to perform
safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating conditions.

ENVIRONMENT

Operating Temperature: 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°)

AVOID THE HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND FIRE

Do not handle the power supply, or power cables with wet hands.

CAUTION: DANGER OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED. REPLACE ONLY WITH THE

SAME OR EQUIVALENT TYPE RECOMMENDED BYMANUFACTURER. DISPOSE OF USED

BATTERY ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.

About the Mark of the Unicorn License Agreement
and Limited Warranty on Software

TO PERSONS WHO PURCHASE OR USE THIS PRODUCT: carefully
read all the terms and conditions of the “click-wrap” license agreement
presented to you when you install the software. Using the software or this
documentation indicates your acceptance of the terms and conditions of that
license agreement.

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. (“MOTU”) owns both this program and its
documentation. Both the program and the documentation are protected
under applicable copyright, trademark, and trade-secret laws. Your right to
use the program and the documentation are limited to the terms and
conditions described in the license agreement.

Reminder of the terms of your license

This summary is not your license agreement, just a reminder of its terms.
The actual license can be read and printed by running the installation
program for the software. That license agreement is a contract, and clicking
“Accept” binds you and MOTU to all its terms and conditions. In the event
anything contained in this summary is incomplete or in conflict with the actual
click-wrap license agreement, the terms of the click-wrap agreement prevail.

YOU MAY: (a) use the enclosed program on a single computer; (b)
physically transfer the program from one computer to another provided that
the program is used on only one computer at a time and that you remove any
copies of the program from the computer from which the program is being
transferred; (c) make copies of the program solely for backup purposes. You
must reproduce and include the copyright notice on a label on any backup
copy.

YOU MAY NOT: (a) distribute copies of the program or the documentation to
others; (b) rent, lease or grant sublicenses or other rights to the program; (c)
provide use of the program in a computer service business, network, time­sharing, multiple CPU or multiple user arrangement without the prior written
consent of MOTU; (d) translate, adapt, reverse engineer, decompile,
disassemble, or otherwise alter the program or related documentation
without the prior written consent of MOTU.

MOTU warrants to the original licensee that the disk(s) on which the program
is recorded be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal
use for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced
by a copy of your receipt. If failure of the disk has resulted from accident,
abuse or misapplication of the product, then MOTU shall have no responsi­bility to replace the disk(s) under this Limited Warranty.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT IS IN LIEU
OF, AND YOU HEREBY WAIVE, ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE LIABILITY OF MOTU PURSUANT TO
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE
REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE DISK(S), AND IN NO EVENT
SHALL MOTU OR ITS SUPPLIERS, LICENSORS, OR AFFILIATES BE
LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS,
LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE, OR
LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THIRD PARTIES EVEN IF MOTU HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS
WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY
FROM STATE TO STATE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE
LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Update Policy

In order to be eligible to obtain updates of the program, you must register the
software at motu.com.

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2010 by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of
this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a
retrieval system, or translated into any human or computer language, in any
form or by any means whatsoever, without express written permission of
Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA,
02138, U.S.A.

Limited Warranty on Hardware

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. and S&S Research (“MOTU/S&S”) warrant this
equipment against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
TWO (2) YEARS from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty
applies only to hardware products; MOTU software is licensed and
warranted pursuant to separate written statements.

If you discover a defect, first write or call Mark of the Unicorn at (617) 576­2760 to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number. No service will
be performed on any product returned without prior authorization. MOTU
will, at its option, repair or replace the product at no charge to you, provided
you return it during the warranty period, with transportation charges prepaid,
to Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280 Massachusetts Avenue, MA 02138. You
must use the product’s original packing material for in shipment, and insure
the shipment for the value of the product. Please include your name,
address, telephone number, a description of the problem, and the original,
dated bill of sale with the returned unit and print the Return Merchandise
Authorization Number on the outside of the box below the shipping address.

This warranty does not apply if the equipment has been damaged by
accident, abuse, misuse, or misapplication; has been modified without the
written permission of MOTU, or if the product serial number has been
removed or defaced.

ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO TWO (2) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF
THE ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE OF THIS PRODUCT.

THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE
EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. No MOTU/S&S dealer, agent, or employee is
authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty.

MOTU/S&S ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING LOST
PROFITS, DOWNTIME, GOODWILL, DAMAGE OR REPLACEMENT OF
EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY AND COST OF RECOVERING REPRO­GRAMMING, OR REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED
IN OR USED WITH MOTU/S&S PRODUCTS.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or
liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or
exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights,
and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

MOTU, AudioDesk, Mark of the Unicorn and the unicorn silhouette logo are
trademarks of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.

This equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
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. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by any combination of the following measures:

• Relocate or reorient the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver

• Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected

If necessary, you can consult a dealer or experienced radio/television technician for
additional assistance.

PLEASE NOTE: only equipment certified to comply with Class B (computer input/
output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) should be attached to this
equipment, and it must have shielded interface cables in order
to comply with the Class B FCC limits on RF emissions.

WARNING: changes or modifications to this unit not
expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Contents

5

Quick Reference: MicroBook Front Panel

6

Quick Reference: MicroBook Rear Panel

7

Quick Reference: CueMix FX

9

About the MicroBook

13

Packing List and System Requirements

15

Installing the MicroBook Hardware

21

Installing the MicroBook Software

23

Mac OS X Audio Software

33

Windows Audio Software

39

CueMix FX

49

Troubleshooting

51

Mic Adapter Pin-outs

53

Index

3

“stereo mini” headphone jack. Use

the on-screen CueMix FX software

mixer to control its level, indepen-

dently from other output pairs.

4. This is a standard eighth-inch

To obtain your product

serial number, see “Obtain-

ing your MicroBook serial

number” on page 14.

For volume control, launch

CueMix on

means that the MicroBook has

USB bus power and it is establish-

ing communication with the

3. When this power LED flashes, it

computer. When the LED glows

steadily, the MicroBook is ready to

go. If the power LED continues to

flash and never goes solid, see

Appendix A, “Troubleshooting”

page (49).

your computer and use these

2 31 4

Quick Reference: MicroBook Front Panel

that requires it is plugged in.

Never enable 48V power when a

tip/sleeve (unbalanced) plug is

connected to the mic input.

mic here. If your mic cable has a

standard male XLR connector, use

the female XLR-to-TRS adapter

1. Plug in your dynamic or condenser

2. Plug in your guitar here using a

included with your MicroBook.

IMPORTANT: be sure to use the

standard quarter-inch guitar

cable. This input is designed with

the high-impedance characteris-

tics necessary to properly handle

both passive and active guitar

pickups. To make your guitar

sound and “feel” even more like it

included adapter, or make sure

that the adapter you use is wired

as shown in Appendix B, “Mic

Adapter Pin-outs” page (51).

Use the on-screen CueMix FX

is plugged directly into a actual

guitar amplifier, consider using

MOTU’s ZBox guitar impedance

adapter (sold separately), which

simply goes between your guitar

cable and this input (no extra

Make sure 48V power is

software to engage the 20 dB pad

and/or 48V phantom power (for a

condenser mic), if necessary.

turned OFF BEFORE plugging

anything in to the mic input. Only

cable needed).

engage 48V power when a device

inch jacks serve as the Micro-

Book’s main outputs. You can

connect them to a set of

powered studio monitors and

then control the volume from

MAIN volume control in the

CueMix FX software. You can

hear the output of your audio

software on these Main Outs,

and also use CueMix FX to

monitor live MicroBook inputs.

6. These two balanced, quarter-

signals (either -10 or +4). The

CueMix FX software lets you

adjust the input level for record-

ing. If you use these quarter inch

jacks, DO NOT plug a cable in to

the stereo mini jack.

jack serves as a stereo line level

analog output that is completely

independent from the Main Out

(to the right).

5. This eighth-inch “stereo mini”

1 2 3 654

Quick Reference: MicroBook Rear Panel

the right. DO NOT plug a cable

into this mini jack at the same

time as the quarter-inch jacks.

USB connection to the computer.

1. The MicroBook is powered by its

2. This stereo, 24-bit S/PDIF digital

balanced TRS (tip/ring/sleeve)

quarter-inch connectors that

can also accept an unbalanced

plug. These inputs (3-4) do not

4. These two analog inputs are

output mirrors the Main Out.

jack serves as an alternative

input for Line Inputs 3-4. For

3. This eighth-inch “stereo mini”

have mic pre-amps, so they are

example, you can plug in an iPod

best used for synthesizers, drum

machines, effects processors,

or CD player here, instead of

using the quarter-inch jacks to

and other devices with line level

Quick Reference: CueMix FX

y

CHAPTER

Launch CueMix FX (in your Mac Applications folder or in the Windows Start menu
under Programs>MOTU>CueMix FX) to control the MicroBook. This chapter gives
you a quick overview. For further details, see chapter 7, “CueMix FX” (page 39).

651 32 4

1. Input settings include trim
level, mono/stereo toggle, EQ
and dynamics. For more input
settings (pad, phantom power,
etc.) click the Focus button and
go to the Channel tab.

2. The MicroBook provides five
different stereo mix busses.
Use the Mix tab to mix sources
(inputs, host computer audio,
etc.) for each mix bus. See
“The Mixes tab” on page 43.

3. Output settings include
choosing what you will hear
on each output (a mix bus,
inputs, host computer audio,
or a signal generator
), EQ, and dynamics. See the
next page, or “The Outputs
tab” on page 44 for more info.

4. Click a focus button (in the
Inputs, Outputs, or Mixes tabs)
to view individual channel
settings here in the Channel,
EQ and D

namics tabs.

789

5. Control the volume of the
MicroBook’s outputs here.

6. Assign outputs to the Monitor
group (via the buttons) and
control them all here.

7. Monitor Group metering.

8. Signal Generator tab provides
settings for white/pink noise
and a sine wave generator.

9. Meters for all ins/outs/busses.

7

1

2

3

5

4

1. Click the Outputs tab to access
settings for the MicroBooks
outputs. For example, you can
choose one of five different
mixes for each output.

2. Choose the audio source for
each output pair from these
menus. The MicroBook gives
you a lot of flexibility, as
shown in the menu to the
right. You can choose one of
the five mixes, which let you
mix inputs with computer
audio. Or you can choose an
input or computer audio
directly (the From Host
option). A mix can go to as
many outputs as you want.

Choosing Sine, White, or Pink
produces a sine wave or white/
pink noise from the Micro­Book’s signal generator (item
8 on the previous page).

3. If you want to apply EQ or
dynamics processing to the
output, click here to enable it
and then adjust settings in the
channel section (4).

4. Adjust output settings in the
EQ and dynamics tabs here. In
the EQ tab, click the power icon
to enable an EQ band and then
either adjust its knobs or drag
its settings directly in the
graph above.

5. Use this menu to access the
sonogram waterfall, real time
FFT display, and other
diagnostic tools. See “Audio
analysis tools” on page 47.

8

1

CHAPTER

About the MicroBook

Obtaining your MicroBook
serial number

The MicroBook holds its serial
number electronically in the unit
itself. To obtain the serial number,
follow the hardware and software
installation instructions in this
booklet, and then do the following:

Overview

The MicroBook is a USB audio interface
for Mac and Windows with on-board
effects and mixing that offers four inputs
and eight outputs for recording and
playback at industry standard sample
rates of 44.1 or 48 kHz. All inputs and
outputs can be accessed simultaneously.
The MicroBook consists of a light and

1

Launch the CueMix FX software.

2

Choose Devices menu>

MicroBook> Setup.

Figure 1-1: The Setup window.

3

The serial number is shown at the
bottom of the Setup window, as
shown in Figure 1-1.

small aluminum alloy-encased interface
that connects directly to a computer via a
standard USB cable.

The MicroBook offers the following main
features:

■

4-input, 2-output bus-powered
“plug-and-play” USB audio interface for
Mac and Windows.

■

4 x 8 physical input/output channels.

■

10-bus digital mixer to route and mix
live inputs with live computer tracks.

■

Preamp-equipped mic input with
Precision Digital Trim™, 48V phantom
power, and 20 dB pad.

■

Guitar input with 20 dB pad and
Precision Digital Trim.

ABOUT THE MICROBOOK

■

Stereo line level analog input on
balanced quarter-inch (TRS) or stereo
mini connectors.

■

Stereo line level analog main outs on
balanced quarter-inch (TRS) connectors.

■

Stereo eighth-inch “mini” line-level
out.

9

■

S/PDIF digital out on RCA (duplicates

MicroBook is a complete, portable

Main Out).

■

Headphone output on an eighth-inch
stereo “mini” jack with independent
volume control.

■

Operation on all analog and digital I/O
at standard sample rates of 44.1 or 48
kHz.

■

Digitally controlled analog trim for the
mic and guitar inputs.

■

Digital trim for all outputs.

■

CueMix™ FX no-latency mixing and
monitoring with EQ and dynamics
processing.

■

7-band parametric EQ and
compression.

■

Test tone and white/pink noise
generator.

“studio in a box” when used with a Mac
or Windows computer.

Precision Digital Trim™

The MicroBook’s mic and guitar inputs
are equipped with digitally controlled
analog trims with up to 51 dB and 32 dB
of boost, respectively, using the included
CueMix FX software for Mac OS X and
Windows. This allows you to fine-tune
trim settings for optimum levels.
Different trim configurations can then be
saved as files on disk for instant recall.

16-bit and 24-bit recording

The MicroBook system handles all data
with a 24-bit signal path, regardless of the
I/O format. You can record and play back
16-bit or 24-bit audio files at any
supported sample rate via any of the
MicroBook’s inputs and outputs.

■

Advanced audio analysis software
tools, including FFT “waterfall” display,
oscilloscope, X-Y plot, and phase torch.

■

Compatible with all current and recent
generation Macs and PCs.

■

Mac and Windows drivers for across­the-board compatibility with any audio
software.

■

Includes AudioDesk™ full-featured
audio workstation software for
Mac OS X, USB cable, and mic cable
adapter.

With a variety of I/O formats, dedicated
mic and guitar inputs, and no-latency
mixing and processing of live input, the

CueMix FX mixing and effects

All MicroBook inputs and outputs can be
routed to the on-board CueMix FX
10-bus (5 stereo) digital mixer driven by
hardware-based DSP. The mixer allows
you to apply no-latency EQ and
dynamics processing to inputs, outputs
or busses directly in the MicroBook
hardware, independent of the computer.
Input signals to the computer can be
recorded wet, dry, or dry with a wet
monitor mix (for musicians during
recording, for example).

Effects include parametric EQ and
compression/limiting. Standard
compression provides conventional

10

threshold, ratio, attack, release, trim, and

ABOUT THE MICROBOOK

knee controls. The 7-band parametric
EQ is modeled after British analog
console EQs, featuring four filter styles
(gain/Q profiles) to effectively cover a
wide range of audio material. Low-pass
and high-pass filters are also supplied
with slopes that range from 6 to 36 dB.

The MicroBook’s flexible effects
architecture allows you to apply EQ and
compression on every input and output.

Mac audio software

The MicroBook system includes a
standard Mac OS X CoreAudio driver for
multichannel I/O with any audio
application that supports CoreAudio,
such as the included AudioDesk software
and Digital Performer.

Windows audio software

The MicroBook ships with standard
Windows drivers that allow you to
record, edit, play back and mix your
MicroBook projects using your favorite
Windows audio software.

ABOUT THE MICROBOOK

11

12

ABOUT THE MICROBOOK

CHAPTER

2

Packing List and System
Requirements

PACKING LIST

The MicroBook ships with the items
listed below. If any of these items are not
present in your MicroBook box when you
first open it, please immediately contact
your dealer or MOTU.

■

One MicroBook

■

One USB cable (Type A to Type B)

■

One mic cable plug adapter

■

One MicroBook Mac/Windows User
Guide

■

One cross-platform

Installer

■

MicroBook product registration card

■

One peel-off sheet of rubber feet

disc

Universal Audio

WINDOWS SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The MicroBook system requires the
following Windows system:

■

Pentium 4 1 GHz Pentium CPU (or

AMD equivalent) or faster

■

At least 256 MB (megabytes) of RAM;

512 MB or more is recommended

■

Windows 7 or Vista

■

A large hard drive, preferably at least

100 GB

PLEASE REGISTER TODAY!

Please register your MicroBook today.
There are two ways to register.

■

Visit www.motu.com/register to

register online

MAC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The MicroBook system requires the
following Mac system:

■

PowerPC G4 1 GHz Power Mac or
faster CPU (including PowerPC G5 CPUs
and all Intel processor Macs)

■

At least 256 MB (megabytes) of RAM;
512 MB or more is recommended

■

Mac OS X version 10.5 or 10.6; 10.5.6
or later is required.

■

A large hard drive, preferably at least
100 GB

OR

■

Fill out and mail the included product

registration card

As a registered user, you will be eligible to
receive technical support and
announcements about product
enhancements as soon as they become
available. Only registered users receive
these special update notices, so please
register today.

You need your MicroBook serial
number to register

To register your MicroBook, you need
your unit’s serial number. See “Obtaining
your MicroBook serial number” on
page 14.

PACKING LIST AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

13

Mac users: be sure to register
AudioDesk

If you are a Mac user, be sure to register
the included AudioDesk software, which
must be registered separately. You can do
so online at motu.com/register. Doing so
will allow you to be eligible to receive
technical support and announcements
about AudioDesk software
enhancements as soon as they become
available.

OBTAINING YOUR MICROBOOK
SERIAL NUMBER

The MicroBook holds its serial number
electronically in the unit itself. To obtain
the serial number, follow the hardware
and software installation instructions in
the next two chapters, and then do the
following:

1

Launch CueMix FX.

2

Choose Devices menu> MicroBook>
Thank you for taking the time to register
your new MOTU products!

Setup.

Figure 2-1: The Setup window.

3

The serial number is shown at the

bottom of the Setup window, as shown in
Figure 2-1.

14

PACKING LIST AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

3

CHAPTER

Installing the MicroBook
Hardware

OVERVIEW

Windows users: install the software first . . . . 15

Connect the MicroBook interface . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Connect audio inputs and outputs. . . . . . . . . . 16

Bus power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

A typical MicroBook setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

WINDOWS USERS: INSTALL THE
SOFTWARE FIRST

If you are using the MicroBook with a
Windows computer, installation goes
much more smoothly if you install the
MicroBook software before you connect
the MicroBook hardware. Proceed to
chapter 4, “Installing the MicroBook
Software” (page 21) first, and then return
to this chapter to then proceed with the
hardware installation.

CONNECT THE MICROBOOK
INTERFACE

1

Plug the MicroBook USB cable
(included) into a USB socket on the
computer as shown below in Figure 3-1.

2

Plug the other end of the USB cable
into the MicroBook as shown in
Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1: Connecting the MicroBook to the
computer.

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK HARDWARE

15

CONNECT AUDIO INPUTS AND
OUTPUTS

Here are a few things you should keep in
mind as you are making input and output
connections to other devices.

Mic input with preamp

Connect a dynamic or condenser
microphone to the mic input (Figure 3-2)

☛

Make sure 48V power is

turned OFF

before

plugging
anything in to the mic input.
Only engage 48V power

when a device that requires it is plugged
in. Never enable 48V power when a
tip/sleeve (unbalanced) plug is connected
to the mic input.

with a standard mic cable. If the cable has
a quarter-inch plug, connect it directly. If
it has a male XLR plug, use the female­XLR-to-quarter-inch adapter included
with the MicroBook.

☛

The mic cable adapter supplied with
the MicroBook is wired specifically for
the MicroBook mic input, so do not use a
substitute, unless you are certain it is
wired as shown in Appendix B, “Mic
Adapter Pin-outs” page (51).

☛

Do not connect a +4 (line level) input
to the mic input (because it will overdrive
the preamp).

Phantom power

If you are connecting a condenser
microphone or other device that requires

20 dB pad

If the input signal is still too hot with the
trim turned all the way down, engage the
20dB pad button in the CueMix FX
Channel tab (Figure 3-4). See “Input
settings” on page 17.

Guitar input

Plug in your guitar to the guitar input
(Figure 3-2). For ultra-realistic sound
and feel when producing guitar tones
with virtual guitar processing software
(amp modeling, cabinet modeling,
virtual effects pedals, etc.), consider
using MOTU’s ZBox guitar impedance
adapter (sold separately), which adds
proper impedance characteristics that
cannot be modeled in software. Visit
motu.com for details.

48V phantom power, you can enable
phantom power for the mic input using
the MicroBook’s CueMix FX software
(Figure 3-4). See “Input settings” on
page 17.

Figure 3-2: MicroBook front panel

16

Line level inputs

The quarter-inch analog line level inputs
3-4 (Figure 3-3) are balanced (TRS)
connectors that can also accept an
unbalanced plug. Alternately, you can use

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK HARDWARE

the eighth-inch stereo mini plug for line

2

Click the Focus button for the desired
level input (from an iPod or other
source).

☛

Do not use the stereo mini input and
quarter-inch inputs at the same time. If
you are using the mini jack, unplug the
quarter-inch jacks. If you are using the
quarter-inch jacks, unplug the mini jack.

Trim

The mic and guitar inputs are equipped
with 51 dB and 32 dB (respectively) of
digitally controlled analog trim (boost).
The line inputs can also be trimmed. You
can adjust the trim level for each input in
the MicroBook’s CueMix FX software.
See “Input settings” on page 17.

input channel.

3

Click the Channel tab (Figure 3-4) to

access the channel’s input settings.

Input metering while adjusting trim

In the CueMix FX software, use the long­throw, horizontal input level meter at the
top of the channel settings section
(Figure 3-4) to calibrate the level.

Input settings

To access input channel settings such as
48V phantom power, pad and trim,
launch the MicroBook’s CueMix FX
software and follow this procedure:

1

Click the Inputs tab (as shown on

page 7).

Figure 3-3: MicroBook back panel

Figure 3-4: Input settings in CueMix FX.

Main outs

In a standard studio configuration, the
main outs (Figure 3-3) are intended for a
pair of studio monitors, but they can also
be used as outputs for any purpose. The
quarter-inch main outs are calibrated to
produce a +4 dBu line level output signal.

Line out

You can use the eighth-inch stereo mini
line out jack for output to desktop
speakers or any other line level
destination.

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK HARDWARE

17

Digital out

The S/PDIF RCA “digital out” connector
provides stereo digital audio output to
another device: the S/PDIF output always
mirrors the Main Outs.

however, this situation does not allow for
remote battery operation, as the card
adapter requires AC.

Examples of bus- powered operation

Here are a few typical examples of bus-

BUS POWER

Bus power requirements

The MicroBook draws all the power it
needs from the USB bus connection to
the computer. However, the USB
con nec ti on to the comp uter must mee t al l
of the requirements discussed below.

USB adapter products must be powered

If you are using a USB adapter or hub (a
third-party product that supplies one or
more USB ports to your computer), it
must have direct access to a power
supply:

■

PCI USB cards

connect the MicroBook to a PCI card and
run the MicroBook under bus power, the
PCI card must have a direct connection
to the power supply harness inside your
computer. This is the same power supply
harness to which you connect internal
hard drives, CD/DVD drives, etc.

■

PCMCIA, Cardbus or ExpressCard

slot adapters

the MicroBook to a PC card, Cardbus or
ExpressCard USB adapter (inserted in
the card slot in your laptop), it must

— If you plan to

— If you plan to connect

powered MicroBook operation:

Bus power from a desktop computer

Your desktop computer is running off of
its usual AC power connection, and the
MicroBook draws power from the USB
cable connected to the computer. There
are no limits to running time.

Bus power from an AC-powered laptop

This scenario is identical to the desktop
situation described above: the laptop is
powered by AC, the MicroBook is
powered via the USB bus and there are no
limits to running time.

Bus power from a battery-powered
laptop

The laptop is being powered by its own
battery, and the MicroBook is being
powered by its USB connection to the
computer, so the laptop battery is
supplying power to both the laptop and
the MicroBook. This is the most compact
and portable operating scenario.
Running time is determined by the
capacity of the laptop battery. For
extended recording sessions, bring extra,
fully charged laptop batteries.

provide a powered connection and it
must also have its own power supply.
Most commonly, these types of products
have a DC power adapter that plugs into
an AC wall outlet. As you can see,

18

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK HARDWARE

A TYPICAL MICROBOOK SETUP

Here is a typical MicroBook studio setup.
This rig can be operated without an
external mixer. All mixing and processing
can be done either in the MicroBook, in
the computer with audio software, or
both. During recording, you can use the

Guitar (with or without an amp)

MicroBook’s CueMix™ FX mixer to
apply EQ and compression to what you
are recording and monitor it via the main
outs, headphone outs, or any other
output pair. You can control everything
from the included CueMix FX software.

Mic

Headphones

Computer

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK HARDWARE

Monitors

Home theater

system

Synthesizer

Figure 3-5: A typical MicroBook studio setup.

19

20

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK HARDWARE

4

CHAPTER

Installing the MicroBook
Software

MAC SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

To install the MicroBook software:

1

Insert the MOTU Universal Installer

disc and launch the installer.

2

Follow the directions that the installer

gives you.

What does the installer do?

The installer checks the computer to
make sure it satisfies the minimum

2

Switch off the MicroBook.

3

Run the MicroBook Software Installer

as instructed in the next section.

Installing the MicroBook software

To i nst a l l t h e M icroBo ok software , i ns er t
the MOTU Audio installer disc and
follow the directions it gives you on your
computer screen. Also be sure to read the
Read Me file for installation assistance.

system requirements for your MOTU
interface. If so, the installer proceeds with
the Mac OS X installation. Drivers are
installed, along with the CueMix FX
application.

WINDOWS SOFTWARE
INSTALLATION

Before you connect the MicroBook audio
interface to your PC and turn it on, insert
the MOTU Audio installer disc and run
the MicroBook Installer. This ensures
that all the MicroBook components are
properly installed in your system.

If Windows asks you to locate the
drivers

If you’ve already connected the
MicroBook to your computer and
switched it on, Windows probably issued

CUEMIX FX

The CueMix FX application provides a
mixing console that gives you control
over the MicroBook’s on-board mixing,
EQ and dynamics processing. It also
provides access to all MicroBook
settings. For details, see chapter 7,
“CueMix FX” (page 39).

AUDIODESK WORKSTATION
SOFTWARE (MAC ONLY)

AudioDesk is an advanced digital audio
workstation software package for the
MicroBook that lets you record, edit,
mix, process, bounce and master multi­track digital audio recording projects.
Advanced features include real-time
32-bit effects processing, 24-bit
recording, and much more.

an alert notifying you that the
MicroBook requires drivers, followed by
another window asking you to locate the
drivers on disk. If this happens:

1

Cancel the driver search.

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK SOFTWARE

See the
manual for details.

AudioDesk User Guide

PDF

21

Figure 4-1: AudioDesk for Mac OS X.

22

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK SOFTWARE

CHAPTER

5

Mac OS X Audio Software

OVERVIEW

The MicroBook provides audio input and
output for all Mac OS X Core Audio
applications, including AudioDesk,
Digital Performer, Apple’s Logic Pro,
Logic Express, SoundTrack Pro, and
GarageBand. Other third-party software
applications are also supported, such as
Ableton Live, Propellerhead Reason,
Steinberg Cubase and others.

Installing the MicroBook Mac OS X drivers. . 23

Running CueMix FX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Choosing the MicroBook driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Sample rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Clock Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Buffer Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Inputs and outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

FX confirms that the MicroBook
hardware is connected, powered up, and
functioning normally. It also lets you
configure the MicroBook’s inputs and
outputs. For a quick overview, see
chapter , “Quick Reference: CueMix FX”
(page 7). For further details about the
MicroBook settings, see chapter 7,
“CueMix FX” (page 39).

Processing live inputs with host-based effects

plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Working with CueMix FX mixing and effects 27

24-bit operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Monitoring live input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Adjusting the audio I/O buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

CueMix FX hardware monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . 31

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK MAC
OS X DRIVERS

To install the MicroBook’s Mac OS X
audio drivers, just run the installer on the
MOTU Audio installer disc as detailed in
chapter 4, “Installing the MicroBook
Software” (page 21).

RUNNING CUEMIX FX

Before you run your host audio software,
launch CueMix FX to configure your

Figure 5-1: CueMix FX.

CHOOSING THE MICROBOOK
DRIVER

Once you’ve made the preparations
described so far in this chapter, you’re
ready to run your audio software and
enable the MOTU MicroBook Core
Audio driver. Check the audio system or
audio hardware configuration window in
your software. There will be a menu there
that lets you choose among various
drivers that may be in your system.
Choose the MOTU MicroBook from this
menu, as discussed in the following
sections.

MicroBook hardware. Running CueMix

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

23

AudioDesk

Choose the MicroBook as your audio

Digital Performer

Choose the MicroBook as your audio

input output device by choosing

MOTU
Audio System options>Configure
Hardware Driver

from the Setup menu.
This window shows MicroBook settings
such as sample rate and clock source.

input output device by choosing

Configure Audio System> Configure
Hardware Driver

from the Setup menu.
This window shows MicroBook settings
such as sample rate and clock source.

Figure 5-2: Enabling the MicroBook in
AudioDesk.

Exchanging projects with Digital
performer

To open AudioDesk Version 3 (or Version
1 or 2) files in Digital Performer, just use

File menu> Open

DP’s

command. (No
conversion is required beforehand in
AudioDesk.) To export a Digital
Performer project to AudioDesk, use

Save A Copy As

menu and choose the

in Digital Performer’s File

AudioDesk 3.0

file
format. Then open the resulting
AudioDesk 3.0 document in AudioDesk.

Figure 5-3: Enabling the MicroBook in
Digital Performer.

Exchanging projects with AudioDesk

Digital Performer can exchange projects
with AudioDesk. To open an AudioDesk
project in Digital Performer, open it in
same way you would a DP project. To
export a project to AudioDesk, use DP’s

File menu> Save A Copy As

command
and choose the AudioDesk 3.0 file
format.

24

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

Logic Pro and Logic Express

In Logic Pro and Logic Express, go to the

Garage Band

In Garage Band, go to the Audio/MIDI

Preferences window, click the Audio tab,
click the Drivers tab and click the Core
Audio tab as shown in Figure 5-4. Choose
the MOTU MicroBook from the Driver
menu. For information about the I/O
Buffer Size setting, see “Adjusting the
audio I/O buffer” on page 34.

preferences and choose MOTU

MicroBook from the Audio Output and
Audio Input menus (Figure 5-6). For

information about the Optimize for
setting, see “Adjusting the audio I/O
buffer” on page 34.

Figure 5-4: Enabling the MicroBook in Logic
Pro or Logic Express.

Soundtrack Pro

In Soundtrack Pro, access the preferences
window, click the Recording tab and
choose MOTU MicroBook from the Input
and Monitor menus as shown below in
Figure 5-5.

Figure 5-6: Enabling the MicroBook in
Garage Band.

Cubase and Nuendo

Go to the Devices menu and choose
Device Setup. Click the VST Audio System
item in the Devices list and choose

MOTU MicroBook from the Master ASIO
Driver menu as shown below in

Figure 5-7. Activate the inputs and
outputs within Cubase or Nuendo as
usual. For information about the Audio
Buffer Size setting, see “Adjusting the
audio I/O buffer” on page 34.

Figure 5-5: Enabling the MicroBook in
Soundtrack Pro.

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

Figure 5-7: Enabling the MicroBook audio
driver in Cubase.

25

Managing inputs and outputs

To manage MicroBook inputs and
outputs, select MOTU MicroBook ASIO
in the left-hand section (Figure 5-8).

Figure 5-8: Working with MicroBook inputs
and outputs in Cubase or Nuendo

Reason and Record

In Propellerhead Reason and Record, go
to the Preferences window, choose Audio
preferences from the menu and choose
MOTU MicroBook from the Audi o Out put
menu as shown below in Figure 5-10. For
information about the Buffer Size setting,
see “Adjusting the audio I/O buffer” on
page 34.

Live

In Ableton Live, access the preferences
window and click the Audio tab. Choose
CoreAudio from the Driver Type menu.
Choose the MOTU MicroBook from the

Input Audio Device and Output Audio
Device menus (Figure 5-9). For

information about the Buffer Size setting,
see “Adjusting the audio I/O buffer” on
page 34.

Figure 5-10: Ena bli ng t he M icroBook in
Reason.

Other audio software

For other audio applications, the
procedure is similar to that shown above.

Figure 5-9: Enabling the MicroBook in Live.

26

Consult your owner’s manual for further
information.

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

SAMPLE RATE

Choose the desired overall sample rate
for the MicroBook system and your host
software. Newly recorded audio will have
this sample rate.

CLOCK SOURCE

Some host software may have a “clock

to reduce this delay. For details, see
chapter 7, “Reducing Monitoring
Latency” (page 33).

WORKING WITH CUEMIX FX MIXING
AND EFFECTS

The MicroBook provides powerful
external mixing, EQ and compression,

source” setting. For the MicroBook, there
is only one choice for clock source:
Internal.

BUFFER SIZE

Most host applications provide a Buffer
setting, which can be adjusted to reduce
the delay — or monitoring latency — that
you hear when live audio is patched
through your host software. For example,
you might have a mic, guitar, and MIDI
synth connected to the analog inputs of
the MicroBook. If so, you will often be
mixing their live input with audio
material recorded in your host software.
See “Monitoring live input” below.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

Once you’ve enabled the MicroBook’s
Core Audio driver, MicroBook audio
inputs and outputs will appear in your
host software wherever audio inputs and
outputs are listed.

which you can operate hand-in-hand
with your host’s mixing environment. For
example, the MicroBook can serve as a
monitor mixer routing channels to
musicians, or it can serve as an integrated
extension of your host’s mixing
environment. If you program a
MicroBook mixing and processing
configuration that goes hand in hand
with your host project, be sure to use the
configuration export features in CueMix
FX to save the MicroBook sett ings as a file
in your host project folder for instant
recall of all settings. See chapter 7,
“CueMix FX” (page 39) for complete
details.

☛ In Digital Performer, you can set up

your MicroBook configuration file as a
DP startup clipping so that it
automatically loads when you open the
project. Refer to the Digital Performer
User Guide for details.

PROCESSING LIVE INPUTS WITH
HOST-BASED EFFECTS PLUG-INS

If you patch a live input (such as a
microphone or guitar) through a plug-in
effect in your host software, you might
hear a slight delay. There are several ways

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

24-BIT OPERATION

Your MicroBook hardware fully supports
24-bit recording with host software that
also supports 24-bit operation. Consult
the documentation for your host software
for further information about enabling
24-bit operation.

27

MONITORING LIVE INPUT

There are two ways to monitor live audio
input with a MicroBook:

1 Through the computer

2 Via the MicroBook CueMix FX

hardware mixer

“Adjusting the audio I/O buffer” for
details about how to reduce or eliminate
the audible monitoring delay that the
computer introduces.

Figure 5-12 on page 29 shows method #2.
CueMix FX hardware-based monitoring
lets you hear what you are recording with

Figure 5-11 below shows method #1,
which allows you to apply host-based
effects processing via plug-ins in your
audio software. See the next section,

1. Live input (from mic, guitar,
etc.) enters the MicroBook.

2. Mic signal goes
immediately to
the computer.

Computer

no monitoring delay and no computer­based effects processing. Rather, input is
routed directly to an output, either with
or without MicroBook-based effects
processing (EQ or compression). See

3. Mic signal is ‘patched
thru’ back to the audio
interface with host-based
plug-in effects, if any.

Figure 5-11: There are two ways to monitor live audio inputs with a MicroBook: 1)
through the computer or 2) via CueMix FX hardware monitoring. This diagram
shows method 1 (through the computer). When using this method, use your host
software’s buffer setting to reduce the slight delay you hear when monitoring the
live input, but don’t lower it too much, or your computer might get sluggish.

28

4. Mic signal (with plug-in
processing, if any) is routed
to the main outs (or other
outputs that you’ve specified
in the software).

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

“CueMix FX hardware monitoring” later
in this chapter for details on how to use
CueMix FX with your audio software, or
with CueMix FX.

If the material you are recording is
suitable, there is a third way to monitor
live input: use both methods (Figure 5-11
and Figure 5-12) at the same time. For
example, you could route guitar to both
the computer (for an amp model effect)
and mix that processed signal on the
main outs with dry guitar from
CueMix FX.

ADJUSTING THE AUDIO I/O BUFFER

A buffer is a small amount of computer
memory used to hold data. For audio
interfaces like the MicroBook, buffers are
used for the process of transferring audio
data in and out of the computer. The size
of the buffers determines how much delay
you hear when monitoring live inputs
through your audio software: larger
buffers produce more delay; smaller
buffers produce less.

1. Live input (from mic, guitar,
etc.) enters the MicroBook.

3. Mic signal is mixed to the main outs, and you
can control the volume (relative to the rest of
the mix) with the mic’s fader in CueMix FX.

2. CueMix FX immediately patches the live
mic signal directly to the main outs (or other
output), completely bypassing the computer.
This signal could be dry, or with MicroBook
effects processing, such as EQ or compression.

Figure 5-12: This diagram shows the signal flow when using CueMix FX
no-latency monitoring. Notice that this method does not process the
live input with plug-ins in your audio software. Instead, you can apply
MicroBook effects, such as the EQ and/or compression.

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

29

Under Mac OS X, audio I/O buffer size is
handled by the host audio application
(not the MicroBook Core Audio driver).
Most audio software applications provide
an adjustable audio buffer setting that lets
you control the amount of delay you’ll
hear when monitoring live inputs or
processing them with software plug-ins.
Below are a few examples. For more
examples, see chapter 5, “Mac OS X
Audio Software” (page 23).

Cubase

Digital Performer

Figure 5-13: I n D i g ita l P er f orm e r a nd
AudioDesk, choose Setup menu> Configure
Audio System> Configure Hardware Driver
to open the dialog shown above and access
the Buffer Size setting. Refer to your Digital
Performer or AudioDesk user guide for infor­mation about the Host Buffer Multiplier
setting.

Figure 5-14: In Cubase or Nuendo, choose
Devices menu> Device Setup and select the
MicroBook to access the window above and
the Audio Buffer Size setting (via the Control
Panel button).

Logic

Figure 5-15: In Logic Pro or Logic Express, go
to the Audio Driver preferences to access the
I/O Buffer Size option shown above.

30

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

Lower latency versus higher CPU
overhead

The buffer setting has a large impact on
the following things:

■ Patch thru latency

AudioDesk’s Performance Monitor. If you
hear distortion, or if the Performance meter
is peaking, try raising the buffer size.

If you are at a point in your recording
project where you are not currently

■ The load on your computer’s CPU

■ Possible distortion at the smallest

settings

■ How responsive the transport controls

are in your host audio software

The buffer setting presents you with a
trade-off between the processing power
of your computer and the delay of live
audio as it is being patched through your
software. If you reduce the size, you
reduce patch thru latency, but may
significantly increase the overall
processing load on your computer,
leaving less CPU bandwidth for things
like real-time effects processing. On the
other hand, if you increase the buffer size,
you reduce the load on your computer,
freeing up bandwidth for effects, mixing
and other real-time operations.

working with live, patched-thru material
(e.g. you’re not recording vocals), or if
you have a way of externally processing
inputs, choose a higher buffer size.
Depending on your computer’s CPU
speed, you might find that settings in the
middle work best (256 to 1024).

Transport responsiveness

Buffer size also impacts how quickly your
audio software will respond when you
begin playback, although not by amounts
that are very noticeable. Lowering the
buffer size will make your software
respond faster; raising the buffer size will
make it a little bit slower, but barely
enough to notice.

Effects processing and automated
mixing

Reducing latency with the buffer size
setting has another benefit: it lets you

Figure 5-16: When adjusting the buffer size
to reduce monitoring latency, watch the
‘processor’ meter in Digital Performer or

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

route live inputs through the real-time
effects processing and mix automation of
your audio software.

CUEMIX FX HARDWARE
MONITORING

The MicroBook has a more direct
method of patching audio through the
system. This method employs the
MicroBook’s CueMix FX digital mixer.
When enabled, CueMix FX activates
hardware patch-thru in the MicroBook
itself. CueMix FX has two important
benefits:

31

■ It completely eliminates the patch thru

On the other hand, if you really need to

delay (reducing it to a small number of
samples — about the same amount as
one of today’s advanced digital mixers).

■ CueMix FX imposes no strain on the

computer.

The trade-off, however, is that
CueMix FX bypasses your host audio
software. Instead, live audio inputs are
patched directly through to outputs in
the MicroBook itself and are mixed with
disk tracks playing back from your audio
software. This means that you cannot
apply host-based plug-ins, mix
automation, or other real-time effects
that your audio software provides. But for
inputs that don’t need these types of

use the mixing and processing provided
by your audio software, you should not
use CueMix FX. Instead, reduce latency
with the buffer setting (as explained
earlier in this chapter).

Using CueMix FX

The CueMix FX software manages your
monitor mix and runs side-by-side with
your host audio software.

CueMix FX allows you to create up to five
separate MicroBook stereo mixes, or any
other desired routing configurations.
These routings are independent of your
host audio software. For complete details,
see chapter 7, “CueMix FX” (page 39).

features, CueMix FX is the way to go.

32

MAC OS X AUDIO SOFTWARE

CHAPTER

6 Windows Audio Software

OVERVIEW

The MicroBook includes an ASIO driver
that provides multi-channel I/O with
ASIO-compatible hosts such as Cubase,
Nuendo, SONAR, Live, Reason, and
more.

A standard Windows audio driver is also
included for multi-channel audio input
and output for any audio application that
supports Windows multimedia audio
drivers.

About the ASIO driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

About the Windows audio driver . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Installing the MicroBook Windows drivers. . 34

Running CueMix FX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Choosing the MicroBook driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Sample rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Clock Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Inputs and outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Working with CueMix FX mixing and effects 37

24-bit operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

ABOUT THE ASIO DRIVER

ASIO is an acronym for Audio Streaming
Input and Output. The MOTU

MicroBook ASIO driver provides multi­channel audio input and output for any
audio application that supports ASIO
drivers.

Attention: other software users

A number of popular ASIO-compatible
applications are shown in this chapter.
However, the basic procedures are the
same and can be easily applied to any
ASIO-compatible software. Just follow
the general descriptions at the beginning
of each main section in this chapter.
Consult your software documentation for
details about each topic, if necessary.

ABOUT THE WINDOWS AUDIO
DRIVER

The MOTU Windows audio driver allows
the MicroBook to provide multi-channel
audio input and output for any audio

WINDOWS AUDIO SOFTWARE

application that supports Windows
multimedia audio drivers.

Attention: other software users

SONAR is used for the Windows driver
setup examples in this chapter. However,
the basic procedures are similar and can
be easily applied to any Windows
multimedia driver-compatible software.
Consult your software documentation, if
necessary.

33

INSTALLING THE MICROBOOK
WINDOWS DRIVERS

To install the MicroBook’s Windows

CHOOSING THE MICROBOOK
DRIVER

Once you’ve made the preparations

audio drivers, just run the installer on the
MOTU Audio installer disc as detailed in
chapter 4, “Installing the MicroBook
Software” (page 21).

RUNNING CUEMIX FX

Before you run your host audio software,
launch CueMix FX to configure your
MicroBook hardware. Running CueMix
FX confirms that the MicroBook
hardware is connected, powered up, and
functioning normally. It also lets you
configure the MicroBook’s inputs and
outputs. For a quick overview, see
chapter , “Quick Reference: CueMix FX”
(page 7).

described so far in this chapter, you’re
ready to run your audio software and
enable the MOTU MicroBook ASIO or
Windows multimedia driver. Check the
audio system or audio hardware
configuration window in your software.
There will be a menu there that lets you
choose among various drivers that may
be in your system. Choose the MOTU
MicroBook ASIO or Windows
multimedia driver from this menu.

Cubase and Nuendo

To activate the MicroBook driver in
Cubase or Nuendo, go to the Device
Setup window, choose VST Audio System
and select MOTU MicroBook ASIO from
the ASIO Driver menu (Figure 6-2). Make

Figure 6-1: CueMix FX.

For further details about the MicroBook
settings, see chapter 7, “CueMix FX”
(page 39). The following sections provide
a brief explanation of each MicroBook
setting for use with a number of popular
Windows audio applications.

the other settings in the dialog as need for
your system.

Figure 6-2: Activating the MicroBook ASIO
driver in Cubase and Nuendo.

34

WINDOWS AUDIO SOFTWARE

Managing inputs and outputs

To manage MicroBook inputs and
outputs, select MOTU MicroBook ASIO
in the left-hand section (Figure 6-3).

Figure 6-3: Working with MicroBook inputs
and outputs in Cubase or Nuendo.

Reason and Record

In Propellerhead Reason and Record, go
to the Preferences window, choose Audio
preferences from the menu and choose

ASIO MOTU MicroBook ASIO from the
Audio Card Driver menu as shown below

in Figure 6-5.

Live

In Ableton Live, access the preferences
window and click the Audio tab. Choose
ASIO from the Driver Type menu. Choose
the MOTU MicroBook ASIO from the
Audio Device menu (Figure 6-4).

Figure 6-5: Enabling the MicroBook in
Record.

Figure 6-4: Enabling the MicroBook in Live.

WINDOWS AUDIO SOFTWARE

35

SONAR

ASIO driver activation

Go to Options menu > Audio and select
the Advanced tab. Choose ASIO from the
Driver Mode menu:

1 Choose Audio from the Options menu.

2 Click the General tab.

3 Choose ASIO from the Driver Mode

menu, as shown in Figure 6-6.

Figure 6-7: Activating the MOTU audio ASIO
driver in SONAR by highlighting MicroBook
inputs and outputs.

Figure 6-6: E na bli ng the AS IO dri ver in
SONAR.

4 Click the Drivers tab.

5 Check the MicroBook inputs and

outputs that you wish to use, and
uncheck the ones you don’t, as shown in
Figure 6-7.

☛ You can only use one audio interface

at a time under ASIO. To use multiple
audio interfaces, use the Windows
multimedia driver as described below.

Windows multimedia driver activation

As an alternative to the MicroBook’s
ASIO driver, you can use the MicroBook’s
Windows multimedia driver.

To a c t i v ate the Mi cr o B oo k Wi n d ows
multimedia driver in SONAR choose
WDM/KS instead of ASIO from the
Driver Mode menu, as shown in
Figure 6-6.

36

WINDOWS AUDIO SOFTWARE

Other audio settings in SONAR

There are a few other settings in SONAR
that impact MicroBook operation:

1 In the Audio Options window, click the
General tab.

2 Choose a MicroBook input and output
for recording and playback timing as
shown below in Figure 6-8. It doesn’t
matter which input or output you choose.

SAMPLE RATE

Choose the desired overall sample rate
for the MicroBook system in your host
audio software. Newly recorded audio
will have this sample rate.

CLOCK SOURCE

Some host software may have a “clock
source” setting. For the MicroBook, there
is only one choice for clock source:
Internal.

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

Once you’ve enabled the MicroBook’s
driver, MicroBook audio inputs and
outputs will appear in your host software
wherever audio inputs and outputs are
listed.

Figure 6-8: Make sure you have chosen a
MicroBook input and output for the
playback and recording timing master
settings.

If you are using the WDM/KS driver, go
to the General tab and click the Wave
Profiler button to run the Wave Profiler.
This process chooses the optimum
settings for the MicroBook hardware.

WORKING WITH CUEMIX FX MIXING
AND EFFECTS

The MicroBook provides powerful
external mixing, EQ and compression,
which you can operate hand-in-hand
with your host software’s complete
mixing environment. For example, the
MicroBook can serve as a monitor mixer
routing channels to musicians, or it can
serve as an integrated extension of your
digital audio workstation’s mixing
environment. If you program a
MicroBook mixing and processing
configuration that goes hand in hand
with your digital audio workstation’s
project, be sure to use the file save
features in CueMix FX to save the
MicroBook settings as a file in the same
folder as your digital audio workstation’s

WINDOWS AUDIO SOFTWARE

project file for instant recall of all settings.
See chapter 7, “CueMix FX” (page 39) for
complete details.

37

24-BIT OPERATION

Your MicroBook hardware fully supports
24-bit recording capabilities. Simply
enable 24-bit operation as instructed in
your digital audio workstation’s manual.
The MicroBook always supplies a 24-bit
data stream.

38

WINDOWS AUDIO SOFTWARE

CHAPTER

7 CueMix FX

OVERVIEW

CueMix FX is a cross-platform software
application that provides graphic, on­screen control for the MicroBook’s
flexible CueMix FX on-board mixer and
effects processing.

For more information

For complete information about
CueMix FX, refer to the CueMix FX PDF
manual, which is placed on your hard
drive by the MicroBook installer.

A 10-bus mixer with EQ and compression . . 39

CueMix FX versus host mixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

CueMix FX installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

CueMix FX basic operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

The Inputs tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

The Mixes tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

The Outputs tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

The Meters tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

can be recorded wet, dry, or dry with a
wet monitor mix (for musicians during
recording, for example).

Effects include:

■ 7-band parametric EQ modeled after

British analog console EQs

■ A standard compressor with

conventional threshold, ratio, attack,
release, and gain controls

The MicroBook’s flexible effects
architecture allows you to apply seven
bands of EQ and compression on every
input and output simultaneously.

CUEMIX FX VERSUS HOST MIXING

CueMix FX provides several major
advantages over mixing and processing
in your host audio software:

The Signal Generator tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

USB routing to host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Scope Channels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Audio analysis tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

A 10-BUS MIXER WITH EQ AND
COMPRESSION

All MicroBook inputs and outputs can be
mixed and controlled by the on-board
CueMix FX 10-bus (5 stereo bus) digital
mixer driven by hardware-based DSP.

The CueMix FX mixer allows you to
apply no-latency EQ and dynamics to
inputs and outputs directly in the
MicroBook hardware, independent of the
computer. Input signals to the computer

■ CueMix FX has no buffer latency.

Thanks to the MicroBook’s DSP chip,
CueMix FX provides the same
throughput performance as a digital
mixer.

■ CueMix FX mixing and effects

processing imposes no processor drain
on the computer’s CPU.

■ CueMix FX routing can be maintained

independently of individual software
applications or projects.

CUEMIX FX

39

CUEMIX FX INSTALLATION

CueMix FX is installed with the rest of
your MicroBook software.

CUEMIX FX BASIC OPERATION

Here is a brief over view of the CueMix FX
mixer.

single stereo audio stream that you can
then assign to any MicroBook output
pair — or combination of output pairs —
that you choose. For example, Mix 1
could go to the headphones, Mix 2 could
go to the main outs, Mix 3 could go to a
piece of outboard gear connected to

Five stereo mix busses

CueMix FX provides five stereo mix
busses: Mix 1, Mix 2, Mix 3, and so on.
Each mix bus can take any number of
inputs and mix them together into a

Mix bus

menu

Tabs for

inputs, mix

busses and

outputs

Channel
Focus

analog outputs 3-4, and so on. You can
also assign a mix to multiple output pairs.
For example, you could assign Mix 1 to
the Main Out, Phones, and Line Out.

Mix bus

master

fader

Channel

settings

Monitoring

section

Output
volume
controls

Channel
scroll
bar

Mic inputs (split into

mono channels)

Figure 7-1: CueMix FX is a virtual mixer that gives you control
over the MicroBook’s on-board mixing features .

40

Host

computer

audio

Tabs for channel strip

settings, including EQ and

dynamics, as well as

global settings such as the

meter bridge and Signal

Generator.

Grow
handle

Monitor

group

metering

CUEMIX FX

Viewing one mix bus at a time

CueMix FX displays one mix bus at a time

Channel focus and settings

Click the focus button for a channel

in the Mixes tab (Figure 7-1 on page 40).
To select which mix you are viewing,
choose it from the mix bus menu. The
mix name appears above the mix bus
master fader, where you can click the
name to change it.

Each mix bus is independent

Each mix bus has its own settings.
Settings for one bus will not affect
another. For example, if an input is used
for one bus, it will still be available for
other busses. In addition, inputs can have
a different volume, pan, mute and solo
setting in each bus.

Input channels

The Inputs tab (Figure 7-2 on page 42)
gives you access to settings for individual

(Figure 7-1) to view channel-specific
parameters in the Channel Settings
section of the CueMix FX window
(Figure 7-1). Separate tabs are provided
for channel-specific settings (channel
strip, EQ and dynamics), plus the global
meter bridge and signal generator.

Output volume controls

The Monitoring section (Figure 7-1)
provides independent volume control for
all of the MicroBook’s outputs. The
Monitor Level knob at the top of the
monitoring section lets you control
multiple outputs simultaneously: just
enable the button to the right of each
volume knob you wish to include in the
Monitor Level group.

MicroBook inputs (or input pairs), such
as phase, trim, EQ and dynamics
processing. These settings are applied to
the signal before it goes anywhere else (to
a mix bus or the computer).

Output channels

The Outputs tab (Figure 7-4 on page 44)
gives you access to settings for each
MicroBook output pair, including EQ
and dynamics processing. These settings
are applied to the signal just before it is
sent to the output.

Other features

CueMix FX offers many additional
features, such as extensive metering,
graphic editing of certain effects
parameters, monitor grouping and more.
For complete information, refer to the
CueMix FX PDF manual, which is placed
on your hard drive by the MicroBook
installer.

Widening the CueMix FX window

To view more input faders at once, resize
the window.

CUEMIX FX

41

THE INPUTS TAB

Click the Inputs tab (Figure 7-2) to access
and control all of these input channel
settings for each MicroBook input or

Inputs tab

Input name

Channel focus

Mono/stereo paring

Invert phase

Input trim

input pair. Use the Focus button
(Figure 7-2) to access the Channel , EQ,
and dynamics tab settings for each input.

EQ/dynamics graph

EQ band selectors

LP/HP filter

EQ/dynamics

controls

selector
Compressor

selector

EQ/dynamics

enable/disable

Input scroll bar

Figure 7-2: The Inputs tab.

The Channel tab. The EQ tab. The Dynamics tab.

42

CUEMIX FX

THE MIXES TAB

Click the Mixes tab (Figure 7-3) to gain
access to the MicroBook’s five stereo mix
busses. The Mixes tab displays one mix
bus at a time: choose each mix from the
Mix bus menu in the tab itself. Each fader
represents an input to the mix, except the
fader on the right, which is the master
fader for the mix. To assign each mix to a
MicroBook output, visit the Outputs tab.

From Host 1-2. This is the audio playing
from your host audio software. By
bringing up this fader, you can combine
live inputs (mic, guitar, and line 1-2) with
any audio from the computer.

Stereo grouping

The input channel strips in the Mixes tab
can represent either a mono input
channel or a stereo pair. This is controlled
by their grouping in the Inputs tab. So if

From Host 1-2

Inputs consist of physical inputs on the
MicroBook interface (mic, guitar, etc.),
but there is also a stereo input channel for

Mix

Mixes

tab

bus

menu

Input name

Channel focus

Input pan

section

you want to change the configuration
from mono to stereo, or vice versa, do so
using the Mono/Stereo buttons in the
Inputs tab (Figure 7-2).

Mix bus 1

master

fader

Bus name

Currently
assigned outs

Input fader

Input

mute/solo

Input level

meter

Scroll bar for

input channels

Mic

input

Figure 7-3: The Mixes tab.

CUEMIX FX

Guitar

input

Line inputs 3-4

(ungrouped

as mono inputs)

Bus fader

Bus mute

Bus level meter

Host

computer

audio

43

THE OUTPUTS TAB

The Outputs tab (Figure 7-4) lets you
apply EQ and dynamics to any output
pair, just before the signal leaves the
MicroBook. This is processing that

Signal flows from top to bottom

Settings in each Output tab channel strip
are applied to the signal in order from top
to bottom. For example, EQ occurs
before Dynamics.

occurs at the very end of the signal flow,
after everything else (host based effects,
MicroBook input or bus processing,
mixing, and so on). Processing is done in
the digital domain, just before the signal
goes analog through the D/A converter.
Output tab processing is applied to the
entire output mix (all signals being mixed
to the output from various sources).

Outputs tab

Output channel focus

Click the channel focus button
(Figure 7-4) to view and edit parameters,
such as EQ and dynamics, in the Output
Settings section of the CueMix FX
window.

Output source

Choose the Source for the audio output.
The source can be one of the MicroBook’s
inputs, a mix bus (which can have
multiple sources itself), or the
MicroBook’s signal generator.

Output settings

Monitor

level

Output name

Channel focus

Output source

EQ/Dynamics graph

EQ/Dynamics

controls

EQ/Dynamics

enable/disable

44

Figure 7-4: The Outputs tab.

CUEMIX FX

THE METERS TAB

The Meters tab (Figure 7-5) serves as a
comprehensive meter bridge for all
inputs, outputs and mix busses in the
MicroBook, giving you a “bird’s-eye”
view of all signal activity.

Channel meter display

The channel meter display (Figure 7-5)
provides a long-throw meter for the input
or output that currently has the focus in
the Input/Output tabs.

Pre/post processing switch

The pre/post processing switch
(Figure 7-5) affects all input meters (and
the meter in the channel meter display

Channel
meter
display

Meters tab

Pre/post
processing
switch

above the tab, if this area is displaying an
input meter). Click Pre to view levels
before any input channel processing
besides trim; click Post to view levels after
all channel processing (EQ, compression,
M/S decoding, L/R swap, etc.)

Figure 7-5: The Meters tab.

CUEMIX FX

45

THE SIGNAL GENERATOR TAB

Pre/post

effects

Source

Serial

number

Scope

channel

The Signal Generator tab (Figure 7-6)

USB ROUTING TO HOST

Choose Devices menu>MicroBook>Setup

provides settings for the Sine Wave
generator (frequency and amplitude) and
the White/Pink noise generators
(amplitude). Use the Output Source
menus in the Outputs tab (Figure 7-4) to
choose the desired ouput(s) for these test
signals.

to access the USB Routing To Host settings
below (Figure 7-7). The MicroBook
sends four channels of audio to the host
audio software running on your
computer. This window lets you control
the audio Source for each channel and
whether or not the signal will be
processed with the MicroBook EQ and/
or Dynamics processing settings via the
Pre/post effects menu.

The factory default settings route the
MicroBook’s four physical inputs to the
computer, but you could also route mix
busses, and even MicroBook output
signals, back to the computer.

Figure 7-6: The Signal Generator tab.

46

Figure 7-7: MicroBook Device Setup.

CUEMIX FX

SCOPE CHANNELS

The Scope buttons (Figure 7-7) let you
choose what input channels (as assigned
by the Source menus) will be fed to the
CueMix FX audio analysis (scoping)
features described on the next few pages
(FFT “waterfall” display, Oscilloscope,
X-Y Plot, and Phase Analysis).

AUDIO ANALYSIS TOOLS

CueMix FX provides advanced audio
analysis tools. This section gives a brief
summary. For complete information,
refer to the CueMix FX PDF manual,
which is placed on your hard drive by the
MicroBook installer.

The FFT curve is post-filter. Therefore,
the FFT shows the results of the EQ
filter(s) being applied.

Spectrogram

Choose Options menu> Show
Spectrogram (Figure 7-8) to superimpose

a real-time spectrogram “waterfall”
display in the EQ display background:

FFT display

The Filter response display section in
CueMix FX can display real-time FFT
and spectrogram information.

Choose Show FFT from the Filter display
options menu (Figure 7-8) to
superimpose a real-time Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT) frequency
measurement curve over the EQ filter
display, as show below:

FFT curveOptions menu

Figure 7-9: Spectrogram display.

X-Y Plot

The X-Y Plot window (Figure 7-10)
graphs the amplitude of a stereo audio
signal on a two-dimensional grid. To
open the X-Y Plot, choose it from the
Devices menu.

Figure 7-8: FFT display. Make sure that the
Scope Channels (Figure 7-7) match the
channels that are currently in focus via the
Focus buttons (Figure 7-1).

CUEMIX FX

Figure 7-10: X-Y Plot.

For each unit of time (i.e. each sample),
the amplitude of the left channel is
displayed on the x-axis and the amplitude
of the right channel is displayed on the
y-axis. A thick white vertical line marks

47

where left channel amplitude equals zero;
a thick white horizontal line marks where
right channel amplitude equals zero
(Figure 7-10, below). There are also thick
white diagonal lines for y = x and y = -x.

Phase Analysis

To open the Phase Analysis window
(Figure 7-11), choose it from the Devices

Figure 7-11: R e cta n gul a r ve rsu s Po l ar
display with a logarithmic plot.

menu. Phase Analysis graphs frequency
versus phase difference versus amplitude
of a stereo signal on either rectangular or
polar coordinates.

In rectangular coordinates, the vertical
axis represents frequency, and the
horizontal axis represents the phase of the
left channel minus the phase of the right
channel (measured in radians).

In polar coordinates, the radius
represents frequency and the angle
(theta) from the +y vertical axis
represents the phase difference of left
channel minus the right channel.

Oscilloscope

CueMix FX provides a full-featured
oscilloscope (Figure 7-12). To open an
oscilloscope, choose the Oscilloscope item
from the Devices menu.

The oscilloscope follows the currently
chose scope channels (Figure 7-7 on
page 46).

Figure 7-12: Oscilloscope

48

CUEMIX FX

APPENDIX

A Troubleshooting

AudioDesk authorization doesn’t succeed

When authorizing AudioDesk, the OK
button does not become active until you
have entered in your name and a valid
keycode. Your name must contain at least
3 characters, and you must enter the
keycode provided with your AudioDesk
installer disc. Additionally, the
AudioDesk installer disc must be
inserted.

Clicks and pops due to hard drive
problems

If you have checked your clock settings
and you are still getting clicks and pops in
your audio, you may have a drive related
problem. Set your Clock Source to
Internal and try recording just using the
analog inputs and outputs of the

Connecting or powering gear during
operation

It is not recommended that you connect/
disconnect, or power on or off devices
connected to the MicroBook while
recording or playing back audio. Doing
so may cause a brief glitch in the audio.

Monitoring - How to monitor inputs?

Please refer to the documentation for the
audio application that you are using. If
your application does not support input
monitoring, you will need to use the
MicroBook’s hardware-based
CueMix FX monitoring feature. Please
see chapter 7, “CueMix FX” (page 39).

Controlling monitoring latency

See chapter 7, “CueMix FX” (page 39).

MicroBook. If you encounter the same
artifacts you may want try using another
drive in your computer. Clicks and pops
can also occur when the drive is severely
fragmented, the disk drivers are
outdated, or other drive-related issues. If
you are using a USB hard drive on the
same bus as the MicroBook, it could be
that the USB bus is overloaded (too many
devices on the same bus). Try removing
all devices except the MicroBook.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

We are happy to provide customer
support to our registered users. If you
haven’t already done so, please take a
moment to register on line at motu.com,
or fill out and mail the registration card
included with your MicroBook. Doing so
entitles you to technical support and
notices about new products and software
updates.

REPLACING DISKS

If your MicroBook software installer disc
becomes damaged and fails to provide
you with fresh, working copies of the
software, our Customer Support
Department will be glad to replace it. You

can request a replacement disc by calling

49

our business office at [phone] and

■ A brief explanation of the problem,

asking for the customer service
department. In the meantime, you can
download the latest drivers from
www.motu.com.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If you are unable, with your dealer’s help,
to solve problems you encounter with the
MicroBook system, you may contact our
technical support department in one of
the following ways:

■ Tech support hotline, Monday through

Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM EST:
[phone]

■ Tech support 24-hour fax line:

[phone]

including the exact sequence of actions
which cause it, and the contents of any
error messages which appear on the
screen.

■ The pages in the user guide which refer

to the parts of the MicroBook or
AudioDesk with which you are having
trouble.

■ The version of your computer’s

operating system.

We’re not able to solve every problem
immediately, but a quick call to us may
yield a suggestion for a problem which
you might otherwise spend hours trying
to track down.

■ Online support:

www.motu.com/support

Please provide the following information
to help us solve your problem as quickly
as possible:

■ The serial number of the MicroBook

system. Please see “Obtaining your
MicroBook serial number” on page 14.
You must be able to supply this number to
receive technical support.

If you have features or ideas you would
like to see implemented, we’d like to hear
from you. Please contact us online at
www.motu.com/suggestions or write to:

MicroBook Development Team
MOTU Inc.
1280 Massachusetts Avenue,
Cambridge, MA 02138.

50

APPENDIX A: TROUBLESHOOTING

APPENDIX

B Mic Adapter Pin-outs

Below is a diagram showing the pin-out
assignments for the female XLR-to-male
quarter inch microphone adapter
included with the MicroBook package:

■ XLR pin 1 = ground

■ XLR pin 2 = tip

■ XLR pin 3 = ring

51

52

APPENDIX B: MIC ADAPTER PIN-OUTS

Index

20 dB pad 16
24-bit 27, 38

recording 10

48V phantom power 5

A

Ableton (see Live)
Analog inputs/outputs

connecting to 16, 17

Apple

GarageBand 25
Logic Pro/Express 25, 30
Soundtrack Pro 25

ASIO 11, 25, 33

Cubase 34
Live 35
Nuendo 34
Reason 35
Record (application) 35
SONAR 36

AudioDesk 21

enabling MicroBook driv-

er 24

exchanging projects with

DP 24

B

Balanced analog 16, 17
Bit depth 6, 10
Buffer size 27, 29
Bus power 6

examples 18
requirements 18

C

Cakewalk (see SONAR)
Cardbus adaptors 18
Channel tab 17, 42
Clock source 27, 37
Condenser mic 5
Converters 6
Core Audio 23
Cubase 11, 23, 34

Audio Buffer Size 25
buffer size 30
Mac OS X 25
Windows 34

CueMix FX 31, 34, 37, 39-48

Channel tab 42
Dynamics tab 42
EQ tab 42
focus 41
Inputs tab 42
installation 21, 40
launching 7
Mac OS X software 27
Meters tab 45
Mixes tab 43

Outputs tab 44
overview 39, 40
Sig Gen tab

Customer support 49

D

Digital (S/PDIF) output 18
Digital Performer 23

buffer size 30
enabling MicroBook

Driver 24

exchanging projects with

AudioDesk 24

Disc

replacing 49

Drivers

installing 21
Mac OS X 23
Windows 34

DSP

resources 39
Dynamic mic 5
Dynamics tab 42

E

EQ tab 42
ExpressCard adaptors 18

F

FFT display 47
Focus 7, 17, 41, 42, 43

Outputs tab 44
From Host 8, 43

G

GarageBand 23, 25
Guitar/mic inputs

connecting 16, 19

H

Headphones

connecting 19

jack 5
Host-based processing 27
HP/LP filter 42

I

Input level 17
Input trim 42
Inputs

guitar 16

line 16

mic 16

trim 17
Inputs tab 7, 17, 41, 42
Installation

hardware 15

software 21, 23, 34

Installer disc

replacing 49

Invert phase 42

L

Laptop operation 18
Latency 28, 31, 39
Line inputs/outputs 17

quarter-inch jacks 6

stereo mini jacks 6
Live 23, 26, 35
Logic Pro/Express 23, 25, 30
LP/HP filter 42

M

Mac OS X

audio software 23
Main outs

connecting 17

jacks 6

volume
Main volume
Master fader

mix busses 43
Meters 17
Meters tab 7, 45, 46
Mic/guitar inputs 16

connecting 19

mic adapter 5, 16

pin-outs 51

MicroBook

hardware installation 15

serial number 9, 14, 46

software installation 21

summary of features 9
Mini jacks 17
Mix bus

master fader 43
Mixes tab 7, 43
Monitor group 7, 41
Monitoring 28
Monitors

connecting 17

N

Nuendo 34

Mac OS X 25

Windows 34

O

Optimization 31
Oscilloscope 48
Outputs

line 17

main 17

phones

S/PDIF 6

signal flow 44

INDEX

53

Outputs tab 8, 41, 44

P

Packing list 13
Pad 16
Patch thru

latency 31
PCMCIA adaptors 18
Performance 31
Phantom power 5, 16
Phase Analysis 48
Phones (see Headphones)
Pink noise
Pin-outs 51
Plug-in processing 27
Post-EQ/Compressor 46
Pre/post FX buttons 45
Precision Digital Trim 10
Pre-Effects/EQ/Compressor

46

Propellerhead (see Reason,

Record)

R

Reason 23, 35
Record (application) 35
Registration 13

S

S/PDIF 6, 18
Sample rate 27, 37

Samplers

connecting 19
Scope channels 46, 47
Serial number 9, 13, 14, 46
Setup 14
Show

FFT 47

Spectrogram 47
Sig Gen tab (see Signal Gener-

ator tab)
Signal Generator tab 7, 46
Sine wave
Software installation 21

Mac OS X 23

Windows 34
SONAR 11, 33, 36
Soundtrack Pro 23, 25
Source 8, 44, 46
Spectrogram 47
Steinberg Cubase 23, 25
Stereo mini jacks 17
Stereo pairing 42, 43
Studio setup (example) 19
Synths

connecting 6, 19
System requirements

minimum 13

recommended 13

T

Technical support 49, 50

Trim 17
Troubleshooting 49-50

flashing power LED 5

TRS connectors 16, 17

U

Unbalanced analog 16, 17
USB

bus power 6
connecting 15
PC card adapters 18
PCI cards 18

USB Routing To Host 46

V

Volume control 5, 7, 41

W

White noise
Windows

drivers 34
multimedia driver

SONAR 36

X

X-Y Plot 47

Z

ZBox guitar adapter 5

54

INDEX