Sound Devices USBPre User manual
USBPre 2
User Guide and Technical Information
Sound Devices, LLC
300 Wengel Drive • Reedsburg, WI • USA
+1 (608) 524-0625 • fax: +1 (608) 524-0655
Toll-Free: (800) 505-0625
www.sounddevices.com
support@sounddevices.com
Table of Contents
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Computer System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Quick Start Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Sound Card Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Front Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Input and Output Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Back Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
DIP Switch Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Mac OS Installation and Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
OS X Audio / MIDI Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Adjusting Sample Rate in OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Windows Installation and Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Windows 7 and Vista Sound Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Adjusting Sample Rate in Windows 7 and Vista . . . . . . . . . . .10
Windows XP Sound Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
ASIO Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
ASIO Driver Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Linux Installation and Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Input Source Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Microphone Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Phantom Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Low-Cut Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..15
Input Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..15
Input Limiters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Line Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Aux Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Digital Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Input 2 Loop Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Outputs and Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Headphone Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Main Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Digital Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Metering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Stand-Alone Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Sample Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Locking Sample Rate to External Sources . . . . . . . .18
Setup Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Test and Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
High Performance Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Specifi cations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Warranty and Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
CE Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
1
USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
Copyright and Release
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the expressed written permission of SOUND DEVICES,
LLC. SOUND DEVICES is not responsible for any use of this information.
SOUND DEVICES, LLC shall not be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages, losses, costs, or expenses
incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of: accident, misuse, or abuse of this product or unauthorized modifi cations, repairs, or
alterations to this product, or failure to strictly comply with SOUND DEVICES, LLC’s operating and installation instructions.
Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. Other product
and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
The sound waves logo is a registered trademark of Sound Devices, LLC.
Computer System Requirements
The requirements below outline the minimum confi gurations for systems using the USBPre 2. Software applications used with the USBPre 2 have their own requirements that may be in addition to
the requirements of the USBPre 2. Consult your software’s documentation.
Operating Systems
Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, Windows 7 (both 32 and 64 bit)
Macintosh OS 10.4 or greater
Linux Kernel 2.6.0 or greater (Requires standard ALSA snd-usb-audio module)
USB Audio Device Class
Windows, Linux and Mac OS versions below 10.5.8 utilize USB Audio Device Class 1.0 drivers
that will limit the USBPre 2 to sampling rates of 48 kHz and lower.
Mac OS 10.5.8 and greater utilizes USB Audio Device Class 2.0 drivers that will allow the full
range of sample rates that the USBPre 2 is capable of.
USB Connection
Full USB 1.1 or 2.0 compliance
For Notebook Computer users:
For proper operation of the USBPre, turn off all power management when using the USBPre for audio
recording. Power management reduces processor speed, system bus speed, spins down hard disks, shuts
down displays, or a combination of the above to reduce current consumption and extend battery run
time. The change in state from active to power-saving mode can disrupt data on the USB bus and cause
unintended dropouts.
Sound Devices cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the USBPre 2
based exclusively on the fact that it meets the above requirements.
2
Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Quick Start Guide
Sound Card Connection
Attach the “A” plug of the (supplied) USB cable into an available “A” socket on the computer. Attach 1.
the “B” plug of the USB cable into the “B” socket on the USBPre 2. The USBPre 2’s meter LED’s will illuminate sequentially, indicating the USBPre 2 is connected and booting up properly.
Check to see that the operating system has recognized the USBPre 2 and designated the USBPre 2 as the 2.
default sound card. See Installation and Connection.
Connect an audio source. 3. See Inputs.
USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
Connect headphones or other monitoring equipment.4.
Headphones
Powered monitors with balanced analog inputs can also be attached to
the XLR outputs on the back panel of the USBPre 2.
Press the Input Select button repeatedly until the proper Input Source LED is illuminated for the input 5.
you will be recording.
Powered Monitors
3
USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
Input 1 set to Mic (XLR)
Input 2 set to Line (1/4” TRS)
If the PRE Meter Source LED is not illuminated, press the Meter Source button to change the meter 6.
source to display input levels.
For analog input sources, adjust the Input Gain Control corresponding to the input being recorded. 7.
Input Gain Controls do not affect digital input levels. The meters will show the audio level of the input.
Launch an audio application on the computer. Make certain that the USBPre 2 is selected as the input 8.
and output device in the application’s preferences. Consult the applications documentation for further
information.
4
Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
Front Panel Descriptions
USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
2 3
1
4
Input Gain Controls1)
Adjusts input gain. Gain is minimized
(not turned off) at full counter-clockwise
setting. Gain control only affects analog
input sources.
Low-Cut LED2)
Illuminates when low-cut fi lter is
engaged on either mic input. See DIP
Switch Options.
15 dB pad LED3)
Illuminates when 15 dB pad is engaged
on either mic input. See DIP Switch Op-
tions.
48V Phantom Power LED4)
Illuminates when phantom power is
engaged on either mic input. See DIP
Switch Options.
Input 1 Split LED5)
Illuminates when Input 1 Split is active.
See DIP Switch Options.
Input Select Buttons and Input Source 6)
LEDs
Selects between the available input
types. Input Source LED to the right will
illuminate to indicate which source is
currently active.
Meter7)
23-segment LED meter. Calibrated in
dBFS, with peak + VU ballistics.
Meter Source Button8)
Switches meter source between input or
output signal. LED illuminates to indicate current selection.
8
65
9
7
10
12
11
13
Headphone Mono Button and LED9)
Toggles between mono and stereo monitoring of analog input audio in headphones; especially useful when multitrack recording and recording from one
input. LED illuminates when Mono is
active. This function can be confi gured
to affect PC Audio as well. See DIP
Switch Options.
Limiter LEDs10)
Illuminates amber when limiting is occuring.
Monitor Mix Control11)
Selects the signal source to be monitored
in the headphones between analog
source audio (PRE) and computer audio
(PC). Listening to PRE audio allows
zero latency monitoring of analog input
sources. The center position mixes
monitoring of both source and computer
audio. The signal at the AUX Output
and balanced XLR Output is unaffected
by this control.
puts cannot be monitored in the headphones.
S/PDIF signal can only be monitored after
being processed by the computer.
NOTE: S/PDIF digital in-
Output Gain Control (Small Knob)12)
Adjusts gain of AUX Output and balanced XLR output. Can be confi gured to
adjust headphone gain. See DIP Switch
Options.
Headphone Volume Control (Big 13)
Knob)
Adjusts headphone gain. Can be confi gured to adjust XLR and AUX output
levels. See DIP Switch Options.
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USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
Input and Output Panel Descriptions
3
Mic Inputs 1)
Active-balanced XLR inputs accept lowimpedance microphone-level signals.
Line Inputs 2)
Accepts balanced line-level signals.
AUX Inputs 3)
Accepts consumer-level inputs such as
CD Players, Camcorders, Portable DVD
Players, and Mini-jack from computers
via RCA connectors.
Headphone Outputs 4)
3.5 mm and ¼-inch TRS stereo heaphone
outputs can drive low-impedance headphones. NOTE: The USBPre can drive
headphones to dangerously loud levels - take
caution when setting the headphone level.
Back Panel Descriptions
4
5 6 71 2
AUX Output 5)
Audio output to feed powered loudspeakers, CD Recorders, Camcorders, or
Portable DVD Recorders. RCA connectors. Computer audio only.
S/PDIF (Coaxial) Input and Output 6)
Coaxial digital input and output connectors. Input is selected via the front panel
input selection switch.
USB Port 7)
USB B-type connector for interconnection with the computer; provides all
data and power to the USBPre 2 via USB
bus powering. USB 1.1 and 2.0 compliant.
1 2 3
Balanced XLR Outputs1)
Active-balanced analog outputs. Mic /
Line switchable. See DIP Switch Options.
DIP Switches3)
DIP Switches to confi gure various aspects of the USBPre 2.
S/PDIF (Optical) Input and Output2)
Optical digital (TOSLINK) input and
output connectors.
6
Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
DIP Switch Options
The DIP switches on the back panel of the USBPre 2 can control various features. To adjust an individual switch, carefully move the switch with a slender tool.
In the following descriptions, “Up” refers to the direction opposite the numbering on the switch casings.
ON
ON
ON
10
OFF
ON
ON
ON
987654321
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
TO
INPUT
PHONES
ONLY
AU
ALL
OUTPUT
MANUAL
LINE
ON
OFF
LINE
ON
12345678910
MIC
MIC
OFF
STAND
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
A Settings
48 Volt Phantom Power (9 and 10)•
Up position engages 48 Volt phantom power
on balanced microphone inputs. Required for
condenser microphones. See Inputs Section.
Low-Cut Filter (7 and 8)•
Up position engages low-cut fi lter on balanced
microphone inputs. -3 dB at 80 Hz. 12 dB per
octave. See Inputs Section.
Limiter (5 and 6)•
Up position engages limiters on balanced
microphone inputs. Attenuates signal above -4
dBFS. See Inputs Section.
15 dB Pad (3 and 4)•
Up position reduces gain by 15 dB on balanced
microphone inputs. Useful for sensitive microphones or very loud program material. See
Inputs Section.
Dual Mono (1)•
Up position disables input 2 and routes input 1
signal to both tracks.
ALONE
ATE
R
SAMPLE
48K
192K
176.4K
96K
88.2K
44.1K
32K
16K
B Settings
Balanced Output Level (1 and 2)•
Determines level of balanced XLR outputs. Up
position: Line level (0 dBu). Down position: Mic
level. (-40 dBu). See Outputs and Monitoring.
HP Mono Function (3)•
Adjusts what signals are summed when HP
MONO is active. Up position: Input signals
only. Down position: Input signals and output
audio from the computer. See Ouputs and Moni-
toring.
Meter PRE/PC (4)•
Adjusts whether or not the meter source
switches automatically to PC metering when
computer audio is present. Up position: Automatic. Down position: Manual. See Ouputs and
Monitoring.
HP / Output Knob (5)•
Adjusts which knob controls headphone gain
and which knob controls main output gain. Up
position: Big Knob controls headphone gain and
Small Knob controls main output gain. Down
position: Big Knob controls main output gain
and Small Knob controls headphone gain.
Headphone Signal to Outputs (6)•
Up position: Only computer audio is sent to
outputs. Down position: Main (analog) output
source is the same as headphone signal source
and affected by Monitor Mix Control. Note: In
Stand-alone mode, input signal is always routed to
the outputs and this setting has no effect.
Input Select Lock (7)•
Up position: Input Select Buttons function normally. Down position: Input Select Buttons are
disabled and input source selection is locked.
Stand-Alone Sample Rate (8, 9, and 10)•
Sets the operating sample rate when in StandAlone mode according to the associated
diagram. See Stand-Alone mode. In Soundcard
Mode, sample rate is determined by the computer. See Installation and Connection.
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USBPre 2 User Guide and Technical Information
Mac OS Installation and Connection
Before connecting the USBPre 2, quit all open applications that use audio. An application that is
running when the USBPre 2 is connected may not recognize the USBPre 2 until the application is
restarted.
When connecting the USBPre 2 to a computer with OS X 10.5 or earlier installed, hold down the
Input 1 Source Select button while pluggin in the USBPre 2. This will cause the USBPre 2 to initialize
in USB Fullspeed mode, which is required for OS X 10.5 and earlier.
Screen shots show Mac OS 10.6
OS X Audio / MIDI Setup
Follow 1. Applications> Utilities> Audio MIDI Setup to open the Audio MIDI Setup dialog.
OS X 10.6 and later: Highlight the USBPre 2 item, click the button with the gear icon and select 2. Use this
device for sound output. Click the button with the gear icon again and select Use this device for sound
input.
OS X 10.5 and earlier: Ensure that the USBPre 2 is selected for both the Default Input dropdown menu
and the Default Output dropdown menu in the System Settings section.
Adjusting Sample Rate in OS X
Follow 1. Applications> Utilities> Audio MIDI Setup to open the Audio MIDI Setup dialog.
8
Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
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