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Table of contents:
1. Introduction Page 3
2. Features Page 4
3. What’s in the box? Page 5
4. Out of the box: Setting-up Page 6
Setting-up in Apple OS X
Setting-up for Apple iOS
Setting-up in Windows
5. Hardware & block diagram Page 9
6. uMi Control software Page 10
1. Overview
2. Knobs and sliders
3. Controls
4. Dynamic processes
7. Firmware update Page 15
8. Troubleshooting Page 16
9. Notices Page 17
1. Warranty
2. Maintenance
3. Repair service
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1. Introduction
One interface to reach them all
TechnicaDelArte’s uMi USB Microphone interface is one of the world’s most flexible
professional Recording and Broadcasting interfaces. Delivering outstanding audio quality,
the uMi represents the centerpiece for recordings and live broadcasting. With the mobile
reporter in mind, our development team has designed a very robust and versatile
microphone amplifier.
The DSP processing included within the uMi makes the user interface customizable. With
the help of uMi, your favorite microphone will sound the same, wherever you are.
24+1 bit/192 kHz Sound Quality
Designed to play the central role in mobile situations, uMi delivers uncompromising audio
quality for all mobile devices: iOS, Android, Mac OS and Windows. By carefully selecting
the audio components we have built a device that offers extremely high-resolution sound,
with the lowest THD and high dynamic range.
Realtime DSP processing
While the analogue sound is natural and transparent, the uMi can deliver a wide range of
dynamic processing, gain control and equalization via its hardware accelerated DSP power.
Years of research and development by our experienced team has resulted in outstanding
audio quality processing algorithms, focused on mobile recording and broadcasting.
By saving presets within the device, sound colour and response can be adjusted simply by
the push of a button. The presets can be adjusted and stored in the device with the help
of the highly intuitive uMi Control user interface, available for Apple OS and Windows.
Broadcasting two streams
Due to its flexible architecture, two uMis can be cascaded and used simultaneously in one
system. This feature has been created with the sports commentator in mind who, in most
cases, need separate microphones.
Elegant and robust hardware design
Working with the very best hardware materials and the most advanced manufacturing
processes, we have been able to deliver an outstanding quality device. Due to its
durability, the uMi can be used in the harshest of environments, which makes it the perfect
tool for on-the-road recording and broadcasting.
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2. Features
Key Features
Professional USB audio interface for microphone.
DSP processing inside for reliable cross-platform quality and performance.
Bus powered, compatible with iOS devices. No need for external power or batteries.
Audio Interface
Premium quality AD converter
Sample-rates up to 192kHz at 25 Bit resolution.
Ultra-low latency, 1ms USB bus latency at all sample-rates.
Up to 32-bit USB audio support.
USB 1.1 and 2.0 Class compliant. No drivers needed for Windows, OSX or iOS
Microphone Preamplifier
Microphone sensitivity up to -82 dBU Full Scale.
Adjustable Phantom power (0V to 12V), suitable for most phantom powered
microphones.
Lockable gain. No more surprise gain changes when you switch apps or OS.
uMi Inside
Acrylic capacitors for distortion free audio.
0.1% precision Thin Film resistors.
High quality Mogami Neglex quad microphone cable for enhanced RF/EM shielding
and improved signal to noise cancelling (10 to 20 dB).
No mechanical/moving parts in the audio signal paths for pristine audio quality and
no degradation over time.
32/64-bit Digital Signal Processing.
Software
DSP Channel strip functions on board: Lo-cut, Phase, Parametric EQ, Noise-gate,
Limiter etc. Available with every sample-rate, up to 192 kHz.
Free uMi Control software (available for Windows and MAC) to setup your uMi
presets and upgrade the uMi firmware.
Preset recall
All settings stored in device memory, so your connected Microphone will sound the
same on every device or OS you use the uMi with.
2 Presets stored in device memory, easily selectable via a preset button.
Other
CNC machined and laser trimmed aluminum casing.
All hardware, software and firmware developed and designed in house by Technica
Del Arte in The Netherlands.
Manufactured in The Netherlands.
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Specifications
EIN: -130 dBU (150 Ohm, A-weighted).
EIN: -132 dBU (0 Ohm, A-weighted).
Dynamic range: 108 dB (A-weighted).
THD: 0.0003% (- 42 dBU input level, maximum gain)
THD+N: 0.003% (– 32 dBU input level, maximum gain)
Max input level: -22 dBU
Measurements: 15 mm wide x 10 mm high x 50 mm long.
Weight: 115g
3. What’s in the box?
1 x uMi Microphone audio interface
2 x 4 bumpers: two different height connections
1 x Instruction manual
1 x LUCI Live Lite activation code
1 x uMi and microphone carrying bag
Supported Operating Systems:
Apple OS X
Apple iOS
Microsoft Windows (7, 8, 10)
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4. Out of the box: Setting-up
The uMi interface can be used straight out of the box. Just connect it to your preferred
mobile device, attach a microphone and you are ready to broadcast/record.
The presets are pre-configured in such a way that the button on the device switches 12V
Phantom power On (blue light On) and Off ( blue light off) .
Pix: graphical representation of the uMi connected to a microphone.
Setting-up in Apple OS X
Use System preferences to receive audio from the uMi and send audio to the computer
speakers/headphones.
1. Insert uMi audio interface into a free USB port
2. Open System Preferences from the top left drop-down menu
3. Click the Sound icon
4. In the Sound pane click the Output tab.
5. Choose the Built-in Internal speaker.
6. In the Sound panel click the Input tab.
7. Choose uMi
8. Close the Sound preferences. You are ready to use the uMi interface.
Using Audio MIDI Setup to change the settings of the uMi interface
1. Open the Applications folder and then the Utilities folder.
2. Double click to open Audio MIDI setup.
3. Select uMi from the left side of the panel.
4. The sample rate and the bit-depth can be chosen. Preferred values are 48000,0 Hz and
1ch-24bit Integer.
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Setting-up for Apple iOS
The uMi interface will work with Apple’s mobile hand-held devices. In order to connect the
uMi to an iPhone or iPad and broadcast/record, an Apple Lightning-to-USB Camera
Adapter or Camera Connection Kit is required. For more info, visit http://www.
apple.com/shop.
1. Plug the Camera Adapter/Connector into your Apple mobile device.
2. Plug the uMi into the Camera Adaptor/Connector’s USB port.
3. Select your desired mobile broadcast/record application.
4. Adjust microphone volume to desired level (not valid when you lock your uMi level, see
uMi Control description below).
Setting-up for Android
The uMi interface will work with Android mobile hand-held devices that support OTG. To
connect the uMi to your Android device you will need an OTG cable compatible with your
device.
1. Plug the OTG Adapter/Connector into your mobile device.
2. Plug the uMi into the OTG cable's USB port.
3. Select your desired mobile broadcast/record application.
4. Adjust microphone volume to desired level (not valid when you lock your uMi level, see
uMi Control description below).
Setting-up in Windows
Using Control Panel Sound settings to receive audio from uMi, while sending sound to the
computer’s speakers:
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1. Insert uMi into your computer’s USB port.
2. Go to Start menu and launch Control Panel.
3. Open Hardware and Sound panel.
4. Select Recording.
5. Select the uMi as the recording device. Ensure it is the Default Device.
To setup advances settings:
1. Click the Properties button for more setup options.
2. Click the Advanced tab. Use the drop-down menu to choose the bit depth and sample
rate. Preferred value is 1 channel, 24-bit, 48000 Hz.
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5. Hardware & block diagram
(1) Microphone connector.
XLR Female connector for connecting any dynamic microphone or a condenser
microphone that supports a phantom power voltage of 12V or lower.
(2) Mogami Neglex quad cable
2m (6,5ft) quad-core microphone cable. Extends the distance between the microphone
and the mobile device. The quad-core is used to improve the noise canceling (10 to 20dB)
of the connection between the microphone and the preamplifier.
(3) Phantom power switch
The phantom power can be activated and controlled via the uMi Control software. The
output voltage can be set between 0 and 12V. This is done to lower the current drain from
the USB port. This feature will increase the live time of the mobile device and makes sure
the power can be supplied by the mobile device.
(4) Preamplifier
The microphone signal is pre-amplified by an ultra-low noise analogue amplifier with a
fixed gain. The preamplifier also provides adequate input impedance, matching most
microphones.
(5) Analog to Digital converter
For converting the analogue microphone signal to the digital domain. The converter used
is a premium quality Cirrus Logic Analogue to Digital converter. The two input channels of
the ADC are used to convert one Mono microphone signal. This improves the noise
response of the conversion.
(6) Digital Signal Processor
This is the main core of the uMi. The DSP handles the digitally converted audio signal from
the ADC to the USB port. The DSP includes a Channel-Strip functionality containing several
hardware accelerated DSP effects.
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(7) Preset button
Two presets can be stored in the hardware memory of the uMi. The user can switch
between these two presets by pressing this button. A blue LED light will indicate the
currently active preset.
The push button can also be used to update the firmware of the uMi if needed.
(8) USB port connector
USB-A Male connector compatible with any USB-A port and / or a Lighting connector.
6. uMi Control software
The uMi Control software can be downloaded from http://umi-connect.com/
Installing the uMi control software
After downloading the installer, double-click the installer icon and follow the onscreen
instructions until completed.
The User interface
Main feature: uMi is capable of storing two presets in its hardware memory. Switching
between the two presets is achieved by pressing the hardware push button.
The selected OFF and ON -presets (9)/(10) are indicated with the LED placed in the
button's cap.
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(1) Write to uMi indicator/button will blink when one of the settings is altered and the
preset is not written to the hardware memory. By clicking Write to uMi the two onscreen
presets are saved to the hardware memory.
(2) The number and unique serial number of the connected uMi: when two or more uMi’s
are connected, the user can select the uMi device via the drop-down menu.
(3) Indicator of the selected Sample rate and bit depth, when the uMi is active.
(4) A list of the saved presets in the memory of the computer. The user can save and
recall an unlimited number of presets in the system.
(5) Save and Recall buttons for the presets. By clicking the Left arrow, the active preset
will be saved locally. By pressing the Right arrow, the locally saved preset will be activated
on screen. The user has to make sure the preset will be saved to the uMi’s memory by
clicking (1).
(6) Indicator/button to switch between the OFF and ON presets. This UI button is the
equivalent of the hardware button located on the uMi itself.
(7) Both presets can be saved and loaded simultaneously. The user can save preset OFF
and ON in one file locally. A double preset can be loaded simultaneously to the onscreen
presets. The user has to make sure the preset will be saved to the uMi’s memory by
clicking (1).
(8) Just one single setting can be sent / copied to, or from, preset OFF and ON. If needed
the user can send just one set value of one of the knobs, the rest of the values will remain
unchanged.
(9) (10) The OFF and ON preset names.
Channel-Strip
The uMi hardware architecture permits the use of several audio Algorithms, accelerated in
the DSP functionality of the interface itself.
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Phantom
The Phantom power can be switched On/Off.
The output level can be set between 0 and 12V.
Low Cut
When activated, the input signal passes a low cut (high-pass) filter. This second order low
cut filter has a cutoff frequency that can be set between 1Hz and 150Hz and has a slope
of 12dB per octave.
Low Cut is used to remove rumble and unwanted low frequencies from the input signal.
Phase
The phase of the incoming signal can be inverted by activating this function.
Phase inversion can help reduce phase cancellations when more than one microphone is
used to record the same source.
Gain
The Gain (amplification) of the incoming microphone signal can be set between 0 and
60dB.
In the most cases the microphone signal will have to be amplified; the Gain function is
specially developed for this.
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EQ Low
The incoming signal can be equalized with a LOW filter Equalizer. There are two options
included: Shelf and Parametric equalization.
Shelf Equalizer
The Gain can be set between -20 and +20dB.
The cutoff frequency can be set between 50 and 6400 Hz.
Parametric Equalizer
The Gain can be set between -20 and +20dB.
The Q factor can be set between 0.5 and 50.
The cutoff frequency can be set between 50 and 6400 Hz.
The EQ Low can be used to amplify / attenuate the low side of the audio spectrum to get
a better balance between the sound frequencies. The EQ low is often used to bring
brightness to the audio signal by boosting the low frequencies.
EQ High
The incoming signal can be equalized with a HIGH filter Equalizer. There are two options
included: Shelf and Parametric equalization.
Shelf Equalizer
The Gain can be set between -20 and +20dB.
The cutoff frequency can be set between 0.5 and 16 kHz.
Parametric Equalizer
The Gain can be set between -20 and +20dB.
The Q factor can be set between 0.5 and 50.
The cutoff frequency can be set between 0.5 and 16 kHz.
The EQ High can be used to amplify/attenuate the high side of the audio spectrum to get
a better balance between the sound frequencies. The EQ High is often used to soften
harsh vocals and reduce noise in the recording / broadcast.
Noise Gate
The Noise Gate can be switched ON/OFF in the channel-strip altering the audio signal.
Imagine standing in front of a fence gate and whispering, “I want to come in.” Nothing
happens. Then you yell, “I WANT TO COME IN” and this time the gate opens. The higher
volume level is what opened the gate.
This functionality is useful in very noisy environments.
Attack: controls the speed of the gate opening. Can be set between 0 and 200ms.
Release: controls the speed of the gate closing. Can be set between 0 and 1000ms.
Range: the amount of decibels reduction to the signal once the gate is closed. Can be set
between 0 and 100dB.
Close: at which audible level the gate closes. Can be set between -60 and 0dB.
Open: at which audible level the gate opens after being closed. Can be set between -60
and 0dB.
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Volume
The volume of the outgoing audio signal can be set with this fader.
The volume fader can be set between -70 and +12dB.
If you switch on Lock, the level of your device is locked and cannot be changed by your
OS. This is to prevent unwanted level changes when you use the uMi in different
Applications or OS’s
Limiter
The Limiter s always activated and attenuates the audio signal when it exceeds 0dB.
The Limiter is used to prevent digital distortion in the recording / broadcast when the
output level exceeds 0dB.
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7. Firmware update
To update the Firmware navigate to the tab menu Tools.
Shortcuts:
Windows: Ctrl+U
Apple OS X: CMD+U
After pressing the uMi button for about 3 seconds, you will be prompted to install the uMi
serial Communication driver for Windows. The driver file is located in the installer directory
of the uMi Control application. NOTE: In Apple OSX and Windows 10 this is not needed,
but here you will see the device listed twice; once as CU and secondly as tty. Please select
CU.
The latest firmware file can be chosen via the navigation button.
Click the Update Firmware button.
After the update, you will be prompted to restart the uMi, so it will restart as an audio
device.
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8. Troubleshooting
Symptom Items to check
Unit won’t power up Confirm if the unit is well connected to the USB port
Confirm if the USB port is working properly
Microphone is not working
If there is an ON/OFF switch on the microphone,
make sure this is ON
Confirm if the microphone needs phantom power
and that the phantom power on the uMi is On for
the preset you’ve chosen.
If phantom power is needed, confirm if 12V is
sufficient for the microphone to function correctly
Can’t hear microphone input Confirm the correct audio interface is selected in the
system configuration settings
Confirm if the microphone is working
Confirm the preamp Gain is turned up
Preset switch not working
Confirm the switch LED is not blinking
Confirm the preset content is written in the internal
memory of the unit
Preamp controls have no
effect on input signal
Confirm the microphone is working
Confirm the correct preset is chosen or controlled
Confirm there is a difference in settings between
the presets
Noise is heard when no
microphone is connected
Lower the Gain settings; mic preamps can generate
noise when not used
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9. Notices
1. Warranty
Technica Del Arte provides a warranty on all hardware products. To learn more, please
visit http://umi-connect.com/ or contact Technical Support. This limited warranty gives you
specific legal rights. You may also have other rights which vary by country and state.
2. Maintenance
uMi does not contain a fuse or any other user-replaceable parts. The unit is internally
calibrated at the factory. No internal user adjustments are available.
3. Repair service
If you are having trouble with uMi, first check all system setups, connections, software
installations, and the Troubleshooting chart. If that doesn’t help, contact Technical
Support. To learn more about repair service, please visit: http://umi-connect.com/
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