Unika DI-USB User Manual

DI-USB

Index

USER GUIDE

01 Overview

02 Features

03 Audio Connection

05 USB connection

06 Instrument direct input & Parallel

Link connection

06 Eliminating hum and buzz

07 Using the headphone output

08 Specications

6F, No.168, Xin-Hu 2nd Rd.
Nei-Hu District, Taipei City. 11494.
Taiwan, Republic of China.

[phone]

[phone]

　　[e-mail]

Unika Electronic Co., Ltd.

www.unika.com.tw

Box Series

Made in Taiwan

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

1

OVERVIEW

The Unika DI-USB is a high-resolution stereo direct box designed to convert

sound les from a laptop computer, it is a fully USB 2.0 compliant, 24bit digital

to analog audio converter and also a direct input that lets you interface a high

impedance (Hi-Z) audio output with professional low impedance (Low-Z) PA

and recording systems.

In the case of the DI-USB Box, the digital audio signal is converted to analog

and feeds directly into the direct box circuit to produce Low-Z balanced left

and right stereo signals.

The built in preamp allows you to adjust the output level from mic-level to

line-level and enables the DI-USB Box to connect directly to mixing consoles,

power ampliers and self-powered speakers alike. The DI-USB Box ensures

the digital signal is delivered to the PA as faithfully as possible.

We recommend that you read carefully through the manual in order to famil-

iarize yourself with the DI-USB Box features so you can get the most out of it.

[e-mail]

If you still need further clarification, please send email to us and we will

do our very best to reply in short order.

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

2

The DI-USB is a high-resolution stereo digital audio converter (DAC) and
direct box that is designed to connect to any computer system to seamlessly
transfer digital audio to analog.

A professional Hi-Z direct input is also equipped, this is most commonly
used with guitar pickups or keyboards, it also can be fed either from a line­level output from the head (pad set to -20dB) or from the amplifier power
output. A stereo pair of balanced XLR audio outputs with adjustable level
control then feeds the signal to a microphone preamplifier, PA system,
mixing console or even a powered speaker!

Made for plug and play simplicity, the DI-USB will automatically be listed
as an available sound card in the audio settings in all popular operating
systems,including Windows 7/8, Windows 10 and Mac OSX.

Connection to a computer is accomplished through a standard USB type-B
port. Digital-to-analog conversion can be monitored on headphones
through the 3.5mm analog output jack to check signal quality and level
before connecting to a sound system. Two isolated output transformers are
equipped to eliminate any hum or buzz caused by ground loops. To further
reduce susceptibility to noise, this is augmented with a ground lift switch
that lifts pin-1 on both XLR jacks.

FEATURES

• Stereo USB Laptop Direct Box.

• High impedance direct input for electronic musical instrument signal feed.

• High performance 24bit digital audio converter.

• Ready to use without the need of a driver.

• Standard USB type-B port for connection to computer.

• 3.5mm analog headphone output to check signal.

• Level control for outputs and headphone.

• The direct input signal will be mixed to the USB stereo signal at the output stage.

• A Mono-Sum switch to mix the left and right channel signals to form a
monaural signal in both output channel.

• Selectable 3 steps attenuator for Hi-Z direct input.

• Accept power from 9V battery, +20V to +48V phantom power or 5V from USB.

• 2 channel XLR Balanced Low-Z output with isolation transformer.

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

3

AUDIO CONNECTION

Audio connection of the UNIKA DI-USB Box

DI Input

USB Input

Link Output

Headphone Output

Stereo Outputs

⑧ ⑨

⑩ ⑪

⑫

⑬

① ② ③ ④ ⑤

⑥ ⑦

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

4

①

¼" TRS Link output socket,
internally parallel wired to the
input.

②

Input:
XLR-¼”TRS Combo jack,
unbalanced Hi-Z input used to

connect instruments.

③

Input PAD:
0dB, -20dB & -40dB selectable 3
steps attenuator reduces the input
sensitivity to prevent overload.

④

LEVEL Control:
Used to set the overall output
level also the headphone output　
level changes simultaneously.

⑤

HEADPHONE:

Mini 3.5mm (1/8”) TRS
headphone output is used to
check the output from the

digital

source for trouble

shooting.
Works with ear-buds and

standard headphones.

⑥

USB Indicator:

This indicator will illuminate when
the USB communicate with the

computer has established.

⑦

Mono Sum switch:
When the switch is depressed, the
left and right channel signal will
be mixed to form a monaural
signal in both output channels.

⑧

Mono Sum indicator:

The LED light up show that the

Mono-Sum mode is in use.

⑨

USB Port:

Connects from the PC or Mac
using a TYPE B cable. This
port delivers the digital audio
signal and power to the
DI-USB Box which automatically
recognizes the sample rate and

bit depth.

⑩

GROUND LIFT:

Used to help eliminate hum and
buzz caused by ground loops,
lifts pin-1 on both

XLR output

connectors.

⑪

2 CHANNEL OUTPUTS:

2 channel transformer balanced
outputs, XLR-3 male connector,

pin layout

follows the AES format.

⑫

POWER switch:

Used to switch the power ON/OFF.

⑬

POWER ON/OFF LED indicator.

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

5

USB Connection

Before connecting, make sure all of the audio levels are turned down or
system is turned off; this helps to prevent clicks and pops from damaging
more sensitive equipment when connecting and powering up.

Turn on your computer; once initiated, connect a USB cable from your
computer to the DI-USB Box. Note that the DI-USB employs a USB
type-B connector which is standard for devices that are upstream from the
computer ; once connected, your computer will automatically recognize the
UNIKA DI-USB.

The generic drivers are compatible with most operating systems, including
Mac OSX, Windows 10 and Windows 7/8.

The DI-USB Box’s USB LED will illuminate to let you know it is connected.

Go to your system settings/control panel and select the UNIKA DI-USB in
the Audio/Sound settings. Close and save your system preferences, and
open the audio playback program of your choice, select and play an audio
file. To check the audio, plug in a set of headphones or ear buds and listen.
So set the level control to 7 o'clock (fully-counter-clockwise) and then
increase slowly.

The DI-USB is designed to be plug and play for easy use. The following
describes basic set-up procedures and connections.

USB type A connect to laptop

USB type B connect to DI-USB

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

6

Instrument direct input & Parallel link connection

The most common use of the direct input is with guitar pick-ups or
keyboards. The optimal setting for this is most likely with the pad switch set
to 0dB, although with some high-output pick-ups the performance of the
direct input may be improved if the pad switch is set to -20dB to prevent
possible clipping of the input signal.

The instrument is connected to the XLR-1/4" Combo jack socket, and a
parallel link feed taken from the other jack socket to the instruments’ own
amplifier.

The direct input can also be fed either from a line-level output from the head
(pad set to -20dB) or from the amplifier power output (speaker output, pad
set to -40dB).

Eliminating hum and buzz

The Unika DI-USB Box is equipped with isolation transformers to eliminate
hum and buzz caused by stray DC voltage and ground loops.

Computers, optical projectors and other consumer equipment can be
particularly noisy, anyone that has incorporated audio with a projector knows
that noise can be a serious problem, so transformers can be incredibly
useful when combating system noise.

A ground lift switch on the outputs takes this one step further by lifting pin­1 on the XLRs. Computers are often the source for noise problems in audio
systems, so greater care is certainly needed to keep things quiet.

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

7

Using the headphone output

The Unika DI-USB is also equipped with a stereo headphone output. This
headphone amplifier is controlled by the master output level control, and is
designed to be used to check signal before plugging into a PA system.

Adjusting the level control on the DI-USB will affect both the XLR and the
headphone output. The 3.5mm (1/8") output is designed for both ear buds
and standard TRS stereo headphones where tip-left, ring-right and the

sleeve is ground.

Be careful! The headphone output is set as loud as possible so that it
can be monitored in a live concert environment. If you push the level
too hard it may distort or cause hearing damage!
The UNIKA DI-USB Box is intended for use by professional audio
engineers who are aware of the importance of listening at safe levels.

This same audio level control sets the output going to your PA or recording
system. Once you have determined that the signal from the computer is OK,
reset the level to 7 o'clock. Plug the XLR outputs to your audio system using
standard balanced mic cables. Turn on the audio system, bring up the level
and then turn up the level on the DI-USB Box.

To prevent mishap, always test at a low level.

• 7 o'clock (fully counter-clockwise) - OFF

• 9 to 10 o'clock - MIC LEVEL (Direct box)

• 12 o'clock – Instrument Level

• 5 o'clock (fully clockwise) - LINE LEVEL

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

8

HOW TO REPLACE DI-BOX BATTERY

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

3

1

2

Battery installation:

①

Put the battery into the slot.

②

Verify the battery polarity is correct and snap it in.

③

Press it down into the battery holder.

Battery removal:

Press and hold the battery on its bottom end.

Then pull to lift it up from the battery holder.

Lift off the battery.

1

2

3

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

9

SPECIFICATIONS

(Specications are subject to change without notice.)

USB compliance USB 2.0 full speed, type B connector

Bit depth 24bit / 16bit

Sampling rate 44.1KHz / 48KHz auto sensing

Sound file compatibility WDM, MME, Core-Audio, ASIO and

DirectSound

Software compatibility Vista/WinXP/Win7/Win8/Win10

and Mac OSX

Frequency response 20Hz to 20KHz , +1/-1 dB

Dynamic range >90dB

Noise floor <-90dBu, unweighted 20Hz to 20KHz.

Maximum output +9dBu

Total harmonic distortion Less than 0.008% at 1KHz, 0dBu output

Hi-Z Direct Input Unbalanced, XLR/¼"TRS combo jack.

(Pin-2 Hot, Pin-3&1 Ground).

Link Output Unbalanced, Parallel link output ¼"TRS

jack for feeding to other equipment.

Direct Input Attenuator At 0dB At -20dB At -40dB

Direct Input Impedance 1 MΩ 47KΩ 47KΩ

Max. input level before Clip +9dBu +29dBu +49dBu

UNiKA DI-USB User Guide

10

SPECIFICATIONS

(Specications are subject to change without notice.)

Output impedance 200Ω nominal, Transformer Balanced.

Analog output Balanced transformer isolated

( XLR-M, Pin-1 Ground, Pin-2 Hot, Pin-3 Cold )

Headphone output 3.5mm TRS,

(Tip-Left Ch. Ring-Right Ch., Sleeve-Ground)

Level control Variable, works on headphone and XLR

outputs

Ground lift: Lifts pin-1 on both XLR outputs

DC Power: derives power from USB, plug-in 9V

battery or +20V to +48V Phantom power

Finish: Durable powder coat

Size: 158mm (W) x 112mm (D) x 46mm (H)

Weight: 1.2Kg, 2.6lbs.

Construction: 14 gauge steel cabinet & chassis