Zoom ZTAC2 User manual

Operation Manual

© 2013 ZOOM CORPORATION

Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in

whole without permission is prohibited.

Contents

Introduction

Introduction ………………………………2

Usage and safety precautions………… 3

Part Names ………………………………4

Installing the driver …………………… 7

Turning the Power ON …………………8

Playback ………………………………… 9

Recording ……………………………… 11

Troubleshooting ……………………… 13

Specifications ………………………… 14

Introduction

2-in/2-out Thunderbolt™ audio converter

The audio converter uses Thunderbolt™, the latest generation of high-speed interface technology.
With this, we have realized a system with low latency that was not possible using USB 2.0. Since it also
supports recording and playback at up to 24-bit/192kHz, it can also be used for the playback of high­resolution sound sources delivered with superior audio quality over the Internet.

Attention to audio performance

The entire system reproduces the original audio faithfully. An asynchronous transfer system
that is not impacted by computer jitter is used along with the latest AD/DA converter, which
supports 192kHz.

High-performance mic preamps

Burr Brown brand mic preamps that can provide a maximum of +60dB amplification and
+48V phantom power are used for each of the inputs.

dedicated mixer application

Use this application to make internal mixer and monitoring effect settings. For details about

2

, see the ZOOM website (http://www.zoom.co.jp/downloads/).

Usage and safety precautions

Warning

Caution

Usage and safety precautions

In this operation manual, symbols are used to highlight warnings
and cautions that you must read to pre vent accidents. The
meanings of these symbols are as follows.

Something that could cause serious injury or death

Something that could cause injury or damage to the
equipment

Other symbols used

An action that is mandatory

An action that is prohibited

Warnings

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Alterations

Do not open the case or modify the product.

Precautions

Product handling

Do not drop, bump or apply excessive force to the unit.

Be careful not to allow foreign objects or liquids enter the unit.

Operating environment

Do not use in extremely high or low temperatures.

Do not use near heaters, stoves and other heat sources.

Do not use in very high humidity or where it could be splashed by water.

Do not use in places with frequent vibrations.

Do not use in places with much dust or sand.

Connection cables and input/output jacks

Always turn the powe r OFF for all equipment before connecting any

cables.

Always di sconnect all c onnection cables and the AC adapter before

moving the unit.

Volume

Do not use at a loud volume for a long time.

Interference with other electrical equipment

Usage Precautions

In consideration of safety, the has been designed to minimize its

emission of electromagnetic waves and to suppress interference from external

electromagnetic waves. However, equipment that is very susceptible to interference

or that emits powerful electromagnetic waves could result in interference if placed

nearby. If this occurs, place the and the other device farther apart. With

any type of electronic device that uses digital control, including the ,

electromagnetic interference could cause malfunction, corrupt or destroy data and

result in other unexpected trouble. Always use caution.

Cleaning

Use a soft cloth to clean the exterior of the unit if it becomes dirty. If necessary, use

a damp cloth that has been wrung out well. Never use abrasive cleansers, wax or

solvents such as alcohol, benzene or paint thinner.

Temperature considerations

Continuous use of this interface for long periods of time, for example, might cause it

to become warm. This is normal as long as it does not become too hot to touch.

Breakdown and malfunction

If the should malfunction or operate abnormally, disconnect it immediately.

Then, contact the retailer where you purchased it or Zoom support and provide the

following information: product model, serial number and details of the symptoms

of malfunction or abnormal operation, as well as your name, address and telephone

number.

Copyrights

• Macintosh and Mac OS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

• Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S.

and/or other countries.

• All other product names, trademarks and company names in this document are

the property of their respective owners.

Note: All trademarks and registered trademarks in this document are for

identification purposes only and are not intended to infringe on the copyrights of

their respective owners.

Recording for any purpose other than personal use from copyrighted sources,

including CDs, records, tapes, live performances, video works and broadcasts,

without permission of the copyright holder is prohibited by law.

Zoom Corporation will not assume any responsibility related to infringements of

copyrights.

3

Speakers

Headphones

Guitar

Part Names

Part Names

Top Panel

Control knob

Use to adjust the
input gain and
volume.

4

PHONES jack

Connect headphones here.

INSTRUMENT input jack

Connect a guitar/bass here.

HINT

• Press the control knob to cycle through what it controls in the following order: INPUT 1, INPUT 2 ,

INPUT 1+2, OUTPUT, PHONES.

Speakers

Computer

Mic

Rear Panel

XLR TRS

1：GND
2：HOT
3：COLD

TIP：HOT
RING：COLD

SLEEVE：GND

12

3

Thunderbolt™ port

Use to connect to a
Computer.

INPUT 1 and INPUT 2 jacks

Connect a mic or keyboard here.

* INPUT 1 is disabled when a cable is plugged into

the INSTRUMENT input jack.

OUTPUT jacks

Connect speakers with built-in ampliers or an amplier and speaker system.
These jacks support balanced output.

Part Names

5

Part Names (continued)

Part Names

Display

This shows the input gain, and input and output levels, for example.

+48V indicator

This indicator lights when phantom power is
in use and is unlit at other times.

Status LEDs

These show the current

control knob assignments.

: INPUT 1

: INPUT 2

: OUTPUT

: PHONES

LED meters

These show the input gain or input/output levels
according to the item currently selected for control.
If the signal clips when showing input or output

levels, the red LED at the very top lights.

6

Installing the driver

1. Download the ZOOM TAC-2 Driver from http://www.zoom.

co.jp/downloads/ to your computer.

NOTE

• You can download the latest ZOOM TAC-2 Driver from the above website.

• Do not connect the when installing the driver.

• The supported operating systems are as follows.

Mac OS X 10.8.5 (or later)

2. Click the ZOOM TAC-2 Driver.pkg icon to launch the installer.

Follow the instructions that appear on screen to install the ZOOM TAC-2 Driver.

3.

Connect the and the computer using a Thunderbolt™ cable.

4.

Open the Sound pane of the System Preferences and set both

the Input and Output to ZOOM TAC-2.

Installing the driver

7

Turning the Power ON

Turning the Power ON

1.

Minimize the volume of the devices connected to the .

2. Connect the and the computer using a Thunderbolt™

cable. (This turns the power on.)

NOTE

• The unit will not turn on if the driver is not installed.

Follow the instruction on page 7 to install the ZOOM TAC-2 Driver.

3. Raise the volume of the devices connected to the

8

.

Adjusting the OUTPUT volume

1. Select .

Press repeatedly until the lights.

Playback

2. Adjust the volume.

After you f inis h doing this, th e LED meters

will automatically resume showing the output

levels of the OUTPUT jacks.

Press

Turn

Adjusting the OUTPUT volume

9

Adjusting the PHONES volume

Playback

1. Select .

Press repeatedly until the lights.

Adjusting the PHONES volume

2. Adjust the volume.

After you f inis h doing this, th e LED meters

will automatically resume showing the output

levels of the PHONES jacks.

10

Press

Turn

Adjusting input gain

1. Select the input that you want to

adjust.

Press repeatedly until the LED for the input that

you want to adjust lights.

Recording

HINT

• You can adj us t bot h INP UT 1 and

INPUT 2 at the same time.

2. Adjust the input gain.

HINT

• Ad j u s t th e g a i n so t h a t at th e

maximum input level, the red LEDs at

the very top of the LED level meters

do not light.

After you f inis h doing this, th e LED meters

will automatically resume showing the levels
of the selected inputs.

Press

Turn

Adjusting input gain

11

Using phantom power

Recording

1. Select the input to which you want

to provide phantom power.

Press repeatedly until the LED for the input

to which you want to provide phantom power
lights.

Using phantom power

2. Turn phantom power on (or off).

Press and hold for one second.

HINT

• INPUT 1 a nd INP UT 2 can bo th be

turned ON/OFF at the same time.

12

Press

Press and hold

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Cannot select or use the device

Confir m tha t th e • i s c on ne cte d t o the
computer correctly.

Quit all the softw are t hat i s us ing t he •
and disco nnect and r econnec t the Thun derbol t™
cable c onnected t o the

Reinsta ll the drive r. •

.

Playback sound cannot be heard or is quiet

Ch ec k the spe ake r c on ne ct io ns an d volu me •
setting s on the spe akers.

Ad jus t the s pea ker v ol um e or hea dp ho ne •

volume on th e

Conrm that the Output of the Sound pane of the •
System Preferences is set to ZOOM TAC-2.

.

Recorded audio is too loud, too quiet or silent

Adjust th e input gai n of the • .

Co nfi rm that no conn ec tio n ca ble is plug ged •

into the INST RUMEN T inpu t jack . If you want to
record using INPU T 1, y ou mus t disc onnect any
connec tion cable from the INSTRUME NT input
jack.

When using a conde nser mic, turn phanto m •
power on.

Conrm th at the Input of the Sou nd pane of the •
System Preferences is set to ZOOM TAC-2.

The sound of the device connected to the
input jack is distorted

Confirm tha t the red LED s are not ligh ting •

,

when the LED meters are showing the input

levels. If they are lightin g, l ower the input
levels.

Sound skips during playback or recording

If you can ad jus t the aud io buff er size of t he •
softw are th at you are using, increase the buffer
size.

Cannot play or record

Con fir m t hat ZOOM TAC- 2 is selec te d in the •
Sound pane of the System Preferences.

Confir m that •
the soft ware that yo u are using.

Confir m th at •
computer correctly.

Quit all the softw are t hat i s us ing t he •
and disco nnect and r econnec t the Thun derbol t™
cable c onnected t o the

is set for input a nd output i n

is co nn e c te d to t he

,

.

13

Specications

Specifications

Inputs INPUT 1/2 Connector XLR/TRS combo jacks (XLR: 2 hot, TRS: TIP hot)

INSTRUMENT
(INPUT 1)

Outputs OUTPUT

L/R

PHONES Connector Standard stereo phone jack

Frequency characteristics At 44.1 kHz −2.0 dB: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Input conversion noise Measured EIN: 125 dB (IHF-A) (with 60dB, 150Ω input)
Dynamic range AD: 118 dB typical (IHF-A)

Number of audio recording and
playback channels

Sampling frequencies 192 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 96 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz
Bit depth 24-bit
Interface Thunderbolt™
Power Source Thunderbolt™
Power consumption
Dimensions 129.5 mm (D) × 120.0 mm (W) × 51.3 mm (H)
Weight (main unit only) 420 g

• 0 dBm = 0.775 Vrms

Input gain 0, 9–60 dB (in 3dB steps)
Input impedance 3 kΩ

Maximum input level +12 dBu (at 0 dBFS)

Phantom power +48V

Connector Standard phone (disables INPUT 1 when in use)
Input impedance 1 MΩ

Maximum Input level +10 dBu (at 0 dBFS)
Connector Connector TRS phone (balanced)
Maximum output level +14 dBu (at 0 dBFS)
Output impedance 100 Ω

Maximum output level +8 dBu (at 0 dBFS)
Output impedance 30 Ω

20 mW × 2 (into 32Ω load)

At 96 kHz −2.0 dB: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
At 192 kHz −2.0 dB: 20 Hz – 60 kHz

DA: 120 dB typical (IHF-A)
Recording: 2 channels

Playback: 2 channels

10 W maximum

14

FCC regulation warning (for U.S.A.)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant

to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These lim its are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful

interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, a nd can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a partic ular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

•

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

For EU Countries

Declaration of Conformity:
This product complies with the requirements of EMC Directive 2004/108/
EC and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU

Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment

(Applicable in European countries with separate collection systems)

This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product shall not be treated as household

waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and
electronic equipment. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential
negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could otherwise be caused by
inappropriate waste handling of this product. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural
resources. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please contact your local city
office, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

ZOOM CORPORATION

4-4-3 Surugadai, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062 Japan

http://www.zoom.co.jp

Z2I-1872-01