Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Hardware
>> Version 1.1, August 2003
User’s Manual
>> English
a62 en.book Page 2 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
a62 en.book Page 3 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
3. Transfer. You may not rent, lease, lend or sublicense the EMAGIC Software. You may,
however, make a one-time permanent transfer of all of your license rights to the EMAGIC
Software to another party, provided that: (a) the transfer must include all of the EMAGIC
Software, including all its component parts, original media, printed materials and this
License; (b) you do not retain any copies of the EMAGIC Software, full or partial, including
copies stored on a computer or other storage device; and (c) the party receiving the EMAGIC
Software reads and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of this License.
NFR (Not for Resale) Copies: Notwithstanding other sections of this License, EMAGIC Soft-
ware labeled or otherwise provided to you on a promotional basis may only be used for dem-
onstration, testing and evaluation purposes and may not be resold or transferred.
4. Termination. This License is effective until terminated. Your rights under this License
will terminate automatically without notice from EMAGIC if you fail to comply with any
term(s) of this License. Upon the termination of this License, you shall cease all use of the
EMAGIC Software and destroy all copies, full or partial, of the EMAGIC Software.
5. Limited Warranty on Media. EMAGIC warrants the media on which the EMAGIC Software
is recorded and delivered by EMAGIC to be free from defects in materials and workmanship
under normal use for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of original retail purchase.
Your exclusive remedy under this Section shall be, at EMAGIC’s option, a refund of the pur-
chase price of the product containing the EMAGIC Software or replacement of the EMAGIC
Software which is returned to EMAGIC or an EMAGIC authorized representative with a copy
of the receipt. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ON THE MEDIA
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OF SATIS-
FACTORY QUALITY, AND OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO
NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO
NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITA-
TION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH HEREIN IS THE ONLY WAR-
RANTY MADE TO YOU AND IS PROVIDED IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES (IF ANY) CREATED
BY ANY DOCUMENTATION OR PACKAGING. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL
RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY BY JURISDICTION.
6. Disclaimer of Warranties. YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT USE OF THE
EMAGIC SOFTWARE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK AND THAT THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO SATISFACTORY
QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCURACY AND EFFORT IS WITH YOU. EXCEPT FOR THE LIMITED WAR-
RANTY ON MEDIA SET FORTH ABOVE AND TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICA-
BLE LAW, THE EMAGIC SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WAR-
RANTY OF ANY KIND, AND EMAGIC AND EMAGIC’S LICENSORS (COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS
“EMAGIC” FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 6 AND 7) HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND
CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE EMAGIC SOFTWARE, EITHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATU-
TORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND/OR CONDITIONS OF
MERCHANTABILITY, OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OF
ACCURACY, OF QUIET ENJOYMENT, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. EMAGIC
DOES NOT WARRANT AGAINST INTERFERENCE WITH YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE EMAGIC SOFT-
WARE, THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE EMAGIC SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR
REQUIREMENTS, THAT THE OPERATION OF THE EMAGIC SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED
OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE EMAGIC SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED. NO ORAL
a62 en.book Page 5 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
11. Complete Agreement; Governing Language. This License constitutes the entire agree-
ment between the parties with respect to the use of the EMAGIC Software licensed hereun-
der and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject
matter. No amendment to or modification of this License will be binding unless in writing
and signed by EMAGIC. Any translation of this License is done for local requirements and in
the event of a dispute between the English and any non-English versions, the English ver-
sion of this License shall govern.
12. MPEG-2 Notice. To the extent that the EMAGIC Software contains MPEG-2 functionality,
the following provision applies: ANY USE OF THIS PRODUCT OTHER THAN CONSUMER PER-
SONAL USE IN ANY MANNER THAT COMPLIES WITH THE MPEG-2 STANDARD FOR ENCODING
VIDEO INFORMATION FOR PACKAGED MEDIA IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED WITHOUT A LICENSE
UNDER APPLICABLE PATENTS IN THE MPEG-2 PATENT PORTFOLIO, WHICH LICENSE IS AVAIL-
ABLE FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C., 250 STEELE STREET, SUITE 300, DENVER, COLORADO 80206.
a62 en.book Page 7 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Table of Contents
1: Welcome… 11
2: Introduction 13
2.1 Safety Instructions 13
2.2 Contents of the A62 m Package 14
2.3 System Requirements 14
2.3.1 Mac OS X 14
2.3.2 Mac OS 9 15
2.3.3 Windows 16
2.4 A62 m Feature Overview 16
2.5 Supported Audio Drivers 17
3: A62 m Hardware 18
3.1 USB (Universal Serial Bus) 18
3.1.1 USB Connector 18
3.1.2 USB Hub 19
3.2 Controls 19
3.2.1 Headphone Volume Control 19
3.2.2 Input Selector 20
3.2.3 Clock Source Selector 20
3.3 Status LEDs 20
3.4 Analog Inputs and Outputs 21
3.4.1 Headphone Output 21
3.5 Digital Input and Output and MIDI 22
3.5.1 S/PDIF Input and Output 22
3.5.2 MIDI Input and Output 22
3.6 External Power Supply 23
User’s Manual 7
a62 en.book Page 8 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Table of Contents
8 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 9 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Table of Contents
8: Application Examples 60
8.1 Analog Recording and Playback 60
8.2 Digital Recording and Playback 61
8.3 Analog Recording and Playback with External Sync 63
8.4 Analog/Digital Conversion 64
8.5 Digital/Analog Conversion 65
8.6 Analog Audio and MIDI 66
8.7 Using the A62 m as a Mixer for Analog Audio 67
9: Glossary 68
10: Troubleshooting 69
User’s Manual 9
a62 en.book Page 10 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Table of Contents
EMC Statements 81
10 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 11 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
1 Welcome…
Thank you, and congratulations on your purchase of the Emagic A62 m.
This manual covers the A62 m’s functionality, and offers a number of
application examples.
Important: When using the A62 m for the very first time, do not
connect it to the USB port of your computer until the operating
system has completely booted. Please follow the installation proce-
dure outlined in the electronic documentation supplied on the CD-
ROM. Once the initial installation procedure has completed, the A62 m
can remain permanently connected to the computer.
User’s Manual 11
a62 en.book Page 12 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
1 Welcome …
The A62 m connects to any of your computer’s USB ports. Its addition to
your system doesn’t require opening the computer, nor does it require an
external power supply, as power is supplied by the Universal Serial Bus
(USB) itself. You can connect or disconnect the unit at any time, even
while the computer is running!
The high quality A/D and D/A converters are ideally suited to the demands
of music production, at 24-bit resolution, and a maximum sample rate of
96 kHz. As all electronic circuitry is physically placed outside the com-
puter, the risk of electronic interference is drastically reduced.
Given the A62 m’s six audio inputs, you can record the rhythm section of
a band, live in the studio—in just one take! Perform live concert multi-
track recordings with a notebook, and mix the tracks down later. With six
inputs, you also can record analog surround mixes, in the 5.1 format.
In addition, the A62 m is equipped with S/PDIF in and outputs, which can
alternately serve as MIDI in and out ports. The A62 m allows you to simul-
taneously record a MIDI performance, while recording audio via the six
audio inputs. Combine a PowerBook or notebook, equipped with a CD
writer, the A62 m and Logic, add a MIDI keyboard, headphones, micro-
phone and mic pre-amp, and you have a complete mobile studio.
When the RCA (digital coaxial) connectors are not being used as a MIDI
interface, they serve as an S/PDIF I/O pair. These connectors allow you to
record digital audio in real-time, without information loss. Integrate chan-
nel strips (microphone pre-amps), digital hardware effects processors,
DAT recorders, mastering processors, MP3 players, samplers, synthesiz-
ers and other gear with S/PDIF connectors into your mobile production
suite.
So—wish you years of fun and productivity with the A62 m.
Your Emagic team
12 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 13 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
2 Introduction
2.1 Safety Instructions
There are no user-serviceable parts inside the A62 m. Please do not try to
open its casing. Any attempt to do so will automatically void your war-
ranty.
• The A62 m is powered via USB. If an external power supply is
employed, it is strongly advised that only the optional Emagic A62 m
power supply unit is used. (See the External Power Supply section
from page 23 onwards).
• Do not touch the connector contacts with sharp or metallic objects.
• Place your A62 m on a non-slip surface.
• Avoid the use of the A62 m in extremely hot or cold conditions.
• Ensure that the A62 m is not placed in direct sunlight, or near other
heat sources.
• Protect your A62 m from moisture, heavy dust, aggressive liquids
(like acids) and steam. If any moisture gets inside the A62 m, you
should immediately remove all cables and contact Emagic support.
• Do not place your A62 m near electro-magnetic fields, as this can
affect audio quality. Avoid positions near to radios, TV’s and video
units.
• Never carry your A62 m with any cables connected to it.
• Cleaning the casing of your A62 m should only be done with a soft,
dry, anti-static cloth. Do not use any solvents or chemical substances
for cleaning the unit.
If you encounter any problems, please refer to the Troubleshooting sec-
tion from page 69 onwards. If this information does not provide a solution
to your problem, please contact your local Emagic retailer or distributor.
User’s Manual 13
a62 en.book Page 14 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
2 Introduction
X
2.3.1 Mac OS X
• Mac OS X Version 10.2 (10.2.2 or higher recommended, see below)
Mac OS X Version 10.2 requires a Power Mac G3, G4, G4 Cube, iMac,
PowerBook G3, G4, iBook, or eMac computer; and at least 128MB of
physical RAM. Mac OS X does not support the original PowerBook G3
or processor upgrade cards. Please ensure that your system meets
the system requirements outlined by Apple.
14 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 15 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
2.3.2 Mac OS 9
• CPU: (Power) Mac 604/200 MHz (with USB PCI card) or higher. Macin-
tosh with integrated USB port—G3 or G4 processor recommended
• Drive: CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
• Interface: A free USB port
• Operating System: Mac OS 9.1 or higher
Power is supplied via the USB port. The port used must supply enough
current, and bandwidth, to make full use of the A62 m. We recom-
mend that the A62 m is directly connected to a USB port on the CPU
housing, rather than via a hub. An optional Emagic power supply is
available, if required.
User’s Manual 15
a62 en.book Page 16 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
2 Introduction
2.3.3 Windows
• Minimum: Pentium or compatible with 233 MHz and 64 MB RAM under
Windows 98 SE
Power is supplied via the USB port. The port used must supply enough
current, and bandwidth, to make full use of the A62 m. We recom-
mend that the A62 m is directly connected to a USB port on the CPU
housing, rather than via a hub. An optional Emagic power supply is
available, if required.
16 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 17 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
User’s Manual 17
a62 en.book Page 18 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
3 A62 m Hardware
3 A62 m Hardware
In this chapter, the connectors and hardware features of the A62 m are
explained.
Using the supplied USB cable, directly connect one of your computer’s
USB connectors (avoiding the use of a USB hub) to the USB port on the
front-left of A62 m (next to the word POWER).
The A62 m is compatible with the Universal Serial Bus Revision 1.1, or
higher.
When the A62 m is connected to one of the computer’s USB ports, and the
computer is turned on, the blue power LED is illuminated. The A62 m will
be ready for use after a self-initialization procedure, which takes approxi-
mately five seconds. Please note that this assumes the operating system
is properly installed, and configured. Also note that only the blue power
indicator LED will be lit until all drivers are loaded, and available for use by
the A62 m. The A62 m can not be used when it is not connected to the
computer, or when the computer is switched off.
18 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 19 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
3.2 Controls
3.2 Controls
3.2.1 Headphone Volume Control
Headphone volume can be adjusted via the volume knob on the front
panel of the A62 m. The volume control doesn’t affect the analog or digital
outputs.
User’s Manual 19
a62 en.book Page 20 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
3 A62 m Hardware
20 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 21 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
User’s Manual 21
a62 en.book Page 22 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
3 A62 m Hardware
You may connect a CD player, digital mixer or DAT recorder to the A62 m’s
digital input. The digital input and output can also be used for synchroniz-
ing the A62 m with another digital source. The digital output of the A62 m
always mirrors the signals of the stereo analog output.
To make use of the digital connectors as MIDI ports, simply attach the
adapter cables to the digital input and output ports. The digital output is
used as a MIDI output, and the digital input is used as a MIDI input. Switch-
ing between S/PDIF and MIDI is explained in the Switching between MIDI
and S/PDIF section from page 25 onwards (Mac OS X) and Switching
between S/PDIF and MIDI section from page 46 onwards (Windows XP).
22 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 23 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
User’s Manual 23
a62 en.book Page 24 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
4.1 Installation
Important: When using the A62 m for the very first time, do not
connect it to the USB port of your computer until the operating
system has completely booted. Please follow the installation proce-
dure outlined in the electronic documentation supplied on the Emagic
Software CD. Once the initial installation procedure has completed,
the A62 m can remain permanently connected to the computer.
Run the A62 m installer from the CD, and follow the onscreen instructions.
Following installation, please select the appropriate icon for the A62 m:
• Select Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
• Select MIDI Devices in the Audio MIDI Setup (AMS). If the A62 m is
present on the system, you should see a box titled Emagic A62 m. A
generic icon is displayed, as the icon is not yet set correctly.
• Double-click on the box. A sheet will open, displaying a larger version
of the generic icon.
• Click on the icon. The sheet enlarges further, displaying a pulldown
menu called Icon Set. Choose Emagic from the menu.
• You can now select the A62 m icon. Press the OK button to confirm
your change.
24 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 25 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Select MIDI or S/PDIF functionality here. By default, the A62 m’s S/PDIF I/O
will act as a MIDI interface.
User’s Manual 25
a62 en.book Page 26 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Changes take effect after unplugging, and reconnecting, the A62 m. You
will need to completely power-down the A62 m in order to activate the
new setting. To do so, simply unplug the USB cable.
If you use an external power supply for the A62 m, you will also need to
disconnect it, after unplugging the USB connection. You can now recon-
nect the external power supply, followed by the USB cable. Once recon-
nected, the A62 m will switch to the new operating mode.
26 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 27 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Please note: In order to show the input level, the Sound preference
pane always activates recording. As with normal recording or play-
back, this uses a portion of the USB bandwidth. If this leads to prob-
lems with the A62 m or other USB devices, simply close the System
Preferences utility.
User’s Manual 27
a62 en.book Page 28 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Tip: You may find it useful to move the AMS utility into the dock.
AMS mirrors the parameters of the Sound preference pane, but is
decidedly more powerful. You only need the Sound preference pane
for the selection of system sounds.
You can find more details on the AMS utility in the Apple documenta-
tion.
AMS is useful for the selection of a “default” setting for the A62 m. This
default setting is required by all audio applications that are incapable of
direct selection of a setting.
The appearance of the AMS utility may vary, dependent on the version of
Mac OS X in use.
28 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 29 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
• For the O.S. Sound Effects, you should select Built-in Audio Controller
(i. e. the integrated computer speakers) under System Output. This
ensures that no “ping” sounds happen on the main outputs of your
audio application.
User’s Manual 29
a62 en.book Page 30 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Please note: This menu is only valid inside the AMS, it does not define
the Default Output device. In order to define the Default Output device,
please see the Recommended AMS Settings section from page 29
onwards.
30 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 31 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
The screenshot shows the Emagic AMT8 Multi Channel MIDI Interface
alongside the A62 m.
The software monitoring level must be set within the host application.
User’s Manual 31
a62 en.book Page 32 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
32 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 33 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
• MIDI note events (and other MIDI data) coming in via the MIDI input of
the A62 m will now be accepted by Logic. There’s nothing else you
need to do. No matter what mode is selected, all incoming data is visi-
ble in Logic’s transport window while playing a connected MIDI key-
board.
User’s Manual 33
a62 en.book Page 34 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
34 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 35 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
User’s Manual 35
a62 en.book Page 36 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
If you quit all EASI or ASIO compatible applications, the A62 m will
automatically become available for use in the Sound Manager, and
can be selected via its dedicated control panel. When an EASI or ASIO
compatible application—that makes use of the A62 m—is booted, the
system will automatically disable the Sound Manager driver.
The Sound Manager driver is part of the Mac OS. The parameters of the
Sound control panel do not affect the ASIO/EASI operation of the
A62 m.
To use the A62 m’s audio functions in any Sound Manager compliant appli-
cation, you will need to select an audio in and output stereo pair, via the
appropriate tabs in the Sound control panel. The maximum possible sam-
ple rate is fixed at 44.1kHz.
• Select > Control Panels > Sound. Select the Input tab.
36 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 37 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
• The A62 m inputs appear in the input list of the Sound Manager control
panel. Select the desired unit, A62 m Input 1-2 in this example.
• Select the Output tab now.
• The A62 m output appears in the output list of the Sound Manager
control panel. Select the desired unit—i. e. A62 m Output 1-2.
• The Main Volume slider of the Sound control panel is positioned after
the A62 m’s output. This means that your audio application can only
make use of the full dynamic range of the A62 m, if the Sound control
panel Main Volume slider is set to its maximum level. Please check
this setting if you feel that A62 m’s output level is too low.
User’s Manual 37
a62 en.book Page 38 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
• This control panel is used by both the A26 (featuring 2 analog inputs
and 6 outputs), and the A62 m (with 6 ins and 2 outs). When using
Sound Manager, switch the Multichannel feature off.
• Experiment with, and set, the optimum Buffer Size, as described in the
Minimizing Latency section from page 40 onwards. The default size is
512 Samples. If you encounter problems with Sound Manager applica-
tions, select this value.
38 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 39 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Select Audio > Audio Hardware & Drivers, click on the field named
Audio Driver, and choose Compatibility in the flipmenu. Check the
Using USB Audio Device box. This makes Logic yield additional
processing resources to the USB driver.
Engage 20/24 bit Recording, if you wish to make use of the 24-bit
resolution of the A62 m. In addition to this setting in Logic, the A62 m
must also be set to 24-bit input resolution in the EASI/ASIO control
panel.
User’s Manual 39
a62 en.book Page 40 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
In order to exploit the full 24-bit resolution, from your first recording
to the final mixdown, be sure to select a 24-bit recording mode. As
long as you require six inputs, you will need to sacrifice 24-bit moni-
toring. Once recording is complete, you can switch to any other mode
(i. e. not 6 × 24-bit Recording) during mixdown, and can monitor at
24-bit resolution.
Minimizing Latency
Latency is inherent in all digital audio devices, and is most often used to
describe the delay between audio signals arriving at the inputs, and being
sent from the outputs, of a soundcard/digital audio device.
Find out more about latency in the Latency section from page 57
onwards.
Latency depends mainly upon the size of audio buffers. The Data Buffer
Size flip menu allows adjustments to the size of the audio buffers, in sam-
ples. This parameter can be used to reduce latency figures, and to ensure
clean, undistorted playback through the A62 m’s outputs.
Select one of the Buffer Size options, by click-holding on the menu, and
making a choice. This will update the size of the A62 m’s audio buffers.
Selection of a smaller value will reduce the latency figure, but will place
higher overheads on the computers CPU. This may result in errors or
erratic performance, such as clicks or distortion of your audio signals.
Please experiment with different Buffer Size settings until you find the
most balanced performance on your system. You should aim for accept-
able latency for softsynth use, and noise-free operation. The selection of
a large Buffer Size value may prove of use on slower Macintosh comput-
ers, or when bouncing (mixing down) a complex multi-track audio
arrangement.
40 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 41 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Finding the right latency setting can be challenging. Many users, under-
standably, want the lowest possible latency. Latency, as mentioned, is
reduced by decreasing the buffer size. When the buffer size is set to
extremely small (low) values, the driver will eventually start producing
clicks, and the sound will begin to distort. This can occur for several rea-
sons, such as the following:
• the driver is unable to supply data quickly enough
• there is insufficient processing power available for the driver
• another system component is preventing the driver from processing
data in time.
Experiment with different buffer sizes, to see how low you can go with
your computer.
There are no “correct” settings for the Buffer Size parameter, as the opti-
mal value varies from system to system. A fast computer should be able
to work with a smaller Buffer Size value than a slow computer. Simply try
out different settings and listen to the results. If you notice any crackles,
distortion, or drop-outs in your audio, you should increase the Buffer Size
value.
Lower Latency without Ethernet
On some machines, the latency value required for noise-free signals may
be extremely high, even if there’s almost no system load. The fix is to
switch off Ethernet. This can be done by deactivating your computer’s
network protocols completely, or by simply switching the protocol to
another connection.
This is how you completely switch off the network protocols:
1. Open the AppleTalk control panel, by selecting > Control Panels >
Apple Talk.
2. Choose Edit > User Mode.
3. Choose Extended Functions (second radio button). Close the User
Mode window.
4. A new button labeled Options appears in the AppleTalk control panel.
Press it to open the options window.
5. Select Deactivate. Press OK. Close the AppleTalk control panel.
User’s Manual 41
a62 en.book Page 42 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Please note that use of the 96kHz stereo recording mode will disable
inputs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the A62 m. Running at this higher sampling rate
places high demands on USB bandwidth, limiting it to stereo opera-
tion. If all inputs are activated, the 96 kHz option is greyed out.
42 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 43 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
User’s Manual 43
a62 en.book Page 44 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
When using the A62 m for the very first time, do not connect it to the
USB port of your computer until the operating system has completely
booted. Once the initial installation procedure has completed, the
A62 m can remain permanently connected to the computer.
• Insert the Emagic Software CD, connect the A62 m to the computer
and follow the on-screen instructions and the installation instructions
outlined in the Readme file. Drivers for the following standards will be
installed:
❖ WDM: Windows Multimedia (Wave MME)
❖ WDM: DirectSound
❖ EASI
❖ ASIO
44 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 45 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
The red tick above the icon indicates that the default setting—
44.1kHz and multichannel mode (not Low Bandwidth Mode)—is
engaged.
If you double-click on the A62 m icon with the left mouse button, or select
Open from menu, the Emagic A26 A62 m Device Options control panel is
shown (as per the diagram below). The options available have a global
effect, no matter which driver is being used (e. g. EASI or ASIO).
If this icon is clicked with the right mouse button, a list of parameters
appears. These parameters are identical to those found in the Device
Options control panel. It does not matter if you set the parameters
here or in the control panel.
User’s Manual 45
a62 en.book Page 46 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
The sample rate should only be changed when the A62 m is not
currently in use. Quit all programs that can use the A62 m before
changing this setting.
For most purposes, 44.1 kHz is the best choice, as this is the sampling
rate used on audio CD’s, and by most music programs and devices. If you
would like to connect a consumer DAT recorder to the A62 m’s digital out-
put, and/or wish to record at a 48kHz sampling rate, you can select this
rate by clicking the 48kHz button. 96 kHz should be used for especially
demanding recordings.
Please note that use of the 96kHz stereo recording mode will disable
inputs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the A62 m. Running at this higher sampling rate
places high demands on USB bandwidth, limiting it to stereo opera-
tion.
This option should only be changed when the A62 m is not currently
in use. Quit all programs that can use the A62 m before changing this
setting.
46 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 47 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Changes take effect after unplugging, and reconnecting, the A62 m. You
will need to completely power-down the A62 m in order to activate the
new setting. To do so, simply unplug the USB cable.
If you use an external power supply for the A62 m, you will also need to
disconnect it, after unplugging the USB connection. You can now recon-
nect the external power supply, followed by the USB cable. Once recon-
nected, the A62 m will switch to the new operating mode.
User’s Manual 47
a62 en.book Page 48 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
48 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 49 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
User’s Manual 49
a62 en.book Page 50 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
To access this control panel in Logic, select Audio > Audio hardware &
Drivers, and in the EASI or ASIO parameters sections, press the Control
Panel button.
Driver Latency
The slider in the Driver Latency panel allows adjustments to the A62 m
audio buffers, in millisecond (ms) increments. An explanation of the term
Latency can be found in the Latency section from page 57 onwards.
There are no “correct” settings for the Driver Latency parameter, as the
optimal value varies from system to system. A fast computer should be
able to work with a smaller “latency” value than a slow computer. Simply
try out different settings by decreasing the Driver Latency value (to the
left), step by step, and listening to the results. If you notice any crackles
or drop-outs in your audio, you should increase the Driver Latency set-
ting.
50 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 51 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Please note: Due to USB bandwidth limitations, the A62 m can only
use 24-bit resolution in one direction at a time—i. e. either for play-
back or recording. Please find details in the section from page 75
onwards.
Confirm any changes made to the settings by pressing the OK button. You
can reject changes by clicking on the Cancel button.
The 24-bit option can not be selected, if you choose Low Bandwidth
globally in the Emagic A26 A62 m Device Options control panel.
In order to exploit the full 24-bit resolution, from the first recording to final
mixdown, be sure to select a 24-bit recording mode. As long as you
require 6 six inputs, you will need to sacrifice 24 bit playback and choose
16 bit playback. Once recording is complete, you can switch to any other
mode (i. e. not 6 × 24-bit Recording) during mixdown, and can playback at
24-bit resolution.
User’s Manual 51
a62 en.book Page 52 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Engage 20/24 bit Recording, if you wish to make use of the 24-bit
resolution of the A62 m. In addition to this setting in Logic, the A62 m
must also be set to 24-bit input resolution in the EASI/ASIO control
panel.
52 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 53 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
This illustration shows the volume control panel for the A62 m. The global
audio playback level (maximum dynamic range) is controlled with the
left-most slider (Desktop). This control is placed after the output of your
host application.
The Wave slider controls the volume of MME/DirectSound sources.
User’s Manual 53
a62 en.book Page 54 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
• In the ensuing Audio Properties window (see below) you can select
the preferred system audio devices for playback and recording. If you
use multiple audio devices with your computer, please select the
A62 m.
54 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 55 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Please note: Individual hardware monitoring control for all six inputs
is only possible in Windows XP. Older Windows versions only support
hardware monitoring for the first two inputs.
User’s Manual 55
a62 en.book Page 56 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
In Logic, select Audio > Audio Hardware & Drivers. In the Audio Driver,
PC AV field, the EASI Emagic A26 A62 m Driver should be chosen.
Disable Software Monitoring in order to activate hardware monitoring.
The procedure is the same if you use the A62 m ASIO Driver, found in
the Audio Driver 2 tab.
In Cubase and other ASIO programs please activate ASIO Direct Moni-
toring.
56 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 57 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
7.1 Latency
User’s Manual 57
a62 en.book Page 58 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
7.2 Monitoring
In the context of audio recording, “monitoring” means: listening to the
input signal via the output(s). When it comes to multitrack recording,
monitoring is an obvious requirement. A singer or player must audition
his/her own output, alongside any previously recorded audio.
Don’t confuse the volume setting of the monitor signal with the
recording level! The recording level must always be set at the source
device—as with a multitrack tape recorder, the recording level can’t
be set directly on the A62 m.
58 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 59 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
7.2 Monitoring
Advantage: The input signals can be processed with EQs and effects.
Find out how Hardware monitoring is activated in the Software and Hard-
ware Monitoring section from page 31 onwards (Mac OS X), in the Soft-
ware and Hardware Monitoring section from page 43 onwards (Mac OS
9), or in the Software and Hardware Monitoring section from page 53
onwards (Windows).
User’s Manual 59
a62 en.book Page 60 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
8 Application Examples
8 Application
Examples
This section describes how the A62 m is connected, and set up for several
“typical” recording and playback applications.
A block diagram is displayed in the A62 m Signal Flow section from page
74 onwards. It provides a detailed overview of the A62 m’s internal audio
path.
In Out L R 1 2 3 4 5 6
Digital/ MIDI Output Input
USB
devices,
like the
XSKey
headphone
playback and
Recording
Playback
44.1kHz
USB
Analog
Extern
48kHz
Digital
Intern
Out In
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 monitoring
host
Power Input Sample 24 bit Clock Signal Present
Rate Source
60 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 61 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
This is the set up for recording via the analog inputs, while monitoring
through the analog outputs. The clock source switch is set to Intern, the
input selector to Analog. The A62 m provides latency-free hardware mon-
itoring via its analog, digital, and headphone outputs.
In Out L R 1 2 3 4 5 6
Digital/ MIDI Output Input
USB
devices,
like the
XSKey
headphone
playback and
Recording
Playback
44.1kHz
USB
Analog
Extern
48kHz
Digital
Intern
Out In
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 monitoring
host
Power Input Sample 24 bit Clock Signal Present
Rate Source
User’s Manual 61
a62 en.book Page 62 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
8 Application Examples
When recording from a digital source, the Clock Source setting is very
important. The setting should correspond to the connected device—i. e. if
a clock master device is connected, the switch should be set to Extern. If
you insert an effects processor (which will, in turn, receive its clock from
the A62 m) between the A62 m’s digital input and digital output, Clock
Source should be set to Intern.
If the selected clock source and the received digital signal aren’t phase-
locked, some resampling will occur, possibly lowering the quality of the
signal slightly.
62 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 63 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
In Out L R 1 2 3 4 5 6
Digital/ MIDI Output Input
USB
devices,
like the
XSKey
headphone
playback and
Recording
Playback
44.1kHz
USB
Analog
Extern
48kHz
Digital
Intern
Out In
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 monitoring
host
Power Input Sample 24 bit Clock Signal Present
Rate Source
This set up is similar to the one described above, in the Analog Recording
and Playback section from page 60 onwards. Here, however, the A62 m is
synchronized to a signal received at its digital input; the clock source set-
ting is set to Extern. This setup is useful when the A62 m is used with
another audio device with a digital output. By synchronizing the A62 m to
this device, the sampling rates are locked to one another, thus preventing
long audio files from “drifting apart” during playback.
User’s Manual 63
a62 en.book Page 64 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
8 Application Examples
In Out L R 1 2 3 4 5 6
Digital/ MIDI Output Input
USB
devices,
like the
XSKey
headphone
playback and
Recording
Playback
44.1kHz
USB
Analog
Extern
48kHz
Digital
Intern
Out In
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 monitoring
host
Power Input Sample 24 bit Clock Signal Present
Rate Source
To use the A62 m for basic A/D conversion, simply connect an analog sig-
nal to inputs 1 and 2, and feed the digital out to the digital device of your
choice. Transmission of the signal from the analog inputs to the digital
output is achieved via the A62 m’s built-in monitoring function.
For this application, the A62 m can be either externally, or internally, syn-
chronized. Even though no signal is sent via the USB connection, the com-
puter needs to be switched on for this functionality to operate.
64 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 65 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
In Out L R 1 2 3 4 5 6
Digital/ MIDI Output Input
USB
devices,
like the
XSKey
headphone
playback and
Recording
Playback
44.1kHz
USB
Analog
Extern
48kHz
Digital
Intern
Out In
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 monitoring
host
Power Input Sample 24 bit Clock Signal Present
Rate Source
For D/A conversion, a digital signal is fed to the digital input and then
passed to the analog stereo output, using the built-in monitoring function
of the A62 m. To avoid resampling, the A62 m should be synchronized to
the incoming digital signal—i. e. Clock Source should be set to Extern.
Even though no signal is sent via the USB connection, the computer needs
to be switched on for this functionality to operate.
User’s Manual 65
a62 en.book Page 66 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
8 Application Examples
In Out L R 1 2 3 4 5 6
Digital/ MIDI Output Input
USB
devices,
like the
XSKey
headphone
playback and
Recording
Playback
44.1kHz
USB
Analog
Extern
48kHz
Digital
Intern
Out In
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 monitoring
host
Power Input Sample 24 bit Clock Signal Present
Rate Source
The A62 m may be configured to use its digital input and output to receive
and transmit MIDI. To attach MIDI devices via standard 5-pin MIDI connec-
tors, use the adapter cables provided with the A62 m. Refer to the MIDI
Input and Output section from page 22 onwards for a detailed description
on configuring the digital I/O’s for MIDI use.
66 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 67 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
In Out L R 1 2 3 4 5 6
Digital/ MIDI Output Input
USB
devices,
like the
XSKey
Recording
Playback
44.1kHz
USB
Analog
Extern
48kHz
Digital
Intern
Out In
1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 headphone
host playback and
Power Input Sample 24 bit Clock Signal Present
Rate Source monitoring
The A62 m may function as a mixer for analog audio signals. The signals
received via the analog input connectors are mixed together, and the
resulting summed signals are sent out of the line and headphone out-
puts. Transmission of the signal from the analog inputs to the digital out-
put is achieved via the A62 m’s built-in monitoring function. Mixing levels
should be defined in an appropriate host application, such as Logic. This
application allows you to specify six mono, or three stereo, audio input
objects—each with volume faders, equalizers, insert effects, and effects
sends, for example.
Mixing of signals is achieved through the software monitoring feature of
the A62 m. Mixing levels are best controlled with a suitable host applica-
tion, such as Logic.
Please refer to the users manual of your host application for informa-
tion on the use of mixer functionality.
User’s Manual 67
a62 en.book Page 68 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
9 Glossary
9 Glossary
Term Comments
S/PDIF Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format. Standard for the
transmission of digital audio signals, developed by Sony and
Philips. Optical or coaxial connectors.
IEC60958 International standard of the IEC, describing the transmission
(IEC958) of digital audio signals via S/PDIF.
Clock Source The clock source for a digital audio system. Only one clock
source (master) is allowed in a digital audio system. All other
digital devices must be synced (slaved) to this clock. The
device that delivers the clock acts as the master and is
synced internally. Other devices work as slaves and are
synced externally to the clock master.
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission. International
institution for defining, publishing and controlling standards.
See www.iec.ch
dB decibel. A numerical value for the relative loudness of a sound,
expressed logarithmically. Different measures of dB such as
dBu or dBV are used, dependent on the application and
nominal value.
dBu Logarithmic unit with a reference level of 0.775Vrms at any
impedance. Studio devices use a standard level of +4dBu or
1.228V.
dBV Logarithmic unit with a reference level of 1VRMS at any
impedance. Consumer devices use a standard level of 10dBV
or 316mV.
dBFS Logarithmic unit with a reference level corresponding to the
highest possible value of the given bit resolution.
68 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 69 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
10 Troubleshooting
The blue power LED is not lit
• If you use the A62 m with an external power supply, the power supply
must be the high-quality A62 m power supply available from Emagic
(see the External Power Supply section from page 23 onwards).
• If other devices are already connected to the USB port, the addition of
the A62 m may overload the power supply of the bus. This may trigger
an overload security system. Unplug the A62 m from the USB port for
several seconds, and restart the computer. If this problem persists,
please remove one or more of your other USB devices, or connect
them to a self-powered hub (i. e.—a hub with its own power supply).
• If the USB power supply is insufficient for use with the A62 m (which
may be the case with some Notebook computers), only use the
Emagic-supplied external power supply for the A62 m.
The blue power LED is lit, but the green status LEDs are not
• During restart the drivers are not active. This means that the green
status LEDs will only be illuminated after the operating system has
completely booted.
• It is possible that the A62 m has not been correctly initialized—in this
situation, the green status LEDs will remain unlit. Please disconnect
the A62 m, wait for a few seconds, and then reconnect it.
• It is also possible that the A62 m drivers are not installed, or are incor-
rectly installed. Please repeat the installation process, using your
driver installation CD. Restart the computer.
User’s Manual 69
a62 en.book Page 70 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
10 Troubleshooting
• The master volume follows the signal presence LEDs in the A62 m’s
signal path. Check the master volume setting. The Windows Volume
Control is accessible via the Start menu: Start > Programs > Accesso-
ries > Multimedia > Volume Control, or in Windows 98 SE/ME via Start
> Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Volume Control.
• In Windows 98 SE or Windows 2000, it may be necessary to reboot
your computer, following installation.
70 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 71 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Windows
• The A62 m can only be used with one driver type at any one time, with
the exception of the MME/DirectSound combination. Individual soft-
ware applications can only access the A62 m using one driver type at
a time, i. e.—either with MME/DirectSound or with ASIO or with EASI. If
the A62 m is using an MME driver within a particular audio application,
it is “locked” to that driver, and cannot be used via an ASIO or EASI
driver at the same time. If you try to activate one of these driver types
in the same program, or in another simultaneously, an onscreen error
message will indicate that the hardware is busy, or unavailable. You
may also need to switch off the system sounds.
• Note that this applies to the “Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth”, a pro-
gram that can be used to play back MIDI files. You may need to deacti-
vate it in your music program/s, as it can not be used simultaneously
with the A62 m EASI/ASIO driver.
• Logic’s WavePlayer uses DirectSound drivers to access audio hard-
ware. If you would like to access the A62 m via EASI or ASIO drivers, for
general audio use in Logic, you will need to deactivate the WavePlayer,
or route its output to a different audio device (i. e. a DirectSound com-
patible soundcard).
User’s Manual 71
a62 en.book Page 72 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
10 Troubleshooting
72 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 73 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
• Windows 98 SE: Control Panel > Multimedia > CD Music: “Enable digital
CD audio for this CD-ROM device”
• Windows 2000/XP: Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Man-
ager > DVD/CD-ROM drives > [yourdevice] > Properties: “Enable digital
CD audio for this CD-ROM device”
User’s Manual 73
a62 en.book Page 74 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
input
6
Mixer
volume
D A
IEC958 IEC958
input output
MIDI MIDI
input output
USB
interface
74 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 75 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
12 Technical
Specifications
12.1 Audio Performance
Parameter Typical value
bit resolution 16bit, 24bit
sampling rates 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz
signal to noise ratio 93dB
dynamic range 94dB
frequency response 20Hz—20kHz
±0.5dB
input level 2.8VPP
0dBV, +2.2dBu
output level 2.8VPP
0dBV, +2.2dBu
Group Delay ADC 10/fs
Group Delay DAC 9/fs
User’s Manual 75
a62 en.book Page 76 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
12 Technical Specifications
The signal to noise ratio was measured under the following conditions:
• input to output
• sampling rate 44.1kHz
• playback of digital zero,
• recording at 16-bit resolution
• FFT with 16, 384 points,
Blackman-Harris window, A-weighted
76 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 77 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Dynamic Range
User’s Manual 77
a62 en.book Page 78 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
12 Technical Specifications
Frequency Response
78 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 79 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Mac OS X
Input Channels Output Channels Sampling Rates
2 × 16 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
2 × 16 bit 2 × 24 bit 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
2 × 24 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
2 × 24 bit 2 × 24 bit 44.1, 48 kHz
6 × 16 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1, 48 kHz
6 × 16 bit 2 × 24 bit 44.1, 48 kHz
6 × 24 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1 kHz
6 × 24 bit – 48 kHz
Mac OS 9
Input Channels Output Channels Sampling Rates
2 × 16 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
2 × 16 bit 2 × 24 bit 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
2 × 24 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
2 × 24 bit 2 × 24 bit 44.1, 48 kHz
6 × 16 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1, 48 kHz
6 × 16 bit 2 × 24 bit 44.1, 48 kHz
6 × 24 bit 2 × 16 bit 44.1 kHz
User’s Manual 79
a62 en.book Page 80 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
12 Technical Specifications
Windows
If “Low Bandwidth Mode” (default) is not activated, the following modes
can be used:
80 Emagic—A62 m
a62 en.book Page 81 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
EMC Statements
Declaration of Conformity
Product Name: A62 m
Responsible Party: Emagic Incorporated
13348 Grass Valley Ave. bldg. C
Grass Valley, CA 95945 USA
The importer hereby declares that the above mentioned product complies with Part 15
of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
Caution
Unauthorized changes or modifications to this system can void the users authority to
operate this equipment. The supplied interface cable must be used with the equipment
in order to comply with the limits for a digital device persuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of
FCC Rules.
Note
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, persuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installa-
tion. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful inter-
ference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equip-
ment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
• Connect the equipment into 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
81
a62 en.book Page 82 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
Canadian Notice
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-
Causing Equipment Regulations.
AVIS Canadien
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement sur
le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
EG-Konformitätserklärung/
EC Declaration of Conformity
Produkt/Product: A62 m
Hersteller/Manufacturer: Emagic Soft- und Hardware GmbH
Halstenbeker Weg 96
25462 Rellingen, Germany
Der Importeur bestätigt, dass das oben genannte Produkt mit den folgenden EG-Rich-
tlinien zur Angleichung der Rechtsvorschriften der Mitgliedstaaten übereinstimmt:
The importer hereby declares that the above mentioned product is in conformity with
the requirements of the European Council Directives on the approximation of the laws
of the Member States relating to:
82
a62 emv decl en_v02.fm Page 83 Friday, August 29, 2003 8:14 PM
83
a62 en.book Page 84 Thursday, August 21, 2003 1:27 PM
84