Link.FireWire Computer Audio Interface Owner's Manual

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Important safety InstructIons1. Readtheseinstructions.2. Keeptheseinstructions.3. Heedallwarnings.4. Followallinstructions.5. Donotusethisapparatusnearwater.6. Cleanonlywithdrycloth.7. Donotblockanyventilationopenings.Installinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’s

instructions.8. Donotinstallnearanyheatsourcessuchasradiators,heatregisters,stoves,orother

apparatus(includingamplifiers)thatproduceheat.9. Onlyuseattachments/accessoriesspecifiedbythemanufacturer.10. Unplugthisapparatusduringlightningstormsorwhenunusedforlongperiodsof

time.11. Referallservicingtoqualifiedservicepersonnel.Servicingisrequiredwhenthe

apparatushasbeendamagedinanyway,suchaswhenliquidhasbeenspilledorobjectshavefallenintotheapparatus,theapparatushasbeenexposedtorainormoisture,doesnotoperatenormally,orhasbeendropped.

FCC Information

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equip-ment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

PartNo.SW0462Rev.A02/07©2007LOUDTechnologiesInc.AllRightsReserved.

Product Serial #:

Purchased at:

Date of purchase:

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Don’t forget to visit our website at www.tapcogear.com for more information about this and other TAPCO products.

contents

Important safety InstructIons .................................�IntroductIon ...................................................................................4

The Link.FireWire Interface .........................................................4Bundled Software ..............................................................................4

GettInG started .............................................................................5Installing the Software ....................................................................5Connecting the Link.FireWire .....................................................6Two Modes of Operation ................................................................7

LInk.fIrewIre features ............................................................8Front Panel ............................................................................................8Rear Panel ..........................................................................................10

appendIx a: servIce InformatIon ............................��Warranty Service ............................................................................12Troubleshooting ...............................................................................12Repair ...................................................................................................13

appendIx B: connectIons ................................................�4appendIx c: LInk.fIrewIre specIfIcatIons ......�6

Analog Specifications ...................................................................16Digital Specifications ....................................................................17System Requirements ...................................................................17AC Power Requirements .............................................................18Physical Dimensions and Weight ............................................18Block Diagram Link.FireWire ....................................................19What is Latency? ............................................................................20

tapco LImIted warranty ..................................................��

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IntroductIonThankyouforpurchasingtheTAPCOLink.FireWireAudioInterface

fordigitalrecordingsystems.Thisisacomplete,compactsolutionforcomputer-basedmusicproductiononeitheraMacintoshoraPC.

TheLink.FireWireisa4x6audiointerfacethatispowereddirectlyofftheFireWireconnection(orbytheincludedexternalpowersupply),andalsoincludesTracktion2.1,ourpowerfulaudioandMIDIsequencingsoftwarefordigitalrecording.Thishardwareandsoftwarecombinationprovidesallyouneedtorecordandcreatewonderfulmusicusingyourlaptopordesktopcomputer.

The Link.FireWire InterfaceTheLink.FireWireinterfaceprovideseithertwoanalogaudioinputs

thatcanacceptmicrophonelevel,linelevel,ordirectinstrumentinputsignals,orastereoS/PDIFdigitalinput.Theanalogaudiosignalsareroutedtohigh-qualityADCs(Analog-to-DigitalConverters)operatingat44.1,48,88.2,or96kHzwith24-bits.ThedigitalsignalsarethenroutedtotheFireWireportforconnectiontoyourcomputer.

Theanaloginputsare“combo”jacksthataccepteitheramic-levelbalancedXLRconnectororaline-level(orinstrument-leveliftheINSTRbuttonispushedin)balancedorunbalanced1/4"TRSorTSconnector.

StereomastermixescanalsobetransferredfromyourhostcomputerbacktotheLink.FireWireformonitoringduringtrackingoroverdubbing.Monitoringisprovidedbytheheadphonejackonthefrontandbybalancedoutputsontheback,whichcanbeconnectedtoyourstudiomonitors.TheMonitoroutputsandPhonesoutputeachhavetheirownlevelcontrols.ThemastermixalsoappearsontheS/PDIFstereooutput.

Note:TheLink.FireWireprovidestwooutputstreamsfromtheDAWthatismirroredonthePhones,Monitor,andS/PDIFoutputs.AlternatefirmwareisavailableonourwebsitetoconfiguretheLink.FireWiresothatitprovidessixdiscreteoutputstreamsfromtheDAW.See“TwoModesofOperation”onpage7formoreinformation.

Bundled SoftwareTheLink.FireWirecomeswithsomepowerfulsoftwaretogetyoustarted

withyourowndesktopmultitrackaudiorecordingmusicproductionstudio.Tracktionisaneasy-to-usemultitrackaudiorecordingandMIDIsequencing

softwareapplication,capableofunlimitedtrackcount,VSTsupport,automation,andmuchmore.ItcomeswithavarietyofEQ,compressor,andeffectsplug-inprocessorsforcreatingexactlythesoundyouwant.

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GettInG startedUsethissectiontogetyourLink.FireWiresetupquickly.Alsoreferto

theLink.FireWireQuick-StartGuideincludedwithyourLink.FireWireaudiointerface,whichincludesatutorialonhowtomakearecordingusingtheLink.FireWireandTracktion.

Installing the Software• TheLink.FireWireCDcontainsaninstallerthatwillinstallthe

driversonyourPC.IfyouareusingaMacintosh(runningOSXversion10.3.9orlater),youdon’tneedtoinstalldriversbecausetheFireWiredriversareincludedinOSX.Note:IfyouareusingOSX10.3,besuretoupdatetothelatestreleasedversion,10.3.9.

• YourLink.FireWireCDalsocontainsTracktion2.1.Double-clickthefile“TracktionSetup.exe”andfollowtheinstructionstoinstallTracktiononyourPC.FortheMacintosh,double-clickthefile“TracktionSetup.dmg”anddragtheTracktioniconintoyourApplicationsfolder.

• Visithttp://my.tapcogear.comtoregisteryourLink.FireWire.Ifyouhaven’talreadydoneso,setupanaccountbyenteringyouremailaddressandclicking,“No,Iwanttocreateanaccount.”Thenclick“Continue.”Entertheinformationtosetupyourprofile.Thenclick“CreateMyAccount.”ThenproceedtoregisteryourLink.FireWirebyclicking“TAPCOProductRegistration.”

• Yourcomputermustmeetthefollowingminimumsystemrequirements:

PC Requirements • WindowsXP(SP2)

• PentiumIIIorbetterprocessor• 256MBRAM(512MBrecommended)• 30MBharddiskspace

Macintosh Requirements • OSX(10.3.9orlater)

• PowerMacG3(600MHzorfaster),G4,orG5processor• 256MBRAM(512MBrecommended)• 35MBharddiskspace

TheLink.FireWireQuick-StartGuidehasdetailedinstructionsoninstallingthesoftwareonaPCrunningWindowsXP(SP2)andaMacintoshrunningOSX(version10.3.9orlater).

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Connecting the Link.FireWire• TostandtheLink.FireWireupright,pullthestabilizerbardownward

andtwistitout90ºfromthebody,asshownbelow.• TurndownalltheLink.FireWireknobstopreventanyloudsurprises.• ConnectmicrophonesusingtheXLR/TRScomboinputconnectors

onthebackoftheLink.FireWire.Pressthe48Vbuttonifyourmicrophoneneedsphantompower(mostlyusedforcondensermics).

Caution:DONOTusephantompoweronribbonmicrophones.Itcandamagethedelicateribbonelementinthemicrophone.Refertoyourmicrophone’sowner’smanualtofindoutifitrequiresphantompowertooperate.

• ConnectguitarsorotherinstrumentsusingtheXLR/TRSconnectorsonthebackoftheLink.FireWire.PressthefrontpanelLINE/INSTRbutton(guitaricon)ifyouareconnectingyourguitarorinstrumentdirectlytotheLink.FireWirewithoutusingapreamplifierordirectbox.

• Connectapairofpoweredmonitorspeakers,oranamplifierconnectedtospeakers,totheLink.FireWireMONITORjacksontherearpanel.YoucanalsopluginheadphonestothefrontpanelPHONESjack.

• ConnecttheFireWireconnectortoaFireWireportonyourcomputerwiththeFireWirecableprovided.

• LaunchTracktionortheDAWsoftwareapplicationofyourchoiceandselectLink.FireWireastheaudiodevicefortheaudioinputsandoutputs.

Note:TheLink.FireWireisequippedwitha6-pinFireWireconnectorandcomeswitha6-pinto6-pinFireWirecable.The6-pinFireWireconnectorprovidespowerfortheLink.FireWireandworkswithMacintoshlaptopsanddesktops,andmostPCdesktopswithabuilt-inFireWireconnectororwithaPCIorPCMCIAFireWirecardadded.ManylaptopPCshavea4-pinFireWireconnector.Ifthisisthecase,youwillneedtopurchasea6-pinto4-pinFireWireadapterbecausethe4-pinconnectiondoesnotprovideanypower.Inthiscase,youmustalsousetheexternalpowersupply(included)topowertheLink.FireWire.

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Two Modes of OperationTheLink.FireWirehastwomodesofoperation,MirrorModeand

True6-OutputMode.Mirror Mode:Thisisthedefaultmodeofoperationinwhichtwo

audiostreamsarereturnedtotheLink.FireWirefromtheDAWsoftwareapplicationandaremirroredonthePhonesout,Monitorout,andS/PDIFout.Thisisthemostcommonapplication,whereyoucanmonitorthemasterstereomixfromtheDAWintheheadphonesandstudiomonitors,andhavethemixgoingtoarecorderconnectedtotheS/PDIFoutput.

True 6-Output Mode:Inthismodeofoperation,sixdiscreteaudiostreamsarereturnedtotheLink.FireWirefromtheDAWandareroutedtotheL/RPhonesout,L/RMonitoroutputs,andthestereoS/PDIFoutput.Thisisusefulifyouwanttohaveadifferentmixgoingtotheheadphonesforthetalentthanyouhaveinthestudiomonitors,whilereservingtheS/PDIFoutputforthefinalmix.

Note:InordertochangeyourLink.FireWiretoTrue6-OutputMode,youmustdownloadnewfirmwarefromourwebsiteandinstallitintheLink.FireWire.GototheproductpagefortheLink.FireWireonourwebsiteatwww.tapcogear.comtoobtainthefirmwareandinstructionsonhowtoinstallit.

WARNING:OnceyouchangetoTrue6-OutputMode,youcannotchangebacktoMirrorMode.THISISAONE-TIMECHANGE!

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Returnsfrom DAWon FireWire

Stereo Returnfrom DAWon FireWire

Same Stereo Mixat all 3 Outputs

Different Stereo Mixat each Output

Mirror Mode True 6-Output Mode

L R L R L R L R

6 Returns(3 Stereo Pairs)

from DAWon FireWire

TAPCO S•5 or S•8Active Studio Monitors

Headphones(plug into front panel)

CD Recorder

8

LInk.fIrewIre features

Front Panel

1. INPUT GAIN Control Theseknobsadjustthegainoftheanaloginputsignal(beforethe

A/Dconverters).Theyadjustthesignalforboththemicandlineinputs.Turntheknobfullycounter-clockwisetoturnthesignaldown,andfullyclockwisetogetthemaximumgain.

2. LINE/INSTR SwitchIfyouareusingamicrophoneorline-levelinput,leavethisswitchout.

IfyouareconnectinganinstrumentlikeaguitardirectlytotheLink.FireWire,pushthisswitchin.Itadjuststheinputimpedanceofthe1/4"inputtomatchthehigh-outputimpedanceofaguitarpickup.

3. OL/SIG IndicatorThisLEDilluminatesgreenwhenthereisasignalpresent(afterthe

GAINcontrol).Ifthesignalgetstooloudandisindangerofdistorting(clipping),theLEDflashesred.IfyouseetheOL/SIGLEDflashingred,turndownthesignaleitheratitssourceorbyusingtheINPUTGAIN[1]controlontheLink.FireWire.

4. 48V SwitchPushthisbuttoninifyouareusingamicrophonethatrequires48VDC

phantompower.Thisappliesphantompowertopins2and3ofbothXLRinputs.Ithasnoeffectonthe1/4"inputs.Note:Therearejustafewmicrophones(mostlyribbonmics)thatcanbedamagedbyphantompower.Consultyourmicrophone’sowner’smanualtoseeifitneedsphantompowerornot.Ifitdoes,alwaysturnoffthephantompowerswitchbeforeconnectingordisconnectingyourmicrophone.

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5. 48V IndicatorThisredLEDlightsupwhenthe48Vphantompowerswitch[4]is

engaged.

6. MON LEVEL ControlThisadjuststheleveloftherearpanelMONITOR[11]analogoutputs.

Itdoesnotaffecttheheadphoneoutput.Note:Leavethisknobturneddowneachtimeyouturnonyoursystem,andthenincreaseittoasafelisteningvolume.

7. PHONES LEVEL ControlThisadjuststhelevelofthePHONES[8]analogoutputonthefront

panel.ItdoesnotaffecttheMONITORoutput.Note:MakesurethePHONESLEVELcontrolisturnedallthewaydownbeforeplugginginyourheadphones.Thiswillprotectyourhearingandpreventanyloudsurprises.

8. PHONES JackThePHONESjackacceptsa1/4"TRSstereoplugnormallyusedon

headphones.Ifyourheadphoneshavea1/8"mini-plug,youwillneeda1/8"to1/4"stereoadapter,commonlysoldinelectronicsandaudiostores.

TheheadphonesignalsarethesameastheMonitorOutputsignals(unlessyouhaveconvertedtoTrue6-OutputMode),excepttheleveliscontrolledbythePHONESLEVELcontrolinsteadoftheMONLEVELcontrol.

9. POWER IndicatorTheLink.FireWireispoweredfromtheFireWireportortheexternal

AC-to-DCpowersupply.Thereisnopowerswitch,sothisLEDlightsupwhenevertheLink.FireWirehaspower.

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Rear Panel

10. INPUTTheseareNeutrikcomboconnectors,whichacceptbalanced

microphoneinputsfromanXLRconnector,orbalancedorunbalancedline-levelorinstrument-levelinputsfroma1/4"TRSconnector.

Referto“AppendixB:Connections”onpage14forwiringinformation.

11. LEFT/RIGHT MONITOR OutThese1/4"TRSconnectorsprovideabalancedstereoline-leveloutput

ofthemonitormix.Connecttheseoutputstoapairofactivemonitorspeakers,ortoanamplifierconnectedtopassivespeakers.ThesignalleveliscontrolledbytheMONITORLEVELcontrol[6]onthefrontpanel.

12. S/PDIF IN and OUT ConnectorsTheseareRCAconnectorsthatsendandreceivetwochannelsof

digitalaudiointheS/PDIF(Sony/PhilipsDigitalInterface)format.YouselecttheS/PDIFINfromtheLink.FireWireConsole(PConly).

WhenS/PDIFisselected,theanaloginputs[10]aredisabled.Note:OnaMacintosh,theS/PDIFINisautomaticallyselectedand

overridestheanaloginputswheneveranactivedeviceisconnectedtotheS/PDIFIN.

TheS/PDIFOUTtransmitstwo-channelsofdigitalaudiofromtheDAWsoftwareapplication.ThesearethesameaudiostreamsthatappearatthePHONES[8]outandtheMONITOR[11]out.

Note:TransferringdigitalaudiooveracablegeneratesEMI(electromagneticinterference)aroundthecable.Usehigh-quality75-ohmcoaxialcablefortheS/PDIFconnectionstominimizetheEMInoiseradiatedaroundthecable.

Tip:A75-ohmcompositevideocablecanbeusedforaS/PDIFconnection.Ingeneral,theshorterthecablelength,thelesseffectithasonthe

qualityofthesignal.ThemaximumrecommendedlengthforaS/PDIFcableislimitedto10meters(about32feet).

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13. FireWire ConnectorThisisthemainconnectionbetweentheLink.FireWireandthehost

computer.UsetheFireWirecableprovidedtoconnectthisporttoaFireWireportonyourcomputer.TheFireWireinterfaceworkswithbothPCandMac.

FireWire(a.k.a.IEEE1394)isahigh-speedserialI/Ointerfaceforconnectingdigitaldevices,withmorethan30timesthebandwidthofUSB1.1.

Tip: IfyourlaptopordesktopcomputerdoesnothaveaFireWireconnection,youcanpurchaseaPCIorPCMCIAFireWirecardandinstallitinyourcomputereasilyandinexpensively.

Note:Ifyourcomputerhasa4-pinFireWireconnection,youwillneedtopurchasea6-pinto4-pinadapter(availableatmostcomputersupplystores),andusetheexternalAC-to-DCpowersupply(included)sincethe4-pinconnectordoesnotsupplypowertotheLink.FireWire.

14. POWER INThisconnectioniswhereyouconnecttheexternalAC-to-DCpower

supplytoprovidepowertotheLink.FireWire.Usetheexternalpowersupplywhenusinga6-pinto4-pinFireWireadapter,oriftheFireWireconnectoronyourcomputerdoesn’tsupplyenoughpowertotheLink.FireWire(somePCMCIAcardsdonot).

WARNING:Makesureyouusethecorrectexternalpowersupplycapableofproviding12VDCat1amp.

15. Kensington Security SlotTohelppreventtheft,theLink.FireWirehasasecurityslotdesignedto

fitthepopularKensingtonsecuritylocks.Avarietyofmodelsareavailablefromtheirwebsiteatwww.kensington.com.

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appendIx a: servIce InformatIon

Warranty ServiceDetailsconcerningWarrantyServicearespelledoutintheWarranty

sectiononpage22.IfyouthinkyourTAPCOLink.FireWirehasaproblem,pleasedo

everythingyoucantoconfirmitbeforecallingforservice.DoingsomightsaveyoufromthedeprivationofyourLink.FireWireandtheassociatedsuffering.

Thesemaysoundobvioustoyou,butherearesomethingsyoucancheck.Readon.

Troubleshooting

No Power• Ourfavoritequestion:Isitpluggedin?MakesuretheFireWirecable

isconnectedbetweenyourcomputerandtheLink.FireWire.ThecomputermustbeturnedontoprovidepowertotheLink.FireWireovertheFireWireconnection.

• Areyouusingalaptopwitha4-pinFireWireconnectoranda4-pinto6-pinadapter?The4-pinconnectordoesn’tprovidepower,whichtheLink.FireWirerequiresinordertooperate.Seenoteonpage6.

• IstheorangePOWERLEDilluminated?Ifnot,tryconnectingtheLink.FireWiretoanotherFireWireportonthecomputer(ifavailable),orusetheexternalpowersupplyincludedwithyourLink.FireWire.

No Signal• IstheInputGAINturnedup?• ArethePHONESLevelcontrolandtheMONITORLevelcontrol

turnedup?• IstheLink.FireWireselectedastheaudioinput/outputdeviceinyour

DAWapplication?InTracktion,thisisselectedintheSettingstabunderAudio.

• BesurethecorrectinputsareselectedintheDAWandthetracksarearmed.

My guitar (or other instrument) doesn’t sound as good as I expect• IfyourguitarisconnecteddirectlytotheLink.FireWire(i.e.,without

adirectboxorpreamp),besuretheLINE/INSTRbuttononthefrontpanelispushedin.

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• MakesuretheInputGAINcontrolissetcorrectlyandnotcausingdistortion.

• Perhapsprivatelessonsareinorder.

Glitchy/Distorted Audio into your Computer• IstheOLindicatorblinkingredontheLink.FireWire?Ifso,tryturning

downtheinputsignalatitssourceortheInputGAINcontrolontheLink.FireWire.

• IstheoverloadindicatorlightingintheDAWapplication?Ifso,tryturningdowntheInputGAINcontrolontheLink.FireWireortheinputlevelcontrolintheDAW.

• Increasethelatency.InTracktion,thisisdoneintheSettingstabunderAudio.

• Inotherapplications,findthecontrolpaneltoincreasetheASIO(PC)orCoreAudio(Mac)buffersizeorlatency.

RepairServiceforTAPCOproductsisavailableatafactory-authorized

servicecenter.ServiceforTAPCOproductslivingoutsidetheUnitedStatescanbeobtainedthroughlocaldealersordistributors.

IfyourLink.FireWireneedsservice,followtheseinstructions:1. Reviewtheprecedingtroubleshootingsuggestions.Please.2. CallTechSupportat1-877-827-2669,7amto5pmPST,toexplain

theproblemandobtainaServiceRequestNumber.HaveyourLink.FireWire’sserialnumberready.You must have a Service Request Number before you can obtain factory-authorized service.

3. PacktheLink.FireWireinitsoriginalpackage,includingendcapsandbox.ThisisVERY IMPORTANT.WhenyoucallfortheServiceRequestNumber,pleaseletTechSupportknowifyouneednewpackaging.Youcanordernewpackagingthroughourpartsdepartment.TAPCO is not responsible for any damage that occurs due to non-factory packaging.

4. Includealegiblenotestatingyourname,shippingaddress(noP.O.boxes),daytimephonenumber,ServiceRequestNumber,andadetaileddescriptionoftheproblem,includinghowwecanduplicateit.

5. WritetheServiceRequestNumberinBIG PRINTontopofthebox.UnitssenttouswithouttheServiceRequestNumberwillberefused.

6. TechSupportwilltellyouwheretoshiptheunitforrepair.Wesuggestinsuranceforallformsofcartage.

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7. Youwillneedtocontacttheauthorizedservicecenterfortheirlatestturn-aroundtimes.TheLink.FireWiremustbepackagedinitsoriginalpackingbox,andmusthavetheServiceRequestNumberonthebox.Onceit’srepaired,theauthorizedservicecenterwillshipitbackbygroundshipping,pre-paid(ifitwasawarrantyrepair).

Note:Underthetermsofthewarranty,youmustshipordrop-offtheunittoanauthorizedservicecenter.Thereturngroundshipmentiscoveredforthoseunitsdeemedbyustobeunderwarranty.

Note:YoumusthaveasalesreceiptfromanAuthorizedTAPCODealertoqualifyforawarrantyrepair.

appendIx B: connectIons

XLR ConnectorsThe“combo”inputson

theLink.FireWireaccept3-pinmaleXLRconnectors.Theyarewiredasfollows,accordingtostandardsspecifiedbytheAES(AudioEngineeringSociety).

XLRBalancedWiring:Pin1=ShieldPin2=Hot(+)Pin3=Cold(–)

1/4" TRS Phone Plugs and JacksThe“combo”inputsontheLink.FireWirealsoacceptbalancedor

unbalanced1/4"TRSorTSconnectors.“TRS”standsforTip-Ring-Sleeve,thethreeconnectionsavailableonastereo1/4"orbalancedphonejackorplug.TRSjacksandplugsareusedforbalancedsignalsandstereoheadphones.Theyusethree-conductorshieldedcableandarewiredasfollows:

Balanced Mono1/4"TRSBalancedMonowiring:Sleeve=ShieldTip=Hot(+)Ring=Cold(–)

Balanced1/4"TRSConnector

BalancedXLRConnector

2

2

3 1

1

SHIELD

COLD

HOT

SHIELD

COLD

HOT

3

SHIELD

COLDHOT

3

2

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Stereo Headphones1/4"TRSStereoUnbalancedWiring:Sleeve=ShieldTip=LeftRing=Right

1/4" TS Phone Plugs and Jacks“TS”standsforTip-Sleeve,thetwoconnectionsavailableonamono

1/4"phonejackorplug.Theyareusedforunbalancedsignals.1/4"TSUnbalancedWiring:Sleeve=ShieldTip=Hot(+)

RCA Plugs and JacksRCA-typeplugs(alsoknownasphonoplugs)andjacksareoftenused

inhomestereoandvideoequipment,andtomakeS/PDIFconnectionsonconsumerdigitalaudiodevices.Theyareunbalancedandelectricallyequivalenttoa1/4"TSphoneplug.

RCAUnbalancedWiring:Sleeve=Shield

Tip=Hot(+)

FireWire ConnectionTheLink.FireWireisequippedwitha6-pinFireWireconnectorandcomes

witha6-pinto6-pinFireWirecable.Manylaptopshavea4-pinFireWireconnector.Ifthisisthecase,youwillneedtopurchasea6-pinto4-pinFireWireadapterandusetheexternalpowersupplyincludedwithyourLink.FireWire.

StereoHeadphones1/4"TRSConnector

Unbalanced1/4"TSConnector

TIPSLEEVETIPSLEEVE

4-pinFireWireWiring:Pin1=TPB–

Pin2=TPB+Pin3=TPA–Pin4=TPA+

2 4 6

1 3 5

6-pin Male FireWire

1 2 3 4

4-pin Male FireWire

6-pinFireWireWiring:Pin1=Power

Pin2=Ground Pin3=TPB– Pin4=TPB+ Pin5=TPA– Pin6=TPA+

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appendIx c: LInk.fIrewIre specIfIcatIons

Analog Specifications

Frequency ResponseAnyInputtoMonitorOutput: ±0.5dB,22Hzto20kHz@48kHzSRAnyInputtoPhonesOutput: ±1.0dB,30Hzto20kHz@48kHzSR (600Ωload)

DistortionTHD+Noise(1kHz,–1dBFS@48kHzSR)MicInputtoFireWireorS/PDIFOutput: <0.004%

NoiseMicPreEquivalentInputNoise(EIN)20Hzto20kHzBandwidth,150Ωsourceimpedance: >120dBtypical@30dBgain

Input Gain Control RangeMicIn: 0dBto+52dBLineIn/InstrIn: –20dBto+32dB

Phantom Power +44VDC(±10%)

Input ImpedanceMicInput: 3kΩLineInput: 20kΩbalanced,20kΩunbalancedInstrInput: 1MΩ

Output ImpedanceMonitorOutput: 200ΩbalancedHeadphoneOutput: 56Ω

CrosstalkMonitorOutput(1kHz,LefttoRight) –93dBHeadphoneOutput(1kHz,LefttoRight) –93dB

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Maximum Input LevelMicIn(XLR): +1dBu@minimumgain(unitygain)LineIn: +29dBu@minimumgain(–20dB)InstrIn: +10dBu@minimumgain(–20dB)

Maximum Output LevelMonitorOutput: +9dBubalanced/unbalancedHeadphoneOutput: 2Vrmsinto600Ω

Digital Specifications

A/D ConversionType: 24bit,44.1/48/88.2/96kHzsamplerateDynamicRange: >101.5dBtypicalTHD+N: 0.004%typical,–1dBFS,1kHz

D/A ConversionType: 24bit,44.1/48/88.2/96kHzsamplerateDynamicRange: >105dBtypicalTHD+N: 0.002%typical,–1dBFS,1kHz

S/PDIFIncomingSampleRate: 32kHz-96kHzsamplerateBitDepth: 24bitInputImpedance: 75ΩinternalterminationOutputImpedance: 75Ω

System RequirementsPC: WindowsXP(SP2) PentiumIIIwith256MBRAM(512MBormore isrecommendedforTracktion) SuperVGA(1024x768)orhigherresolutionvideo adapterandmonitor 30MBharddiskspace CD-ROMorDVDdrive FireWireport(IEEE1394)Macintosh: OSX10.3.9orhigher PowerMacG3orhigher(600MHz) 256MBRAM(512MBormoreisrecommendedfor Tracktion) 35MBharddiskspace CD-ROMorDVDdrive FireWireport(IEEE1394)

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AC Power RequirementsExternalPowerSupplyoutput: 12VDC@1AExternalPowerSupplyACinput U.S. 120VAC,60Hz Europe 230/240VAC,50Hz Japan 100VAC,50/60Hz Korea 220VAC,60Hz

Physical Dimensions and WeightHeight: 1.7in/43mmWidth: 6.1in/155mmDepth: 6.8in/173mm 7.6in/193mmwithhandlesWeight: 1.4lb/0.6kg

DisclaimerSincewearealwaysstrivingtomakeourproductsbetterbyincorporatingnewandimprovedmaterials,components,andmanufacturingmethods,wereservetherighttochangethesespecificationsatanytimewithoutnotice.

Lonely? Looking for that special someone? Do you have a question about your TAPCO Link.FireWire?

PleasecallourTechnicalSupportchapsat1-877-827-2669,MondaytoFriday,from7amto5pmPST.

Afterhours,visitwww.tapcogear.comandlookunderContact Us,ore-mailusattechmail@tapcogear.com

“TAPCO”isaregisteredtrademarkofLOUDTechnologiesInc.Allotherbrandnamesmentionedaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksoftheirrespectiveholders,andareherebyacknowledged.

©2007LOUDTechnologiesInc.AllRightsReserved.

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Block Diagram Link.FireWire

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What is Latency?Latencydescribestheamountoftimeittakestheinputsignaltopass

throughthesystem,andreachtheoutput.Whenrecordingaguitarandmonitoringthroughsoftware,itistheamountoftimeittakesfromthemomentyoustrikeyourguitarstring,tothemomentyouhearitinyourheadphones.Youareusedtothislatencybeingveryclosetozero;whenyouplayyourguitarthroughaguitaramp,youhearthesignalimmediately.Sowhenyouarerecordingandmonitoringviasoftware,youwantthislatency(delaytime)tobeaslowaspossible.

Therearemanyfactorsthatcontributetolatency,andthereisoneinparticularthatyoucancontrol:thesoftwareaudiobuffersize.Theaudiobuffer(alsoreferredtoasASIObufferonaPC,orCoreAudiobufferonaMac)isanareainmemorythatTracktionusestoholdyouraudioasitworks.Thebuffersizeismeasuredinsamples,andusuallyrangesfromjustafewsamplestothousands.Thesmallerthebuffer,thefastertheaudiogetsinandoutofyourcomputer,andthelowerthelatency.

Wewouldliketosetthisbufferaslowaspossibletoachievethelowestlatency,butthereisanotherfactortoconsider:Thesmallerthebuffer,theharderyourcomputerwillhavetowork.Toillustratethis,pretendyouaregivenfiveminutestomovewaterfromalargebuckettoanotherbuckettenfeetaway.Youmustuseeitheralargepintglassorasmallwhiskeyglasstotransferthewater.Whichwouldyouchoose?Thepintglassofcourse.Ifyouchoosethewhiskeyglass,youwouldquicklygrowtiredofrunningbackandfourthmovingthesmallamountofwater.Dependingonyourfitnessandspeed,youmaynotbeabletomoveitallinfiveminutes.Thisissimilartohowyourcomputerdealswiththeaudiobuffer.Ifyouchoosetoosmallabuffer,thecomputerneedstoworkveryhardtoquicklytransfertheaudioinandoutofthebuffer.Itmaynotevenbeabletokeepup,especiallyifyouhavelotsoftracks,lotsofautomationand/orlotsofplug-insinyourwork.Ifthishappens,youraudiomaystopor“dropout.”Dropoutsatlowbuffersizesmayalsooccurifyouhaveaslowercomputerornotenoughmemory.

Forlowlatencyandgoodperformancefromyoursystem,itisbesttoadjustthebuffersizetotaste.Youoftenneedtousetrialanderrortofindanacceptablebuffersize.InTracktion,thisisdonebychoosingtheSettingstab,choosingtheLink.FireWireintheWaveDevicedropdownmenu,andadjustingtheLatency.Usually,asettinglessthan256sampleswillyieldfineresults,whileasettingof128samplesorlesswillberequiredforalmostinaudiblelatency.

Note:Whileyouarerecording,lowlatencyisoftenapriority.Mixingexistingtracksontheotherhand,doesnotoftenneedsuchextremelysmallsettings.Manyusersadjusttheirbuffersettingbetweenthetrackingandmixingstage.Increasingthebuffersizewhilemixingmayallowyoutorunafewextraplug-ins;try1024or2048samples.

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A. LOUDTechnologiesInc.warrantsallmaterials,workmanshipandproperoperationofthisTAPCOproductforaperiodofone yearfromtheoriginaldateofpurchase.Ifanydefectsarefoundinthematerialsorworkmanship,oriftheproductfailstofunctionproperlyduringtheapplicablewarrantyperiod,LOUDTechnologies,atitsoption,willrepairorreplacetheproduct.This warranty applies only to equipment sold and delivered within the U.S. by LOUD Technologies or its authorized dealers.

B. Failuretoregisteronlineorreturntheproductregistrationcardwillnotvoidtheone-yearwarranty.

C. ServiceandrepairsofTAPCOproductsaretobeperformedonlyatafactory-authorizedservicecenter.Unauthorizedservice,repairs,ormodificationwillvoidthiswarranty.Toobtainrepairsunderwarranty,youmusthaveacopyofyoursalesreceiptfromtheauthorizedTAPCOdealerwhereyoupurchasedtheproduct.ItisnecessarytoestablishpurchasedateanddeterminewhetheryourTAPCOproductiswithinthewarrantyperiod.

D. Toobtainfactory-authorizedservice: 1.CallTAPCOTechnicalSupportat877/827-2669,7AMto5PMMonday

throughFriday(PacificTime)togetaServiceRequestNumber.ProductsreturnedwithoutaServiceRequestNumberwillberefused.

2.Packtheproductinitsoriginalshippingcarton.Alsoincludeanoteexplainingexactlyhowtoduplicatetheproblem,acopyofthesalesreceiptwithpriceanddateshowing,andyourreturnstreeaddress(noP.O.boxesorroutenumbers,please!).IfwecannotduplicatetheproblemorestablishthestartingdateofyourLimitedWarranty,wemay,atouroption,chargeforservicetime.

3.Shiptheproductinitsoriginalshippingcarton,freight prepaid,totheauthorizedservicecenter.TheaddressofyourclosestauthorizedservicecenterwillbegiventoyoubyTechnicalSupport.

IMPORTANT: Make sure that the Service Request Number is plainly written on the shipping carton.

E. LOUDTechnologiesInc.reservestherighttoinspectanyproductsthatmaybethesubjectofanywarrantyclaimsbeforerepairorreplacementiscarriedout.LOUDTechnologiesmay,atouroption,requireproofoftheoriginaldateofpurchaseintheformofadatedcopyoftheoriginaldealer’sinvoiceorsalesreceipt.FinaldeterminationofwarrantycoverageliessolelywithLOUDTechnologiesInc.

F. TAPCOproductsreturnedtooneoftheLOUDTechnologiesfactory-authorizedservicecentersanddeemedeligibleforrepairorreplacementunderthetermsofthiswarrantywillberepairedorreplacedwithinthirtydaysofreceipt.LOUDTechnologiesanditsauthorizedservicecentersmayuserefurbishedpartsforrepairorreplacementofanyproduct.ProductsreturnedtoLOUDTechnologiesthatdonotmeetthetermsofthisWarrantywillnotberepairedunlesspaymentisreceivedforlabor,materials,returnfreight,andinsurance.ProductsrepairedunderwarrantywillbereturnedfreightprepaidbyLOUDTechnologiestoanylocationwithintheboundariesoftheUSA.

tapco LImIted warranty

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G. LOUDTechnologieswarrantsallrepairsperformedfor90daysorfortheremainderoftheoriginalwarrantyperiod.Thiswarrantydoesnotextendtodamageresultingfromimproperinstallation,misuse,neglectorabuse,ortoexteriorappearance.Thiswarrantyisrecognizedonlyiftheinspectionsealsandserialnumberontheunithavenotbeendefacedorremoved.

H. LOUDTechnologiesassumesnoresponsibilityforthequalityortimelinessofrepairsperformedbyAuthorizedTAPCOServiceCenters.

I. Thiswarrantyisextendedtotheoriginalpurchaserandtoanyonewhomaysubsequentlypurchasethisproductwithintheapplicablewarrantyperiod.Acopyofthesalesreceiptisrequiredtoobtainwarrantyrepairs.

J. Thisisyoursolewarranty.LOUDTechnologiesInc.doesnotauthorizeanythirdparty,includinganydealerorsalesrepresentative,toassumeanyliabilityonbehalfofLOUDTechnologiesortomakeanywarrantyforLOUDTechnologiesInc.

K. THEWARRANTYGIVENONTHISPAGEISTHESOLEWARRANTYGIVENBYLOUDTECHNOLOGIESINC.ANDISINLIEUOFALLOTHERWARRANTIES,EXPRESSANDIMPLIED,INCLUDINGTHEWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYANDFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.THEWARRANTYGIVENONTHISPAGESHALLBESTRICTLYLIMITEDINDURATIONTOONEYEARFROMTHEDATEOFORIGINALPURCHASEFROMANAUTHORIZEDTAPCODEALER.UPONEXPIRATIONOFTHEAPPLICABLEWARRANTYPERIOD,LOUDTECHNOLOGIESINC.SHALLHAVENOFURTHERWARRANTYOBLIGATIONOFANYKIND.LOUDTECHNOLOGIESINC.SHALLNOTBELIABLEFORANYINCIDENTAL,SPECIAL,ORCONSEQUENTIALDAMAGESTHATMAYRESULTFROMANYDEFECTINTHETAPCOPRODUCTORANYWARRANTYCLAIM.Somestatesdonotallowexclusionorlimitationofincidental,special,orconsequentialdamagesoralimitationonhowlongwarrantieslast,sosomeoftheabovelimitationsandexclusionsmaynotapplytoyou.Thiswarrantyprovidesspecificlegalrightsandyoumayhaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Please keep your sales receipt in a safe place.

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