Komplete Audio 6 Manual English

Manual

http://www.americanmusical.com/Native-Instruments

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KOMPLETE AUDIO 6Manual


Table Of Contents1 WelcometoKOMPLETEAUDIO 6! ................................................................................................................. 4

1.1 What is Included in the Box? ........................................................................... 41.2 Manual Conventions ....................................................................................... 4

2 Safety Considerations .................................................................................................................................. 62.1 Warning......................................................................................................... 62.2 Caution ......................................................................................................... 62.3 Important Notes ............................................................................................. 72.4 Disposal Notice .............................................................................................. 7

3 Software Installation ................................................................................................................................... 83.1 System Requirements ..................................................................................... 83.2 Installation .................................................................................................... 8

3.2.1 InstallingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onWindows7 .......................................... 83.2.2 InstallingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onWindowsXP/Vista ...............................113.2.3 InstallingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onMacOSX ...........................................14

3.3 Registration ..................................................................................................19

4 BasicConfiguration .................................................................................................................................... 204.1 SelectingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asYourSystem’sDefaultAudioOutput

Device ..........................................................................................................204.1.1 WindowsXP ........................................................................................ 204.1.2 WindowsVista,Windows7 .................................................................... 204.1.3 MacOSX ............................................................................................ 21

4.2 UsingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asanAudioOutputDevicewithMusic Software ......................................................................................................21

5 The Hardware in Detail ............................................................................................................................... 225.1 Front Panel ...................................................................................................225.2 Rear Panel ...................................................................................................235.3 Top Panel .....................................................................................................24

6 AdvancedConfiguration ............................................................................................................................. 266.1 AdvancedConfigurationonWindows(ControlPanel) .........................................26

6.1.1 Audio Settings Page ............................................................................. 276.1.2 Diagnostics Page ................................................................................. 30

6.2 AdvancedConfigurationonMacOS X(AudioMIDISetup) .................................336.2.1 Input Pane .......................................................................................... 336.2.2 Output Pane ........................................................................................ 34

7 UsingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6(SetupScenarios) ..................................................................................... 357.1 Connecting Speakers .....................................................................................35

7.1.1 Connecting Active Monitor Speakers ...................................................... 357.1.2 UsingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inaSetupwithPassiveSpeakers .................. 36

7.2 Connecting Headphones ................................................................................36


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7.3 KOMPLETEAUDIO 6inaRecordingSetup ......................................................377.3.1 Connecting a Condenser Microphone ..................................................... 377.3.2 Connecting a Dynamic Microphone ........................................................ 407.3.3 ConnectingaGuitar/BassGuitar(withheadphones) ............................... 427.3.4 Connecting Line Level Equipment

(Synthesizer/Computer/Tapedeck/MixerLineOut) .................................... 447.4 KOMPLETEAUDIO 6withMIDIDevices ..........................................................457.5 Using the Digital Input and Output..................................................................47

7.5.1 Connecting a DAT Tapedeck ...................................................................477.5.2 ConnectingaSynthesizerviaDigitalI/O ................................................. 49

8 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................................... 508.1 SolvingHardware-relatedProblems .................................................................508.2 HowtoCheckWhethertheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6DriversareInstalled

Correctly ......................................................................................................508.3 USBTroubleshooting .....................................................................................51

8.3.1 USB 2.0 required ..................................................................................518.3.2 TryanotherUSBcable ...........................................................................518.3.3 UsingapoweredUSB2.0hub .............................................................. 528.3.4 RecommendedUSB-ports(MacBookOnly) ............................................. 528.3.5 DisableUSBEnergySavingMode(Windowsonly) ................................... 528.3.6 Update the Driver ................................................................................ 52

8.4 HowtoavoidGroundLoops ............................................................................528.5 PhysicallyRe-configuringtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6 ..........................................538.6 CheckyourIRQs(Windowsonly) .....................................................................53

9 GettingHelp ................................................................................................................................................. 549.1 Readme/KnowledgeBase/TechnicalSupport ................................................549.2 Forum ..........................................................................................................549.3 Updates .......................................................................................................54

10 Appendix ...................................................................................................................................................... 5510.1TechnicalSpecifications ................................................................................5510.2AboutLatencyandBuffers .............................................................................5510.3DifferentTypesofASIO(Windows) ..................................................................56


4–KOMPLETEAUDIO6–Manual

1 WelcometoKOMPLETEAUDIO 6!ThankyouforyourpurchaseofKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.Itistheultimatehardwarecomple-mentforavarietyofhomestudioandDJapplications.TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6providesthefollowingfeatures:

• 24-bitanalog-to-digital/digital-to-analogconverters

• 2analoginputswithXLR/1/4”jackcombosockets,48Vphantompower,andindi-vidualinputgaincontrolknobsontheinterface’sfrontpanel

• 2additionalbalancedinputswith1/4”TRSjacksocketsontheinterface’srearpanel

• 4 analog and 2 digital outputs

• 1/4”TRSjackheadphonesocketwithbuttontoswitchbetweensourceoutputs1/2and3/4

• S/PDIFDigitalI/O

• Upto96kHzsamplingrate

• 15statusLEDindicatorsformonitoringtheinterface’sconnections

• ASIOandCoreAudiolow-latencydrivers

1.1 WhatisIncludedintheBox?Thepackagingcontains:

• 1xKOMPLETEAUDIO 6audiointerface

• 1xUSB2.0cable

• 1xinstallationdisc

• AsoftwarebundlecomprisingKOMPLETE 7ELEMENTS,TRAKTOR LE 2,andCu-base 5 LE

• Aprintedcopyofthismanual

1.2 Manual ConventionsThismanualusesparticularformattingtopointoutspecialfactsandtowarnyouofpotentialissues.Theiconsintroducingthefollowingnotesletyouseewhatkindofinformationistobeexpected:

!!Wheneverthisexclamationmarkiconappears,youshouldreadthecorrespondingnotecarefullyandfollowtheinstructionsandhintsgiventhereifapplicable.

!%Thislightbulbiconindicatesthatanotecontainsusefulextrainformation.Thisinforma-tionmayoftenhelpyoutosolveataskmoreefficiently,butdoesnotnecessarilyapplytothesetuporoperatingsystemyouareusing;however,it’salwaysworthalook.


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Furthermore,thefollowingformattingisused:

• Textappearingin(drop-down)menus(suchasOpen…,Save as…etc.)andpathstolocations on your hard drive or other storage devices is printed in italics.

• Textappearingelsewhereonthescreen(labelsofbuttons,controls,textnexttocheck-boxesetc.)isprintedinlight blue.Wheneveryouseethisformattingapplied,youwillfindthesametextappearingsomewhereonthescreen.

• Important names and concepts are printed in bold.

• Referencestokeysonyourcomputer’skeyboardyou’llfindputinsquarebrackets(e.g.,“Press[Shift]+[Return]”).

► Singleinstructionsareintroducedbythisplaybuttontypearrow.

→ Resultsofactionsareintroducedbythissmallerarrow.



2 Safety ConsiderationsPleasereadthefollowingsectionsthoroughly,astheycontainimportantinformationregard-ingtheuseoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

2.1 WarningTheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6,incombinationwithanamplifier,headphonesorspeakers,canproducesoundsindecibelrangesthatmaycausehearingdamage.Forprotection,setallvolumelevelstoaminimumbeforeusingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.Graduallyraisethevolumecontrolswhilemusicisplayingtosetthedesiredlisteninglevel.Ifyouexperienceanyhear-ingproblemsorringingintheears,consultahearingspecialistimmediately.

2.2 Caution• BeforeconnectingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardwaretootherelectroniccomponents,

turnoffthepowerforalldevices.Beforepoweringyoursystemupordown,setallvolume levels to minimum.

• TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardwarecontainsnouser-serviceableparts.Donotopenitorattempttodisassembleormodifyanyinternalcomponents.Ifthereappearstobeahardwaremalfunction,immediatelystopusingthehardwareandcontactNativeInstruments.

• DonotexposetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6torain,anddonotuseitnearwaterorindamporwetconditions.Also,neverplaceanythingontopoftheunit,andbecarefulthatnoobjectsorliquidsofanykindentertheunit.

• TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardwareispoweredviaUSB.OperationcanbeguaranteedonlywhentheinterfaceistheonlypieceofequipmentconnectedtoaparticularUSB2.0controller,orifitisconnectedtoaself-poweredUSB2.0hub.

• DonotplacetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardwareinanunstablepositionwhereitmightaccidentallyfalltotheground.

• BeforemovingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardware,removeallconnectedcables.

• Neversubjecttheunittoextremetemperatures(e.g.,directsunlightinanenclosedvehicleornearaheatsource)orhighlevelsofvibration.

• Donotuseexcessiveforceonthebuttons,knobs,switchesorconnectors.

• WhencleaningtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardware,useasoft,drycloth.Donotusepaintthinner,solvents,cleaningfluids,orchemically-impregnatedwipingcloths.



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2.3 ImportantNotes• Disclaimer:NativeInstrumentsGmbHcannotbeheldresponsiblefordamageordata

losscausedbyimproperuseof,ormodificationto,theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardwareorsoftware.Itisyourresponsibilitytobackupdatayoudonotwanttolose.

• Specificationssubjecttochange:Theinformationcontainedinthismanualisbelievedtobecorrectatthetimeofpublication.However,NativeInstrumentsreservestherighttomakechangestothespecificationsofsoftwareandhardwareatanytimewithoutnoticeorobligationtoupdateexistingunits.

• Nameplatelocation:ThenameplateislocatedonthebottomoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6hardwareandliststheProductionID.

• Copyright:©NativeInstrumentsGmbH2010.Allrightsreserved.Thispublicationmaynotbereproducedinwholeorinpart,summarized,transmitted,transcribed,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortranslatedintoanylanguage,inanyformorbyanymeanswithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofNativeInstrumentsGmbH.

• Allproductandcompanynamesaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksoftheirrespectiveowners.

2.4 DisposalNoticeShouldthisproductbecomedamagedbeyondrepair,orifyouwishtodisposeit,pleaseob-servetheregulationsofyourareaandcountrythatrelatetothedisposalofelectronicproducts.



3 Software InstallationInorderfortheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toworkproperlywithyourcomputer,thefollowingtwoprogramsareautomaticallyinstalledonyoursystemduringthesoftwareinstallationprocess:

• TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6driver.Thishandlesthecommunicationbetweentheaudiointerfaceandyourcomputer.

• TheControlPanelsoftware.Thisallowsyoutoadjustperformancesettingsandcontrolsyncandpre-ampsettingsforWindows(inMacOS X,therelevantsettingsarecon-trolledfromthesystem’sAudioMIDIsetup).

!%IfyouarefamiliarwiththeinstallationprocedureandthegeneralconfigurationofUSB-driven audio devices on your computer, you can skip this chapter and continue withregistration chapter 3.3.

3.1 System RequirementsForlatestsystemrequirements,compatibilityandsupportofthelatestoperatingsystems,pleasevisitourproductpageat:http://www.native-instruments.com/KA6

3.2 Installation

3.2.1 InstallingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onWindows7

!!DonotconnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputerbeforethesoftwareinstalla-tionprocessisfinished.

ToinstalltheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onWindows7:

1. Placetheinstallationdiscinyourcomputer’sCD/DVD-ROMdrive.

2. UseWindowsExplorertobrowsethecontentsofthedisc.

3. Double-clicktheinstallerfile:“KOMPLETEAUDIO 6SetupPC.exe.”



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4. Intheinstallationwelcomescreen,clickNext.

5. Tocontinue,youneedtofirstacceptthelicenseagreement.Afteryouhavereadthelicenseagreement,clickonthecorrespondingcheckbox.ThenclickNext.



6. TheInstallAwareWizardwillpromptyoutobegintheconfiguration.ClickNext to proceed.

7. Oncetheinstallationhasbeenperformedsuccessfully,clickFinish.

→ Allsoftwarecomponentsarenowinstalled,andtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6shouldbereadytouse.Proceedwithregistrationchapter3.3.



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3.2.2 InstallingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onWindowsXP/Vista

!!DonotconnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputerbeforethesoftwareinstalla-tionprocessisfinished.

ToinstalltheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onWindowsXP/Vista:

1. Placetheinstallationdiscinyourcomputer’sCD/DVD-ROMdrive.

2. UsetheWindowsExplorertobrowsethecontentsofthedisc.

3. Double-clicktheinstallerfile:“KOMPLETEAUDIO 6SetupPC.exe.”

4. Intheinstallationwelcomescreen,clickNext.



5. Tocontinue,youfirstneedtoacceptthelicenseagreement.Afteryouhavereadthelicenseagreement,clickonthecorrespondingcheckbox.ThenclickNext.

6. TheInstallAwareWizardwillpromptyoutobegintheconfiguration.ClickNext to proceed.

7. Duringdriverinstallation,aWindowssecuritywarningwillappear.Thisdoesnotindi-cateaproblem.Toproceedwiththeinstallation,clickContinue Anyway(onWindowsXP)or Install(onWindowsVista).



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8. Oncetheinstallationhasbeenperformedsuccessfully,clickFinish.

9. Aftertheinstallerhasfinishedrunning,connecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toaUSB2.0portonyourcomputerusingtheUSBcableincludedinthepackage.

10. WindowswillidentifytheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6andbeginthefinaldriverinstallationprocess.

11. Choose NoifWindowsasksyoutosearchtheInternetforadriver.

12. Choose AutomaticwhenWindowsasksyouhowtoinstallthesoftware.

13. Click Finish to complete the installation.



14. Afteryouhavecompletedthedriverinstallationprocedure,thedriverinstallerwillstartagain.Thisisintendedbehavior.Repeatsteps11to14inordertoinstallallrequireddriver components.

→ Allsoftwarecomponentsarenowinstalled,andtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6shouldbereadytouse.Proceedwithregistrationchapter3.3.

3.2.3 InstallingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onMacOSX

ToinstalltheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onMacOSX:

1. ConnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toaUSB2.0portonyourcomputerusingtheUSBcableprovidedintheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6package.

2. Placetheinstallationdiscinyourcomputer’sCD/DVD-ROMdrive.ItsiconwillappearintheMacOSXFinder.

3. Double-clicktheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6discicontodisplaythecontentsofthedisc.

4. Double-clicktheinstallerfile:“KOMPLETEAUDIO 6InstallerMac.mpkg.”Theinstalla-tionwillstart,andawelcomescreenwillappear.



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5. Click Continue to proceed.

6. ReadtheSoftwareLicenseAgreementandclickContinue to proceed.



7. IfyouagreetotheSoftwareLicenseAgreement,clickAgree to continue.

8. SelectthedriveyouwanttoinstalltheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6drivertoandclickContinue.



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9. Click Install to install the driver.

10. MacOSXwillpromptyoutoauthenticatetheinstallation.Enterthenameandcorre-spondingpasswordofauserwithadministratorprivilegesandclickOK. Another screen willinformyouthatrestartingthecomputerwillbenecessaryaftertheinstallerhasfinished.Confirmagain.



11. Thenextscreeninformsyouabouttheprogressoftheinstallationprocedure.

12. Oncetheinstallationhasbeenperformedsuccessfully,youwillbepromptedtorestartyour Mac. Click Restart to restart your computer.

→ Allsoftwarecomponentsarenowinstalled,andtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isreadytouse.Proceedwithregistrationchapter3.3.



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3.3 RegistrationRegisteringtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isnotmandatory.Nevertheless,registrationisrecom-mendedforsupportinquiriesorincaseoftheft.Asaregistereduser,youwillalsobenefitfromexclusiveincentivesandinsiderspecials.

!%Registeryourhardware:ifyouregisteryourKOMPLETEAUDIO6now,youwilladdition-allyberewardedwithavoucherforNIproducts,sodon’tsleeponit!

!!ToregisteryourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6ontheNativeInstrumentswebsite,youwillneedtheserialnumberfromtheproductactivationsticker.ThisislocatedonthebottomsideofyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

To register your KOMPLETE AUDIO 6, visit our registration page on: http://www.native-instruments.com/registrationandfollowtheinstructions.



4 BasicConfigurationIn orderfortheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6tooperateasyourcomputer’sdefaultsoundcard,youwillneedtoselectitwithinthesystem’saudiopreferences.Findtherelevantinstructionsinchapter4.1.

Touse theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6as yourmusic software’sdefault audio output, see theinformationgiveninchapter4.2.

4.1 SelectingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asYourSystem’sDefaultAudioOutputDevice

Inthefollowingsections,youwilllearnhowtosetuptheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asyoursys-tem’sdefaultaudiooutputdevice.

4.1.1 WindowsXP

1. Open Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.

2. In the Sounds and Audio Devices Propertieswindow,selecttheAudiotab.

3. From the Default Devicedrop-downlist,selectoneoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6entries.

4. Click OKtoconfirmyourselectionandclosethewindow.

→ TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isnowselectedasthedefaultaudiooutputdevice.

4.1.2 WindowsVista,Windows7

1. Open Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.

2. In the Soundcontrolpanel,selectthePlaybacktab.

3. SelecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’spairofoutputs(ChA,Out1|2orChB,Out3|4)thatyouwanttosetasdefaultbyclickingthecorrespondingentry.

4. Click Set Default.

5. Click OKtoconfirmyourselectionandclosethewindow.

→ KOMPLETEAUDIO 6isnowselectedasthedefaultaudiooutputdevice.



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4.1.3 MacOSX

1. Open the System PreferencesunderthegrayAppleIconmenuinthetopleftcornerofyour screen.

2. BelowHardware(secondrowfromtop),selectSound.3. In the Soundcontrolpanel,selecttheOutputtab.4. SelecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6fromthelistofavailablesoundcards.5. Close the panel.

→ KOMPLETEAUDIO 6isnowselectedasthedefaultaudiooutputdevice.

4.2 UsingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asanAudioOutputDevicewithMusic Software

BeforeusingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6withmusicproductionorDJsoftware,youwillneedtosetitupasthesoftware’saudiooutputdevice.MostmusicproductionandDJprogramsprovidedirectaccesstothesoundcardpropertiesintheaudioandMIDIsetupsectionoftheirpreferencesdialog.PleaserefertothedocumentationofyourmusicproductionorDJsoftwareformoreinformationonhowtoconfigureaudioandMIDIinterfaces.



5 The Hardware in DetailTheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6processesbothincomingaudioandtheaudiosenttoyourcom-puter(andexternalequipment)inanaloganddigitalform.Itisastand-alonedevicewhichdrawspowerfromtheUSBconnectionofyourcomputer.Thus,anexternalpowersupplyisunnecessary.Thedeviceprovides:

• soundconversion(fromanalogtodigitalandviceversa)

• playback/monitoring(fromaninputdeviceorcomputertoheadphones/speakers)

• recording(fromanalog/digitalinputsintodigitaldata)

5.1 Front Panel

5.1ThefrontpaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

(1)INPUT1and INPUT 2 (LineandMicrophone):TheseinputshaveacombinationsocketforusewithXLRor1/4”jackconnectors.WhenconnectinganXLRconnector,anXLRlocklatches.Youcaneasilyreleasetheconnectorbypressingthereleasetab.

The input GAINknoblowers/raisestheamountofsignalgoingintotheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.The LINE/INST togglebuttonselectseitherLINEmodeforstrong-signaledinputs(likeasyn-thesizerortheoutputofanelectricpiano)orINSTforweak-signaledinputs(suchasaguitarorabassguitar).XLRconnectedgearisnotaffectedbythisbutton.

(2)MONITORsection:TheONswitchturnsdirectmonitoringon/off.Withdirect monitoring acti-vated,theunaffectedinputsignalwillbeheardwithzerolatency.TheONswitchalsodoublesas a monitor selector switch.Whenheld foronesecond, it cycles through threemonitormodes:monitorsignaltooutputs1/2;monitorsignaltooutputs3/4;andmonitorsignaltobothoutputpairs1/2and3/4.TheLEDsfromtheMONITORsectiononthedevice’stoppaneldisplaywhichmonitoringmodeiscurrentlyactive.

The MONOswitchtogglesthemonitoroutputselectionbetweenamono signal and a stereo signal.Switching toamono settingaids inmonitoringamono signal, suchasaguitar’smono input.

The VOLUMEcontrollowers/increasestheoutputlevelofthemonitorsignal.



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(3)Headphonessection:Theheadphonesocketisforplugginginheadphoneswitha1/4”TRSjack.

The VOLUMEcontrollowers/increasestheoutputsignaloftheheadphones.Thetoggleswitch1/2 and 3/4allowsyoutodeterminewhichoutputismonitoredbytheheadphones.

5.2 Rear Panel

5.2TherearpaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

(1)Phantompowerbutton(48V):The phantompowerbuttonsupplies48Vtocondensermicro-phones,whichneedthisDCvoltagetopowertheiractiveelectricalcircuitry.Thisfeatureeliminatestheneedfordirectboxesorotheradditionalhardwarewhenusingacondensermicrophone.

!!Beawarethatphantompowercancauseseriousdamagetoribbonmicrophones.Checkyourmicrophone’smanualtoseewhetheritissafetousephantompoweronit.Ifitisn’t,makesuretodisablephantompowerontheinterfacebeforeconnecting:Switchthe48Vphantompowerbuttono1nthedevice’srearpaneloff.The48VLEDonthedevice’stoppanelstopslightingorangewhenphantompowerisdisabled.

(2)USBport:TheUSBportsocketconnectstheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6devicetoyourcomputerlaptoporworkstationviaUSB2.0.

(3)MIDI:TheMIDIinput(IN)andoutput(OUT)socketsconnecttoMIDIdevicessuchasMIDIcontrollersandhardwaresynthsorworkstations. These connections also send and receive MIDIdatatoandfromyourcomputer,andcanbeutilizedbythemusicsoftwareofyourchoice.

(4)Mainoutputs1/2:TheMAIN1/2outsarebalancedoutputs.Normally,thesearecoupledtoamixer,mixingboard,oractivespeakersvia1/4”jacks.However,youcanalsouseRCA(phono)cableswithsuitable1/4”jackadapters.

(5)Outputs3/4:TheOUT 3/4socketsarebalancedoutputs.Theyoffertheoptionofadditionaloutputswhensettingup4-channelapplications,suchassurroundsound.Theyalsomakeassigningcertaininstrumentstocertainoutputs/outputpairsormonitoringwithasecondpairofspeakerspossible.Theseoutputshavenodedicatedvolumecontrol(theoutputisalwaysat0dB)soyouwillneedtocontrolthevolumefromwithinyoursoftwareorthegearthey are connected to.



(6) Inputs 3/4: The Input 3/4 sockets are balanced1/4” jack sockets. They are usedwithsynths,tapedecks,CDplayers,oranyotherdevicesorinstrumentsthatdon’trequirephan-tompowering.

(7)InputandOutput5/6:TheRCA(phono)sockets5/6areusedfordigital input/output,andsyncingtoexternaldigitalclocks.Typically,DATtapedecksorsynthesizerswithdigitalins/outsutilizethesesockets.

5.3 TopPanel

5.3ThetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

• Volumecontrolknob(MAINVOLUME1/2):Theknobatthecenterofthetoppanelprovidesamastervolumecontrolforthemainoutputs(MAIN1/2).

• Status LEDs:ThestatusLEDssurroundingtheVolumeControlKnoballowyoutoquicklyidentifythestatusofalltheconnectionsgoinginandoutofthedevice,especiallyinlowlightingenvironments,wheresetupandtroubleshootingcanbecumbersome.SeethefollowinglistfortheLED’stasksinmoredetail: • INPUT 1,2,3,and4:Lightgreenwhenincomingsignalontherelevantchannelis

detected.TheLEDslightredwhenthereistoomuchsignalpresent,i.e.clipping. • OUTPUT1/2 and 3/4:Lightsgreenwhenthereisanoutgoingaudiosignal.



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• MIDI:LightsgreenwhenaMIDIconnectionisdetectedandactive;flashesonincoming or outgoing MIDI data.

• 48V:Lightsorangewhenphantompowerisactivated. • USB:LightsgreenwhentheUSBportisconnectedtoacomputer.Flashingindi-

catesaUSBconnectionproblem. • Headphones1/2:Lightsorangewhenthereisoutgoingsignalontheheadphone

outputs1and2(see5.1forheadphonesourcesettings). • Headphones3/4:Lightsorangewhenthereisoutgoingsignalontheheadphone

outputs3and4(see5.1forheadphonesourcesettings). • MONITOR1/2:Lightsorangewhendirectmonitoringisactivatedwithoutputs1/2

selected(seeMONITORsectionofchapter5.1forfurtherinformationondirectmonitoring).

• MONITOR3/4:Lightsorangewhendirectmonitoringisactivatedwithoutputs3/4selected(seeMONITORsectionofchapter5.1forfurtherinformationondirectmonitoring).

• SPDIFSYNC:LightsorangewhenExternalDigitalClockSyncisestablished;doesnotlightwhentheinternalclockisused(seechapters6.1.1and6.2.1forfurtherinfor-mationonsynchronizingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sclocktoexternalequipment).



6 AdvancedConfigurationOnceyouhaveinstalledtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6(3)andsetitupasyoursystem’sdefaultaudiooutputdevice(4),therearemoreoptionsavailable,suchaslatencyoptimization(seealso10.2)andaudioqualitysettings.

On WindowsAll advancedconfigurationsettingsonWindowscanbeaccessedfromtheControlPanelsoftware,whichwasinstalledonyourcomputerduringthesoftwareinstallationprocedureinchapter3.Proceedwithsubchapter6.1.

!%If youexperienceproblemswithyoursetup,please refer to theAudioTroubleshootingGuide,whichyoucanaccessfromtheInformationsectionoftheControlPanel’sDiagnostics page,oropenitdirectlyfromthesoftware’sdocumentationfolder.

OnMacOS XAlladvancedconfigurationsettingsonMacOS XcanbeaccessedfromtheMacOS XAudioMIDISetup.Proceedwithsubchapter6.2.

!%If youexperienceproblemswithyoursetup,please refer to theAudioTroubleshootingGuide,whichyoucanaccessdirectlyfromthesoftware’sdocumentationfolder.

6.1 AdvancedConfigurationonWindows(ControlPanel)The ControlPanelsoftwareallowsyoutochangethedriver’sperformancesettings,monitorperformanceanddetecterrors.ToopentheControlPanel:

► Navigate to Start > All Programs > Native Instruments > KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 Driver > Control Panel.

!!IfyoucannotfindtheControlPanel,thesoftwareismostlikelynotinstalled.Inthiscase,please(re-)installthesoftwareasdescribedinchapter3.

Ontheleft-handsideoftheControlPanel,youfindtwotabs:Audio Settings and Diagnostics:

► ClickonthetabstoopenthecorrespondingpageoftheControlPanel.

Proceedtochapters6.1.1and6.1.2formoreinformationontheControlPanel’spages.



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6.1.1 AudioSettingsPage

6.1TheControlPanel’sAudio Settings page.

In the Audio Settingspage,youcanconfiguretheaudiolatencyandsamplerate;monitorthedevice’sstatus;enableclocksyncingtoexternaldevices;andactivatedirectmonitoring.

The Audio Settingspageconsistsoffoursections:Audio Processing,Device Monitor,Digital Sync Source,and Direct Monitoring.Seethefollowingsubchaptersforfurtherinformation.

AudioProcessingSection

6.2TheAudio Processing section in the Audio SettingspageoftheControlPanel.

The Audio Processingsectionsetstheparametersfortheanalog-to-digital/digital-to-analogcon-versiondonebyyouraudiointerface.Ithastwomenus:

• Sample Rate:Chooseasampleratethatiscompatiblewithyourmusicapplicationandbestsuitedtoyourcomputingpower.Ahighersamplerateimprovestheaudioquality,butalsocauseshigherCPUload.Bydefault,thesamplerateissetto44100 Hz(CDquality).

!%Thesampleratedefineshowmanysamplesareplayed/recordedperonesecondofsound.Ahigher sample rate results inhigher audioquality;however,44100 Hz (asused forrecordingaudioCDs)isacommonsettingandabsolutelysufficientformosttasks.IfyourfinaldestinationisCD,youshouldusethissettingoramultipleofit(88200 Hz).Forabetterunderstanding:48000 HzisusedbyDATrecordersandforDVD(films)recording.96000 HzandhigherratesaretypicalforDVD,HDDVD,andBlu-rayDiscaudiorecord-ing.YoushouldbeawarethatahighersampleratealsocauseshigherCPUload.



!!Ifyouwanttousemultiplesoftwareclientssimultaneouslywiththedevice,keepinmindthey’llalsohavetosharethesamesamplerate.

• Process Buffer:Lowerthebuffersizevalueforaquickerresponsetimefromyourcom-putertoaudiosoftwareandMIDIcontrolleractions.

!%Whenconvertingaudio informationtodigitalandviceversa, theaudiodriverneedstostorethedatainbufferpackages(audiobuffers)whicharethensenttoandprocessedbytheCPU.Thehigherthebuffersize,thelongerittakesforasignaltofinallyarriveattheoutputasaudio.Youmightexperiencethisasadelaybetweenthetimeyouhitakeyonyourcomputerorcontrollerandwhenyouactuallyhearthesound.Thisdelayiscalledlatency.Aruleofthumbis:lowerbuffersizeresultsinlowerlatency.However,therearemorefactorstolatencythanbuffersizealone(e.g.,CPUspeedandRAMsize).Youshouldstartoffwithahigherbuffersizesetting,andgraduallydecreasethevalueuntilyoufindtheperfectbalancebetweenplayabilityandsystemperformance.Ifyouexperiencecrack-lingattheaudiooutput,thechosenbuffersizeisverylikelytoolowforyourcomputer’sCPUtocopewith,aslowerbuffersizecauseshigherCPUload.

Device Monitor Section

6.3TheDevice Monitor section in the Audio SettingspageoftheControlPanel.

The Device Monitorsectiondisplaysinformationabouttheaudiointerface’sprocessingstatusandyoursystem’soutputlatency.Ithastwodisplays:

• Processing State:Theprocessingstatemonitorprovidesfeedbackonthecurrentstatusofthedevice.Therearethreepossiblestatusmessages: • Idle:interfaceisconnected,butnoclientdeliversaudiodata. • Streaming:driverisworkingandprocessingaudiodata. • Panic:driverstoppedstreaming.ToomanyUSBI/Oerrorsoccurredintheinterface

communication.• Output Latency:Showstheamountofoutputlatencyinmilliseconds.



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DigitalSyncSourceSection

6.4TheDigital Sync Source section in the Audio SettingspageoftheControlPanel.

In the Digital Sync Source section,youcanselectwhetherthedeviceusesitsinternalclockorgetssynchronizedtotheclockofanexternaldevice:

• Internal (standardsetting):Leavethisradiobuttonselectedifyoudon’twantthedevicetobesynchronizedtotheclockofanexternaldevice.

• External S/PDIF 5|6:SelectthisradiobuttonifyouwantthedevicetobesynchronizedtotheclockofanotherexternaldeviceviaS/PDIF.Whenswitchingtothissetting,thede-viceautomaticallytriestoestablishsynchronizationtoanexternalclockatthedigitalinput/output5and6(seealsochapter5.2).Ifthesynchronizationrequestfails,theinterfaceswitchesbacktointernalclockmode.Ifthesynchronizationissuccessful,thetoppanel’sSPDIFSYNClights(seechapter5.3).

DirectMonitoringSection

6.5TheDirect Monitoring section in the Audio SettingspageoftheControlPanel.

In the Direct Monitoring section,youcansetthedevicetobypassanysignalprocessingandsendthesignalfromtheinputdirectlytotheoutputofthedevice(atzerolatency).

!%ThisfunctioncanbeaccessedfromtheMONITORsectiononthedevice’sfrontpaneltoo;seechapter5.1forfurtherinformation.

The Direct Monitoringsectionhasabuttonandadrop-downmenu:

• Monitor Status:Activatingthedirectmonitoringroutesthesignaloftheinputs1and2di-rectlytotheselectedoutputs(seeChannelsettingbelow)withoutsendingthemthroughthecomputer,soyoucanmonitortheinputatzerolatency.

• Channel:Whendirectmonitoringisactive,selecttowhichoutputchannelssignalsfrominputs1and2willberouted.



6.1.2 DiagnosticsPage

6.6TheControlPanel’sDiagnostics page.

The Diagnosticspageallowsyoutomonitorperformanceanddetecterrors.Theinformationprovidedinthispageismoreofinteresttoadvancedusers;however,incaseofproblemswiththedevice,youshouldhavealookatthispage.TheDiagnosticspageconsistsofthefoursections:Drop-Out Detection; Connection Monitor; System Performance Test; and Information.Seethefol-lowingsubchaptersforfurtherinformationonthesesections.

Drop-OutDetectionSection

6.7TheDrop-Out Detection section in the DiagnosticspageoftheControlPanel.

The Drop Out Detection sectionprovidesfeedbackonUSBinput/outputandbufferingerrors.Ithastwodisplaysandabutton:

• USB I/O Errors:providesfeedbackonUSBinput/outputerrors.AhighUSB I/O Errors count pointstoyoursystembeingoverloaded.

• Buffer Underruns:Bufferunderrunsoccurwhenyourcomputerisn’tabletoprocessanaudiobufferintime.ReasonsforunderrunsincludetoomanyongoingbackgroundtasksorhighCPUusagewithinamusicprogram.

• Reset:Aclickonthisbuttonresetstheerrorcount.



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Connection Monitor Section

6.8TheConnection Monitor section in the DiagnosticspageoftheControlPanel.

The Connection Monitor sectionprovidesfeedbackonconnectedclientsandUSBdataerrors.Ithastwodisplaysandabutton:

• Number of Clients:displaysthenumberofclientsconnectedtotheinterface.MultipleASIOapplicationsarecountedseparately.WDMandWASAPIincreasethenumberbyone,nomatterhowmanyWDM/WASAPIapplicationsplayaudio.

• USB Data Errors:countsUSBdataerrors.Poorquality,orlongUSBcablesaswellasir-radiationcanbethesourceofconnectionerrorsontheUSBbus.

• Reset:Aclickonthisbuttonresetstheerrorcount.

System Performance Test Section

6.9TheSystem Performance Test section in the DiagnosticspageoftheControlPanel.

The System Performance TestsectionprovidesmonitoringofthecurrentDPC(DeferredProce-dureCall)latencyvalueofyourWindowssystem.ADeferredProcedureCallisaWindowsmechanismwhichallowshigh-prioritytasks(suchasthebasicsystemtasks)todelaylower-prioritytasks.ThisspecificDPClatencyisnottobeconfusedwiththeoveralllatency,ex-plainedinchapter10.2,butitcanaddtoit.Thesectionhastwodisplaysandtwobuttons:

• Current Latency:displaysthecurrentDPClatencyvalue.

• Maximum Latency:displaysthehighestDPClatencyvaluemonitoredsincethelasttimeyou either started or restarted monitoring.

• Reset:PressthisbuttontoresettheMaximum Latencyvaluetozero.

• Start/Stop:PressthisbuttontostartmonitoringDPClatency.Oncestarted,thebuttonlabelchangestoStop.



Information Section

6.10TheInformation section in the DiagnosticspageoftheControlPanel.

The Information sectiondisplaysinformationaboutdriverandfirmware,andprovidesaccesstotheAudioTroubleshootingGuide.Thissectionhastwodisplaysandabutton:

• Driver Version:Seethecurrentlyinstalleddriverversionhere.

• Firmware Version:Seethecurrentlyinstalledfirmwareversionhere.

• Troubleshooting Guide:ClickShowtoopentheAudioTroubleshootingGuide.



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6.2 AdvancedConfigurationonMacOS X(AudioMIDISetup)OnMacOS X,alladvancedconfigurationsettingscanbeaccessedfromtheAudioMIDISetuputility.ToopentheAudioMIDISetuputility:

► Go to Applications > Utilities > Audio and MIDI Setup.

→ TheAudioMIDISetuputilitywillpopupinawindow,entitledAudio Devices.

6.2.1 InputPane

6.11TheInputpaneoftheAudioMIDISetuputilityinMacOS X 10.6.

TheAudioMIDISetup’sInputpaneallowsforselectionofclocksourcesettings,samplerate,anddirectmonitoring.Therelevantareas/elementsherearetheClock sourcedrop-downmenu,the Formatdrop-downmenu,andtheThrucheckboxes,respectively.Seethefollowinglistformoredetaileddescriptions:

• Clock source:IntheClock sourcedrop-downmenuyoucanselectwhetherthedeviceusesitsinternalclockorgetssynchronizedtotheclockofanexternaldevice. This is rel-evantwhenconnectingtoanexternaldeviceviathedigitalIn/Out5/6sockets(seealsochapter5.2).Thedrop-downmenuholdsthefollowingentries: • Internal Clock (standardsetting):Leavethisradiobuttonselectedifyoudon’twant

thedevicetobesynchronizedtotheclockofanexternaldevice. • External Clock (S/PDIF):Selectthisradiobuttonifyouwantthedevicetobesynchro-

nizedtotheclockofanexternaldeviceviaS/PDIF.Whenswitchingtothissetting,thedeviceautomaticallytriestoestablishsynchronizationtoanexternalclockatthedigitalinputs5/6(seechapter5.2).Ifthesynchronizationrequestfails,theinterfaceswitchesbacktointernalclockmode.Ifsynchronizationispossible,thetoppanel’sSPDIFSYNClights(seechapter5.3).



• Format:Chooseasampleratethatiscompatiblewithyourmusicapplicationandsuitedtoyourcomputingpower.Ahighersamplerateimprovestheaudioquality,butalsocauseshigherCPUload.Bydefault,thesamplerateissetto44100 Hz(CDquality).

!%Thesampleratedefineshowmanysamplesareplayed/recordedperonesecondofsound.Ahigher sample rate results inhigher audioquality;however,44100 Hz (asused forrecordingaudioCDs)isacommonsettingandabsolutelysufficientformosttasks.IfyourfinaldestinationisCD,youshouldusethissettingoramultipleofit(88200 Hz).Forabetterunderstanding:48000 HzisusedbyDATrecordersandforDVD(films)recording.96000 HzandhigherratesaretypicalforDVD,HDDVD,andBlu-rayDiscaudiorecord-ing.YoushouldbeawarethatahighersampleratealsocauseshigherCPUload.

• Thru:TheThrucheckboxesenabledirectmonitoring.Thissendstheinputsignalsdirect-lytoitsoutputatzerolatencywithoutanyinternalsignalprocessing.Tickthecheck-boxoftherelevantchanneltoactivatedirectmonitoring.Thissettingisalsoaccessiblefromthehardware’sfrontpanelintheMONITORsection(seealsochapter5.1).

!!Thechannels’volumesettingscannotbecontrolledfromtheAudioMIDISetuputility;usetherelevanthardwarecontrols(seechapter5).

6.2.2 OutputPane

AllrelevantoutputsettingsoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6arecontrolledfromthehardware(see5).Seechapter6.2.1forgeneralsettingsandinputchannelsettings.



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7 UsingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6(SetupScenarios)In thischapter, youwill learnhow toconnect theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6 invarioussetupscenarios.Althoughwecannotcoverallimaginablesetupshere,theexamplesaregeneralenoughtoapplytheinformationtomostsituations.

!!PleasemakesuretohaveinstalledtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6driverasdescribedinchap-ter3priortoconnectingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputer.Thedevicewillnotworkproperlyotherwise.

7.1 ConnectingSpeakers

7.1.1 ConnectingActiveMonitorSpeakers

7.1KOMPLETEAUDIO 6setupwithactivemonitors.

Make sure theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isconnectedtoyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3),andconfiguredasyourcomputer’smainaudiooutputdevice(seechapter4).

Touseactivespeakers(self-poweredspeakerswithabuilt-inamplifier)withyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6:

1. TurntheVolumeControlknob(MAINVOLUME 1/2)onthetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totheleft-endstoptosetthevolumetominimum.

2. Connectthemainoutputs(MAIN1/2)ontherearpaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyouractivespeakerswithstereo1/4”cables.First,connecttheLoutputchannelwiththeleftspeaker,thentheRoutputchanneltotherightspeaker.

3. Onceyouhaveconnectedthespeakerstothedevice,setthegainknobonyouractiveboxestotheappropriatelevel(0dB)andturnthemon.



4. Starttheplaybackofanaudiofileonyourcomputer.

5. GraduallyturntheVolumeControlknob(MAINVOLUME 1/2)ontopoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totherightuntilyoureachagoodlisteninglevel.

7.1.2 UsingKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inaSetupwithPassiveSpeakers

MakesuretheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isconnectedtoyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3),andconfiguredasyourcomputer’smainaudiooutputdevice(seechapter4).

Passivespeakersrequireamplification,sotherewillbeamixerorstereoamplifierbetweenthespeakersandtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inasetupwithpassivespeakers:

1. Turnyourstereoamplifier/mixeroff.

2. Connectthemainoutputs(MAIN1/2)ontherearpaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toapairoflineinputsonyourstereoamplifier/mixerwithstereo1/4”toRCA(phono)cablesorsuitableadapters.ConnecttheLoutputchanneltotheleftlineinputchan-nel,andtheRoutputchanneltotherightlineinputchannelofyourstereoamplifier/mixer.

3. Turnyourstereoamplifier/mixeron.

4. TurntheVolumeControlknob(MAINVOLUME 1/2)onthetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totheright-endstoptosettheoutputtoitsmaximumlevel.


6. Graduallyraiseyourstereoamplifier’s/mixer’svolumecontrolleveluntilyoureachagood listening level.

7.2 ConnectingHeadphones

7.2KOMPLETEAUDIO 6setupwithheadphones.

Make suretheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isconnectedtoyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3),andconfiguredasyourcomputer’smainaudiooutputdevice(seechapter4).

TouseheadphoneswithyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6:



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1. Plugthe1/4”TRSjackofyourheadphonesintothePHONESsocketontheKOM-PLETEAUDIO 6’sfrontpanel.TurntheHeadphoneVolumeControlknob(VOLUME)oftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totheleft-endstoptosetthevolumetominimum.


3. GraduallyturntheHeadphoneVolumeControlknob(VOLUME)oftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totherightuntilyoureachagoodlisteninglevel.

7.3 KOMPLETEAUDIO 6inaRecordingSetupThefollowinginstructionswillassistyouinusingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inarecordingsituation for capturing audio to your computer, andmonitoring the input and result overyourspeakersorheadphones.Inmostcases,youwilluseathirdpartyDAW(digitalaudioworkstation)softwareoranotheraudio recordingandeditingsoftware for recordingvoiceorinstruments.ForinstructionsonhowtoconfigureaudioandMIDIroutingandrecording,pleaserefertoyoursoftware’sdocumentation.

7.3.1 ConnectingaCondenserMicrophone

7.3KOMPLETEAUDIO 6setupwithmicrophoneandheadphones.

Make suretohaveconnectedtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3)ofthismanual.



!!Makesure thevolumeon theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’smainouts (VolumeControlknob“MAIN VOLUME 1/2”) is turned down before connecting amicrophone to the KOM-PLETEAUDIO 6.MicrophonesnearbyspeakerscancausealoudsquealingtonefromthespeakersduetoaphenomenoncalledtheLarseneffectoraudiofeedbackloopandcanseriouslydamageyourhearingandyourequipment.Thegreaterthedistancebetweenamicrophoneandspeakersmeansthiseffectislesslikelytooccur.

TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inarecordingsetupwithacondensermicrophone:

1. TurntheVolumeControlknob(MAINVOLUME 1/2)onthetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totheleft-endstoptosetthemainoutputvolumetominimum.

2. PluganXLRcablejackfromyourcondensermicrophoneintoeitherINPUT1orINPUT2onthefrontpanelofyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

3. Switchthephantompower(48Vbuttononthedevice’srearpanel)on.The48VLEDonthedevice’stoppanelwilllightorange.



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4. Plugthe1/4”TRSjackofyourheadphonesintothePHONESsocketontheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sfrontpanel.TurntheVolumeControlknob(VOLUME)intheheadphonesec-tionoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totheleft-endstoptosetthevolumetominimum.

5. Opentheaudiopreferencesofyouraudiorecordingsoftware,andselectKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asyourinputandoutputdevice(youmayhavetorestartyourhostsoftwareforthechangestobecomeactive).Pleaserefertothedocumentationofyouraudiorecordingsoftwareforinformationonhowtoconfiguretheaudiodevicesetup.

6. Whilesinging/playinganinstrumentintothemicrophone,adjusttheinputsignalbyturningtherelevantinputchannel’sGAINknobgraduallytotheright.ChecktheinputLEDs(INPUT1and2onthetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6)tomakesureyourinputsignaldoesnotclip;adjusttheinputlevelsothattheLEDslightgreenoninput.A red lighting LED indicates signal clipping.

7. GraduallyturntheVolumeControlknob(VOLUME)intheheadphonesectionoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totherightuntilyoureachagoodlisteninglevel.

!!For informationonhowtoadjust theaudio inputfor recording inyouraudiorecordingsoftware,pleaserefertoyoursoftware’sdocumentation.



7.3.2 ConnectingaDynamicMicrophone

7.4KOMPLETEAUDIO 6setupwithmicrophoneandheadphones.

MakesuretohaveconnectedtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3)ofthismanual.

!!Makesure thevolumeon theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’smainouts (VolumeControlknob“MAIN VOLUME 1/2”) is turned down before connecting amicrophone to the KOM-PLETEAUDIO 6.MicrophonesnearbyspeakerscancausealoudsquealingtonefromthespeakersduetoaphenomenoncalledtheLarseneffectoraudiofeedbackloopandcanseriouslydamageyourhearingandyourequipment.Thegreaterthedistancebetweenamicrophoneandspeakersmeansthiseffectislesslikelytooccur.

!!Beawarethatphantompowercancauseseriousdamagetoribbonmicrophones.Checkyourmicrophone’smanualtoseewhetheritissafetousephantompoweronit.Ifitisn’t,makesuretodisablephantompowerontheinterfacebeforeconnecting:Switchthe48Vphantompowerbuttononthedevice’srearpaneloff.The48VLEDonthedevice’stoppanelstopslightingorangewhenphantompowerisdisabled.

TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inarecordingsetupwithadynamicmicrophone:


2. PlugtheXLRcableconnectionofyourdynamicmicrophoneintoeitherINPUT1orINPUT2onthefrontpanelofyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.



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3. Plugthe1/4”TRSjackofyourheadphonesintothePHONESsocketontheKOM-PLETEAUDIO 6’sfrontpanel.TurntheVolumeControlknob(VOLUME)intheheadphonesectionoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totheleft-endstoptosetthevolumeto minimum.

4. Opentheaudiopreferencesofyouraudiorecordingsoftware,andselectKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asyourinputandoutputdevice(youmayhavetorestartyourhostsoftwareforthechangestobecomeactive).Refertothedocumentationofyouraudiorecordingsoftwareforinformationonhowtoconfiguretheaudiodevicesetup.

5. Whilesinging/playinganinstrumentintothemicrophone,adjusttheinputsignalbyturningtherelevantinputchannel’sGAINknobgraduallytotheright.ChecktheinputLEDs(INPUT1and2onthetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6)tomakesureyourinputsignaldoesnotclip;adjusttheinputlevelsothattheLEDslightgreenoninput.A red lighting LED indicates signal clipping.


!!Forinformationonhowtorecordinyouraudiorecordingsoftware,pleaserefertoyoursoftware’sdocumentation.



7.3.3 ConnectingaGuitar/BassGuitar(withheadphones)

7.5KOMPLETEAUDIO 6setupwithguitar/bassguitarandheadphones.

MakesuretohaveconnectedtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3)ofthismanual.

TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inarecordingsetupwithaguitar/bassguitar:


2. Pluga1/4”instrumentcable(unbalanced)fromyourinstrumentintoeitherINPUT1orINPUT2oftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

3. MakesuretheLINE/INSTbuttonadjacenttothejackissettoINST(forinstrumentswithactiveelectronics,setthistoLINE).



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4. Plugthe1/4”TRSjackofyourheadphonecableintothePHONESsocketontheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sfrontpanel.TurntheVolumeControlknob(VOLUME)intheheadphonesectionoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6totheleft-endstoptosetthevolumeto minimum.

5. Opentheaudiopreferencesofyouraudiorecordingsoftware,andselectKOMPLETEAUDIO 6asyourinputandoutputdevice(youmayhavetorestartyourhostsoftwareforthechangestobecomeactive).Refertothedocumentationofyouraudiorecordingsoftwareforinformationonhowtoconfiguretheaudiodevicesetup.

6. MakesurethattheVolumeknobonyourinstrumentisatmaximum.

7. Whileplayingyourinstrument,adjusttheinputsignalbyturningtherelevantinputchannel’sGAINknobgraduallytotheright.ChecktheinputLEDs(INPUT1and2LEDsonthetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6)tomakesureyourinputsignaldoesnotclip;adjusttheinputlevelsothattheLEDslightsgreenoninput.Aredlight-ing LED indicates signal clipping.


!!For informationonhowtoadjust theaudio inputfor recording inyouraudiorecordingsoftware,pleaserefertoyoursoftware’sdocumentation.

!%Insteadofusingheadphones,youcouldalsolistentotheinstrumentsoundusingyourmonitorspeakers.SeetherelevantchaptersforinformationonhowtoconnectspeakerstotheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.Alwaysmakesurethevolumeissettominimumwhencon-nectingtheinstrument,andgraduallyraisethevolumeafterwardsuntilyoureachagoodlistening level.



7.3.4 ConnectingLineLevelEquipment(Synthesizer/Computer/Tapedeck/MixerLineOut)

7.6KOMPLETEAUDIO 6setupwithasynthesizerandactivespeakers.

MakesuretheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isconnectedtoyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3),andconfiguredasyourcomputer’smainaudiooutputdevice(seechapter4).Seechapter7.1for instructionsonhowtoconnectspeakers(activeandpassive)toyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inasetupwithtypicallinelevelequipment:


2. Plugapairofstereo1/4”TRScablesfromtheoutputsofyourdeviceintotheinputs3and4ontherearpaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.



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3. Opentheaudiopreferencesofyouraudiorecordingsoftware,andselecttheKOM-PLETEAUDIO 6asyourinputandoutputdevice(youmayhavetorestartyourhostsoftwareforthechangestobecomeactive).Refertothedocumentationofyouraudiorecordingsoftwareforinformationonhowtoconfiguretheaudiodevicesetup.

4. Adjusttheoutputsignalofyourconnecteddevicebyusingtherelevantvolume/gaincontrol.ChecktheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sinputLEDs(INPUT3and4onthetoppanel)tomakesureyourinputsignaldoesnotclip;adjustthedevice’soutputlevelsothat the LEDs light green on input. A red lighting LED indicates signal clipping.


!%YoucanalsouseINPUT1andINPUT2onthefrontpaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toconnectalineleveldevicewithastereooutput.TheLINE/INSTbuttonsadjacenttothesocketshavetobesettoLINEinthatcaseandyou’dusetherelevantGAINcontrolknobsnexttothesocketstoadjusttheleftandrightchannelsinputgain.

7.4 KOMPLETEAUDIO 6withMIDIDevices

7.7KOMPLETEAUDIO 6inaMIDIcontroller/synthesizersetup.

Make sure theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6 is connected to your computer asdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3),andconfiguredasyourcomputer’smainaudiooutputdevice(seechapter4).Seechapter7.1forinstructionsonhowtoconnectspeakers(activeandpassive)toyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inasetupwithaMIDIcontroller:

1. MakesuretohavetheVolumeControlknob(MAINVOLUME 1/2)onthetoppaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6turnedtotheleft-endstopsothevolumeissettominimum.



2. AttachaMIDIcable.OneendgoestoyourMIDIcontroller’sMIDIOutport,theotherendtotheMIDIINportoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

3. Ifyouarecontrollinganexternalsynth:attachaMIDIcable,oneendtoyourSynth’sMIDIINport,theothertotheMIDIOUTportoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

4. OpentheaudioandMIDIsettingsdialogofyourdigitalaudioworkstationsoftwareandactivatetheMIDIinputandtheMIDIoutputchannelofyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.Forinformationonwheretofindtherelevantdialogandhowtoapplythesettings,pleaserefertothedocumentationofyourdigitalaudioworkstationsoftware.


!%Todevelopthissetupfurther,youcouldnowconnectthesynth’saudiooutputtotheKOM-PLETEAUDIO 6andrecordthesynthesizerwithyourdigitalaudioworkstation.



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7.5 UsingtheDigitalInputandOutput

AboutDigitalI/OandS/PDIFTheRCA(phono)sockets5/6ontherearpaneloftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6aredigitalcon-nectorsemployingtheS/PDIF(Sony/PhilipsDigitalInterconnectFormat)transferprotocol.S/PDIF allows for carrying digital audio signals between devices without loss of quality.TypicalusersoftheRCA(phono)sockets5/6wouldbeDATtapedecks,synthesizersandCDplayerswithdigitaloutput.

Inessence,DigitalI/Otransmitsdigitalinformationinbothdirections(usingtwomonoRCAcables).ThesignaltransferredisdigitaldataandgetstranslatedtosoundwaveformsviaS/PDIF.Forthisconnection,adigitalRCAcableshouldbeused,althoughitisalsopossibletousestandardRCA(phono)cables.

In order for the transfer to work, the devices need to be synchronized with each other,wherebyoneofthedevicesactsasamasterandsendsasyncingsignalandtheotheractsasaslaveandsyncstoit.TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6canbesettoactasaslave,andsyncto external devices in such a setup.

7.5.1 ConnectingaDATTapedeck

7.8KOMPLETEAUDIO 6connectedtoaDATtapedeck.

MakesuretoconnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3)ofthismanual.

TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6inasetupwithaDATtapedeck:



1. ConnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sRCA(phono)inputjack5/6tothedigitaloutputofyourDATtapedeck,andtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sRCA(phono)outputjack5/6tothedigitalinputofyourDATtapedeck.

2. For Windows users:OpentheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sControlPanelsoftware.IntheControlPanel,gototheAudio Settings page and set the Digital Sync Source to the External S/PDIF 5|6 setting.TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6checksforavailabilityofexternalsyncingsources.Ifthesynchronizationrequestfails,theinterfaceswitchesbacktointernalclockmode.Ifsynchronizationispossible,thetoppanel’sSPDIFSYNClights(seechapter5.3).

3. ForMacOS Xusers:GotoApplications > Utilities > Audio and MIDI Setup to open the Audio and MIDI Setup utility. From the Clock sourcedrop-downmenuselectExternal Clock (S/PDIF).TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6checksforavailabilityofexternalsyncingsources.Ifthesynchronizationrequestfails,theinterfaceswitchesbacktointernalclockmode.Ifsynchronizationispossible,thetoppanel’sSPDIFSYNClights(seechapter5.3).



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7.5.2 ConnectingaSynthesizerviaDigitalI/O

MakesuretoconnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toyourcomputerasdescribedduringtheinstallationchapter(chapter3)ofthismanual.

TousetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6withasynthesizerwithdigitaloutput:

1. ConnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sRCA(phono)inputjack5/6tothedigitaloutputofyoursynthesizer.

2. For Windows users:OpentheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6’sControlPanelsoftware.IntheControlPanel,gototheAudio Settings page and set the Digital Sync Source to the External S/PDIF 5|6setting.TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6checksforavailabilityofexternalsyncingsources.Ifthesynchronizationrequestfails,theinterfaceswitchesbacktointernalclockmode.Ifsynchronizationispossiblethetoppanel’sSPDIFSYNClightsorange(seealsochapter5.3).

3. ForMacOS Xusers:GotoApplications > Utilities > Audio and MIDI Setup to open the Audio and MIDI Setup utility. From the Clock sourcedrop-downmenuselectExternal Clock (S/PDIF).TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6checksforavailabilityofexternalsyncingsources.Ifthesynchronizationrequestfails,theinterfaceswitchesbacktointernalclockmode.Ifsynchronizationispossiblethetoppanel’sSPDIFSYNClightsorange(seealsochapter5.3).



8 TroubleshootingThe informationprovidedinthischaptershouldhelpyoutosolvemostoftheproblemsyoumayencounterwhileyouareusingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.

8.1 SolvingHardware-relatedProblemsAllNativeInstrumentsproductsareextensivelytestedinreallifesituationsduringthede-velopmentphase.However,ifyouencounteranyproblemswithyourhardware,pleasecheckthefollowingpoints:

• Verifythatyouhaveinstalledthelatestdriverandthelatestsoftwareupdate.ChecktheNativeInstrumentswebsiteforfurtherinformation.

• MakesuretheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6interfaceisconnectedtoaUSB2.0portonyourcomputer(seealso8.3).

• MakesuretheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isconnecteddirectlytoaUSBportofthecom-puterandnotthroughaUSBhub(seealso8.3).

• TrychangingouttheUSBcable(seealso8.3).

• DisconnectallotherUSBdevicesfromthecomputer(exceptkeyboard/mouse).

• TryusinganotherUSBportonyourcomputer(seealso8.3).

Ifnoneofthesetipshelp,pleasecontactourTechnicalSupportteam.Thecontactinforma-tionisavailableunderthefollowingURL:http://www.native-instruments.com/contactinfo. In casetheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6needstobereturned,theTechnicalSupportteamatNativeInstrumentswillassignyouanRA (ReturnAuthorization)number,whichisrequiredtohandleyourreturn.PackagesreturnedwithoutthisRAnumberwillnotbecorrectlyidentifiedandassuchmightnotbeprocessedproperly.

8.2 HowtoCheckWhethertheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6DriversareInstalled Correctly

WindowsOpen Start > All Programs > Native Instruments > KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 Driver. There you willfindthehelperapplicationControlPanel.MakesurethatthedeviceisconnectedtothecomputerandopentheControlPanel.Ifallthedrop-downmenusaregrayedout(i.e.,therearenopresetsinthepresetdrop-downlistandnosampleratevaluestochoosefrom)theremustbesomethingwrongwiththeconnection.IftheKOMPLETE AUDIO 6 Driver entry in theNativeInstrumentsfolderoftheStartMenuismissing,thedriverismostprobablynotinstalled.

• Ifthedriverisnotinstalled,youcaninstallitasdescribedinchapter3.

• Ifthedriverisnotrecognized,checkyourUSB2.0connectionasdescribedinchapter8.3.



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• AsanyotherUSBdevice,thedriverinstallsexactlyforoneUSBport.IfyouconnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toanotherport,astandardWindowsdialogopensinwhichyoucaninstallthedrivertothatport.Ifyouhavepreviouslyinstalledthedriveronyourcomputeronce,Windowswillfindtherightdriversitselfoncethatyoustartthedriverinstallation procedure.

• Ifyoudonotknowwhetherdriverswereinstalledcorrectly,itisadvisabletostartthesetupprogramoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6again(seechapter3).Ifthesetupprogramstatesthatitwillfirstuninstallthedrivers,youalreadyhaveinstalledthedriversonyour computer. In this case you can connect the device to any other USB port and WindowswillfindtherightdriverwheninstallingtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6onanotherUSB port.

MacOSXOnMacOSX,opentheSystemPreferences;withthedeviceconnectedandthedriverin-stalled,theKOMPLETEAUDIO 6iconshouldbelistedintheOther section.

• Iftheiconismissinghere,thedriverisprobablynotinstalled.

• Ifthedriverisnotinstalled,youcaninstallitasdescribedinchapter3.

• Ifthedeviceisnotrecognized,checkyourUSB2.0connectionasdescribedinchapter8.3.

8.3 USBTroubleshootingIfyouexperienceproblemscausedby theUSBconnectionbetweentheKOMPLETEAU-DIO 6andyourcomputer,checkthefollowingchaptersfirst;severalpossiblesourcesforUSB issues are covered here.

8.3.1 USB 2.0 required

TheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isaUSB2.0interfaceandwillnotworkatallonaUSB1.0/1.1port. Inaddition,althoughtheminimumpowerspecifiedforaUSB2.0port is500mA,wehaveseenafewcaseswheretheUSB2.0portsoncertaincomputersdonotmeettheminimumrequirements.Inthiscase,youmayseeamessagesayingthatthereisnotenoughpoweravailabletooperateyourdeviceandyoumayencountercrackling/poppingsounds,orthedevicemayfailtooperatealtogether.

8.3.2 Try another USB cable

AbadUSBcablecanberesponsibleforaudiodropoutsandotherconnectivityproblems.Itisrecommendedyouchangeoutthecableifyouexperiencedifficulties.Also,makesuretouseacablebearingtheofficialUSBlogo.



8.3.3 UsingapoweredUSB2.0hub

ConnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toaUSB2.0portdirectlyonyourcomputer.Incertainsituations,apoweredUSBhubmayalsowork(e.g.,ifyouarehavingproblemsconnectingyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toanonboardUSBport);inthiscase,trytoavoidconnectingotherdevicestothehubifpossible,aseachbus-powereddevicetakesitssharefromthetotalamountofpoweravailableperbus.

8.3.4 RecommendedUSB-ports(MacBookOnly)

For a current list of recommended ports onMac Laptops (MacBook andMacBookPro),please refer toourknowledgebasearticlehttp://www.native-instruments.com/knowledge/questions/263.

8.3.5 DisableUSBEnergySavingMode(Windowsonly)

IftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6iscausingcrashesorperformingbadlyonaWindowsmachine,disablepowermanagementtotheUSBhubsfirst;seetheWindowsdocumentationforfur-ther instructions.

8.3.6 UpdatetheDriver

Wheneveryouencounterproblems,youshouldalsocheckifyouhavethelatestdriverisinstalled.Forupdates,visittheproductpageonourwebsite:http://www.native-instruments.com/KA6.

8.4 HowtoavoidGroundLoopsGround loopsareacommonproblemwithinanyenvironmentwheremultipleelectricalde-vicesareconnectedtothesamepowercircuit.Incomplexsetups,thecause(s)ofthenoisecanbedifficulttofind.Groundloopsareperceivedusuallyasahumorbuzzinyouraudiosignal,butthiscanalsotransmitandamplifyothersoundsfromthedevicesconnectedtothecircuit.Forexample,oneverycommonproblemisthatyouhearinternalclickingsoundscreatedbyyourcomputer.

Thecauseofthenoiseisusuallythecomputeranditsinternaldevices,ordevicesconnectedto thecomputersuchasexternalharddrives (note thateven if thepowersupplyofyournotebookcomputerisnotconnected,yoursetupmaystillbevulnerabletogroundnoisefromanexternaldevicewithitsownpowersupply).Thecausecanalsobeanyotherdevice(suchasaradioortelevision).Thereasonwhythisnoiseispresentatthemonitorspeakersinputhastodowithaloopinthesetupofyourelectricalandaudiocableconnections.Mostlikelythisloopoccursthroughthegroundofoneormoreofthesecables.Withthisinmind,thefollowingsectionshouldhelptoeliminatethegroundloop.



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EliminatingtheLoopAsafirststep,alwaysconnectyourdevicestothesamepoweroutlet(e.g.,withamulti-outletpowerstrip).Assumingthatyouhaveconnectedyouraudiointerface,thenexttrouble-shootingstepistodisconnectalldevicesthatyouarenotcurrentlyusing,butnottheampli-fierand/orspeakers.Thisalsoappliestootherperipheraldevicesyoumayhaveconnectedtoyourcomputer(externaldatastorage,CDrecordersandespeciallyradioortelevisioncables).Incasethegroundloopdisappeared,youcanaddthedevicesoneafteranothertoidentifywhichdeviceisresponsible.

• Youcantestwhethertheamplifierorpoweredmonitorscreatethegroundloop.Moni-toryouraudiosignalfromtheheadphonesoutputoftheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6.Theamplifier/poweredmonitorsneedtobephysicallydisconnectedfromtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6forthat.Incasethegroundloopisnotaudibleontheheadphones,youneedtoliftthegroundonyouramplifierorthepoweredspeakers.Contactthemanufacturerofyouramplifier/speakersbeforeliftingthegroundtofindoutifgroundliftingissup-ported on your device.

• Onlaptops,lowqualitypowersuppliesoftenleadtogroundloopnoise.Runyourlaptoponitsbatterytoseeifthegroundloopdisappears.Incasethegroundloopdis-appears,youneedtoliftthegroundonyourlaptop.Contactthemanufacturerofyourlaptopbeforeliftingthegroundtofindoutifgroundliftingissupportedonyourdevice.

• Ondesktopcomputers,thecomputermonitor(screen)mightcausethegroundloop.Turnyourmonitoroffanddisconnectitspowersupplywhileyouhearthegroundloop.Incasethegroundloopdisappears,youneedtoliftthegroundonyourmonitor.Contactthemanufacturerofyourmonitorbeforeliftingthegroundtofindoutifgroundliftingissupportedonyourdevice.

8.5 PhysicallyRe-configuringtheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6ConnecttheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6toanotherUSBportonyourcomputer.TryallUSBportsonyourcomputeruntilyoufindtheonethatworksbest.

8.6 CheckyourIRQs(Windowsonly)IRQstandsforInterruptRequest.ThisisthewayinwhichWindowsallocatesresourcestothevariousdevicesandportsinyoursystem.IfyourKOMPLETEAUDIO 6isonaportthatsharesanIRQwithotherdevices,youmayhaveanIRQconflict.PleaserefertotheKnowl-edgeBaseontheNativeInstrumentswebsiteandcontactsupport.



9 GettingHelpNativeInstrumentsprovidesvarioussourcesofsupportandinformationtoregisteredusers.

9.1 Readme/KnowledgeBase/TechnicalSupport

ReadmeAlwaysreadthe“Readme”filefoundontheinstallationCD.Itcontainsimportantinforma-tionandalllastminutechangesthatcouldnotbeincludedinthismanual.

KnowledgeBaseAccess the Knowledge Base at http://www.native-instruments.com/knowledgebase. To searchtheKnowledgeBase,logintoyouruseraccountfirst.Forinformationonregisteringauseraccount,seechapter3.3.

TechnicalSupportYou can reach the Technical Support teamonline via http://www.native-instruments.com > Support > Product Support.Thesubsequentformwillaskyouforallinformationaboutyourhardwareandsoftwareenvironmenttobetterfacilitateoursupportteam.Inyourcommuni-cationwiththesupportteam,youshouldofferasmuchinformationaspossible;aboutyourhardware,youroperatingsystemandthesoftwareyouarerunning.Inyourdescription,youshouldmention:

• Howtoreproducetheproblem

• Whatyouhavealreadydonetotrytofixtheproblem

• Adescriptionofyoursetup,includingallhardwareandsoftwareinvolved

• Theexactmodelandtechnicalspecificationsofyourcomputer

9.2 ForumCheckouttheNITRAKTORandtheNIproducerforumtodiscussallaspectsofKOMPLETEAUDIO 6andTRAKTORLEwithotherusers:http://www.native-instruments.com/djforums and http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/.

9.3 UpdatesWheneveryouencounterproblems,youshouldalsocheck ifyouhavethe latestdriver isinstalled.Forupdates,visittheproductpageonourwebsite:http://www.native-instruments.com/KA6.



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10 Appendix

10.1 TechnicalSpecifications

Output (D/A)

Channels 6

Sampling Rate 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz

Bit Resolution 24

Converter Cirrus Logic

Spec Line Headphone

Cross Talk -87 dBu -87 dBu

Impedance 100 Ohms unbalanced 200 Ohms balanced

8... 600 Ohms (Load)

Maximum Output Level 9.6 dBu 9.3 dBu 4.26 V rms, 100 mW @ 100 Ohms

THD + N 0.007 % 0.012 %

SNR 101 dB (A-weighted) 95 dB (A-weighted)

Frequency Response 10 - 40 kHz±0.5 dB 10 - 40 kHz±0.5 dB

10.2 About Latency and BuffersWhenconvertingaudioinformationtodigitalandviceversa,theaudiodriverneedstostorethedatainbufferpackages(audiobuffers)whicharethensenttoandprocessedbytheCPUofyourcomputer.Thehigherthebuffersize,thelongerittakesforasignaltofinallyarriveattheoutputasaudio.Youmightexperiencethisaslateresponsebetweenhittingakeyonacontrollerwhichcontrolsmusicsoftwareonyourcomputer,andhearingthesoundattheoutput.Fortunately,withtoday’scomputersandlow-latencysoundcarddrivers,thisdelayisusuallyverylow(e.g.,threemillisecondsisaboutthesamedelaycausedbyfingerssnap-pingonemeterawayfromyourears).LatencymustbekeptataminimuminordertomakesoftwareinstrumentsandDJapplicationsplayable.



HowLowCanYouGo?1.5msof latencyapproaches the theoreticalminimumbecause itwillalways takesometimetoprocessinformationinacomputer.Notethatultra-lowbuffersizesettings(aswellashighersamplerates)makeyourcomputerworkharder,whichcanaffecttheperformance.

See6.1.1(Windows)and6.2.1(MacOS X)forinstructionsonhowtoadjustbuffersizesandsampleratesforshorterlatency.

!!ForWindowsusers:Ifyoucannotgetridofaudiodropouts,cracklesandnoisesbyad-justingbuffersizeandsampleratesettings,youmightalsocheckyoursystemforDPClatencyproblems(seethe“SystemPerformanceTest”sectionofchapter6.1.2formoreinfoonDPClatency)usingtheDPCLatencyCheckerprogram,whichisfoundonthewebathttp://www.thesycon.de/eng/latency_check.shtml.

10.3 DifferentTypesofASIO(Windows)ItisextremelyimportanttousethededicatedASIOdriverwrittenfortheKOMPLETEAU-DIO 6andinstalledduringsoftwareinstallation(chapter3).However, ifyoursystemalsoprovidesgenericASIOdrivers,typicallycalledASIODirectXFullDuplexDriverorASIOMul-timediaDriver,andyoucannotgettheKOMPLETEAUDIO 6drivertoworkatlowlatencies,trythemallandchoosetheonethatprovidesthebestperformance.


Theinformationinthisdocumentissubjecttochangewithoutnoticeanddoesnotrepresenta commitment on the part ofNative Instruments GmbH. The software described by thisdocumentissubjecttoaLicenseAgreementandmaynotbecopiedtoothermedia.Nopartofthispublicationmaybecopied,reproducedorotherwisetransmittedorrecorded,foranypurpose,withoutpriorwrittenpermissionbyNativeInstrumentsGmbH,hereinafterreferredto as Native Instruments.

“NativeInstruments”,“NI”andassociatedlogosare(registered)trademarksofNativeInstru-mentsGmbH.

Mac,MacOS,GarageBand,Logic,iTunesandiPodareregisteredtrademarksofAppleInc.,registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Windows,WindowsVistaandDirectSoundareregisteredtrademarksofMicrosoftCorpora-tionintheUnitedStatesand/orothercountries.

IntelandPentiumareregisteredtrademarksofIntelCorporationintheUnitedStatesandother countries.

CirrusLogicisatrademarkofCirrusLogic,Inc.

XMOSisatrademarkofXmosLtd.,UK.

Allothertrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveownersanduseofthemdoesnotimplyanyaffiliationwithorendorsementbythem.

TraktorScratchproductsareauthorizedforuseunderlicenseofpatentsownedbyN2ITholdings B.V.,includingU.S.PatentNos.7,012,184 B2and7,238,874 B2.

©2011,NativeInstrumentsGmbH.Allrightsreserved.

Native Instruments GmbHSchlesische Straße 28 | 10997 Berlin | Germany

www.native-instruments.de

NativeInstrumentsNorthAmerica,Inc.5631 Hollywood Blvd. | Los Angeles, CA 90028 | USA

www.native-instruments.com


Documents

Komplete Audio 6 Manual English