Asparion D400T User manual

Manual
D400
D400T
D400F

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Content
Scope of supply ........................................................................................................................... 2
Term definition............................................................................................................................ 3
Positioning ................................................................................................................................... 4
Connecting................................................................................................................................... 5
Connect elements....................................................................................................................... 6
Installation.................................................................................................................................... 7
Asparion Configurator ............................................................................................................... 9
Recommended system requirements................................................................................. 9
OS X .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Windows ................................................................................................................................ 10
Use and possible settings.................................................................................................... 10
Extensions................................................................................................................................... 11
Activate extensions on device ........................................................................................... 11
Activate extensions in DAW program.............................................................................. 11
Arrange extensions .............................................................................................................. 12
Preset........................................................................................................................................... 13
Choose preset ....................................................................................................................... 13
Add preset ............................................................................................................................. 13
Double click ............................................................................................................................... 14
EQ................................................................................................................................................. 15
LED rings..................................................................................................................................... 16
Vol/Pan................................................................................................................................... 16
North/South.......................................................................................................................... 16
Compatibility ............................................................................................................................. 17
DAW program ...................................................................................................................... 17
Operating system ................................................................................................................. 17
USB connection .................................................................................................................... 17
Expression pedals ................................................................................................................. 18
Miscellanious ............................................................................................................................. 19
Other questions .................................................................................................................... 19
Safety instructioins ................................................................................................................... 20

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Scope of supply
The following parts are included in the scope of supply respectively:
D400T
D400T
USB connection cable
Quickstart guide
D400F
D400F
Extension link cable
Power supply
Power cable
3 connection screws
Quickstart guide
Accessories
USB drive with manual
Long Extension Cable (1 Meter / 3 feet)

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Term definition
DAW
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW, DAW program) describes the software that can be
controlled with the D400. In most cases this is software for music production but the
term is also used here for other similar software like for video or lighting.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface is the interface by which the D400
communicates. Besides the MIDI cables which were widely spread in the past, MIDI
commands can also be transmitted over USB like the D400 does. In your DAW
program the D400 appears as a normal MIDI device.

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Positioning
Please note the following hints:
To allow best functionality you should place the device on a planar surface.
With the optional long extensions link cable, it is for example possible to
place one part of the device on the left and the other part on the right side of
your keyboard. If you do not want that you can screw the elements together
with the 3 included screws.

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Connecting
1. First, connect the elements with the extension link cable as shown below. The
order in which you connect the elements or which extension connectors you
use does not matter.
2. Afterwards, connect the power supply to the device and plug it in a socket.
3. Finally, connect the USB cable with your computer.
Attention! The connectors for the extensions are no USB connectors. You must never
plug in another device there or connect the extension link cable to your computer.

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Connect elements
With the 3 included screws you can connect the single elements. The order in which
you connect the elements is up to you. There is no need to screw the elements
together if you do not wish to.
The required screw driver is a PH0 cross slot. The screws should be tightened only
slightly.
Attention! You should not put the screws in until all elements are on the same
surface. As soon as all elements are connected you must not lift them anymore
because there is a risk that the elements break apart.

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Installation
Windows
As soon as you plug your device in your Windows computer for the first time, the
following dialog will appear:
Please wait for a few minutes until the dialog closes by itself.
Now your device is ready for use.

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OS X
You can use your device a few seconds after plugging it in. To check if everything is
connected correctly, follow these steps:
1. Go to Applications -> Utilities -> Audio MIDI Setup
2. In the menu bar click Window -> MIDI Studio
Common
How you use this device in every single DAW program is described in the respective
manual which you can find in the same spot as this one.
After plugging in the device you have to restart your DAW program.

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Asparion Configurator
This program is not necessarily required. With it you can change various options on
the device or add support for programs that are not available ex works.
Recommended system requirements
Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 or higher with .Net Framework 4.5.1
or OS X 10.11 or higher
100MB free disk space
Intel i3 with 4GB RAM
OS X
Installation
Double click on the installation file “Asparion Configurator Installation.dmg” and
then on the newly generated folder “Asparion Configurator Installation”. In the
following window drag the app icon to your programs folder.
Pay attention to the license agreement in the program folder.
If you see a security warning which doesn’t allow you to install or open the app, go to
System Preferences->Security & Privacy and select Anywhere temporarily
Uninstallation
To remove this program from your Mac, go to “Applications” and drag the app to the
trash.

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Windows
Installation
Start the installation file “Asparion Configurator Setup.exe” by double clicking and
follow the instructions.
Uninstallation
To remove this program from your computer, go to “Control Panel->Uninstall a
program” and follow the instructions.
Use and possible settings
How to use the program is described exactly in the program itself. Just open the
program and everything else will fall in place.
Everywhere in the program you can find small question marks: . If you put the
mouse over these symbols you will receive detailed information on these settings.

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Extensions
Activate extensions on device
The first D400Fextension is activated by default. If you want to use more extensions,
please follow these steps:
Keep the three buttons pressed for about 5 seconds
until both the LED rings (Vol, Pan) start blinking.
Now choose how many extensions you want to connect by rotating the
lower encoder (Pan, 1 to 8).
Confirm your selection by clicking the encoder.
Hereupon you will see the installation dialog as shown in chapter
“Installation” again.
Afterwards you may need to restart your DAW program.
Activate extensions in DAW program
How to activate more than one extension is described in the respective manual.
In general, each extension will be displayed with a name like this as a separate MIDI
device:
In Windows:
▫MIDIIN2 (D 400), MIDIOUT2 (D 400)
▫MIDIIN3 (D 400), MIDIOUT3 (D 400)
▫MIDIIN4 (D 400), MIDIOUT4 (D 400)
▫MIDIIN5 (D 400), MIDIOUT5 (D 400)
▫MIDIIN6 (D 400), MIDIOUT6 (D 400)
▫MIDIIN7 (D 400), MIDIOUT7 (D 400)
▫MIDIIN8 (D 400), MIDIOUT8 (D 400)

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In OS X:
▫D 400 Port 2
▫D 400 Port 3
▫D 400 Port 4
▫D 400 Port 5
▫D 400 Port 6
▫D 400 Port 7
▫D 400 Port 8
The extension can usually be activated in your DAW program the same way as your
original device.
OS X: If you can’t see another extension after following the instructions you should
follow these steps:
1.
Unplug the device from your Mac
2.
Go to Applications -> Utilities -> Audio MIDI Setup
3.
In the menu bar click Windows -> MIDI Studio
4.
Select D400 and Remove device
5.
Restart the Mac
6.
Plug the device back in
Arrange extensions
Plug only the power supply in the extension
Keep the three buttons marked in red
pressed for about 5 seconds until the eight
“Select” buttons start blinking.
Now you can assign a position number to
every extension by clicking the
equivalent „Select“ button. The button on
the left leads to number one etc. You
should make sure that you use every number only once!
After that you can connect all extensions with their link cables to the
previous ones.

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Preset
Through the preset you can define how the device behaves. Thereby it is possible to
use the device with a lot of different programs. The single presets can be adjusted
with the Asparion Configurator.
Choose preset
To choose a preset, keep the three buttons pressed for about 5 seconds
until both the LED rings (Vol, Pan) start blinking. Now select which preset you want to
use by rotating the upper encoder (Vol). Confirm your selection by clicking the
encoder. Which preset is saved to which number can be seen on the included sheet or
if you have changed anything you can see it in the Configurator.
Add preset
If you are missing a preset ex works you can add this with the Configurator. To do that
open the Configurator and choose a preset which you want to override. Then click on
Misc and choose Import.

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Double click
It is possible to activate a double click on every push button. If you press the button
two times in a short period of time you can execute a different action than by
pressing only one time. A double click on the encoders is also possible.
The labeling on the device shows the action for a double click in small letters and the
action for a single click in big letters.
Attention: If you activate the double click there will be a small delay on each single
click!

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EQ
There are four rotary encoders with which you can control a common EQ. Through
the shift button you can change the function of the encoders. In the Configurator you
can choose between different modes of the shift button.
In the default mode you can rotate the encoder in normal or in pressed state. The
function of the encoder in pressed state can be taken from the small labeling, in
normal state from the big labeling.
Upon request the mode can be changed in the Configurator to one that will toggle
between all tree EQ functions. This will disable the “push and rotate” function.
Attention: Not all DAW programs support controlling the EQ with an external
controller.

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LED rings
With the Configurator you can change the appearance of the LED rings. The LEDs can
be activated in half or full steps. Moreover, the display shape can be selected.
Vol/Pan
Like with the EQ you can also rotate these encoders in normal or pushed state. As
soon as you push an encoder down the display will change to the function of the
pushed state.
North/South
In addition to the normal and pushed rotation you can choose between four different
functions for each ring. The buttons 1 to 8 allocate the encoder to the respective
function. The button of the selected function glows bright, whereas the function of
the pushed function glows only slightly.
Attention: This functions are not activated in every DAW program by default. You can
activate them if necessary with the Configurator.

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Compatibility
DAW program
To ensure complete compatibility with a DAW program the manufacturer has to
directly support the device. Unfortunately, many software manufactures do not take
care of this at all or it takes a lot of time. That’s why there might be a few small
compatibility issues and it may be possible that some functions are not supported.
The exact compatibility list can be viewed on our website.
Normally the compatibility is not an issue if the program supports configuration of all
single keys and encoders. Problems may arise if the program only supports a few
specific devices and does not allow any configuration beyond that.
However, many VST plugins support remote control trough MIDI controllers. This
function is independent of the actual DAW.
Operating system
This device uses the standardized MIDI USB protocol. Therefore, it is in theory
compatible with every operating system and should work without any problem, e.g.
Windows and Mac OS. However, the not necessarily required software “Asparion
Configurator” is only available for some specific operating systems. A list of all
systems can be viewed on our website.
USB connection
We recommend operating the device on a USB 2.0 port.
In most cases it will also work on a USB 3.0 port or higher. Unfortunately, the first USB
3.0 devices were not that sophisticated which is why there may arise some problems.

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Expression pedals
The device is compatible with most expression pedals. Many pedals have a built-in
switch with which the connector pin assignment can be changed. With all other
pedals you should check that the pedal is described as compatible to Yamaha or
Korg.

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Miscellanious
All trademarks and brand names mentioned in connection to this device are property
of the respective companies.
Whenever the word “Mackie” is mentioned in soft- or hardware in any way it is
supposed to describe the compatibility to Mackie.
Asparion is not liable for any damage on soft- or hardware or financial losses that
arise from using one of our devices or programs.
Other questions
If you have questions that are not answered in this manual, please do not hesitate to
contact us. We will solve your problem asap.