ESI Neva Duo User manual

Quick Start Guide
24-bit / 192 kHz USB-C Audio Interface
with 2 Microphone Preamps

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Neva Duo, a high
quality USB-C audio interface to connect microphones,
synthesizers or guitars and to listen with headphones or
studio monitors in 24-bit / 192 kHz audio quality. Neva
Duo works with Mac, PC and as a fully class compliant
device even with many portable devices such as iPad and
iPhone (via an adapter like the Camera Connection Kit).
Getting Started
To start using Neva Duo, connect it to your computer
using the included USB cable. The ESI logo LED will
light up in orange color to show that the audio interface is
ready to use. It is a good time now to either connect
headphones to the headphone connector on the front or
using the TRS outputs on the back to connect the interface
to active studio monitors. You will not be able to listen to
any audio signals otherwise.
On the Mac, Neva Duo does not require any drivers to be
used (plug-and-play), however you can download a
control panel application on our website. On iPhone or
iPad, most audio apps will automatically use the interface
after it has been connected. For Windows users, we
provide a driver optimized for professional audio
applications (incl. ASIO support) that is available for
download - http://en.esi.ms/119. Also the driver provides
DirectWIRE, virtual audio channels and loopback
functionality. This makes it possible to mix and record
internal audio signals from various audio applications.
More details about DirectWIRE and loopback can be
found on our website in the extensive Knowledge Base
under kb.esi-audio.com.
Microphone Connection
To connect a microphone to Neva Duo, you need to know
if it is a dynamic or a condenser microphone. Only in the
later case, 48V phantom power is required and the
corresponding switch needs to be enabled (the orange ESI
logo LED then turns red). If you are unsure what
microphone you have, check its manual. You can connect
two microphones simultaneously using XLR cables and the
corresponding input selection switch must be set to 'Line'.
Guitar Connection
To use Neva Duo with an electric guitar or bass, you need
to connect it with a TS guitar cable. For the corresponding
input, the selection switch must be set to 'Hi-Z'.
Input Monitoring
If you want to listen to the incoming audio signals, you can
enable the so-called direct monitoring function with the
'Direct' monitoring switch on Neva Duo. When enabled, you
listen to incoming signals and playback simultaneously.
Recording and Playback
To check if Neva Duo is working with your computer, it is
best to play music as a test signal while you slowly turn
up the headphone level volume knob (when using
headphones) or the master volume knob when using
speakers. Make sure you are not making the playback
signal too loud for your ears.
You can record audio in your favorite audio application
(i.e. a DAW like Bitwig Studio 8-Track or an audio
recorder like WaveLab LE) after selecting Neva Duo as
recording and playback device in its settings dialog (refer
to the manual of your software for details, also you can
find more info in our Knowledge Base under kb.esi-
audio.com).
Once you start the recording process using either input 1
or 2, slowly turn up the corresponding gain knob
clockwise until the input level meters in the software
show a proper signal level. Additionally, the LED ring
around the gain knob also indicates the signal level. When
the light is off, it is likely that the volume is too low or
there is no signal. When it turns green, the signal level is
usable. Orange usually indicates an optimal level and red
means that the level is too high (i.e. the signal clips) and
the gain has to be reduced.

1 - L ine Hi- Z S witch 1 for input 1 to switch between
Line / Microphone signals and Hi-Z guitar signals.
2 - L ine Hi- Z S witch 2 for input 2 to switch between
Line / Microphone signals and Hi-Z guitar signals.
3 - +48V Phantom Power S witch to provide power for
condenser microphones. When enabled, the power
LED illuminates red, when disabled orange.
4 - Dir ect Monitor ing S witch to enable or disable
Connectors and Functions input monitoring to listen to the input signals.
5 - Gain K nob 1 to change the input gain / input level
for input 1. The LED ring indicates the signal level.
6 - Gain K nob 2 to change the input gain / input level
for input 2. The LED ring indicates the signal level.
7 - He adphone Vol ume K nob to change the output
volume for connected headphones.
8 - Mas te r Vol ume K nob to control the master output
volume of the main line output signal.
9 - XL R / TR S Combo Input 1 to connect a microphone via XLR cable,
a line signal via 1/4" TRS connector or an electric guitar with 1/4" TS
connector.
10 - XLR / TR S Combo I nput 2 to connect a microphone via XLR cable,
a line signal via 1/4" TRS connector or an electric guitar with 1/4" TS
connector.
11 - Headphone Output to connect headphones.
12 - Line Output 1 / 2 to connect the stereo master line level output signal
via 1/4" TRS cables for left and right channels.
13 - US B - C Connector to connect the audio interface to a PC, Mac, tablet
or mobile phone.
General Information
Trademarks: ESI, Neva and Neva Duo are trademarks of ESI
Audiotechnik GmbH. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft
Corporation. Other product and brand names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Correspondence: For technical support inquiries, contact your nearest
dealer, local distributor or ESI support online at www.esi-audio.com.
Disclaimer: All features and specifications subject to change without
notice. Parts of this document are continually being updated. Please
check our web site www.esi-audio.com occasionally for the most
recent update information.
Manufacturer Info: ESI Audiotechnik GmbH, Mollenbachstr. 14,
D-71229 Leonberg, Germany