Evo SP8 User manual

8 Channel Smart Preamp with AD/DA
User Manual V1

Welcome to your new EVO SP8 Smart Preamp. EVO SP8 has been designed to
remove the technical barriers creatives face when exploring the often intimidating
world of audio and make recording simple for everyone.
EVO SP8 includes 8 High-Performance EVO Preamps with innovative Smartgain
technology, 2 JFET Instrument Inputs and Pristine Converters.
We hope you enjoy using EVO SP8 and it helps you in your creative endeavors,
whatever they may be!
Work smarter not harder.
WELCOME
WELCOME

EVO makes recording easy
WELCOME

CONTENTS
03 Registration with ARC
01 Declaration of Conformities
02 Installation/Setup
04 Hardware Features
05 EVO Expanded System
06 EVO SP8 Rack Mounting
Mic Preamps & Line Level Inputs
Features
Smartgain Mode
Smartgain on the Extended EVO System
Digital Inputs & Outputs
Word Clock Input
Metering
Power
Clocking
Factory Reset
Line Outputs

CONTENTS
07 Firmware Update Procedure
08 Specications
12 Warranty Information
Warranty Statement
Warranty Limitations
09 Safety Instructions

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITIES
Re-orient or relocate the receiving
antenna
01 Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver
02
03 Connect the equipment into an
outlet on a dierent circuit from that
to which the receiver is connected 04 Consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technician for help
DECLARATION
This apparatus has been tested and found to comply with the limits of
a class-A digital device, pursuant to Part 15B of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:

We, EVO Audient, Aspect House, Herriard, Hampshire, RG25 2PN, UK,
01256 381944, declare under our sole responsibility that the product EVO SP8
complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference,
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation
Audient Ltd has conformed where applicable, to the European Union’s Directive
EN 63000:2018 on Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) as well as the following
sections of California law which refer to RoHS, namely sections 25214.10, 25214.10.2, and 58012,
Health and Safety Code; Section 42475.2, Public Resources
We, EVO Audient, declare that the product, the EVO SP8, to which this declaration
relates, is in material conformity with the appropriate CE standards and
directives for an audio product designed for consumer use.
We, EVO Audient, declare that the product, the EVO SP8, to which this declaration
relates, is in material conformity with the appropriate UKCA standards and
directives for an audio product designed for consumer use.
Under an environment with electrostatic discharge, the device may cease to output sound
(EUT could not operate properly). This requires the user reset the device by unplugging &
re-connecting to host computer.
As a device that provides power to other equipment power management features are
inappropriate for this product.
IEC 62368 Test Report with Japan deviation.
We, EVO Audient, declare that the product, the EVO SP8, to which this declaration relates,
is in material conformity with the appropriate PSE standards and directives for an audio
product designed for consumer use. METI Ordinance Appendix 12 J55032(H29).
DECLARATION

INSTALLATION / SETUP
Plug the EVO SP8 into a mains outlet using the mains power lead included in
the box. For more information on how to connect your device to your host
interface, please read the ‘Clocking Conguration’
section of this Manual.
The rst time powering on EVO SP8, you will be asked to follow the setup
procedure, allowing you to customise EVO SP8’s settings to your liking.
Firstly, you can adjust and set the brightness of all of EVO SP8’s hardware
LEDs, including the LED Ring, to suit your studio environment. Use the Control
Wheel to adjust the slider and then click the Control Wheel to save your
settings and then hit ‘Next’
INSTALLATION / SETUP
Initial Setup

Now you can select your initial Clock Source, Sample Rate and Analogue
Output source depending on your current setup.
You can change these settings at any time from the setup menu if you
wish to.
INSTALLATION / SETUP

REGISTRATION WITH AUDIENT ARC
EVO SP8 comes bundled with a collection of professional software and
services, giving you everything you need to start recording.
Go to arc.audient.com and select “register your product” and enter
your details to create an account.
You will then receive a verication email to your inbox, double check
your Spam and Junk folders if you cannot see this. Once you’ve veried
your account, register your EVO SP8 by entering the serial number and
the unique 4-digit PIN found on the underside of the EVO SP8.
Once you have registered the product, you can select from a wide
array of free software and plugins, giving you easy access to powerful
creative tools straight away.
REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION

HARDWARE
HARDWARE FEATURES

HARDWARE

EVO SP8 includes eight high-quality EVO Mic Preamps, accessible through
the Combi-jacks found on the front and rear of the unit.
Mic Preamps and Line Level Inputs
To connect a line-level device, use a ¼” TRS jack, which will connect
to the centre of the Combi-connector. The Line Input automatically
reduces yoursignal level slightlyto minimisethe chance of overloading
the input and causing distortion.
To connect a microphone, use an XLR cable which has three pins.
HARDWARE
TRS Jack
Connection
XLR Cable
Connection

HARDWARE
EVO SP8 can lower the signal level by 8 decibels and boost it by up to 50
decibels allowing you to get the perfect recording level, this is known as the
Gain.
You can manually control the gain by pressing one of the Input Buttons,
numbered 1-8, and then adjusting the Control Wheel. The screen will then
show the current gain level in decibels.
When pressing any Input Button on EVO SP8’s front panel, the input screen
will show the Input Status Screen.
When pressing an Input Button, the status screen will display: the input
number, the gain setting in dB, and an independent channel meter for
referencing your levels.
When an input is selected, the hardware will now control that channel, so
you can use the Control Wheel to adjust the input gain with decibel level
accuracy, as well as toggling channel mute, phantom power for condenser
mics, or instrument mode for guitars and basses on channel 1+2.

HARDWARE
To quickly mute a channel, hold down the channels input button until
the Mute screen is shown, and the channel button begins ashing. When
a channel is muted, the gain level is replaced with the Mute icon, this will
remain in place until mute is deactivated, by again holding down the
channel button.
To activate phantom power, select the channel, then press the 48V Button,
which will then illuminate red and activate a temporary feature toggle
screen. This is set independently per channel so if you navigate away to a
dierent channel, where phantom power isn’t activated, the 48V Button will
no longer be illuminated. To turn o 48V, press the 48V Button again, which
will again display the feature toggle screen.

HARDWARE
Both channels 1 + 2 are able to switch to Instrument Mode, meaning they
are able to be used to record guitars and basses. To do this, select either
channel 1 or 2, then press the Instrument Button. The button will then
illuminate as well as display the temporary feature toggle screen. To turn
o Instrument Mode, press the Instrument Button again, which will again
display the feature toggle screen.
If you try and activate phantom power on Channels 1+2 whilst the instrument
input is active, an error screen will be shown as it is not possible to have both
active at once.
Remember: After you’ve nished recording via the Instrument
Inputs, you’ll need to switch them back to line & microphone
level inputs. To do this, press whichever instrument channel
button you’re using, then press the Instrument Button.

HARDWARE
EVO SP8 has the ability to stereo link 2 channels, meaning you can match
and adjust the gain settings simultaneously. Channels can be paired in
sequential order, so channel 1 with channel 2, channel 3 with channel 4 and
so on. When two channels are linked, a ‘Link’ icon will appear on the Input
Status Screen and the input name will update. e.g. 1+2.
When on the input metering screen, you will also see a small hyphen
connecting the linked channel numbers.
The Smartgain feature can be utilised to automatically set the correct gain
levels for one or more channels simultaneously.
To activate Smartgain, press the green Smartgain button, you will then be
prompted to select the channels you want to set the gain for. Select the
channels you want using the channel buttons or press and hold the Smartgain
button to quickly select all 8 channels at once.
Smartgain Mode

HARDWARE
Once you have selected the channels you require, press the Smartgain Button
again to start. You will now see a ‘Smartgain Listening’ screen, this is where you
or your artist will need to start performing in order for Smartgain to analyse
your signal.
If all selected channels are successfully set, you will see the ‘Smartgain
Successful’ screen and you are ready to start recording.
If Smartgain fails for any reason you will see the ‘Issue Detected’ screen
followed by the Smartgain Status screen. The Smartgain Status screen gives
you an overview of the status of each channel in relation to Smartgain.
Green - means it was successful
Red - means it failed
Grey - means the channel
was not selected

HARDWARE
If using one or two EVO SP8’s with an EVO 16, Smartgain can be used on all
connected EVO devices simultaneously.
Pressing the Smartgain Button on any SP8 or EVO 16 in your setup will activate
Smartgain across all devices. You can then select up to 24 channels across the
three devices to activate Smartgain on. Press the Smartgain Button again to
enter the listening period and automatically set the gain of up to 24 channels
at once!
Using Smartgain with an Extended
EVO System
Smartgain will now return you to the ‘Select Channels’ screen with the failed
channels automatically pre-selected, simply press Smartgain to start the
process again.
For the channels that failed, double-check your microphone cables, check
if phantom power is required for that microphone, or move the microphone
closer to the sound source. Then try the Smartgain process again.
Note: there is no need to select the green channels again as they were
already successfully set.
Top tip! When using Smartgain on multiple channels, ensure that every
microphone is used during the listening period. For example, if you are
micing a drum kit, ensure the drummer plays the Toms during the listening
period or else the gains for the Toms may be set incorrectly and aect your
recording.