ICON VH4 User manual

User manual
4-In / 4-Out Recording USB Interface with MIDI & S/PDIF I/O

Important Safety Instructions
1. Read this manual thoroughly before using this unit.
2. Keep this manual for future reference.
3. Take notice of and comply with all warnings included in the user's manual or indicated on the
appliance.
4. Follow all instructions included in this manual.
5. Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. Avoid having water or other liquids spilled on this
unit.
6. When cleaning the cabinet or other parts of this appliance, use only a dry or slightly damp soft
cloth.
7. Do not block any ventilation openings or interfere with the proper ventilation of this unit. Install
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Do not use or store near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other heat-
producing appliances.
9. Do not interfere with the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug
has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third
grounding prong. These are designated for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your
outlet, consult an electrician.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or otherwise damaged by items placed on or
against them. Particular attention should be given to the plugs, receptacles, and the point where
the cord exits the appliance.
11. To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not touch any exposed wiring while the unit is in
operation.
12. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
13. Unplug this unit and all connected electrical equipment during lightning storms or when left
unused a long period of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the appliance has
been damaged in any way or fails to operate normally.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture

Introduction...............................................................................................4
What’s in the package? ............................................................................4
Features ...................................................................................................5
Front Panel ..............................................................................................6
Rear Panel................................................................................................7
Mac driver installation...............................................................................8
Mixer control panel .................................................................................10
Windows driver installation..................................................................... 11
ProDrive Ⅲ.............................................................................................14
Mixer control panel .................................................................................15
Settings (Sample rate and latency settings)...........................................17
ProDrive Ⅲhosting rack.........................................................................21
Hardware Connections...........................................................................22
Hardware Connections (Continues) .......................................................23
Specications .........................................................................................24
Services..................................................................................................25
Contents

4
Introduction
What’s in the package?
Please write your serial number here for future reference:
Purchased at:
Date of purchase:
●VH4 USB Recording Interface
●Quick Start Guide x 1
●Driver Software CD with Electronic user manual & quick start guide (pdf)
●DAW software – Reaper & KiloHearts
●USB 2.0 cable x 1
Thank you for purchasing the ICON VH4 digital audio Interface. We sincerely trust
this product will provide years of satisfactory service, but if anything is not to your
complete satisfaction, we will endeavor to make things right.
In these pages, you'll nd a detailed description of the features of the VH4 digital
audio interface, as well as a guided tour through its front and rear panels, step-by-
step instructions for its setup and use, and full specications.
You'll also nd a warranty card enclosed---please don't forget to ll it out and mail
it in, or register your product online at: www.iconproaudio.com, for the most
effective technical support, and so we can send you updated information about this
and other ICON products in the future. As with most electronic devices, we strongly
recommend you retain the original packaging. In the unlikely event the product
must be returned for servicing, the original packaging (or reasonable equivalent) is
required.
With proper care and adequate air circulation, your VH4 digital audio interface will
operate without any trouble for many years. We recommend that you record your
serial number in the space provided below for future reference.

5
Features
●24-Bit 192KHz 4-In/4-Out USB Recording Interface
●High dynamic range:
DAC: Dynamic Range: 114dB
ADC: Dynamic Range: 114dB
●2x2 analog I/O full duplex recording and playback
●Dual Mic/Instrument preamps with individual gain control and phantom power switch
●2 analog outputs on 1/4” TRS jacks
●S/PDIF I/O on RCA coaxial connectors
●1 x 1 – 16 channel MIDI I/O
●Master volume control on the front panel
●Direct monitor knob control on the front panel
●1 headphone output with assignable source and individual volume control
●Flexible channel routing via the software control panel
●ICON's innovative ProDrive Ⅲ™ plug-ins hosting rack is provided
●Kilohearts plug-ins are provided
●USB2.0 High Speed equipped and USB bus-powered
●Supports DirectSound, WDM and ASIO2.0
●Compatible with Mac OS (Intel-Mac) 10.11 and later, iOS 9 or above and Windows 7,
8 & 10 (32-bit/64-bit)
●Full duplex, simultaneous record/playback
●+12VDC power supply connector is equipped for external power supply when using
with iOS
●Rugged aluminum construction
The ICON VH4 USB recording interface provides an audio input and output module
with USB connectivity. Main features include:

6
Front Panel
1. “Mic/Inst” Inputs 1/2
Unbalanced instrument and mic level inputs. These hybrid connectors will accept a
standard 3-pin XLR plug or a 1/4” TS connector.
2. Clip LED
When lit, this LED indicates clipping input level at the associated Mic/Inst input.
The LED will illuminate when the signal is 3dB below the clipping point.
3. Signal LED
When lit, this LED indicates the presence of an audio signal at the associated
Mic/Inst input.
4. 48V phantom power switch
When this switch is in the IN position, +48V phantom power is supplied to the XLR
input. This phantom power circuit is suitable for most condenser microphones.
5. Input gain level controls 1/2
This potentiometer controls the input level of its associated analog
Mic/Instrument/Line input.
6. Hardware / PC Monitoring Control
Hardware direct monitoring ( Clockwise - "Direct Out" ) eliminates the latency or
delay inherent in even the best internal circuitry while listening to your input and
existing tracks. You can also listen to your input complete with effects (Counter-
Clockwise - "PC") while recording by using extremely the low-latency ASIO
monitoring.
7. Headphone output
The output jack accepts a standard 1/4" stereo TRS headphone connector with
individual level regulated by the HEADPHONE LEVEL CONTROLS. The default
source selection for the headphone output is identical to line outputs 1/2.
8. Headphone level control
The potentiometers controls the output level of the headphone output.
9. Power switch
This switch controls the overall power to the unit.

6 7 94 5
1 832

7
Rear Panel
1. Power supply connector
Connect the 12VDC power supply to this jack using an AC adaptor
provided.

2. S/PDIF coaxial I/O connectors
S/PDIF digital input and output on coaxial RCA connectors. The digital input is
selected via the VH4's software control panel, while the digital output will be sent
to the coaxial .

3. MIDI I/O connectors
MIDI input and output on standard 5-pin DIN connectors.

4. USB 2.0 connector
Connect it with the provided USB cable to your Mac/PC/iOS device camera kit’s
USB connector. Your Mac/PC must have a USB2.0 connector in order to run the
full speed of VH4.

5. Line outputs 1/2
These are balanced analog outputs on standard 1/4" TS connectors
at +4dB line level. These outputs will support standard stereo, as well as 2
mono.
1 4 3 52

8
Mac driver installation
VH4 is a class compliant device. Thus there is no driver installation
needed for Mac. Also, it fully supports iOS devices by connecting the unit to a
camera kit.
Please follow the step-by-step procedures below to install your VH4 USB recording
interface.
1. Turn on your Mac
(Note: Do not connect the VH4 digital audio interface to your Mac yet.)
2. Class compliant device
VH4 is class compliant on macOS, so no driver installation is needed.
3. Copy the software control panel shortcut logo to your
desktop
Open the previous “Mac” folder. Copy the “ProDrive Ⅲ” software panel
shortcut logo and paste it to your desktop.
4. Launch the software control
panel
Click the VH4 ’s software control
panel shortcut logo you have just
copied to your desktop to launch the
software control panel.
Diagram 1
Diagram 2

9
5. Connect your VH4 digital
audio interface
Now connect the VH4 digital audio
interface to your Mac's USB port.
Note: VH4 audio interface only
support USB2.0. Your Mac must
have a USB2.0 port.
Diagram 4
VH4 (Core Audio) VH4 : Output
VH4 (Core Audio)
VH4 (Bit Accurate)
6. Audio MIDI setup
Open the “Audio MIDI setup”
window and conrm that the
VH4 device has
been setup properly as shown in
diagram 4.
Diagram 3
Ⅲ
Ⅲ

10
Diagram 5
1. HW Input 1/2 level metering
Shows the hardware 1/2 input level. (HW In 1/2).
2. HW Output 1/2 level metering
Shows the hardware 1/2 output level.(HW Out 1/2).
3. S/PDIF In 3/4
Shows the S/PDIF 3/4 input level (S/PDIF In 3/4).
4. S/PDIF Out 3/4
Shows the S/PDIF 3/4 output level (S/PDIF Out 3/4).
5. Link switch
Switch to adjust both channels' levels simultaneously.
6. Mute switch
Switch to mute the corresponding channel.
7. “0dB” switch
Switch to instantly adjust the corresponding channel to “0dB” level.
8. Gain control fader
Slide to adjust the gain level for the corresponding channel.
9. Inputs & Outputs Matrix switches
Switch to turn On/Off the corresponding input channel route to the corresponding
output channel. Remember you may route any input(s) to any output(s).
Mixer control panel
The mixers work like a matrix mixer. Activate and adjust the corresponding input or output
channel level. They are very useful and make your inputs and outputs very exible. You may
route any of your input(s) to any output(s).

11
Diagram 6
Diagram 8
Diagram 7
Windows driver installation
Please follow the step-by-step procedures below to install your VH4 USB recording
interface and its driver.
1. Turn on your computer
Note: Do not connect the VH4 digital audio interface to your computer yet.
2. Insert the Driver CD into your CD-Rom.
After you have inserted the provided Driver CD into your CD-Rom, an Installation
screen should appear as shown in Diagram 6, then click "Windows” for the driver
installation".

Note: If the Installation screen does not appear automatically. Go to the CD
folder and double click "Setup" .
3. Installation Wizard appears
Choose "Next" when you see the Welcome
Screen shown in Diagram 7.
4. License Agreement
Click “I Agree” to proceed.

12
VH4 Device Drivers
Icon_VH4 _2.9.86.50.exe
Diagram 9
Diagram 10
5. Select components for installation
Check mark the components that you would
like to install. We strongly recommend that
you select all components.
6. Preparing installation les
Once the installation process has started,
the process may take some time depending
on your computer performance. Please be
patient and wait for the process to nish.
7. Click “Install” to proceed.
Note: The same message will appear three
times as there are three different driver
installations.
Diagram 11
Diagram 12
Diagram 13

13
8. Setup completed
A window as shown in Diagram 14
should appear. Choose "Finish”.

Diagram 14
9. Launch the software
control panel
You may click the ICON ProAudio
logo on the system tray to launch
the software control panel (Page 15).
10. Connect your VH4
digital audio interface
Now connect the VH4 digital
audio interface to your
computer's USB port.
Ⅲ
Ⅲ
Diagram 16
Ⅲ
Ⅲ
Ⅲ
Ⅲ
Ⅲ
Ⅲ
Diagram 15

14
Diagram 17
Diagram 18
ProDrive Ⅲ
The VH4 comes equipped with ProDrive Ⅲ- our innovative
rack, plug-in host, and virtual signal router. ProDrive Ⅲruns either in standalone
mode or with your favorite digital audio workstation (DAW). Pull up your guitar
modeling and play, or plug in your midi controller and control your favorite virtual
instruments without running through your digital audio workstation.

15
1. VH4 Hardware channels (HW In 1/2 & HW Out 1/2)
These are the hardware input and output channels on VH4 .
2. VH4 S/PDIF channels (S/PDIF In 3/4 & S/PDIF Out 3/4)
These are the S/PDIF input and output channels on VH4 .
3. VH4 Virtual channels (VC In 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6), (VC Out 1/2, 3/4
and 5/6)
These are the input and output virtual channels that related to the WDM.
For example: WDM Out 1/2 linked to VC In1/2
VC Out1/2 linked to WDM In1/2
4. VH4 Loopback channels (LB 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6)
These are the ASIO loop-back channels.
Mixer control panel
On the mixer control panel, there are four different main types of ASIO channels that
you can manipulate.
Diagram 19
Ⅲ
1. HW Input 1/2 level metering
Shows the hardware 1/2 input level (HW In 1/2).
2. HW Output 1/2 level metering
Shows the hardware 1/2 output level (HW Out 1/2).
By activating different cross points, you may route the corresponding signal to your
desired channels.

16
3. S/PDIF Input 3/4 level metering
Shows the S/PDIF 3/4 input level. (S/PDIF In 3/4).
4. S/PDIF Output 3/4 level metering
Shows the S/PDIF 3/4 output level. (S/PDIF Out 3/4)
5. VC In 1/2 (Virtual) input level metering
Shows the WDM 1/2 output level (VC In 1/2).
6. VC In 3/4 (Virtual) input level metering
Shows the WDM 3/4 output level (VC In 3/4).
7. VC In 5/6 (Virtual) input level metering
Shows the WDM 5/6 output level (VC In 5/6).
8. VC Out 1/2 (Virtual) output level metering
Shows the ASIO 1/2 VC output level (VC Out 1/2).
9. VC Out 3/4 (Virtual) output level metering
Shows the ASIO 3/4 VC output level (VC Out 3/4).
10. VC Out 5/6 (Virtual) output level metering
Shows the ASIO 5/6 VC output level (VC Out 5/6).
11. Loopback 1/2
Shows the ASIO loop-back 1/2 channel’s level metering.
12. Loopback 3/4
Shows the ASIO loop-back 3/4 channel’s level metering.
13. Loopback 5/6
Shows the ASIO loop-back 5/6 channel’s level metering.
14. Link switch
Switch to adjust both channels level simultaneously.
15. Mute switch
Switch to mute the corresponding channel.
16. “0dB” switch
Switch to instantly adjust the corresponding channel to “0dB” level.
17. Gain control fader
Slide to adjust the gain level for the corresponding channel.
18. Inputs & Outputs Matrix switches
Switch to turn On/Off the corresponding input channel route to the corresponding
output channel. The matrix is very useful and makes your inputs and outputs
very exible. You may route any of your input(s) to any output(s).

17
Click the “Setting” button to launch the settings window.
Sample rate setting
Select your desired sampling rate from 44.1KHz to 192KHz on the pull down
window shown in Diagram 21.
Settings (Sample rate and latency settings)
Diagram 20
Diagram 21

18
Latency settings
Diagram 22

●Safe (maximum latency)
●Extra Large
●Normal
●Small
●Very Small
●Minimum (minimum latency)
●Custom
There are six standard latency settings to select. If you would like to customize
your own latency value, select custom.

19
Diagram 23
Diagram 24
There are three different settings you can adjust to customize your own latency
settings: These values include:
1. ASIO buffer Size
You may adjust the value ranging from 32/64/128/256/512/1024/2048 and 4096.
2. Streaming buffer Size
Adjustable settings: Minimum/Low/Normal/High and Maximum.

20
Diagram 25
Diagram 26
3. Streaming buffer volume
Adjustable values: 2/3 and 4.
(Note: If a warning message appears on the “Latency Status” windows, please
select a larger latency setting.)
(Note: If a clicking sound occurs, you should change to a larger buffer size
for the settings. If the largest buffer size has been selected and there is still a
clicking sound. It means your computer performance is not able to handle the
task. (It is not caused by VH4 digital audio interface.)