ICON UPORTS 6 VST User manual

User manual
4-In / 2-Out with +48V Phantom Power Recording USB Interface

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
Top Panel..................................................................................................8
Mac driver installation...............................................................................9
Mixer control panel ................................................................................. 11
Windows driver installation.....................................................................12
ProDriver VST ........................................................................................15
Mixer control panel .................................................................................16
Settings (Sample rate and latency settings)...........................................18
ProDriver VST hosting rack....................................................................22
Hardware Connections...........................................................................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:
●UPorts6-VST USB Recording Interface
●Quick Start Guide x 1
●Driver Software CD with Electronic user manual & quick start guide (pdf)
●DAW software – Reaper & KiloHearts VST
●USB 2.0 cable x 1
Thank you for purchasing the ICON UPorts6-VST 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 UPorts6-VST
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 UPorts6-VST 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/2-Out USB Recording Interface
●High dynamic range:
DAC: Dynamic Range: 114dB
ADC: Dynamic Range: 114dB
●4x2 analog I/O full duplex recording and playback
●Dual Mic/Instrument preamps with individual gain control and phantom power switch
●2 analogue inputs on 1/4” TRS jacks
●2 analog outputs on 1/4” TRS jacks
●1 x 1 – 16 channel MIDI I/O
●Master volume control on the front panel
●Direct monitor knob control on the top panel
●2 headphone output with assignable source and individual volume control
●Flexible channel routing via the software control panel
●ICON's innovative ProDriverVST™ VST plug-ins hosting rack is provided
●Kilohearts VST 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 UPorts6-VST USB recording interface provides an audio input and output
module with USB connectivity. Main features include:

6
Front Panel
248
6
7
5
13
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. 48V phantom power switch
Press to supply +48V phantom power to the associated XLR input. This phantom
power circuit is suitable for most condenser microphones.
3. Input gain level controls 1/2
These potentiometers control the input level of their associated analog Mic/Inst/
Line input.
4. Direct monitoring control knob
This potentiometer controls the audio signal ow of the PC output and the actual
analog inputs.
Comp (Anticlockwise) Only PC audio signal will be monitored
Direct Out (Clockwise) Only analog inputs (Mic/Inst 1&2) will be
monitored
Mix (Centre) Both PC & analog inputs audio signal will be
monitored
5. HP Monitor 1 output
This output jack accepts a standard 1/4" stereo TRS headphone connector.
6. HP Monitor 1 volume control
This potentiometer controls the output level of HP Monitor 1.
7. HP Monitor 2 output
This output jack accepts a standard 1/4" stereo TRS headphone connector.
8. HP Monitor 2 volume control
This potentiometer controls the output level of HP Monitor 2.

7
Rear Panel
1
5
4
2
3
1. USB 2.0 Connector
Connect it with the provided USB cable to your Mac/PC’s USB connector.
Your Mac/PC must have a USB2.0 connector in order to run the full speed of
UPorts6-VST.
2. Line inputs 3/4
These are unbalanced analog inputs on standard 1/4″ TS connectors at
–10dB line level.
3. Line outputs 1-2
These are unbalanced analog outputs on standard 1/4″ TS connectors at
+6dBU line level.
4. MIDI I/O connectors
MIDI input and output on standard 5-pin DIN connectors
5. 12V/1A power adaptor
Connect the provided power adaptor here.

Note: UPorts6-VST is not able to work without the provided power adaptor
connected. The USB bus power is not able to provide sufcient power supply
for UPorts6-VST.

8
Mac driver installation
UPorts6-VST 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 UPorts6-VST USB
recording interface.
1. Turn on your Mac
(Note: Do not connect the UPorts6-VST digital audio interface to your Mac yet.)
2. Class compliant device
UPorts6-VST 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 “ProDriver VST” software panel
shortcut logo and paste it to your desktop.
4. Launch the software control
panel
Click the UPorts6-VST’s software
control panel shortcut logo you have
just copied to your desktop to launch
the software control panel.
Diagram 1
Mac
Diagram 2

9
5. Connect your UPorts6-VST
digital audio interface
Now connect the UPorts6-VST digital
audio interface to your Mac's USB
port.
Note: UPorts6-VST audio interface
only support USB2.0. Your Mac must
have a USB2.0 port.
Diagram 4
UPorts6 VST (Core Audio) UPorts6 VST: Output
UPorts6 VST (Core Audio)
UPorts6 VST (Bit Accurate)
6. Audio MIDI setup
Open the “Audio MIDI setup”
window and conrm that the
UPorts6-VST device has
been setup properly as shown in
diagram 4.
Diagram 3
UPorts6 VST
13
13
14 15
USB
Esc
F1 F2 F3 F4
F5
F6
F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
Prtsc
sysrq
pause
Break
Lns
Del
Home
Pgup
PgDN
End
$
~
`
！
1
··
23456778 90
）
）
*—
-
+
=
#￥%
*
##
QWERTYUIOP{}|
ASDFGHJKL:
;
ZXCVBNM<>?
Tab
CapsLook
Shift
Ctrl Alt AltGr Ctrl
Backspace
[
]
|
Enter
Shift
intel
USB
Mac

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. HW Input 3/4 level metering
Shows the hardware 3/4 input level (HW In 3/4).
4. Link switch
Switch to adjust both channels' levels simultaneously.
5. Mute switch
Switch to mute the corresponding channel.
6. “0dB” switch
Switch to instantly adjust the corresponding channel to “0dB” level.
7. Gain control fader
Slide to adjust the gain level for the corresponding channel.
8. 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).
4
5
6
2
1
3
7
8

11
Diagram 6
Diagram 8
Diagram 7
Windows driver installation
Please follow the step-by-step procedures below to install your UPorts6-VST USB
recording interface and its driver.
1. Turn on your computer
Note: Do not connect the UPorts6-VST 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
UPorts6 VST Device Drivers
Icon_UPorts6 VST_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 UPorts6-
VST digital audio
interface
Now connect the UPorts6-VST
digital audio interface to your
computer's USB port.
UPorts6 VST
13
13
14 15
USB
Esc
F1 F2 F3 F4
F5
F6
F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12
Prtsc
sysrq
pause
Break
Lns
Del
Home
Pgup
PgDN
End
$
~
`
！
1
··
23456778 90
）
）
*—
-
+
=
#￥%
*
##
QWERTYUIOP{}|
ASDFGHJKL:
;
ZXCVBNM<>?
Tab
CapsLook
Shift
Ctrl Alt AltGr Ctrl
Backspace
[
]
|
Enter
Shift
intel
USB
Mac
Diagram 16
16
14
Mac
Diagram 15

14
Diagram 17
Diagram 18
ProDriver VST
The UPorts6-VST comes equipped with ProDriver VST - our innovative VST
rack, plug-in host, and virtual signal router. ProDriver VST runs either in standalone
mode or with your favorite digital audio workstation (DAW). Pull up your guitar
modeling VST and play, or plug in your midi controller and control your favorite virtual
instruments without running through your digital audio workstation.

15
1. UPorts6-VST Hardware channels (HW In 1/2, 3/4 & HW Out 1/2)
These are the hardware input and output channels on UPorts6-VST.
2. UPorts6-VST 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
3. UPorts6-VST 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
17
15
2
1110987
16
14
13
12
4
5
3
10
6
11
12
1
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. HW Input 3/4 level metering
Shows the hardware 3/4 input level (HW In 3/4).
4. VC In 1/2 (Virtual) input level metering
Shows the WDM 1/2 output level (VC In 1/2).
5. VC In 3/4 (Virtual) input level metering
Shows the WDM 3/4 output level (VC In 3/4).
6. VC In 5/6 (Virtual) input level metering
Shows the WDM 5/6 output level (VC In 5/6).
7. VC Out 1/2 (Virtual) output level metering
Shows the ASIO 1/2 VC output level (VC Out 1/2).
8. VC Out 3/4 (Virtual) output level metering
Shows the ASIO 3/4 VC output level (VC Out 3/4).
9. VC Out 5/6 (Virtual) output level metering
Shows the ASIO 5/6 VC output level (VC Out 5/6).
10. Loopback 1/2
Shows the ASIO loop-back 1/2 channel’s level metering.
11. Loopback 3/4
Shows the ASIO loop-back 3/4 channel’s level metering.
12. Loopback 5/6
Shows the ASIO loop-back 5/6 channel’s level metering.
13. Link switch
Shows to adjust both channels level simultaneously.
14. Mute switch
Switch to mute the corresponding channel.
15. “0dB” switch
Switch to instantly adjust the corresponding channel to “0dB” level.
16. Gain control fader
Slide to adjust the gain level for the corresponding channel.
17. 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 UPorts6-VST digital audio interface.)