Intellijel Audio I/O v3 2023 User manual

Audio I/O v3 [2023]
Eurorack <-> Line Level Audio Interface
Manual (English)
Revision: 2022.04.10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMPLIANCE 2
INSTALLATION 3
Installing Your Module 4
OVERVIEW 5
FEATURES 6
FRONT PANEL 6
Controls 6
Inputs & Outputs 7
INSTRUCTION 7
Input From an External Source 8
Back Panel I/O 8
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 9
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 2

COMPLIANCE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Intellijel Designs,
Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Any digital equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications.
This device meets the requirements of the following standards and
directives:
EMC: 2014/30/EU
EN55032:2015 ; EN55103-2:2009 (EN55024) ; EN61000-3-2 ;
EN61000-3-3
Low Voltage: 2014/35/EU
EN 60065:2002+A1:2006+A11:2008+A2:2010+A12:2011
RoHS2: 2011/65/EU
WEEE: 2012/19/EU
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 3

INSTALLATION
Intellijel Eurorack modules are designed to be used with a Eurorack-compatible case and power
supply. We recommend you use Intellijel cases and power supplies.
Before installing a new module in your case, make sure your power supply has a free power header
and sufficient available capacity to power the module:
● Sum up the specified +12V current draw for all modules, including the new one. Do the same for
the -12 V and +5V current draw. The current draw will be specified in the manufacturer's
technical specifications for each module.
● Compare each of the sums to specifications for your case’s power supply.
● Only proceed with installation if none of the values exceeds the power supply’s specifications.
Otherwise you must remove modules to free up capacity or upgrade your power supply.
You will also need to ensure your case has enough free space (hp) to fit the new module. To
prevent screws or other debris from falling into the case and shorting any electrical contacts, do not
leave gaps between adjacent modules, and cover all unused areas with blank panels. Similarly, do
not use open frames or any other enclosure that exposes the backside of any module or the power
distribution board.
You can use a tool like ModularGrid to assist in your planning. Failure to adequately power your
modules may result in damage to your modules or power supply. If you are unsure, please contact
us before proceeding.
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 4

Installing Your Module
When installing or removing a module, always turn off
the power to the case and disconnect the power cable.
Failure to do so may result in serious injury or equipment
damage.
Ensure the 10-pin connector on the power cable is
connected correctly to the module before proceeding.
The red stripe on the cable must line up with the -12V
pins on the module’s power connector. The pins are
indicated with the label -12V, a white stripe next to the
connector, the words “red stripe”, or some combination of
those indicators. Some modules have shrouded headers
to prevent accidental reversal.
Most modules will come with the cable already
connected, but it’s good to double check the orientation.
Be aware that some modules may have headers that
serve other purposes, so ensure the cable is connected
to the correct one.
The other end of the cable, with a 16-pin connector,
connects to the power bus board of your Eurorack case.
Ensure the red stripe on the cable lines up with the -12V
pins on the bus board. On Intellijel power supplies the
pins are labeled with “-12V” and/or a thick white stripe,
while others have shrouded headers to prevent
accidental reversal.
If you’re using another manufacturer’s power supply,
check their documentation for instructions.
Before reconnecting power and turning on your modular
system, double check that the ribbon cable is fully seated
on both ends and that all the pins are correctly aligned. If
the pins are misaligned in any direction or the ribbon is
backwards you can cause damage to your module,
power supply, or other modules.
After you have confirmed all the connections, you can
reconnect the power cable and turn on your modular system. You should immediately check that all
your modules have powered on and are functioning correctly. If you notice any anomalies, turn your
system off right away and check your cabling again for mistakes.
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 5

OVERVIEW
The Audio I/O allows you to interface your Eurorack modular system to the pro balanced line level
world (+4 dBu). You can send and return to rack mount/desktop fx units, patch to external line level
instruments like synths and drum machines, interface to a DAW and much more.
FEATURES
● 2 Balanced TRS 1/4″ to Eurorack modular level input paths
● 2 Eurorack modular level signals to Balanced TRS 1/4″ output paths
● 4 six-stage analog led VU meter to monitor all inputs and outputs simultaneously
● Input path has up to 20 dB of gain, which allows you to patch in low-level consumer level signals
and boost them.
● Output path steps a nominal Eurorack level (10 Vpp) down to +4 dBu with up to +6 dB gain
● 3-pin CHAIN IN Link connector
● 3-pin CHAIN OUT Link connector
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 6

FRONT PANEL
Controls
[1] INPUT GAIN L/R : These knobs set the Left and Right
channel gain of the signals coming into the modular via
the balanced TRS LINE IN L/R [B] jacks. The knob
range is from -∞ (no signal) to +20 dB. The signal levels
are indicated on the INPUT LEVEL LEDs [2] .
[2] INPUT LEVEL LEDs : LED ladder indicates the signal
level present at the EURO OUT L/R [A] jacks (as
attenuated by the INPUT GAIN L/R [1] knobs.
[3] OUTPUT GAIN L/R : These knobs set the Left and
Right channel gain of the signal leaving the modular via
the balanced TRS LINE OUT L/R [D] jacks. The knob
range is from -∞ (no signal) to +6 dB. The signal levels
are indicated on the meters above the knobs.
[4] OUTPUT LEVEL LEDs : LED ladder indicates the
signal level sent out the LINE OUT L/R [D] jacks (as
set by the OUTPUT GAIN L/R [3] knobs.
Inputs & Outputs
[A] EURO OUT L/R : These jacks are the Left and Right
modular level outputs of the signals that come into the
system via the balanced TRS LINE IN L/R [B] jacks.
The signals are boosted to modular levels according to
the INPUT GAIN L/R [1] knobs.
[B] LINE IN L/R : These jacks bring signals into your modular system from the outside world, where
they are accessed from the corresponding EURO OUT L/R [A] jacks. Connect a 1/4″ balanced
TRS cable from the output of your other synthesizers, effects pedals, audio interfaces, etc. to
these jacks.
[C] EURO IN L/R : These jacks are the modular level inputs that send your modular’s audio to the
outside world. A modular audio signal connected to these jacks will appear at line level on the
balanced TRS LINE OUT L/R [D] jacks, with gain controlled by the OUTPUT GAIN L/R [3]
knobs.
[D] LINE OUT L/R : These jacks carry signals from your modular to your other audio equipment.
Use a 1/4″ balanced TRS cable to connect each one to an input of an effects pedal, audio
interface, tape recorder, etc.
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 7

INSTRUCTION
The Audio I/O is divided into two halves that function independently. The left side is the Input side,
which takes signals from line level sources such as sound cards, synthesizers, or mixers, and
converts them to modular level. The right side is the Output side, and takes signals from modular
level sources and converts them to line level for sending to a sound card, mixer, or other outboard
processor. The diagram below illustrates a typical configuration for processing audio from a
synthesizer through the modular system and then passing the output to a mixer:
Input From an External Source
To take input from an external sound source and process it through the modular system, first
connect the output of your external device to either the L or R LINE IN [B] jack using a 1/4″ TRS
cable for balanced operation). If you are using a stereo source you may wish to connect to both the
L and R jacks. You can also connect two totally different devices, one to L and the other to R.
The output from each channel of the LINE IN jacks will appear at the corresponding L or R
EURO OUT L/R [A] output directly below the two LINE IN [B] jacks. You can adjust each input’s
level using the INPUT GAIN L/R [1] knobs. Ideally, you’ll set the knobs such that the loudest inputs
cause the input VU meters to go as high as possible without the INPUT LEVEL LEDs [2] red CLIP
LED lighting up.
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 8

Back Panel I/O
You can use the 3-pin CHAIN-IN and 3-pin CHAIN-OUT connectors on the back panel to patch
compatible modules to or from the Audio I/O without using the front panel eurorack jacks.
The 3-pin CHAIN-IN connector allows you to sum (in parallel) other audio sources to go from
Eurorack level to the balanced LINE OUT [D] jacks. This could be from modules like the Mixup 3U,
Xfade 1U, Stereo Mix 1U, and XY I/O 1U. You could also use this to connect with the 3-pin headers
on the Palette and 7U cases audio i/o boards.
The 3-pin CHAIN-OUT connector allows you to directly connect the level-shifted balanced
LINE IN [B] to the inputs of other compatible eurorack devices such as the Mixup 3U, Outs 3U,
Stereo Mix 1U, XY IO 1U, and Headphones v2 1U. You could also connect to the TRS jacks of the
Palette and 7U cases Audio I/O boards.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Width
10 hp
Maximum Depth
39 mm
Current Draw
75 mA @ +12V
70 mA @ -12V
Audio I/O v3 [2023] Manual 9