Lynx Studio Technology E44 User manual
4/30/15
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Lynx e22/e44
User Manual
Table of Contents
1Introduction .................................................................................................................4
1.1Overview ......................................................................................................4
1.2Features ........................................................................................................5
2Before you begin ..........................................................................................................6
2.1In the box .....................................................................................................6
2.2Operational requirements .............................................................................6
2.2.1Windows ............................................................................................................................. 7
2.2.2Macintosh ............................................................................................................................ 7
3Nomenclature Used in this manual ............................................................................7
4Warranty Registration ................................................................................................7
5Installation Procedures ...............................................................................................8
5.1Hardware Installation ...................................................................................8
5.2Installing the Lynx Driver ............................................................................9
5.2.1Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) or Windows 8 ....................................................................... 9
5.2.2OS-X ................................................................................................................................. 11
5.3Cable Connections .....................................................................................13
5.4Clock Settings and Connections ................................................................13
5.4.1External Clock .................................................................................................................. 13
5.4.2Digital In ........................................................................................................................... 14
5.4.3Multiple Lynx cards .......................................................................................................... 1 4
5.5Audio Devices ............................................................................................15
5.6Device Order ..............................................................................................15
5.7Verifying Successful Installation ...............................................................15
6Getting Started ..........................................................................................................16
6.1Windows Quick Audio Test .......................................................................16
6.2Macintosh Quick Audio Test .....................................................................18
7Lynx Mixer Application Reference .........................................................................20
7.1Starting the Lynx Mixer Application within Windows .............................20
7.2Starting Lynx Mixer Application within OS X ..........................................20
7.3General Operation ......................................................................................20
7.3.1Navigation Bar .................................................................................................................. 21
7.3.2Adapter Section ................................................................................................................. 23
7.3.3Record Section .................................................................................................................. 25
7.3.4Play Section ...................................................................................................................... 28
7.3.5Outputs Section ................................................................................................................. 30
7.3.6Mixer Menu ...................................................................................................................... 32
7.3.7Settings Menu ................................................................................................................... 33
7.3.8Settings > Advanced Menu ............................................................................................... 33
8Using the E22/E44 .....................................................................................................36
8.1Configuring multiple cards ........................................................................36
8.1.1Establish clock connections .............................................................................................. 36
8.1.2Setting device order .......................................................................................................... 37
8.1.3Setting clock sources in the Lynx Mixer ........................................................................... 38
8.1.4Configure for use (Windows) ............................................................................................ 38
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8.1.5Configure for Use (OS-X) ................................................................................................. 39
8.2Application Setup.......................................................................................39
8.2.1Windows ........................................................................................................................... 39
8.2.2Macintosh OS-X ............................................................................................................... 4 3
8.3Onboard Variable Trim Pots ......................................................................44
8.4Updating Firmware ....................................................................................46
8.5Volume Control Settings Application (Windows Only) ............................47
8.6Connector Pinouts ......................................................................................48
8.6.1Audio Port ......................................................................................................................... 48
8.6.2Sync Port ........................................................................................................................... 49
8.6.3Header Connectors ............................................................................................................ 4 9
9Specifications .............................................................................................................50
10Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................51
11Support....................................................................................................................54
11.1Lynx Website Support Resources ..............................................................54
11.2Telephone Support .....................................................................................54
11.3Registering your E44/E22 ..........................................................................54
11.4Return Policy .............................................................................................55
11.5Locating the Serial Number of Your E44/E22 ..........................................55
12License Agreement .................................................................................................55
13Warranty Information...........................................................................................56
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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Lynx E22 or E44™ audio interface! We have worked hard to
create a reliable and high performance audio device using the latest high-speed interfacing
technology available. We believe you will find our efforts to benefit all of your audio
projects immensely.
This manual covers operation, product characteristics, and information to help you get
started. Additional information is available via our website’s support resources. Please refer
to Section 11: Support at the end of this manual for support contact information.
The E22/E44 is a PCI Express audio interface which offers mastering quality Analog-to-
Digital, and Digital-to-Analog conversion, as well as Digital I/O. Its drivers have been hand-
coded to provide reliable operation with the widest variety of software applications and
computer configurations. The E22/E44 can be used with Windows- or Mac-based computer
systems, and is compatible with a variety of hardware expansion chassis where native PCIe
slots are not available. It includes a convenient and easy-to-use software interface for setting
parameters, managing volume levels, monitoring input signals and viewing real-time meters,
etc.
PCIe is the optimal conduit for an interface as it provides high bandwidth, low latency, and
minimal interference from Operating System processes. Well-designed PCIe interfaces are
ideal for mission critical contexts, as there is an established history of consistent up-time and
bullet proof reliability. The Lynx field programmable hardware design ensures that the E22
and E44 hardware can be updated via online firmware updates to keep the card feature rich
and adapted to the latest technologies. These upgradeable designs have been instrumental in
the legendary lifespan of Lynx audio products.
1.1 Overview
The E22 and E44 audio interfaces turn your computer into a powerful digital audio
workstation, providing both mastering-quality AD/DA conversion as well as Digital I/O. The
included Lynx Mixer application provides zero-latency monitoring, accurate metering,
adapter configuration and flexible routing capabilities. Lynx Mixer is identical for computers
running Windows or OS-X. With support for WDM and ASIO on Windows computers and
Core Audio with OS-X computers, virtually all professional audio applications can work
with the E22/E44 cards.
Up to four E22, E44 or Lynx AES16e cards can be used in a single computer. For users who
have computers without PCIe slots, these cards can be installed into a Thunderbolt expansion
chassis for seamless operation with the latest generation computer hardware.
Similar to other Lynx products, E22 and E44 incorporate an FPGA for audio mixing and
control functions that can be easily updated in the field. This flexible design improves
compatibility with future computer systems and allows for an evolving feature set.
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1.2 Features
¾ Hi-Speed PCI Express connectivity
¾ Mastering Quality Analog inputs and outputs: 2 channels with E22, 4 channels with E44
¾ Digital Ports are user-switchable between AES and SPDIF: 2 channels with E22, 4
channels with E44
¾ Up to four Lynx E44 / E22 cards can be used in a single computer for a total of 32
possible I/O channels. May be combined with AES16e cards
¾ Includes Lynx Mixer to manage all settings, save scenes, and facilitate low-latency
hardware monitoring
¾ Supports operation within popular Thunderbolt expansion chassis by Magma, Sonnet
and others
¾ Supports ASIO and WDM for Windows and Core Audio for Mac OS-X
¾ Fully supports current operating systems, from Windows 7 and Mac OS-X 10.8, and
above
¾ Easily installed into PCI Express capable Mac or PC computers
¾ Supports external clocking via word clock or a digital input
¾ Trim pots for calibrating analog inputs and outputs to any professional or consumer
reference level
¾ Field programmable with downloadable firmware updates
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2 Before you begin
We recommend that you read through the entire manual to acquire an overview of the
installation procedure and use of the E22/E44.
It is highly recommended that you have a good working knowledge of Windows and/or
Macintosh operating system basics and an understanding of computer hardware basics. This
information is widely available on the web and from various computer hardware and
software manufacturers.
We also strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with the basics of digital audio and
computer recording, and particularly with the basic functionality of your chosen audio
software. A solid grasp of the operational fundamentals of your Digital Audio Workstation
software and its user interface will go a long way toward enhancing your experience with the
E22/E44.
2.1 In the box
The following items are included in your E22/E44 carton:
¾ E22/E44 card in an antistatic bag
¾ Quick Start Guide
If any items are missing or damaged, please contact your dealer or Lynx at
www.lynxstudio.com.
Please note that the cables are sold separately.
2.2 Operational requirements
To use the E22/E44 you must have a computer with an available PCI Express slot. It can be
any size from x1 through x16. An alternative is an expansion chassis that accepts PCIe cards,
and connects to the computer via Thunderbolt or some other method. If considering this
route, check with Lynx Technical Support for recommendations of chassis that have been
verified with Lynx cards.
It also is important to note that most professional audio applications place significant
demands on your computer’s resources, and it is therefore recommended that you meet or
exceed the recommended system requirements for your Digital Audio Workstation software,
which will likely be greater than those listed for the E22/E44. Please refer to your audio
software’s documentation for more information. Also, installing multiple cards will place
greater demands on the host computer than the minimum requirements.
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2.2.1 Windows
¾ 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
¾ 1GB RAM (32-bit) or 2GB (64-bit)
¾ One functional PCI Express slot
¾ Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit), Windows 8, or greater
¾ A connection to the Internet to download the Lynx Driver (this can be from a different
computer than the one that the card is installed into)
NOTE: The E22/E44 is not supported under Windows 95, 98, ME, Windows 2000, Windows
XP or Windows Vista. Windows installed via BootCamp is not supported.
2.2.2 Macintosh
¾ Any Intel Processor based Apple Macintosh computer running OS X 10.8 or higher
¾ 1GB RAM
¾ One functional PCI Express slot
¾ A connection to the Internet to download the Lynx Driver (this can be from a different
computer than the one that the card is installed into)
NOTE: The E22/E44 is not supported with OS X 10.7 or below.
3 Nomenclature Used in this manual
The following typographic conventions are used in this manual:
¾ ALL UPPER CASE TEXT refers to a specific parameter selection control (i.e. SYNC
SOURCE) or a cable connection.
¾ Text in quotation marks indicates a parameter selection value or menu option (i.e.
“EXT”).
Phrases, such as: Start > Programs > Lynx Studio Technology use the greater than symbol
(“>”) to indicate multiple menu options or mouse selections within a software control
context.
4 Warranty Registration
Lynx is committed to providing you with the best service possible. To help us serve you
better, please be sure to register your E22/E44.
Register on the web at: www.lynxstudio.com > Support> Register Your Product
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5 Installation Procedures
The procedure for installing the E22/E44 requires that you physically install the card inside
your computer before running the Driver Installer.
The Driver Installer will install the required driver files and the Lynx Mixer application, as
well as configure your system to recognize the E22/E44.
5.1 Hardware Installation
1. Turn OFF the power to your computer system and disconnect the power cords.
2. Touch a metal plate on your computer system to ground yourself and discharge any
static electricity.
3. The E22/E44 Digital I/O is set to AES by default. If you would like to switch the
protocol to SPDIF, this is done with jumpers JP701 and JP702 to set the mode, and
switch SW200 to set the format. In the case of the E44 you can switch both Digital
I/Os to SPDIF or have one be SPDIF and the other AES. Remember that both the
jumpers and switches must be altered to go from the default of AES to SPDIF. To set
the mode, refer to the graphic below for jumpers JP701 and JP702. The format is set
using SW200: Switch 1 controls Digital In/Out 1while Switch 2 controls Digital
In/Out 2 (E44 only). The ON position selects SPDIF format and the ON position
selects SPDIF format.
4. Remove the cover from your computer chassis and select an empty PCI Express slot
in your computer.
5. You should refer to your computer system documentation for any special instructions
on installing expansion cards and peripheral equipment.
6. Unscrew and remove the slot cover from your selected PCI Express slot.
7. Insert the E22/E44 into the selected PCI Express slot and press it down so that the
contacts are securely seated.
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8. Secure the bracket of the card to the computer chassis using a chassis screw or
retaining bracket.
9. Replace the computer chassis cover and reconnect the power cord.
10. Connect the Audio and Sync cables to the E22/E44. Refer to Section 5.3: Cable
Connections for more information.
11. Install software using the installation procedure for your computer type and operating
system from the following section.
5.2 Installing the Lynx Driver
Lynx Drivers and firmware updaters are updated regularly. The most current versions can be
easily downloaded from the Lynx Website: http://www.lynxstudio.com/ > Support>
Downloads. Make sure that you choose Lynx E44 or Lynx E22 as the “Product”.
If you are updating an existing driver, the driver installation program will automatically
remove the old driver when the new one is installed. When installing drivers, make sure that
all software programs, especially audio applications, are closed.
The steps below will presume that the appropriate driver has been downloaded to your
computer.
5.2.1 Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit) or Windows 8
1. Locate the E44/E22 driver from your downloaded files. The file name will be
V2Setup###.exe (where ### is the version number of the driver)
2. Double-click the installation file to start the driver installation
3. Accept the License Agreement by clicking “Accept”
4. The installer will extract the necessary files to the C:\Lynx directory. Click “Extract”
from this window
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5. If you are prompted to let the program make changes to the computer, select “Yes”
6. You will next see the driver Install dialog. Click “Install”
7. You may get a Windows Security Dialog Bog. If so, select “Install”
8. Driver installation will proceed
9. Finally you will receive a confirmation that the install completed successfully
10. The card is ready to use, no reboot necessary
NOTE: The driver installation process installs both the Windows driver and the Lynx
Mixer application. The Lynx Mixer application is installed into the Lynx Studio
Technology program group
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5.2.2 OS-X
1. Locate the Lynx driver from your downloaded files. The file name will be
Lynx_OSX_##.zip (where ## is the version number of the driver). Double-click to
expand the installer package.
2. Double-click “Lynx OSX.pkg” that was expanded from the step above. This will start
the driver installation.
3. Click “Continue” at the “Install Lynx CoreAudio Driver Installer” dialog box
4. Click “Continue” for the Software License Agreement after reading it
5. Click “Agree” from the next Window
6. Click “Install” in the Standard Install Window
7. Type in Password and click “Install Software”
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8. Click “Continue Installation” for prompt about restarting computer after the
installation
9. The installation will continue
10. When complete, you will be prompted to restart the computer
11. After restart the driver will be installed and ready for use
NOTE: The OS-X installation process installs both the Core Audio driver and the Lynx
Mixer application. The Lynx Mixer application is installed in the “Applications” folder.
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5.3 Cable Connections
The cables for the E22 and E44 cards are optional. If you only need analog I/O connections
then only the analog cables would be necessary. If only digital I/O is necessary, only the
digital cables would be required. Word clock connections are on the digital cables only.
This chart details the cable options and features:
Cable Set I/O Types Target Card Length
CBL-L2AUDIOA 4 Analog I/O E44 6 feet
CBL-ESYNC 2 Digital I/O, Word clock I/O E44 6 feet
CBL-L22AUDIO 2 Analog I/O E22 6 feet
CBL-L22SYNC 1 Digital I/O, Word clock I/O E22 6 feet
5.4 Clock Settings and Connections
The E22/E44 supports sample rate from 44.1kHz to 192kHz and all of the common rates in
between.
For the majority of E22/E44 users, keeping the default clock source of “Internal” is the best
choice. In this state, the card is running from its own onboard crystal clock generator. This is
a reliable, accurate and low jitter clock source, suited for the most demanding of contexts.
Also, when the card is clocked internally, it will respond automatically to sample rate
changes from audio software or the Operating System.
There are cases though where one would want to slave the card to an external source: where
there is a house clock generator, or a context with multiple pieces of digital equipment, or
even a computer system with multiple Lynx PCIe cards. We will look at the appropriate
Lynx Mixer settings for different clock sources and the cable connection considerations
below:
5.4.1 External Clock
The E44/E22 can slave to a master/house clock source via word clock. Word clock
connections are provided with the Digital cable sets, either the CBL-ESYNC for the E44 or
CBL-L22SYNC for the E22. Connect a word clock cable from the clock source to the BNC
port labelled “Clock In” on the Lynx cable. In the Lynx Mixer, “EXT” should be selected as
the Preferred Clock Source. In this state, it is important to verify that the clock source is
operating at the same sample rate as the audio being played. If the card is receiving a valid
clock signal, the sample rate will be displayed next to “External” in the Preferred Clock
Source section of the Lynx Mixer Adapter.
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5.4.2 Digital In
When Digital In is selected, the card will slave to the clock that is presented to its digital
inputs. In the case of the E44, where there are two pairs of digital inputs available, you can
choose between “Digital In 1” or “Digital In 2”. As with word clock, it is crucial that the
clock source be set to the same sample rate as the project or audio file being played.
If the clock source is a SPDIF device, make sure that the digital input is configured for
SPDIF (see Section 5.1: Hardware Installation).
5.4.3 Multiple Lynx cards
The E22/E44 cannot be used in a system with Lynx PCI cards, such as the AES16 or
LynxTWO. However, multiple E22/E44 and Lynx AES16e cards can be used in one
computer. Up to four of any combination of PCIe Lynx cards can be used in a single system.
In a multi-card system there are two primary options for insuring clock synchronicity:
A. The first way is to have one Lynx card be the clock master. In this scenario, clock is
distributed internally from one card to the others. Each Lynx card has two clock
header connections on the PCIe edge of the board. One connector is labelled “Clock
In” and the other is labelled “Clock Out”. The Lynx CBL-ICC cable is used to
connect these ports together.
Connect the CBL-ICC cable from the “Clock Out” of the card that you wish to be
Card #1, to the “Clock In”: of Card #2. If there are more than two cards in the system,
continue to daisy chain: “Clock Out” from card 2 to “Clock In” for card #3, etc. If
there are four cards in the system, we would not recommend this clock method.
Instead, all cards should be clocked externally for optimal performance.
In multiple Lynx card configurations, cards are identified numerically as Card #1,
Card #2, etc. in the Lynx Mixer as well as in the driver devices that you will see in
your recording software. The card order can be changed after the fact by the user,
from within the Lynx Mixer. See Section 8.1.2: Setting device order. In a multi-card
configuration it is essential that that the card that is the clock Master be Card #1.
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For the slave cards, make sure that a sample rate shows up next to “Header” in the
Preferred Clock Source section of the Lynx Mixer, and select that as the clock source.
B. As an alternative, all the Lynx cards can be clock slaves in a multi-card configuration.
In this case, word clock or digital in can be selected as the clock source, depending on
the overall configuration. It is essential that there is a single Master clock source in
the system, either a converter or dedicated clock generator. When more than three
digital devices are being used, we recommend investing in some sort of clock
distribution hardware. This insures solid clock performance and phase coherence for
all connected devices.
Clocking in a complex studio environment can be an art. Always feel free to check with
Lynx Tech Support for recommendations.
5.5 Audio Devices
The E22 will appear to the operating system as a 4-channel device, 2- channels of Analog I/O
and 2-channels of Digital I/O. The play devices are labeled as Play 1-4, and the record
devices are labeled as Record 1-4.
The E44 will appear to the operating system as an 8-channel device, 4 analog plus 4 digital.
The play devices are labeled as Play 1-8, and the record devices are labeled as Record 1-8.
5.6 Device Order
In a multiple card configuration, some of the newer operating systems have a tendency to
cause the order of devices to switch. For instance, on one boot cycle Card A will be device 1
and Card B will be device 2 within the OS. After a different boot cycle, this may change so
that Card B is device 1 and Card A is device 2.
The Lynx Mixer has a solution to this dilemma. Please see 8.1.2: Setting Device Order, for
details.
5.7 Verifying Successful Installation
To verify that the driver was successfully installed and is operational, launch the Lynx Mixer
application. In Windows this can be found at Start > All Programs > Lynx Studio
Technology > Lynx Mixer. In OS X the Lynx Mixer can be found in Applications.
If the Lynx Mixer opens without error, then the hardware has been successfully installed. If
there is an error message on launch, check Section 10: Troubleshooting, or contact Lynx
Technical Support.
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6 Getting Started
With the drivers and Mixer application installed, the E22/E44 can now be used with most
popular third-party audio applications. However, it is a good practice to verify that the
system is functional by testing the card with the following procedure.
6.1 Windows Quick Audio Test
The installation of your card can be tested using the Lynx Mixer and the Lynx Demo
application that is installed automatically by the driver installer. This is a quick way of
verifying that the interface is installed correctly and properly connected to your external
equipment.
1. Connect Analog Output 1+2 of the E22/E44 to monitoring equipment capable of
delivering an audio signal for listening via headphones or speakers. These are the outputs
used for this test.
2. Open the Lynx Mixer. We want the card to be in its default state for this test, so click
Mixer > Restore Defaults.
3. Open the Lynx Demo application by clicking Start > All Programs > Lynx Studio
Technology > Lynx Demo. The Lynx Demo program should appear in the upper left
corner of your screen. Make certain that the Play Device is set to “eXX Speakers”.
4. Download “SineWaveMinus16.zip” from the www.lynxstudio.com website: Support >
Downloads > Product=E22/E44 > OS = Windows > All Files. Save it to the computer’s
desktop. Double click the file to extract SineWaveMinus16.wav
5. In Lynx Demo, click “File” and navigate to the computer’s Desktop, then select
“SineWaveMinus16.wav” and click “Open.”
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6. Click “Play.” You should see the progress bar move from left to right.
7. Launch the Lynx Mixer application. Check the Outputs pane at the bottom. Check for
meter activity for AOut (Analog Outputs) 1&2. If you have speakers or headphones
connected to your destination device, you should be hearing audio as well.
If the test did not operate as described or you received any errors, please refer to
Section 10: Troubleshooting.
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6.2 Macintosh Quick Audio Test
The installation of your E22/E44 can be tested using the Lynx Mixer application and the
iTunes software that is included with OS-X. This is a quick way of verifying that the
interface is installed correctly and properly connected to your external equipment.
1. Open Audio MIDI Setup from Applications > Utilities.
2. If the Audio Devices window does not appear automatically, then select “Show Audio
Menu” from the “Window” menu.
3. All available audio devices will appear in the left pane. Locate the E22/E44 from this list.
4. Select this device. From the Gear icon in the bottom left corner, click “Use this device for
sound output”
5. Download “SineWaveMinus16.zip” from the www.lynxstudio.com website: Support >
Downloads > Product=E22/E44 > OS = OSX > All Files. Save it to the computer’s
desktop. Double click the file to extract sinewaveminus16.wav
6. Connect Analog Output 1+2 of the E22/E44 to monitoring equipment capable of
delivering an audio signal for listening via headphones or speakers. These are the outputs
used for this test.
7. Open the Lynx Mixer. We want the card to be in its default state for this test, so click
Mixer > Restore Defaults.
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8. Launch iTunes from “Applications” or from the OS-X dock. Drag the
“SineWaveMinus16.aif” file from your desktop into the iTunes song list
9. Highlight this file from the song list and click the Play button. Make sure that the iTunes
progress bar is moving from left to right.
10. Open the Lynx Mixer and show the Play Panel. Check for meter activity for AOut
(Analog Outputs) 1&2. If you have speakers or headphones connected to your destination
device, you should be hearing audio as well.
If the test did not operate as described or you received any errors, please refer to
Section 10: Troubleshooting.
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7 Lynx Mixer Application Reference
The Lynx Mixer application allows control of card parameters from a convenient software
interface. It also provides accurate real-time metering for all inputs and outputs, and displays
status information, sync source and sample rate. The Lynx Mixer is automatically installed
with the driver setup program for Windows or OS X.
7.1 Starting the Lynx Mixer Application within Windows
Click: Programs > Lynx Studio Technology > Lynx Mixer.
7.2 Starting Lynx Mixer Application within OS X
From Finder, click Applications >Lynx Mixer.
7.3 General Operation
The Lynx Mixer is a single screen app for controlling the routing and various features of the
E22/E44. The software simply reveals and facilitates changes to the hardware, so the Mixer
will not launch if a Lynx card is not installed and functional. In addition to the controls on
the Main Window there are two menus with additional features.
For multi-card installations, there are tabs on the left side of the screen for each card. When
the tab is clicked, then the settings on the main screen, and in the menus, pertain to that
individual card. This makes managing a large amount of I/O simple, and allows for keeping
settings and connections well organized.
Each card in a multi-card system is marked by a numeric identification. The order of devices
can be changed, and will be covered in Section 8.1.2: Setting Device Order. Each card’s
position, from first to last, will be consistent with the order that the interfaces appear to your
This manual suits for next models
1
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