MOTU Traveler-mk3 User manual

™
Traveler- mk3
User Guide for Mac
1280 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Business voice: [phone]
Business fax: [phone]
Web site: www.motu.com
Tech support: www.motu.com/support

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
WARNING:TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR OTHER MOISTURE.
CAUTION:TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: DO NOT PERMIT FINGERSTOTOUCHTHETERMINALS OF POWER PLUGSWHEN INSTALLING OR REMOVINGTHE PLUGTO OR FROM
A POWER SOURCE.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
1. Read instructions - All the safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the MOTU Traveler-mk3.
2. Retain instructions - The safety instructions and owner's manual should be retained for future reference.
3. Heed Warnings - All warnings on the MOTU Traveler-mk3 and in the owner's manual should be adhered to.
4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions should be followed.
5. Cleaning - Unplug the MOTU Traveler-mk3 from the computer before cleaning and use a damp cloth.Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
6. Power Sources - This MOTUTraveler-mk3 should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label.
7. Power-Cord Protection - Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the MOTU Traveler-mk3.
8. Lightning - For added protection for the MOTU Traveler-mk3 during a lightning storm, unplug its power supply from any wall outlets.This will prevent damage to the MOTU Traveler-mk3 due to lightning and power line
surges.
9. Servicing - Do not attempt to service this MOTU Traveler-mk3 yourself as opening or removing covers will expose you to dangerous voltage and other hazards.Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
10. Damage Requiring Service - Unplug the MOTU Traveler-mk3 from the computer and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions.
a. When the power supply cord or plug is damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the MOTU Traveler-mk3.
c. If the MOTU Traveler-mk3 has been exposed to rain or water.
d. If the MOTU Traveler-mk3 does not operate normally by following the operating instructions in the owner's manual.
e. If the MOTU Traveler-mk3 has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged.
f. When the MOTU Traveler-mk3 exhibits a distinct change in performance, this indicates a need for service.
11. Replacement Parts -When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized
substitutions may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.
12. Safety Check - Upon completion of any service or repairs to this MOTU Traveler-mk3, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating conditions.
ENVIRONMENT
Operating Temperature: 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°)
AVOID THE HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND FIRE
Do not handle the power supply, or power cables with wet hands.
DC INPUT
10-18V, 12 watts
CAUTION: DANGER OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED. REPLACE ONLY WITH THE SAME OR EQUIVALENT TYPE RECOMMENDED
BYMANUFACTURER. DISPOSE OF USED BATTERY ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.

About the Mark of the Unicorn License Agreement and
Limited Warranty on Software
TO PERSONS WHO PURCHASE OR USETHIS PRODUCT:carefully read all the
terms and conditions of the “click-wrap” license agreement presented to you when
you install the software. Using the software or this documentation indicates your
acceptance of the terms and conditions of that license agreement.
Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. (“MOTU”) owns both this program and its documentation.
Both the program and the documentation are protected under applicable copyright,
trademark, and trade-secret laws.Your right to use the program and the
documentation are limited to the terms and conditions described in the license
agreement.
Reminder of the terms of your license
This summary is not your license agreement, just a reminder of its terms.The actual
license can be read and printed by running the installation program for the software.
That license agreement is a contract, and clicking “Accept” binds you and MOTU to
all its terms and conditions. In the event anything contained in this summary is
incomplete or in conflict with the actual click-wrap license agreement, the terms of the
click-wrap agreement prevail.
YOU MAY: (a) use the enclosed program on a single computer; (b) physically transfer
the program from one computer to another provided that the program is used on only
one computer at a time and that you remove any copies of the program from the
computer from which the program is being transferred; (c) make copies of the
program solely for backup purposes.You must reproduce and include the copyright
notice on a label on any backup copy.
YOU MAY NOT: (a) distribute copies of the program or the documentation to others;
(b) rent, lease or grant sublicenses or other rights to the program; (c) provide use of
the program in a computer service business, network, time-sharing, multiple CPU or
multiple user arrangement without the prior written consent of MOTU; (d) translate,
adapt, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise alter the program or
related documentation without the prior written consent of MOTU.
MOTU warrants to the original licensee that the disk(s) on which the program is
recorded be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a
period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced by a copy of your
receipt. If failure of the disk has resulted from accident, abuse or misapplication of the
product, then MOTU shall have no responsibility to replace the disk(s) under this
Limited Warranty.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT IS IN LIEU OF,
AND YOU HEREBY WAIVE, ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, BOTH
EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.THE
LIABILITY OF MOTU PURSUANT TO THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE
LIMITED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE DISK(S), AND IN NO
EVENT SHALL MOTU OR ITS SUPPLIERS, LICENSORS, OR AFFILIATES BE
LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR
DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE, OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THIRD
PARTIES EVEN IF MOTU HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS
WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW
THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Update Policy
In order to be eligible to obtain updates of the program, you must register the software
at motu.com.
Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any human or computer language, in
any form or by any means whatsoever, without express written permission of Mark of
the Unicorn, Inc., 1280 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, U.S.A.
Limited Warranty on Hardware
Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.and S&S Research (“MOTU/S&S”) warrant this equipment
against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of TWO (2)YEARS from
the date of original retail purchase.This warranty applies only to hardware products;
MOTU software is licensed and warranted pursuant to separate written statements.
If you discover a defect, first write or call Mark of the Unicorn at [phone] to
obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number. No service will be performed on
any product returned without prior authorization. MOTU will, at its option, repair or
replace the product at no charge to you, provided you return it during the warranty
period, with transportation charges prepaid, to Mark of the Unicorn, Inc., 1280
Massachusetts Avenue, MA 02138.You must use the product’s original packing
material for in shipment, and insure the shipment for the value of the product. Please
include your name, address, telephone number, a description of the problem, and
the original, dated bill of sale with the returned unit and print the Return Merchandise
Authorization Number on the outside of the box below the shipping address.
This warranty does not apply if the equipment has been damaged by accident,
abuse, misuse, or misapplication; has been modified without the written permission
of MOTU, or if the product serial number has been removed or defaced.
ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE
LIMITED IN DURATION TO TWO (2)YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE
ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE OF THIS PRODUCT.
THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE
AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
No MOTU/S&S dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification,
extension, or addition to this warranty.
MOTU/S&S ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS,
DOWNTIME, GOODWILL, DAMAGE OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT
AND PROPERTY AND COST OF RECOVERING REPROGRAMMING, OR
REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH
MOTU/S&S PRODUCTS.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for
incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you.This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other
rights which vary from state to state.
MOTU, AudioDesk, Mark of the Unicorn and the unicorn silhouette logo are
trademarks of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.
This equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 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 instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio
or television equipment reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by any combination of the following measures:
• Relocate or reorient the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
• Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
If necessary, you can consult a dealer or experienced radio/television technician for additional
assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: only equipment certified to comply with Class B (computer input/output devices,
terminals, printers, etc.) should be attached to this equipment, and it must have shielded interface
cables in order to comply with the Class B FCC limits on RF emissions.
WARNING: changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

III
Contents
5
Quick Reference: Traveler-mk3 Front Panel
6 Quick Reference: Traveler-mk3 Rear & Side Panels
7
Quick Reference: MOTU Audio Setup
9
About the Traveler-mk3
15
Packing List and Mac System Requirements
17 Installing the Traveler-mk3 Hardware
33
Installing the Traveler-mk3 Mac Software
37
MOTU Audio Setup
43
Traveler-mk3 Front Panel Operation
55
Digital Performer
59
AudioDesk
63
Other Mac OS X Audio Software
71 Reducing Monitoring Latency
77
CueMix FX
107
MOTU SMPTE Console
111
Troubleshooting

Quick Reference:Traveler-mk3 Front Panel
1. These four detented digital trim knobs provide 53dB of
pre-amp gain for the four preamp inputs (analog 1-4) which provide low-impedance XLR mic input or high-impedanceTRS guitar/instrument input.The knobs also function as pad switches (when pushed) for a 20 dB pad.When you turn or push the knobs,you’ll see dynamic feedback of your adjustment in the LCD display. The total gain range — from when pad is enabled and the trim is turned all the way down to when the pad disabled and trim is turned all the way up — is 73 dB. Use the trim knob and the LCD metering for individual channels (via the METERS knob) to calibrate the input signal level.These mic inputs are also equipped with the Traveler-mk3’s V-Limit™ hardware limiter,which provides an additional +12 dB of headroom above zero with no clipping or digital distortion.See “Overload protection (mic/guitar inputs only)”on page 87 for details.
2. Turn theVOL knob to control the headphone volume.The
LCD provides visual feedback for the headphone volume setting as you turn the knob.Push the knob once to view the current volume setting in the LCD display.
3. From the factory, the MASTER VOL knob controls the
main outs (Analog 1-2),but MASTER VOL can be programmed to control any combination of outputs.See “The Monitor Group”on page 100 for details.Push the knob once to view the current volume setting in the LCD display;push it again to mute the monitor group;push a third time to return to the previous volume.Note:if the
Monitor group is programmed to not include the main outs,the MASTER VOL knob will no longer control the volume of the main outs.
4. This section controls theTraveler-mk3’s built-in
CueMix FX mixer and effects.There are eight stereo mix busses:each bus mixes all inputs (or any subset you wish) to a stereo output of your choice.You can apply EQ, compression and/or reverb to inputs and outputs.The four knobs to the left of the LCD correspond directly to the four labeled sections of the LCD.Use the CHANNEL knob to choose the input,output or mix you wish to edit. Push it to switch among inputs,outputs and busses, then turn it to choose the desired channel or bus.Use the PAGE, PARAM and VALUE knobs to access the mix settings for the chosen channel.
5. These four 4-segment meters show input signal level for
the mic/instrument XLR/combo inputs on the rear panel.
6. These four 4-segment meters show input signal level for
the analog TRS input jacks on the rear panel.
7. 4-segment metering for AES/EBU input. 8. MIDI activity LEDs for MIDI input and output. 9. 4-segment metering for S/PDIF input. 10. Optical digital I/O signal present LEDs for each bank.
11. When theTraveler-mk3 is resolving to SMPTE time code,
the LOCK light glows green when lockup has been achieved.The TACH light blinks once per second when the Traveler-mk3 is successfully reading address (time code) information.
12. TheTraveler-mk3 is powered by its FireWire connection
to the computer.Use this power switch to turn it on and off.It is recommended that you always power off the Traveler-mk3 before unplugging the FireWire cable.
13. These lights indicate the global sample rate at which the
Traveler-mk3 is operating.Use MOTU Audio Setup to set the sample rate or to choose an external clock source, from which the sample rate will be derived.When no clock signal is currently present,one of these LEDs flashes rapidly.For example,if you’ve set the Traveler-mk3 to slave to an external clock,such as optical,but there is no clock signal currently being detected, it flashes.
14. These four round“L/R”LEDs indicate signal presence on
the stereo S/PDIF and AES/EBU digital outputs.
15. These round LEDs indicate signal presence on the eight
rear-panelTRS analog outputs.Their threshold is around -42 dB.They do not indicate clipping in any way;use your host audio software level meters to calibrate output levels.Outputs 1-2 serve as the main outs.Push and then turn the front-panel volume knob for volume control.
16. The multi-purpose backlit LCD shows system settings,
CueMix FX settings or metering,depending on which knobs you turn.The labels above and below the LCD refer to the four digital rotary encoders to the left of the LCD. The channel numbers indicate individual channels when viewing level meters for banks of 8 channels.
17. Push the CHANNEL knob repeatedly to cycle among the
four main sections of the mixer:mix busses,inputs, outputs and the reverb module.Push the PARAM knob to enter the SETUP menu, which provides global Traveler-mk3 settings,such as the global sample rate, etc.
18. Push the METERS knob to cycle among three meter
display modes in the LCD: 1) vertical multi-channel meters,2) horizontal long-throw metering for individual channels,and 3) CueMix FX/Setup.In either meter mode (1 or 2),turn it to choose the banks and/or channels you wish to view in the LCD.
19. This is a standard quarter-inch stereo headphone jack.
From the factory, it serves as its own independent output.But it can be programmed to mirror any other output pair (digital or analog).Use the volume knob above to control its level.
20. These switches provide phantom power for their respec-
tive microphone input.Left is off; right is on.(Right on!)
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