Novation nio 2/4 User manual

FA0163-01

INTRO
Welcome to the nio User Guide. This document should provide all the information you need to learn how to operate the
stylish USB interface. After detailing all of the controls and connections one by one, there are sections describing how
to record various sources, as well as defining output streams a and b and how to create monitor mixes. If you haven’t
already, you may want to also check out the printed Getting Started Guide in the box and the nio Tutorial movies on the
Novation website.
If you are having difficulty operating nio and cannot find the solution in this guide, go to the online answerbase at
www.novationmusic.com and type any relevant keywords into the search box.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
In the box with nio, you’ll find:
• Printed Getting Started Guide – to help you with the install process, plugging in and learning about basic operation
• Resources disc – contains the installer and full User Guide pdf
• USB cable – use this to connect to the computer after installation is complete
• Free software disc (e.g. Xcite+ pack) – contains any accompanying software and samples
GETTING STARTED
As outlined in the printed Getting Started Guide, the first stage of setting up nio is to run the installer. Separate PC
and Mac installers for nio can be found on the nio resources disc. Running the installer carries out the following actions:
• Installs the Audio driver
• Installs the MIDI driver
• Installs the FX Rack software
PC SETUP
1. Close all running programs
2. With nio disconnected from your computer, locate the nio PC installer on the resources disc and double-click to run it
3. You may be asked to restart your computer to complete installation
4. Once the installer has finished, or once your computer has restarted, connect nio to your computer. A balloon will appear
whilst Windows installs the device:
XP Vista
5. Wait for the balloon to tell you ‘Device driver software successfully installed’ (Win Vista) or ‘Your new device is installed
and ready to use’ (Win XP)
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MAC SETUP
1. Close all running applications
2. With nio disconnected from your computer, locate the nio Mac installer on the resources disc and double-click to run it
3. You may be asked to restart your computer to complete installation
4. Once the installer has finished, or once your computer has restarted, connect nio to your computer
Nio can now be used as an Audio and MIDI device with your computer. To apply the nio FX to the audio inputs, launch the
nio FX Rack software from the Start menu (Windows) or your Applications folder (Mac).
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
1. Sets the level of Headphones 1
2. Chooses the signal sent to Outputs 1 and 2. This can be ‘a’
(nio outputs 1/2 from the sequencer) or ‘mon’ (the monitor mix
created in the ‘monitor’ section below - 12 and 16)
3. Sets the level of Outputs 1 and 2 on the rear panel
4. Shows the level of Input 1 or Output 1 (dependent on the position
of the ‘meters’ switch below - 14)
5. Sets the gain (level) of Input 1
6. Sets the gain (level) of Input 2
7. Shows the level of Input 2 or Output 2 (dependent on the position
of the ‘meters’ switch below - 14)
8. Sets the level of Outputs 3 and 4 on the rear panel
9. Chooses the signal sent to Outputs 3 and 4. This can be ‘a’ (nio
outputs 1/2 from the sequencer), ‘b’ (nio outputs 3/4 from the
sequencer) or ‘mon’ (the monitor mix created in the ‘monitor’
section below - 12 and 16)
10. Sets the level of Headphones 2
11. Indicates when nio’s Direct FX software is in use
12. Creates the blend of inputs and ‘playback’ (recorded) tracks for the monitor mix. In the extreme clockwise position,
only inputs are heard, whilst in the fully anticlockwise position, only the mix created by the a-b mix dial to the left is heard
13. Pans the inputs left and right respectively (stereo) or both centrally (mono) in the monitoring section (“mon” mix)
14. Selects the source shown by the LED meters above. Choices are Inputs 1/2 in the left position and Outputs 1/2 in
the right position
15. Selects the signal sent to the 2 pairs of headphones. Choices are ‘a’ (nio outputs 1/2 from the sequencer), ‘b’
(nio outputs 3/4 from the sequencer) or ‘mon’ (the monitor mix created in the ‘monitor’ section above - 12 and 16)
16. Creates a blend between ‘a’ (nio outputs 1/2 from the sequencer) and ‘b’ (nio outputs 3/4 from the sequencer).
This becomes the a-b ‘mix’ of playback tracks that can be blended with the inputs using the dial to the right to create
the monitor mix
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FRONT PANEL CONNECTORS
1. Headphones 1 1/4” jack output
2. Headphones 2 1/4” jack output
3. Mic or instrument 1/4” jack input (can be used to connect a guitar or bass directly). The input source (mic/guitar) is
set using the Input 2 Selection switch on the right side of nio
SIDE PANEL SWITCHES
1. Selects the type of source being recorded by Input 2. Choices from left to right are mic (front panel 1/4” Jack
connector), line (rear panel RCA/phono connector) and instrument (front panel 1/4” Jack connector)
2. Selects the type of source being recorded by Input 1. Choices are mic in the left position (rear panel XLR connector)
and line in the right position (rear panel RCA/phono connector)
3. Activates +48V phantom power on the rear panel XLR connector, to enable a condenser microphone to be used.
Switch to the right to activate phantom power
REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
1. XLR microphone connector for Input 1. Can supply phantom power, when required, using the side panel switch
2. Standard MIDI ports for connecting to external MIDI equipment, such as hardware synthesizers
3. RCA/phono connectors for (Line) Inputs 1 and 2
4. RCA/phono connectors for Outputs 3 and 4
5. RCA/phono connectors for Outputs 1 and 2
6. USB socket for connecting to the computer
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CONNECTING NIO TO THE COMPUTER
In the box, you’ll find a USB cable that can be used to connect nio to your computer. It is strongly advised that you either
use the supplied USB cable or an alternative high quality 28/24 awg cable (this will be sufficiently thick) to ensure that
enough power is supplied to nio. The USB bus will supply power to the interface so, a few seconds after connecting, the
Novation logo on the front of the hardware will light and the interface will be ready to use. Providing the installer has been run,
you can now open up an audio application and select nio as the audio input and/or output device in the software preferences.
CONNECTING NIO TO SPEAKERS OR
A DJ MIXER
The RCA/phono Outputs on the rear panel should be used to connect to speakers or a DJ mixer, in the following way:
In this setup, the speakers can be connected to directly (using the relevant cable) or via a line level input on an amp.
Furthermore, either Outputs 1/2 or 3/4 can be used, as preferred. If Outputs 1/2 are used, Outputs 3/4 are free to
be used for another purpose, such as connecting to an additional recording device or booth monitors.
In this ‘DJing-style’ setup, Outputs 1/2 are connected to Line Inputs 1/2 of an external DJ mixer, whilst Outputs 3/4 are
connected to Line Inputs 3/4. Connecting in this way means that the facilities on the mixer, such as EQs or the crossfader,
can be accessed.
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1/2
USB
3/4
PA
Monitors
1/2
USB
3/4

SENDING AUDIO TO NIO FROM YOUR
RECORDING OR DJING SOFTWARE –
WHAT ARE SIGNALS A AND B?
Once nio has been installed and is then connected, the hardware will show up as nio Audio Inputs 1 and 2, as well as nio
Audio Outputs 1-4 within your music software. In order to allow you to set up different monitor mixes on the hardware,
these sequencer settings do not route directly to the outputs on the hardware. For example, sending the master mix from
your music software to nio Outputs 1/2 does not necessarily mean that the mix will appear on the rear panel RCA/phono
connectors for Outputs 1/2. Instead, it is dependant on the position of the hardware switches on the Front Panel. This
means that you have the option of routing that mix to nio hardware Outputs 1/2, or the headphones, or Outputs 3/4, or
any combination of the three.
The way this works is by having options a and b on the hardware, as follows:
a – this is the audio from your music software that’s routed to nio Outputs 1/2
b – this is the audio from your music software that’s routed to nio Outputs 3/4 (unless the FX Rack is in use – see below)
So, if wanting to send nio Outputs 1/2 from your music software directly to the phono Outputs 1/2 on the rear panel, and
Outputs 3/4 from your music software to phono Outputs 3/4, the hardware switches must be set as follows:
Be aware that, when using the FX Rack, signal b becomes the monitor path for the processed signal (within the computer
only) so outputs 3/4 from your music software cannot be used to send audio to speakers/headphones. (The ‘processed’
inputs still appear as ‘inputs’, rather than ‘b’, in the hardware monitoring section however.) See the ‘Changes to i/o
configuration when using the FX Rack’ section for more information.
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RECORDING TO YOUR MUSIC
SOFTWARE USING NIO WITH…
…ONE OR TWO MICROPHONES
Inputs 1 and 2 can both be used to record a microphone source. Input 1 uses the XLR connector on the rear panel, whilst
Input 2 uses the 1/4" Jack connector on the front of the interface. Only Input 1 can supply phantom power to a
microphone, such as a condenser mic. If you are unsure about whether your microphone requires phantom power, check
the microphone’s User Guide, as phantom power can damage some microphones, most notably ribbon mics. Phantom
power across Input 1 is activated using the side panel switch, as shown in the diagram below.
As well as making the connections shown above, the side panel switches must be set to the ‘mic’ position, as follows:
To set up a good recording level, set the ‘meters’ switch on the front panel to ‘input 1-2’ (left position) then have your artist
make some noise into the mic. Now, rotate the relevant Input Gain dial whilst making sure a good level appears on the LED
meter for that input. If the top (red) LED lights then the signal is clipping and will distort, so rotate the relevant Input Gain
dial anticlockwise to decrease the gain of that input. For example, to set up Input 1:
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XLR
Jack
USB
Set meters switch to input 1-2
Observe this meter to check the level
Use this dial to set the gain of input 1

If you are recording two vocalists, then you will probably want the ‘input’ switch in the ‘monitor’ section to be set to ‘mono’,
to ensure that both vocalists are panned centrally in the headphones. For more information about the monitoring options
available for this setup, such as how to send a mix of inputs and backing tracks to a vocalist’s headphones, read the ‘Direct
Mix Monitoring’ section of this guide.
Once this setup is complete, nio inputs 1 and 2 in your music software can be used to record the microphones connected
to Input 1 and Input 2, respectively. So, to record the microphone connected to Input 1, set the input source on a mono
track in the recording software to nio input 1, record enable the track and start recording.
…A LINE-LEVEL SOURCE SUCH AS A CD PLAYER OR SOME DECKS
The two rear panel RCA/phono inputs can be used to record a stereo source like that from a CD player or some decks. In
order to do this, the side panel switches must both be set to Line, as follows:
To set up a good recording level, set the ‘meters’ switch on the front panel to ‘input 1-2’ (left position) then send a signal
from the connected device. Now, rotate the Input Gain dials whilst making sure a good level appears on the LED meters (the
dials will need to be in the same position for a stereo signal). If the top (red) LEDs light then the signal is clipping and will
distort, so rotate the Input Gain dials anticlockwise to decrease the gain:
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I/P 1/2
USB
Set meters switch to input 1-2
Observe this meter to check the level
of input 1
Use this dial to set the gain of input 1
Observe this meter to check the level
of input 2
Use this dial to set the gain of input 2

If recording and monitoring a stereo source, the ‘input’ switch in the ‘monitor’ section should to be set to ‘stereo’, to
ensure that the inputs are panned left and right in the headphones or over the monitors. For more information about the
monitoring options available for this setup, such as how to send a mix of inputs and backing tracks to a turntablist’s
headphones, read the ‘Direct Mix Monitoring’ section of this guide.
Once this setup is complete, nio inputs 1 and 2 in your music software can be used to record the line-level source. This is
done by setting the input source on a stereo track in the recording software to nio inputs 1/2, record enabling the track
and hitting record.
…AN INSTRUMENT SUCH AS A GUITAR
Input 2 can be used to record an instrument such as a guitar directly. To do this, the instrument must be connected to the
1/4” input on the front of the interface. After connecting the instrument, the side panel switch for Input 2 must be set to
the ‘inst’ position and the phantom power switch set to ‘off’ (to minimise noise on the guitar signal), as follows:
To set up a good recording level, set the ‘meters’ switch on the front panel to ‘input 1-2’ (left position) then have your
musician play their instrument. Now, rotate the Input 2 Gain dial whilst making sure a good level appears on the right LED
meter. If the top (red) LED lights then the signal is clipping and will distort, so rotate the Input Gain dial anticlockwise to
decrease the gain:
9
Jack
USB
Set meters switch to input 1-2
Observe this meter to check the level
Use this dial to set the gain of input 2

If the musician wants to hear the instrument in their headphones, you will probably want the ‘input’ switch in the ‘monitor’
section to be set to ‘mono’, to ensure that the instrument is panned centrally. For more information about the monitoring
options available for this setup, such as how to send a mix of inputs and backing tracks to a musician’s headphones, read
the ‘Direct Mix Monitoring’ section of this guide.
Once this setup is complete, nio input 2 in your music software can be used to record the instrument. To do this, set the
input source on a mono track in the recording software to nio input 2, record enable the track and start recording.
DIRECT MIX MONITORING - CREATING
A MONITOR MIX (FOR SPEAKERS
OR HEADPHONES)
The front panel controls can be used to set up a mix of inputs and outputs for the headphones and/or outputs 1-4
on the rear panel. This monitor mix is created using the 2 dials and switch in the section labelled ‘monitor’ on the hardware
front panel:
MIXING INPUTS
If just wanting to send the inputs (whatever’s being recorded) to the monitor mix then only the right dial is required, as this
blends between inputs and playback tracks (recorded tracks from your music software). To set up a mix of inputs alone, set
the right dial in the extreme clockwise position. The switch below should then be set according to how the inputs need to be
panned in the mix: ‘stereo’ pans input 1 to the left and input 2 to the right, ‘mono’ pans both inputs centrally. So, if
recording two separate sources like a vocalist and a guitarist, then the switch should be set to ‘mono’, whereas a
stereo source connected to the rear RCAs, like a synth or decks, should be set to ‘stereo’.
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Creates the a-b mix
Pans inputs
Blends inputs with the a-b mix
Monitor Mix section