swissonic Easy FireWire User manual
EASY FIREWIRE
Audio Interface
USER’S MANUAL
ENGLISH
2
1. Read these instructions before operating this
apparatus.
2. Keep these instructions for future reference.
3. Heed all warnings to ensure safe operation.
4. Follow all instructions provided in this document.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water or in locations
where condensation may occur.
6. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not use aerosol or liquid
cleaners. Unplug this apparatus before cleaning.
7. Do not block any of the ventilation openings. Install
in accordance with the manufacturersinstructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including
9. Do not defeat 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. The wide
blade or the third prong is provided for your safety. If
an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched particularly at plug, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
manufacturer.
12. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution
when moving the cart/apparatus
combination to avoid injury from tip-
over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lighting
storms or when unused for long
periods of time.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or
plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has
been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate
normally, or has been dropped.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER SERVICEABLE PA RTS INSIDE
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an
equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltagewithin the
product
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is in-
tended to alert the user to the presence of important operat-
ing and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
WARNING:
not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
CAUTION: Use of controls or adjustments or performance
hazardous radiation exposure.
shall be placed on the apparatus. The MAINS plug is used as the disconnect device, the disconnect device shall
remain readily operable.
Warning
can be easily accessible.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
3
EASY FIREWIRE
USER’S MANUAL
CONTENTS
4
INTRODUCTION
4
FEATURES
4
INCLUDED ITEMS
4
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
5
QUICK INSTALLATION (WINDOWS)
5
QUICK INSTALLATION (MAC)
6 PRODUCT OVERVIEW
7 EASY FIREWIRE CONTROL PANEL
11 DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION
12
TROUBLESHOOTING
13
SPECIFICATIONS
14
BLOCK DIAGRAM
15
DISPOSAL
FEB, 2009
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
4
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Swissonic ‘Easy FireWire’
portable FireWire audio interface. Offering two balanced 1/4” phone
jack inputs and two balanced 1/4” phone jack outputs, as well as a
stereo headphones output with volume control, the Easy FireWire
offers users the ability to record either two mono channels or a single
stereo channel to their computer anywhere they go.
This user’s manual was created with the express purpose of creating
an easy reference guide for operating the Easy FireWire. It is
recommended that you read the manual before operating the unit
then store the manual for future reference.
FEATURES
● 2x224-bit/96kHzFireWirestreamI/O
● Headphoneoutputwithdedicatedlevelcontrol
● Two1/4”TRSinputsandtwo1/4”TRSoutputs
● 6-pinFireWireconnector
● Low-latencyASIOsoftwaredirectmonitoring
● FireWireLEDindicator
● PoweredviaincludedDCpowersupplyorFireWireconnection
● MacandWindowscompatible
INCLUDED ITEMS
● EasyFireWireUnit● 12VDCPowerAdapter
● FireWireCable● DriverInstallationCD
● User’sManual
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Thefollowingaretheminimumrequiredspecicationsforusewiththe
Easy FireWire. If your computer does not meet these requirements,
you will experience lagging of audio and possible freezing of your
computer when attempting to operate the unit.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
5
Windows
● MicrosoftWindowsXPwithSP2orWindowsVista
● AvailableFireWireport(wesuggesttheADSPyroPCI64or64R2
cards)
● IntelPentium4processororequivalentAMDAthlonprocessor
● MotherboardwithIntelorVIAchipset
● 5400RPMorfasterharddiskdrive(7200RPMorfasterwith8MB
cache recommended)
● 256MBormoreofRAM(512MBrecommended)
Macintosh
● OSX 10.3.5orlaterwithnativeFireWire support(OSX10.4.7
may have some stability issues)
● G4ornewerprocessor
● 256MBormoreofRAM
QUICK INSTALLATION (WINDOWS)
The Easy FireWire requires the installation of a driver to function
correctly.PleasedonotconnecttheEasyFireWiretothecomputer
until you have read the following installation instructions.
1. InserttheinstallationCDthataccompaniedyourEasyFireWire.
2. Iftheinstallationprogramdoesnotrunimmediate,pleasendthe
‘setup.exe’leintheappropriatedriversubdirectory.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the Easy FireWire driver.
4. When instructed to ‘disconnect and reconnect’ the Easy FireWire,
connect the unit to the computer and turn the power is on.
5. Finalizetheinstallationprocess.
QUICK INSTALLATION (MAC)
TheEasyFireWireoperatesasaplug-and-playdevicewithMacintosh
computers.SimplyconnecttheEasyFireWiretoyourMacthrough
theFireWireconnectionanditshouldbeimmediatelyrecognizedby
theMac.ToensureyourEasyFireWireisworking,entertheUtilities
folderanddouble-clicktheAudioMIDISetupicon.Hereyoushould
be able to select the Easy FireWire as your default audio input and
output device.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
6
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
1. 1/4” TRS Inputs
Connectyourbalancedline-levelinputsignalshereusing1/4”TRS
phone jack plugs. The signals from these connections are sent
through the FireWire interface to the computer for recording.
2. 1/4” TRS Outputs
These jacks accept 1/4” TRS phone jack connectors and are for
the output of balanced line-level signals. The signal sent through
these outputs is taken from the FireWire interface. Typically this
signalisdenedbytheuserintheirdigitalaudioworkstation(DAW)
software.
3. Headphones Output
Plug standard stereo headphones or in-ear monitors into this 1/4”
TRSphonejackconnection.Theheadphonesoutputistakenfrom
the FireWire interface and is identical to that sent through the 1/4”
TRSOutputs.
4. Level Control
This large jog wheel control allows users
to adjust the output level of the signal that
is sent to the headphones output.
5. FireWire Indicator
ThissmallLEDindicatorwilllightupwhen
a FireWire connection is established.
2 6 7
15 3
4
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
7
6. FireWire port
Connect the Easy FireWire to your computer through this 6-pin
FireWireconnection.AstheEasyFireWiresupportsbuspowering
through the FireWire interface, users can connect to their computer’s
6-pin FireWire connector and avoid the necessity of using the DC
powerinput.Computerswith4-pinFireWireconnectorscanalsobe
used,howevertheDCpowersupplywillberequired.
7. DC Power Input
ConnecttheEasyFireWire’sDCpowersupplyhere.
EASY FIREWIRE CONTROL PANEL
Using the Easy FireWire control panel, users can adjust various
properties of their FireWire audio signals. The control panel is
currentlyonlyavailableonPCcomputers.
Devices:IntheDevicessection,usersareabletoviewandeditthe
name of the Easy FireWire when it is connected to the computer.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
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Input Channels: The Input Channels section allows users to view
and edit the name of the various input channels received from the
FireWire input.
Output Channels: By entering the Output Channels section, users
can view and edit the names of the two output channels from the
computer to the Easy FireWire.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
9
WhensettingupinputsandoutputsinyourDAWsoftware,theEasy
FireWire inputs and outputs will appear as follows.
Unit Input ASIO display name Unit Output ASIO display name
Input 1 EasyFW–LineIn1 Output 1 EasyFW–LineOut1
Input 2 EasyFW–LineIn2 Output 2 EasyFW–LineOut2
Synchronization: IntheSynchronizationsection,userscanadjust
the sampling rate (between 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz) and other
synchronization properties. These properties are set for optimum
performance and, unless you are an experienced user, are probably
best left alone.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
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Settings: UsersareabletoadjustvariousbuffertimesintheSettings
section.
The Stream Buffer Depth is adjustable between 0.5 and 20
milliseconds. It adjusts the buffer used when streaming a signal from
the Easy FireWire. If the depth is set too high, an obvious latency will
become evident. If the depth is too low, various clicks and pops may
becomeevident.ItisbesttosettheStreamBufferDepthtoalevelthat
allows users to get the lowest latency while still maintaining optimal
performance. The default settings are ideal for most computers.
TheASIOBufferDepthisadjustablebetween4and40milliseconds.
This allows users to adjust the latency of the stream received by
ASIOdriverbasedsoftware.
TheWDM(WindowsDriverModel)SoundBufferDepthisadjustable
between 4 and 40 milliseconds. This allows users to adjust the
latencyofthestreamreceivedbyWDMbasedprograms.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
11
Streams: In the Streams section, the Easy FireWire device properties
canbeviewed.Eachinputandoutputstreamcanbescrutinized,and
the isochronous stream number, and its supported sampling rates,
can be viewed.
DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION
The Swissonic Easy FireWire’sASIO driver is compatible with the
mostpopularDAWsoftware,including(butdenitelynotlimitedto)
Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Cakewalk Sonar, Sony Sound
ForgeandApple’sLogicPro.ToactivatetheEasyFireWireinyour
DAWsoftware,simplygointotheprogram’s‘devices’setupsection
and select the appropriateASIO driver, or consult your program’s
manual for detailed instructions.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
12
TROUBLESHOOTING
Driver won’t install
● Be sure not to connect the Easy FireWire until the installation
instructs you ‘disconnect and reconnect’ the unit.
● Uninstall any previously installed driver. Even an unsuccessful
installation attempt may have installed the control panel, so check
the“Install/UninstallPrograms”menuintheControlPanel.
● Try disabling/closing any virus protection programs or rewalls
you may have installed.
No audio is being recorded
● Makesureyou haveasignalconnectedtotheEasyFireWire’s
inputs.
● IstheAC-DCpoweradapterconnectedandtheunitispowered?
● ChecktheEasyFireWirecontrolpanel.Ifaconnectionhasbeen
established between the computer and the unit, then the cause is
morelikelysoftware-based.
● Route all of your input signals in your DAW software correctly.
Be sure to select theASIO driver as your default driver in that
program, and assign your input channels to your project’s tracks
orbuses(whichevermaybethecaseforyoursoftware).Check
yourDAWsoftware’soperationmanualfordetailedinstructions.
Distorted Sound or unexplained drop-outs
● Try increasing the buffer values in the Easy FireWire control
panel.
● Closeallunnecessarybackgroundprogramsorprocesses.Many
programs may run in the background with no indication. It’s
important to either disable these or completely remove them.
● Reducetheamountofgraphicsaccelerationyourcomputeruses.
ThisistypicallydoneintheControlPanel’s“Appearance”menu.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
13
SPECIFICATIONS
Inputs(1&2) 2x1/4"TRS,Bal.
Outputs(1&2) 2x1/4"TRS,Bal.
PhonesOutput 1x1/4"TRS,Bal.
FireWire Interface 2in&2out,24-bit/96kHz
Control 1
VolumeControls Rotary
PhonesLevelControl Yes
Frequency Response (Inputtooutput)
20Hz~20KHz +0/-1dB
S/N ratio <-88dBu
THD+N(Anyoutput,1KHz@0dBu,
20Hzto20KHz,channelinputs)
<0.05%
Maximum Level
Input +16.1dBu
Output +6dBu
PhoneOutput +2dBu/100ohm(1/100W)
Impedance
Input 10Kohms
Output 100 ohms
Phones 50 ohms
Power Requirement(externalpower
supply, depends on region)
AC-DCadaptor,output12V
750mA(6Watt)
Aswecontinuouslystrivetoimproveourproducts,allspecications
and appearance are subject to change without prior notice.
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
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BLOCK DIAGRAM
Digital Signal Prosessor
IEEE1394
+12V DC IN +12V
FIREWIRE
OUTPUT 1
INPUT 1
OUTPUT 2
ELEC. SWAP
INPUT 2
PHONES
PHONES OUT
EASY FIREWIRE USER’S MANUAL
15
DISPOSAL
Donotdisposeofthedeviceattheendofhisoperatinglife
in your normal domestic waste. This device is subject to the
EuropeanGuidelines2002/96/EC.
Havetheproductdisposedofbyaprofessionaldisposal•
company of by your communal disposal facility.
Observe the currently applicable regulations. In case of doubt•
contact your disposal facility.
Disposeofpackagingmaterialsinanenvironmentally•
responsible manner.
Contact:
Musikhaus Thomann
Treppendorf 30
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
www.thomann.de
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