Zoom AMS-22 User manual

Operation Manual
You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.
©2022 ZOOM CORPORATION
Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in whole without permission is prohibited.
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Notes about this Operation Manual
You might need this manual in the future. Always keep it in a place where you can access it easily.
The contents of this document and the specifications of the product could be changed without notice.
• Windows® is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft® Corporation.
• Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc.
• Recording from copyrighted sources, including CDs, records, tapes, live performances, video works
and broadcasts, without permission of the copyright holder for any purpose other than personal use
is prohibited by law. Zoom Corporation will not assume any responsibility related to infringements of
copyrights.
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Contents
Notes about this Operation Manual........................................................................................................................ 2
Functions of parts....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Top..................................................................................................................................................................................4
Left and right sides..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Front and back.............................................................................................................................................................6
Connecting to a computer.........................................................................................................................................7
Installing the driver on Windows computers..........................................................................................................8
Connecting smartphones and tablets......................................................................................................................9
Supplying power........................................................................................................................................................ 10
Connecting instruments and mics..........................................................................................................................11
Connecting instruments........................................................................................................................................... 11
Connecting mics.........................................................................................................................................................12
Connecting stereo sound sources..........................................................................................................................13
Adjusting the input gain...........................................................................................................................................14
Using direct monitoring............................................................................................................................................15
Adjusting the volume................................................................................................................................................16
Enabling the loopback function.............................................................................................................................. 17
Use example: Making music....................................................................................................................................19
Use example: Web streaming using a computer.................................................................................................21
Use example: Web streaming using a smartphone/tablet................................................................................. 24
Mixer diagram............................................................................................................................................................27
Terms used in this manual......................................................................................................................................28
Troubleshooting.........................................................................................................................................................29
Cannot select or use the AMS-22 device...............................................................................................................29
The sound of the device connected to the input jack is distorted, too quiet or silent...................................29
Cannot play or record.............................................................................................................................................. 29
Playback sound cannot be heard or is quiet........................................................................................................30
Recorded audio is too loud, too quiet or silent................................................................................................... 30
A smartphone or tablet cannot be used...............................................................................................................30
Sound skips during playback or recording........................................................................................................... 30
Specifications..............................................................................................................................................................31
3

Functions of parts
Top
❶Gain knob
Use this to adjust the input signal level from the MIC/GUITAR jack. (→ Adjusting the input gain)
❷Level indicator
This indicator shows the signal level after gain knob adjustment.
The indicator color changes according to the signal level.
Lit green: Input signal is present. (−48 dBFS or higher)
Lit red: Input signal is clipping. (−1 dBFS or higher)
❸POWER indicator
This lights when the power is on.
❹OUTPUT knob
Use this to adjust the volume of signals output from the standard phone OUTPUT and headphone
jacks.
4

Left and right sides
■ Left side ■ Right side
❶48V switch
This turns +48V phantom power ON/OFF. Set this to ON when connecting condenser mics.
❷DIRECT MONITOR switch
Set this to ON to directly monitor sound from the MIC/GUITAR jack before it passes through the
computer. (→ Using direct monitoring)
❸LOOPBACK switch
Set this to ON to send a mix of the sounds played by the computer and input through the AMS-22 back
to the computer. (→ Enabling the loopback function)
5

Front and back
■ Front ■ Back
❶MIC/GUITAR jack
This input jack has a built-in mic preamp. Connect mics, keyboards, guitars and other audio sources
to this. This can be used with both XLR and standard phone (balanced or unbalanced) plugs. (→
Connecting instruments and mics)
XLR
1
2
3
1: GND
2: HOT
3: COLD
❷LINE IN jack
Use this line jack to connect tablets and other devices with a stereo mini cable.
❸Headphone output jack
This outputs a stereo signal. Connect headphones to this.
❹OUTPUT standard phone jacks
These output the left (L) and right (R) channels of a stereo signal. Connect these to speakers with built-
in amplifiers, for example.
❺USB port (Type-C)
Use this USB port to connect computers, smartphones and tablets. (→ Connecting to a computer,
Connecting smartphones and tablets)
❻DC 5V port (Type-C)
Use this power supply USB port to connect an AC adapter or mobile battery. (→ Supplying power)
6

Connecting to a computer
The AMS-22 is compatible with USB bus power, so power can be supplied to it from a computer through a
USB cable. In addition to USB bus power, it can also be operated using an external power supply (dedicated
AC adapter or mobile battery). (→ Supplying power)
1. Install the dedicated driver before using an AMS-22 to record for the first time with a DAW application
on a Windows computer. (→ Installing the driver on Windows computers)
NOTE:
• A driver is not necessary when using a Mac.
2. Minimize the volume before connecting speakers, headphones or other output devices to the AMS-22.
(→ Adjusting the volume)
3. Use a USB cable to connect the AMS-22 USB port (Type-C) to a USB port on the computer.
USB Type-C
NOTE:
Use a USB cable that supports data transfer.
4. Confirm that the POWER indicator is lit red.
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Installing the driver on Windows computers
The dedicated driver must be installed on a Windows computer before using a DAW app on it to record.
1. Download the “ZOOM AMS-22 Driver” from zoomcorp.com to the computer.
NOTE:
The latest “ZOOM AMS-22 Driver” can be downloaded from the above website.
2. Launch the installer and follow the instructions to install the “ZOOM AMS-22 Driver”.
NOTE:
• Do not connect the AMS-22 to the computer during installation.
• See the Installation Guide included in the driver package for detailed installation procedures.
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Connecting smartphones and tablets
During use with a smartphone or tablet, an external power supply must be used.
1. Minimize the volume before connecting speakers, headphones or other output devices to the AMS-22.
(→ Adjusting the volume)
2. Connect an external power supply. (→ Supplying power)
NOTE:
Power must be provided before connecting a smartphone or tablet to the AMS-22.
3. Use a USB cable to connect the AMS-22 USB port (Type-C) to the smartphone/tablet.
USB Type-C
To connect smartphones and tablets, prepare USB cables and adapters that match their connectors as
necessary.
Use a USB cable that supports data transfer.
Connector type Necessary USB cable/adapter
Lightning connector USB Type-A to Type-C cable, Lightning to USB 3 Camera
Adapter
Type-C connector USB Type-C to Type-C cable
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Supplying power
A dedicated AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17) or a commercially-available USB mobile battery can be used.
1. Connect the USB connector of the dedicated AC adapter to the DC 5V port (Type-C), and plug the AC
adapter into an outlet.
HINT:
To use a USB mobile battery, connect its USB cable to the DC 5V port (Type-C).
2. Confirm that the POWER indicator is lit red.
10

Connecting instruments and mics
Always set to 0 and to OFF before connecting instruments and mics.
Connecting instruments
1. Connect an instrument to the AMS-22.
Use an instrument cable to connect a guitar or bass, for example, to the MIC/GUITAR jack.
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Connecting mics
1. Use a mic cable to connect a dynamic or condenser mic to the MIC/GUITAR jack.
2. Use to set phantom power.
Switch position Explanation
Use this to supply phantom power to condenser mics.
Use this when connecting dynamic mics.
NOTE:
• Do not set to ON when connecting equipment that is not compatible with phantom power.
Doing so could damage the equipment.
• Phantom power (48 V) is not supplied to the standard phone (TRS) connectors.
12

Connecting stereo sound sources
1. Connect a stereo sound source to the AMS-22.
Use a stereo mini cable to connect a tablet or other stereo sound source to the LINE IN jack.
NOTE:
• The gain is fixed for the LINE IN jack.
• Sounds input through the MIC/GUITAR and LINE IN jacks at the same time will be mixed.
13

Adjusting the input gain
Adjust the MIC/GUITAR jack input sensitivity.
1. Use to adjust the input signal while inputting sound from an instrument or mic.
Level indicator
: Input signal present. (−48 dBFS or higher)
: Input signal is clipping. (−1 dBFS or higher)
NOTE:
• Set this so that the level indicator does not light red.
14

Using direct monitoring
When the DIRECT MONITOR switch is ON, sound input to the AMS-22 can be directly monitored with
headphones, for example, before it passes through the computer. This enables monitoring without latency.
1. Set to ON.
15

Adjusting the volume
The volume output from speakers and headphones connected to the AMS-22 can be adjusted.
NOTE:
Set the AMS-22 volume to 0 before connecting speakers or headphones.
Failure to do so could result in unexpected loud sounds, causing harm to hearing, for example.
Turn to adjust the volume for the headphone output jack on the front of the unit and OUTPUT
standard phone jacks on the back of the unit.
16

Enabling the loopback function
By turning the LOOPBACK function ON, sound input through the AMS-22 MIC/GUITAR jack and sound
output from the computer can be mixed and then input to the computer again (looped back).
This is convenient for mixing background music played on the computer with sound input through the
AMS-22 and streaming it live, for example.
BGM
ON AIR
WEB
LOOPBACKLOOPBACK
❶The mic or instrument sound is input to the AMS-22.
❷BGM from the computer is input to the AMS-22.
❸The mic or instrument sound and the BGM from the computer are mixed and output to the
computer.
1. Set to ON.
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NOTE:
When is set to ON, disable AMS-22 monitoring in the DAW or streaming application.
If enabled, a feedback loop could be generated, which might cause loud noise to be output.
18

Use example: Making music
Use with a DAW app to record guitars and vocals, for example, and create music.
DAW
1. Supply power if using a smartphone or tablet. (→ Supplying power)
NOTE:
Power must be provided before connecting a smartphone or tablet to the AMS-22.
2. Connect the AMS-22 and the computer, smartphone or tablet. (→ Connecting to a computer,
Connecting smartphones and tablets)
USB Type-C

USB Type-C
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3. Connect an instrument or mic. (→ Connecting instruments, Connecting mics)
4. Adjust the input gain. (→ Adjusting the input gain)
5. Adjust the output volume. (→ Adjusting the volume)
6. Launch the DAW app on the computer, smartphone or tablet, and select the AMS-22 as the audio
interface.
7. Create recording tracks in the DAW app, and start recording.
NOTE:
Refer to the DAW app manual for how to use it.
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