Alva Nanoface, User Manual, Page: 21 / 25

Connecting equipment to the inputs
5
Input 2 (XLR - Line In R)
Input 1 (XLR - Line In)
Mic 1
(Condenser - 48V on)
Mic 2
(Dynamic - 48V off )
Connection example
40 41
Condenser microphones
Connecting the inputs
1. Cable Connection
Connect one or two condenser microphones to the XLR inputs 1 and/or 2.
Attention!
Keep in mind, microphones in the vicinity of speakers can cause
loud and dangerous tones. They can not only damage your hearing but also
your equipment. Always try to keep a safe distance between microphones and
speakers and lower the volume of the Nanoface preamp gain and the output
level before the connection process.
2. Select a channel for the preamp gain
Step 1) Switch to input 1/2 mode.
Press the encoder until the input LED (“In”) shines. If LED 3/4 also shines, press
the encoder 3 times until only the “In” LED is on.
Test the mic on input 1 by speaking or singing: you should see activity on the
meters of the left LED chain. Channel 2: activity on the right LED chain.
The encoder now controls the gain for both XLR inputs on the breakout cable. If
you want to set a different gain for every mic continue with step 2.
Step 2) Press and hold the encoder. Turn it to the left for channel 1 or turn it
to the right for channel 2.
After a 1-click turn, the 1st green LED of the left or right channel blinks one
time to show, which channel is selected. To switch back to the gain control of
channel 1+2 together, press and hold the encoder and turn it to the right from
channel 1 and to the left from channel 2.
3. Turn phantom power on
Press the encoder for 3 seconds.
The 1st red LED of the left chain (= input 1) or turns on. If channel 2 is selected, the 1st LED in the right chain turns on.
To avoid the accidental activation of the phantom power, it’s not possible to activate/deactivate the phantom power
at the same time for both channels. It’s only possible by a previous selection of input channel 1or 2. If you don’t press
the encoder long enough, the Nanoface changes to input 3/4.
Attention!
Before you connect other equipment to analog input 1 or 2, make sure the phantom power is not active.
Turn the phantom power off: Select channel 1 or 2 and press the encoder for 3 seconds.
3. Set the preamp gain
Turn the encoder gradually to the right to raise the gain for the selected input(s).
Make sure the input signal is not clipping (red top LEDs turn on). For an exact control of the available headroom to
the clipping border please use the level meter readouts in your audio software.
4. Record the signal from the microphone on the computer
To record the microphone signal in your audio software, choose the Nanoface as audio interface, create a mono
track and choose channel 1 as input. For a mic on input 2 create another mono track and choose channel 2 as
input.
If phantom power is
enabled the 1st red
LED shines.
Condenser mics vs. dynamic mics
Condenser micprophones are built with internal
active electronic elements. To operate these mics
the so-called phantom power is necessary.
The phantom power transmits DC electric power
through typical XLR microphone cables.
Some semi-professional condenser mics provide
internal battery powering and don’t need the 48V
external power from the Nanoface.
If you are not sure if your microphone needs
phantom power or not, please have a look on the
documentation or consult the manufacturer.
Input 1 Input 2
5
Connecting equipment to the inputs
In
Out
Ch. 3/4