Using the S/PDIF Input
– Connect the S/PDIF digital output of your external audio
device
to the FireWire Audiophile’s rear panel digital input.
Make sure that
external
is selected as the sync source in the FireWire Audiophile
control panel’s
hardware
page.
The signal level that you receive at the S/PDIF input will be the signal level that you
record. In most cases, this level cannot be modified at the source.
Monitoring Your Inputs For Recording
The FireWire Audiophile supports ASIO direct monitoring, ASIO tape-type monitoring
and WDM/MME input monitoring. The FireWire Audiophile also supports direct
monitoring independent of the software’s monitoring capability.
ASIO Direct Monitoring
– Many applications that support ASIO 2.0 also support ASIO
Direct Monitoring. In ASIO direct monitoring mode, your audio application sends the
input signal directly back to the FireWire Audiophile’s outputs, without passing through
the application itself. The advantage is that there is no latency from passing through your
audio software. However, since the audio is bypassing the software, you cannot add
software effects or EQ plugins to the signal being monitored.
ASIO direct monitoring, when enabled, will allow you to control the monitor levels of the
FireWire Audiophile’s inputs directly from the program. Once you have assigned an input
channel in the music software’s mixer to a FireWire Audiophile input, the music software’s
mixer will take control
of the FireWire Audiophile control panel mixer’s input channels.
As mentioned, while the advantages to this type of monitoring are obvious (no latency),
the inability to add effects can be seen as a drawback. That’s why we created the
aux
sends
in the FireWire Audiophile control panel’s Mixer. These
aux sends
will allow you
to add effects while direct monitoring. See the section on Adding Effects While Direct
Monitoring, below, for more information.
If your audio application supports ASIO direct monitoring, you can enable it in your
DAW’s ASIO or audio control panel. Make sure that ASIO Direct Monitoring is enabled
from within your audio software by going into the program’s audio setup page and
enabling it. Please refer to your audio software’s documentation for additional
information. Also see the section above, “Direct Monitoring On/Off,” for information on
using the A/B momentary switch in conjunction with ASIO Direct Monitoring.
ASIO Software Monitoring
– Your ASIO program may only support simple software
monitoring, and not ASIO Direct Monitoring. In this case, the input signals are monitored
through your audio software’s mixer. Although you can now monitor your inputs with
effects and EQ plug-ins, a small amount of latency is introduced by monitoring through
your software. The FireWire Audiophile supports the ultra-low latency ASIO 2.0
standard, however your actual latency is influenced by a number of factors including
your computer hardware, processor speed and selected buffer size both in your FireWire
Audiophile control panel and your music software.
