12
Onyx Blackbird
Or the Firewire LED may be off. In this scenario,
the sync source is valid and the clock is locked. The
FireWire connection is not valid – the cable might be
unplugged or the driver has not been properly installed.
If the Blackbird is powered up without a valid FireWire
connection, it will enter standalone mode.
NOTE: If the Blackbird is powered up with
a valid FireWire connection and then the
FireWire cable is unplugged, the FireWire LED
turns off, but the Blackbird does not enter standalone
mode. To enter standalone mode, The Blackbird must
be powered up without the FireWire cable plugged in.
12. POWER LED
When the power switch [16] is turned on, and the
linecord is connected to an active AC Mains supply, this
indicator illuminates green to let you know that you are
ready to rock 'n roll.
If it does not turn on, make sure the power cord is
correctly inserted at both ends, the local AC mains
supply is active, and the power switch is on.
13. MON/PH Switches
These switches allow the wearer of the headphones to
choose whether they are sharing a mix with the
engineer or building a custom mix in the Blackbird
Control software.
In the up (mon) position, the signal sent out of the
phones output(s) will be identical (in source) to the
mix that is also feeding the main and mon outputs.
In the down (ph 1/2) position, users must build a
custom mix in the Blackbird Control software that is
sent out of the outputs for phones 1 and/or phones 2.
14. PHONES Level
This knob is used to adjust the volume at the phones
output [15], from off to maximum gain (max). Phones
are ideal for use with the input monitor section when
recording in just about all scenarios.
Depending on whether artists are sharing a mix with
the engineer or being sent their own custom mix, there
is a level in both the Blackbird Control software, as well
as the phones level knob on the device. Always make
sure to get a good, hot level from software before
turning the phones level up. This will ensure the
cleanest signal with the most available gain.
WARNING: The headphone amp is loud, and
can cause permanent hearing damage. Even
intermediate levels may be painfully loud
with some headphones. BE CAREFUL! Always turn this
control all the way down before connecting headphones
or doing anything new that may affect the headphone
volume. Then turn it up slowly as you listen carefully.
15. HEADPHONE OUTPUT
This 1/4" TRS connector supplies the output to your
stereo headphones. The source of this signal is
determined by the position of the mon/ph switch [13].
In the up (mon) position, the signal sent out of the
phones output(s) will be identical (in source) to the
mix that is also feeding the main and mon outputs.
In the down (ph 1/2) position, users must build a
custom mix in the Blackbird Control software that is
sent out of the outputs for phones 1 and/or phones 2.
The phones output follows standard conventions:
Tip = Left channel
Ring = Right channel
Sleeve = Common ground
WARNING: Yes, we just mentioned this exact
same warning, but that's how important
this is...the headphone amp is loud, and can
cause permanent hearing damage. Even intermediate
levels may be painfully loud with some headphones. BE
CAREFUL! Always turn the phones level control [14] all
the way down before connecting headphones or doing
anything new that may affect the headphone volume.
Then turn it up slowly as you listen carefully.
16. POWER Switch
Press the top of this switch to turn the Onyx Blackbird
on. Make sure all level controls are down before turning
it on. Press the bottom of this switch to put the interface
into standby mode. It will not function, but the circuits
are still live. To remove AC power, either turn off the
AC mains supply, or unplug the power cord from the
interface and the AC mains supply.
GAIN
INPUT 1-2
DIRECT MONITOR
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
TO MON
GAIN
PHONES
MAX
O
O
MAX
O
O
MON
PH1
MONO
STEREO
LINE
HI-Z
LINE
HI-Z
MAX
O
O
MON
PH2
2
1
2
1-2
POWER
ON
1
ONY
X MIC PRE
3
ONY
X MIC PRE
4
ONY
X MIC PRE
5
ONY
X MIC PRE
6
ONY
X MIC PRE
7
ONY
X MIC PRE
8
INSERTS
1
2
FIREWIRE
ADAT
WORD CLOCK
IN
OUT
OUT
IN
88.2/96kHz
44.1/48kHz
1-8
1-4
5-8
SIG/OL
GAIN
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
SIG/OL
SIG/OL
MON OUT
MAIN OUT
ALT OUT
L
R
8
7
6
5
4
3
16X16 FIREWIRE RECORDING INTERFACE
BLACKBIRD
BLACKBIRD
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
GAIN
SIG/OL
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
GAIN
SIG/OL
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
GAIN
SIG/OL
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
GAIN
SIG/OL
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
GAIN
SIG/OL
+
40dB
U
-
20dB
U
20
30
40
60
MONITOR
MAX
O
O
POWER
3-8
MIC/LINE
MIC/LINE
MIC/LINE
MIC/LINE
MIC/LINE
MIC/LINE
L
R
L
R
48V
48V
ON
YX MIC PRE
ON
YX MIC PRE
2
1
2
3
4
6
2
9 10 11
16
8
3
14 15
13
12
7
5
1