Zeppelin Design Labs MACCHIATO, Owner'S Manual, Page: 8 / 21

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The following paragraphs are keyed to the above Feature List, and contain detailed information about
how each feature works and how you can use it to best advantage.
REAR PANEL FEATURES
1. AUDIO OUT
This is a line-level Audio Out. It accepts a typical 3.5mm headphone jack, TRS. TRS = Tip-Ring-Sleeve,
a stereo jack with three segments. (The Macchiato Mini-Synth is a monaural device.) The earbuds used
with smartphones are sometimes TRRS style (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve, 4 segments). These will work fine too.
The Macchiato can easily drive your headphones. It sounds great played through powered desktop
speakers. It should sound fine plugged in to the AUX or LINE IN input of any stereo system. It should
sound good when you plug it into the LINE IN jack on your computer.
NOTE: Computer sound cards use a variety of voltages as “line level”; there are multiple standards
in use. Consequently, your Macchiato Mini-Synth may sound “hot”, that is, really loud and maybe
distorted when plugged into your PC. Just keep the volume knob VERY LOW.
CAUTION: ALWAYS turn the volume knob ALL THE WAY DOWN when plugging anything in to the
Audio Out jack. The output signal may be louder than you expect and could hurt your ears or damage
your audio gear.
NOTE: The capacitive-touch keyboard will behave more reliably when there is something plugged in
to the Audio Out jack.
2. 9V DC POWER INPUT
We recommend use of a 9V DC power supply (“wall wart”)
rated for at least 200mA, with center-negative polarity,
such as the one offered by Zeppelin Design Labs as an
accessory to your Macchiato. This is similar to a typical
guitar pedal power supply. Your synth will not work with
a center-positive power supply. If you obtain your power
supply from a source other than Zeppelin Design Labs, examine the symbol shown here, and compare
it to your power supply. The barrel needs to be 5.5mm in diameter with a 2.1mm diameter pin. Check
for center-negative polarity before you buy!
Besides providing stable, robust power and saving you the expense of batteries, using a power supply
expands and solidifies the ground plane of the Macchiato, which will make the capacitive touch
keyboard more responsive and reliable.
Plugging in a power supply disconnects the battery. Your best power arrangement is to install a decent
battery as a backup, and then use a power supply instead.
For battery selection and installation, see “On the PCB: Battery Holder”, below.
OUTER BARREL
POSTIVE
CENTER PIN
NEGATIVE
200mA MINIMUM
+
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