Theory of Operation
The USB port provides a high-speed connection to your computer. Devices can
be “hot-plugged” into the USB port with no need to power down the computer.
Additionally, there’s no need to open the computer, no tools are required, nor is
it necessary to configure the device other than plugging it in to the USB port and
installing the drivers.
The AudioSport Quattro utilizes the convenience of your computer’s USB port
to bring high quality, high resolution audio to your desktop or laptop computer.
In theory, multiple devices can be connected to the USB port (with the addition of a
USB hub). The AudioSport Quattro requires all of the bandwidth that is available on
the USB port, and therefore it is required that you plug the Quattro directly into your
computer’s USB port, and not into a USB hub with other USB devices. Of course, if
you are using a USB keyboard and mouse, you may have those plugged into your
computer’s other USB port (two are usually supplied).
Your AudioSport Quattro USB Audio Interface is a 96kHz/24-bit capable device.
That means that you can record at any sampling rate that your recording software
will allow, up to 96kHz at a bit width of 24-bits, and at 16- or 24-bits at a sampling
rate of 48kHz or less. An ASIO control panel is included with your driver software,
which allows you to set the Quattro to its several operating modes.
The Quattro provides four audio inputs as two stereo pairs, i.e. 1/2 and 3/4, and
four audio outputs, also as stereo pairs 1/2 and 3/4, The Quattro adds 1x1 MIDI
operation (one input and one output port) to your USB equipped Macintosh,
which can be used as your only MIDI interface or in conjunction with additional
MIDI devices. Note that Opcode’s OMS, or “Open Music System” MIDI
manager program is required for MIDI operation on the Mac, and must be
installed prior to installing the Quattro drivers.
When all four input and output stereo pairs (two input pairs and two output pairs)
are enabled, the Quattro will operate in 16-bit mode at either the 44.1k or 48k
sampling rates. With three stereo pairs enabled, i.e., either one input and two
output pairs or two input and one output pair, the Quattro will operate at 48kHz
sampling rate or lower, and at either 24- or 16-bit. When one stereo pair is
enabled and in 24-bit mode, the Quattro will operate at the 96kHz sampling rate
or lower. This is explained more fully in the section, “ASIO Control Panel
Operating Modes.”
The AudioSport can be configured for +4 or -10 line level operation simply by
pressing a button on the front panel. This allows for seamless integration into the
studio, compatible with professional balanced (balanced TRS, +4dBu) or
semi-pro (unbalanced TS, -10dBV) audio devices (see section, “Using the Input
and Output Level Switches”).
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