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4.3 Using the Input
Monitoring
In digital audio, the amount of time it
takes for the input signal to pass
through the circuitry of the unit and the
software processing and arrive at the
outputs will sometimes result in an
audible delay. (This is commonly
referred to as “audio latency”.) This
added delay can be confusing when, for
example, you’re trying to overdub to
previously recorded tracks.
The INPUT MONITOR mixer built into
the US-428 eliminates this problem by
providing a way to listen to the signals
you’re recording directly, without any
computer processing delay. When the
INPUT MONITOR button is depressed,
the first four channel faders control the
input levels of inputs A, B, C or D to the
US-428’s internal mixer. Changes in
these levels affect the monitor and
headphones outputs, but have no effect
on the audio levels seen by the audio
software application. The first four
MUTE buttons also affect the four
inputs, and PAN is also available in this
mode; the four inputs come up panned
to center, but can be SELected and
PANned anywhere within the stereo
field.
NOTE:
In INPUT MONITOR mode
faders 5-8 are inactive.
NOTE
: All the controls mentioned here
are also accessible via the ASIO control
panel, which displays the current status
of the INPUT MONITOR section.
NOTE
E
4.4 Monitor vs. Master Level
It’s important to make a distinction
between MONITOR LEVEL control and
level of the stereo bus output, as
controlled by the MASTER FADER.
When using the US-428’s analog
inputs, only the TRIM controls actually
affect the input level to the audio
software application. When using the
US-428’s Digital inputs, the digital audio
data received at the US-428’s digital
input is passed directly to the audio
application without any gain or other
modifications.
When monitoring audio playback from
the application via the US-428, the level
is controlled by that track’s software
gain control (which, in turn, is controlled
by the US- 428’s channel FADERs), the
MASTER FADER, and the LINE OUT or
PHONES OUT level controls.
The LINE OUT and PHONES level
controls directly affect the audio levels
that appear on the LINE OUTPUT and
PHONES jacks, respectively. The audio
level produced at the DIGITAL
OUTPUT is not affected by either
control.
The MASTER FADER is the final level
control affecting the digital stereo output
to the application, consequently
changes made to the MASTER FADER
level will also affect the output level to
the speakers.
Thus, if you want to simply reduce the
volume of your listening environment,
you’ll want to use the MONITOR
LEVEL control to do this without
affecting the level of your stereo mix.
