MOTU 828x 28x30 Audio Interface with ThunderTechnology - Manual (Page 54)

C O N F I G U R I N G H O S T A U D I O S O F T W A R E
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If you are slaving the 828x and your host software
to SMPTE time code, follow the directions in
chapter 10, “MOTU SMPTE Console” (page 113).
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In order to use the 828x’s direct SMPTE sync
(and sample-accurate sync) feature, the host audio
software must support the ASIO 2.0 sample-
accurate positioning protocol. Cubase and Nuendo
support this protocol; for other software, check
with its documentation.
Samples Per Buffer
The Samples Per Buffer setting can be used to
reduce the delay — or monitoring latency — that
you hear when live audio is patched through your
828x hardware and host audio software. For
example, you might have MIDI instruments,
samplers, microphones, and so on connected to
the analog inputs of the 828x. If so, you will often
be mixing their live input with audio material
recorded in your audio software. See chapter 8,
“Reducing Monitoring Latency” (page 61) for
complete details.
Phones Assign
This 828x setting lets you choose what you’ll hear
from the headphone jack. For example, if you
choose
Main Out 1-2 , the headphones will
duplicate the main outs, or you can choose any
other output pair. If you choose
Phones 1-2 , this
setting makes the headphone jack serve as its own
independent output pair. As a result, you’ll see
Phones 1-2 as an additional audio destination in
your host’s audio output menus.
Optical input and output
To make a 828x optical input or output available in
your host software, choose the appropriate format
(
ADAT optical or TOSLINK) from the optical input
and/or output menu. If you won’t be using the
optical connectors, turn them off.
Main Outs Assign
Use the Main Outs Assign setting to determine
what audio you will hear on the main outs of the
828x. If you would like to treat them as their own
separate output pair, choose
Main Out 1-2.
Return Assign
In your host audio software audio input menus,
you’ll see an 828x input called
Return 1-2 . This is a
stereo feed from the 828x that matches the signal of
one of its output pairs. Use the Return Assign menu
in MOTU Audio Console to choose which output
pair you would like to hear on this return. This can
be used, for example, to record back a final stereo
mix that includes effects processing from the 828x
DSP (such as the Leveler) for reference and
archiving purposes.
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Warning: the Return inputs can cause
feedback loops! DO NOT assign this input to a
track that shares the same output as the Return
Assign setting.
Reverb return
The 828x also supplies a return to your host
software that carries the output of its reverb
processor. This return can be used for any purpose
you wish.
CHOOSING THE MOTU AUDIO DRIVER
Once you’ve made the preparations described so
far in this chapter, you’re ready to run your audio
software and enable the MOTU Audio driver.
Check the audio system or audio hardware
configuration window in your software. There is a
menu that lets you choose among various drivers
that may be in your system. Choose the desired
MOTU Audio driver from this menu. Several
driver options are available. For a summary, see
“MOTU Audio drivers” on page 20.