M-AUDIO air 192-8 USB Audio Interface User Guide

: June 12, 2024
: M-AUDIO

Table of Contents

Introduction
Features
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

M-AUDIO air 192-8 USB Audio Interface User Guide

Introduction

Box Contents
AIR 192|8
USB-C to USB-C Cable
USB-C to USB-A Cable
(2) 1/8″ (3.5 mm) to MIDI Adapters
Software Download Cards
User Guide
Safety & Warranty Manual

Support
For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit m-audio.com. For additional product support, visit m-audio.com/support.

Setup

Audio Setup
Windows users: Before connecting AIR 192|8 to your computer, install the driver:

Go to m-audio.com/support/drivers and download the latest AIR 192|8 driver for your operating system.
Open the file you downloaded and double-click the driver installer file.
Read the End-User License Agreement, then check the box to Agree and click Next to continue.
Click Install to begin the installation. You may be asked to connect AIR 192|8 to your computer during the installation process. Click Install on any further system messages during the installation.
Once the installation is complete, click Finish.

To use the Windows driver, open the M-Audio AIR 192|8 Control Panel. Here, you can set your Preferred Buffer Size and Sample Rate.

To set AIR 192|8 as your default playback device, follow the directions below based on your computer’s operating system.

Windows

Use the included USB cable to connect the AIR 192|8 to your computer.
In the Taskbar, locate the Volume Control “speaker” icon. Right-click the speaker and open Sound Settings > Sounds. Alternatively, go to Start Menu > System > Sound > Sound Control Panel.
In the Windows Sound control panel select the Playback tab and select AIR 192|8 as the default device.
Click the Recording tab and select AIR 192|8 as the default device.
Click Properties in the lower right-hand corner.
In the new window, click the Advanced tab and select 2-channel, 24-bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality) as the default format.
Uncheck both boxes under Exclusive Mode.
Click OK to close the Properties window.
Click OK to close the Sound control pane

macOS

Use the included USB cable to connect the AIR 192|8 to your computer.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
In the Audio Devices window, select AIR 192|8 in the left column.
Right-click AIR 192|8, and select Use this device for sound input.
Right-click AIR 192|8, and select Use this device for sound output.
Quit Audio MIDI Setup.

Setting Up M-Audio AIR 192|8 with MPC Beats:

Use the included USB cable to connect the M-Audio AIR 192|8 to your computer.
Open MPC Beats.
Go to Edit > Preferences….
For Windows Users: In the Audio window, select ASIO under the Audio Device Type dropdown menu. In the Device dropdown menu, select M-Audio AIR 192|8.
For MacOS Users: In the Audio window, select AIR 192|8 under the Output and Input dropdown menus.
Note: You may need to save and restart your project.
Select your Sample Rate and then click OK to close the Preferences window. You can now add tracks to send and receive audio from sources connected to M-Audio AIR 192|8 inputs and stream recorded audio back through the M-Audio AIR 192|8 outputs.

Setting Up AIR 192|8 with Ableton Live Lite:

Use the included USB cable to connect the AIR 192|8 to your computer.
Open Ableton Live Lite.
Go to Preferences > Audio tab.
Click on Driver Type to select CoreAudio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows).
Select AIR 192|8 in the Input and Output Config section.
Select your Sample Rate and then close the audio preferences window.

You can now add tracks to send and receive audio and MIDI from sources connected to AIR 192|8 inputs and stream recorded audio back through the AIR 192|8 outputs.

Connection Diagrams

items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Features

Top Panel

Power LED: This LED illuminates when a valid USB connection has been established between your computer and AIR 192|8. Use this light to verify that AIR 192|8 is receiving power and is ready to use.
Input Gain: Adjusts the input’s gain level. Set this knob so the corresponding LED Meter (located below the knob) displays a “healthy” level (yellow LED is lit) during performance—but not so high that the meter frequently “clips” or peaks (red LED is lit), causing distortion in the audio.
LED Meter s: Indicates the input signal level from the Combo Inputs or Instrument Inputs.
MIDI LED: This LED illuminates when MIDI is being sent to or from the device.
Mono LED: This LED illuminates when the direct input monitor signal of channels 1 and 2 is set to Mono.
Phantom Power LED: This LED illuminates when the Phantom Power switch is activated, and +48V is applied to the microphone connections.
-10 dB Mic Pad Switches : Adjust these horizontal slide switches to reduce their associated channel’s mic input gain by -10 dB. When in their right position the -10 dB pad will be active.
Phantom Power Switch: This switch activates and deactivates phantom power for Combo Inputs 1–2. When activated, phantom power supplies +48 volts to the inputs. Please note that most dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones do not require phantom power, while most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone’s documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power.
Monitor Level: Adjusts the output volume of Main TRS and RCA Outputs (1/L 2/R), which should be connected to your powered monitors or amplifier system.
Monitor Mix: Adjusts the mix of the audio signal from your inputs (Direct) and the audio output of your computer (USB) that will be sent to the Main Outputs and Headphone Output.
Note: When set to Direct, the left channel will be Input 1, and the right channel will be Input 2. You can sum the left and right channels (to hear both inputs as a single-summed mono signal) by putting the Direct Monitor switch to the Mono position. This knob is useful for dealing with “latency” when you are recording in your DAW. Latency is a
delay in sound that may occur between the incoming sound (playing your instrument, singing, etc.) and outgoing sound (when you hear it in the DAW). Latency is often the result of the “buffer size” setting, which is usually located in your DA’s Preferences, Options, or Device Setup menu. Higher buffer sizes generally result in higher latency. In some cases, lower buffer size settings can consume a lot of your computer’s CPU and cause audio glitches. To prevent these audio glitches, you will need to use a higher buffer setting, and this may result in latency.
If you are experiencing latency when recording, adjust the knob towards the Direct position to increase the blend of unprocessed audio from your inputs directly to your Main Outputs and Headphone Output. This will let you hear the incoming audio from your inputs without latency while still being able to hear the audio from your DAW. When listening to the playback, adjust the knob all the way to the USB position. If your computer is powerful enough, you may be able to set the buffer size setting in your DAW low enough such that you may never need to listen to the direct audio signal from your inputs. In this case, set the Monitor Mix knob all the way to the USB position to monitor only the audio
output of your DAW.
Direct Monitor Selector : Leave this switch in the right Stereo position to monitor the direct input signal with Input 1 in the left channel and Input 2 in the right channel. This is useful if you want to directly monitor a stereo mic setup such as a stereo signal from a keyboard, or overhead drum mics. Put this switch in its left Mono position (Mono LED is lit) to monitor the direct input signal with all inputs summed and heard equally on each side. This is useful for monitoring a guitar or vocal mic signal. This switch does not affect the DAW playback or how your sound is recorded into your DAW; it only affects how you hear the input signal in the Headphone Output (when the Headphone Source Selector is set to 1/2, and the Monitor Mix is set to anything besides USB) and Monitor Outputs.
Headphone Source Selector: This switch selects which outputs (on the rear panel) are also sent to the Headphone Output, Main Outputs 1–2 (1/2), or Outputs 3–4 (3/4).
Headphone Output (front panel): Connect 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS headphones to this output. The mix you hear from these outputs will be determined by the Headphone Source Selector, Monitor Mix knob, Direct Monitor Selector, and Headphone Volume knob.
Headphone Volume (front panel) : Adjusts the output volume of the Headphone Output.
I nstrument Inputs (front panel): Connect a guitar with a passive pickup or other highimpedance signal to these inputs with a 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TS cable. View the input signal levels with the LED Meters.
Note: Using an Instrument Input will mute the Combo Input on the corresponding channel.

Rear Panel

USB Port (Type C) : This connection will allow you to send audio and MIDI data to and from a computer. Use the included USB-C-to-USB-C or USB-C-to-USB-A cables to connect the AIR 192|8 to a computer. Connect the USB-C end of the cable by firmly pressing it into place to ensure a strong connection is felt. The AIR 192|8 requires a USB 2.0 connection (or higher).
MIDI Out: Use the included 1/8” (3.5 mm)-to-MIDI adapter to send MIDI information to an external device. Important: Do not connect audio devices (e.g., headphones, monitors, etc.) to this jack. Use the included 1/8” (3.5 mm)-to-MIDI adapter to only connect MIDI devices.
MIDI In: Use the included 1/8” (3.5 mm)-to-MIDI adapter to receive MIDI information from an external device. Important: Do not connect audio devices (e.g., headphones, monitors, etc.) to this jack. Use the included 1/8” (3.5 mm)-to-MIDI adapter to only connect MIDI devices.
RCA Outputs (1–4): The unbalanced RCA connectors 1/2 are fed from output streams 1-2, and are affected by the operations of the Main Level control, the Direct/USB Monitoring mix control, and the Direct Monitor switch. The unbalanced RCA connectors 3/4 are fed from output streams 3-4, and are not affected by the operations of the Main Level control, the Direct/USB Monitoring mix control, and the Direct Monitor switch.
Main Outputs (1–2): Use standard 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS cables to connect these outputs to your powered monitors, amplifier system, etc. The mix you hear from these outputs will be determined by the Monitor Mix knob and Direct Monitor switch. The level of these outputs is controlled by the Monitor Level knob.
Combo Inputs: Connect microphones, a guitar or bass with an active pickup, or line-level
devices to these inputs. For microphones, use an XLR or 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS cable. For a guitar or bass with an active pickup, use a standard 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TS cable. For line-level signals, use a 1/4″ (6.35 mm) TRS cable. View the input signal levels with the LED Meters.
Kensington Lock Slot: You can use this Kensington lock slot to secure AIR 192|8 to a table or other surface.