ESi Neva Duo 24-Bit 192 kHz USB-C Audio Interface with 2 Microphone Preamps User Guide
- June 3, 2024
- ESi
Table of Contents
24-bit / 192 kHz USB-C Audio Interface with 2 Microphone Preamps
Quick Start Guide
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Neva Duo, a high quality USB-C audio interface to connect microphones, synthesizers or guitars and to listen with headphones or studio monitors in 24-bit / 192 kHz audio quality. Neva Duo works with Mac, PC and as a fully class compliant device even with many portable devices such as iPad and iPhone (via an adapter like the Camera Connection Kit).
Getting Started
To start using Neva Duo, connect it to your computer using the included USB
cable. The ESI logo LED will light up in orange color to show that the audio
interface is ready to use. It is a good time now to either connect headphones
to the headphone connector on the front or using the TRS outputs on the back
to connect the interface to active studio monitors. You will not be able to
listen to any audio signals otherwise.
On the Mac, Neva Duo does not require any drivers to be used (plug-and-play),
however you can download a control panel application on our website. On iPhone
or iPad, most audio apps will automatically use the interface after it has
been connected. For Windows users, we provide a driver optimized for
professional audio applications (incl. ASIO support) that is available for
download – http://en.esi.ms/119. Also the driver provides
DirectWIRE, virtual audio channels and loopback functionality. This makes it
possible to mix and record internal audio signals from various audio
applications. More details about DirectWIRE and loopback can be found on our
website in the extensive Knowledge Base under kb.esi-audio.com.
Microphone Connection
To connect a microphone to Neva Duo, you need to know if it is a dynamic or a condenser microphone. Only in the later case, 48V phantom power is required and the corresponding switch needs to be enabled (the orange ESI logo LED then turns red). If you are unsure what microphone you have, check its manual. You can connect two microphones simultaneously using XLR cables and the corresponding input selection switch must be set to ‘Line’.
Guitar Connection
To use Neva Duo with an electric guitar or bass, you need to connect it with a TS guitar cable. For the corresponding input, the selection switch must be set to ‘Hi-Z’.
Input Monitoring
If you want to listen to the incoming audio signals, you can enable the so- called direct monitoring function with the ‘Direct’ monitoring switch on Neva Duo. When enabled, you listen to incoming signals and playback simultaneously.
Recording and Playback
To check if Neva Duo is working with your computer, it is best to play music
as a test signal while you slowly turn up the headphone level volume knob
(when using headphones) or the master volume knob when using speakers. Make
sure you are not making the playback signal too loud for your ears.
You can record audio in your favorite audio application (i.e. a DAW like
Bitwig Studio 8-Track or an audio recorder like WaveLab LE) after selecting
Neva Duo as recording and playback device in its settings dialog (refer to the
manual of your software for details, also you can find more info in our
Knowledge Base under kb.esiaudio.com).
Once you start the recording process using either input 1 or 2, slowly turn up
the corresponding gain knob clockwise until the input level meters in the
software show a proper signal level. Additionally, the LED ring around the
gain knob also indicates the signal level. When the light is off, it is likely
that the volume is too low or there is no signal. When it turns green, the
signal level is usable. Orange usually indicates an optimal level and red
means that the level is too high (i.e. the signal clips) and the gain has to
be reduced.
Connectors and Functions
-
Line Hi-Z Switch 1 for input 1 to switch between
Line / Microphone signals and Hi-Z guitar signals. -
Line Hi-Z Switch 2 for input 2 to switch between
Line / Microphone signals and Hi-Z guitar signals. -
+48V Phantom Power Switch to provide power for condenser microphones. When enabled, the power LED illuminates red, when disabled orange.
-
Direct Monitoring Switch to enable or disable input monitoring to listen to the input signals.
-
Gain K nob 1 to change the input gain / input level for input 1. The LED ring indicates the signal level.
-
Gain K nob 2 to change the input gain / input level for input 2. The LED ring indicates the signal level.
-
Headphone Volume K nob to change the output volume for connected headphones.
-
Master Volume K nob to control the master output volume of the main line output signal.
-
XLR / TR S Combo Input 1 to connect a microphone via XLR cable, a line signal via 1/4″ TRS connector or an electric guitar with 1/4″ TS connector.
-
XLR / TR S Combo Input 2 to connect a microphone via XLR cable, a line signal via 1/4″ TRS connector or an electric guitar with 1/4″ TS connector.
-
Headphone Output to connect headphones.
-
Line Output 1 / 2 to connect the stereo master line level output signal via 1/4″ TRS cables for left and right channels.
-
USB-C Connector to connect the audio interface to a PC, Mac, tablet or mobile phone.
General Information
Trademarks: ESI, Neva and Neva Duo are trademarks of ESI Audiotechnik
GmbH. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other product and brand
names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Correspondence: For technical support inquiries, contact your nearest
dealer, local distributor or ESI support online at www.esi-
audio.com.
Disclaimer: All features and specifications subject to change without
notice. Parts of this document are continually being updated. Please check our
web site www.esi-audio.com occasionally for the
most recent update information.
Manufacturer Info: ESI Audiotechnik GmbH, Mollenbachstr. 14, D-71229 Leonberg, Germany