swissonic AUDIO 2 Desktop USB Audio User Manual

Audio 2 Audio Interface
User Manual

General information

This user manual contains important information on the safe operation of the device. Read and follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future reference. Make sure that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the device to another user, be sure that they also receive this manual.
Our products and user manuals are subject to a process of continuous development. We there‐ fore reserve the right to make changes without notice. Please refer to the latest version of the user manual which is ready for download under www.thomann.de.
1.1 Further information
On our website (www.thomann.de) you will find lots of further information and details on the following points:

topics of interest for you quickly.
Online guides| Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics and terms.
Personal consultation| For personal consultation please contact our technical hotline.
Service| If you have any problems with the device the customer service will gladly assist you.

1.2 Notational conventions
This manual uses the following notational conventions:
Letterings
The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.
Displays
Texts and values displayed on the device are marked by quotation marks and italics.
Examples: ‘24ch’ , ‘OFF’ .
Instructions
The individual steps of an instruction are numbered consecutively. The result of a step is
indented and highlighted by an arrow.
Example:

1. Switch on the device.

2. Press [Auto].
   Automatic operation is started.

3. Switch off the device.

1.3 Symbols and signal words
In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are used in this manual.

dangerous situation that will result in death or serious injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE!| This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐ sible dangerous situation that can result in material and environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs| Type of danger
****| Warning – danger zone.

Safety instructions

Intended use
This device serves to convert analogue audio signals to digital audio signals and vice versa. Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sufficient physical, sensorial, and intellectual abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is responsible for their safety.
Safety
DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not within reach of babies and young children. Choking hazard! Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces and choke! Never let children unattended use electrical devices.
NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations. Only operate the device within the ambient conditions specified in the chapter ‘Technical specifications’ of this user manual. Avoid heavy temperature fluctuations and do not switch the device on immediately after it was exposed to temperature fluctuations (for example after transport at low outside temperatures). Dust and dirt inside can damage the unit. When operated in harmful ambient conditions (dust, smoke, nicotine, fog, etc.), the unit should be maintained by qualified service personnel at regular intervals to prevent overheating and other malfunction.
NOTICE!
Danger of short circuit
Switching on phantom power will damage the device if unbalanced XLR cables are connected. Only turn on phantom power when exclusively balanced XLR cables are connected.
NOTICE!
Possible staining
The plasticiser contained in the rubber feet of this product may possibly react with the coating of your surface and after some time cause permanent dark stains. In case of doubt, do not put the rubber feet directly on the surface and use a suitable underlay if neces‐ sary, i.e. felt pads or similar.

Features

• Receiver for the digital transmission of audio signals
• High conversion rate
• Resolution: 24 bit
• Sampling rate: 192 kHz
• 2 × analogue microphone/line/instrument input as XLR / ¼” jack combo socket (balanced) with HI-Z switch
• 2 × analogue line output as ¼” jack socket (3-pin, balanced)
• Headphone output as ¼” jack socket with volume control
• Smartphone connector as 3.5 mm jack socket (4-pin, stereo)
• Direct Monitoring: switchable between mono and stereo mode
• Phantom power for using condenser microphones
• Master volume control
• supports Windows® 7, Windows® 8 / 8.1 and Windows® 10 with ASIO 2.0, MME, WDM and DirectSound
• supports macOS® via Apple’s® native CoreAudio USB audio drivers (no driver installation required)
• Power supply via USB port (2.0, B-type), USB bus-powered (cable included)

Installation and starting up

Unpack and check carefully there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep the equipment packaging. To fully protect the product against vibration, dust and moisture during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material suitable for transport or storage, respectively.
Create all connections while the device is off. Use the shortest possible high-quality cables for all connections. Take care when running the cables to prevent tripping hazards.
Turn off phantom power before connecting the device or changing the wiring of the device.
Only turn on phantom power when using a condenser microphone. Otherwise always leave the phantom power switched off.
4.1 System requirements
To enable optimal use of the device, use one of the following operating systems:

• PC: Windows® 7 / 8 / 8.1 or 10 (32 and 64 bit)
• Mac: macOS® X / macOS® 10.7 or above

The PC must have at least one free USB 2.0 port.
4.2 Hardware installation
The device is connected to a USB port on the computer with the supplied cable and is directly supplied with power.
4.3 Driver and software installation
After connecting to the computer, the operating system will automatically detect the device and usually install the correct USB audio driver.
All applications that do not require a special, professional ASIO driver can already be used, e.g. B. DVD playback or DJ applications under Windows® or simple applications like Garageband on MacOS®.
4.3.1 Installation under Windows®
To use the applications to their full extent, install the USB audio driver as follows:

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.

2. Download the driver from the product page of our homepage www.thomann.de.

3. Double-click ‘Thomann GmbH USB Audio Drivers_setup_WHQL.exe’ to start the installa‐ tion.

4. When the installation program starts, Windows displays a security warning. Click [Weitere Informationen] (more information) and then [Trotzdem ausführen] (run anyway) to allow the installation.
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5. Click [Install] to start the installation. The USB audio driver data is copied to the com‐ puter.

6. At the end of the installation, when prompted, connect the USB device and click [OK] to continue with the installation or [Abbrechen] (cancel) to abort the installation.

7. Click [Finish] to complete the installation.
   The device is operational.

4.3.2 Installation under macOS®
macOS® supports native CoreAudio USB audio drivers, so no installation is required.

1. Connect the audio interface to the computer’s USB port. Once connected, the USB audio driver will automatically detect the device and perform the necessary setup.
   The device is operational.

2. Controlling some options of the device under macOS® is also possible via the macOS® Audio MIDI Configuration.

Connections and controls

Front panel

1. [GAIN] – [MIN] / [MAX] | Setting the input level at the respective input

2. [PEAK] | The LED lights up green when the input level at the respective input is sufficient and lights up red when the input level is too high. This can be set correctly with the corresponding [GAIN] controller.

3. [+48 V] | The LED lights red when phantom power is on.

4. [MONITORING] | Rotary control for controlling the input monitoring

5. [DIRECT]: Incoming signals are directly audible

6. [DAW]: Incoming signals can be heard via DAW

7. Middle position of the controller: Incoming signals are audible directly and via DAW

8. [POWER] | The LED lights up green when the device is powered via the USB port.

9. [MIN] / [MAX] | Controller for adjusting the monitoring volume of the headphones

10. [PHONES] | Headphone output (stereo, ¼” jack)

11. [MAIN OUTPUT] – [MIN] / [MAX] | Control for adjusting the master volume

12. [MONO] / [STEREO] | Button to switch between mono and stereo mode

13. [PHAN] | Switches the phantom power for the 48 V power supply for condenser microphones on (slider right) or off (slider left)
    The phantom power leads to damage to the device if unbalanced cables are connected. Only switch on phantom power while exclusively balanced cables are connected.
    Turn off phantom power when connecting a device to [CH1] or [CH2] that does not require phantom power. Turn off phantom power when making wiring changes. Before turning on phantom power, turn the [GAIN] controls of inputs [CH1] and [CH2] to minimum.

14. [HI-Z] | Push button for setting the input sensitivity (line or microphone level) if an electric guitar or bass guitar with a passive pickup is connected to [CH1] or [CH2]

15. [CH1 / CH2] | Microphone/line/instrument input e.g. for microphone, electric guitar, electric bass or other audio source with line signal, designed as XLR / ¼” jack combo sockets
    Rear panel

16. [MAIN OUTPUTS] – [RIGHT] / [LEFT] | Line outputs for connecting an amplifier or a powered speaker, designed as a ¼” jack socket (mono, balanced) for the left and right channel

17. [PHONE I/O] | Connection for the smartphone’s headphone output, designed as a 3.5 mm jack socket (4-pin, stereo) The audio signals of the smartphone are output internally, the audio signals of the external microphone connected to the audio interface are transmitted to the smartphone via this socket.

18. [USB TO PC] [5V 1A ] | USB-B connection for power supply and for importing digital audio signals with the supplied cable

Technical specifications

Input connections| Line / Mic / Inst| 2 × XLR / ¼” jack combo socket (balanced) with Hi-Z switch
---|---|---
Input impedance: 33 kΩ…1 MΩ
Power supply / AUX| 1 × USB port, 2.0, B-type
Phone I/O| 1 × 3.5 mm jack socket, 4-pin, stereo
Output connections| Headphones| 1 × ¼” jack socket, 3-pin, stereo
Impedance: ≥32 Ω
Line| 2 × ¼” jack socket mono, balanced
Output impedance: <100 Ω
Frequency range| 20 Hz…20 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio| >98 dB
Total harmonic distortion (THD)| ＜ 0.002 % (A-weighted)
Dynamic range| 106 dBu (A-weighted)
Gain| 50 dB
USB port| USB 2.0, B-type (compatible with 1.1)
Supported sample rates| 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Resolution| 16 bit, 24 bit
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Phantom power| 48 V
Dimensions (W × H × D)| 145 mm × 44 mm × 110 mm
Weight| 0.6 kg
Ambient conditions| Temperature range| 0 °C…40 °C
relative humidity| 20 %…80 % (non-condensing)

Further information

Plug and connection assignment

Introduction
This chapter will help you select the right cables and plugs to connect your valuable equip‐ ment in such a way that a perfect sound experience is ensured.
Please note these advices, because especially in ‘Sound & Light’ caution is indicated: Even if a plug fits into the socket, an incorrect connection may result in a destroyed power amp, a short circuit or ‘just’ in poor transmission quality!
Balanced and unbalanced trans‐ mission
Unbalanced transmission is mainly used in semi-professional environment and in hifi use. Instrument cables with two conductors (one core plus shielding) are typical representatives of the unbalanced transmission. One conductor is ground and shielding while the signal is trans‐ mitted through the core.
Unbalanced transmission is susceptible to electromagnetic interference, especially at low levels, such as microphone signals and when using long cables.
In a professional environment, therefore, the balanced transmission is preferred, because this enables an undisturbed transmission of signals over long distances. In addition to the conduc‐ tors ‘Ground’ and ‘Signal’, in a balanced transmission a second core is added. This also transfers the signal, but phase-shifted by 180°.
Since the interference affects both cores equally, by subtracting the phase- shifted signals, the interfering signal is completely neutralized. The result is a pure signal without any  noise inter‐ ference.
1/4″ TS phone plug (mono, unbalanced)

1/4″ TRS phone plug (mono, bal‐ anced)

Three-pole 1/8″ mini phone jack (stereo, unbalanced)

XLR plug (balanced)

Protecting the environment

Disposal of the packaging mate‐ rial
** For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials have been chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household waste, but make sure that they are collected for recycling. Please follow the notes and markings on the packaging.
Disposal of your old device
** This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) in its currently valid version. Do not dispose with your normal household waste.
Dispose of this device through an approved waste disposal firm or through your local waste facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and regulations that apply in your country. If in doubt, consult your local waste disposal facility.

Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
Internet: www.thomann.de
13.07.2022, ID: 541118

Documents / Resources

| swissonic AUDIO 2 Desktop USB Audio [pdf] User Manual
AUDIO 2 Desktop USB Audio, AUDIO 2, Desktop USB Audio, USB Audio
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References

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