DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK (01) PDF Document

Before proceeding with the basics for your DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK, ensure you have:

• Connected the Digi 002 or DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK to your computer with the FireWire cable.

• Installed Pro Tools LE software as described in the appropriate Windows or Macintosh installation chapter of the Getting Started Guide.

To connect headphones to your DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK:

1. Connect headphones with a 1/4-inch stereo connector (or an adapter) to the Headphone jack on the front panel.

2. The Headphone Level knob on the front panel adjusts the volume level of the Headphone jack.

To connect an external sound system such as powered monitors or a home stereo to your DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK, use the monitor outputs (labeled “Mon”) on the back panel. These outputs support 1/4-inch balanced (TRS) or unbalanced (TS) plugs.

When connecting to a stereo system, connect the left channel to Mon Output L and the right channel to Mon Output R. The Monitor Level knob on the front panel of the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK adjusts the volume level of these outputs. Note that sound from the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK cannot be played through your computer’s built-in speakers.

If your home stereo uses RCA connectors, you will need an adapter or a special cable to convert from the 1/4-inch TRS or TS connectors to RCA connectors.

To connect a microphone that uses an XLR connector to your DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK, follow these steps:

1. Plug your microphone’s XLR cable into one of the Mic inputs (1-4) on the back of the unit. The inputs are numbered right to left, so Mic Input 1 is the rightmost input.

2. Press the Line/Inst and Mic Selector switch on the front panel for the corresponding input so that it is in the “Mic” (down) position.

3. If your microphone requires phantom power (most condenser microphones do), make sure the microphone is connected first, then press the Phantom Power switch (labeled 48V) on the back panel for the corresponding input pair (1-2 or 3-4).

4. Once Pro Tools is running and the input is routed to a track, you can adjust the input level with the corresponding Gain knob on the front panel of the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK.

Some microphones, particularly condenser microphones, require power to operate. This is called phantom power. The DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK can supply this power through microphone cables with XLR connectors.

• Dynamic microphones (like a Shure SM57) do not need phantom power but are not harmed by it.

• Be cautious: Although phantom power is safe for most microphones, it can damage some ribbon microphones. Always turn off phantom power and wait at least ten seconds before connecting or disconnecting a ribbon microphone.

• If you are unsure about your microphone’s power requirements, consult its documentation or contact the manufacturer.

To connect a microphone that uses a 1/4-inch connector to your DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK:

1. Plug the 1/4-inch connector from your microphone into one of the Line/Inst inputs (1-4) on the back of the unit. The inputs are numbered right to left, so Line/Inst Input 1 is the rightmost input.

2. Press the Line/Inst and Mic Selector switch on the front panel for the corresponding input so that it is in the “Line/Inst” (up) position.

3. When Pro Tools is launched and the input is routed to a track, adjust the input level with the corresponding Gain knob on the front panel of the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK.

Important: When using a microphone with a 1/4-inch connector, do not choose the “Mic” input source in Pro Tools, as the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK will not register any signal.

To connect an electric guitar or bass to your DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK:

1. Plug your guitar cable into one of the Line/Inst inputs (1-4) on the back of the unit. The inputs are numbered right to left, so Line/Inst Input 1 is the rightmost input.

2. Press the Line/Inst and Mic Selector switch on the front panel for the corresponding input so it is in the “Line/Inst” (up) position.

3. Once Pro Tools is launched and the input is routed to a track, you can adjust the input level using the Gain knob on the front panel of the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK.

The DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK has two types of inputs for line-level devices: Line/Inst Inputs 1-4 and Analog Inputs 5-8.

To connect your line-level device:

1. Plug your keyboard, mixer, or other audio source into any of the Line/Inst inputs (1-4) or analog Inputs (5-8) on the back of the unit. For stereo sources, use an odd/even pair of inputs (e.g., Input 1 for left, Input 2 for right).

2. If using Line/Inst inputs 1-4, press the corresponding Line/Inst and Mic Selector switch on the front panel to the “Line/Inst” (up) position. For line-level devices, the Gain knob should be turned down all the way.

3. If using Inputs 5–8, set either a -10 dBV or +4 dBu operating level for the corresponding input pair using the Operating Level switch on the back panel. Refer to your device’s specifications to choose the correct level.

4. Set your instrument’s volume to its optimal level. For example, the optimal level for most keyboards is between 80% and 100% of maximum volume.

Follow these steps to create a session, prepare a track, and record audio:

Create a Pro Tools Session:

1. Verify the connections between the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK and your instrument or microphone.

2. Launch Pro Tools.

3. Choose File > New Session.

4. In the New Session dialog, set session parameters as needed (e.g., Audio File Type, Sample Rate, Bit Depth).

5. Choose a location to save your session, type a name for it, and click Save.

Prepare an Audio Track for Recording:

1. Choose Track > New.

2. Specify the number and type of tracks. For a single microphone, choose 1 Mono Audio Track. For a stereo keyboard, choose 1 Stereo Audio Track. Click Create.

3. Make sure the Mix window is open (Window > Mix).

4. In the Mix window, click the Input Selector on the new track and choose the corresponding input from the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK where your instrument is connected (e.g., Mic/Line 1).

Record an Audio Track:

1. Click the track’s Record Enable button (it will blink red).

2. Play your instrument and use the Gain controls on the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK to set a good level, avoiding clipping (the Peak LED should only flicker occasionally).

3. Open the Transport window (Window > Transport).

4. Click the Record Enable button in the Transport window (it will flash red).

5. When you are ready, click Play or press the Spacebar to start recording.

6. When finished, click Stop or press the Spacebar.

Play Back a Recorded Track:

1. Click the track’s Record Enable button to take it out of record mode.

2. Click Play in the Transport window or press the Spacebar to start playback.

To import audio from a compact disc:

1. Launch Pro Tools and create a new session (File > New Session).

2. Put the source CD into your computer’s CD drive.

3. Open the Workspace browser by choosing Window > Workspace.

4. In the Workspace browser, click the Audio CD icon to show the files on the CD.

5. To preview a file, click the speaker icon in the Waveform column. Press the Spacebar to stop playback.

6. Drag the desired audio file from the Workspace browser to the Track List in the Edit window. This will import the file and create a new audio track for it.

7. To play back the new track, use the controls in the Transport window.

To create a CD-ready audio file, you need to use the “Bounce to Disk” feature in Pro Tools. This combines all audible tracks into a single master audio file.

1. After finishing your mix, select the length of the session in the timeline ruler. Be sure to include extra time at the end for any reverb or delay tails to fade out completely.

2. Choose File > Bounce to > Disk.

3. In the Bounce Options dialog, set the following for a standard audio CD:

• Bounce Source: Outputs 1-2

• File Type: BWF (.WAV)

• Format: Stereo Interleaved

• Resolution (Bit Depth): 16

• Sample Rate: 44100

4. Choose “Convert after Bounce” and click the Bounce button.

5. In the next dialog, give the bounced file a name and choose where to save it.

6. Click Save. Pro Tools will begin bouncing in real-time.

After the bounce is complete, you will have a .WAV file ready for burning. You can quit Pro Tools and use any CD burning software to create an audio CD (not a data CD) from this file.

To connect a MIDI device and monitor its audio output through your DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK, you need to make both MIDI and audio connections.

MIDI Connection:

1. Connect a 5-pin MIDI cable from the MIDI Out port of your device (e.g., keyboard) to the MIDI In port on the back of the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK.

2. Connect another MIDI cable from the MIDI Out port on the back of the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK to the MIDI In port of your device.

Audio Monitoring Connection:

1. Connect the audio output(s) of your MIDI instrument to a Line/Inst input (or a pair for stereo) on the back panel of the DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK.

Pro Tools Instrument tracks allow you to record MIDI data and monitor the resulting audio from either a hardware instrument or a software plug-in.

Create and Configure the Track:

1. Choose Track > New, specify 1 Mono Instrument Track, and click Create.

2. In the Mix Window, click the track’s MIDI Input selector and assign the device and channel to be recorded, or leave it set to “All”.

3. Choose your MIDI output destination:

• For a software instrument, click an Insert selector on the track and choose an instrument plug-in. The track’s MIDI output is automatically assigned to the plug-in.

• For an external hardware instrument, click the track’s MIDI Output selector and assign the device and channel for your connected instrument.

4. If using an external MIDI device, click the audio Input Selector on the Instrument track and choose the audio input where you connected your device’s audio output.

5. In the Mix Window, click the Track Record Enable button to arm the track for recording.

6. Make sure MIDI Thru is enabled by selecting Options > MIDI Thru.

Record MIDI:

1. Play some notes on your MIDI controller. You should see activity on the track’s MIDI Velocity meter.

2. Open the Transport window and click Return to Zero.

3. Click Record Enable in the Transport window.

4. Click Play or press the Spacebar to begin recording.

5. Play your MIDI controller.

6. When finished, click Stop or press the Spacebar. The recorded MIDI data will appear as a region on the track.

The DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002 RACK system includes a Low Latency Monitoring feature to reduce the delay you hear when monitoring your live performance through Pro Tools. This feature uses a built-in mixer in the hardware unit.

To use Low Latency Monitoring while recording:

1. Launch Pro Tools and set up your session for recording.

2. Select Options > Low Latency Monitoring. A checkmark will appear next to it when enabled.

For this feature to work, tracks must be record-enabled, assigned to an actual audio input (not a bus), and assigned to outputs 1 or 2.

When Low Latency Monitoring is enabled, any plug-ins and sends on record-enabled tracks routed to Outputs 1-2 are automatically bypassed. Also, these tracks will not register on meters for Master Faders.