IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Read these instructions. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 10. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 11. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped. FCC Information NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. Product Serial #: Purchased at: Date of purchase: Part No. 0017142 Rev. A 10/05 ©2005 LOUD Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2 CONTENTS IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS......................................................2 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................4 The Link.MIDI 4x4 USB MIDI Interface ....................................4 Link.MIDI 4x4 Features ...................................................................4 GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................5 Connecting the Link.MIDI 4x4 .....................................................5 Hookup Diagram ................................................................................6 LINK.MIDI 4X4 FEATURES...................................................................................8 Front Panel ............................................................................................8 1. INPUT 2-4 .....................................................................................8 2. OUTPUT 4.....................................................................................8 3. ACTIVITY Indicators ................................................................8 4. USB/THRU Switch .....................................................................8 5. POWER Indicator ......................................................................9 Rear Panel .............................................................................................9 6. INPUT 1 ..........................................................................................9 7. OUTPUT 1-3 ................................................................................9 8. USB Connector ...........................................................................9 9. Kensington Security Slot ........................................................9 APPENDIX A: SERVICE INFORMATION .................................................10 Warranty Service.............................................................................10 Troubleshooting ...............................................................................10 Repair ...................................................................................................11 APPENDIX B: LINK.MIDI 4X4 SPECIFICATIONS .............................12 TAPCO LIMITED WARRANTY .......................................................................14 Don't forget to visit our website at www.tapcogear.com for more information about this and other TAPCO products. 3 INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the TAPCO Link.MIDI 4x4 USB MIDI Interface for digital recording systems equipped with a USB port on either a Macintosh or a PC. The Link.MIDI 4x4 is a 4x4 USB MIDI interface that is powered directly off the USB connection so no external power supply is required. Since it uses the USB drivers in the operating system of the computer (Windows XP and OS X), no drivers are required to be installed. The Link.MIDI 4x4 USB MIDI Interface The Link.MIDI 4x4 is typically used to interface MIDI keyboards or other MIDI instruments and devices to MIDI sequencing software on a computer. It provides four MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs on standard 5-pin MIDI connectors. A USB connector transfers the MIDI data to and from a PC or Macintosh computer. Since each MIDI connector can transmit MIDI data for up to 16 channels, the Link.MIDI 4x4 can handle up to 64 channels of MIDI data. Link.MIDI 4x4 Features · · · · · · · 4-In, 4-Out MIDI Interface (64x64 MIDI channels) High-speed USB connection to PC or Macintosh computers USB/THRU switch routes MIDI IN 1 to MIDI OUTS 1-4 MIDI IN and MIDI OUT activity indicators for each port USB powered (requires no external power supply) Convenient collapsible swivel-foot for desktop operation Compact size Link.MIDI 4x4 Minimum System Requirements PC Requirements · Windows XP (SP1) Macintosh Requirements · OS X (10.3 or later) 4 GETTING STARTED Use this section to get your Link.MIDI 4x4 set up quickly. Connecting the Link.MIDI 4x4 · To stand the Link.MIDI 4x4 upright, pull the stabilizer bar downward and twist it out 90º from the body, as shown here. Connect your MIDI keyboard(s) and other MIDI equipped instruments or sound modules to the MIDI IN ports on the Link.MIDI 4x4. Connect the USB port on the Link.MIDI 4x4 to the USB port on your computer using the USB cable included in the box. Configure the Link.MIDI 4x4 in your application software. LINK.midi 4x4 USB MIDI INTERFACE 1 2 3 4 USB THRU ACTIVITY OUT IN THRU · 2 3 INPUT · 4 POWER OUTPUT · LOOK CLOSER Many MIDI Interface applications require connecting just one keyboard or MIDI controller to INPUT 1 and using multiple MIDI outputs. This is why INPUT 1 is located on the back of the Link.MIDI 4x4 along with OUTPUTS 1-3. This keeps all the cables in the back and out of the way. 4 1 1 2 3 USB INPUT OUTPUT 5 Hookup Diagram Typical MIDI Studio Setup This diagram demonstrates a typical MIDI studio setup. The USB port on the Link.MIDI 4x4 is connected to a computer running MIDI sequencing and music production software. The MIDI ports on a keyboard are connected to I/O 1 on the Link.MIDI 4x4, and a MIDI synthesizer is connected to I/O 2. You might connect a MIDI control surface to I/O 3, which can be used to control various functions in the software application. I/O 4 could be used for connecting a second MIDI synthesizer, drum pads, or a wind controller. 6 · · · · ·· · · ·· · · ·· ·· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·· · · · · · ·· · ·· · · · · · · · · · · · ·· · · ·· ·· · ·· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·· · · · ·· ·· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·· If there is an unused MIDI input, it could be used to input MIDI Time Code (MTC) from a drum machine or other sync source. Configuration You will need to configure your operating system to use the Link.MIDI 4x4. Windows XP: Click Start > Settings > Control Panel. Double-click "Sounds and Audio Devices" and click the "Audio" tab. In the "MIDI music playback" drop down box, select one of the four USB Audio Devices representing the four MIDI inputs as the default MIDI playback device. Mac OS X: In the Finder, click Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup. Under "MIDI Devices," select the TAPCO Link MIDI USB as the default MIDI device. Link.MIDI 4x4 Default MIDI Device in OS X Audio MIDI Setup Your MIDI software application may need to be configured to use the Link.MIDI 4x4 as well. Each application is different in the way that this is done, but in general there will be a "Settings" or "Setup" window that allows you to do this. In Tracktion 2, our easy-to-use music production software application, it is located under the "Settings" tab, in the "Audio Devices" window. Link.MIDI 4x4 Default MIDI Device in Tracktion 2 7 LINK.MIDI 4X4 FEATURES Front Panel 1. INPUT 2-4 These are standard 5-pin MIDI input connectors. Connect the MIDI OUT ports from your MIDI-equipped devices to these input connectors. 2. OUTPUT 4 This is a standard 5-pin MIDI output connector. Connect this to the MIDI IN ports on your MIDI-equipped devices. 3. ACTIVITY Indicators There are four MIDI IN indicators and four MIDI OUT indicators. Anytime there is data transferred at any of the MIDI ports, its corresponding ACTIVITY indicator lights. 4. USB/THRU Switch The Link.MIDI 4x4 has two modes of operation, USB mode and THRU mode. USB: When this switch is out, the Link.MIDI 4x4 operates with four independent MIDI inputs and four independent MIDI outputs, all routed through the USB port to your computer's music production software application, which manages the routing of MIDI data to and from your computer. THRU: When this switch is pushed in, MIDI data appearing at INPUT 1 is routed to OUTPUTS 1-4. In THRU mode, INPUTS 2-4 do not function and there is no MIDI data transferred via the USB connection. This is useful when you want to have one MIDI controller connected to two, three, or four sound modules or sequencers. 5 LINK.midi 4x4 USB MIDI INTERFACE POWER ACTIVITY IN THRU USB THRU 2 3 4 4 3 1 2 3 4 OUT INPUT OUTPUT 4 8 1 2 Note: The USB port must be connected to the computer in THRU mode to power the Link.MIDI 4x4, even though data is not transferred over the USB cable. 5. POWER Indicator The Link.MIDI 4x4 is powered from the USB port. There is no power switch, so this LED lights up whenever the Link.MIDI 4x4 is connected to the USB port on your computer (and the computer is powered on). Rear Panel 6. INPUT 1 This is a standard 5-pin MIDI input connector. Connect this to the MIDI OUT port on your MIDI-equipped device. 7. OUTPUT 1-3 These are standard 5-pin MIDI output connector. Connect these to the MIDI IN ports on your MIDI-equipped devices. 8. USB Connector This is the main connection between the Link.MIDI 4x4 and the host computer. Use the USB cable provided to connect this port to a USB port on your computer. 9. Kensington Security Slot To help prevent theft, the Link.MIDI 4x4 has a security slot designed to fit the popular Kensington security locks. A variety of models are available from their website at www.kensington.com. 9 1 1 2 3 USB INPUT OUTPUT 6 7 8 9 APPENDIX A: SERVICE INFORMATION Warranty Service Details concerning Warranty Service are spelled out in the Warranty section on pages 14-15. If you think your TAPCO Link.MIDI 4x4 has a problem, please do everything you can to confirm it before calling for service. Doing so might save you from the deprivation of your Link.MIDI 4x4 and the associated suffering. These may sound obvious to you, but here are some things you can check. Read on. Troubleshooting No Power · Our favorite question: Is it plugged in? Make sure the USB cable is connected between your computer and the Link.MIDI 4x4. The computer must be on to provide power to the Link.MIDI 4x4 over the USB connection. Is the POWER LED illuminated? If not, try connecting the Link.MIDI 4x4 to another USB port on the computer (if available). · Lonely? Looking for that special someone? Do you have a question about your TAPCO Link.USB 4x4? Please call our Technical Support chaps at 1-877-827-2669, Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 5 pm PST. After hours, visit www.tapcogear.com and look under Contact Us, or e-mail us at techmail@tapcogear.com 10 Repair Service for TAPCO products is available at a factory-authorized service center. Service for TAPCO products living outside the United States can be obtained through local dealers or distributors. If your Link.MIDI 4x4 needs service, follow these instructions: 1. Review the preceding troubleshooting suggestions. Please. 2. Call Tech Support at 1-877-827-2669, 7 am to 5 pm PST, to explain the problem and obtain a Service Request Number. Have your Link. MIDI 4x4 serial number ready. You must have a Service Request Number before you can obtain factory-authorized. 3. Keep this owner's manual. We don't need it to repair the Link.MIDI 4x4. 4. Pack the Link.MIDI 4x4 in its original package, including endcaps and box. This is VERY IMPORTANT. When you ca ...