M-Audio Omni I/O User Manual

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
1. Theory of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
2. Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.1 Recording Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2.2 Mixing Section (all balanced/unbalanced on TRS jacks) . . . . . . . . .3
3. What’s In the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
4. Front, Rear, and Top Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
4.1 Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
4.2 Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
4.3 Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
5. Operational Basics & Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
5.1 Balanced Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
5.2 Unbalanced Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
5.3 Phantom Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
5.4 Sends and Returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
5.5 Plugs and Jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
5.6 Balanced Cabling & Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
5.7 Unbalalanced Cabling & Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
5.8 Stereo Input and Insert Cables/Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
5.9 Line Levels vs. Mic/Instr Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
5.10 Virtual Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
6. Basic Playback Setup for the Omni I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
7. Basic Recording Setup for the Omni I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
8. Omni Signal Flow Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
9. Sequencing and the Omni I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
9.1 MIDI Sequencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
9.2 Setting MIDI Playback Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
10. Recording Audio to the Delta 44 or 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
10.1 Monitoring the Signals You Are Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
10.2 Monitoring the Record Inputs Using ASIO or EASI . . . . . . . . . .22
10.3 Setting Record Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
10.4 Record Levels Using the Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
10.5 Setting the Audio Track Playback Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
10.6 Adding Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
10.7 Recording Your MIDI Instruments as Audio Tracks . . . . . . . . . . .25
11. Mixing With the Omni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
11.1 Organizing the Audio Tracks for Mixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
11.2 Using the Direct Outs 1-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
12. Alternate Omni Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
12.1 Recording with Four Pre-Amps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
12.2 Monitoring While Recording to Four Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
12.3 Recording Four Line Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
12.4 Recording FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
12.5 Submixing MIDI Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Limited Lifetime Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

M-Audio Omni I/O Specifications

General

Audio Interface Type	USB
A/D Resolution	24-bit
Bit Depth	24-bit
Computer Connectivity	USB
MIDI I/O	In/Out
Phantom Power	Yes
Weight	1.5 lbs
Digital Inputs	S/PDIF
Digital Outputs	S/PDIF
Driver	ASIO, Core Audio
Analog Inputs	2 x XLR/TRS combo
Analog Outputs	2 x TRS

Summary

Introduction

Theory of Operation

Explains the dual functions of a recording console and the Omni's role as a split console design.

Features

Recording Section

Details the two Mic/Inst inputs with phantom power, pad switch, signal/clip indicators, and pre-amp specs.

Mixing Section

Describes the ultra-quiet mixer with aux inputs, effects return, direct outs, and monitoring outputs.

Front, Rear, and Top Panel Descriptions

Front Panel Overview

Identifies and describes the controls and connectors on the Omni's front panel.

Rear Panel

Operational Basics & Definitions

Phantom Power

Describes the function and application of phantom power for condenser microphones.

Cabling & Connections

Line Levels vs. Mic/Instr Levels

Basic Playback Setup for the Omni I/O

Basic Recording Setup for the Omni I/O

Omni Signal Flow Chart

Sequencing and the Omni I/O

Setting MIDI Playback Levels

Recording Audio to the Delta 44 or 66

Monitoring the Signals You Are Recording

Explains methods for monitoring input signals during recording using software and the Monitor Mixer.

Monitoring Record Inputs Using ASIO or EASI

Covers monitoring record inputs via ASIO/EASI drivers and software setup.

Setting Record Levels

Guides on adjusting gain stages for Mic/Inst and Line inputs to achieve optimal recording levels.

Record Levels Using the Inserts

Adding Effects

Recording Your MIDI Instruments as Audio Tracks

Mixing With the Omni

Organizing Audio Tracks for Mixing

Using the Direct Outs 1-4