M-Audio Omni i/o [2/30] Theory of operation

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Omni I/O Integrated Desktop Audio

Station, designed and manufactured by M Audio. The Omni I/O is a “front

end” companion to the Delta 66 or Delta 44 by M Audio, offering you truly

professional options for both recording to and monitoring from your Delta Series

audio card.

Please read this manual to familiarize yourself with the Omni I/O and its

features, and to understand how you can make the versatility of the Omni I/O

work best for you. Before connecting the Omni I/O, you must install your Delta

44 or Delta 66 card, carefully following the procedure found in the manual for

your Delta card.

1. Theory of Operation

Arecording console performs two functions. It routes the signal you are about

to record, providing the ability to pre-amplify and shape that signal before it gets

to the recording device. At the same time, it handles all playback, allowing you

to mix, add an effect, and monitor your recorded signal as well as “virtual” MIDI

keyboard tracks.

The Omni I/O performs these tasks. The Omni, in conjunction with a Delta 44 or

Delta 66 PCI Interface and your PC or Macintosh computer, adds the

functionality of a recording console in a desktop unit. The Omni I/O is modeled

after what is known as a “split console” design, where the recording and

monitoring sections function independently.

Two high quality M Audio Mic/Instrument pre-amps are routed to the Delta’s

analog inputs 1 & 2. The level that you record is controlled by the Omni pre-

amp’s independent gain controls in conjunction with the +4/-10 operating level

that you select in the Delta Control Panel. An insert jack added to the record

path allows you to process the signal with outboard gear, should you choose to.

Line inputs 3 & 4 give you a total of 4 direct analog inputs to the Delta card from

the Omni.

You’ll use your music software and the Delta Control Panel to make routing

selections for recording and monitoring your audio tracks. Audio tracks are

routed from the Delta card to a mixer that is built-in to the Omni, which

combines the four Delta analog outputs with four auxiliary stereo inputs and

one stereo effects return for the equivalent of a 14 channel mixer. One effect send

is provided on each of the Delta output’s mixer channels. The aux inputs can be

used to monitor MIDI instruments as “virtual” tracks, and then route those

instruments to the line inputs for easy recording without repatching.

This ultra-quiet Omni mixer, with extremely wide frequency response, gives you