Alva Nanoface User manual
Nanoface
User manual
2 3
ContentsDisclaimer
4 What is the Nanoface?
6 Quick Info Cable connectors . Encoder operation overview . Peakmeters
12 Getting started Connection . Driver Installation
18 Using the Nanoface Encoder operations
28 Connecting equipment Outputs
37 Connecting equipment Inputs
The information contained within this manual is solely advisory.
ALVA is not responsible for actions you may take without proper advice. You should not rely on this information as absolute and are
responsible for understanding the given information.You should not rely on this information as absolute. If you do act upon the suggestions
contained in this document, you are fully responsible for yourself and your actions.
Should the information in the Nanoface manual prove to be false, misleading, or in contravention to law, statute, or regulation, you assume
all risks.
ALVA does not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or expense resulting from the use of this information contained in the manual, even
if the information was false, misleading, or in contravention to law, statute, or regulation.
The Nanoface manual © 2012 ALVA. All rights reserved.
All Nanoface features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Mac OS X is a trademark of Apple Inc.
CoreAudio is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Microsoft, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Alesis and ADAT are registered trademarks of Alesis Corp.
Steinberg, Cubase and VST are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
ASIO is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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What is the Nanoface? The Nanoface philosophy: Reduce to the max.
1
The Nanoface is a pocket studio. Light as a feather. Easy to operate.
It’s the perfect solution for musicians, DJs or HiFi listeners who need an interface with high-end sound,
great usability, the size and weight of their wallet.
It needs just a simple USB cable to connect to every PC or Mac.
A 12-Channel 96 kHz audio interface with one MIDI input and 2 MIDI outputs?
Sure. But there is more:
Most interfaces provide a big software package with useful features, but have a steep learning curve and consume the
most important thing a musician doesn’t have. Time. Time to mess with all the technical stuff.
But creativity needs boundaries. In an unlimited space there is no need to be creative, as all destinations can be reached –
with just some knowledge and craftsmanship.
The ALVA designers decided to try another way: Sensible downsizing.
The Nanoface is designed as partner of modern digital audio workstations. There are no software option
dialogs or an integrated mixer. Just a high-speed driver.
All modern audio programs provide a low latency engine, an integrated mixer with plug-in support and monitoring
features. They emulate a complete studio workflow. Some audio interfaces try to do the same and thus doubling not only
the features, but also the time to mess with them.
The Nanoface is dierent. All features can be controlled with ONE multi controller. Directly on the unit. In combination
with an audio sequencer this is what most all musicians need. No more. No less.
If you want to use a mixer, with sends, busses and effects – it’s already in your DAW software.
Concentrate. Be creative.
Analog
inputs 3+4
Analog
outputs 1+2
2 x MIDI
output
Hi-Z
instrument input
(electric guitar or bass)
Phones output
(= Analog output 3+4)
Breakout cable
Extension cable option available
(1 & 3 m / 3.2 & 9.8 ft.)
Digital S/PDIF I/O (optical)
MIDI
input
Analog inputs 1+2
(2 x mic preamp)
6 7
Quick info
2
Digital S/PDIF I/O (optical)
Output
(red light)
Input
Nanoface connections
8 9
Encoder operations Reset the Nanoface
2Quick info Quick info 2
Output 1/2
Output 3/4
Input 1/2
Input 3/4
Out Out
In
In In
3/4
3/4
Press Encoder
Press Encoder
Press Encoder
Mode LEDs on LEDs onAdditional operations
Double click
Click/hold + Turn left
Double Click
Monitoring On/Off
Out 1/2 to Phones
Click/hold + Turn left
Gain Channel 1
Press 3 sec.
48V Channel 1
Press 3 sec.
48V Channel 1
Click/hold + Turn right
Gain Channel 2
Hi-Z In for Channel 2
1st red LED
Channel 1
1st red LED
Channel 2
The last Nanoface settings are stored in the internal memory.
The Nanoface starts where you left it before a disconnection from the host computer or a restart.
To reset the Nanoface to the default parameters: Click + hold the encoder
during power up (USB re-connection or start of the host computer).
The following parameters will be set:
Output, Phones and input gain: -3.5 dB
Preamps/Hi-Z gain: 0 dB
Phantom Power (48V): off
Phones out to channel 3/4
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Peakmeters
2Quick info Quick info 2
Signal levels Input 1/2 Gain (Preamps)Out 1/2 (XLR) Out 3/4 (Phones) Input 2 Hi-Z Gain Input 3/4 Gain
Level in dB Gain in dBLevel in dB Level in dB Gain in dB Gain in dBLED no. StepStep Step Step Step
10 Red 2040 40 20 200 50.50 6 (Boost) 43 33
9 Orange 1837 36 18 18-3 45-1.5 2 (Boost) 42.5 29
8 Green 1634 32 16 16-6 40-3 -2 40 24
7 Green 1428 28 14 14-9 34.5-7.5 -9 34.50 20
6 Green 1224 24 12 12-12 29-11.5 -17 29 16.50
5 Green 1020 20 10 10-15 24-17.5 -29 24 13.50
4 Green 816 16 8 8-17 18.5-25 -44 18.50 10.50
3 Green 612 12 6 6-19 13.50-34.5 -63 13.50 7.50
2 Green 48 8 4 4-23 8-47 Mute 8 4.50
1 Green 22 2 2 2-27 2.5-121.5 Mute 2.50 1.50
48V 48V48V 48V 48V 48V
The view switches back
automatically after 1
second.
If Phones output (1/2 and
3/4) is selected,
the meters always show
the chosen gain.
In level mode the
Nanoface shows the level
of output 1/2, input 1/2
or 3/4.
If the encoder is turned
the peakmeters switch
from the level mode to
gain mode.
Level mode
Gain mode
It’s possible to connect the Nanoface to every Windows or Mac
computer with a standard USB 2.0 port:
a) Connect the included USB cable to the USB 2.0 port on the back of
the Nanoface.
b) The included USB cable provides two connectors. Connect the main
connector to a free USB 2.0 port.
Tip: On every computer system we’ve tested, the Nanoface is sufficiently
powered by the main connector of the included USB cable. This means: all
3rd party USB 2.0 cables will work with the Nanoface!
Tip: In most setups a powered USB hub will also work. Keep in mind every
device on the hub will consume power from it, so it might help to connect
only the Nanoface to this hub.
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Mount the included breakout cable with the XLR and RCA connectors to the 15-pin
port on the rear of the Nanoface.
Optional extension cables for the breakout cable are available from ALVA in lengths of 1
m (3.3 ft.) and 3 m (9.8 ft.). Please visit the ALVa website for more details.
If you want to listen to music from the Nanoface after the installation process, keep a
double RCA cable ready for the connection of the breakout cable to your speakers or HiFi
preamp.
Getting started
3
1. Connect the breakout cable 2. Connect the Nanoface to the computer
USB connector
15-pin breakout cable
port
15-pin breakout cable connector
The Nanoface is
completely powered by
the USB connection.
All features are available
connecting the Nanoface
with a simple USB cable to
the host computer.
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1. Driver installation
1. Connect the Nanoface to your computer with the included USB cable.
2. Open the Windows driver folder on the included CD and select 32 bit or 64 bit - depending on your Windows version. Double click the
file Setup.exe.
3. Choose a language for the installation process.
4. Select “Install the driver”. The installation starts and installs the Nanoface ASIO driver for professional audio programs, like Steinberg
Cubase or Magix Samplitude, and the Windows WDM driver for the system sounds and standard audio programs (Windows Media Player,
iTunes, Winamp).
5. After the successful installation a reboot of the system is necessary.
2. Windows audio setup
Set the Nanoface as default audio device for playback and recording.
Tip . Windows 7 provides speaker sets for stereo and surround. The stereo setup assigns channels 1/2 (output RCA connectors on the breakout
cable) to the speakers. The 5.1 surround setup assigns the following channels to the speakers: Channel 1 (Front Left), Channel 2 (Front Right),
Channel 3 (Sub), Channel 4 (Center), Channel 5 (Rear Left), Channel 6 (Rear R).
Driver installation Windows 32 bit and 64 bit
Getting started - driver installation 33 Getting started - driver installation
Driver installation dialog
After the successful installation the
Windows device manager shows the
Nanoface WDM Audio and MIDI devices. Default playback device - Stereo speakers (Line outputs 1/2). Default recording device (Line inputs 1/2).
Always check the ALVA
website for the latest drivers:
www.alva-audio.com
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1. Driver installation
1. Connect the Nanoface to your computer with the included USB cable.
2. Open the Mac OS X driver folder on the included CD and double click the .dmg file. It contains the driver installation file.
3. Double click the .mpkg file. Follow the instructions. After the selection of the installation drive - the hard disc with the operating system
- enter your administrator password to allow the installation program changes on your operating system.
4. The setup installs the Nanoface Mac OS X driver. After the successful installation a reboot of the system is necessary.
Driver installation Mac OS X
Getting started - driver installation 33 Getting started - driver installation
Driver installation dialog. After the successful installation click the Restart button.
2. Mac OS X sound setup
Select ALVA Nanoface: Output in the sound setup of OS X.
Audio programs, like iTunes, web browsers or the system sounds, use the Nanoface out channels 1/2 (output RCA connectors on the breakout
cable) for the default playback. To listen to this signal parallel on headphones, switch the phones out to channel 1/2 (see chapter Encoder
operations).
Select the Nanoface for output and/or input in the system preferences of Mac OS X.
Always check the ALVA
website for the latest drivers:
www.alva-audio.com
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Using the Nanoface
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What can be controlled:
• Output 1/2: gain
• Output 3/4 (Phones): gain
• Route output 1/2 to Phones output
• Output 1/2 on Phones output: gain
• Input 1/2: gain (mic/instr. preamps)
• Input 3/4: gain
• 48V for inputs 1 and/or 2
• Switch input 2 to Hi-Z input
• Hardware monitoring for inputs 1/2
• Reset to default values
The usability concept of the Nanoface:
For a more detailed step-by-step description please read the following pages.
Encoder
The analog gains for the four inputs, all output levels and special features, like phantom power and hardware monitoring will
be controlled with the big silver rotary encoder directly on the Nanoface.
All mixing, channel routing and digital levels will be controlled by your individual audio software.
Example 1: Simple audio playback:
The audio application (Windows Media Player, iTunes or a video program) plays the sound to the Nanoface, which is the default audio
output in the sound setup of Windows or Mac OS X. The sound plays on analog output 1/2.
The big encoder controls the speakers volume of output 1/2. The encoder can also duplicate the signal from output 1/2 to the
headphones output and controls the volume separately from the speakers level connected to output 1/2.
Example 2. Multitrack audio software recording and playback:
You assign the stereo monitor mix in the software to the main outputs of the Nanoface (analog output 1/2) and a seperate headphone
mix to analog output 3/4. A 3rd mix or a loop to an external effect unit can be assigned to the digital SPDIF output.
The analog preamp gain for the recording of one microphone, one electric guitar and a keyboard is controlled with the big encoder.
The monitor gain of the main speakers and the headphones is also controlled with the big encoder.
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