Alesis ProTrack Operation & User’s Manual

to use, but you can refer to this manual when necessary if you have any questions about how it works. Here are just a few features you’ll come to love about your new ProTrack iPod Recorder: ƒ Compatible with iPod Classics, 5 th-Generation iPods, 2 nd- and 3 rd -Generation iPod nanos, and iPod nano-chromatics * ƒ 44.1kHz, 16-bit Recording Capability ƒ 2 Built-In Condenser Microphones for Stereo Recording ƒ 2 Combo Mic / Line Inputs – Connect 1 stereo or 2 mono sound sources such as XLR or 1/4” microphones and other line sources ƒ Analog Input Limiter – Prevents hard digital “clipping” of the recorded signal in your iPod ƒ Direct Monitoring – Monitor your recording with zero latency ƒ Headphone output with dedicated volume control ƒ Switchable 48V Phantom Power for Microphones ƒ External Power Supply (AC Adapter) or Battery Power (4 AAA) * iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S.A. and other countries CONNECTION DIAGRAM ** When using a high-impedance instrument like a guitar, use a direct box or a preamp to lower the signal’s impedance for the recorder. USING BATTERY POWER Inserting Batteries: 1. Remove the battery compartment cover on the back panel. 2. Insert 4 AAA batteries into the compartment. Make sure they are inserted with the positive (+) and negative (-) poles positioned correctly. 3. Close the cover until it clicks into place. Precautions: ƒ Always be sure batteries are inserted with the positive (+) and negative (-) poles positioned correctly. ƒ Use batteries of the same type. Do not use different types of batteries together at once. ƒ Only use non-rechargeable batteries. Please refer to the precautions on their labels before using them. ƒ When not in use for long periods of time, remove the batteries to prevent them from leaking. If they leak, wipe away the liquid from inside the battery compartment. ƒ Do not heat, disassemble, or dispose of batteries by throwing them into a fire. BOX CONTENTS ƒ ProTrack iPod Recorder ƒ AC Power Adapter ƒ 2 Clear Protective Covers (“sleds”) for iPods ƒ 2 Foam Pads (for use with sleds) iPod Mic (XLR) or Guitar ** (1/4” mono) or CD player, sampler, drum machine, etc. (1/4” stereo) Headphones (1/8” stereo) Power Supply (or 4 AAA batteries on back panel) Though you may use the recorder’s phantom power feature while using batteries, this will drain your battery power more quickly, depending on the type of microphones you are using. Tip: You can extend battery life while recording by disconnecting the headphones and/or keeping the headphone volume turned down. You may only charge your iPod with the recorder while it is powered by the included AC adapter or an external battery pack. Note that the battery levels of your iPod and ProTrack are unrelated. The amount of battery power of your iPod (as seen on your iPod’s screen) does not indicate the amount of battery power of the ProTrack Recorder. Also, using the iPOD CHARGE feature will charge only the iPod, not the batteries of the ProTrack. WARNING: Turn the HEADPHONE VOLUME all the way down before turning on the unit to prevent the power-on “click” noise in your headphones. WARNING: Do not use rechargeable batteries as they may damage the ProTrack. First, connect your iPod to the ProTrack, then attach the plastic sled to the ProTrack over the iPod.

1. CH 1/2 INPUTS – Connect your external sound sources to these inputs. Each input can accept a 1/4” or XLR connection. This allows for several connection options: a. 2 microphones b. 1 stereo source (such as a CD player, sampler, or drum machine). c. 1 or 2 mono sources (such as guitars). (Note: When using a high-impedance instrument like a guitar, we recommend using a preamp to lower the signal’s impedance for the recorder.) 2. HEADPHONE OUTPUT – Connect your headphones using a 1/8” stereo connector to this output. The headphone volume is controlled by the HEADPHONE VOLUME wheel on the right side panel. During playback only the iPod will be heard. All other times, the inputs will be heard. 3. MICROPHONES – Record your source with these built-in condenser microphones if you are not using the CH 1/2 INPUTS. 4. SLED – This plastic cover slides and snaps onto the recorder to protect and secure the iPod while it is docked. 5. DOCK – Connect your iPod here before attaching the SLED. 6. MENU – Acts as the “Menu” button of your iPod. 7. ENTER – Acts as the “Enter” button of your iPod. 8. LED METERS – Measures audio signal levels. While recording, these meters measure the input levels of the CH 1/2 INPUTS or built-in MICROPHONES. (If the LIMITER is on, these readings are taken after the LIMITER has processed the signal.) During playback, these meters measure the iPod playback level. When the ProTrack’s batteries are getting low, the bottom two green LEDs will flash simultaneously. Note that this is not related to your iPod’s battery level. 9. CHANNEL 1/L GAIN – Adjusts the input gain for Channel 1. 10. CHANNEL 2/R GAIN – Adjusts the input gain for Channel 2. 11. BATTERY COMPARTMENT – Insert 4 AAA batteries here for up to 2.5 hours of power. 12. STAND MOUNT – Use this hole to mount the iPod Recorder on a stand, such as a standard camera stand, allowing for hands-free recording. WARNING: Turn the HEADPHONE VOLUME all the way down before turning on the unit, or enabling PHANTOM POWER, to prevent the power-on “click” noise in your headphones. If you only use one of these two inputs, set the RECORD MODE switch to “Mono” and turn down the gain knob of the unused input. The recorder’s built-in microphones will not be used if a connection to one or both of the CH 1/2 INPUTS exists. 1 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 Bottom Top Back WARNING: Do not use rechargeable batteries as they may damage the ProTrack.

iPOD CHARGE feature off while recording. Charging may introduce low-level noise into your recordings. SIDE PANEL FEATURES 1. HEADPHONE VOLUME – Adjusts the level of the headphone output. Note: Feedback can occur if the CHANNEL GAIN knobs are turned up high with the headphones connected. Decrease the gain or HEADPHONE VOLUME if this happens. 2. LIMITER – Engages the stereo limiter. This prevents hard “clipping” of the recorded signal in your iPod. However, it is still possible to overdrive the LIMITER with too hot of a signal, resulting in an unpleasant “pumping” sound or even distortion. Decrease the CHANNEL GAIN levels if you experience noticeable Limiter artifacts. 3. RECORD MODE – Specifies whether the two analog inputs will be recorded to the iPod in stereo or mono (summed). When recording mono input sources, such as a guitar or microphone, we recommend setting this switch to “Mono”. 4. KENSINGTON LOCK SLOT – You may use this Kensington lock slot to secure the iPod Recorder to a table or other surface. 5. OPEN – Pull this switch towards the bottom of the recorder to unlock and remove the plastic sled from the recorder when you want to remove your iPod. 6. PHANTOM POWER – This switch activates and deactivates phantom power. When activated, phantom power supplies +48V to both XLR mic inputs. Most dynamic microphones do not require phantom power, but most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone’s documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power. 7. iPOD CHARGE ON/OFF – Enables or disables the iPod Recorder’s ability to charge your iPod while it is docked. You may only charge your iPod with the recorder while it is powered by the included AC adapter or an external battery pack. Note that the amount of battery power of your iPod (as seen on your iPod’s screen) does not indicate the amount of battery power of the ProTrack Recorder. 8. POWER SWITCH – Turns the iPod Recorder on and off. Be sure to turn off your recorder when not in use to conserve battery power. 9. POWER INPUT – This is where you may plug in the included power adapter. Connect it to the recorder before you plug the power adapter into an electrical outlet. Note: If you are using an external power adapter, such as a battery pack, its polarity must be center positive. See TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS for more information on external battery packs. WARNING: Do not turn on PHANTOM POWER unless your external microphones require it. Turn the HEADPHONE VOLUME all the way down before switching PHANTOM POWER on or off. WARNING: After turning PHANTOM POWER off, wait at least 30 seconds before plugging in a non- phantom powered microphone into the CH 1/2 INPUTS. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Right Left

Before getting started, follow these simple steps to prepare the ProTrack for use with your iPod: 1. Apply the proper foam backing for your iPod to the flat surface of the ProTrack (above the DOCK). Use the thicker pad for a thinner iPod or the thinner pad for a thicker iPod. This will help support the iPod while it is in the ProTrack. 2. Connect your iPod to the DOCK by gently inserting the DOCK’s connector into the slot at the bottom of the iPod. 3. Select the proper SLED for your iPod. The SLED with the square top and circular opening (A) will hold 5 th-Generation iPods and iPod Classics. (Use it for protective covering with 2 nd-Generation iPod nanos and iPod nano-chromatics.) The SLED with the curved top and semicircular opening (B) holds the 3 rd Generation iPod nano. 4. Place the SLED against the ProTrack as shown in the image above. Gently slide the SLED downwards until it snaps into place at the bottom. 5. To remove the SLED, pull the OPEN switch on the left panel towards the bottom of the ProTrack, then slide the SLED off the ProTrack. 6. To remove your iPod, gently rock it back and forth until it is loose from the DOCK. RECORDING The ProTrack is compatible with the following iPod models: „ iPod Classic „ 5 th Generation iPod „ 2 nd- and 3 rd-Generation iPod nanos „ iPod nano-chromatics You can record to the ProTrack using the built-in condenser microphones, external microphones, or other audio sources connected to the recorder’s CH 1/2 INPUTS. There are a few important factors and suggestions you should consider before diving into recording: „ Take some time to balance the levels of your sources by monitoring the LED METERS on the top panel. We recommend that the levels enter the top (red) LED lights only occasionally, if at all, to ensure the recording does not “clip” or distort. „ Use the built-in LIMITER to prevent hard “clipping” of the recorded signal in your iPod. However, be careful when using the LIMITER – if your input levels are too high, it can cause unwanted audio artifacts or even distortion. There is a fine line between a good, loud recording, and a recording which is overly limited, resulting in poor dynamic range and clarity. Be careful when you set your levels, and decrease the CHANNEL GAIN if necessary. „ We recommend leaving the iPOD CHARGE feature off while recording. Charging may introduce low-level noise into your recordings. Note that using the iPOD CHARGE feature will charge only the iPod, not the batteries of the ProTrack. „ Recording with the built-in microphones to hard drive-based iPods may introduce some noise into your recordings due to the mechanical noise of the spinning hard drive. In this case, we recommend using external microphones. (Flash-based nano iPods are less likely to produce this noise.) „ Use the RECORD MODE switch to select stereo vs. mono recording. If you are using mono input sources, such as guitars and microphones, you may wish to record in mono. „ If you are only using one input, decrease the CHANNEL GAIN of the unused input to reduce unwanted noise. Out of the box, your iPod is formatted to work with a Mac, rather than a Windows computer. If you want to transfer your recordings to a Windows computer, connect your iPod to your Windows computer and allow iTunes to format it BEFORE you record for the first time. If you record to your iPod before you ever connect it to iTunes, your recordings will be stored in Mac’s HFS format. They will only be readable by plugging your iPod into a Mac, not a Windows computer. Note that, if you reformat your iPod for the Windows or Mac platform, you may lose any recordings prior to this. Your recordings will be stored as “Voice Memo” files on your iPod. Once you have finished recording a “memo,” it will be placed in Main Menu > Extras > Voice Memos. After you connect to your computer and transmit the Voice Memos, they will be located in Main Menu > Music > Playlists > Voice Memos. Foam Attaching the Sled Removing the Sled (A) (B)

+6dB to 49.3dB External Inputs (XLR): +6dB to 49.3dB External Inputs (1/4”): -11.3dB to +32dB THD+N 2 nd & 3 rd Gen. iPod nano: 0.01% @ 92dB SNR A-weighted (charge off, min. gain) 5 th Gen. iPod / iPod Classic: 0.014% @ 88dB SNR A-weighted (charge off, min. gain) DIGITAL CIRCUITRY Bit Depth: 16-bit Sample Rates: 44.1kHz (high); 22.05kHz (low) MAIN OUTPUTS Max Level: +0.3dBu Maximum THD+N: < 0.01% @ 1kHz HEADPHONE OUTPUTS Max Level: 75Ω output impedance, 40mW into 32Ω BATTERY LIFE Without phantom power > 3 hours Using phantom power > 2 hours EXTERNAL BATTERY PACK REQUIREMENTS 6V DC 2mm diameter (center pin); 5.5mm outside diameter Wired as center positive Specifications are subject to change without notice. 7-51-0270-B