Creative Emu 0404 Usb Manual

							Software Installation
0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual11
18. The window below shows a properly connected MIDI device.
19. Press the close button  to close the Audio MIDI Setup window.
Install the Production Tools Software Bundle
20. Insert the Macintosh Production Tools CD into your CD-ROM drive.
21. Double-click on the installer package.
22. The installation splash screen appears. Follow the instructions on the screen.
23. Continue to install applications from the bundle as desired,
Uninstalling the Audio Drivers and Applications
At times you may need to uninstall or reinstall the 0404 USB 2.0 application and 
device drivers to correct problems, change configurations, or upgrade outdated 
drivers or applications. Before you begin, close the E-MU USB 2.0 Control Panel 
application. Applications running during the uninstallation will not be removed.
1. Open the Applications folder.
2. Open the Creative Professional folder.
3. Open the E-MU USB Audio folder.
4. Click the E-MU USB Audio Uninstaller and follow the instructions. 
						

							Connection Diagrams
12E-MU Systems
CONNECTION DIAGRAMS
NOTE
The universal power 
adapter comes with several 
types of snap-on plugs. 
Use the type of plug 
appropriate for your 
country.
WARNI NG!
Use only a USB 2.0 certified 
Hi-Speed cable (like the 
one supplied) for the USB 
connection. Using a USB 
1.1 cable may cause erratic 
behavior and degraded 
performance.
5 VDC
L
R
1 Main
USB 2.0 MIDI
Outputs
Off                    OnPowerInOut
MIDI
In MIDI
Out
MIDI Keyboard
5VDC Adapter
Computer1/4” TRS male to 1/4” TRS male(balanced)
1/4” TRS male to 1/4” TRS male 1/4” TS male to 
male RCA adapter(balanced) (unbalanced)
(Note: TRS = Tip-Ring-Sleeve, TS = Tip-Sleeve)Powered Speakers 
						

							Connection Diagrams
0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual13
InOut S/PDIF
Headphone Mic / Hi-Z / Line
AB
Instrument
Audio/Video Receiver
Any Digital Audio Device with S/PDIF In
CD Player
Any Digital Audio Device with S/PDIF Out
Volume
Stereo
Headphones
Microphone
The Mic/Hi-Z/Line Inputs accept any balanced or unbalanced instrument, line level signal or 
microphone. The coaxial/optical S/PDIF inputs and outputs allow you to interface with 
external digital audio equipment.
Analog Inputs/Outputs & S/PDIF 
						

							Main Panel Controls
14E-MU Systems
MAIN PANEL CONTROLS
1. MIDI In/Out Activity Indicators
These indicators light when data is being sent or received from the MIDI 
ports.
2. Direct Monitor Level Control
This encoder controls the mix of the input signal into the output from full 
level to off.
3. Direct Monitor Output Switch & Indicators
Turns direct monitoring on or off and allows you to send the direct monitor 
signal to either the Main output or the S/PDIF output. The direct monitor 
signal is a mix of all inputs. See “
Direct Monitoring” on page 21.
4. Mono Switch (Direct Monitor)
When on, the left and right direct monitor channels are summed to mono. 
This feature is useful when the two inputs are being used for separate 
instruments.
5. Main Output Level
Controls the Main Output level.
6. Sync Status Indicators
Indicates if the digital clock source is set to internal or external. 
Select External Sync in the E-MU USB 2.0 Audio Control Panel to select 
external clock. The External LED will flash if sync is not valid. See page 19
 
for additional information about using digital inputs.
Power OnMic / Hi-Z / Line48V On
Direct Monitor
-12-6Clip Clip
Optical Coaxial-12-6-3
Sync StatusExt Int
In OutMIDI
Hi-Z / Line
MicAHi-Z / LineMicB
S/PDIF
Main Output
Mic / Hi-Z / LineDirect MonitorLevel
Level Level
Headphone
-3
-18
00
SL SL
-18
Sync Status
MIDI
∞
S/PDIF Main
Off
Mono On
+65+65
+0dB
1
623
4
9
8
10 71112
5 
						

							Main Panel Controls
0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual15
7. Soft Limit LEDs 
The Soft Limit LEDs indicate that the signal level is being soft limited. When 
enabled in the E-MU USB 2.0 Audio Control Panel, the analog soft limiters 
begin to gently turn down the gain whenever the signal level goes above -12 
dBFS. The soft limiters allow you to run a hotter signal without fear of 
clipping.
8. Signal Level & Clip Indicators
The LED signal level indicators show the signal level for both analog inputs. 
The red clip indicators momentarily remain on whenever your input level 
exceeds 0 dBFS. With a proper signal level, the yellow -3dB LED will come on 
occasionally, but the red clip LED should never light.
9. Input Level Gain Controls
The preamp level controls set the input gain from 0dB 
to +65dB. The wide mark indicates the 0dB/unity 
setting when using unbalanced input cables. The 0dB 
mark indicates unity gain when using balanced input 
cables.
WARNING!
Some microphones cannot 
tolerate phantom power 
and may be damaged. 
Check your microphone’s 
specifications and require-
ments before using 
phantom power.10. 48V On Switch & LED
This switch enables +48 Volts to both XLR inputs for powering microphones 
that require phantom power. The red LED indicates that phantom power is 
on.
11. S/PDIF Mode
Coaxial or Optical. This button selects between coaxial cable or optical inputs 
for the S/PDIF digital interface. Both outputs are always active.
12. Headphone Level Control
This knob controls the volume of the Headphone output.
0
0dB/Unity(Unbalanced)
0dB/Unity(Balanced)+65 
						

							Input/Output
16E-MU Systems
INPUT/OUTPUT
1. Mic / Hi-Z / Line Inputs
These Neutrik combination jacks can be used either as balanced microphone 
inputs, Hi-Z guitar pickup inputs or line level inputs.
XLR Connectors - Use for dynamic or condenser microphones.
(1=gnd, 2=hot, 3=cold)
1/4 inch Jacks - Center opening. Use for electric musical instruments 
(i.e. guitar, bass, etc.), or line-level signals. The inputs are balanced, but you 
can use either balanced (TRS = tip-ring sleeve) or unbalanced (TS= tip-sleeve) 
cables for line-level signals (tip=hot, ring=cold, sleeve=gnd).
NOTE
Unbalanced cables provide 
6dB less level than 
balanced cables. Adjust the 
level using the input gain 
control. See page 15
 for 
more information.
2. S/PDIF In/Out
Each jack carries two channels of digital audio data from external devices such 
as external A/D-D/A converters or other digital devices with S/PDIF. Both the 
coaxial (RCA) jacks and the optical ports carry identical data. Select the 
output format you want to use in the E-MU USB 2.0 Control Panel (AES/EBU 
or S/PDIF).
3. Headphone Output
The headphone output is designed to drive stereo headphones with 1/4” 
stereo plugs. If your headphones have a smaller 1/8” plug, use a commonly 
available plug adapter.
Ground Lift Switches
There are “ground lift” switches for both analog inputs located on the bottom 
of the unit. These switches can be used to safely stop the hum if a ground loop 
occurs in your setup. See page 48
 for more information.
InOut S/PDIF
Headphone Mic / Hi-Z / Line
AB
123
B-GND LIFT A-GND LIFT
No Input Ground
Grounded Input
The input ground is lifted when the A or B slide switch is closest to the 
GND LIFT label. 
						

							Input/Output
0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual17
4. Main Outputs
The main outputs are normally connected to your monitoring system. The 
signal is duplicated on a stereo 1/8¨ jack for easy connection to desktop 
stereo speakers.
Use TS unbalanced cables for consumer-level line signals and TRS balanced 
cables for pro-level line signals. Balanced cables provide +6dB more output.
5. MIDI In/Out
The MIDI input and output ports allow you to interface any type of MIDI 
equipment such as keyboards, effect units, drum controllers (anything with 
MIDI).
6. On/Off Switch
This switch turns the 0404 USB 2.0 on or off. Don’t cycle the power on and 
off quickly or the internal computer may lock up. Wait a second or two 
between power cycles.
NOTE to PC Users:
When using a USB 1.1 port, 
performance is limited to
16-bit and 44.1/48 kHz 
recording and playback.7. USB
Connects the 0404 USB 2.0 to the USB 2.0 port on your computer via the 
supplied USB cable and provides two-way, hi-speed communication. The 
0404 USB 2.0 is NOT powered via USB and uses an external power adapter in 
order to maintain the highest level of audio quality.
8. Power: 5 Volts DC
The 0404 USB 2.0 is powered from a +5VDC Adapter (supplied).
5 VDC
L
R
1 Main
USB 2.0 MIDI
Outputs
Off                    OnPower
InOut
645
78 
						

							E-MU USB Audio Control Panel
18E-MU Systems
E-MU USB AUDIO CONTROL PANEL
After you have successfully installed the audio drivers, launch the E-MU USB 
Audio control panel. The E-MU USB Audio control panel is shown below.
•Windows:The E-MU USB Audio control icon will be visible in the Taskbar, 
which is normally located in the bottom right of the screen. It can 
also be launched from the Start Menu 
(All Programs, Creative Professional, E-MU USB Audio Application).
•OS XThe E-MU USB Audio control application is located in the Applica-
tions folder  . You can also open the E-Control Application using 
the icon on the desktop.
1. Skin
Choose between different appearances for the E-MU USB Audio control 
panel.
2. View
Hide the application (Ctrl+H, Windows) You can restore the application by 
clicking the E-MU icon  in the System Tray (Windows), or by clicking the 
E-MU icon in the Dock (OS X).
NOTE
There are some limitations 
when operating at higher 
sample rates.
 
PC at 174.4/192kHz



Mac

3. Help
About E-MU 0404 USB 2.0, Audio control, Launch Manual, Check Updates
4. Device
If you are using more than one E-MU USB Audio device, you can choose 
which unit is currently being controlled.
5. Sample Rate
Allows you to set the system sample rate: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 
176.4kHz or 192kHz.
6. Sync Source
Selects internal or external sync.
123
4
5
6
7
8
910
11 
						

							E-MU USB Audio Control Panel
0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual19
7. Digital Input Status
Displays the sample rate of external sync source, if used.
TIP . . .
The following functions are 
stored in non-volatile 
memory if the unit is left 
powered on for 5 seconds 
after the setting is changed.



8. S/PDIF Output Format
Selects between S/PDIF or AES/EBU format for the S/PDIF output. This sets 
the S/PDIF-AES status bit, but doesn’t affect the signal level.
9. Soft Limit
Enables or disables the analog peak limiters on the inputs. Soft limiting 
allows you to record a hotter signal without clipping. The soft limiters 
gradually engage at -12 dBFS. Signal levels below -12 dBFS are unaffected.
10. Tool Tips
Enables or disables pop-up tool tips about E-MU USB Audio control 
functions.
11. Lock Indicator
Indicates that the 0404 USB 2.0 is locked to an external clock source.
S/PDIF
S/PDIF (which stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) carries two 
channels of digital audio at sample rates of up to 96kHz, and also carries an 
embedded clock for synchronization. The 0404 USB 2.0 provides two types of 
S/PDIF: Coaxial or Optical.
NOTE
The S/PDIF digital input is 
not available at 176.4 or 
192 kHz.The Coaxial interface has an advantage of using commonly available RCA-type 
connectors. However, high-quality cable should be used to avoid data dropouts 
and interference from radio frequency radiation. Coaxial S/PDIF uses a trans-
former on the transmitting end to prevent ground loops, but ground loops may 
still occur, mainly because of improper S/PDIF implementation on some 
equipment.
The Optical interface is immune to radio interference and also prevents ground 
loops between different pieces of equipment. On the downside, optical fiber is 
generally more expensive than coaxial cable. For best performance use high-quality 
glass cables. Plastic fiber lightpipes work well for short distances.
Using External Synchronization to S/PDIF
TIP . . .
The 0404 automatically sets 
its sample rate and locks to 
the source if a S/PDIF 
source is present at power-
up.
If you are having a difficult 
time setting up S/PDIF sync, 
connect the source, then 
power cycle the 0404 USB. 
It should automatically sync.To synchronize to an “External” S/PDIF sync source, you must use the 0404 USB 
Control Panel to set the sample rate to match the external device, then switch to 
external sync. In addition, the S/PDIF source must be chosen by pressing the
 S/PDIF button to specify Coaxial or Optical input.
Refer to the information on the following page for additional information about 
S/PDIF synchronization.
S/PDIF to Analog / Analog to S/PDIF converter
The 0404 USB can be also used as a standalone S/PDIF -> Analog or Analog -> 
S/PDIF converter.
Analog Input to S/PDIF: Attach analog device to Dock A/B (Left/Right); enable 
direct monitoring (set to S/PDIF). Analog input will be mirrored to S/PDIF out.
S/PDIF to Analog: Attach a S/PDIF source, power cycle the device, and set direct 
monitor to “Main”. 
						

							E-MU USB Audio Control Panel
20E-MU Systems
Synchronizing the 0404 with other Digital Devices
When interconnecting two digital audio devices using a digital interface such as 
S/PDIF, the two devices must be properly synchronized. Unsynchronized digital 
audio will result in random clicks, pops and dropouts, or even no audio at all. 
• The digital audio input is UNSYNCED if BOTH Sync Status LEDS are on.
• The internal and external sample rates are mismatched if the “Ext” LED is 
flashing.
Two digital devices are properly synchronized when one unit is supplying the 
master clock to the other unit (the slave) and the slave is set to receive external 
clock. Make sure you set the sync source to External and set the sample rate to 
match the external device in the E-MU 0404 USB Control Panel. The diagrams 
below show two ways to synchronize an external device.
NOTE to PC Users:
S/PDIF is only available for 
recording via ASIO and 
Kernal Streaming, you 
cannot record S/PDIF with 
MME applications.
The Sync Status indicators on the 0404 USB 2.0 function as follows:
INT solid................................Internally sync’d, no external digital input detected.
INT solid + EXT blinking  ....Internally sync’d, external digital input of different 
sample rate detected; MUTE S/PDIF input
INT solid + EXT solid ...........Internally sync’d, external digital input of same 
sample rate detected.
EXT solid  ...............................Externally sync’d; valid S/PDIF input present
Set 0404 USB 2.0 to receive: 
External SyncS/PDIF Out
External Device supplies Master Clock
(via S/PDIF)
The S/PDIF cable carries two
channels of audio data and
an embedded clock.
Master 0404 USB 2.0
Slave
External A-D Converter
(or other digital audio device) or
S/PDIF
(Coax) S/PDIF
(Optical)
In Out
In Out
Set this device to receive: 
External S/PDIF Sync
S/PDIF Out
S/PDIF In
0404 USB 2.0 supplies Master Clock
(via S/PDIF)
This S/PDIF cable carries an embedded
clock signal from 0404 USB 2.0. This S/PDIF cable carries two
channels of audio data.
Slave
External A-D Converter
(or other digital audio device) 0404 USB 2.0
Master
S/PDIF
(Coax) S/PDIF
(Optical)
In Out
In Out