Creative Emu 0404 Usb Manual

							Direct Monitoring
0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual21
DIRECT MONITORING
Direct monitoring allows you to monitor inputs without having any software 
open. It can also be used as an alternative to software monitoring if you desire the 
lowest latency monitoring possible.
When using a computer for digital recording, an audible time delay occurs while 
the audio signal is being input to the computer, processed by the software and then 
returned to the output for monitoring. This time delay is called Latency. 
Latency becomes a problem when you have to use high buffer settings to conserve 
CPU resources. Because the 0404 USB 2.0 has hardware direct monitoring, you can 
enjoy zero latency regardless of your buffer setting. 
NOTE to PC Users:
Direct monitoring is not 
available at 176.4 or 
192 kHz.The Direct Monitor feature connects the input signals to the selected outputs when 
recording so that you can hear your performance without delay. The Direct 
Monitor level control lets you adjust the volume of the input signal in relation to 
the recorded tracks.
Direct monitoring is controlled manually from the Direct Monitor switch on the 
0404 USB 2.0. It’s not necessary to turn it on in your recording application.
Direct Monitoring vs. Software Monitoring 
Direct monitoring is lower latency and can also be used without software running 
(or even without a computer!).
Software monitoring has the advantage of allowing audio effects or EQ added in 
the host software to be heard on the output. Its round-trip latency depends on 
what latency is chosen. If you choose to software monitor, make sure to disable 
direct monitoring. If both are enabled, you will experience a ‘comb filter’ or 
doubling effect.
Latency (delay)
Software Monitoring
Direct Monitoring
Direct Monitoring allows you to listen to the direct sound of your instrument during 
recording, without the delay incurred by going to the computer and back. 
						

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22E-MU Systems
TU T O R I A L S
Introduction
This guide contains step-by-step walk-throughs of basic recording operations using 
your E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 interface with software applications for your Windows or 
Macintosh computer. We encourage you to perform the steps on your computer as 
you read so that you become familiar with the process. The first tutorial only takes 
about half an hour to complete, by which time you’ll know how to make a multi-
track recording.
NEED MORE HELP?
If you need additional help with the bundled applications, please see
•Windows: Program Files\Creative Professional\E-MU 0404 
USB\Documents 3rdParty.htm.
•OS X:Applications Drive\Library\Documentation\E-MU 0404 USB
Before you Begin...
• You should have already installed the E-MU software on your computer
WARNING!
Windows Users - After 
checking your audio, be 
sure to quit Windows Media 
Player.• You should hear the computer sounds coming out of the E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 
and your speakers when you play a CD or an MP3 using Windows Media 
Player or iTunes. If not, make sure your E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 is properly 
connected according to the diagram on page 12
.
• A source of audio should be connected to the inputs (a microphone, musical 
instrument, or CD/MP3 player).
Getting Started with Steinberg Cubase LE (Windows)
Steinberg Cubase LE is a 24-bit, multi-track audio/MIDI sequencer with high-
quality effects, automation, virtual instruments (VSTi), and many other profes-
sional features.
The following step-by-step tutorials are designed to get you recording as quickly as 
possible. After you have finished the tutorial we encourage you to read the Cubase 
LE PDF manual in order to learn about the many features of this powerful 
program.
1 - Setting up Cubase LE
Follow these instructions carefully to ensure that Cubase LE runs smoothly the first 
time. Cubase LE will remember these settings, so you’ll only have to do this once.
1.Open Cubase LE from the Start menu. An ASIO multimedia driver test dialog 
box will pop up to ask if you want to run the ASIO test. Choose No, because 
you won’t be using the driver anyway.
2. Select New Project from the File menu.
3. Select Empty and click OK.
4. A Select Director y pop-up dialog box 
will appear. Choose a location on your 
hard disk where you want to store your 
audio files, then click OK.
5. The Cubase LE Project window appears.
TIP . . .
If you have two or more 
hard disks, it’s better to 
store audio files on a disk 
that isn’t running your 
OS. 
						

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0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual23
6. Select Device Setup… from the Devices menu.
7. Select VST Multitrack from the Devices list.
8. In the Setup section of the dialog box, select ASIO E-MU 0404|USB. A pop up 
dialog box asks, if you want to keep or switch the ASIO driver. Select Switch.
Buffer Latency Setting
9. Click the Control Panel button. The pop-
up dialog box shown at right appears.
10. Set the ASIO Buffer Latency as low as 
your computer will allow and click OK. 
(10ms is a good starting point.)
A low latency setting is important to 
assure fast response when using virtual 
instruments and to minimize delay when 
monitoring through Cubase. If you hear crackles or other audio problems, try 
increasing the Buffer Size.
11. Close the Device Setup screen by clicking OK.
12.Note: If the Cubase LE application crashes for any reason, it is recommended 
that you re-boot the computer.
13. Select Project Setup from the Project menu. This is where you set the Sample 
Rate and Record Format (bit depth), among other things. Set the Record 
Format to 24-bits and the Sample Rate to 44.1kHz. 
						

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24E-MU Systems
14. Select VST Inputs from the Devices menu. This is where you enable the inputs 
you wish to use. Make the inputs active.
2 - Basic Multitrack Recording 
This tutorial assumes you’re using a single input or a pair of inputs. For more 
advanced recording, refer to the Cubase LE manual.
Add an Audio Track
1. From the Cubase LE menu bar, select Project, Add Track, Audio. An audio 
track is added to the project window.
NOTE
If the Inputs aren’t available, 
check Devices, VST Inputs.2. The screen shows the “A” input of the 0404 USB. Note that IN 1 is shown in 
the Track Input field (Input A =IN1, Input B =IN2). If you want to record in 
stereo, turn the Stereo/Mono button On and select IN 1 + IN 2 for the Track 
Input.
3. Make sure the Monitor button  is OFF. You will be monitoring the input 
through the E-MU 0404 USB 2.0.
Inspector buttonStereo/Mono button
Track InputMonitor 
						

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0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual25
4. Press the Direct Monitor button on your E-MU 0404 USB 2.0. The LED 
should show Main. If you are recording a mono track, set Direct Monitor to 
Mono by pressing the Mono On button.
Get Ready To Record
5. Plug in your instrument or microphone and set the input gain control for a 
good signal level. The meters should show signal activity, but the clip LED 
should never come on.
6. You should be hearing your instrument or microphone through your monitor 
speakers or headphones. If not, go back to steps 4 and 5.
NOTE
Turning on the metronome 
adds a 2-bar lead-in before 
recording begins.7.Optional Step - Metronome: To toggle the Metronome on and off, press C on 
the computer keyboard. To adjust the metronome output level, press the 
transport Play control, then select Metronome Setup... from the Transport 
menu. Use the volume slider to set the desired metronome level.
8. Press the Go to Start button .
9. Make sure the Record Enable button on the track is on (it should be by 
default).
10. Press the Record button on the Cubase transport control panel. The button 
turns red and you’re recording.
11. When you’re finished recording your track, press the Spacebar, or press the 
Stop button on the Cubase Transport Control.
12. Press the Go to Start button .
13. Press the Spacebar or press the Play button to play back your new Track.
Record Another Track
14. Press the Go to Start button .
15. Drag the audio chunk you just recorded down below itself and release the 
mouse button. A new track is automatically created with your recording. This 
is by far the quickest and easiest way to set up a new track in Cubase. Now 
you’re all set to record again on Track 1.
16. Press the Record button on the Cubase transport control panel and you’re 
recording again. You’ll hear your first track playing along with you.
17.Repeat steps 12-14 to record more audio tracks.
18. Press the Mute button  to silence any tracks you don’t want to hear.
Direct Monitor
S/PDIF Main
Off
Record Enable
Record
Play StopGo to Start
Drag 
						

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26E-MU Systems
3 - Recording a MIDI Track using Proteus VX 
You’ll need a MIDI keyboard (or other MIDI input device) for this tutorial.
Make the Connections
1. Connect the MIDI out of your MIDI keyboard to the MIDI input of the 0404 
USB 2.0.
2. From the Project menu, select Add Track, MIDI.
The Cubase Project Window should now look more or less like the one below 
with one or more Audio tracks and one MIDI track:
3. Click the Devices menu, and select VST Instruments.
MIDI Track 
						

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0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual27
4. From the VST Instruments window, select E-MU, then ProteusVX .
The VST Instruments window now looks like this.
5. Take a look at the Inspector area on the left side of the Cubase LE project 
window. Make sure the input to the MIDI track is connected to the E-MU 0404 
USB 2.0. 
6. The Output is not yet connected to anything. Click on the Output and select 
ProteusVX.
7. Click the Edit button   of the VST Instruments window to open Proteus VX. 
Alternatively, you could click on the Edit button of the track Inspector to open 
Proteus VX.
8. Next, you have to load the Proteus X Composer bank. Select Open from the 
File menu. and locate the Proteus X Composer sound bank. The banks is 
installed here: “Program Files/Creative Professional E-MU Sound 
Central\Proteus X Composer.” Loading takes a few seconds.
9. Bring up the mini keyboard  by clicking the icon on Proteus VX and play a 
few notes. You should be hearing sound. If not, verify that the 0404 USB 2.0 is 
properly configured.
10.Play your MIDI controller and verify that it plays Proteus VX.
11. Change the Preset using the inc/dec keys  of the prg: field of the inspector. 
 The preset on Proteus VX should change to follow the one 
in Cubase LE. If not, make sure the Receive Program Changes box is checked 
in Proteus VX (Options, Preferences..., MIDI).
12. Feel free to play around for awhile and don’t worry about losing anything. 
Nothing is made permanent until you Save the bank, so have fun.
Edit Button
Input 
						

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28E-MU Systems
 To Record a MIDI Track
13. Make sure the Record Enable button on the MIDI track is on (it should be by 
default).
14. Click Record on the Cubase LE Transport control and start playing your MIDI 
controller.
15. Press Stop when you’re finished recording the first track.
16. Press the Go To Start button  .
17. Press Play   on the Cubase Transport to play back your track.
To  R e c o r d  a  M I D I  Tr a c k  on another MIDI Channel
Proteus VX VSTi can play back up to 16 MIDI tracks at once. It’s much more efficient to 
use several channels on one VSTi than to use multiple VSTi’s with one channel each.
18. From the Project menu, select Add Track, 
MIDI. Notice that the channel number in 
the Inspector section is now set to chn:2.
19. Select Proteus VX as the Output desti-
nation in the Inspector section.
20. Select a new Preset for this track using the 
inc/dec keys  of the prg: field of the inspector.
21. When you’re ready, click Record on the Cubase LE Transport and start playing.
22. Click Stop when you’re finished recording, press the Go to Start button on 
the transport, then Play. Proteus VX now plays both MIDI channels.
On Your Own
Cubase LE and Proteus VX include excellent online documentation and help files. 
Take the time to learn all the features of these powerful programs, and most of all 
have fun.
Record Enable
Record
Channel 
						

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0404 USB 2.0 Owner’s Manual29
Getting Started with Cakewalk Sonar LE (Windows)
Sonar LE is a 24-bit multi-track audio/MIDI sequencer with high-quality effects, 
automation, virtual instruments (VSTi/DXi), and many other professional features.
IMPORTANT: During installation of Sonar LE you will be asked to run the 
Cakewalk VST Adapter. You must do this in order for Sonar to recognize Proteus 
VX or any other VST plug-ins.
The following step-by-step tutorials are designed to get you recording on Sonar LE. 
After you finish the tutorial we encourage you to read the Sonar LE PDF manual in 
order to learn about the many features of this comprehensive program.
1 - Setting up Sonar LE
Follow these instructions carefully to ensure that Sonar LE runs smoothly the first 
time. Sonar LE will remember these settings, so you’ll only have to do this once.
Run Sonar LE for the first time
1.Open Sonar LE from the Start menu or by double-clicking on the desktop 
shortcut. The first time you run Sonar LE, the following dialog box appears:
2. Click No to close the dialog box. (The tests do not apply to the 0404 USB 2.0.) 
Sonar LE opens and the following dialog box appears.
3. Click Close to close the dialog box. The Sonar Project Window appears. 
						

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30E-MU Systems
Setup the Audio Options
4. From the Options menu, select Audio. The following dialog box appears.
5. Click on the Advanced Tab to access the next window.
6. Select ASIO as the Driver Mode and click OK. You’ll get a pop-up dialog box 
explaining that the ASIO settings won’t take effect until the next time you start 
Sonar LE.
7.Close Sonar LE completely and restart the application.