Introducing the 2d Card and MIO Console 5 for Mobile I/O

The 2d Card is a massive hardware upgrade for Mobile I/O which is included in all currently shipping hardware models (also known as "Expanded" units), and is available as an upgrade for all older interfaces (known as "Legacy" units). The 2d Card greatly enhances the DSP processing power of the Mobile I/O, adds a brand new ADAT implementation and also improves the clock of any unit into which it is installed. Read on to see how the 2d Card improves your Mobile I/O…

Future Proof

In 2001 we introduced the Mobile I/O 2882 and called it “Future Proof”. Seven years later, while the competition has obsoleted multiple generations of products, the 2882 is still arguably the best FireWire interface available on the market. In 2003, we released the ULN-2, with the finest preamps available in any interface, then or now. With the release of the 2d Card and v.5, we deliver yet again on our commitment to making “Future Proof” products that stand the test of time.

While other manufacturers churn you with the special of the day, we build products that preserve your investment and deliver for you year after year and project after project. It is our philosophy and we take it seriously.

Simultaneously Simpler to Use and More Powerful than v.4

2d and version 5 support the configuration of custom mixers which can be streamlined to the specific task you need to accomplish. Create a mixer with all the features you need and none that you don’t. We’ve included many templates get you started quickly, and a new direct insert and routing model lets you visualize the configuration you need, and implement it directly from the mixer.

Five times increase in DSP power compared to original Mobile I/O

The 2d Card supercharges your Mobile I/O, allowing you to create complex mixers and processing with DSP to spare. With full support for all sample-rates and flexible multibus routing, you can make your 2d Expanded Mobile I/O do anything you can think of — including multiple cue busses with deep DSP zero-latency processing.

All new ADAT implementation with switchable TOSLINK support

The 2d Card includes an all-new, rock-solid ADAT implementation with switchable support for Optical S/PDIF. This means that 2882 Expanded units now have support for Optical S/PDIF as well as ADAT, and ULN-2 Expanded units gain eight additional channels of I/O!

New v.5 Mixer

The heart of the 2d Card, the new v.5 Mixer is a completely customizable mixing engine. You can create custom mixers either from scratch or start with any of the templates we've included to get you started quickly. With the v.5 Mixer, your 2882 or ULN-2 can be a mastering console in the morning, a tracking console in the afternoon, and a live sound mixer/recorder in the evening. Whatever the application, you can configure an elegant custom setup.

Latency-Free, Time-Aligned Mixing Architecture

The v.5 Mixer is based upon the +DSP graph technology originally designed for +DSP. With the 2d Card, we have created the concept of an Übergraph. The Übergraph is an internal +DSP graph that represents the entirety of the Mobile I/O, including the 2d DSP, all the physical I/O, and the FireWire I/O. Since the +DSP graph provides infinite routing and multing capabilities with integrated latency compensation, the addition of full access to all I/O resources means that everything can go everywhere in the new system, with the unique benefit that all signal paths are automatically time-aligned. This has incredible implications — you can route anything anywhere and never have to worry about routing delays. All sends and busses are automatically realigned with the primary bus, bringing back analog simplicity to parallel routing, with digital simplicity in set up and recall.

While the v.5 Mixer is based upon the Übergraph, it does not require you to interact directly with the Übergraph — all the complexity is managed for you behind the scenes. Rather, the v.5 Mixer manages all of the plug-ins and connections within the Übergraph for you. So, even though you may be creating an incredibly complex network of plug-ins with many mults and bus to bus routes, the user interaction required for you to control the system is simple and direct.

The v.5 Mixer works as complex routing manager, adding plug-ins (including mixer plug-ins) to the Übergraph based upon your configuration commands. Because the +DSP engine automatically configures the runtime environment to compensate for routing latency in the configured DSP graph, you can rely on the fact that bus to bus routes all arrive with no routing latency. This allows you to configure sub-mixes and stems, including sub-bus processing, without having to worry about phase-cancellation problems or other latency related issues.

Simplified Routing

The v.5 Mixer incorporates the MIO patchbay router and FireWire returns directly into the mixer surface. As a result, you simultaneously gain additional routing flexibilty along with ease-of-use. Simply route the signal directly from its origination point in the mixer and Bob’s your uncle!

Direct Insert of Plug-ins

The Mobile I/O has long supported a growing list of plug-ins with +DSP, but the way that you inserted and routed them could be cumbersome for multi-channel production. With the v.5 Mixer, you can now take advantage of a sophisticated direct insert model. No more cables, +DSP panes, etc. Just insert the plug where you want to process the signal. Done!

v.5 Mixer Direct Plug-in Insert (in the inserts!)

Of course, with the +DSP license, you are not limited to simply putting plugs in inserts and simple linear routing of Plug-ins. You can always insert a +DSP graph in any insert in the mixer to add a routing playground, allowing you to split, mult, parallel and feedback signals to your heart’s content. And then you can save the graphs as your own “Secret Weapons” - instantly instantiable with two mouse clicks.

Multi-Bus Mixing

The v.5 Mixer allows you to create an arbitrary number of busses (limited only by the capabilities of your hardware) — each of which can be used as a master bus (routed to an output) or an aux bus (routed to other busses). Each bus is dynamically adjustable from mono to 7.1 surround. The busses can be mapped directly onto the main control UI or driven by sends. Basically, make the mixer what you need it to be. And multiple busses of multiple types are supported at all sample rates. Unlike some other products on the market, all inputs can be routed to all busses (even mults of any input), so you won’t be limited in what you can mix.

v.5 Multiple Busses, Multiple Types, and Sends

Sends

As we mentioned above, any input can be sent to any bus. Sends are simply inserted in any insert slot, which means that you can send pre or post processing. Each send can be pre or post fader, so it can track the mix of the main UI or it can be used as a completely independent send. Every bus in the system can be returned to any other bus in the system, so you can use the busses as internal auxes, mix-minus feeds, PFL busses, etc. Anything you can think of, you can accomplish with the flexible routing engine in the v.5 Mixer. The v.5 Mixer provides an innovative send window that gives you a consolidated view of all the sends for the selected bus with a full sized fader for the send level, per-bus solos and channel mutes, and support for any width send bus (that’s right — you can send to a surround bus!).

v.5 Sends Window

Ultra-Low Latency

One of the primary advantages that dedicated DSP-based systems have traditionally had over native DAWs is their latency performance. Round-trip Latency is how long it takes for a signal sent into the DAW to come back out, and it is a primary consideration for musicians when monitoring their performances. With the Mobile I/O and v.5, you get the best of both worlds — ultra-low latency native performance and even lower dedicated DSP latency performance when you want it!

With roundtrips through the computer to utilize native Plug-ins, the combination of the hardware and driver allows the use of extremely small buffers (32 samples) on modern computer hardware. Coupled with the best-in-industry safety buffers of the MIO Driver, you can achieve less than 5ms (4.53ms) Round-Trip latency at 32 samples @ 44.1k, and you can go below 3ms (2.6ms) Round-Trip latency at 32 samples @ 96k, again rivaling the performance of PCI-based solutions, yet with the convenience and portability of FireWire.

And if that performance is not sufficent for your monitoring needs, the 2d Card allows you to monitor through +DSP Plug-ins with an incredible 1.5 ms of latency @ 44.1kHz and less that 0.7 ms of latency at 96k. This gives you dedicated processing at latencies that correspond to less than 2 ft of sound propagation through the air. As good or better than dedicated digital mixers!

Integrated Surround Monitor Controller/Switcher

An exciting new feature included with v.5 is the Monitor Controller. This is a consolidated, configurable routing engine that allows you to easily route and control the output gain of any set of sources to any set of outputs, from mono to 7.1 surround. The monitor controller lets you switch between inputs and busses with a single click. You can also select between outputs (like big and small monitors, or stereo and surround monitors, or monitors and cans), with a single click.

v.5 Monitor Controller

The Monitor Controller is smart enough to automatically route sources to the proper output channels, even mapping between different sized sources and outputs (mono -> stereo, stereo -> 5.1, etc.). All output gains are applied across all the channels of the output path automatically. The Monitor Controller also supports both per-channel and per-path calibration, so you can calibrate your output path to standard monitoring levels (for example, the K-Standard).

Routing of Inputs to Computer

In v.5, all inputs to the computer are FireWire returns; this gives you an incredible amount of flexibility and power in how you can use your MIO. The combination of mixer strip direct outs and FireWire routing allow you to choose the inputs to your computer dynamically:

• Record Pre or Post Processing… or both
• Record full mixes or individual stems
• Use the MIO as an outboard processing rack
• Use the MIO to route signals between any set of CoreAudio applications
• and much more…

Full Surround Support

Any bus in the v.5 Mixer is adjustable between Mono and 7.1 surround. The mixer dynamically adjusts with context-sensitive panners and allows you to adjust to the needs of your current project. You can even mix in different formats simultaneously. The mixer will even automatically adjust the width of inserted Plug-ins as you adjust the widths of the busses. Coupled with the integrated Surround Monitor Controller/Switcher, the Mobile I/O is the most powerful integrated surround interface on the market. You won’t believe what you can do!

v.5 Surround Mixer

Full and Flexible Metering

v.5 supports user-selectable pre- or post- fader metering on all strips (including sends) as well as hardware metering for hardware I/O. Plug-ins have detailed metering where appropriate. All Metric Halo hardware has real, usable Front Panel meters. We don't skimp on metering. Not that you would expect anything less from the creators of SpectraFoo!

User configuration of strip colors, size and position

Your gear is as personal as the music you make and record. You spend a huge amount of time looking at the mix surface of your system; it should reflect your preferences and tastes. So every strip in the v.5 Mixer can be adjusted in size and color to reflect your mood. You can also use this configurability to organize the mixer in a way that makes sense to you. Color and position can be used to segregate channels by type, source, and function — all in the way that makes the most sense to you. The mixer defaults to a nice, readable, neutral color and size, but you are free to make it as garish as you like.

Incredible Sound

The Mobile I/O interfaces have a deserved reputation in the industry as the best sounding interfaces around. +DSP also enjoys a reputation for incredible sound. The ULN-2 provides preamps that rank amongst the best dedicated pres in the industry and simply kick the crap out of the competition’s integrated preamps. And v.5 just kicks it up a notch or ten. The new mixer expands upon the MIO’s original incredible 80-bit mixer, and provides direct access to the exceptional +DSP Plug-ins, adding new plugs, Character and highlighting the exceptional character of the MIO converters and preamps.

2d Plug-In Bundle

Every 2d Card includes a bundle of essential signal processing Plug-ins that provide production processing for all Mobile I/Os. All 2d bundle Plug-ins operate with zero additional latency, providing professional quality, best-in-industry latency performance for processing with native systems (meeting or beating the latency performance of dedicated hardware Digital Audio Workstations).

The bundle includes:

• Metric Halo’s exclusive Character signal processing available on every channel
• The eagerly anticipated HaloVerb (mono/mono & stereo/stereo)
• MIOStrip — a complete channel strip Plug-in which includes:
  • Gate w/side-chain filter
  • Compressor w/side-chain filter
  • 6-band EQ
• MIODelay — a short time track alignment delay
• M/S Decoder
• Dither

With the 2d Bundle on the 2d Card, you can put a MIOStrip (that’s a Gate, Compressor and EQ) and Character on every input channel, and still have enough DSP power to run two stereo HaloVerbs (or 4 Mono HaloVerbs) at 1x rates.

The bundle is designed to provide all the serious production tools you need. With MIOStrip you have the basic bread-and-butter mixer strip processing required for most production tasks. The MIODelay lets you slip tracks to adjust for acoustic delays between mics, while the M/S Decoder allows you to work just as easily with M/S mic techniques as you can with stereo or mono sources. No professional device would be complete without dither, so we put that in for good measure. And of course, no production mixer would be complete without reverb, so we have included HaloVerb — a simple, but effective reverb with both mono/mono and stereo/stereo flavors.

“The best thing, for me, about MIO Console v.5 with my 2d Expanded ULN-2 is the superior sounding HaloVerb for my flute and EWI performance. Before v.5, I had to send input signal to Plogue Bidule for reverb processing, but of course that increased the latency. Now with v.5 I am latency free with my performance reverb!

The new v.5 Mixer window offers very flexible routing with ease of use. I can add send/return to +DSP very quickly, and the new Send window gives full feedback and control over dry/wet signal. This is like a dream come true…” — Hiroaki Honshuku
Musician, Flute & EWI
A-NO-NE Music, Boston
Read More…

Metric Halo’s Exclusive Character Signal Processing

Every channel in the 2d Mixer, including Bus Masters, has our exclusive Character signal processing available. We took a hard look at the characteristics of the euphonic distortion found in “classic” analog devices and components (like tubes, fets, and transformers) and built a process to integrate that euphonic distortion directly in the Mobile I/O hardware.

Character allows you to turn the pristine ultra-low distortion preamp inputs in the Mobile I/O HW into classic “character” pres. By adding Character to your summing bus, the v.5 Mixer instantly acquires the characteristics of classic (and modern) analog summing busses.

The best part is that you can choose the Character that suits your Mic, Source or mix — because v.5 ships with more than 15 different types of Character — and one is sure to suit your needs.

It is hard to describe the effect of Character in words, but our beta testers have been moved to try. This is what they have to say:

Software Field Upgradable to +DSP

While the 2d Card includes the basic processing bundle with every card, you can add a +DSP license to your box at any time. Adding a +DSP license will allow you to take advantage of the greatly increased processing power of the new DSP and the ease of inserting Plug-ins directly into mixer channels. If your unit is already a +DSP unit, then you already have a +DSP license. But if your unit doesn't already include +DSP, you can add a license without any additional physical changes to your hardware.

The +DSP license includes a variety of additional Plug-ins including Multi-band EQs, Compressor, Limiter, Distortion Processors, and many more. With the +DSP license, you also gain access to insertable graphs which allow you to build your own “Secret Weapon” processors — wrapped up, phase compensated graphs of Plug-ins that may be re-inserted on demand.

Finally, the +DSP license adds many bonus Plug-in Macros — insertable, pre-configured processors, including Guitar Amp Models, Guitar Processors, Parallel Compressors and Limiters, Mid/Side Mastering processors, Vintage-style reverbs and many more…

Use the following table to see the differences between the plugins included with the 2d Card and the additional plugins and macros that you get with the +DSP bundle:

System-wide +DSP Licensing

MIO Console v.5 automatically extends any +DSP license on any attached box to all the boxes attached to your system (for boxes that are 2d Expanded) while the boxes are attached. What this means is that you can use any +DSP Plug-in or macro on any box in your system, as long as at least one +DSP licensed box is attached. If you need to store +DSP Plug-ins in persistent states or tend to split your boxes into multiple systems, you will need to license each box that needs to use the +DSP license independently.

Many templates included to get you started quickly

In the past, one challenge for new MIO users has been figuring out how to utilize the power and tame the complexity of the MIO Console. The v.5 MIO Console takes care of the complexity. It is said that a picture is worth 1,000 words. Well, a template is worth 10,000 words. MIO Console v.5 ships with a collection of preconfigured templates to get you started quickly. The templates also supply a great starting point to see how to approach a problem, and also to just see what is possible.

You can access these templates with a single click in MIO Console:

Open Template Window

Updated Record Panel

Originally designed to record the Soulive Winter 2002 tour for their live album release “Soulive” on Blue Note records, the Record Panel is an industrial strength, massively multichannel, ultra-reliable recording engine. Supporting multibox, multichannel recording, the Mobile I/O coupled with the Record Panel is the only computer-based system that can record up to 108 channels on a laptop.

Record Panel

In constant use by thousands of engineers world-wide, the Record Panel is a time-tested, rock-solid recording tool for when you just have to get the take. The prime choice of many A-list FOH/Recording engineers for capturing once-in-a-lifetime live recordings on tour, the RP has proven to be a reliable tool for the capture of multitrack recordings in challenging conditions with no chance for a second take. The Record Panel has also found a home in the Classical recording world — again, where failing to get a take is not an option!

The Record Panel supports recording at all sample rates and supports many different record-file formats (including SD2, AIFF, Wave, Broadcast Wave, and CAF), including basic recording metadata. The RP even supports recording at 16-bit for reduced disk space requirements (for recordings that don't require ultimate fidelity).

The v.5 Console enhances the rock-solid performance of the Record Panel with new work-flow features, including configuration of active tracks, ordering of tracks, record-enables directly from the mixer control surface, and enhancements to playback performance.

Sophisticated State Management

MIO Console automatically tracks all the system configuration documents that you create and use, so you can switch between configurations with a single click. This is excellent for when you have your MIO connected to your computer, but what if you want to use your MIO without your computer say as a standalone converter, signal processor or mixer?

All Mobile I/O hardware has support for setting a Boot State — the configuration the hardware will use when the unit boots up. As of v.5 of the Mobile I/O software, this boot state includes the entire state of the unit including the configuration of the mixer, the router, sample rate, clocking, analog I/O levels (for HW that has digital control), and +DSP configuration.

The ULN-2 extends this functionality and provides support for 10 different hardware states that are all accessible from the front panel.

This functionality allows you to fully configure your hardware and “pour” a complete digital signal processing engine into the HW for instant-on processing. With this functionality, you can turn your MIO into any stand-alone effects processor you can imagine. This is perfect for installation and live theater as well as remote recording and even upgrading your living room listening rig!

ConsoleConnect

Metric Halo’s exclusive ConsoleConnect Plug-in allows you to work with your MIO as if it were a part of your DAW or Host of choice. Whether you work in Logic, Nuendo, Cubase, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, GarageBand, Live or any other AU, VST or RTAS host, you can interact with MIO Console directly from within your host, and enjoy Total Recall of all your MIO configuration (Analog Levels, Routing, Mixing, Plug-ins, Monitor Control, etc.) directly from your host application’s session. No other product has integration this complete, and no other product on the market integrates with every host!

Full Support at All Sample Rates

The 2d Card and v.5 support all features at all sample rates, so you are good to go at 96k. Multiple busses, Plug-ins, reverb, etc. — whatever you want to do, it works at all sample rates.

Rock Solid & Road Tested

No Box Left Behind

Metric Halo prides itself on providing value to our customers and ensuring that no one is left behind as we continue to enhance our products. We think that the 2d Card is a no-brainer, must-have upgrade for any Mobile I/O owner, but if you aren't ready to upgrade or need to upgrade multiple boxes over time, you’ll be happy to know that v.5 provides full support for Mobile I/O units that have not been upgraded, and even supports mixed systems with both Upgraded and Legacy boxes.

MIO Console v.5 has hundreds of new features for the 2d Card, and hundreds of bug-fixes and workflow enhancements that apply to all Mobile I/Os — upgraded or not! In addition to the 2d Card specific features that we have added to MIO Console v.5, we have also added some new features specifically for Legacy Boxes:

• HaloVerb for +DSP units!
• Recent Items menu for quick access to working configurations
• Brand new persistent state management system (for both legacy units and expanded units)
  • Complete system state storage and recall:
    • Mixer Configuration
    • Analog I/O Levels
    • Routing
    • Plug-ins
    • +DSP
  • Boot state and alternate state on 2882
  • 10 Front Panel Snapshot states on ULN-2
  • Pourable Processing — unique multichannel DSP hardware configuration

How to Get It

If you just want to add HaloVerb to your +DSP or update to v.5, simply download the software, available FREE from Metric Halo.

If you want to upgrade your existing Mobile I/O to a 2d Expanded unit, we strongly recommend taking advantage of our Factory Install service: You ship your unit back to Metric Halo, and we will install the 2d Card in your box, install the firmware, test everything, apply any factory updates to your unit and ensure that your box is operating at factory spec.

The 2d Card with Factory Install service is:

• $489+shipping for a 2882 or 2882+DSP — Order Now!
• $639+shipping for a ULN-2 or ULN-2+DSP — Order Now!

If you purchased your legacy Mobile I/O after 9/1/2007, we will waive the $89 factory install fee through 8/1/08, and you will just be responsible for the cost of the 2d Card + shipping.

The factory install service is available from Metric Halo in the US, and from our distributors in other territories.

If you are a very technically inclined user, you can do your own field upgrade of your unit, but please be aware that it is a somewhat complex install, and that field installs do not carry a factory warranty for the 2d Card. Before choosing to do the field install, please watch the instructional video for your unit type:

• Streaming Videos:
  • Install Video for 2882
  • Install Video for ULN-2
• Download Videos:
  • Install Video for 2882
  • Install Video for ULN-2

If you don’t already have a Mobile I/O, or you wish to purchase additional units, all Mobile I/Os now ship with the 2d Card pre-installed. So, contact your local dealer or distributor, or order direct from Metric Halo!