M_Audio_Transit_Yuki

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 * Description:**

__M-Audio Transit__, is an audio input/output device, which helps the user to get sound out of the computer and to get sound into the computer. It is a relatively recently developed device, and right now, only __M-Audio__, a division of Avid Technology, Inc., sells the M-Audio Transit.

//You can read about M-Audio @// http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=company.about

The uniqueness of the product is that it is a hybrid optical/analog input jack which automatically detects whether input is analog or optical digital. (Avid Technology, Inc., 2007). The device is compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux if the system meets the __minimum system requirements__ to run the device. (Avid Technology, Inc., 2007).

//You can read about the details for the minimum system requirements to run the device @// http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-focus.html


 * History:**

Let’s look at the history of the audio interface. “ By the end of the 1970s, electronic musical devices were becoming increasingly common and affordable. However, devices from different manufacturers were generally not compatible with each other and could not be interconnected ” (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2007). Then, in an attempt to find the solution for compatibility, in 1981, the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard was proposed (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2007). Sequentially, in 1983, the MIDI Specification 1.0 was published (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2007). Therefore, the history of devices which would be in the category of the audio interface starts from __MIDI.__

//You can read the details about MIDI under History @// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_Instrument_Digital_Interface

Then, around the early 1980’s, the __analog to digital (ADC) and digital to analog (DAC)__ chips were developed in an attempt to upgrade the Sony PCM-F10 to the PCM-F1, a digital stereo recorder (Video Interchange, 2007).

//You can read more about the story under Sony PCM-F10 (1978) - PCM-F1 (1981) @// http://www.videointerchange.com/audio_history.htm

Therefore, that began the advent of the audio interface, and analog to digital converters and digital to analog converters.

//You can read the details about the ADC and DAC @// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog-to-digital_converter //and// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital-to-analog_converter

The M-Audio Transit is equipped with both ADC and DAC (Avid Technology Inc., 2007). There are other kinds of audio interfaces. Here is one of the websites which tells about other kinds of audio interfaces.

//You can read about that @// http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/tips/how_to_buy_an_interface/

Earlier versions of the M-Audio Transit were from August 05, 2003 (Avid Technology, Inc., 2007).

//You can look it up about that @// http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support&tab=driver&serie_ID=6&PID=8165223d4cfae86989745b38a55cdfcb&OS=12


 * Impact on teaching and learning:**

The M-Audio Transit is a very useful device for teaching and learning, such as teaching and learning music, and other kinds of teaching and learning activities which depend on the use of audio. The functions of the M-Audio Transit greatly broaden the possibilities regarding teaching and learning. Therefore, many instructors and learners can benefit from that. Indeed, that is Educational Technology, which facilitates teaching and learning by employing such a technology.

For example, since the device can be adjusted to different levels of __impedance__, it will be a powerful tool when a teacher or student needs to get sound out of the computer and get sound into the computer using various settings. Also, the device is equipped with both ADC and DAC which can convert sound from analog to digital or from digital to analog, depending on users needs.

The M-Audio Transit can create “ ubiquitous tools ” which Ho (2007) points out. It can make some instructional materials convenient and available to everyone especially when it is used in tandem with other software and devices. It gives inspiration for elaboration to create “ ubiquitous tools ” in one’s own ways. Thus, it empowers teachers and learners, and that gives excitement to teaching and learning.

//If you want to know more about impedance, you can look it up @// http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/131527.html //and// http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-impedance.htm


 * Practical application:**

Here is an example of a practical application regarding learning. One of the practical applications is converting sound from the analog format to the digital format using the M-Audio Transit and the computer. Further, if the computer has an audio software program, such as __Amazing Slow Downer__, __Cubase SE__, or __Audacity__, the user can convert the file to an __mp3__ file. He can edit the file using those programs, and also he can put the mp3 file, for example, into an __iPod__, to make it portable.

//Here are the URLs for the audio software programs. Amazing Slow Downer @// http://www.ronimusic.com/

//Cubase @// http://www.steinberg.net/983_1.html //Note: This website introduces Cubase 4. If you click on Music Products under the Products box (It is on the left side), you can see there are several sites for different versions of Cubase.

Audacity @//http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/

//If you want to know more about the mp3 format, you can look it up @// http://www.howstuffworks.com/mp3.htm //and// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3

//If you want to know about iPod, you can look it up @// http://www.apple.com/itunes/ //and// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod


 * Examples:**

Here is a concrete example of what the author meant above. Two examples regarding learning, and one example regarding teaching will be described below. Let’s start with one of the examples regarding learning.

The author has a series of Jazz cassette tapes which teach how to play Jazz piano. The tapes contain good instructional material, but the problem is those are in an analog format. The cassette tapes have accompaniment music featuring bass and drums which allows one to play the piano with the accompaniment. As you know, the way people practice music is playing the music over and over again, and with these tapes, one is able to play the same piece of music over and over again. Since the accompaniment is recorded on the cassette tape, the cassette tape is played over and over again. Constant playing makes the cassette tape stretch and wear out, which is not good.

To remedy this situation, one can connect a cassette tape player to the M-Audio Transit, then connect the M-Audio Transit to a computer in order to digitize the music from the cassette tapes. If the sound is saved in digital format, one can preserve the material and use it over and over again without losing sound quality.

Here is another concrete example regarding learning. The author always has a __MD (MiniDisc)__ recorder and tapes important information during classes with the device. This is useful especially when the user is from a foreign country. In that way they can make a backup to use in case they get lost or are confused about what was taught in class. Two types of material frequently recorded by the author are lectures from class and training instructions at work. Although other digital devices can be used to record sound, the MD recorder is preferred for recording because of its high quality recording sound.

One of the situations in which taping is useful can be the recording of a typical workplace instruction to document instructions on how to use equipment in order to train other people to use that equipment. For example, one may need to first learn from experienced workers in order to be able to teach that equipment to others. Taping work instructions from experienced workers with the MD recorder is a good way to document training sessions.

Although the MD is in digital format, the MD recorder does not have a function to be able to transfer sound from the MD to the computer. However, by hooking up the MD player to the M-Audio Transit, and the M-Audio Transit to the computer, one can transfer sound from the MD to the computer. Additionally, one can then convert the file to an mp3 file using an audio editor/recorder program. Once the sound is converted to an mp3 file, it can be transferred to an iPod and is therefore mobile, and can be listened to whenever it is convenient to review the training materials. Although it is possible to take the MD player anywhere, the iPod is a much handier device in terms of portability because it can store quite a lot of information. As this example shows, the M-Audio Transit increases the usefulness of technology regarding teaching and learning when it is used in tandem with other software and devices.

//If you want to read about the MiniDisc, you can look it up @// http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc

The photo below shows the MD player connected to the computer via the M-Audio Transit. It is transferring the digital sound recorded on the MD disc to the computer and uses an audio editor/recording program, __Adobe Audition__.

//You can look up about Adobe Audition @// http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/



Here is a concrete example of an application regarding teaching. If a teacher for a music class needs to stream music for his students from the computer, the teacher can plug in speakers into the headphone jack of the computer and stream music. This will work for a relatively small classroom and with a small number of audience members. However, if the instructor needs to stream music for a relatively large number of audience members situated in a large hall, the M-Audio Transit can be connected to the computer and becomes a powerful output device for connecting to a large speaker system, such as is normally found in a large hall. The M-Audio Transit is needed in order to match the same level of impedance for the large speaker system.


 * Demonstrations by others:**

A demonstration for utilizing the M-Audio Transit to create a home theater is introduced on a webpage. The person uses an iMac to view a DVD. To play sound from the computer, he uses the M-Audio Transit.

//Please look under Another amazing Mac Mini home theater setup @// http://htmini.com/2005/05/22/another-amazing-mac-mini-home-theater-setup/

Another webpage introduces several USB audio interfaces, and the author mentions that she used the M-Audio Transit to digitize sound from a cassette tape.

//You can read more about that @// http://familyoralhistory.us/news/view/audio_equipment_usb_audio_interface/


 * References:**

Adobe Systems Incorporated. (2007). Adobe Audition 3. //Adobe.// Retrieved September 22, 2007, from http://www.adobe.com/products/audition/

Anderton, C. (2007). How to choose an audio interface. PCI Card, USB, or FireWire? Human interface vs. jacks only. What I/O do you need? Drivers. Resolution and sampling rate. Above and beyond. //Harmony Cemtral.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/tips/how_to_buy_an_interface/

Apple Inc. (2007). iPod+iTunes. Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Avid Technology Inc. (2007). About M-Audio. //M-Audio: A part of Avid.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=company.about

Avid Technology Inc. (2007). Drivers/Updates. //M-Audio: A part of Avid.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support&tab=driver&serie_ID=6&PID=8165223d4cfae86989745b38a55cdfcb&OS=12

Avid Technology Inc. (2007). Transit high resolution mobile audio interface. Details. //M-Audio: A part of Avid.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-focus.html

Avid Technology Inc. (2007). Transit high resolution mobile audio interface. Main. //M-Audio: A part of Avid.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Transit-main.html

Avid Technology Inc. (2007). Transit USB:User Guide. //M-Audio: A part of Avid.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support&tab=manuals&serie_ID=6&PID=8165223d4cfae86989745b38a55cdfcb&OS=12

Braian, Marshall. HowStuffWorks, Inc. (2007). How mp3 files work. Retrieved September 22, 2007, from http://www.howstuffworks.com/mp3.htm

eCoustic LLC. (2007). What is impedance? //ecoustics.com.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/131527.html

Ho, Curtis P. (2007, September). Lecture notes. Educational Technology 602:Teaching / Training Techology at The University of Hawaii at Manoa.

HTmini. (2005, May 22). Another amazing Mac Mini home theater setup. Retrieved December 8, 2007, from http://htmini.com/2005/05/22/another-amazing-mac-mini-home-theater-setup/

Kitchens, S. A. (2007, May 6). Family oral history using digital tools: Audio Equipment: USB audio interface. Retrieved September 15, 2007, from http://familyoralhistory.us/news/view/audio_equipment_usb_audio_interface/

Members of the Audacity development team. (2007). About Audacity. Retrieved September 22, 2007, from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/

Mithra, S. Conjecture corporation. (2007). What is impedance? //wiseGreek.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-impedance.htm

Roni Music. (2007). Welcome to www.ronimusic.com: professional music software solutions. Retrieved September 22, 2007, from http://www.ronimusic.com/

Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. (2007). Cubase 4. //Steinberg: Creativity first.// Retrieved September 22, 2007, from http://www.steinberg.net/983_1.html

Video Interchange. (2007). Vintage audio history. Retrieved September 8, 2007, from http://www.videointerchange.com/audio_history.htm

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007, September). Analog-to-digital converter. //Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog-to-digital_converter

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007, September). Digital-to-analog converter. //Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital-to-analog_converter

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007, September). iPod. //Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007, September). MiniDisc. //Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiniDisc

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007, September). MP3. Wikipedia. //The free encyclopedia.// Retrieved September 22, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3

Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2007, September). Musical Instrument Digital Interface. //Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.// Retrieved September 2, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_Instrument_Digital_Interface


 * Author of this page:**

Yuki Horikiri: A master’s student in Educational Technology at The University of Hawaii at Manoa

Background : The author is originally from Japan, and she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music with Jazz and World Music Emphasis from San Francisco State University.

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