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About this manual
If you are looking to start using the AudioCubes for the first time, refer to the Getting Started manual that came with the software.
This manual provides more details about the AudioCubes itself and the various software provided on the installation CD or DVD, or in the installer or disk image you downloaded on the web.
About the AudioCubes software
MIDI Bridge
If you want to use the cubes to control audio software you already have on your computer, rather than use the cube's sound generation possibilities, you can use the MIDI Bridge.
The MIDI Bridge takes data from a cube connected to your computer, and turns it into MIDI messages which can be understood by any MIDI-compatible device or software.
The simplest setup you can make using the cubes and your software, is by connecting one cube to your computer via USB, and use a second cube which is not connected to anything, to send messages to the cube which you connected to your computer.
The connected cube will detect the cube and read its identification number and the number of the face which is pointed at the connected cube.
This information can then be used to control MIDI devices, for example, to play back a sound from your computer's hard drive, in AbletonTM LiveTM, when the leftmost face of a cube is pointed towards the cube connected to your computer.
This is summarized in the diagram below :
For more information about the MIDIBridge application, refer to the MIDIBridge Manual.
Firmware upgrade tool
Included with each software release of the AudioCubes is the firmware upgrade tool, which lets you install new software on the AudioCubes itself.
Before you can use the cubes with the new version of the PC or Mac software, you need to install an update on the cubes itself first. In the AudioCubes folder which was installed on your computer, there is an updates folder which contains the files necessary for the upgrade.
The complete procedure for doing this is shown in the Upgrade manual.
Cube Bending
The AudioCubes can also be used as a low-fi sound generator / processor. Instead of detecting each other and generating MIDI information, they can generate sound signals, and transmit these to each other.
For more information about these possibilities see the Cube Bending manual included with your AudioCubes.
Incorporate AudioCubes in your own applications
If you would like to use the cubes as a general user interface for your computer, perhaps in research or art installation work, you can start with the Max/MSP patches included on the installation CD or DVD or on the installer or disk image which you downloaded.
Max/MSP is a visual multimedia application development environment by Cycling74 in which applications can be designed very fast with minimal work. It is used by a lot of artists and composers around the world and is also popular in education and research labs.
Most of the AudioCubes software was first prototyped in this environment, and the “source code” (patches) for these programs is freely available for people who want to edit them or incorporate them in their own work. The patches are in the patches subdirectory of the AudioCubes folder which was installed on your computer. Refer to the license agreement supplied with these patches to understand under which conditions you can edit them and distribute them to other users.
Along with the patches an extra Max/MSP external object (cube~) is included for Mac and PC, to let you communicate with the AudioCubes hardware from within Max/MSP.
To edit these patches, you will need to download and install Max/MSP 4.6.3 or later (there is a 30 day trial). If you just want to use them you can use the Max/MSP runtime (free).
About the cubes
The AudioCubes are a collection of wireless battery-powered computers with built-in sound/signal generating and processing capabilities, and full-colour light source.
They have a ¼ inch input and output jack for processing or generating sounds, and a USB port for connecting to a computer, for charging their battery and exchanging data.
Each side of the AudioCube except the bottom and top sides have a communication port capable of transmitting and receiving digital or analog signals, using infrared light, to and from other cubes nearby.
Cubes can communicate with each other through this port and can exchange sound signals or data depending on the software running in the cube.
A computer can be connected to the USB port, and can tell the cube to run a software “plugin”, change a parameter in the software plugin, or change its colour.
To turn the cube on/off, press its pushbutton at the bottom side for a brief moment and release it. When the cube is turned on, it will run the default software plugin that transmits a continuous (DC offset) signal and turns on a white light.
If you press the pushbutton and hold it for a few seconds, the bootloader will start, and the light source will turn green, and then blue. This is used to download software upgrades into the cube. You should only start the bootloader if you need to upgrade the cube software, for normal operation you just press and release the pushbutton.
When the cube has been switched on, you can connect it to your computer by plugging in the USB cable on both ends. You don't need any drivers, the cubes are standard USB HID devices.
The cube's battery normally lasts a few hours, but will drain faster or last longer depending on how much light the cube is making. Each cube has 4 communication ports which are essentially light sources (and thus consume power), as well as a full colour light source (which consumes even more power).
If you want to recharge the cube's battery, it is recommended to connect it to a USB hub. The hub should have its own power adapter such that it can supply enough current for the battery charger inside the cube. If you need to recharge the cube's battery using your computer's USB ports, make sure the power adapter or cable is plugged into your computer, as the cubes might drain the battery of your computer (in case of a laptop).
If you need to store your AudioCubes for longer than a few weeks without using them, discharge them completely, charge them during approximately 30 minutes, disconnect them and switch them off, prior to storing them. This prolongs the life of the batteries in the AudioCubes.
Storing the AudioCubes completely discharged for more than three months may void your warranty on the batteries.
Technical support
If you have any difficulties to get the cubes working or in using them, don't hesitate to send an email to cubes@percussa.com
Include as much information as possible, like :
- what operating system you were using (Win XP Home or Pro, service packs, etc)
- what you did with the cubes and in what order
- what software you were using (AbletonTM LiveTM, or something else)
- if the cubes show up in the device manager (control panel) of WindowsTM XP
- text outputs in the Max window of the Max/MSP runtime environment when you were using the patches
- screenshots
- ...
Updates
Visit www.percussa.com on a regular basis to check for new software for the AudioCubes and your computer. There is also a firmware upgrade tool available to update the software inside the cubes, using USB, giving you access to the latest features.
Legal Declarations
Warranty
Percussa covers all defects in material and labour for a period of 24 months from the original date of purchase. This warranty does not cover defects due to abuse, faulty connections or operation under other than specified conditions.
This warranty covers defects in the rechargeable batteries in the product up to a period of 12 months, and only if the user has strictly followed safety and battery charging procedures as outlined in this document.
Warranty coverage is also voided when the device is repaired by unauthorized persons, opened, or tampered with in any way. Percussa reserves the right to refuse warranty claims, if the product was not sold to the end-user through an authorized dealer or the Percussa website. This warranty is limited to replacement or repair of the product. It does not limit the customers’ rights according to the current product liability regulations of the country where the product was purchased.
The warranty is only valid if the customer has completed a registration procedure with PERCUSSA (see http://www.percussa.com/ for on-line form and contact details).
If a defect occurs during the warranty period, contact the dealer from which you bought the product, or contact us via the Percussa website at www.percussa.com.
The product can only be returned in its original packaging and with no visible wear. Before returning the unit, contact Percussa to obtain an RMA number, which you must include on the shipping label of your package. Also include a detailed description of the defect and a copy of your original purchase receipt.
Disposal
The following marking shown on the product indicates that it should not be disposed of as household waste. Please take the product to a waste collection point for recycling of electronic items.
This notice is of particular importance when living in the European Union or a country or state with a waste collection program for electronic equipment.
For further questions on an ecological friendly disposal of this product, please contact your local government office.
Declaration of Conformity (FCC)
| Manufacturer | PERCUSSA BVBA | 
|
| Address | OUDENAARDSE STWG 430, 9420 MERE (Belgium) | |
| Tel. | +32 477 931 533 | |
| Description of equipment | Audio Cubes | |
| Equipment name | Audio Cubes | |
| Type number | Audio Cubes | |
| Revision | Rev R08.10.2006 | |
| Country of manufacturing | Belgium | |
| I certify that the apparatus identified above conforms to requirements set by FCC/CFR47/part 15, class B. It is referred to the test report by Pioneer, report no/ PR-187-2006 dated November 17th 2006. | ||
| Signed | Bert Schiettecatte | |
| Date | November 23rd, 2006 | |
| Position/status | Managing Director | |
| Company name | PERCUSSA BVBA |
Declaration of Conformity (CE)
| Manufacturer | PERCUSSA BVBA | 
|
| Address | OUDENAARDSE STWG 430, 9420 MERE (Belgium) | |
| Tel. | +32 477 931 533 | |
| Description of equipment | Audio Cubes | |
| Equipment name | Audio Cubes | |
| Type number | Audio Cubes | |
| Revision | Rev R08.10.2006 | |
| Country of manufacturing | Belgium | |
| I certify that the apparatus identified above conforms to the essential requirements of the Council EMC Directive 89/336/EEC essential requirements, the essential requirements of the RoHS European Directive 2002/95/EU and the Waste European Directive 2002/96/EU. Standards applied for EMC: EN 61000-6-3, EN 55013 and EN 55022 for EMC emission. EN 61000-6-1 for EMC immunity. | ||
| Signed | Bert Schiettecatte | |
| Date | November 23rd, 2006 | |
| Position/status | Managing Director | |
| Company name | PERCUSSA BVBA |
Safety warnings and recommendations
The AudioCubes transmit communication signals to each other using infrared light. This light is not visible with human eyes because it is outside the range of human vision. However, the human eye is sensitive to such light, and can be damaged if exposed to very high levels of infrared light (similarly to staring into the sun when it is very intense, at noon time, for example). Although we at PERCUSSA take great importance in your safety when using the AudioCubes, and the AudioCubes contain no dangerous electronics or harmful optical components as far as we, and the research labs we consulted, know, we want to stress here that :
You should never look into or bring up to eye level, the sensors/emitters which are visible at the side faces of the AudioCube.
Also, you should never point these sensors/emitters or the AudioCubes at someone else, or at your pet, or any other living being.
If you cannot avoid staring into the AudioCubes sensors for any reason, we explicitly ask that you wear protective eyewear that will block infrared light. Consult with your local eye physician or optometrist, they will recommend the correct eyewear.
Do not expose the cubes to moisture, dust or dirt. Do not pour liquids into the cubes, place open containers of glasses with liquids nearby or on the cubes themselves.
Always use the cables supplied with the cubes in the packaging. Do not use long USB cables between your computer and the cubes (max. recommended length 1.8m)
The cubes can generate a high sound level when connected to an external amplification system, which could potentially damage your ears. Always keep the levels reasonable and start with a low volume, then turn it up slowly.
Never leave your cubes charging their battery unattended. We have designed the cubes to be as safe and reliable as possible, but no battery should ever be left charging unattended. Any time you connect cubes to a USB hub or computer the charger will use the remaining power from your computer or hub to charge the cube's battery.
Don't open the cube, damage the battery, puncture it, apply pressure to it or set the battery or cube on fire, for your own safety.
Do not put the cube into a microwave oven and do not heat the cube, its plastic housing, electronics or battery in any way.
Do not disconnect the battery, short its wires, connect the battery to other electronic systems, or attempt to recharge it using a third-party charger. If you suspect the battery is defect, contact Percussa online at www.percussa.com to obtain a replacement battery and have it installed by a qualified service technician. Never attempt to service or replace batteries yourself.
Do not apply pressure to the plastic enclosure, insert objects into the gaps around the connectors or push button, pour liquids into the cube, or push against the communication ports which are inserted through the holes in the plastic on the four side faces.
Do not apply excessive vibration forces to the cubes, don't drop them and always transport them in their original packaging including all protection and buffering materials.
Some parts of the cubes are fragile (such as the housing and some electronic components), so dropping them might damage your cubes and require repair at PERCUSSA labs. Repair work resulting from dropped cubes is not covered by the normal warranty on the product.
Keep the cubes away from high temperatures (> 35 degrees C), direct sunlight and moisture. Only use a soft, dry cloth to clean the product. Do not apply any liquids or alcohol.
Since the cubes are powered by internal rechargeable batteries, do not leave your cubes in your car on hot days for prolonged periods, as the heat might build up inside the car beyond safe levels, potentially damaging the cubes or setting the cubes on fire. You should never leave any consumer electronic device that is powered by rechargeable batteries in direct sunlight.
Do not leave kids alone with the AudioCubes, and do not let kids use the AudioCubes if they are too young to read and understand the safety warnings and recommendations in this manual. The AudioCubes are not a toy.
Never open the product yourself, there are no user-servicable parts inside. If you think your AudioCubes need repair, contact Percussa through the website at www.percussa.com
Copyright Notice
Copyright 2004-2008 PERCUSSA(TM). All rights reserved.
This manual, as well as the software and hardware described in it, is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.
The content of this manual is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice and should not construed as a commitment by PERCUSSA.
PERCUSSA assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document.
Except as permitted by such license, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of PERCUSSA.
PERCUSSA and AudioCubes are trademarks of PERCUSSA. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
All features and specifications subject to change without notice. For the latest revision of this manual or the software, visit www.percussa.com
