User Manual MiniFuse 2

USER MANUAL

_MINIFUSE 2

Special Thanks

DIRECTION

Frédéric BRUN Kevin MOLCARD

DEVELOPMENT

Jérôme LAURENT

Daire O'NEILL

Timothée BEHETY

Aurore BAUD

Benjamin REYNIER

Arthur RÖNISCH

Lionel FERRAGUT

Nadine LANTHEAUME

Jérôme BLANC

DESIGN

Martin DUTASTA Morgan PERRIER Axel HARTMANN

TESTING

Thomas BARBIER Matthieu BOSSHARDT Emilie JACUSZIN

BETA TESTING

Paolo NEGRI

Marco CORREIA

Bernd WALDSTÄDT

Khutornoy Maksim

JUREVICH

Erik VAN DE VOSSENBERG

Luca LEFÈVRE

David BIRDWELL

Navi RETLAV

Gert BRAAKMAN

Pierre GACHET

Charles CAPSIS IV

Andrew HENDERSON

Chuck ZWICKY

George WARE

Tony FLYING SQUIRREL

Terence MARSDEN

Kirke GODFREY

Adán SÁNCHEZ DE PEDRO

CRESPO

Are LEISTAD

Luis RODRIGUEZ

MANUAL

Stephan VANKOV

Jimmy MICHON

Holger STEINBRINK

Minoru KOIKE

Gala KHALIFE

Justin TROMBLEY

26 avenue Jean Kuntzmann

38330 Montbonnot-Saint-Martin

FRANCE

www.arturia.com

Information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not

represent a commitment on the part of Arturia. The software described in this manual is

provided under the terms of a license agreement or non-disclosure agreement. The software

license agreement specifies the terms and conditions for its lawful use. No part of this

manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any purpose other than

purchaser’s personal use, without the express written permission of ARTURIA S.A.

All other products, logos or company names quoted in this manual are trademarks or

registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Product version: 1.0.0

Revision date: 28 September 2021

Thank you for purchasing the Arturia MiniFuse

This manual covers the features and operation of Arturia’s MiniFuse 2. MiniFuse 2 is a

professional-grade audio interface that empowers the recording and production of music

and audio content. Whether in the studio, on the road, or at home, we are confident that the

MiniFuse 2 will become an indispensable tool in your kit.

Be sure to register your MiniFuse 2 as soon as possible! There is a sticker on the bottom

panel that contains the serial number of your unit and an unlock code. These are required

during the online registration process at www.arturia.com. You may want to record these

elsewhere or take a photo of the sticker in case it becomes damaged.

Registering your MiniFuse 2 provides the following benefits:

• Access to the latest version of the Arturia Software Center and MiniFuse Control

Center applications

• Special offers restricted to MiniFuse owners

As a registered owner, you also have access to an exclusive software bundle that includes:

• Arturia's Pre 1973, Rev PLATE-140, Delay TAPE-201, Chorus JUN-6 audio effects

• Arturia's Analog Lab Intro containing thousands of ready-to-use instruments and

sounds

• Ableton Live Lite

• NI Guitar Rig 6 LE

• 3-month complimentary subscription to Splice

• 3-month complimentary subscription to Auto-Tune Unlimited

• Exclusive Ableton Live Lite sessions curated by producers around the globe

MiniFuse 2 is easy to use, so you’ll probably start experimenting with it right out of the box.

However, please be sure to read this manual even if you are an experienced user, as we

describe many useful tips that will help you get the most out of your purchase. We're sure

you will find MiniFuse 2 a powerful tool in your setup and we hope you'll use it to its fullest

potential.

Happy music making!

The Arturia team

Special Message Section

Specifications Subject to Change:

The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing.

However, Arturia reserves the right to change or modify any of the specifications without

notice or obligation to update the hardware that has been purchased.

IMPORTANT:

The product and its software, when used in combination with an amplifier, headphones or

speakers, may be able to produce sound levels that could cause permanent hearing loss.

DO NOT operate for long periods of time at a high level or at a level that is uncomfortable.

If you encounter any hearing loss or ringing in the ears, you should consult an audiologist.

NOTICE:

Service charges incurred due to a lack of knowledge relating to how a function or feature

works (when the product is operating as designed) are not covered by the manufacturer’s

warranty, and are therefore the owner's responsibility. Please study this manual carefully

and consult your dealer before requesting service.

Precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Read and understand all the instructions.

2. Always follow the instructions on the device.

3. Before cleaning the device, always remove the USB cable. When cleaning, use a

soft and dry cloth. Do not use gasoline, alcohol, acetone, turpentine or any other

organic solutions; do not use a liquid cleaner, spray or cloth that is too wet.

4. Do not use the device near water or moisture, such as a bathtub, sink, swimming

pool or similar place.

5. Do not place the device in an unstable position where it might accidentally fall

over.

6. Do not place heavy objects on the device. Do not block openings or vents of the

device; these locations are used for air circulation to prevent the device from

overheating. Do not place the device near a heat vent at any location with poor

air circulation.

7. Do not open or insert anything into the device that may cause a fire or electrical

shock.

8. Do not spill any kind of liquid onto the device.

9. Always take the device to a qualified service center. You will invalidate your

warranty if you open and remove the cover, and improper assembly may cause

electrical shock or other malfunctions.

10. Do not use the device with thunder and lightning present; otherwise it may cause

long distance electrical shock.

11. Do not expose the device to hot sunlight.

12. Do not use the device when there is a gas leak nearby.

13. Arturia is not responsible for any damage or data loss caused by improper

operation of the device.

Table Of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................. 2

1.1. WHAT IS AN AUDIO INTERFACE AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?.................................................................. 2

1.2. MINIFUSE 2 FEATURES OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................... 2

2. CONNECTION DIAGRAM......................................................................................................................................... 3

3. FRONT PANEL FEATURES........................................................................................................................................ 4

4. REAR PANEL FEATURES ........................................................................................................................................... 6

5. SETUP................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

5.1. Changing default system audio input and output .......................................................................................... 8

5.1.1. MacOS................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

5.1.2. Windows ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

5.2. Using the MiniFuse 2 as an audio device with your DAW ....................................................................... 11

5.2.1. Configuring audio in Ableton Live................................................................................................................................................................... 12

5.2.2. Configuring audio in FL Studio ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13

5.2.3. Configuring audio in Analog Lab ................................................................................................................................................................... 14

5.3. Recording audio into your DAW............................................................................................................................... 15

5.4. Using the MiniFuse 2 as a MIDI device with your DAW .......................................................................... 16

5.4.1. Configuring MIDI in Ableton Live .................................................................................................................................................................... 16

5.4.2. Configuring MIDI in FL Studio........................................................................................................................................................................... 17

5.4.3. Configuring MIDI in Analog Lab..................................................................................................................................................................... 18

5.5. Recording MIDI from the MiniFuse 2 into your DAW................................................................................. 19

6. MINIFUSE CONTROL CENTER .......................................................................................................................... 20

6.1. Top Toolbar ............................................................................................................................................................................ 20

6.2. Device Controls................................................................................................................................................................... 22

7. LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE................................................................................................................. 24

7.1. Routing computer audio to the Loopback output/input ............................................................................ 24

7.1.1. Recording all computer audio............................................................................................................................................................................ 24

7.1.2. Record audio from specific applications ................................................................................................................................................... 28

7.1.3. Recording into your DAW.................................................................................................................................................................................... 30

8. A QUICK PRIMER ON DIGITAL AUDIO........................................................................................................ 32

8.1. What is latency?................................................................................................................................................................. 32

8.2. Sample Rate.......................................................................................................................................................................... 33

8.3. Buffer Size.............................................................................................................................................................................. 34

8.4. A red herring......................................................................................................................................................................... 34

8.5. How to deal with latency.............................................................................................................................................. 35

8.5.1. Recording live audio................................................................................................................................................................................................ 35

8.5.2. Recording a MIDI part.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 35

8.5.3. Mixing and mastering ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 35

9. SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................................................................................................... 36

9.1. Box Contents.......................................................................................................................................................................... 36

9.2. Hardware Specifications .............................................................................................................................................. 37

10. Declaration of Conformity................................................................................................................................ 39

11. Software License Agreement.......................................................................................................................... 40

1. INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing our compact audio interface, the MiniFuse 2. We at Arturia are

committed to delivering excellent products that satisfy the needs of modern musicians

and producers - we are confident that the MiniFuse 2 will be a perfect companion to any

computer-based music production and recording setup.

1.1. WHAT IS AN AUDIO INTERFACE AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?

An audio interface is an outboard device that handles processing of audio input and

output. While all laptop and desktop computers these days come equipped with integrated

soundcards, in practice these are only meant for casual use and are, in most cases,

insufficient for the demanding tasks of audio production and recording. Our MiniFuse 2

is an affordable, professional-grade dedicated audio interface that offers the following

advantages over a typical onboard soundcard:

• Optimized for low-latency performance

• Microphone preamp(s) for crisp, present recording of vocals and instruments

• High-impedance input(s) to directly record your guitar or bass.

• Headphone and speaker system outputs for flexible monitoring

• Loopback recording for recording computer audio without any messy hardware

or software configurations.

• Direct Monitoring for monitoring your performance without any processing

latency.

1.2. MINIFUSE 2 FEATURES OVERVIEW

• 2 x combo Mic/Inst/Line XLR inputs with optional 48V phantom power

• 2 x 1/4" TRS balanced line outputs

• 1 x 1/4" stereo headphone output

• 1 x 5-pin MIDI input

• 1 x 5-pin MIDI output

• 1 x USB2 type A hub (low power)

• USB-C interface compatible with PC, Mac, fully USB 2.0 compatible

• Bus-powered

• Up to 192kHZ / 24bits

• Loopback stereo input (at all sample rates)

2 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - INTRODUCTION

2. CONNECTION DIAGRAM

1 : XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphones, guitars/basses or other instruments

2 : Monitor Volume knob

3 : Headphones output

1 : TRS outputs to connect powered speakers or mixers/amplifiers

2 : MIDI input/output to control a synthesizer, drum machine or some other Midi device

3 : USB hub port allowing connection of thumb drives, controllers or other USB devices

requiring less than 250mA

4 : Connection to the computer



Note: We strongly recommend using the included cable with your interface when connecting your

device to a computer to avoid any connectivity issues. The included USB cable has been specially

designed for the Arturia MiniFuse 2.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - CONNECTION DIAGRAM 3

3. FRONT PANEL FEATURES

The front panel of the MiniFuse 2 provides access to most of the essential features on the

unit.

1. The combo jack(s) accept two different kinds of input - XLR and TRS - allowing you to

connect a variety of microphones and instruments into the MiniFuse. The type of input is

determined by the Guitar and 48V switches next to the input.

2. The Inst switch toggles the high-impedance circuit for the corresponding input.



When recording instruments with pickups, like guitar and bass, using the high-impedance setting

adjusts the internal circuit so that you can plug the instrument directly into the input without having

to first plug into an amp or a direct box. When using other types of inputs, like synthesizers or

microphones, leave this switch in the inactive position.

3. 48V switch turns on phantom power for the input(s). Phantom power delivers a power

current to a connected microphone and may be required to get a good signal out of certain

types of microphones. Please read the following recommendations regarding when and

how to use phantom power:



Only certain types of microphones, like condenser microphones, require phantom power to function

properly. Please check your microphone’s user manual to determine which type it is. Phantom power

may damage some equipment, like certain ribbon microphones. Ensure that you are only using

phantom power with microphones that require it. Do not connect or disconnect microphones while

phantom power is turned on. Turn off phantom power first, then connect or disconnect the microphone.

4. The Gain knob controls the gain of the input preamp. Use it to adjust the volume of the

input to ensure that you are capturing a good signal without overloading. The knob also

features a LED indicator to help with setting input gain. When an instrument or microphone

source is detected, the LED will illuminate blue. If the input signal overloads, the LED will

illuminate red. If this happens, turn down the Gain knob.



High-resolution input metering is available through the MiniFuse Control Center [p.20] application.

4 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - FRONT PANEL FEATURES

5. Monitor Volume knob controls the volume of the signal sent to the speakers (outputs L &

R on the rear panel).

6. Monitor Mix knob controls the mix of direct input signal (Direct Monitoring) and computer

audio playback. Its default position is Fully Clockwise. At minimum position, you will only

hear signal from the interface input(s). As you turn up the knob, you will gradually crossfade

to computer playback. At maximum position, you will only hear computer playback.



Recording live instruments on a computer can sometimes present challenges, depending on your

computer configuration and CPU load. Since your computer processes incoming and outgoing audio

in buffer “chunks”, this can result in delayed playback of the input signal, which can create distracting

echoes that could throw off a performance. Instead of monitoring the input signal through software, the

MiniFuse 2 gives you the option of using Direct Monitoring. Direct Monitoring sends the input signal(s)

directly to the outputs, allowing you to listen to the input(s) directly without any latency introduced by

computer processing. To read more about latency and how to best deal with it, please see the A Quick

Primer On Digital Audio [p.32] section of this manual.

7. Direct Mono switch controls how the input signals are distributed across the stereo

output when using Direct Monitoring. In the inactive position, input 1 is sent to the left channel

(output 1) while input 2 is sent to the right channel (output 2). In the active position, inputs

1 and 2 are turned into mono signals that are sent to both channels; effectively this means

that both inputs will play back centered in the stereo image instead of panned to one

speaker or the other.



The Direct Mono switch only impacts how signal from the inputs is routed to the speakers and

headphones. It does not have any effect on the stereo image of computer playback.

8. The 1/4” stereo headphone output can be used for connecting headphones. The

headphone output mirrors the Monitor Output but has its own independent volume control.

9. Headphone Volume adjusts the volume of the headphone output.



Listening to loud music for prolonged durations of time through headphones can have a negative

impact on your hearing. When using headphones, we recommend taking frequent breaks to give your

ears a rest and avoiding high volumes for prolonged durations.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - FRONT PANEL FEATURES 5

4. REAR PANEL FEATURES

The rear panel of the MiniFuse 2 provides access to audio and MIDI connections.

1. Outputs - these 1/4” balanced stereo outputs can be connected directly to active

studio speakers or other devices such as amplifiers and mixers.

2. MIDI In - connect MIDI devices to this jack using a standard 5-pin MIDI cable.

Devices connected to this input can be used to trigger and control software

instruments and effects.

3. MIDI Out - this output allows you to output MIDI data from your computer to

control other MIDI-compatible hardware devices.

4. Hub - this convenient USB port allows you to plug in other USB devices, like

thumb drives or MIDI controllers.



While the Hub port is sufficient for powering most controllers and portable drives

up to 250mA, it may not provide enough power for some devices that require higher

power draw. In these situations, we recommend plugging these devices directly into your

computer, or into a separate powered USB hub.

5. USB - connect the interface to your computer by plugging the supplied USB cable

into this port and your computer. This connection provides power to the interface

and enables communication between the interface and your computer.

6. Kensington lock - this optional security slot can be used for securing the interface

using a Kensington lock cable.

6 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - REAR PANEL FEATURES

5. SETUP

The first time you connect the MiniFuse 2 to your computer, it will appear as an external disk

drive.

Open the drive to access its contents, and double-click the Click here to Get Started link.

This link will open the MiniFuse registration page in your web browser. Follow the

instructions there to register your unit and download the MiniFuse Control Center

application.

Benefits of registering:

• Free exclusive effects and instruments from Arturia, Ableton, and many more

• Access to tutorials, sound banks, and helpful content to get you started

• Regular free firmware updates

• Exclusive discounts on Arturia products as a registered user



While it is possible to use the MiniFuse 2 immediately without the MiniFuse Control Center

application, we highly recommend following the steps outlined in this section to initialize your MiniFuse

2 so that you can take advantage of all of its features. The MiniFuse Control Center installer includes the

MiniFuse ASIO driver for Windows, enabling the best performances from your MiniFuse.

Once you have downloaded and installed the MiniFuse Control Center application, double-

click to start it.

You will see the following pop-up window. Press Ok to complete the installation.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP 7

Congratulations, your MiniFuse 2 is now ready to use! For more information and support

online, you may visit www.arturia.com/support.

For more information on the features available in the MiniFuse Control Center application,

see the MiniFuse Control Center [p.20] section of this manual.

5.1. Changing default system audio input and output

If you would like to use the MiniFuse 2 as your computer's default audio playback and

recording device, please follow the instructions below.



Most pro audio applications have their own audio preferences where you can select the MiniFuse 2

as the active audio device. If you intend to only use the MiniFuse for playback and recording with these

applications, it is not necessary to change the default system audio input and output.

5.1.1. MacOS

1. Navigate to your Applications folder.

2. Double-click System Preferences.

3. Click the Sound icon.

4. If you would like all computer audio - such as audio from browsers and movie players

- to be played back through the MiniFuse 2, click the Output tab and select the MiniFuse as

the default output device.

8 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP

5. If you would like to use a microphone connected to the MiniFuse 2 as the default sound

input into your computer, click the Input tab and select the MiniFuse as the default input

device.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP 9

5.1.2. Windows

1. Navigate to Settings.

2. Click the Sound tab.

3. If you would like all computer audio - such as audio from browsers and movie

players - to be played back through the MiniFuse 2, choose "MAIN Left/Right

(MiniFuse 2) from the Output menu.

4. If you would like to use a microphone connected to the MiniFuse 2 as the default

sound input into your computer, choose the input channel from the Input menu.

10 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP

5.2. Using the MiniFuse 2 as an audio device with your

DAW

Most audio applications have their own audio settings, where you can select the active

audio device. Here we will show you how to configure the MiniFuse 2 with several audio

applications. The process will be similar in other audio applications.



Core Audio is a native Mac audio protocol. All audio devices are built on top of this framework.

Windows contains several available audio protocols. ASIO is optimized for low-latency and high-fidelity.

We recommend using the ASIO driver provided by Arturia for best results.

Regardless of which application you use, there will be several additional important controls

in the audio preferences:

• Buffer Size determines how quickly the computer will process audio data - the

smaller the buffer size the faster it will process audio, resulting in less latency at

the expense of higher CPU usage.

• Sample Rate specifies the sampling rate at which the MiniFuse 2 converts audio.

CD quality sample rate is 44,100Hz.



For more information on buffer size, sample rate, and their impact on latency, see the A Quick

Primer On Digital Audio [p.32] section of this manual.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP 11

5.2.1. Configuring audio in Ableton Live

In Ableton Live, go to the Live menu and click Preferences.

In the Preferences window, click the Audio tab to access the audio device settings.

Select CoreAudio (MacOS) or ASIO (Windows) in the Driver Type menu.

Select the MiniFuse 2 in the Audio Input Device and Audio Output Device menus.



If you need to enable or disable specific input or output channels, you can click the Input Config or

Output Config buttons.

12 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP

5.2.2. Configuring audio in FL Studio

In FL Studio, click the Options menu, then click Audio Settings.

In the Device menu select the MiniFuse.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP 13

5.2.3. Configuring audio in Analog Lab

Our own Analog Lab software can work in standalone or plug-in mode. When using the

standalone application, follow these steps to configure it for use with the MiniFuse 2:

In Analog Lab, click the Menu button at the top left (three horizontal lines), then click Audio

MIDI Settings.

In the Audio MIDI Settings window, select CoreAudio (MacOS) or ASIO (Windows) in the

Device section.

In the menu below, select the MiniFuse 2.

In the Output Channels section select Output Left + Right; this is the main speaker output

from the MiniFuse.

You can press the Play button in the Test Tone section - you should hear a short tone played

back through the MiniFuse 2.



For more tips and in-depth information on how to configure various DAWs, please be sure to visit

the MiniFuse FAQ.

14 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP

5.3. Recording audio into your DAW

Once your DAW has been configured to use the MiniFuse 2 as an input audio device, create

a new audio track where you would like to record your performance. Here we will show the

process in Ableton Live. It will be similar in other applications.

In the Audio From menu, select External Input.

In the menu below, select the input channel where you have connected the instrument or

microphone you would like to record.



If you would like to record a stereo sound source, like a synthesizer or drum machine, select a stereo

pair from the menu.

Press the Record Arm button on the track - you should now hear the audio input played back

through the computer.



If you do not wish to hear the input, you can turn off the Track Activator button, or change the

Monitor setting to Off.

Next, press the Record button in your DAW's transport and it will begin playing back the

arrangement and recording onto this track.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP 15

5.4. Using the MiniFuse 2 as a MIDI device with your DAW

The MiniFuse 2 features standard 5-pin MIDI input and output ports on the rear panel that

can be used to connect MIDI-compatible devices to your computer.



While most MIDI controllers nowadays come with direct MIDI-over-USB connectivity, there are

devices like synthesizers and drum machines that only feature standard 5-pin MIDI input and output

ports. These devices can be connected to your computer and integrated into your workflow through the

MiniFuse.

IMPORTANT: Note that MIDI input and output will only work once the MiniFuse Control

Center is installed on the computer. You can access the MiniFuse Control Center installation

by clicking the MiniFuse in your Finder / Explorer and visiting the link contained inside.

You may need to enable these MIDI ports in your DAW to be able to use them. Here we will

show you how to do this in several audio applications. The process will be similar in other

audio applications.

5.4.1. Configuring MIDI in Ableton Live

In Ableton Live, go to the Live menu and click Preferences.

In the Preferences window, click the Link MIDI tab to access the MIDI device settings.

The MiniFuse 2 should be listed in the MIDI ports section.

• To receive MIDI notes from the MIDI IN port on the MiniFuse 2, enable the Track

input.

• To transmit MIDI notes to the MIDI OUT port on the MiniFuse 2, enable the Track

output.

• To receive continuous control (CC) data from the MIDI IN port on the MiniFuse 2,

enable Remote input.

• To transmit continuous control (CC) data to the MIDI OUT port on the MiniFuse 2,

enable Remote output.

16 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP

5.4.2. Configuring MIDI in FL Studio

In FL Studio, select the MiniFuse 2, then click the Enable button. You should now receive MIDI

signal from the MiniFuse into your DAW

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP 17

5.4.3. Configuring MIDI in Analog Lab

When using our Analog Lab software in standalone mode, you will need to enable the MIDI

ports you want to use:

In Analog Lab, click the Menu button at the top left (three horizontal lines), then click Audio

MIDI Settings.

In the MIDI Devices menu, enable MiniFuse 2. You should now receive MIDI signal in Analog

Lab.

18 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP

5.5. Recording MIDI from the MiniFuse 2 into your DAW

Once the MiniFuse 2 has been configured as a MIDI device in your DAW's settings, create a

new Instrument (MIDI) track.

Place a software instrument like a synthesizer or drum machine on this track.

In the MIDI From menu select the MiniFuse 2, or you can leave this menu to All Ins to

receive MIDI from all connected devices, including the MiniFuse.

Click the channel's Record Arm button. Now when you adjust controls or press pads or keys

on your connected MIDI device, you should see the MIDI activity bar light up to indicate that

this channel is receiving MIDI. Depending on the software device loaded onto the channel,

you should also hear sound being produced from it.

Next, press the Record button in your DAW's transport and it will begin recording your MIDI

performance onto this track.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SETUP 19

6. MINIFUSE CONTROL CENTER

Your MiniFuse 2 includes a convenient control center application that makes it possible to

access many of its features directly from your computer.

The application can be found in:

• Mac: Applications\Arturia\MiniFuse Control Center

• Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Arturia\MiniFuse Control Center

6.1. Top Toolbar

Clicking on the Main Menu icon in the upper left corner provides access to:

• Resize Window adjusts the size of the application for optimal viewing.

• Manual opens this user manual.

• About displays the software version and other information.

To the right of the application logo you can access the Device Selection. If more than one

MiniFuse devices are connected to your machine you can click the device name and select

a device from the list to access its settings.

The Sample Rate displays the currently selected sample rate.



Sample rate can be changed in your host application or computer settings.

The Gear button in the upper right display the firmware update window. Here you can check

the selected device's current firmware version, and see if there are any updates available.



Firmware updates are an important way of offering you continued product support and new

features. We recommend checking for updates periodically to ensure that you are getting the most

optimal experience with your MiniFuse 2.

20 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - MINIFUSE CONTROL CENTER

On Windows, there is an additional tab in the Gear panel - ASIO Preferences. Here you can

select the buffer size to be used when running in ASIO mode, and enable or disable Safe

Mode.

In some cases, using a lot of processing in a DAW (e.g. with effects or plugins), or setting

low buffer sizes on an older PC can cause the CPU load to be very high. A high CPU load

can increase the risk for audio dropouts (pops) to occur. In these cases, Safe Mode can be

enabled to avoid the risk of audio dropouts.



ASIO is a Windows audio protocol that is optimized for low-latency and high-fidelity. We

recommend using the ASIO driver provided by Arturia for best results.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - MINIFUSE CONTROL CENTER 21

6.2. Device Controls

The central area of the application provides access to various device controls, making it

easy to change certain settings directly from your computer.

Inst switch toggles the high-impedance circuit for the corresponding input.

48V switch turns on phantom power for the input(s). Phantom power delivers a power

current to a connected microphone and may be required to get a good signal out of certain

types of microphones.



For more information on the Inst and 48V features, please see the Front Panel Features [p.4] section

of this manual.

Level Meters provide a high-resolution display of input levels for the corresponding input.

These can be useful when setting the Gain for the input. The meter features a Clip indicator

which lets you know if the input has been overloaded, or "clipped". Once the Clip indicator

has been activated, it will remain lit until you click to deactivate it.



Be careful not to overload the inputs, which will result in distorted recordings. Giving yourself plenty

of "headroom" will ensure that you don't distort the recording in loud parts of the performance.



When recording at bit rates like 24 or 32 bit, you do not need to push the input Gain very high. This

is because the noise floor at higher bit rates is much lower than that of 16 bit recordings, so turning up

a quieter high-bitrate recording after the fact will not add any noticeable noise to the mix.

22 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - MINIFUSE CONTROL CENTER



The light green area of the meter, from -36dB to -6dB, is the optimal range we recommend for

capturing a good signal without clipping. See the 3 examples below - the one on the left is too quiet,

the example in the middle is too loud and may result in distorted recording. The example on the right

shows the ideal volume range to ensure crisp and clean recordings with lots of detail.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - MINIFUSE CONTROL CENTER 23

7. LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE

The MiniFuse Loopback Recording feature allows you to record any audio playing on

your computer directly into your recording application, without the need for complicated

software workarounds. Loopback Recording uses a pair of virtual inputs on the MiniFuse

into which you can "plug" any computer audio, vastly expanding the types of sound sources

available for recording into your projects.

7.1. Routing computer audio to the Loopback output/input

There are two different options available to you, depending on your system and software:

• Record all computer audio - all applications playing audio will be recorded. This

is usually used to record audio from applications like web browsers and movie

players.

• Record audio from specific applications - selectively choose which applications

get recorded. This depends on whether your application allows you to route its

output to a specific destination.

Next, we'll walk you through the steps of setting up each recording scenario.

7.1.1. Recording all computer audio

To record all audio playing from your computer, you will need to change the default system

audio output so that it is routed to the MiniFuse's internal Loopback input.

7.1.1.1. Change system audio output on Mac

1. Go to the Applications folder and open System Preferences.

2. Click Sound and ensure that "MiniFuse 2" is selected in the Output tab.

24 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE

3. Next, go back to the Application folder and open the Utilities folder.

4. Open the Audio MIDI Setup application.

5. In the Window menu, select Show Audio Devices.

6. Click the MiniFuse 2 in the left panel, then click Configure Speakers.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE 25

7. Now click the menu for the "Left front" speaker, and change its setting to "Loopback Left".

8. Repeat step 7, this time for the "Right front" speaker.

9. Your computer will now play all audio through the Loopback input on the MiniFuse,

allowing you to record it into your recording application.



Once you change your system output to use the Loopback output, you will not be able to hear any

computer audio until you a) record-enable a channel in your recording application, or b) switch the

output back to "Main Left/Right" inside the Configure Speakers panel in Audio MIDI Setup.

26 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE

7.1.1.2. Change system audio output on Windows

1. In the Windows taskbar, click the Speaker icon, then click the arrow to expand the view.

2. You will see a menu of available outputs. By default this will be set to "MAIN Left/

Right", which will route any computer audio through the speaker outputs on the rear of the

MiniFuse.

3. To route to Loopback instead, select the "LOOPBACK Left/Right" output.



Once you change your system output to use the Loopback output, you will not be able to hear any

computer audio until you a) record-enable a channel in your recording application, or b) switch the

output back to "MAIN Left/Right" from the Speaker icon in the taskbar.

4. To change the output back, select "MAIN Left/Right" output from the menu.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE 27

7.1.2. Record audio from specific applications

Some applications allow you to set an audio output independent of the system output. If

this is possible in the application you wish to record, you can route its audio output to the

MiniFuse Loopback output to record its audio into your DAW.

Here we will show you how to configure Reason to send its audio to the Loopback output.

The process will be similar for other applications.

1. In the Reason menu, click Preferences.

2. Click the Audio tab, and set the Audio Device to MiniFuse 2.

3. Click the Channels button next to Active Output Channels.

28 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE

4. In the pop-up window, enable Output 3 / Output 4. This will send all audio from Reason

to the MiniFuse's Loopback feature.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE 29

7.1.3. Recording into your DAW

Now that you have configured audio to be sent to the Loopback output, either from the entire

system or a specific application, open your preferred audio recording application. Here we

will show the process in Ableton Live. The process will be similar in other applications.

1. In the application's preferences, ensure that the MiniFuse 2 is configured to be used as

an input device.

2. Next, create a new audio track in your project.

3. Select Loopback (channels 3 & 4) as the audio input for the track and record-enable the

track. You should now hear your computer audio playing through your DAW, and the meter

should display an audio level.

4. You are now ready to record. When ready, press the Record button in your application.

30 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE

5. Once you are done recording and wish to set your computer system output back to

regular operation, return to the system audio preferences and change the system output to

use the Main outputs:

• On Mac, go back to the Configure Speakers panel in Applications / Utilities /

Audio MIDI Setup, and change the speaker outputs to "Main Left" and "Main Right".

• On Windows, click the Speaker icon in the taskbar, and select "MAIN Left/Right"

from the menu.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - LOOPBACK RECORDING FEATURE 31

8. A QUICK PRIMER ON DIGITAL AUDIO

To get the most out of your computer and audio interface, it is important to be familiar

with several key concepts in digital audio. We'll explain these quickly below, so that you

understand their impact on performance. Once you are familiar with these concepts, you

will know how to best calibrate your interface and computer settings to handle different

types of audio tasks.

8.1. What is latency?

Latency is the amount of time that it takes your computer to process incoming and outgoing

sound. Latency is an important consideration when recording live instruments or MIDI parts,

as the delay between the input (audio or MIDI) and the audio output may negatively impact

the performance and recording - think of how distracting it can be to hear your own voice

with a short echo while on a phone call.

Latency is a direct byproduct of sample rate and buffer size settings, so adjusting these

settings in your host application or the audio driver will have an impact on latency.

32 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - A QUICK PRIMER ON DIGITAL AUDIO

8.2. Sample Rate

In the digital realm, analog audio signals are represented by discrete points in time, or

"samples". When played back through a digital-to-analog converter, like those in computer

soundcards, the digital samples are reproduced into a smooth audio signal. You can think

of it like frames in a movie - each frame is a still snapshot, but when played back at a fast

enough rate (24+ frames per second) our eyes perceive the sequence of static frames as

continuous motion.

The sampling rate describes how many digital sampling points, or "frames", are used to

approximate the audio signal over time. This also determines the highest frequency that can

be captured or reproduced by the digital representation. The Nyquist–Shannon sampling

theorem states that this is equal to 1/2 of the sample rate so, for example, the highest sound

frequency that can be reproduced by a sample rate of 48kHz is 24kHz.

The average range of human hearing is 20 to 20,000Hz (or 20kHz). For most audio

applications we recommend using a sample rate of 44.1kHz or 48kHz. Sample rate of CD-

quality audio is 44.1kHz. Higher sample rates will result in significantly higher CPU usage,

without much benefit to be gained in most circumstances.



Higher sample rates like 96kHz

can

be useful in sound design applications where you would like

flexibility to apply extreme pitch adjustments to the recording. A sound recorded at 96kHz and played

at half-speed would still be able to reproduce frequencies up to 24kHz, while the same sound recorded

at 48kHz and played at half speed will only be able to reproduce frequencies up to 12kHz.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - A QUICK PRIMER ON DIGITAL AUDIO 33

8.3. Buffer Size

Buffer size is expressed in samples and is usually found in your application's audio settings.

Think of the buffer like a bucket. As soon as it fills up with samples, it is carried away to

the output. So, the smaller the bucket (buffer) the quicker it will get filled up and sent to the

output, and therefore will play back with less latency. The trade off, however, is that smaller

buffer sizes require your computer's CPU to work harder. Conversely, the bigger the bucket

(buffer) the longer it will take to fill up and be sent to the output. This decreases the load on

your CPU at the expense of more latency. As you will see below, changing the buffer size

depending on the type of audio task being performed is common practice.



If you experience clicks and pops in your projects, try increasing the buffer size in your host

application or the audio driver.

8.4. A red herring

When experimenting with these settings, you may notice that latency decreases noticeably

when using higher sample rates at the same buffer size. To go back to the bucket analogy,

the sample rate is like water flowing through a hose - if your increase the water flow (higher

sample rate), the same bucket will fill up faster and will be carried away to the output

sooner. However, keep in mind that high sample rates come at a cost of significantly higher

CPU usage, so this is not a recommended way of dealing with latency.

34 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - A QUICK PRIMER ON DIGITAL AUDIO

8.5. How to deal with latency

There are several ways to effectively deal with latency depending on the situation. Once you

are familiar with the concepts outlined above, you will be able to dynamically adjust your

system settings to accommodate various scenarios.

8.5.1. Recording live audio

When recording live audio from instruments and microphones, you probably want to avoid

latency altogether. The MiniFuse features Direct Monitoring which will route the input(s)

directly through the speakers or headphones. This lets you immediately hear what you’re

recording without incurring any latency from computer processing. Direct Monitoring is

offered as a continuous Monitor Mix knob that you can use to control the balance between

direct signal and computer signal.



When using Direct Monitoring, you may need to turn off monitoring for the recording channel in

your DAW to prevent an echo through the speakers or headphones. Direct monitoring routes the input(s)

directly out of the outputs, so you will not be able to hear any software processing or effects that you

may have applied to the recording channel in your application. For best results, we also recommend

shutting down other CPU-intensive applications while recording live audio.

8.5.2. Recording a MIDI part

Since recording MIDI parts relies on the computer to produce sounds from your playing,

Direct Monitoring is not an option in this scenario. When recording MIDI parts, you will most

likely want to set a low audio buffer size in your host application’s audio settings to minimize

the delay between pressing a key and hearing the sound. We recommend buffer sizes of

128-256 samples but you could go lower or may need to go higher, depending on your

particular computer system and how much CPU your project is using.

8.5.3. Mixing and mastering

Mixing and mastering are not time-critical tasks, so latency is not as important in these

situations. It’s also likely that by this stage your project has quite a few tracks and plugins,

so your CPU may already be working hard to keep up. For mixing and mastering purposes

we recommend buffer sizes of 1024-2048 samples. Again, depending on your specific

system and project you may be able to use lower settings.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - A QUICK PRIMER ON DIGITAL AUDIO 35

9. SPECIFICATIONS

9.1. Box Contents

• Audio interface

• USB-C to USB-A cable

• Exclusive software bundle containing:

◦ Arturia's Pre 1973, Rev PLATE-140, Delay TAPE-201, Chorus JUN-6

audio effects

◦ Arturia's Analog Lab Intro containing thousands of ready-to-use

instruments and sounds

◦ Ableton Live Lite

◦ NI Guitar Rig 6 LE

◦ 3-month complimentary subscription to Splice

◦ 3-month complimentary subscription to Auto-Tune Unlimited

◦ Ableton Live Lite sessions curated by producers around the globe

36 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SPECIFICATIONS

9.2. Hardware Specifications

Line Inputs

Input impedance 16kΩ

Maximum input Level +22dBu

Gain range 56dB

Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0.05dB (min gain)

Dynamic range 110dB typical (A-weighted)

THD+N @ 1kHz -100dB typical (un-weighted)

Cross-talk @ 1kHz -116dB

Instrument Inputs

Input impedance 1.1MΩ

Maximum input Level +11.5dBu

Gain range 56dB

Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0.06dB (min gain)

Dynamic range 110dB typical (A-weighted)

THD+N @ 1kHz -91dB typical (A-weighted)

Microphone Preamps

Input impedance 2.5kΩ

Maximum input Level +9dBu

Gain range 56dB

Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) -129dB typical (A-weighted)

Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0.06dB (min gain)

Dynamic range 110dB typical (A-weighted)

THD+N @ 1kHz -100dB typical (A-weighted)

Cross-talk @ 1kHz -116dB

Speaker Outputs

Output impedance 94Ω

Maximum output Level +12dBu

Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0.09dB

Dynamic range 107.5dB typical (A-weighted)

THD+N @ 1kHz -101dB typical (un-weighted)

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SPECIFICATIONS 37

Phones

Output impedance 10Ω

Maximum output Level +11.4dBu

Frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0.09dB

Dynamic range 104dB (A-weighted)

Power @ 33ohm 137mW

Various

Supported frequency rates 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz

USB 2 Audio compatibility Windows, Mac OS

38 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - SPECIFICATIONS

10. DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

USA

Important notice: DO NOT MODIFY THE UNIT!

This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets

FCC requirement. Modifications not expressly approved by Arturia may avoid your authority,

granted by the FCC, to use the product.

IMPORTANT:

When connecting this product to accessories and/or another product, use only

high quality shielded cables. Cable (s) supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all

installation instructions. Failure to follow instructions could void your FFC authorization to

use this product in the USA.

NOTE:

This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B

Digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide

a reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential environment. This

equipment generate, use and radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used

according to the instructions found in the users manual, may cause interferences harmful

to the operation to other electronic devices. Compliance with FCC regulations does not

guarantee that interferences will not occur in all the installations. If this product is found to

be the source of interferences, which can be determined by turning the unit “OFF” and “ON”,

please try to eliminate the problem by using one of the following measures:

• Relocate either this product or the device that is affected by the interference.

• Use power outlets that are on different branch (circuit breaker or fuse) circuits or

install AC line filter(s).

• In the case of radio or TV interferences, relocate/ reorient the antenna. If the

antenna lead-in is 300 ohm ribbon lead, change the lead-in to coaxial cable.

• If these corrective measures do not bring any satisfied results, please contact

the local retailer authorized to distribute this type of product. If you cannot locate

the appropriate retailer, please contact Arturia.

The above statements apply ONLY to those products distributed in the USA.

CANADA

NOTICE:

This class B digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian

Interference-Causing Equipment Regulation.

AVIS

: Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur

le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

EUROPE

This product complies with the requirements of European Directive 89/336/EEC

This product may not work correctly by the influence of electro-static discharge; if it

happens, simply restart the product.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - Declaration of Conformity 39

11. SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

In consideration of payment of the Licensee fee, which is a portion of the price you paid,

Arturia, as Licensor, grants to you (hereinafter termed “Licensee”) a nonexclusive right to

use this copy of the SOFTWARE.

All intellectual property rights in the software belong to Arturia SA (hereinafter: “Arturia”).

Arturia permits you only to copy, download, install and use the software in accordance with

the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

The product contains product activation for protection against unlawful copying. The OEM

software can be used only following registration.

Internet access is required for the activation process. The terms and conditions for use of the

software by you, the end-user, appear below. By installing the software on your computer

you agree to these terms and conditions. Please read the following text carefully in its

entirety. If you do not approve these terms and conditions, you must not install this software.

In this event give the product back to where you have purchased it (including all written

material, the complete undamaged packing as well as the enclosed hardware) immediately

but at the latest within 30 days in return for a refund of the purchase price.

1. Software Ownership Arturia shall retain full and complete title to the SOFTWARE recorded

on the enclosed disks and all subsequent copies of the SOFTWARE, regardless of the media

or form on or in which the original disks or copies may exist. The License is not a sale of the

original SOFTWARE.

2. Grant of License Arturia grants you a non-exclusive license for the use of the software

according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. You may not lease, loan or sub-

license the software. The use of the software within a network is illegal where there is the

possibility of a contemporaneous multiple use of the program.

You are entitled to prepare a backup copy of the software which will not be used for

purposes other than storage purposes.

You shall have no further right or interest to use the software other than the limited rights as

specified in this Agreement. Arturia reserves all rights not expressly granted.

3. Activation of the Software Arturia may use a compulsory activation of the software and

a compulsory registration of the OEM software for license control to protect the software

against unlawful copying. If you do not accept the terms and conditions of this Agreement,

the software will not work.

In such a case the product including the software may only be returned within 30 days

following acquisition of the product. Upon return a claim according to § 11 shall not apply.

4. Support, Upgrades and Updates after Product Registration You can only receive support,

upgrades and updates following the personal product registration. Support is provided only

for the current version and for the previous version during one year after publication of the

new version. Arturia can modify and partly or completely adjust the nature of the support

(hotline, forum on the website etc.), upgrades and updates at any time.

The product registration is possible during the activation process or at any time later through

the Internet. In such a process you are asked to agree to the storage and use of your

personal data (name, address, contact, email-address, and license data) for the purposes

specified above. Arturia may also forward these data to engaged third parties, in particular

distributors, for support purposes and for the verification of the upgrade or update right.

5. No Unbundling The software usually contains a variety of different files which in its

configuration ensure the complete functionality of the software. The software may be used

as one product only. It is not required that you use or install all components of the software.

You must not arrange components of the software in a new way and develop a modified

version of the software or a new product as a result. The configuration of the software may

not be modified for the purpose of distribution, assignment or resale.

40 Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - Software License Agreement

6. Assignment of Rights You may assign all your rights to use the software to another

person subject to the conditions that (a) you assign to this other person (i) this Agreement

and (ii) the software or hardware provided with the software, packed or preinstalled

thereon, including all copies, upgrades, updates, backup copies and previous versions,

which granted a right to an update or upgrade on this software, (b) you do not retain

upgrades, updates, backup copies und previous versions of this software and (c) the

recipient accepts the terms and conditions of this Agreement as well as other regulations

pursuant to which you acquired a valid software license.

A return of the product due to a failure to accept the terms and conditions of this Agreement,

e.g. the product activation, shall not be possible following the assignment of rights.

7. Upgrades and Updates You must have a valid license for the previous or more inferior

version of the software in order to be allowed to use an upgrade or update for the software.

Upon transferring this previous or more inferior version of the software to third parties the

right to use the upgrade or update of the software shall expire.

The acquisition of an upgrade or update does not in itself confer any right to use the

software.

The right of support for the previous or inferior version of the software expires upon the

installation of an upgrade or update.

8. Limited Warranty Arturia warrants that the disks on which the software is furnished is

free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of thirty (30)

days from the date of purchase. Your receipt shall be evidence of the date of purchase. Any

implied warranties on the software are limited to thirty (30) days from the date of purchase.

Some states do not allow limitations on duration of an implied warranty, so the above

limitation may not apply to you. All programs and accompanying materials are provided “as

is” without warranty of any kind. The complete risk as to the quality and performance of the

programs is with you. Should the program prove defective, you assume the entire cost of all

necessary servicing, repair or correction.

9. Remedies Arturia's entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be at Arturia's option

either (a) return of the purchase price or (b) replacement of the disk that does not meet the

Limited Warranty and which is returned to Arturia with a copy of your receipt. This limited

Warranty is void if failure of the software has resulted from accident, abuse, modification,

or misapplication. Any replacement software will be warranted for the remainder of the

original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer.

10. No other Warranties The above warranties are in lieu of all other warranties, expressed

or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness

for a particular purpose. No oral or written information or advice given by Arturia, its dealers,

distributors, agents or employees shall create a warranty or in any way increase the scope

of this limited warranty.

11. No Liability for Consequential Damages Neither Arturia nor anyone else involved in

the creation, production, or delivery of this product shall be liable for any direct, indirect,

consequential, or incidental damages arising out of the use of, or inability to use this product

(including without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss

of business information and the like) even if Arturia was previously advised of the possibility

of such damages. Some states do not allow limitations on the length of an implied warranty

or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation

or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you

may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Arturia - User Manual MiniFuse 2 - Software License Agreement 41