Do I need Thunderbolt, or can I use a standard USB-C cable?
Horizon 8P requires a Thunderbolt 3 or later connection to the host computer. Although Thunderbolt uses the USB-C connector shape, a standard USB-C cable is not suitable for the Horizon host connection.
What are the minimum system requirements for Horizon?
Horizon requires a compatible Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later with Thunderbolt 3 or later connectivity. Windows is not currently supported. We recommend using the current release of Horizon Control.
Can I use the Mic/Line input and D-sub return on the same channel at the same time?
No. Each D-sub return shares an input channel with the corresponding Mic/Line input, so only one of those sources can be active on that channel at a time. Selection is per channel, so for example channels 1–4 could use Mic/Line while channels 5–8 use D-sub returns.
Are the D-sub outputs still available when I use the D-sub line returns?
Yes. The eight D-sub line outputs are independent of the input-source selection, so they remain available regardless of whether channels 1–8 are using Mic/Line or D-sub returns.
Why can't I enable +48 V or ORBIT on an input?
Check the selected Input Type. +48 V phantom power is available when Mic/Line is selected and is unavailable when the channel is using a D-sub return or, on channels 1 and 2, the Instrument Input. ORBIT is available when Mic/Line is selected and is not available for the D-sub Line return or Instrument Input.
How do I select the Instrument Input for a guitar or bass?
Channels 1 and 2 feature front-panel JFET Instrument Inputs for connecting guitars, basses and other instrument-level sources. Connecting an instrument does not automatically switch the channel to Instrument mode. To select the input type, press the required input channel on the Horizon 8P front panel, then press the Input button to choose the appropriate mode. The Input Type can also be selected in Horizon Control. Channels 1 and 2 offer Mic/Line, Line (D-sub) and Instrument modes. Channels 3–8 offer Mic/Line and Line (D-sub).
Can I use outboard equipment with Horizon 8P?
Yes. Use the D-sub line outputs to send audio to external analogue equipment and the D-sub line returns to bring the processed signal back into Horizon 8P. In the Routing Matrix, route the source you want to process to the required D-sub output, then select D-sub Line as the Input Type on the channel receiving the return. Each D-sub return shares its input channel with the corresponding Mic/Line input, so those two sources cannot be used at the same time on the same channel. The D-sub outputs remain available independently. Use balanced analogue Tascam-standard DB25 cabling.
How do I create a separate artist or headphone mix?
Horizon provides four Independent Mixes (A–D), allowing you to create separate cue or monitoring balances. In the Horizon Control Mixer, select Mix A, B, C or D, then use the channel faders, Pan, Mute and Solo controls to create the required mix. Independent Mixes can be routed to the appropriate physical outputs using the Routing Matrix. On Horizon 8P, HP1 and HP2 have independent level and mute controls. Independent headphone source selection within Horizon Control is not available in the initial software release.
Do the Horizon Control Mixer faders affect the level recorded in my DAW?
No. The Mixer faders control the monitoring path rather than the input level being sent to the DAW. You can change a performer or control-room monitoring balance without changing the level being recorded.
How does monitoring work when using multiple Horizon interfaces?
Only the Primary Horizon device provides the active monitoring system.
In Horizon Control, the device you want to use for monitoring must be added first through Hardware Settings > Add Device. Any additional Horizon devices should then be added as secondary devices. Devices cannot be dragged into a different Primary position. If you need to change the Primary device, reconfigure the system with the intended Primary added first. When using multiple Horizon devices, ensure the BNC word-clock connections follow the configured device order. If the order changes, the physical word-clock connections must also be updated.
Do I need a word clock connection when using multiple Horizon interfaces?
Yes. Thunderbolt carries host audio, data and control between Horizon devices, but a multi-Horizon system also requires a separate BNC word-clock connection for synchronisation. The Primary Horizon provides the timing reference for the Horizon chain and the secondary units receive word clock from it. Keep the complete digital system to a single clock master. Enable 75 Ω Word Clock Termination on the final or only Horizon device receiving BNC word clock in the chain.
Why is my new Monitor Profile not producing any audio?
A new Monitor Profile is added to the Primary device's Routing Matrix un-routed, so creating the profile alone does not connect it to the physical monitor outputs. Select the Primary Horizon in Hardware Settings, open its Routing Matrix, then route the Speaker Layout channels from the Monitor Profile to the required physical outputs. Once those routes are made, return to the Monitor Controller and confirm that the intended Monitor Profile is active.
Why are fewer ADAT channels available at higher sample rates?
The available ADAT channel count reduces as the sample rate increases. Horizon provides up to 16 ADAT channels per input or output direction at 48 kHz, 8 at 96 kHz and 4 at 192 kHz. At higher sample rates, the first channels of each optical port remain available while the later channels become unavailable. S/PDIF uses a two-channel path and is unavailable at 192 kHz.
How do I power Horizon 8P on and off?
Horizon 8P powers on automatically when mains power is applied. To power it down, open the front-panel Settings view and select Power. If the unit has been powered down from Settings, press and hold the Control Wheel to power it on again.
Can I route audio directly between Horizon devices in the Routing Matrix?
No, not for individual local audio sources. The Routing Matrix is shown separately for each Horizon device, and local sources can only be routed to physical outputs on the selected unit. However, the Shared Mixbus carries the Main Mix and Independent Mixes A–D across the connected Horizon system, so those mixes can be routed to physical outputs on whichever Horizon device is selected in the Routing Matrix.
For more information about setting up and using your Horizon interface, visit docs.audient.com