M-Audio 2496 Instruction Manual

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

What’s in the Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Product Features & Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Minimum System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

PCI Adapter Card and Break-Out Cable: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Quick Guide to Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Audiophile 2496 Driver & Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Windows 98 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Windows 95 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Windows NT Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Macintosh Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Verifying Windows Driver Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Verifying Delta Control Panel Installation, PC & Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Audiophile 2496 System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Audiophile 2496 Analog Input/Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

The Digital Monitor Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

The Patchbay / Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Using the Audiophile 2496 with your Software Application . . . . . . . . . . .13

Audiophile 2496 Control Panel Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Monitor Mixer Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Patchbay/Router Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Hardware Settings Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

S/PDIF Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

About Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Save, Delete, Load Buttons; H/W Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Audiophile 2496 Recording Tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Typical Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Transferring from DAT to Audiophile 2496 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Transferring from Audiophile 2496 to DAT, monitoring with DAT . . .29

Audiophile 2496 MIDI Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Troubleshooting Tips for Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Appendix A- Technical Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Limited Lifetime Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Audiophile 2496. The Audiophile 2496 is a part of the “Delta” series of digital recording systems and interfaces, designed and manufactured by M Audio, and therefore benefits from the same solid hardware and software driver technology as the other members of the Delta series.

Even if you are experienced in digital recording, please take the time to read this manual. It will give you valuable information on installing your new card and the supporting software, plus help you to fully understand the function and usability of the Audiophile 2496. Once you’re up and running, you will quickly discover the

power and brilliance, both in sound and design, of your new Audiophile 2496.

What’s in the Box?

Your Audiophile 2496 box contains:

• This instruction manual.

• One Audiophile 2496 PCI adapter card.

• One Audiophile 2496 break-out cable for S/PDIF and MIDI connections.

• CD or diskette containing software drivers and Delta Control Panel software for Windows 98/95/NT and Macintosh OS 8.5.1 or higher.

•M Audio Warranty Registration card.

About the Audiophile 2496 Digital Recording Interface with MIDI

The Audiophile 2496 gives you stereo (or dual mono) analog inputs and outputs, plus coaxial S/PDIF digital inputs and outputs for a total of 4 ins/ 4 outs of high quality audio I/O. All audio channels support 24-bit data width and any sampling rate from 8kHz to 96kHz. The Audiophile is compatible with all major software programs running on PC and Macintosh computers. The coaxial digital outputs are Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound capable, making the Audiophile the perfect “highend” sound card for digital recording, analog or digital transfers, mixing and mastering, as well as DVD and home theatre applications.

Connect a line-level signal from your instrument, mixer or pre-amp, or use the record outputs of your stereo receiver into the Audiophile’s analog RCA jacks located on the PCI card. Record a digital audio signal from your DAT, MiniDisc, CD, or external A/D converter via the Audiophile’s coaxial S/PDIF input located on the break-out cable. Control all routing and hardware settings with the Audiophile’s comprehensive Delta Control Panel software.

The Audiophile 2496’s break-out cable also includes MIDI I/O connectors. Provided are one input and one output for use with external MIDI equipment, such as sound modules and drum machines. The MIDI I/O may also be used to synchronize your computer to external devices via MIDI time code.

Within the Audiophile’s PCI chip is a hardware digital mixer. Controlled by the included Delta Control Panel software, it may handle all of your routing needs, give you extra control of all left, right and stereo levels, in addition to control of pans, solos and mutes. The Delta Control Panel also lets you manipulate copy protection and other status bits in the S/PDIF output signal. In addition it allows you to configure the Audiophile’s internal clock as a master, or slave it to an incoming

S/PDIF sample rate.

Product Features & Specifications

• 4x4, 24-bit/96khz, full-duplex recording interface with MIDI I/O.

• Configured as a PCI adapter card with external break-out cable.

• 2x2 analog I/O accepts common unbalanced audio on RCA jacks.

•Break-out cable supports coaxial S/PDIF digital I/O and 1x1 (16 channel) MIDI operation.

• High analog dynamic range: D/A 104dB, A/D 100.4 dB (both Aweighted).

• All data paths support up to 24bit/96kHz performance, no upgrades necessary.

• Comprehensive digital mixing, routing, and monitoring capabilities with included Delta Control Panel software.

• Hardware sample-accurate sync will allow linking of multiple Audiophile and “Delta” series products.

•Windows 95/98 multi-card drivers with ASIO1 and ASIO2 multi-card, GSIF and EASI drivers included; Windows NT multi-card and Mac OS drivers with ASIO 1&2 also included.

Minimum System Requirements

•Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000 or ME. Mac OS 8.5.1 or higher.

• Pentium II 266MHz for 96kHz operation. Pentium 200 MMX for 48kHz or less.

• 128 MB of PC100 RAM for 96kHz operation. 64MB SDRAM for 48kHz or less.

• Mac G3 or G3 accelerator with 64 MB of RAM, 128 recommended. Some faster Power PCs will perform adequately.

• UDMA EIDE or fast SCSI HDD recommended.

PCI Adapter Card and Break-Out Cable:

1. Analog INS 1&2: These jacks input analog audio from a variety of external sources. Each jack is female RCA, compatible with common male RCA cables. During stereo operation, the IN1 jack (with white-colored insert) is the left audio channel and IN2 (with red-colored insert) is the right audio channel.

2. Analog OUTS 1&2: These jacks output analog audio to a variety of external sources. Each jack is female RCA, compatible with common male RCA cables. During stereo operation, the OUT1 jack (with white-colored insert) is the left audio channel and OUT2 (with red-colored insert) is the right audio channel.

3. Host Cable connector and Break-Out Cable: This 15-pin D-sub connector accepts the supplied break-out cable to provide S/PDIF and MIDI connectors.

4. Coaxial S/PDIF Input: This RCA connector receives an S/PDIF stereo signal from your coaxial S/PDIF digital source such as a DAT, MiniDisc player or external A/D converter.

5. Coaxial S/PDIF Output: This RCA connector sends an S/PDIF stereo signal to your coaxial S/PDIF digital target device such as a DAT, MiniDisc player or external D/A converter. This output is also used as a Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC3) output for DVD or Home Theatre use.

6. MIDI Input: This 5-pin DIN accepts MIDI data from any external MIDI device, via a standard MIDI cable. Supports up to 16-channels of MIDI data on a single cable.

7. MIDI Output: This 5-pin DIN outputs MIDI data to any external MIDI device, via a standard MIDI cable. Supports up to 16-channels of MIDI data on a single cable.

Quick Guide to Getting Started

Here is what is required to get your Audiophile 2496 up and running:

1. Physically install the Audiophile 2496 card in your computer and connect the provided break-out cable (see ‘Hardware Installation’).

2. Start Windows and allow Windows’ Plug-and-Play to prompt you for the Audiophile 2496 drivers via the Add New Hardware wizard. Install drivers and support software (see ‘Windows Software Installation’).

3. On the Mac, drag the Delta extension to the Extensions folder, and the appropriate ASIO driver to your application’s ASIO folder. Restart. If not using ASIO, set the Sound Manager to Delta (see Mac Installation).

4. Configure your digital recording software to use the Audiophile 2496 as its active audio device (see ‘Using the Audiophile 2496 with your Software Application’ and also your software application’s manual).

5. Hook up your digital and analog audio gear (see ‘Audiophile 2496 Recording Tutorials’). Configure your Delta Control Panel software for proper monitoring and playback.

Hardware Installation

To mechanically install the Audiophile 2496, do the following:

1. Turn off your computer.

2. Remove the computer’s cover and position the computer so that you may easily access its PCI slots.

3. Select the PCI slot where you will install your Audiophile 2496 PCI host card. Make sure the slot is a PCI slot. If you don’t know what “PCI slot” means, check the owner’s manual for your computer. PCI slots are distinguishable from ISA slots by being shorter and set back farther from the outside of the computer, however some newer computers have only PCI slots.

4. Before removing the Audiophile 2496 PCI host card from its protective antistatic bag, touch the metal power supply case of the computer in order to dissipate any static electricity your body may have accumulated. You might want to pick up a grounding wrist strap (available from electronics stores like Radio Shack) if you want to be doubly sure you aren’t carrying a static charge that could damage the card.

5. Remove the metal bracket that covers the access hole on the back of the computer. This bracket is usually fastened to the computer with a single screw.

6. Position the Audiophile 2496 PCI host card over the target PCI slot and fit the card loosely over it with the card in the upright position. Press the card gently but firmly downward into the slot until the card is completely and squarely seated in the slot. If the card seems difficult to seat, a slight rocking motion may help.

7. Fasten the Audiophile 2496 PCI host card’s metal bracket down into the screw hole on the back of your computer using the screw you removed in step 5 above.

8. Place the cover back on your computer.

Now it is time to connect the Audiophile 2496 break-out cable to the PCI card that you have just installed. Never attach the break-out cable with the computer turned on. Doing so could damage the PCI card and/or computer, and void your warranty. Attach the break-out cable to the PCI host card, and secure with the screws that are

molded into the break-out cable.

Audiophile 2496 Driver & Software Installation

The Audiophile 2496 system includes a “Software Drivers CD” (or diskette) for Windows 98/95/NT and Macintosh, containing all Windows drivers, Macintosh drivers (including all ASIO drivers), and Delta Control Panel software. Some Audiophiles may come with drivers on floppy disk instead. If so, when following the driver installation procedures outlined below, substitute your computer’s floppy drive

letter for the CD’s drive letter. To install on your system, please follow these steps:

Windows 98 Installation

1. After installing the Audiophile 2496 hardware, boot your system and start Windows. During the Windows boot procedure, the new hardware will be automatically detected by the ‘Add New Hardware Wizard’, as shown here. Click ‘Next>’.

2. The ‘Add New Hardware Wizard’ will now ask how to locate the driver. “Search for the best driver for your device” is already selected. Click ‘Next>’.

3. Windows will give you a selection of locations to search. Make sure that only “Choose a Path” is checked, or click on the check box to do so. Insert the Drivers CD into your CD ROM drive. Type in the drive letter of your CD drive (we will assume here that it is D:\) and the path to the Delta drivers, which will be D:\DeltaSeries\Delta9X. Click ‘Next>’.

4. The ‘Wizard’reports that its Windows driver file search has found the M Audio Audiophile 2496. Click ‘Next>’.

5. Windows is now ready to install the driver files from the specified location. Click ‘Next>’. Windows will start to copy the files and show you a progress report screen.

6. The Wizard reports that Windows has finished installing the software. Click ‘Finish’. Your Audiophile 2496 is ready for action.

After completion of the driver installation, Windows may require you to restart Windows. If it does request a restart, remove the Drivers CD from the CD drive and respond by clicking “Yes”. The system will restart and your Audiophile 2496 is

ready for play.

Windows 95 Installation

1. After installation of the Audiophile 2496 hardware, boot your system and start Windows. During the Windows boot procedure, new hardware will be automatically detected.

2. Choose the Install of “driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer,” then click OK.

3. An ‘Install From Disk’ dialog will prompt you to copy files from the A:\ drive. Insert the Driver software CD into your CD ROM drive. Type in the drive letter of your CD drive (we will assume here that it is D:\) and the path to the Delta drivers, which will be D:\DeltaSeries\Delta9X. Click ‘Next>’.

4. Windows will start to copy files, with a progress indicator on the screen. Once this process completes itself, your Audiophile 2496 will be ready for action.

Windows NT Installation

1. Power up your computer after physically installing the Audiophile 2496 card.

2. Go to Start | Settings | Control Panel and double click on ‘Multimedia.’Click the ‘Devices’ tab, then click the ‘Add’ button.

3. “Unlisted or Updated Driver” will be highlighted at the top of the list. Click OK.

4. The ‘Install Driver’ box will prompt you to insert the driver disk, and the A: prompt will appear as the path. Insert the Drivers CD into your CD ROM drive. Type in the drive letter of your CD drive (we will assume here that it is D:\) and the path to the Delta drivers, which will be D:\DeltaSeries\Delta_NT. Click OK.

5. The “M Audio Delta Interface Card” driver will appear in the Add Unlisted or Updated Driver dialog box. Click OK.

6. Windows NTwill require you to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Choose “Restart Now.” Upon restart, your Audiophile 2496 will be ready for use.

Macintosh Installation

1. Open the System folder on your Macintosh hard drive. In the System folder, locate the Extensions folder.

2. On you Drivers CD disk, open the Delta Products folder, then the Audiophile 2496 folder. Place the extension file “Audiophile 2496 Driver” in your Extensions folder by clicking on it and dragging it to the Extensions folder.

3. If you are using a music program that uses ASIO drivers, it will also have an ASIO folder within the application’s folder. In your Mac Delta Drivers folder you will find three Audiophile 2496 ASIO drivers. For Cubase versions 4.x, use the “ASIO2 Delta Audiophile” driver. For Metro, or earlier versions of Cubase, use the “ASIO Delta Audiophile v3” driver. For any music program that is not ASIO2 capable, use the “ASIO Delta Audiophile” driver instead (check your program’s documentation). Place the file “ASIO Delta Audiophile” in your program’s ASIO folder by clicking on it and dragging it to the ASIO folder.

4. Drag the “DeltaPanel PPC” file onto your Macintosh hard drive. Y ou can run the Delta Control Panel from any place that’s convenient, though music software applications that use ASIO will allow you to launch the Delta panel from within the program. If not, we suggest creating an alias to the control panel by highlighting it and pressing Command (Apple key)+M. Then, drag the alias to the desktop.

5. With the Audiophile 2496 PCI card installed, restarting the computer will load the Audiophile 2496 extension. You will be able to visually see the Delta extension icon pass by as your system loads extensions.

6. Go to the Apple menu |Control Panel | Sound. You should see the “built-in” sound icon, plus the Delta icon if your Audiophile 2496 is properly installed. If your music program does use ASIO, leave the Sound Manager driver set to “built-in” for both Sound In and Sound Out. If your program does not use ASIO (check your software’s documentation) and you will be using the Sound Manager to communicate with your Audiophile 2496, set Sound In and Sound Out to “Delta.” See the section “Hardware Settings Page” in the Audiophile 2496 “Control Panel Software” section for information on selecting Sound Manger

inputs and outputs. Your Audiophile 2496 is now ready for use.

To configure the Audiophile 2496 for MIDI, you will need to have Opcode’s OMS (Open Music System) installed first. OMS is provided on the CD that came with the unit, or it can be downloaded from the Midiman website’s MIDISPORT drivers page. Opening the OMS 2.3.7 folder and double-clicking on the “Install OMS 2.3.7” program will install OMS in your system. To install the Delta MIDI driver once

OMS is properly installed:

1. Open the “Delta Products” folder on the driver CD, then the Delta Audiophile Mac folder. Locate the “Delta Audiophile OMS Driver.”

2. On your Macintosh hard drive, in your System folder, you will find an “OMS Folder.” Drag the Delta Audiophile OMS Driver into the OMS Folder.

3. Restart your computer.

To Configure your Audiophile 2496 MIDI in OMS, go to the Control Panel or Chooser under the Apple Menu, and make sure AppleTalk is turned off (this is recommended, although OMS will sense that it is on and prompt you to turn it off). If you are

configuring OMS for the first time, follow these instructions to configure OMS.

1. In the Opcode folder, which you will find on your hard drive, locate the OMS Applications folder, “then OMS Setup.” Double click on OMS Setup.

2. OMS will inform you that it has not yet been configured. Click OK.

3. The Create A New Studio Setup dialog box now appears. Click OK.

4. The “OMS Driver Search” box asks you to choose the port on which you’ve attached the Delta MIDI (either Modem or Printer). DO NOT choose a port, just click “Search.” OMS begins Searching.

5. “OMS Driver Setup” shows the “Delta” MIDI in a list when OMS successfully finds the driver. Click OK. OMS will now define (shows “Identifying”) the Delta output port. The “OMS MIDI Device Setup” dialog box will appear showing the Delta’s output port with a check box to the left of the port, indicating that the port is enabled. Now click on OK.

6. Next, the “My Studio Setup” appears with a ‘file save’ dialog box over it. You will now need to save your new Studio Setup before you can assign an instrument to the Delta’s MIDI output and input. Assign your instrument and

you are done. You may now exit OMS Setup by quitting the application.

Verifying Windows Driver Installation

Windows displays the Audiophile 2496 driver status in the Device Manager page of the System Properties dialog box. The Device Manager page is opened via the Windows Start button: select Start | Settings | Control Panel | System | Device Manager. With the Device Manager displayed, click on the ‘+’ next to “Sound, video and game controllers” to open a list of devices, the Audiophile 2496 being a device of that nature. Below is an example view of the Device Manager.

This example shows the M Audio Audiophile 2496 and Midiman Midisport 8x8/S (another product shown here only as an example) entries in the Windows Device Manager device list. The Audiophile 2496 is properly installed with no conflicts, as is the Midisport 8x8/S. If you do not see your M Audio Audiophile 2496 in your Device Manager in this fashion, please jump ahead to the “Troubleshooting” section of this manual.

Verifying Delta Control Panel Installation, PC & Mac

In Windows, open the Windows Control Panel (do so via Start | Settings | Control Panel). If your Audiophile 2496 hardware and Delta Control Panel software are properly installed, the Windows Control Panel should display an “M Audio Delta H/W” icon. By double-clicking on that icon, you may launch the Delta Control Panel software. Also for convenience, you may create a shortcut on your desktop by dragging a copy of the “M Audio Delta H/W” icon from the Control Panel to your Windows desktop using your mouse or trackball. After completing the drag operation, a dialog box will ask you if you wish to create a shortcut — click on ‘Y es’. Once the shortcut is installed, all you have to do is double-click on the shortcut icon

on your desktop to launch the Delta Control Panel software. On the Macintosh, the Delta Control Panel may be placed anywhere on your hard

drive, or any partition of your hard drive that you find convenient. Once the control panel file has been dragged from the CD onto your hard drive, you may double click it to launch the Delta Control Panel software. You may create an alias to the control panel by highlighting it, then holding Apple key+M. This alias can then be placed

on your desktop.

NOTE: When using a music software program that is ASIO capable, launch the Delta Control Panel software from within that program. Some of the control panel functions will be controlled from within that program, such as master clock setting and sample rate, so it is desirable to launch the music program first, and then the Delta Control Panel from the program’s “launch” or “control panel” button. Without the music program open however, it is okay to open the Delta Control Panel from your

desktop or other location.

Audiophile 2496 System Overview

Audiophile 2496 Analog Input/Outputs

The Audiophile 2496 Digital Recording Interface’s analog inputs and outputs are compatible with a variety of audio products. All analog jacks on the Audiophile 2496 PCI card are female RCA. The RCA jacks allow connection to unbalanced

(typically consumer or semi-pro) equipment.

NOTE: In order to preserve its high dynamic range and minimize distortion, the Audiophile 2496 does not have microphone preamplifiers built into it. Therefore direct connection to a microphone is not recommended. Instead pass the microphone signal through a microphone pre-amp (such as the M Audio DMP2™) and then connect the pre-amp output to the input of the Audiophile 2496.

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