M-AUDIO DMAN User Manual
Contents
FCC Class B/European CE Compliance ............................... 3
Introduction ...................................................................... 4
What’s In the Box ............................................................... 4
Quick Start ........................................................................ 5
About the DMAN .............................................................. 5
Digital Audio Features of DMAN ....................................... 6
About Plug-and-Play ......................................................... 7
The Solution ................................................................ 7
PnP Theory of Operation .............................................. 8
About Digital Recording .................................................... 8
Digital Recording Dos and Don’ts ................................. 9
DMAN Connections ......................................................... 10
DMAN Block Diagram ............................................... 11
Hardware Installation ...................................................... 12
DMAN Connections ................................................... 12
DMAN Typical Setup ................................................. 13
Daughterboard Installation (optional) ......................... 14
Windows 3.1x Software .................................................... 15
Driver and Utilities Installation ................................... 15
Windows 3.1x Driver Control Panel ............................ 19
Audio Setup for Non-PnP Computers ......................... 19
Audio Setup for Computers with PnP ......................... 20
MIDI (MPU401 ) Setup ............................................... 21
Windows 3.1x Utility Applications .............................. 22
Audio Input Control Panel ......................................... 22
Audio Mixer Control Panel ......................................... 24
The Audio Transport .................................................. 26
Defining a New Audio File ......................................... 28
The User-defined Audio Transport Button ................... 29
Sound Check Application ........................................... 30
Windows 95 Software ...................................................... 31
Driver Installation ...................................................... 31
Windows 95 Configuration ......................................... 32
Windows 95 Mixer (WSS Mixer) ................................. 33
WSS Playback (Master Out) Mixer ........................ 33
WSS Properties Page ............................................ 34
WSS Recording (Wave Input) Mixer ...................... 35
Windows Sound Recorder .......................................... 36
DOS Software Utilities ..................................................... 38
DMAN Diagnostics Utility ......................................... 38
Diagnostics Parameters Box .................................. 38
Diagnostics Test Box ............................................ 39
DMAN DOS Mixer Utility .......................................... 39
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DMAN with 3rd Party Applications .................................. 41
Audio Formats ................................................................ 42
Troubleshooting .............................................................. 43
DOS Troubleshooting ....................................................... 45
Windows 3.1x Troubleshooting ......................................... 47
Windows 95 Troubleshooting ........................................... 49
Appendix - Technical Specs .............................................. 51
Limited Lifetime Warranty ............................................... 52
2
FCC Class B/European CE Compliance
WARNING: This equipment 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 reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions contained in this
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio and television
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures: 1) reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna; 2) increase the separation between the equipment and the
receiver; 3) connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that of the receiver; 4) consult the dealer or an experienced audio
television technician.
NOTE: Connecting this device to peripheral devices that do not comply
with CLASS B requirements or using an unshielded peripheral data cable
could also result in harmful interference to radio or television reception.
The user is cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's
authority to operate this equipment.
To ensure that the use of this product does not contribute to interference,
it is necessary to use shielded I/O cables.
FCC ID#: IMJDMAN
This product also complies with European CE requirements.
3
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a DMAN Digital Audio
Card and welcome to the world of Digital Hard Disk Recording.
Please take the time to read this manual before installing your
new card. There is a lot of valuable information in here about
installing your new card and getting it working. If you take the
time now to familiarize yourself with the installation and features
of the card, it can save a lot of time and frustration. We know that
you're eager to get started recording so we'll try and cover the
important stuff first!
What's in the Box?
Your DMAN box contains:
Instruction Manual
DMAN Adapter Card
MIDI Interface Cable
2 Disks for Windows 3.1x installation
1 Disk for Windows 95 installation
Midiman Warranty Registration Card
IMPORTANT: It's very important that you fill out the included
Warranty Registration Card and mail or fax it to us. Registering
your DMAN will help us to give you the best possible service
and support.
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Quick Start Guide
Here's a list of the things you will need to do to get started:
1. Physically install the card in your computer.
(Hardware Installation)
(DMAN Typical Setup)
2. Install drivers and support software.
(Windows 3.1x Software)
(Windows 95 Software)
(DOS Software)
3. If things aren't working, run the diagnostic software.
(DMAN Diagnostics Utility)
(Troubleshooting)
(DOS Troubleshooting)
4. Configure your digital recording software.
(see your software manual)
About the DMAN
The DMAN is a full-featured, yet low-cost digital audio card with
a built-in MPU401 interface and a header for an optional
wavetable synthesis daughterboard. The DMAN features 16-bit
stereo sampling at various frequencies from 5.53 to 48 kHz, fullduplex digital audio, 64 times oversampled D/A and A/D
converters, and an onboard analog mixer.
The DMAN uses the world’s first Plug-and-Play chip set for
digital audio and includes a subset of the Windows Sound
System 2.0 architecture. Also, the Windows ’95 driver software
fully supports DirectSound.
For those of you who don’t speak digital audio tech (yet), we’ll
define some terms here:
A/D and D/A converters: A/D stands for Analog to Digital and
D/A means Digital to Analog. The higher the bit rate and the
greater the oversampling rate, the better the audio
reproduction. DMAN specifications are equivalent to those of
an audio CD.
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Full duplex: the ability to record and playback at the same
time. If you are using a multi-track digital recording program,
such as Samplitude, SAW, or Cakewalk Audio, this is a very
important feature. Full duplex would, for example, allow you
to hear previously recorded vocal tracks while you’re recording
the harmonies.
MPU401 : a standard for MIDI interfaces, developed by Roland
Corporation, back in the early days of MIDI. This is the most
common PC MIDI interface under DOS. Under Windows, MPU
type interfaces run in UART (sometimes called “dumb”) mode.
Windows Sound System (WSS): Microsoft released the
Windows Sound System audio adapter in 1992. Its features
include a 16-bit stereo A/D converter, 16-bit stereo D/A
converter, data compression and de-compression, analog audio
mixing, microphone and line-level input, line-level output and
a high-throughput system interface.
Digital Audio Features of DMAN
• 16 or 8 bit stereo digital audio recording and playback.
Selectable sampling rates from 5.3 kHz to 48 kHz
• Interrupt and DMA driven simultaneous recording and
playback.
• Dynamic range exceeding 80 dB with digital interpolation
filter and dynamic filtering programmable according to
sampling rate.
• 16-bit hardware ADPCM, µLaw and ALaw compression and
de-compression.
• Software-selectable input source with individual mute and
volume control. Mixing of various audio sources (Stereo Linein, Stereo Aux Input, Stereo Wave Synthesis music – via
daughterboard connector, and Internal DAC) for recording.
• Software-controlled output mixing of all audio sources with
individual volume controls.
• Master volume control with up to 64 dB of attenuation (in 64
attenuation steps of 1 dB each).
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About Plug-and-Play
The PC ISA bus architecture requires allocation of memory and
I/O address spaces, DMA channels, and interrupt request (IRQ)
lines among all peripherals, yet there are no defined hardware or
software mechanisms for allocating these resources. As a result,
configuration of ISA cards is typically done with DIP switches
and jumpers that change the decode maps for memory and I/O
space and steer the DMA and IRQ signals to different pins on the
ISA bus. System configuration files usually need to be manually
updated to reflect these settings for each peripheral device in the
system.
Investigating the many device settings and properly configuring
the system is no small task. Usually when new devices are added
to the system, there are configuration conflicts that cause the
computer to work erratically or not at all. Users typically resolve
configuration conflicts by consulting complicated documentation
provided with the each adapter card, contacting the supplier's
technical support group, consulting a friend, or giving up in
disgust. Even trained engineers can find the ISA configuration
process unreliable and frustrating. Microsoft estimates that nearly
half of its technical support calls relate to this type of hardware
installation problem. As next generation expansion cards are
introduced, including multi-function versions with wavetable
music synthesis, hi-fidelity audio, MPEG audio/video &
FAX/modem capabilities, more systems resources than ever
before will be required, causing even more conflicts over system
resources.
The Solution
In 1993 the Plug-and-Play (PnP) specification was proposed as a
solution to the ISA resource conflict problem. PnP defines a
means for the computer to communicate with its various installed
devices and resolve any potential resource conflicts. In theory,
with a working system PnP, adapter jumpers and DIP switches
are a thing of the past and compliant hardware will be configured
automatically or with little user intervention. PnP works with
existing bus architectures and is widely supported by the
industry. To gain the full benefits of PnP, you will need a PnP
compliant operating system (Windows 95), system BIOS,
motherboard, and adapter card(s). Older non-compliant ISA
expansion cards (called “legacy” cards) will function in PnP
systems as well, but will still require some manual configuration.
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PnP Theory of Operation
Think of PnP as digital aspirin. Device configuration occurs
transparently in an all-PnP environment. At bootup, the BIOS and
the operating system detect changes and attempt to allocate
resources, eliminating the need to manually configure resources
such as IRQ lines, DMA channels, I/O ports and memory space.
Peripheral adapter cards are put to "sleep" and are then
individually queried regarding which resources are
programmable and over what ranges they may be programmed.
The PnP BIOS will then build a conflict-free resource assignment
list for all PnP devices, update a stored working-configuration
database, activate the peripheral devices, then start the operating
system (Windows 95 for example) which loads the device drivers
with the provided configuration information.
About Digital Recording
If you've only done analog recording before, you're in for a treat.
If you have done digital recording before, you can skip over this
section (our feelings won't be hurt).
As taught in high school science class, sound is composed of
waves of changing pressure (level) and frequency (pitch). Analog
recording captures these waves in their entirety and records them
as variations in magnetic flux (tape) or variations in depth (good
old fashioned vinyl). On playback, analog recording adds noise
to the recorded sound at relatively high levels (tape has
background hiss, vinyl has surface noise); it therefore causes a
low signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. Because this noise level is
comparatively high, the dynamic range (soft to loud) of the
recording is decreased.
On the other hand, digital recording samples the sound waves
(typically 44,100 times per second or at a rate of 44.1 kHz) and
records the sounds as digital data. This numeric data can be
stored on a hard or floppy disk, DAT tape, CD, or any other
common data storage media. During digital playback, no noise is
added by the recording medium. This results in a much greater
S/N ratio and greatly increased dynamic range over analog
methods. The end result is cleaner, quieter recordings. The only
noise present in the digital realm is any noise introduced by the
D/A converter and this varies according to the quality of the
converter or the board design. Using quality components and
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design practices as in the DMAN, the only way to make a noisy
digital recording is to add the noise yourself!
Digital Recording Dos and Don’ts
Meters are not meant to ever go into the red. Digital recording is
very unforgiving of clipping. Unlike analog systems, where tape
saturation gives a nice smooth compression, digital distortion
sounds like someone is breaking a pane of glass in your ear.
Make sure that you give yourself lots of headroom both when
recording and mixing. You’ve got all that dynamic range -- use it.
Measure twice, cut once. With most hard disk recording
software, like the version of Samplitude that is bundled with the
DMAN Digital Studio, you will be doing your mixing in the
program. Because you won’t be able to run each track to
outboard gear (effects, compression, etc.) when mixing, you want
each track to sound right when you record it. Take your time to
make sure that mic position, EQ, and effects settings are exactly
what you want when tracking. “Fix it in the mix.” hardly ever
works, anyway.
Know your signal chain. Some programs set the levels
internally, others use the Windows level controls. Make sure you
know which is which. If you are not getting the levels you
expect, retrace your signal chain and make sure that you are
adjusting levels in the correct places.
Plan ahead. Think about tracking ahead of time and decide in
what order you are going to record the tracks. Keep a track list.
Use it to make notes when you are recording (where you might
need to punch in and out, etc.). With hard disk recording you
don’t have to worry about the bass track bleeding into the vocal
track or whether the heads have the same response on different
tracks, but you still want to have a plan.
Back up your work. Sure, most editing functions with HDR
systems are non-destructive, but some are not. If you are doing a
lot of editing, (or even if you’re not, but don’t want to take any
chances) back up your audio tracks. Audio takes up a lot of disk
space, so you might want to have a large format removable drive
(Iomega Zip or Jaz, Syquest EZ Flyer for example) on which to
store audio files.
Optimize your disk often. Fragmented audio files can cause
problems.
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DMAN Connections (see DMAN Block Diagram below)
1. Aux Line Input – A 10k ohm, stereo, line level 1/8” jack.
Handles input voltages up to 2 volts rms. Normal
connections to this jack would be from the line level outputs
of a mixer, mic preamp, the recording outs of an instrument
amplifier or a CD player. The Aux Input is normally mixed
with the line output and is not recorded when audio
recording is enabled.
2. Line Input – A 10k ohm, stereo, line level 1/8” jack. Handles
input voltages up to 2 volts rms. Normal connections to this
jack could be from the line level outputs of a mixer, external
mic preamp, the recording outs of an instrument amplifier or
a CD player.
3. Mic Input - An unbalanced, mono, 1/8” jack. The
microphone input feeds a preamp with 18 dB signal boost,
allowing for better dynamic range with microphones having
low gain.
4. Line Output – A stereo, line/headphone level 1/8” jack
which provides a maximum output voltage of 2 volts rms.
Normally this jack would be connected to an external
amplifier and speakers, self-powered multimedia speakers, a
DAT or other stereo mixdown recorder or headphones.
5. MIDI Interface – The included MIDI Interface Cable, when
connected to the MIDI Interface connector on the DMAN
board, provides standard MIDI In and MIDI Out (5-pin DIN)
connectors. Normal these MIDI connections will go to a MIDI
keyboard or tone module. Functionally, the MIDI interface
operates as a standard MPU401 “UART mode” MIDI
interface.
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DMAN Block Diagram
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Hardware Installation
To mechanically install the DMAN do the following:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Remove the cover and position the computer so that you can
easily access its ISA slots.
3. Select the ISA slot where you will install your DMAN card.
Make sure it is a 16 bit ISA slot. If you don't know what “16
bit ISA slot” means, check the owner’s manual for your
computer. A 16 bit slot consists of two in-line edgeconnectors instead of one.
4. Before removing the DMAN from its protective anti-static
bag, touch the metal power supply case of the computer in
order to dissipate any static electricity charge 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 some of the chips
on 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 DMAN card over the target ISA slot and fit the
card loosely over it with the DMAN card upright. 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. Screw the DMAN'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.
DMAN Connections (see Typical Setup Diagram below)
1. Connect the Line Out from the DMAN to the tape return jack
of your mixer, or to your amplifier, multimedia speakers, or
whatever else you may be using to amplify the sound. To
avoid a potential audio “pop”, it is a good idea to turn off
the amplifier or self-powered speakers before connecting to
Line Out.
2. Connect the tape send of your mixer, or Line Out of another
audio source, to the Line In jack of DMAN.
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3. Connect the DMAN MIDI Interface Cable to the matching
DMAN connector at the back of the computer. Use the
thumb screws on the cable assembly to attach it securely to
the DMAN. If you don’t plan on using external MIDI, this
step is not necessary.
4. Attach any MIDI devices you have by connecting the MIDI
Out of your controller keyboard to the MIDI In of the
DMAN and MIDI Out connector of the DMAN to the MIDI
In on your keyboard or tone module. If you don’t plan on
using external MIDI, this step is not necessary.
5. Move your computer back to its original position. You may
now turn on your computer.
DMAN
DMAN Typical Setup
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Daughterboard Installation (optional)
DMAN provides a (26-pin header) daughterboard connector (see
diagram 2) for installation of an optional wavetable synthesis
daughterboard. The daughterboard interface is compliant with
most de facto industry-standard daughterboards. Adding this
daughterboard will give you built-in General MIDI (GM)
synthesis and enable you to combine (with the use of appropriate
software) MIDI sequenced sound with digitally recorded audio
produced by DMAN.
1. As above, turn off the computer, open the case, and make
sure you are grounded.
2. Locate the DMAN card in your computer.
3. Remove the bracket screw that is holding the DMAN in place.
4. Gently pull the DMAN straight out of the slot. If it is a tight
fit, once again use a slight rocking motion.
5. With DMAN in front of you, remove the daughterboard from
its anti-static bag and carefully align the header socket on the
daughterboard with the header pins on DMAN. Make sure
that the daughterboard is properly oriented so it is “inboard”
to the DMAN card. If any part of the daughterboard extends
beyond the DMAN PC board boundaries you have put the
board on backwards.
6. Following the instructions for Mechanical Installation,
reinstall DMAN in your computer.
Once the daughterboard is installed, it will take MIDI data from
the MPU401 section of DMAN. Choosing the DMAN MPU401
MIDI driver from your sequencing software (or MIDI Mapper)
will direct MIDI output to the daughterboard. The same MIDI
data will also appear at the DMAN MIDI Out connector.
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Windows 3.1x Software
Driver and Utilities Installation
Included with DMAN is a set of Windows 3.1x Drivers and
Applications diskettes which contain the Windows 3.1x drivers,
Windows 3.1x utility applications, and DOS software utilities.
The installation program on the first disk, SETUP.EXE, is run
from Windows 3.1x and installs all the Windows and DOS
software items. SETUP.EXE guides you through the installation
process and assists in configuring the sound driver’s parameters
to match the DMAN hardware configuration. To install the
Windows 3.1x drivers, Windows 3.1x utilities, and DOS utilities,
please follow these steps:
1. Insert the Windows 3.1x installation Disk 1 into drive A: (or
B:).
2. From within the Windows Program Manager, select the Run
option from the File pull-down menu.
3. When prompted, type the drive, directory and name of the
installation program to be run, for example:
4. Press the [ENTER] key or click on [OK]. The Setup program
will now uncompress any files required for installation.
5. The DMAN files may be installed anywhere on your system.
When prompted for a destination directory for your files (see
diagram below), it is convenient to select the default of
C:\MIDIMAN\DMAN as the directory. Then press the
“Next>“ button.
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6. After you have selected the destination directory, the Setup
program begins to copy the DMAN software there. As each
software item is installed, its name is displayed. Also a
percentage is displayed, indicating the percentage completion
of the total installation.
7. Once all the files are installed from the first disk, Setup will
prompt you for Disk 2. Remove Disk 1, insert Disk 2 and
continue the installation by pressing the [ENTER] key. File
installation will continue until the Setup program is ready to
do its hardware configuration.
8. If your system does not have a PnP BIOS, you will be required
to set the DMAN Windows driver parameters manually.
Otherwise, if your system does have a PnP BIOS, skip this
step.
IMPORTANT:
result from attempting to use system resources (address
locations, IRQs and DMAs) already in use by other
hardware or software in the system. See the
“Troubleshooting” section for typical settings and
conflicts.
After all files are installed, the configuration dialog is
displayed for non-PnP systems. The default driver
Most sound card installation problems
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