M-AUDIO EQMan User Manual

Table of Contents

Error! No table of contents entries found.FCC Radio and

Television Interference Statement for a Class 'B' Device

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not
installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions, may cause interference to radio and television
reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a
CLASS 'B' computing device in accordance with the specifications in
Subpart B of FCC Rules and Regulations (as outlined in the Code of Federal
Regulation, Title 47), which are designed to provide reasonable protection
against such interference in a residential installation.

If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and then 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 a different outlet so that the equipment and
receiver are on different branch circuits; 4) ensure that the card mounting
screws, connector attachment screws and all ground wires are secured and
tight; and 5) consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for
help.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

This device complies with Part 15, of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received including interference that
may cause undesired operation. Its FCC identification number is:

IMJEQMAN

Note: This product was FCC certified under test conditions that included

the use of shielded I/O cables and connectors between system components.
To be in compliance with FCC regulations, the user must use shielded
cables and connectors sand install them properly.

This product also complies with European CE requirements.

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Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Midiman EQMan
Programmable Graphic Equalizer! The EQMan’s revolutionary hardware
and software design allows your PC to apply graphic equalization to any
stereo audio source under the complete control of your computer. Its
features include:

∑ Stereo inputs and outputs,
∑ 7-band analog graphic equalization per channel,
∑ Individual 128-position volume faders per output channel for

accurate control of your music levels,

∑ Auxiliary stereo inputs mixed with EQ output stage,
∑ Requires no IRQ or DMA resources,
∑ Completely controllable by MIDI software,
∑ Windows-compatible MIDI driver included,
∑ Windows Remote Control software included.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this product
or any MIDIMAN product, we invite you to contact us directly at:

MIDIMAN
Technical Assistance: [phone]

45 E. St. Joseph Street
Arcadia CA 91006-2861

Fax: [phone]
BBS: [phone]
CompuServe: MIDIBVEN Forum (Section 2)

ID# (for direct E-mail): 75300,3434

Internet Email [e-mail]
World Wide Web:

http://www.midifarm.com/midiman

We strongly urge you to thoroughly read this manual. Please read all of
the sections in this manual to completely understand EQMan operation
and its wide range of application.

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EQMan Features

The EQMan can be used to enhance a number of line-level audio
applications including the following:

• Use the programmability of EQMan in the effects loop of your
mixing board to automate mix downs.

• Use the EQMan to equalize the output of a PC soundcard.

• Use the EQMan with a MIDI sequencer to do automated filter
“sweeps” for interesting effects.

• Use the Dual Channel capability to Equalize two different
instruments such as a keyboard and one side of your CD player
to practice along with your favorite artists.

The three jacks on the rear of the EQMan are used to connect the unit to
any standard stereo line-level audio setup. All three are standard
multimedia-sized 1/8" stereo jacks. 1/8" stereo jacks were designed into
the EQMan instead of RCA jacks because of their acceptance in the
multimedia market and due to space limitations on the flange of the
standard PC-sized adapter card. The three jacks, from top to bottom, are
"Main In," "Main Out" and "Aux In".

If your gear uses stereo 1/4" phone jacks or pairs of mono 1/4" phone
jacks, you may get adapters to go from 1/4” to 1/8" plugs. These are
available at most electronics stores. Make sure you buy good quality
shielded cables and be aware of whether you need mono, stereo, and/or
mono/stereo converters.

“Main In” Jack

The “Main In” jack receives input from a line-level stereo source such as
the output of an audio mixer, PC sound card, or even a CD player. The
audio signals from this jack pass through the equalizer stage of the
board. On exit from the equalizer stage, the signal level is controlled by
the EQMan’s stereo volume control circuitry.

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“Aux In” Jack

The “Aux In” is an auxiliary input which bypasses the equalizer stage of
the board. Its line-level stereo signal feeds directly into the EQMan’s
stereo volume control circuitry, where it is mixed with the Main In
signal that exits the equalizer stage. Because the Aux In audio signals
bypass the equalizer stage of the board, they are not affected by the
equalizer settings of EQMan.

“Main Out” Jack

Main Out is a line-level stereo output that may be connected to any
device that can accept a line-level stereo signal, such as a sound card line
input, an input on your mixer, or your tape deck. The audio signal at
the Main Out is sum of the equalizer section output (which Main In
passes through) and the Aux In signal.

Fig. 0 here

EQMan Block Diagram

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Hardware Installation

Each adapter card in a computer must reside at a unique “address” in
order for a computer to function properly. If two or more adapters are
set to respond at the same address (this is known as an “address

conflict”), the computer will operate in a random or inconsistent
manner, if at all. To avoid address conflicts, the EQMan board has a

configurable address, allowing it to be adjusted to work properly in
practically all personal computers. Address configuration is done by
installing/ uninstalling selected jumpers in the lower left-hand corner of
the board.

IMPORTANT: The address setting for the EQMan must be
determined and properly set on the card before you install the card into
your computer. Therefore, please read and follow the step-by-step

instructions given in this section before installing the card in your
computer.

Address Configuration

It is vital to make sure the "Address" is correctly set on the EQMan
card. The default factory setting for the card is *Address 300h*.
Address 300h was carefully chosen as the factory default address and
should not conflict with most installations. If you do not have a sound

card, MIDI interface card, network card or another EQMan already
installed in your computer, then chances are very good that you can
safely install the EQMan with the jumpers set to the factory default
address. If this is the case, install the card in an available 8- or 16-bit
slot and run the provided diagnostic software. If the card passes all
diagnostic tests, you may then install the Windows driver (see
"Windows" section) and begin rocking with EQMan.

If you do have a sound card, MIDI interface or network card, you are
probably still safe at the factory default address. In some systems,

however, the diagnostic software will detect an address problem and
then you will have to do a little more work to uncover just which
addresses are available for use by the EQMan.

The first step in this detective work is to determine which port addresses
are actually available in your computer. You may already know which
addresses are available, or you may need to run the utility program
FINDPORT.EXE on the included diskette. This program, as well as the
diagnostic software, should be run from DOS for best results. That
means exit Windows to DOS , not run the programs from a “DOS box”

within Windows. If Windows is in memory when running diagnostics,
it usually impairs a diagnostic program’s direct access to hardware -­this causes diagnostic software to give uncertain results.

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The program FINDPORT.EXE does its best to determine port addresses
available for use with the EQMan card. Choose one of the free addresses
reported by FINDPORT and use the chart below to set the EQMan
ADDRESS jumpers to that address. It’s also a good idea to write down
the selected address as well as some alternates. You may need these
addresses later to run the diagnostics and install the EQMan Windows
Driver.

ADDRESS Jumper Assignments

Address Jumper Block Position
(Hex) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Comments

200 In In In In In In Out Joystick
208 Out In In In In In Out
210 In Out In In In In Out
218 Out Out In In In In Out
220 In In Out In In In Out Sound Card
228 Out In Out In In In Out
230 In Out Out In In In Out
238 Out Out Out In In In Out
240 In In In Out In In Out
248 Out In In Out In In Out
250 In Out In Out In In Out
258 Out Out In Out In In Out
260 In In Out Out In In Out
268 Out In Out Out In In Out
270 In Out Out Out In In Out
278 Out Out Out Out In In Out LPT2

300 In In In In In Out Out Factory Default

308 Out In In In In Out Out
310 In Out In In In Out Out
318 Out Out In In In Out Out
320 In In Out In In Out Out
328 Out In Out In In Out Out
330 In Out Out In In Out Out Sound Card /401
338 Out Out Out In In Out Out
340 In In In Out In Out Out
348 Out In In Out In Out Out
350 In Out In Out In Out Out
358 Out Out In Out In Out Out
360 In In Out Out In Out Out
368 Out In Out Out In Out Out
370 In Out Out Out In Out Out
378 Out Out Out Out In Out Out LPT1

Factory Default Jumper Settings

The following diagram shows the ADDRESS jumper blocks on the
EQMan. The factory default ADDRESS is 300h.

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Fig. 1 here

Factory Default Jumper Settings

Physical Installation

The EQMan should be installed into your computer only after a
potential address setting for the card has been determined and properly
set on the card itself. Make sure you have performed the above
instructions related to address selection and that the EQMan jumpers
have been set accordingly. Only then should you proceed and
physically install the EQMan. When ready to install the EQMan in
your computer, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your computer.

2. Remove the cover and position the computer so you have easy access
to the slots.

3. Select the slot in which you wish to place your EQMan card (make
sure that it is an ISA slot. If you don’t know what “ISA slot” means,
check the owner’s manual of your computer) and remove the metal
bracket that covers the access hole on the back of the computer.

4. Position the EQMan card over the slot and fit the card loosely over it
with the EQMan card upright. Then press the card downward into
the slot gently but firmly until the card is completely and squarely
seated in the slot.

5. Screw the EQMan's metal bracket down into the screw hole on the
back of your computer.

6. Place the cover back on your computer.

7. If you want, at this point, you may connect the audio cables to the
back of the EQMan. We recommend that you label the free ends of
the cables so you won’t have to look at the back of the computer if
you have to re-patch your audio devices later.

8. Move your computer back to its original position. You may now
turn on your computer.

Diagnostic Software

Included with the EQMan is DOS diagnostic software. After the
EQMan has been configured and physically installed in your computer,
you should run the diagnostic software file EQMNDIAG.EXE -- its
purpose is to verify proper installation and operation of the EQMan
card.

IMPORTANT: Because Windows may disable direct access to the
EQMan hardware and cause the diagnostics to malfunction, the DOS
diagnostic program EQMNDIAG.EXE should only be run from the

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DOS prompt. If you are in Windows, exit Windows completely, to
DOS, then start the program from the DOS prompt.

When you run EQMNDIAG.EXE, you will see the main screen pictured
below. You may change the cursor (=>) line by pressing your
computer’s up/down arrows, then press the <Enter> key to cycle
through various parameter settings for that line. As a shortcut you may
also select a line by pressing the key associated with the first letter of
the desired line. For example, to shortcut to the Settings line, press the
‘S’ key on your computer’s keyboard.

Fig. 1.5 goes here

DOS Diagnostics Menu

In order for the diagnostics to run properly, you must set the program’s
BASE ADDRESS to match the base address set in the jumper block of
the EQMan. Place the (=>) cursor on the Base Address line of the
program and press <Enter> to toggle through the BASE ADDRESS
settings until you match the setting on your card.

Hardware Delay is used to tweak the speed at which the computer sends
commands to the EQMan. The factory default is 5 and will work for
almost all computers. If the diagnostics don't appear to operate
properly, you may have to increase the value to 10 or more. For more
information regarding hardware delay, see the Drivers Advanced Setup
section.

Passes sets the number of times the board will be tested. Try Passes=1
until you pass the tests once, then you may increase the Passes setting
to a higher value.

Aux In Tests runs a Volume Control test on the Auxiliary Input jack
signal. Before choosing this test, connect a known good audio source
to the Aux In jack of the EQMan. As the Aux In test runs, you will
hear the left and right channels’ volumes individually raised and
lowered. Listen to the audio output and verify it with what is being
displayed on the computer screen.

IMPORTANT: Before running the Aux In Tests or Main In Tests, the
EQMan Main Out jack must also be connected to an amplifier, mixer,
or other device that will allow you to monitor the audio output through
speakers or headphones.

Main In Tests runs an EQ and Volume Control test on the Main Input
jack signal. Before choosing this test, connect a known good audio
source to the Main In jack of the EQMan. As the Main In test runs,
you will hear the left and right channels’ volumes individually raised
and lowered. Next you will hear the test cycle through the bass, mid-

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range, and treble frequencies. Listen to the audio output and verify it
with what is being displayed on the computer screen.

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EQMan Software

The EQMan requires software in order to be a useful tool. There are
three groups of software included with the EQMan: Diagnostics,
Windows Remote Control, and the Windows drivers. Diagnostic
software is discussed in the Installation part of this manual, so this
section will address the operation and relation of the other software
items.

Drivers

MIDI application software communicates with the EQMan via software
“drivers.” A software driver handles the hardware-specific details of the
EQMan and frees the MIDI application from having to know the
“specifics” of the hardware. If an EQMan driver is not installed, most
applications will not be able to manipulate or control the EQMan in any
way.

NOTE: The DOS diagnostics supplied with the EQMan have their own
EQMan “drivers” built-in and therefore can control the EQMan without
having to install other specific drivers beforehand.

On the included EQMan Drivers and Utilities diskette, Midiman
supplies the EQMan Windows drivers. These drivers enable the use of
the EQMan with Windows 3.1/3.11 and Windows 95 programs that
comply with the Windows Multimedia driver standards.

IMPORTANT: The EQMan Windows software drivers must be
installed in order for the EQMan to be used effectively with Windows
applications.

If you encounter problems using the EQMan with Windows, verify that
the EQMan Windows driver is installed. In Windows this can be done
via the Windows Control Panel. For further information on setting up
drivers under Windows, see the Windows Driver Operation section
below.

Because Windows software and DOS software behave differently, DOS
applications can not rely on the same set of drivers as Windows.
Instead each DOS application requires its own unique (and usually
proprietary) software driver for each hardware device. Consequently, the
EQMan can only be used with a DOS program if a specific EQMan
driver is written for that program. Please contact the developer of your
favorite DOS-based application for availability of EQMan driver
support.

Windows Remote Control Software

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