miniDSP USBStreamer Box, USBStreamer Kit User Manual
USBSTREAMER
10-CHANNEL USB AUDIO INTERFACE
TOSLINK/ADAT
BOX VERSION
I2S/TOSLINK/ADAT
KIT VERSION
User Manual
miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 1
Revision
Description
Date
1.0
User manual – Initial version
20-06-2012
1.1
Mac OSx configuration
09-08-2012
1.2
Adding USBStreamer B information + Win8 setup
26-05-2014
1.3
Updated installation procedure, Mac firmware update
22 March 2016
1.4
More detailed I2S information
25 March 2016
1.5
TDM firmware details
28 Aug 2017
Revision history
miniDSP Ltd, Hong Kong / www.minidsp.com / Features and specifications subject to change without prior notice 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important Information ...............................................................................................................................................4
System Requirements – Windows ..........................................................................................................................4
System Requirements – Mac OS X..........................................................................................................................4
Disclaimer/Warning ................................................................................................................................................4
Warranty Terms ......................................................................................................................................................4
FCC Class B Statement ............................................................................................................................................4
CE Mark Statement .................................................................................................................................................5
A Note on this Manual ............................................................................................................................................5
1 Product Overview ................................................................................................................................................6
1.1 Firmware versions ......................................................................................................................................6
2 Connectivity .........................................................................................................................................................7
2.1 USB and optical (box and kit versions) .......................................................................................................7
2.2 I2S/TDM connectivity (kit version only) .....................................................................................................7
2.2.1 I2S/TDM Pinouts .................................................................................................................................8
2.2.2 I2S Clock lines .....................................................................................................................................9
2.2.3 TDM Clock lines ..................................................................................................................................9
2.2.4 I2S Data lines ......................................................................................................................................9
2.2.5 External power ................................................................................................................................ 10
3 Installation and Configuration – Windows ....................................................................................................... 11
3.1 Download ................................................................................................................................................ 11
3.2 USB driver installation ............................................................................................................................. 11
3.3 Loading firmware ..................................................................................................................................... 12
3.4 USBStreamer Control Panel ..................................................................................................................... 14
3.4.1 Status ............................................................................................................................................... 14
3.4.2 Format ............................................................................................................................................. 14
3.4.3 Clock source ..................................................................................................................................... 15
3.4.4 Buffer settings ................................................................................................................................. 15
3.4.5 Volume............................................................................................................................................. 16
3.4.6 Info ................................................................................................................................................... 17
4 Installation and Configuration – Mac OS X ....................................................................................................... 18
4.1 Loading firmware ..................................................................................................................................... 18
4.2 Configuration in Audio MIDI Setup ......................................................................................................... 21
4.2.1 I2S_TOSLINK firmware ..................................................................................................................... 21
4.2.2 ADAT_I2S firmware ......................................................................................................................... 23
4.2.3 LowSampleRate firmware ............................................................................................................... 24
5 Additional Information ..................................................................................................................................... 25
5.1 Specifications ........................................................................................................................................... 25
5.2 Obtaining support .................................................................................................................................... 25
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information before use. In case of any questions, please contact miniDSP via the support
portal at minidsp.desk.com
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS – WINDOWS
• 1GHz or higher processor clock speed recommended / Intel® Pentium®/Celeron® family, or AMD K6®/AMD
Athlon®/AMD Duron® family, or compatible processor recommended.
• 512 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended
• One free USB 2.0 port
• Microsoft• ® Windows® XP SP2/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS – MAC OS X
• Intel Core Duo processor or greater
• 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended
• One free USB 2.0 port
.
• Mac OS X 10.8 or greater
DISCLAIMER/WARNING
miniDSP cannot be held responsible for any damage that may result from the improper use or incorrect
configuration of this product. Please read this manual carefully to ensure that you fully understand how to operate
and use this product, as incorrect use or use beyond the parameters and ways recommended in this manual have
the potential to cause damage to your audio system.
Please also note that many of the questions we receive at the technical support department are already answered in
this User Manual and in the online application notes
carefully read this user manual and the online technical documentation. Thank you for your understanding!
on the miniDSP.com website. So please take the time to
WARRANTY TERMS
miniDSP Ltd warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year
from the invoice date. Our warranty does not cover failure of the product due to incorrect connection or installation,
improper or undocumented use, unauthorized servicing, modification or alteration of the unit in any way, or any
usage outside of that recommended in this manual. If in doubt, contact miniDSP prior to use.
FCC CLASS B STATEMENT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
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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. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause interference to radio 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:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Notice: Shielded interface cable must be used in order to comply with emission limits.
Notice: Changes or modification not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
CE MARK STATEMENT
The USBSTREAMER has passed the test performed according to European Standard EN 55022 Class B.
A NOTE ON THIS MANUAL
This User Manual is designed for reading in both print and on the computer. If printing the manual, please print
double-sided. The embedded page size is 8 ½” x 11”. Printing on A4 paper will result in a slightly reduced size.
For reading on the computer, we have included hyperlinked cross-references throughout the manual. In addition, a
table of contents is embedded in the PDF file. Displaying this table of contents will make navigation much easier:
• In Adobe Reader on Windows, click on the “bookmarks” icon at the left. The table of contents will appear on the
left and can be unfolded at each level by clicking on the “+” icons.
• In Preview on the Mac, click on the View menu and select Table of Contents. The table of contents will appear on
the left and can be unfolded at each level by clicking on the triangle icons.
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1 PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Thank you for purchasing a miniDSP USBStreamer USB audio interface. The USBStreamer comes in two versions.
The box version can be used in two modes by loading different firmware:
• Eight channels of input/output via optical (ADAT) connectors (this is the default when the USBStreamer B box
version is shipped from miniDSP), or
• Two channels (stereo) input/output via optical (TOSLINK) connectors
The kit version can be used in three modes:
• Eight channels of input/output via I2S header pins, and two channels of input/output via optical (TOSLINK)
connectors (this is the default when the USBStreamer kit board is shipped from miniDSP), or
• Eight channels of input/output via optical (ADAT) connectors, or
• Eight channels of input/output via I2S header pins, with support for sample rates as low as 8 kHz
Typical applications for the USBStreamer include hi-fi systems and recording studios. The kit version can be built into
multichannel DACs, ADCs and digital audio interfaces, with connection to the USBStreamer via the I2S headers.
1.1 FIRMWARE VERSIONS
The function of the USBStreamer depends on the specific firmware version loaded into it. There are three firmware
versions in the software download zip file. Please confirm that your USBStreamer has the correct firmware for your
application prior to use.
ADAT
These versions of the firmware will receive and transmit eight channels of audio in ADAT format via
the input and output optical connectors. The sample rate can be 44.1 or 48 kHz. This is the firmware
loaded into the USBStreamer B (box version) when it is shipped from miniDSP.
I2S/TOSLINK
These versions of the firmware will receive and transmit eight channels of audio over the I2S
headers and two channels over the optical connectors. The sample rate can be 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96,
176.4, or 192 kHz. (All channels must run at the same sample rate.) This is the firmware loaded into
the USBStreamer circuit board (kit version) when it is shipped from miniDSP.
Low Sample Rate
These versions of the firmware will receive and transmit eight channels of audio over the I2S
headers. (The optical connectors are not active.) They will support low sample rates, down to 8 kHz,
as well as all standard sample rates up to 192 kHz.
TDM
The Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) format packetizes multiple channels of audio in one frame. It’s
similar to I2S but in multichannel .The TDM format is for 8ch audio in/out at 44.1/48k.
Each firmware version includes files with two different IDs. If two USBStreamers are to be connected to the same
computer, make sure that each has firmware with a different ID.
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2 CONNECTIVITY
2.1 USB AND OPTICAL (BOX AND KIT VERSIONS)
Connect as shown (for either box or kit version). The optical input and output will receive and transmit either stereo
SPDIF or 8-channel ADAT, depending on the loaded firmware.
2.2 I2S/TDM CONNECTIVITY (KIT VERSION ONLY)
I2S, or Inter-IC Sound, is a simple protocol used to carry digital audio information between digital chips (ICs) and
circuit boards. The USBStreamer circuit board provides 8 channels of I2S input and 8 channels of I2S output via a 12pin header. All channels can operate simultaneously at sample rates of up to 192 kHz. I2S pinouts are shown on the
next page.
Please note that I2S connectivity is intended for advanced DIY use only. You will need the knowledge to understand
digital clocking and wiring, and have access to the equipment necessary to be able to debug any issues you may run
into. (While miniDSP always tries to help its customers, it is infeasible for us to debug your circuit and wiring for
you.)
Be sure to take the following precautions when designing your I2S interface and wiring:
General I2S usage notes
• Unbuffered I2S lines must be kept short to ensure clock and data integrity.
• If driving longer lines, buffers may be required for the clock signals (MCLK, LRCLK, and BLCK).
• Observe correct grounding and shielding, and keep analog and digital grounds separated.
• Ensure that the clock ratios (as listed on the next page) are compatible with connected circuits.
Clock master
The USBStreamer always operates as clock master – that is, the clock lines are always outputs. The connected
circuitry must therefore use the clocks provided by the USBStreamer.
3.3V logic level
All lines use a 3.3V logic level. Ensure that connected circuits use a compatible level (1.8V, for example, will not
work).
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Pin
Description
Pin
Description
1
I2S data OUT Ch 1&2 / TDM Out
1 Ground (GND)
2
I2S data IN Ch 1&2 / TDM In
2 NC 3 I2S data OUT Ch 3&4
3 Ground (GND)
4
I2S data IN Ch 3&4
4 NC 5 I2S data OUT Ch 5&6
5 NC
6
I2S data IN Ch 5&6
6 GPIO (future)
7
I2S data OUT Ch 7&8
7 GPIO (future)
8
I2S data IN Ch 7&8
8 RST (negative low)
9
Master clock (MCLK OUT)
9 GPIO (future)
10
Bit clock out (BCLK)
10
GPIO (future)
11
Ground (GND)
11
Ground (GND)
12
I2S frame sync (LRCLK)
12
5V external power
2.2.1 I2S/TDM Pinouts
The USBStreamer circuit board has two 12-pin headers located between the optical ports. All I2S lines are on J1,
while J2 carries auxiliary signaling and GPIO lines reserved for future enhancement. The I2S lines are explained in
detail on the next page.
Note that all I2S lines are 3.3V logic levels. Connected circuits must use a compatible logic level.
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