TerraTec DMX User Manual

English Manual

Version 1.1, Status 10.09.99

CE declaration

We:

TerraTec Electronic GmbH, Herrenpfad 38, D-41334 Nettetal, Germany

hereby declare that the product:

SoundSystem DMX

to which this declaration refers is in compliance with the following standards or standardizing documents:

1. EN 55022

2. EN 50082-1

The following are the stipulated operating conditions and environmental conditions for said compliance:

Residential, business and commercial environments and small-company environments.

This declaration is based on:

Test report(s) of the EMC testing laboratory

TerraTec® ProMedia, SoundSystem Gold, SoundSystem Maestro, SoundSystem Base1, AudioSystem

64, XLerate, Base2PCI, TerraTec 128iPCI, TerraTV+, WaveSystem, MIDI Smart, and MIDI Master Pro

EWS are trademarks registered by TerraTec

Electronic GmbH Nettetal.

In most cases, the designations used in this handbook for software and hardware are also registered trademarks and are thus subject to the relevant regulations.

©TerraTec

Meticulous care has been exercised in the preparation of all text passages and illustrations in this User Guide. TerraTec Electronic GmbH and its authors, however, accept no liability, legal or otherwise, for errors or the consequences of such errors. We reserve the right to technical modifications.

All text passages in this documentation are copyrighted. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, by photography, microfilming or other process or rendered into a language/form usable by computers without the prior, written consent of the authors. All rights for use and propagation by presentation, radio and television are also reserved.

2 SoundSystem DMX

For all little rascals.

And those who want to be like them:

http://www.terratec.net/jobs ;-)

SoundSystem DMX 3

4 SoundSystem DMX

Contents

Greetings and Salutations..........................................................................................................................7

Installation. ............................................................................................................................................... 9

Card Diagram.................................................................................................................................. 10

Connecting the Digital Expansion Module ...................................................................................... 11

Installing the ActiveRadio Module..................................................................................................12

Connecting a WavetableDaughter Board........................................................................................12

Installing the Card. .........................................................................................................................13

Driver Installation........................................................................................................................... 15

Installation in Windows 95A (OSR1).....................................................................................16

Installation in Windows 95B (OSR2).................................................................................... 17

Installation in Windows 98. .................................................................................................19

Uninstalling the Driver in Windows 95 and 98. ....................................................................21

Installing in Windows NT 4.0. ............................................................................................. 22

Driver is installed – this is what it looks like. ...................................................................... 24

The Card Connections and Their Application........................................................................................... 26

Line Outs. .......................................................................................................................................27

The Basics........................................................................................................................... 27

Headphones........................................................................................................................ 28

4 Speakers.......................................................................................................................... 29

The Playback Driver. ........................................................................................................... 29

Speaker Position for optimal 3D Sound. ............................................................................. 30

Internal Output Jack Taps. .................................................................................................. 30

Line Input. ......................................................................................................................................31

The Basics............................................................................................................................31

Connecting and Recording from a Record Player. ................................................................31

Internal Input Jack Taps. ..................................................................................................... 32

Microphone Input. ......................................................................................................................... 33

The Basics........................................................................................................................... 33

Misunderstandings............................................................................................................. 33

Internal Microphone Input Taps.......................................................................................... 34

The Digital Output. ........................................................................................................................ 35

The Basics........................................................................................................................... 35

DIG OUT Mode. ...................................................................................................................36

Copy Protection. ................................................................................................................. 36

Backup................................................................................................................................ 36

The Digital Input.............................................................................................................................37

The Basics........................................................................................................................... 37

Stuff Worth Knowing ..................................................................................................................... 38

AES/EBU to S/PDIF............................................................................................................. 39

S/PDIF to AES/EBU............................................................................................................. 39

The CD Audio Connections............................................................................................................. 40

The Basics........................................................................................................................... 40

The AUX Input................................................................................................................................. 41

The Basics............................................................................................................................41

The Wavetable Connection and Internal Synthesizer..................................................................... 42

Information on the integrated wavetable and the future of sound synthesis...................... 42

The MIDI Driver................................................................................................................... 43

SoundSystem DMX 5

The TAD (Telephone Answering Device) Input................................................................................44

The Basics. ..........................................................................................................................44

The Joystick/MIDI Interface............................................................................................................45

The Basics. ..........................................................................................................................45

MIDI.....................................................................................................................................45

The Circuitry of the MIDI Interface.......................................................................................46

The Radio Connection. ...................................................................................................................47

Recording ............................................................................................................................47

Stuff Worth Knowing ...........................................................................................................47

Software Overview. ..................................................................................................................................48

The DMX ControlPanel. ..................................................................................................................49

Basic Operating Instructions ...............................................................................................49

Using the Mouse. ................................................................................................................50

Loading and Saving. ............................................................................................................50

Cool Keys– the hotkeys. ...................................................................................................... 51

Volume Control.................................................................................................................... 51

Mute.................................................................................................................................... 51

Selecting Recording Source................................................................................................. 51

Digital Interface Functions...................................................................................................52

Other Functions...................................................................................................................52

The Playback Window..........................................................................................................53

The Record Window.............................................................................................................54

The Effects...........................................................................................................................55

The PreListen Function. .......................................................................................................55

Surround. ............................................................................................................................56

Settings.......................................................................................................................................... 57

The Right MediaPlayer. ..................................................................................................................58

The 3D Player. ................................................................................................................................59

WaveLab Lite – The Audio editor. ................................................................................................... 61

BuzZ – ThE tRaCker. .......................................................................................................................62

Mixman Studio ES – You become a KeyJayyy! ................................................................................64

The 3D Demos. ...............................................................................................................................65

The HOTSTUFF.!!! Directory. ...........................................................................................................67

3D Audio – The Background. ................................................................................................................... 68

All good things come in twos...............................................................................................68

3D Audio Today ...................................................................................................................69

Perfect? ...............................................................................................................................69

Appendix .................................................................................................................................................. 70

FAQ – Frequently asked questions and their answers. ...................................................................70

Measurement Data......................................................................................................................... 73

TerraTec service .............................................................................................................................73

Hotline, Mailbox, Internet....................................................................................................74

Everything will be OK. ;-) ....................................................................................................75

General Service Conditions .................................................................................................76

Key Word Directory ........................................................................................................................ 77

6 SoundSystem DMX

Greetings and Salutations

We are pleased that you have chosen an audio card from TerraTec. We also congratulate you on your decision because the SoundSystem DMX is a piece of high-quality, state-of-the-art sound card technology. With this purchase, you have acquired one of the highest-performing PC products for audio applications that money can currently buy. We are certain that the SoundSystem will prove to be very useful to you in the years to come and, more importantly, be a lot of fun as well.

The following provides a brief overview of what's in store for you.

The SoundSystem DMX utilizes the most modern chip technology to provide a multitude of PC audio applications. These include:

High-quality recording and playback of sounds. The SoundSystem DMX provides you with a signal-to-noise ratio of around 97dB(A) in analog. "The standard" is considerably under this.

Recording and playback of pure digital sound. The SoundSystem DMX comes equipped with inputs and outputs in S/PDIF format. This allows you to digitally transfer recordings from a MiniDisk recorder or DAT to your PC or vice versa. In addition, you have the option of all currently available sample rates as well as access to settings such as copy protection and generation bit.

Playback of games and audio applications with different (3D) audio standards. The DMX compatibility list is really quite impressive. And it sounds good too. With the SoundSystem, you will no longer have to do without sounds coming from above, below, or even behind when

SoundSystem DMX 7

playing games. As the only card of its kind, the SoundSystem DMX also gives you free rein to experiment with your own 3D audio worlds – active listening is the key!

Impressive connection options. With a total of 2 stereo outputs and 8(!) different inputs, the SoundSystem DMX is extremely connection-friendly when it comes to additional audio peripherals. There is also the option of expanding it with a radio module as well as a wavetable module. Last but not least, analog as well as digital joysticks can be connected and operated using DirectInput technology.

Software á la carte. The control panel – the nerve center of your DMX – is an item that you will quickly come to appreciate. Well thought-out user prompting and intuitive controls of all card settings make everyday use of the SoundSystem as easy as pie. It also comes with lots of different bundled software to get you started right away. Take the time – it's worth it!

We hope you have lots of fun using the SoundSystem DMX and would like to suggest that you glance at this hopefully amusing reading material when you get the chance. Along with the obligatory technical information, we have also prepared some typical examples for you, in words and illustrations, of its use. We are convinced that even experienced users will be able to gain some new information here. At the very least you should read the brief notes in this manual marked by an exclamation point. They contain, for example, a summary of the following paragraph, advice on important settings, or anything specific to DMX that can make your everyday sound experience easier.

Thank you very much, have lots of fun and until next time.

... Your TerraTec Team!

8 SoundSystem DMX

Installation.

Thanks to PCI and plug&play technology, the installation of your SoundSystem DMX shouldn't pose a problem.

If you already have experience with installing hardware and software components in Windows, you can proceed with the installation of this card without any worries.

For the professionals who want to get started ASAP, here is a short overview:

· The SoundSystem DMX is a PCI card (as you no doubt have already seen) and should be installed as far away from graphic cards or SCSI controllers as possible.

· Don't worry: the connecting cable of the digital interface cannot be inserted incorrectly.

· You need 1 IRQ.

· You need a few free address ranges (usually not a problem).

· Driver installation in Windows follows the standard. The drivers can be found on the

enclosed CD-ROM.

· After installing the driver, take a look at the Device Manager and see if there is an exclamation point. If you see one, there is a problem. Possible solutions can be found in the appendix (page 70).

· After driver installation, the software installation starts automatically. The ControlPanel must be installed.

So much for the short version. A detailed, illustrated description of the installation can be found in the following section.

SoundSystem DMX 9

Card Diagram

d Game/MIDI port

e OUT 2

f OUT 1

j CD 2

k Aux

l TAD

g LINE IN

h Mic IN

i CD 1

10 SoundSystem DMX

m Digital Xtension

n Radio Xtension

o Wavetable Xtension

Connecting the Digital Expansion Module

The SoundSystem DMX has an expansion module with connectors for digital devices corresponding to the S/PDIF standard (e.g., MiniDisk or DATRecorder). If you require these connectors, the module needs to be inserted into the computer before installing the card. The digital expansion module does not need to be installed – however, having one around does have a calming effect.

p Digital Out (RCA)

q Digital Out (TOS link)

r Digital In (TOS link)

s Digital In (RCA)

t DMX

Connect one end of the flat conductor cable to the card m, connect the other end to the module t. Because of the design of the cable, it is not possible to make a false connection

without forcing the ends into the slots.

SoundSystem DMX 11

Installing the ActiveRadio Module.

If you are the lucky owner of a TerraTec radio module (ActiveRadio) or a Vobis "RadioBoostar", then you also have the good fortune of being able to use these products with the SoundSystem DMX. All you have to do is insert the proper plug into the hole labeled "CN6" (Radio Xtension) on your DMX. Make sure that all of the plug's pins are connected to the radio module. Both connector rows must be correctly aligned.

A special driver for the radio module is not required. Simply install the radio software found on the DMX Driver CD. This software can also be used to run the Vobis product. For more information about software, see the program's online help (press F1 in program).

The volume control of the program being run is contained in the application itself. In Windows 95/98, a separate controller is available on the DMX ControlPanel.

For more information, please see the chapter, "Radio Connection" (page 47).

Connecting a WavetableDaughter Board

If you happen to own a separate wavetable module, for example, a TerraTec WaveSystem, a module from an older TerraTec card (e.g., Maestro series), or a Yamaha DB50-XG, then these can also be used with the SoundSystem DMX. All you have to do is insert the 26-pin plug into the hole labeled "CN1"(Wavetable Xtension) on your DMX. Make sure that all of the plug's pins are connected to the wavetable module. Both connector rows must be correctly aligned.

Important

The signals of a daughter board docked with the wavetable connector flow together with the AUX signal. These are not separated electronically from one another. Therefore, simultaneous operation should be avoided when possible. If you stick two devices into "one line", you will experience considerable signal loss of both devices. In addition, we cannot guarantee that this will not have long-term negative effect on both devices.

The volume of the wavetable module is controlled on the DMX ControlPanel using the controller "AUX".

For more information, please see the chapter "The Wavetable Connection" (page 42).

12 SoundSystem DMX

Installing the Card.

Before installing the card, make sure that you have already connected any desired expansion modules such as digital, radio, or wavetable modules (for more information, please see the sections following page 42ff). Adding these modules later on makes the process more complicated.

Before installing the sound card, please take note of any special points pertaining to the configuration of your computer. Also refer to the handbook of your computer and other expansion cards for their settings.

Please observe the following instructions to ensure a trouble-free installation.

If difficulties arise nevertheless, please reread the relevant chapter in this handbook carefully.

Please call our service hotline if you are still having problems. The phone numbers and hours of the hotline can be found in the Appendix of this documentation.

Start by making sure that nothing is missing.

The product packaging should contain:

1 TerraTec SoundSystem DMX PCI sound card

1 Driver & Installation CD

1 audio cable (mini-jack to cinch)

1 registration card with the serial number

1 manual

Return the registration card to us at the earliest possible opportunity or register online at

http://www.terratec.net/register.htm

services.

Safety Tip

Before opening the case, unplug the power plug from the wall socket as well as from the PC.

K==This is important for support and hotline

SoundSystem DMX 13

And here’s what to do, step by step:

· Switch off your PC and all connected periphery, in other words printer, monitor and so on. Leave the AC cord connected for the time being, so that your computer is still grounded.

· Touch the metal chassis at the rear of the PC to ground yourself and discharge static. Now unplug the cord from the AC mains socket.

· Remove the cover from the case of your PC.

· Look for a free PCI expansion slot, remove the screw holding the slot blanking plate and

remove the plate. To ensure the optimal function of your sound card, look for an expansion slot that is not immediately next to an already-installed card. Some cards, such as video adapters, can send out signals which can interfere with the sound card.

· Carefully remove the sound card from its packaging and pick it up by the edges with one hand while your other hand is resting on the metal of the PC case.

This will ensure that your body is completely discharged via your computer without affecting the sound card. Do not touch the components of the card under any circumstances.

· Connect any desired internal audio devices to the card such as the digital expansion module, radio module, wavetable daughter board, or CD drive. Please follow the corresponding installation instructions.

· Align the holder at the rear of the sound card in the expansion slot in such a way that the card’s gold-colored connectors are directly in line with the slot’s socket.

· Insert the card into the slot. You might have to press the card firmly into the slot to make a good contact. Take care to ensure that the contacts are precisely in line, in order to avoid damaging the sound card or the mainboard in your PC.

· Insert and tighten the screw from the slot cover to secure the sound card in its slot.

· Connect the CD-ROM drive to the sound card with the audio cable. (In general, this cable is

provided with the CD-ROM drive). (Please read the chapter The CD Audio Connections. on page 40).

· Reinstall the cover of your PC case.

· Connect your speakers or hifi system to the sound card (Please read the chapter The Card

Connections and Their Application. on page 26).

· Reconnect the power plug and all other cables. Make sure that your speakers or hifi system is set to low volume. Start your computer.

· Continue with the installation in the next chapter Driver Installation. (page 15).

14 SoundSystem DMX

Driver Installation.

Currently, the SoundSystem DMX comes with drivers for the following operating systems: Windows 95 (incl. different service releases), Windows 98, and Windows NT. Before installing, you must determine which operating system you are using. This is especially true of Windows 95 since there are several versions that are different from one another.

The operating system and version number can be found on the Control Panel under System Properties.

For example, here we see Windows 95 Release OSR2.

In the following descriptions of driver installation, <CD> stands for the corresponding letter to

which the CD-ROM drive is assigned which holds the SoundSystem DMX Driver CD.

SoundSystem DMX 15

Installation in Windows 95A (OSR1).

When the SoundSystem DMX is installed, Windows 95A recognizes the card as a new hardware component and displays the following screen.

Select "Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer" and click OK.

A prompt appears from a time when all drivers fit on one disk ;-) .

Enter the path <CD>:\Driver\Win9x\ and click OK.

You could also use the mouse to select the path by clicking Browse.

Windows now installs the driver for you, documenting the process with several install screens. At this point nothing else should occur. If during this process you are prompted to do something and you are unsure how to proceed, it is usually best to just press the Enter key.

If Windows should ask again for a driver file, please refer once more to the above-mentioned DMX CD directory. It could also be the case that a few other Windows features need to be installed along with the card (e.g. if this is the first sound card installation for your system). For this eventuality, please have your Windows CD handy.

After the driver has been successfully installed, the setup for the software installation should begin automatically. If this is not the case, run Setup directly from the DMX CD.

<CD>:\Applications\Setup.exe

Follow the instructions on the screen. There shouldn't be any problems. You need to install the DMX ControlPanel in order to be able to continue reading this manual. The other software is not mandatory, but it's fun and useful.

Continue reading on page 24.

16 SoundSystem DMX

Installation in Windows 95B (OSR2).

When the SoundSystem DMX is installed, Windows 95B recognizes the card as a new hardware component and displays the following screen.

Click "Next".

Click "Other Locations".

Enter the path <CD>:\Driver\Win9x\ and click OK.

You could also use the mouse to select the path by clicking Browse... .

SoundSystem DMX 17

If you have entered the correct path, the driver is located. Click Finish.

If this screen appears, click OK.

Re-enter the path <CD>:\Driver\Win9x\ and click OK. You could also use the mouse to select the

path by clicking Browse... .

After the driver has been successfully installed, the setup for the software installation should begin automatically. If this is not the case, run Setup directly from the DMX CD.

<CD>:\Applications\Setup.exe

Continue reading on page 24.

18 SoundSystem DMX

Installation in Windows 98.

When the SoundSystem DMX is installed, Windows 98 recognizes the card as a new hardware component and displays the following screen.

Click Next.

Select Search for the best driver for your device and click Next.

Enter the path <CD>:\Driver\Win9x\ and click OK.

SoundSystem DMX 19

You could also use the mouse to select the path for the best driver for your DMX by clicking

Browse... .

You should also click Next when this screen it reached.

To complete the installation click Finish.

After the driver has been successfully installed, the setup for the software installation should begin automatically. If this is not the case, run Setup directly from the DMX CD.

<CD>:\Applications\Setup.exe

Continue reading on page 24.

20 SoundSystem DMX

Uninstalling the Driver in Windows 95 and 98.

If you want to delete the driver from the system, it's best to do this first using the Device Manager before removing the card. Select the entry DMX Device Manager and click Remove. That's all.

The software can also be easily removed form your system. On your Control Panel, simply double-click Software and then Add/Remove Programs and select the program to be deleted.

Select it one after the other and click Add/Remove....

To make absolutely certain, you can locate the files TerraTec DMX.INF and DMXWT.INF in

your Windows directory and delete them. In this way, windows will have forgotten what has gone before when the next driver version appears ...

SoundSystem DMX 21

Installing in Windows NT 4.0.

To install the SoundSystem DMX in Windows NT, you must be logged on as administrator.

Open the Control Panel and double-click Multimedia and...

select Devices.

22 SoundSystem DMX

Select Unlisted or Updated Driver and click OK.

Enter the path <CD>:\Driver\WinNT4\ and click OK.

You could also use the mouse to select the path by clicking Browse... .

Select the SoundSystem DMX and click OK.

In the next window, confirm once again that you would like to install the drivers.

After the driver has been successfully installed, the setup for the software installation should begin automatically. If this is not the case, run Setup directly from the DMX CD.

SoundSystem DMX 23

Driver is installed – this is what it looks like.

After a successful installation of the driver, you should verify that all systems are go with your Windows 9x system. In Device Manager you get an overview of the installed and recognized hardware components on your computer. The Device Manager is found in the Control Panel under System.

This is how the window should look if everything is properly installed. In the picture the item Sound,

video and game controllers is opened. You can do this by clicking the small "+" symbol on the left hand

side.

In case you are interested: the installed drivers are responsible for the following tasks.

DMX DeviceManager The DeviceManager controls, among other things, the plug&play

configuration of the card and is generally responsible for the smooth operation of the hardware.

DMX DOS Games/FM Devices

DMX MPU401 Devices This is where the base address of the MIDI interface is managed.

DMX Multi Device Enumerator

DMX Synthesis Devices The heart and soul of your DMX. Hidden here is the wavetable synthesizer,

This entry is responsible for compatibility with older standards such as AdLib or SoundBlaster in DOS.

Sounds cool, huh? This part of your DMX is also responsible for important system settings and should not be touched.

the WAV playback, the 3D calculation, and DirectSound acceleration ... simply put, all the sound that comes out of the card. Settings can be changed here, but do not have to be since everything can be done from the DMX ControlPanel. Therefore we won't go into detail at this point.

Gameport Joystick This is where the gameports base address is set – from Windows, fully

automatic.

24 SoundSystem DMX

+ 55 hidden pages

TerraTec DMX User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Installation.

Card Diagram

Connecting the Digital Expansion Module

Installing the ActiveRadio Module.

Connecting a WavetableDaughter Board

Installing the Card.

Driver Installation.

Installation in Windows 95A (OSR1).

Installation in Windows 95B (OSR2).

Installation in Windows 98.

Uninstalling the Driver in Windows 95 and 98.

Installing in Windows NT 4.0.

Driver is installed – this is what it looks like.