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Solid State Logic 4.3 manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    soundscape mixpander  DSP-Powered PCI Audio Card for PC based Audio Workstations Installation & QuickStart Guide Version 4.3 English Version[...]

  • Page 2

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 2 of 59 Table of Contents Welcome to the SSL Soun dscape Mixpander ............................................................................ 4 1. Introd uction ............................................................................................................... ........ 5 How to use th e manuals .............[...]

  • Page 3

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 3 of 59 Using the WDM/ KS dr ivers ...................................................................................................... ............................... 33 Using the Multimedi a (MME) drivers ............................................................................................. ....................[...]

  • Page 4

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 4 of 59 Welcome to the SSL Soundscape Mixpander Congratulations for your purchase of an SSL Soundscape Mixpander PCI audio card. This user guide describes the use of the SSL So undscape Mixpander DSP-powered audio card in conjunction with the XLogic Alpha-Link Converte r series. For more information on using the SSL Sound[...]

  • Page 5

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 5 of 59 1. Introduction How to use the manuals The SSL Soundscape product range has been designed from the ground up to be easy to use. If you are familiar with the Windows environment, insta lling PCI cards and the basics of recording and playing back digital audio, you could probably just set the system up and feel comf[...]

  • Page 6

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 6 of 59 configuration is different, because you are using a different version of Windows, because you are using different Windows settings, or because the lo ok of the SSL Soundscape Mixer can vary (e.g., the Toolbar can be moved around the main window ). The screenshots themselves were not al ways made using the SSL Soun[...]

  • Page 7

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 7 of 59 Software drivers The SSL Soundscape Mixpander comes with Low- latency MME drivers, WDM drivers, ASIO-2 drivers, DWave drivers and GSIF drivers for Windows 2000 and XP. It can be used with any PC based MIDI+Audio sequencer, recording and ed iting software or other audio applications. All SSL Soundscape native syste[...]

  • Page 8

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 8 of 59 When using a native MIDI+Audio sequencer in pa rallel with the SSL Soun dscape Mixer, you can use VST and/or DirectX (depending on your choice of sequencer) and DSP-powered effects at t he same time. In situations where the computer runs out of power, when the audio quality suffers or the MIDI timing becomes so po[...]

  • Page 9

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 9 of 59 2. Technical Specifications SSL Soundscape Mixpander SSL Soundscape Mixpander/9 • Motorola 56301 80MHz DSP for Bus Master PCI interfacing and up to 36 channel full duplex 24-bit audio streaming via 36 buses. The Multi-client SLL (Super Low La tency) drivers are fully Bus Mastering for minimal load on the host PC[...]

  • Page 10

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 10 of 59 3. Installation In order to run the SSL Soundscape Mixer software you need: - The drivers, SSL Soundscape Mixer software, and any plug-ins you own a password for. Please always use the latest software, downloadable from our website. - One or more SSL Soundscape Mixpander cards. Minimum system requirements The min[...]

  • Page 11

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 11 of 59 This makes the Soundscape platform more efficien t than others, since the "native" PCI Burst Speed can be used for an Interrupt (PCI Latency Timer set to 64), whereas other cards may use different values like for instance 255, making them more to lerant but also maki ng it difficult for other devices to[...]

  • Page 12

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 12 of 59 Common symptoms of unsuccessful IRQ shar ing may include any of the following: - Low latency values are not possible without clicks in the audio. - Communication error messages from the Soundscape driver/application. - PC crashes or freezes. - CPU Load Spikes - Bad system performance with e.g. slow graphics or sl[...]

  • Page 13

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 13 of 59 Installing the SSL Soundscape Mixpander NOTE:  The  guidelines  below  are  general  and  apply  in  most  cases.  However,  since  all  PCs  are  different,  it  is  advisable  to  check  your  computer’s  instructi on  manual  for ?[...]

  • Page 14

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 14 of 59 Connecting the SSL Soundscape Mixpander to the XLogic Alpha-Link The SSL Soundscape Mixpander features a single Expansion Bus connector (or “expansion port”): Use the supplied Expansion Bus cable to connect the SSL Soundscape Mixpander’s Ex pansion Bus port to the XLogic Alpha-Link’s Expansion Bus port: E[...]

  • Page 15

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 15 of 59 Installing the SSL Soundscape Device Drivers The driver installation procedure is si milar under Windows 2000 and Windows XP Windows needs to find the “Ssdev.inf” file whic h i s p a r t o f t h e S o u n d s c a p e D e v i c e D r i v e r installation files. For the WDM/KS dr iver, the file is named “Sswd[...]

  • Page 16

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 16 of 59 Installing the SSL Soundscape Device Drivers under Windows XP The SSL Soundscape Mixpander card is “Plug and play”, and is automatically detected by Windows when the computer is started after installin g the card in a PCI slot. Then a dialog box is displayed which lets you choose between an automati c or a ma[...]

  • Page 17

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 17 of 59 Windows will then invite you to insert the inst allation CD for your hardware. Insert the SSL Soundscape Mixpander Installation CD. Windows w ill normally detect it automatically and find the driver files (otherwise you will just need to click “Next” for the in stallation to start):[...]

  • Page 18

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 18 of 59 Further windows will be displayed while Windows copies the driver files. Dep ending on the specificities of your system, this could take a few seconds or a few minutes.[...]

  • Page 19

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 19 of 59 Eventually, the dialog box below confirms that th e installation has been completed. Clicking “Finish” closes the Wizard: Device Manager After a successful installation, the SSL Soundsca pe Mix pander appears in the “SSL Soundscape Devices” category in the Windows Device Manager:[...]

  • Page 20

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 20 of 59 Preparing Windows Plug and Play If you prefer, you can also prepare the Windows Plug and Play system to recognize your SSL Soundscape Hardware automatically. In order to do this, before physically installing the hardware, run the S SL Soundscape Driver Setup program (DrvSetup.exe) located in the “DRIVER” fold[...]

  • Page 21

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 21 of 59 After physically installin g the SSL Soundscape Mixpander and starting up the computer, Windows Plug and Play will detect the card and the “Found New Hardware” Wizard will appear, prompting you to install the driver (i.e., assign them to the card). Select “No, not this time” in the first Wizard dial og bo[...]

  • Page 22

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 22 of 59 We strongly advise that you install the so ftware using the default paths (c:Program FilesSoundscape and c:Soundscape). In case you sh ould ever need it, tec hnical support is easier to provide if all the files are installed where expected. Shortcuts and automatic SSL Soundscape Mixer startup A default shortcu[...]

  • Page 23

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 23 of 59 Multiple cards are detected automatically by th e software during startup. The Alpha-Link AX, Alpha-Link MADI AX or Alpha-Link MADI- SX must be connected and switched on. Target line Start in line[...]

  • Page 24

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 24 of 59 Installing Soundscape form at DSP-powered plug-ins To install Soundscape format DSP-powered plug-ins, insert the SSL Soundscape Mixpander Installation CD. The CD navigator will be displayed. Click the “Install Plug-Ins” button. NOTE:  If  for  any  reason  the  CD  navigator  is  no[...]

  • Page 25

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 25 of 59 Demo versions are provided for some of the plug-i ns. If you wish to install demo versions, click the “Demo Menu” button in the Plug-in Menu wi ndow (above) to access the plug-in demo list. Then click the icon of the demo you want to inst all and follow the instructions on screen. Repeat the operation for eve[...]

  • Page 26

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 26 of 59 Installing the SSL Soundscape WDM/KS Driver under Windows XP Plug and play device detection When the SSL Soundscape Mixer is started for th e first time after the SSL Soundscape Mixpander has been installed, the Windows “Found New Hardware Wizard” sta rts automatically (the XLogic Alpha-Link unit must be swit[...]

  • Page 27

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 27 of 59 Windows will then invite you to insert the inst allation CD for your hardware. Insert the SSL Soundscape Mixpander Installation CD. Windows w ill normally detect it automatically and find the WDM/KS driver files (otherwise you will just need to click “Next” for the installation to start):[...]

  • Page 28

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 28 of 59 Further windows will be displayed while Windows copies the WDM/KS dri ver files. Depending on the specificities of your system, this could take a few seconds or a few minutes.[...]

  • Page 29

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 29 of 59 Windows then displays a warning regarding “Win dows Logo testing”. The mention that the SSL Soundscape WDM/KS Device “has not passed Windows Logo testing…” may give the impres sion that the driver failed a test. This is NOT the case and this message can safely be ignored. Click “Continue Anyway”: NO[...]

  • Page 30

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 30 of 59 Eventually, the dialog box below confirms that th e installation has been completed. Clicking “Finish” closes the Wizard:[...]

  • Page 31

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 31 of 59 Software updates and uninstalli ng older software versions N e w v e r s i o n s o f t h e S S L S o u n d s c a p e M i x e r s o f t w a r e c a n b e d o w n l o a d e d f r o m o u r w e b s i t e . T o install the new version of the software, first deco mpress the downloaded file to a folder of your choice. [...]

  • Page 32

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 32 of 59 IMPORTANT: The computer must always be restar ted after the SSL Soundscape Device Driver has been updated or removed. NOTE:  The  SSL  Soundscape  Device  Driver  only  can  also  be  remove d  by  opening  the  Windows  Control  Panel,  clicking  “Add  o[...]

  • Page 33

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 33 of 59 4. Driver Settings Using the WDM/KS drivers The WDM/KS drivers are loaded during log on. These drivers can be set up in the Windows Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Audi o tab. The individual inputs and outputs are always listed as pairs. However multichannel audio can be used (under Windows XP only). “[...]

  • Page 34

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 34 of 59 Multichannel compatible applications will outp ut multichannel audio via the selected card according to the selected speaker configuration. Using the Multimedia (MME) drivers The legacy MME drivers are loaded during log on. They are still available for compatibility wi th certain applications:     [...]

  • Page 35

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 35 of 59 Properties tab, expand “Audio Devices”, select “Audio for Soundscape Multimedia”, click the Properties button to open the Soundscape Multimedia Properties window, click the Settings button and use the dialog box to enter your choice of configuration. Close the windows using the OK buttons.  Using th[...]

  • Page 36

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 36 of 59 the SSL Soundscape Mixer’s track insert elements c an then be disabled (as described in the “Track inserts” section of the “Mixer” chapter in the Soundscape Mixer Reference Guide). The “Release ASIO Driver in Background” box should be unchecked. If it is checked, the audio output from Cubase SX or N[...]

  • Page 37

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 37 of 59 5. Quick Start Tutorial Starting the SSL Soundscape Mixer for the first time At this point, it is assumed that you have: 1. Installed an SSL Soundscape Mixpander PCI audio card in your PC and connect ed your XLogic Alpha-Link unit. 2. Installed the SSL Soundscape Device Drivers.  3. Installed the SSL Soun dsca[...]

  • Page 38

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 38 of 59 To close the SSL Soundscape Mixer software, you can either right-click th e Mixer icon and click Exit…: …or click Exit under the File menu from within the program: [...]

  • Page 39

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 39 of 59 Entering the mixer password The SSL Soundscape Mixer software is protecte d by a password system, whereby a password is generated according to the individual DSP se rial number of the SS L Soundscape hardware installed on the host computer. The optional So undscape format DSP-powered plug-ins are also protected b[...]

  • Page 40

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 40 of 59 If the password you entered was incorrect, a differe nt dialog box will be shown, allowing you to try again: If you click Cancel when the first dialog box is shown, you will see a further dialog box: Clicking “OK” will allow you to open the SSL Soundscape Mixer. You will be able to look at the software, check[...]

  • Page 41

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 41 of 59 Clicking the Help button in any of the dialog boxes described above will open the Password Help dialog box: If the password was not entered the first time you used the software, a different dialog box will be shown the next time you start the program. Click OK to access the main SSL Soundscape Mixer Passwords win[...]

  • Page 42

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 42 of 59 Setting the Master Clock For digital devices to transmit and receive audio da ta they must be synchronized using a “Master Clock” signal. The clock master device generates and transmits this signal, the clock slave device (or devices) receives it and locks to it. The SSL Soundscape Mixpander does not have an [...]

  • Page 43

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 43 of 59 - Inputs  and  Outputs : physical connections available for audio devices outside the host computer, such as microphone preamps, mixing desk, stereo mastering recorder and so on (i.e., the inputs and outputs are the connectors on the XLogic Al pha-Link). They m ay be called “physical” or “external” [...]

  • Page 44

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 44 of 59 Mixer example: the default 64 Ch Mixer This is the default configuration loaded when you start the software for the first time. It allows audio data received at any AES/EBU or ADAT (d epending on model), or Analogue input of t he X L o g i c A l p h a - L i n k t o b e r o u t e d t h r o u g h t h e M i x e r ( [...]

  • Page 45

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 45 of 59 The screenshot below is used to describe the structure of mixer columns 1 to 32. NOTE:  The  signal  path  is  always  from  the  top  to  the  bottom  of  the  mixer  column,  so  that  the  order  of  the  mixer  elements  is  an  exa[...]

  • Page 46

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 46 of 59 numbered and colour-coded according to the streams they are assigned to). Double-clicking these elements calls up a dialog box where you can enab le or disable the “Mix input always ” function. Mix input always is disabled by default when you place a new Track Insert in a mixer column. However, in the case of[...]

  • Page 47

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 47 of 59 Supplied mixer files Various other mixer files are provided, and mi xers can be opened and saved using standard Windows dialog boxes via the File menu: The supplied mixer files include: - DEF_32 direct IO compact.mix: for 96kHz operation. - DEF_32 in 2.mix: default for 88 and 96kHz (sam e as previous). - DEF_48 i[...]

  • Page 48

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 48 of 59 Modifying the routing Mixer creation and editing is explained in detail in the SSL Soundscape Mixer Reference Guide. However, you may already want to modify the routin g of your signals in the preset configurations. The procedure is described below. The SSL Soundscape Mixer can operate in two di fferent modes: Mi[...]

  • Page 49

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 49 of 59 With the I/O and DSP Assign tool selected, clicki ng an assignable mixer element such as an Input, Output, Send or Track Insert calls up a menu where all the possible signal sources/target destinations appropriate for that element are listed. Click your selection to modify the assignment. For a Send element, the [...]

  • Page 50

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 50 of 59 6. Step by Step Multitrack Recording Multitrack recording example using the SSL Soundscape Mixer and Cubase SX NOTE:  It  is  impossible  to  provide  step  by  step  exa mples  for  all  the  recording  applications  on  the  market.  This  example  is [...]

  • Page 51

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 51 of 59 3. Launch Cubase SX. Click “Device Setup” under the Device s menu, click “VST Multitrack” in t he list on the left of the Device Setup window, and set the ASIO Driver parameter to “SSL Soundscape ASIO”. Click the Control Panel button and make sure the SSL Soundscape hardware is selected as required. 4[...]

  • Page 52

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 52 of 59 Click the Input tab (if needed) and right-click in the window to create the required number of stereo input buses. Then click the Output tab and right-click in the window to create the required number of stereo output buses. You should see the Soundscape streams appear incrementally in the “ASIO Device Port” [...]

  • Page 53

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 53 of 59 Select the input and output buses you have create d as inputs and outputs for the Cubase audio track channels using the selection boxes at the top of each channel. For mono track channels you will need to select left or right alternatively: This is how the input/output selections read on our test system while cre[...]

  • Page 54

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 54 of 59 10. Keep experimenting until you are happy with the settings in Cubase. When you are satisfied with the setup, click “Save as Template” under the File menu to save it.[...]

  • Page 55

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 55 of 59 Index B BIOS settings (Recommended...) ................................................................................................ .................11 C Configuration (PC...) ......................................................................................................... ............................[...]

  • Page 56

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 56 of 59 Hardware and software installation overview ................................................................................... ..12 Installing Soundscape format DSP-powered plug-ins .........................................................................24 Installing the SSL Soundscape Device Drivers ..........[...]

  • Page 57

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 57 of 59 Mixer conc epts ................................................................................................................ ...............................42 Mixer example: the default 64 Ch Mixer ........................................................................................ ............44 Modifyin[...]

  • Page 58

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Page 58 of 59 S Screenshots (reading conventions) ............................................................................................. .................. 5 Setting the Master Clock ...................................................................................................... .........................42 Shortcu[...]

  • Page 59

    Soundsca pe Mixpander Visit SSL at URL: http://www.solid-state-logic.com © 2007 Solid State Logic All Rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions Solid State Logic, SSL are trademarks of Solid State Logic All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners No part of this publication ma[...]