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Text File | 1997-12-04 | 31KB | 773 lines

User Guide for mx3DXG, mxOPL, and mxCS2 mixers Copyright (C)1997 Cornel Huth Last update 4-Dec-97 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Overview --------------------------------------------------------------------- The mxCS2 mixer is for AD1848/CS4248, CS4231, and CS4232-based soundcards operating in mode 1 or mode 2. This includes CS4236/4237/4238-based soundcards also since Crystal's OS/2 driver runs these in mode 2. The mx3DXG mixer is for the Mediatrix AT 3D-XG. The mxOPL mixer is for all OPL3-SA/SA2/SA3-based cards. All software needed is included in this package. This documentation is for the mx3DXG, mxOPL, and mxCS2 mixers. See the README file for a list of supported hardware for each mixer. The common reference to these mixers used in this Guide is mx* (or mx*.exe). Where a documented feature is specific a mixer, the proper name is used: mx3DXG, mxOPL, mxCS2. Technical support for this mixer is available only for this mixer; everything known about this mixer is detailed in the pages following. If you need support in using your sound card, contact the one that sold you the card, or the card maker. This User Guide steps you through installation and basic use, covering the following: I. Basic Setup A. Stage 1 B. State 2 C. Tech Support D. What Else Can I Get II. Basic Use A. Input Mixer Controls 1. Source 2. ADC Gain B. Output Mixer Controls 1. MIDI Gain 2. Line In Gain 3. CD Gain 4. Line Out-A/D Attenuator 5. Master Attenuator C. Digital Controls 1. Monitor Attenuator 2. Wave Attenuator D. Utility Controls 1. Scale 2. HPF 3. Karaoke 4. Mono I/O 5. Pushbuttons a. Send b. Defaults c. Get d. Config e. SyncLock f. About E. Special Controls 1. Master Attenuator 2. Mic Gain 3. Bass/Treble Boost 4. 3-D Level III. Miscellaneous A. Features 1. Ganged Controls 2. VU/OR and CP Detectors 3. SyncLock(tm) B. Command-line Switches IV. Advanced Use A. Controlling More Than One Mixer B. Error codes V. License Agreement To make use of this guide load it into any standard text editor and search on words, error codes, etc., as needed. It's best to read it all the way through at least once before using this software and before requesting support. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic Setup --------------------------------------------------------------------- Installation is simple and easy; just follow the directions. To uninstall just remove the reference in A3, below, and delete the files. A. Stage 1: (Pre-boot) -------------------- 1. Unzip the package to any empty directory 2. Copy PARADISE.SYS to your boot drive's root directory 3. Edit config.sys by adding the following line: DEVICE=PARADISE.SYS 4. Move the mx*.exe to a directory in PATH 5. Create a program object for mx*.exe (optional) 6. If you are using Warp 3 and your clock01.sys driver is smaller than 4000 bytes do the following: A. Rename your current clock01.sys to clock01.org B. Copy the clock01.sys provided to your boot's root This should not be necessary on Warp 4 GA since it ships with the same clock01.sys as provided here (though a different date). Note: your current clock01.sys may be in a directory other than root. If you have any trouble installing, contact support for dealing with specific problems. 7. Reboot B. Stage 2: (Post-boot) -------------------- 1. Start mx*.exe 2. The configuration dialog appears. (You can force this to appear before anything else in later starts by using the -config switch.) Enter the needed information, as indicated next: mxCS2 only | | For the mxCS2 mixer, enter the base port of the codec. This can | be found in the DEVICE=CWCONFIG.SYS line in your config.sys file. | Use the /P: number (often this is 534). Another method is to | use RMVIEW /io, though this will show all ports that the device | has claimed, leaving you to determine which is the base port. | | Optional on CS4232 and later chipsets is the control port. This | is needed by mxCS2 if you want to make use of karaoke mic mixing, | otherwise it may be left blank. See the -nocp switch for more. mxOPL only | | For the mxOPL and mx3DXG mixers, enter the base port+4 of the codec. | This can be found in the DEVICE=OPL3SA.SYS line in your config.sys | file. Look for the /W: number (often this is 530) and add 4 to it. | For example, if /W:530, enter 534 as the mixer base port. | | Optional, but required to make use of SA2/SA3 features, is the | control port. This is the number after the /C: in the same DEVICE= | line that you got the /W: base port. mx3DXG only | | For the mx3DXG mixer enter the base port as specified in mxOPL and | also add the MIDI base port. Use the /M: number in the same DEVICE= | line and place that number, preceded by a comma, after the codec | base, For example, if /W:530 and /M:310, enter 534,310 into the | base port field (seven characters total, including the comma). | The MIDI port is required. | | The control port is required for the mx3DXG mixer. This is the | number after the /C: in the same DEVICE= line that you got the /W: | and /M: base ports. Press OK (not just ENTER). The mx*.ini file is written, and to the same directory that the mx*.exe is in. This is the ini file that is used from now on (see -ini: switch to change this). 3. At this point mx*.exe is ready to use once you read the following documentation. C. Tech Support ------------ If you have registered and have a support question or comment on the mixer send e-mail containing the mixer type/version to mixer@40th.com BBS:1(210)684-8065 If you are evaluating the mixer, support is available for its installation and deinstallation only. All other support is reserved. D. What Else Can I Get ------------------- Take the Express elevator to http://40th.com/ and have a look around. Download anything and everything. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic Use --------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Input Mixer Controls -------------------- 1. Source Push the button you want to source your sample from. Select the source you want to record. Mic is the microphone, and Mic+20 is the mic with a 20dB gain amp after it (usually not needed). MIDI is either the wavetable MIDI device or an internal FM synth. Line In is the external line in connector on the back of the card. LOL is the lineout loopback, where anything that appears at the lineout section can be sampled. CD, and any other input, is not available to the ADC section except through the LOL. mx3DXG only | | The MIDI input source records whatever is coming out of the DB60XG | hardware. This not only includes MIDI playback, but any other input | source, including the internal CD, since all output from the codec | is sent to the DB60XG card (this is basically another LOL). To | sample with effects being applied to the sample, this is the Source | to use. If you do not want to sample with the current effects select | another input source. See Special Controls, in Section E below, for | a diagram. The A/D and Master volume control the signal level. 2. ADC Gain This gain control can be used to boost the source signal prior to the signal entering the A/D converters. You may find that 0dB gain (the sliders all the way to the bottom) is all you need in some cases. B. Output Mixer Controls --------------------- These controls determine how much signal is sent to the output. It has no bearing on the recording levels (unless LOL is the source). Note: Most of the slider controls are scaled in dB relative 0dB for CS4232+ chipsets. For CS4231 and the OPL chipsets, this is true when output Scale is set to 2.8Vpp. For 2.0Vpp subtract 3dB. The CS4232+ chipsets are always at 2.8Vpp. 0dB indicates unity gain: -dB indicates attenuation; +dB gain. In the diagram, input moves from the right, up through the ADC section, into the bus interface on its way into becoming a stored sample. Output moves from the left into the DAC section, and then on through to the line out. Note that there is more to it: the MIDI in, Line In, and CD In are all connected to the output (the reason the MIDI, Line In, CD gain controls are in the Output Mixer panel). Near the LINE OUT section, the LOL circuit is shown. This is the sum of all output, and as you can see it is routed up to the source mixer/multiplex to be used as a source selection. Input Mux +20 +--+ |<===< gain <== mic in | |<=====+==== ADC <== adc gain <====|<===============+==< LINE IN | | | |<=+==< MIDI IN | | B| | +->| | \/ | U| | LOL| \/ +========+ | S| | +==================+ The | | \/ | | ^ LineOut | I| digital midi line in | <<<< Loop (LOL) | F| loop/mon level gain gain | | | | | | | | | | wave \/ \/ | | |====>[+]==> DAC =====> atten >======> [ + ]>=====>+===> LINE OUT +--+ /\ | +<== cd <==< CD IN gain 1. MIDI Gain For all but the mx3DXG, this controls the gain of the MIDI connection that is sent to the output mixer. Technically, this is the "LineIn" hardware register, but since it almost always is connected to the MIDI device, it's called MIDI gain. mx3DXG only | | The MIDI control in the Output mixer is always muted and is not | available for use (if it were not muted a feedback cycle would | occur). The Output Mixer Master volume controls the MIDI level | (as well as the overall volume of the card). 2. Line In Gain This controls the gain of the external connection (the line in on the back of the card) that is sent to the output mixer. Technically, this is the "Aux1" hardware register. 3. CD Gain This is the CD connection, usually located on the card's circuit board, for an internal connection to the CD drive. This is a regular analog input (the CD drive output is just a regular analog signal, much like any CD player). Technically, this is the "Aux2" hardware register. 4. Line Out Attenuator (A/D Parts Volume) mxCS2 only | | For the CS4232 chipset, this is an extra volume attenuator. | It is used only by the CS4232; not by earlier nor later chipsets. mx3DXG only | | This is used to control the DB60XG A/D parts volume. This affects | digital levels only and has no effect on MIDI. | | To control the levels of the three effects processors of the DSP | in the 3D-XG use the "XG DSP" program, available for download at | the sites listed following the Tech Support section, above. | | All three effects processors are available to affect the codec | output. When playing back a GM/GS MIDI file, only the reverb | effect is available (undocumented, by demonstrated to be true) | to shape the sound of the MIDI playback. You can play wave and | MIDI data at the same time, and all three effects will be working | on the wave/codec data. XG MIDI files will have all processors | working for it (GM/GS just the reverb). "XG DSP", mentioned above, | can be used to control all aspects of the effects processors | (nearly 100 controls in all); the DB60XG power-up/reset state is | to apply a moderate amount of reverb to all output. mx3DXG only | | 5. Master Attenuator | | This is used to control the overall volume level of the 3D-XG. | It is a single control (left and right are always ganged). It | is the only method of controlling the MIDI output volume. This | is always reset to 127 by a GM,GS,XG MIDI reset. See the SyncLock | section for more in correcting this. C. Digital Controls ---------------- 1. Loopback-Monitor Attenuator This controls the level of digital signal output from the ADC that is sent to the DAC and from there to the output. This often must be muted to avoid feedback. 2. Wave Attenuator This controls the level of the digital signal sent from the DAC to the output. Note: An attenuator control reduces a signal level. A gain control boosts a signal (and often can also attenuate). D. Utility Controls ---------------- 1. Scale For the CS4231-compatible chipsets, including the OPL3-SAx chipset, this is used to cut in half the power levels reaching the output. Later chipsets always use 2.8Vpp, offering a +3dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). 2. HPF This is a high-pass filter used to remove any DC offset from the input signal before it reaches the ADC. 3. Karaoke For CS4232 and later chipsets, with a control port specified in the mx* configuration. If set to mic, an alternate, karaoke mic mux is used, where the mic signal is sent to the output mix as well as to the ADC to be recorded. If set to mic+out the same occurs but instead of the mic being recorded, the LOL is. May not be available on most hardware implementations. mx3DXG only | | Karaoke lock is used to prevent the inadvertent resetting (turning | off) of the DB60XG's A/D section by MIDI file playback. Once set, | the only likely way it can be changed is by another, XG-A/D aware | application such as XG DSP (see http://40th.com/). This normally | should always be enabled (Lock button on). The exception is when | you are playing XG MIDI files, though you may leave the lock on even | then (the XG effects used in the MIDI file may not be fully-enabled). 4. Mono I/O Mono input is from the PC beeper/speaker wire. Mono output can be sent to the PC speaker. Most implementations power-up so that there is a direct connection between the two (mono in and out) so that you hear the normal beeps at start up. With these controls you can disable or otherwise control PC speaker sounds. 5. Pushbuttons a. Send Use this to send the current mx* mixer values to the hardware. This performs that same function that SyncLock does automatically, When you start mx*, a Send is automatically done. mx3DXG only | | Send also reactivates the DB60XG A/D section, required for any | sound to be heard. Any currently playing MIDI file will play | using default instruments (piano). Stop and restart the MIDI | play to correct this. b. Defaults Use this to Send the default settings that were last saved (see the Configuration dialog). This sets the current mixer values to those that you saved to be the default settings. The default settings are separate from the current settings. When you start mx*, the settings used are those that were active when you last used the mixer, not these default settings. mx3DXG only | | Defaults, like Send, also reactivates the DB60XG A/D section, | required for any sound to be heard. c. Get Use this to see what settings are actually in the hardware mixer. To be useful, SyncLock should not be running (set the Rate entry field to 0 to disable SyncLock). d. Config Use this to enter your Control port if you haven't done so already, or to change the base port (if ever you would). This dialog can be started before any mixer access is done by using the -config command-line switch. Also in this panel is the detected chipset and mode (only available after the base/control ports have been entered). You can also delete the mx*.ini file and this dialog will be the first thing you see next mx* start. e. SyncLock This brings up the SyncLock control panel. See SyncLock in the Miscellaneous section for more. f. About Shows the mixer version, and is used to register (requires a key to use). E. Special Controls ---------------- mx3DXG only | | These are controls specific to the OPL3-SA3 section. Since the DB60XG | is located after the codec (see diagram), none of these special controls | have an effect on MIDI playback. | | this output can be sourced (recorded) | +===<=MIDI===+ <<<<< by selecting the MIDI input mixer source | \/ | | OPL3-SA3 =====> DB60XG ===> amp/line output on back of card | codec MIDI/DSP | | | To control MIDI one must use the Output Mixer Master volume (often best | left at 127, the maximum). For overall volume balance (i.e., the balance | between MIDI, Wave, Line In, CD, Mic) use the other controls. | | Most MIDI files will force the Master Volume (Output Mixer) to 127. If | you use this control as the overall volume control (and so have it at | values other than 127) you should check its box in the SyncLock | configuration and set the rate to around 125ms, or to whatever rate you | find to work best. mxOPL for SA2/3 and mx3DXG only (requires control port) | | 1. Master Attenuator | | The master volume, left and right. for the OPL3-SA2/3 codec. | | 2. Mic Gain | | An additional -35dB to +12dB gain mic control. mxOPL for SA3 and mx3DXG only (requires control port) | | 3. Bass/Treble Boost | | Bass and treble boost of from 0 to 10.5dB. Left and right. | | 4. 3-D Level | | Pushbutton control of the "Y-mersion" 3-D (so-called) effect. | The inner-most pair is the on-off toggle. Each of the others, | working outward, sets a more wide state to the control, from | 1 to 7 (buttons have values of 1, 2, and 4). --------------------------------------------------------------------- Miscellaneous --------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Features -------- 1. Ganged Controls The 2-channel controls (left and right) are normally ganged. To move an individual channel hold down the left control key while moving the slider, or pushing the mute button. You can substitute either shift key instead of the LEFT control key. 2. VU/OR and CP Detectors The mxCS2 mixer, when used with Crystal chipsets, displays a VU- like overrange detector in the slider ribbon strip area. This is only useful when recording, though it will display whenever a sample is going through the A/D convertor. The display has 4 colors: blue (or gray), green, yellow, and red. The colors indicate the signal level relative clipping (0dB typically), based on the following table: Blue: -96.0 to -1.5dB (usually here) Green: -1.5 to 0.0dB (ideal peak level) Yellow: 0.0 to +1.5dB (possible hard clipping) Red: >1.5dB (hard clipping) There is no soft clipping in the digital world. The level is typically controlled by the input mixer's ADC gain control, though it may be affected by the output mixer controls if LOL is the selected source. This will vary by the hardware vendor's implementation of the chipset. The CP detectors indicate when the hardware is recording and playing. When recording, the C box, for capture, is shaded. During playback, the P box is shaded. Both the VU/OR and the CP detectors are updated once per SyncLock period. The CP detectors can be manually cleared by left-Ctrl/ clicking-the-box. 3. SyncLock(tm) This feature periodically updates the mixer levels to the values currently shown by the mx* mixer. This is done automatically, as often as 32 times per second or as little as once per minute. You are to check which controls you want updated by SyncLock, and at what interval. A good value is 1000ms, idle, to start. There are no best settings, so experiment and use whatever you find most useful. Each check box in the SyncLock configuration has a control, or group of controls, assigned to it in the mixer panel. The MuteX check box, when checked, mutes all controls when you exit the program. The VU/CP check box controls whether the VU/OR display (mxCS2 mixer only) and the CP boxes (all) are updated during each SyncLock update. You can experiment with the controls to determine which you want to be SyncLock-updated. There is a negligible difference in doing all of them compared to doing just one; each SyncLock update is performed with a single call, whether for one or all, and actual hardware writes occur only when the mixer registers have changed. To disable SyncLock set the Rate to 0 and press OK. mx3DXG only | | For the mx3DXG mixer the A/D, Master Out (in the Output Mixer | group), and Karaoke are updated via the MIDI interface. Since this | does require additional work, you can have SyncLock update these | levels on a less frequent basis. You do this by using the -xg:n | command-line switch (see Miscellaneous, section B). For example, | to update these levels every other SyncLock update, use -xg:2. At | rates of 1000ms or above, -xg:1, the default, is fine. | | The A/D (A/D volume update) SyncLock update uses an especially | large amount of CPU. You may prefer to keep it unchecked and | simply move the A/D sliders to "resend". Using the Send button | should not be used while playing a MIDI file since all tones are | reset to piano, and the MIDI state reset. | | When playing MIDI files most often the Master Out level is reset to | its maximum (if the MIDI file has a GM, GS, or XG reset in it). | Since the master out is the master volume level for the 3DXG, and | the only volume level for MIDI playback, you may want to use -xg:1 | and a fast SyncLock period (down to 31ms: a SyncLock update 32x | every second). Or somewhere in between that once per minute. 125ms | is often just right. | | If you normally keep the Output Mixer Master volume at 127, you | may see if you even need to SyncLock any of the MIDI controls | (A/D, Master, Karaoke). Not SyncLock'ing these saves CPU power, | though it's often better to use a bit of CPU time than for you to | have to continually touch the Master volume or other controls | manually -- your CPU works for free, you don't. | | It's a good idea to keep the Karaoke Lock button on to prevent XG | MIDI file playback from turning off the A/D parts section of the | DB60XG. SyncLock cannot be made to -turn on- the A/D parts section, | but with Karaoke Lock on this should not be necessary. However, | you may press the Send or Defaults pushbuttons; either of these | controls reactivates the DB60XG A/D section (AKA: A/D parts). | | | VERY IMPORTANT NOTE for the 3D-XG: | | There is -0- sound output from the 3D-XG unless the A/D section is | active. Press either Send or Defaults to reactivate the sound. B. Switches -------- The following switches may be used on the command line. None are typically needed. -config Start up configuration dialog before anything else (use this or simply delete your mx*.ini file) -nobeep Disable beeps -min Start up minimized -nosp Do not save new window position -nolp Do not load old window position -ini:a a=pathname to ini file, form D:/PATH/ININAME (no extension) (default is drv:/directory/mx*.ini of mx*.exe) mxCS2 only: | | -nocp: Do not display message about lack of control port setting in | configuration for CS4232+ devices mx3DXG only: | | -noreset Do not prompt for "Reset 3D-XG MPU UART?" | -w:n n=MPU max time-out delay (def=10000, 65535 max) | | -xgat Sends SyncLock writes all at once for line out, master out, | and karaoke lock (Special SyncLock Send, SSLS). The default | is to send individual messages (up to five in all) per Sync. | Using -xgat may result in more CPU use, especially if A/D | volume has been checked in SyncLock. | | -xg:n n=count of normal SyncLock sends to each SSLS (see -xgat) | (default=1, n=1-10) --------------------------------------------------------------------- IV. Advanced Use --------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Controlling More Than One Mixer ------------------------------- If you have multiple soundcards using the same mixer type you can either use a single mx*.exe with unique -ini: filenames per program object, or you can put multiple copies of the mx*.exe program in separate directories. The concept is that a separate .ini file (pathname) is required for each device. Free Tip: When buying anything, you usually get what you pay for. $50 soundcards are going to sound like $50 soundcards -- make no mistake. The chipset used is but one part of the resulting sound; the rest of the components is where you get your true quality. Most chipsets offer fine performance, with newer ones having perhaps new or different features, but it's what else is in the sound card that determines what you hear, and what you don't hear. B. Error Codes ----------- The following error codes are used by the Paradise driver. OS/2 error codes (2 to 999) can be found in the Bullet manual, at the support site at http://www.40th.com., or BBS. EPS_DEVICE_STILL_BUSY 9001 EPS_BUFFER_ACTIVE 9018 EPS_ALREADY_INITED 9002 EPS_BUFFER_NOT_ACTIVE 9019 EPS_NOT_INITED 9003 EPS_ALREADY_REG_CLOCK 9020 EPS_INVALID_DEVID 9004 EPS_NULL_HANDLER_PTR 9021 EPS_INVALID_PORTID 9005 EPS_8254_IN_USE 9022 EPS_BUSY_DEVID 9006 EPS_8254_NOT_OWNER 9023 EPS_MPU_TIMED_OUT_DRR 9007 EPS_IRQ_IN_USE 9024 EPS_MPU_TIMED_OUT_RESET 9008 EPS_IRQ_NOT_AVAIL 9025 EPS_MPU_TIMED_OUT_RESET2 9009 EPS_IRQ_NOT_OWNER 9026 EPS_FULL_PORTID_MAPPER 9010 EPS_KEYBOARD_ACTIVE 9027 WPS_NULL_DEVID 9011 EPS_DSP_TIMED_OUT_DW 9050 WPS_NULL_PORTID 9012 EPS_DSP_TIMED_OUT_DR 9051 EPS_BAD_DATASIZE 9013 EPS_DSP_RESET_FAILED 9052 EPS_NO_CLOCK 9014 EPS_MIXER_BAD_PORT 9053 EPS_NULL_IREGXPTR 9015 EPS_INVALID_IRQ 9055 EPS_NULL_OREGXPTR 9016 EPS_INVALID_DMA 9056 EPS_CTXHOOK_FAILED 9017 EPS_UNKNOWN_MIXER 9057 EPS_XGDSP_BAD_PORT 9253 EPS_INVALID_INI 9301 It's unlikely that you'll see many of these, but if you do see one it is useful when you are reporting problems. For codes not listed contact support. --------------------------------------------------------------------- V. License Agreement --------------------------------------------------------------------- Before using this software you must agree to the following: 1. You are required to have one license per computer that has the software installed. 2. The software is owned by the author, Cornel Huth, and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. You are not permitted to make copies of this software except for archival purposes. 3. You may not rent or lease this software. You may not transfer this license without the written permission of the author. If this software is an update or upgrade, you may not sell or give away previous versions. 4. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble this software if the intent or result is to alter the software. 5. There are no expressed or implied warranties with this software. 6. All liabilities in the use of this software rest with the user. 7. U.S. Government Restricted Rights. This software is provided with restricted rights. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at 52.227-7013. The software is owned by Cornel Huth/6402 Ingram Rd/San Antonio Texas 78238/USA. This agreement is governed by the laws of the Great State of Texas, the United States of America, and all other countries of Earth. Any questions concerning this License Agreement should be directed to Product Support. Failure to comply with any part of this License Agreement may result in license revocation.