TerraTec DMX Xfire 1024 Manual
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TerraTec DMX Xfire 1024 Manual

TerraTec DMX Xfire 1024 Manual

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English Manual
Version 1.2, Status 14.11.00

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  • Page 1 English Manual Version 1.2, Status 14.11.00...
  • Page 2 Meticulous care has been taken in the preparation of all text passages and illustrations in this manual. 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.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Connecting and Recording from a Record Player..............42 Internal Input Jack Tap......................43 Microphone Input.......................... 44 The Basics........................... 44 Misunderstandings ......................45 Internal Microphone Input Tap................... 45 The Digital Output......................... 46 The Basics........................... 46 Copy Protection........................47 Backup..........................47 SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 4 3D Audio – The Background........................74 All good things come in twos....................74 3D Audio Today ........................75 Perfect? ..........................75 Appendix..............................76 FAQ – Frequently asked questions and their answers..............76 Key Word Index ..........................81 SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 5: Listen. Aim. Fire

    Welcome. We are pleased that you have chosen a sound card from TerraTec. We also congratulate you on your decision because the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 is a piece of high-quality, state-of- the-art sound card technology. With this product, you have acquired a powerful 3D audio ac- celerator which will also arouse your interest in the areas of digital I/O and MIDI.

  • Page 6: 1024. Midi. Dls

    With the easy-to-read and intuitive ControlPanel, we are handing you the gadget to configure DMX XFire 1024 just as you wish. Once you have chosen your settings, you can save them readily and load them again easily when needed. With the supplied software you can get started immediately in a way that suits you and your interests.

  • Page 7: Installation

    For the professionals who want to get started ASAP, here is a short overview: The SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 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.

  • Page 8: Card Diagram

    Card Diagram Game/MIDI port CD In 2 DIGITAL OUT Aux In OUT 2 Digital In OUT 1 Wavetable Xtension LINE IN Jumper JP2 Mic IN Jumper JP1 CD In 1 SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 9: Connecting A Wavetabledaughter Board

    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.XFire1024. All you have to do is insert the 26-pin plug into the socket labeled “CN2”(Wavetable Xtension) on your XFire.

  • Page 10: Installing The Card

    First check to ensure that the package is complete. The delivery includes at least: 1 PCI sound card TerraTec SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 1 installation & driver CD-ROM 1 audio cable (2-pin CD-ROM digital cable)
  • Page 11 “The Card Connections and Their Application.” on page37). Reconnect the mains and all other cables. Make sure that your speakers or hifi system are set to a low volume. Start your computer. Then continue with the chapter “Driver Installation.” (page 12). SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 12: Driver Installation

    Driver Installation. Currently, the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 comes with drivers for the following operating systems: Windows 95 (incl. different service releases), Windows 98, and Windows 2000. Be- fore installing, you must determine which operating system you are using. This is especially true for Windows 95 since there are several versions that are different from one another.

  • Page 13: Installation In Windows 95A (Osr1)

    Installation in Windows 95A (OSR1). When the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 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 fitted on one disk ;-).

  • Page 14: Installation In Windows 95B (Osr2)

    Installation in Windows 95B (OSR2). When the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 is installed, Windows 95B recognizes the card as a new hardware component and displays the following screen. Click “Next”. Click “Other Locations”. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 15 Enter the path <CD>:\Drivers\Win9x\ and click OK. You can also use the mouse to select the path by clicking “Browse”. If you have entered the correct path, the driver is located. Click “Finish”. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 16 After the driver has been successfully installed, it is easy to add the other bundle software via the autostarter. <CD>:\autorun.exe Follow the instructions on the screen. There shouldn't be any problems. Continue reading on page 21. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 17: Installation In Windows 98, Windows 98 Se

    Installation in Windows 98, Windows 98 SE . When the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 is installed, Windows 98 recognizes the card as a new hardware component and displays the following screen. Click “Next”. Choose “Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended)” and click “Next”.
  • Page 18 Enter the path <CD>:\Drivers\Win9x\ and click “Next”. You can 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 is reached. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 19 After the driver has been successfully installed, it is easy to add the other bundle software via the autostarter. <CD>:\autorun.exe Follow the instructions on the screen. There shouldn't be any problems. Continue reading on page 21. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 20: Uninstalling The Driver In Windows 95 And 98

    The corresponding bundle software can be removed from your system just as easily. Call up “Add/Remove Programs” in the Control Panel and locate the programs that are to be deleted. Select them one after the other and each time click “Add/Remove...”. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 21: Driver Installed - This Is What It Looks Like

    DMX XFire 1024 MPU401 This is where the base address of the MIDI interface is managed. DMX XFire 1024 PCI Audio The sound center of your DMX XFire 1024. This includes the wavetable Accelerator synthesizer, the WAV playback, 3D calculation and DirectSound accel- eration ...
  • Page 22 (“Control Panel > Multimedia” and select “MIDI”. If it hasn't already been done so automatically, please set the MIDI output to the driver “DMX XFire 1024 MIDI”. If you have other MIDI devices installed and do not want the standard output to be via the DMX XFire 1024 Wavetable Synthesizer, you can obviously select an alternative device.

  • Page 23: Installation Under Windows Nt 4.0 (Min. Servicepack3)

    In the following descriptions for installing the drivers, <CD> always represents the drive let- ters assigned to the CD-ROM drive containing the DMX XFire CD-ROM. Click “Start” > “Settings” > “Control panel”. Select “Multimedia”. Select the “Devices” tab and then click “Add...”. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 24: After The Driver Installation Confirm The Request To Restart The Computer

    Then select “Unlisted or updated driver” and click “OK”. Type the path <CD>:\Drivers\WinNT\ and click „OK“, or click „Browse“ to locate the correct folder using the mouse. Select „DMX XFire 1024“ and click „OK“. Select „New“. After the driver installation confirm the request to restart the computer.

  • Page 25: Installation In Windows Me

    Installation in Windows ME. If you have installed the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024, Windows Me will first install generic drivers for DMX XFire 1024 available in the operating system. Once this installation is com- plete, start AUTORUN.EXE in the root directory of the DMX XFire CD and select the menu item “Driver installation”.
  • Page 26 After the computer has restarted and the new hardware has been found by the Windows Me hardware Wizard the following window is displayed. Choose “Specify the location of the driver (Advanced)” and click “Next”. Select the “Specify a location” check box, type in the path <CD>:\Drivers\Win2000 and click “Next”. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 27 After the driver has been successfully installed, it is easy to add the other bundle software via the autostarter. <CD>:\autorun.exe Follow the instructions on the screen. There shouldn't be any problems. Continue reading on page 29. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 28: Uninstalling The Driver In Windows Me

    Start AUTORUN.EXE in the root directory of the DMX XFire CD and select the menu item “Driver installation”. This will start the setup program. Select “Uninstall DMX XFire 1024”. Select “Shut Down”. Then you can remove the card when the PC is turned off or completely reinstall the driver if this were necessary.

  • Page 29: Driver Installed - This Is What It Looks Like

    Panel”) and open “Sounds and Multimedia”. Go to the “Audio” tab and compare the entries to the illustration. If it hasn't already been done so automatically, please set the MIDI output to the driver “DMX XFire 1024 DLS Synth”. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 30 Alternatively, the external MIDI interface of DMX XFire 1024 and the Microsoft software wave- table are available. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 31: Installation In Windows 2000

    Installation in Windows 2000. If you have installed the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024, Windows 2000 will first install generic drivers for DMX XFire 1024 available in the operating system. Once this installation is com- plete, start AUTORUN.EXE in the root directory of the DMX XFire CD and select the menu item “Driver installation”.
  • Page 32 After the computer has restarted and the new hardware has been found by the Windows 2000 hardware the following window is displayed. Click “Next”. Choose “Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended)” and click “Next”. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 33 Select the “CD-ROM drives” check box and click “Next”. You should also click “Next” when this screen is reached. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 34 After the driver has been successfully installed, it is easy to add the other bundle software via the autostarter. <CD>:\autorun.exe Follow the instructions on the screen. There shouldn't be any problems. Continue reading on page 35. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 35: Uninstalling The Driver In Windows 2000

    Start AUTORUN.EXE in the root directory of the DMX XFire CD and select the menu item “Driver installation”. This will start the setup program. Select “Uninstall DMX XFire 1024”. Select “Shut Down”. Then you can remove the card when the PC is turned off or completely reinstall the driver if this were necessary.
  • Page 36 If it hasn't already been done so automatically, please set the MIDI output to the driver “DMX XFire 1024 DLS Synth”. Alternatively, the external MIDI interface of DMX XFire 1024 and the Microsoft software wave- table are available.

  • Page 37: The Card Connections And Their Application

    The Card Connections and Their Application. There are numerous connection possibilities for your DMX XFire 1024. Nearly everything that can be used with a PC regarding sound can be connected to the card and used without a prob- lem. In the following we would like to describe in detail all the options in conjunction with the correct settings for the XFire ControlPanel.

  • Page 38: Line Outs

    The most important connection option for a sound card - the experts all agree on this - is the playback system. The SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 provides you with two such outputs so that you could position two stereo speaker pairs around the listener, for example. These out- puts take the form of two mini-jacks (3.5mm stereo jacks).

  • Page 39: Headphones

    This is to avoid the danger of an electric shock - even a weak one - it also protects your speaker membranes and your hearing from sudden signal spikes. For digital devices, the volume of your playback system should at least be turned to low. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 40: Speakers

    You have to have a little fun ... The Playback Driver. You can listen to your DMX XFire 1024 by selecting the driver “DMX XFire 1024 Wave” for playing back audio files (e.g. systems sounds, .WAV files, audio programs etc.).

  • Page 41: Position Of The Speakers For Optimum 3D Sound

    This is only a guide so that you can find the best position suitable for you. The 3D sound software included with the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 and the ControlPanel give you the option of choosing from 3 different playback modes, which you should bear in mind as far as possible.

  • Page 42: Line Input

    You cannot directly connect a record player to a sound card such as DMX XFire 1024 because record players – technically limited by the system – send out a useful signal that is too low and extremely unbalanced.

  • Page 43: Internal Input Jack Tap

    You can find more information at http://www.terratec.net/ . Software for digitizing and editing your recordings is included on the sound card: the program WaveLab Lite from Steinberg is designed for editing large files and should present no prob- lems even for beginners due to its intuitive operation. However, customary audio software alone is not completely suitable for tasks related to sound restoration.

  • Page 44: Microphone Input

    The Basics. Microphone recordings, e.g., for speech recognition or Internet telephony can be made using the MIC labeled input on your SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024. Use either a commercial capaci- tor microphone or headset with a mono-jack (3.5 mm mini-jack).

  • Page 45: Misunderstandings

    To avoid misunderstandings: quality miracles should not be expected from a “sound card” microphone input – not even one from TerraTec ;-). Please note that the microphone input does not support a microphone with phantom powering (48 V for the power supply). These devices are used in professional studios and live on-stage and usually have a 6.3 mm jack or 3-...

  • Page 46: The Digital Output

    Software DVD (AC-3) – with this setting you can forward undecoded AC-3 data to an ex- ternal decoder – note that it is clear from the software documentation that this capa- bility supports our XFire: either explicitly as “DMX XFire 1024”, as “Crystal Soundfu- sion” or as “CS4624 / CS4630”.

  • Page 47: Copy Protection

    CDs are common today and are less time intensive. More valuable information on the digital interface and the use of digital cables can be found in the next chapter “The Digital Input”. Therefore, keep reading if you please ... ;-) SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 48: The Digital Input

    Position B – S/PDIF In The Basics. If you want to connect devices to the digital output on the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024, use the illustrated 2-pin connection on the printed circuit board (next to Aux In). To connect the digital output of your CD-ROM drive, use the supplied connection cable which ensures correct polarity.

  • Page 49: Stuff Worth Knowing

    S/PDIF and the transmission essentially only differs in the signal strength, you can make your own converter with just a little soldering. A small circuit diagram and other information can be found at the following location on the Internet: http://www.hut.fi/Misc/Electronics/docs/old/spdif.html (see also the following diagram). SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 50 IC = 74HC04 or CMOS 4049 +---| O---+ --- --- Please note. We do not guarantee in any way the safety or the func- tioning of this circuit. Nor can we give any technical support for its im- plementation. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 51: The Analog Cd-Audio Connections

    Suitable cables usually come with your CD drive or can be purchased at most computer stores. If you need independent volume control for both your drives, you can use the DMX XFire 1024 AUX input as an alternative. In any case, the input sensitivity here is pretty much the same: approx.

  • Page 52: The Aux Input

    It has a separate volume control on the XFire ControlPanel. The Basics. The SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 is equipped with a further input for additional PC peripher- als. A video/grabber card or the analog audio output of a DVD card can be connected at the internal AUX input, for example.

  • Page 53: The Wavetable Connection And The Internal Synthesizer

    Information on the integrated wavetable and the future of sound synthesis. The SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 plays MIDI files over a wavetable synthesizer (hardware with 48 voices) integrated into the chip set. The future of (General MIDI) wavetable technology lies with host-based software synthesis, according to the experts.

  • Page 54: The Midi Driver

    Logic (Fun), Cubase or Cakewalk for the internal syn- thesizer, in addition to the driver “DMX XFire 1024 MIDI ”. This driver is also used when exter- nally-connected devices are played from the GAME Port. If MIDI files are to be played over the media playback of Windows –...

  • Page 55: The Joystick/Midi Interface

    ForceFeedback control signals. Game-/MIDI-Port MIDI Even MIDI devices can be connected to DMX XFire 1024 via an adapter cable. This cable is available as an optional extra in specialty stores or directly from TerraTec. Please visit our On- line Shop at http://www.terratec.net/.

  • Page 56: The Circuitry Of The Midi Interface

    The Circuitry of the MIDI Interface Please note. We do not guarantee in any way the safety or the func- tioning of this circuit. Nor can we give any technical support for its im- plementation. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 57: The Dmx Xfire Controlpanel

    The position in the stereo picture can be controlled via the panorama controller located underneath the speaker controls. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 58: The Record Window

    In the record window, you can determine which signal sources are to be recorded by an appli- cation via the DMX XFire 1024 Record driver. If you want to sample a number of devices or the output of DMX XFire 1024 yourself, select the setting “Stereo Mix”.

  • Page 59: Digital I/O

    Software DVD (AC-3) – with this setting you can forward undecoded AC-3 data to an exter- nal decoder – note that it is clear from the software documentation that this capability sup- ports our XFire: either explicitly as “DMX XFire 1024”, as “Crystal Soundfusion” or as “CS4624 / CS4630”.

  • Page 60: The Equalizer

    In addition, you can decide whether the loaded sample set stays in the memory (Memory resident, recommended) and you have the option of using your own DLS 1.0- compatible sample set instead of the supplied standard set, but it mustn't be larger than 8 SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 61: 3D Settings

    3D Settings. You will find all the setting options for the 3D capabilities of DMX XFire 1024 under “3D Set- tings”. The speaker configuration is particularly important because this is the only way to en- sure that the 3D algorithm used is the right one. In addition, there is the option of deactivating DirectSound hardware acceleration.

  • Page 62: Miscellaneous

    Load and Save. For example, it is possible to save specific settings for the digital inputs and outputs based on an application and then to load them accordingly in the application. The set- tings are saved with the file suffix *.DMX . SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 63: Cool Keys- The Hotkeys

    Ctrl + S = save mixer settings (ControlPanel must be open and active) By using the F5-F11 keys, or the key combination Alt + “x”, where “x” is the letter underlined in the tab, you have direct access to the desired page of the ControlPanel. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 64: Overview Of The Bundle Software

    Overview of the Bundle Software. The TerraTec Team has spared no expense or effort to bring you a software package that really has something going for it. It gives you a program which allows you to ... adjust and control the SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024,...

  • Page 65: Musicmatch Jukebox - The Complete Solution

    DMX XFire into an MP3 file in real time. In the OPTIONS menu in the player window (see above) you can specify the desired source. Important for insiders: Obviously, the original Fraunhofer MP3 algorithm is used to ensure the best possible quality. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 66: Burn Baby, Burn

    CD. One good feature: Clear display of the amount of space remaining on the CD. Must burners are supported straight from the factory, a comprehensive and up-to-date list of the models that have been checked can be found on the Musicmatch web page under http://www.musicmatch.com/jukebox/player/cdr.cgi . SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 67: Not Just For Hunters, For Collectors Too

    THEME, you can switch between the interfaces that have already been installed . If you want to download other skins or find out more information, we recommend the Mu- sicMatch homepage. The address (it couldn't be simpler): http://www.musicmatch.com. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 68: Wavelab Lite - The Audio Editor

    More detailed information on using WaveLab Lite can be found in the software's online help. You can also print out the original manual from Steinberg – the documentation can be found on the XFire-CD as a .PDF file for AcrobatReader. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 69: Emagic Logic Fun - The Sequencer

    To be able to read this PDF document, you will need Acrobat Reader. This can be found on your DMX XFire driver CD as an installation version. Go and make a start on your compositions ... SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 70: The 3D Player - Listening In The 3Rd Dimension

    Reverb: You can listen to various room simulation algorithms here: either EAX 1.0, EAX 2.0 or even ID3L2 – or switch it off via None. The path of a sound object in a three-dimensional room can be set through the subpoint path in the Buffer menu: SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 71 “up-down” syndrome. Flyby: the object flies towards the listener from a distance, passes by the face and disappears again. Manual: this lets you manually select the position of the objects with your mouse. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 72: The 3D Demos

    The 3D Demos. The DMX XFire 1024 software comes with different demos which demonstrate the 3D audio characteristics of the card: Athene – development tool for creating your own sound world (for more info, see the README file for the program).

  • Page 73: The Hotstuff Directory

    It's well worth a look. Many of the programs we present here are shareware. Please support the shareware principle and pay the amount that the authors ask if you like the programs. Thank you SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 74: 3D Audio - The Background

    All that these attempts did was to prove that with “Stereo” you can only get a 2-dimensional playback. An audio signal can only be positioned between both speakers and not before, be- hind, or even under them. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 75: 3D Audio Today

    We are at the end of our brief crash course, remember performance-wise no one will be able to challenge your SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024 for the foreseeable future ... have fun! SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

  • Page 76: Appendix

    Are the active speakers or Hifi system turned on? • Check the control settings of the DMX XFire 1024 mixer. Ensure in particular that none of the mute switches have been activated because this would turn off the sound out- put.
  • Page 77 Use the Record Out socket or the Tape Play socket on the tape section of your hi-fi amplifier. • Then you will have to specify LINE IN as the recording source in the DMX XFire 1024 mixer under “RECORD”. •...
  • Page 78 (not the SMART mode, this does not affect performance since most programs sup- port MPU-401 UART mode). Programs which are set up for MPU-401 mode directly support your sound card when a wavetable is being used. SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...
  • Page 79 WAV files that are played with DMX XFire 1024 sound distorted. Answer 10: Check the setting of the WAVE controller in the DMX XFire 1024 mixer. If this controller is at the upper stop, this may cause the signal to be distorted. A recording level of 0dB for WAV playback is obtained if the controller is set to approx.
  • Page 80 Answer 13: The MIDI lines for ForceFeedback transmission are usually used for another purpose. En- sure that the DMX XFire 1024 Game Device interface is given its own IRQ and always use the most up-to-date software for your ForceFeedback joystick.

  • Page 81: Key Word Index

    Key Word Index Driver, DMX Record 59 Driver, DMX XFire 1024 External MIDI 55 3D Audio – The Background 75 Driver, DMX XFire 1024 MIDI 55 3D Capabilities 71 Driver, Installation Basics 11, 12 3D Demos, The 73 Driver, Installation in Windows 2000 31...
  • Page 82 Win2000 Device Manager after Driver Installation 35 WinMe Device Manager after Driver Installation 29 Record Player, Connecting and Recording 42 Record players 42 XFire 1024, what is the driver used for 40 Record Players 42 XLR Plug 46 Record Window, The 59 SoundSystem DMX XFire 1024...

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