www.solid-state-logic.com MadiXtreme. Hi-speed MADI I/O Multichannel Digital Audio Interface for PC and Macintosh based Digital Audio Workstations Reference Guide MadiXtreme. This is SSL.
Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1 How to use this manual 1 Reading conventions 1 Key commands, key combinations and key sequences Screenshots 1 1 Safety and Installation Considerations 2 Disclaimer 2 Trademarks 2 Website 2 2. MadiXtreme Overview 3 Hardware 3 Software Drivers 3 PC 3 Macintosh 3 MADI 3 3. Package Contents 4 4a.
7. Audio and Clock Settings (Macintosh) 19 Accessing the Audio and Clock Settings (Macintosh) 19 MadiXtreme Preferences Pane (Macintosh) 20 Clock Master 20 Sample Rate Selection 20 MADI Channel Count 20 MADI Frame Format 20 8.
Magix Samplitude 39 Selecting the Driver 39 Audio Connections and Clock Settings 39 Overview 40 Selecting an Input for the Track/Channel Strip 41 Selecting an Output for the Track/Channel Strip 41 Monitoring the Signal 41 Recording 41 Apple Logic Pro 42 Selecting the Driver 42 Audio Connections and Clock Settings 42 Creating a Logic Project 43 Mixer Overview 43 Selecting an Input or Output 44 Monitoring the Signal 44 Recording 44 13.
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1. Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of an SSL MadiXtreme PCIe audio card. Please be assured that the SSL MadiXtreme will provide you with many years of reliable service and, in conjunction with the SSL XLogic Alpha-Link converter series, the pristine audio quality you expect from any SSL product.
Safety and Installation Considerations This section contains definitions, warnings, and practical information to ensure a safe working environment. Please take time to read this section before installing or using this unit. Please do not dispose of these instructions. General Safety • Read these instructions. • Keep these instructions. • Heed all warnings. • Follow all instructions. • Do not use this apparatus near water. • Do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
2. MadiXtreme Overview Hardware The MadiXtreme is available in two versions; MadiXtreme 64 and MadiXtreme 128. • MadiXtreme 64 features one MADI input and one MADI output, providing 56 or 64 simultaneous inputs and outputs at up to 48kHz, 28 or 32 simultaneous inputs and outputs at up to 96kHz, or 14 or 16 simultaneous inputs and outputs at up to 192kHz.
3. Package Contents Your MadiXtreme box should contain: • The MadiXtreme card (MadiXtreme 128 version shown here) • The MadiXtreme CD • Printed Installation Guide EN DE MadiXtreme. Hi-speed MADI I/O FR Installation Guide Installations-Handbuch ES Guide d’Installation Guia de Instalación Guida di Installazione IT JP MadiXtreme. This is SSL.
4a. Installation (PC) Hardware and Software Installation Overview (PC) Before proceeding with the hardware installation, please read and understand the Safety and Installation Considerations on page 2 of this manual. In addition to this, please ensure that the host computer meets the minimum system requirements listed in the Technical Specifications section before you begin. For easy installation please follow these steps in the order indicated: 1. Make sure you have the SSL Soundscape Driver ready.
Preparing Windows Plug and Play (Windows XP and Vista) In order to make driver installation as easy as possible, we recommend that you prepare the Windows Plug and Play system to recognize your SSL hardware automatically. To do this, run the SSL Soundscape Driver Setup application (DrvSetup.exe) before physically installing the card in the computer.
Hardware installation (Windows XP and Vista) The guidelines below are general and apply in most cases. However, since all PCs are different it is advisable to check your computer’s instruction manual for specific information. For example, on some PC cases the front panel needs to be removed first in order the access the cover mounting screws. 1. Turn off all power to your computer, unplug it from the mains and disconnect all peripheral devices. 2. Remove the computer cover. 3.
• Windows will then invite you to insert the installation CD for your hardware and let you choose an automatic or manual installation. Having pre-installed the driver as described earlier, just make sure that Install the software automatically (Recommended) is selected, and click Next. • Further windows will be displayed while Windows copies the driver files. Depending on the specification of your system, this could take a few seconds or a few minutes.
Installing the WDM/KS Driver (Windows XP) Immediately after installing the main driver files, the Found New Hardware Wizard will start again. This time the WDM/KS driver will be installed. The series of dialogue boxes is almost identical to the one displayed for the main driver files, with the exception of a warning regarding Windows Logo testing. • In the first dialogue box, select No, not this time, and click Next.
• Further windows will be displayed while Windows copies the WDM/KS driver files. At one point, Windows will display a warning regarding Windows Logo testing. Click Continue Anyway: • Eventually, a dialog box confirms that the installation has been completed. Clicking Finish closes the Wizard. Installing the SSL Drivers (Windows Vista) If you have run the DrvSetup.
Device Manager (Windows XP and Vista) After a successful installation, the SSL MadiXtreme appears in the SSL Soundscape Devices category in the Windows Device Manager. The SSL Soundscape WDM/KS Device is listed under Sound, video and game controllers.
4b. Installation (Macintosh) Hardware Installation (Macintosh) Before proceeding with the hardware installation, please read and understand the Safety and Installation Considerations on page 2 of this manual. In addition to this, please ensure that the host computer meets the minimum system requirements listed in the Technical Specifications section before you begin. The following instructions are general and provided for guidance only. 1.
Software Installation (Macintosh) Locate and run the MadiXtreme Macintosh Driver Installer. This application can be found on the Installation CD that came with your card but, if possible, please use the latest version that can be downloaded from our website. Click Continue or Install as necessary to continue the procedure, and enter your log-in password if prompted. Eventually a summary screen should confirm that the installation was successful. Click Close.
5. Audio and Clock Connections Audio Connections The MadiXtreme 64 features one MADI input connector and one MADI output connector. The MadiXtreme 128 (pictured below) features two MADI input connectors and two MADI output connectors.
Clock Connections Digital audio devices that exchange audio data must be synchronized to the same clock reference. This clock reference signal can either be a ‘WordClock’ signal, transmitted and received via dedicated coaxial connectors (BNC or RCA), or an embedded clock signal transmitted via a digital audio connection such as TDIF Clock, ADAT Clock, MADI Clock, etc.
6. Audio and Clock Settings (PC) Accessing the Audio and Clock Settings (PC) For Windows XP and Vista, the MadiXtreme audio and clock settings can be accessed via the Device Manager, or by using the TRack.exe application which is included in the driver download package. • From the Device Manager: Open the Device Manager, expand SSL Soundscape Devices, double-click Madixtreme Device, and click the I/O Settings tab. • Using TRack: Run TRack.
• The MadiXtreme Properties window is divided into three sections. The top section (Clock) allows you to define the clock settings you require for your studio. The middle section (Format) controls the audio configuration. The bottom section (Status) shows whether the MadiXtreme is correctly synchronized to a clock signal and whether the MADI inputs are locked to a valid incoming MADI signal.
Sample Rate Selection Menu When the card is set as a Master Soundscape device and the Internal clock setting is selected, this menu allows a sample rate to be selected. The available sample rates are 44100Hz, 48000Hz, 88200Hz, 96000Hz, 176400Hz and 192000Hz. In all other cases, the Sample Rate menu is greyed-out and cannot be used.
7. Audio and Clock Settings (Macintosh) Accessing the Audio and Clock Settings (Macintosh) Click the Apple () icon and select System Preferences…. In the System Preferences window click the MadiXtreme icon to display the MadiXtreme Preferences pane.
MadiXtreme Preferences Pane (Macintosh) Clock Master Use this drop-down to set the master clock source for the selected MadiXtreme card: • Internal. If this option is selected, MadiXtreme locks to its own on-board clock generator. Additionally, the BNC connector operates as a WordClock output suitable to provide a clock reference to a slave device. • WordClock. If this option is selected, MadiXtreme will lock to a WordClock signal received via its BNC connector, which will operate as an input.
8. Driver Settings (PC) Using the WDM/KS Drivers (Windows XP) The WDM/KS drivers are loaded during log on. These drivers can be set up in the Windows Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Audio tab. The individual inputs and outputs are always listed as pairs. However, multichannel audio can be used. Note that MadiXtreme n WDM (where ‘n’ is the unit number) must be selected as the default audio device for sound playback.
Using the Multimedia (MME) Drivers (Windows XP) The legacy MME drivers are loaded during log on and are still available for compatibility with certain applications: The default setting is for multiple stereo input and output devices (ie., one SSL MadiXtreme 64 = thirty-two stereo devices).
Using the WDM/KS drivers (Windows Vista) In Windows 2000 and XP, multichannel audio cards were treated as surround devices. A 16 input/output audio card such as the Soundscape Mixtreme would be seen as a 16 channel surround device, a 64 channel audio card (such as the Soundscape Mixpander) would be seen as a 64 channel surround device. Since this was not suitable for DAW software, the Soundscape driver implemented stereo and/or eight channel ‘virtual devices’ on top of the actual audio device.
Using the SSL Soundscape ASIO-2 Driver (Windows XP and Vista) ASIO (Audio Streaming Input Output) is a Steinberg specification, originally developed for Cubase VST and used thereafter in subsequent versions of Cubase and Nuendo. This driver provides a more direct interface for multi-channel audio streaming than the legacy Multimedia drivers and most PC-based software DAWs (for instance Cakewalk Sonar, Magix Samplitude or Cockos Reaper) now also support ASIO as an option.
• To access the Direct Monitoring option, select Device Setup under the Devices menu, then select SSL Soundscape ASIO under VST Audio System. The Direct Monitoring box should be checked to switch monitoring between the input (for recording) and output (for playback) from Cubase or Nuendo. Please note that at the time of writing, Direct Monitoring has not been implemented for MadiXtreme.
Multiple SSL Audio Cards and ASIO-2 The ASIO-2 driver specification allows for only one audio card to be used at any single time. However, the current implementation of the SSL Soundscape Device Driver allows multiple SSL audio cards to be used simultaneously under ASIO-2 by presenting them to the application as a single device. In order to use multiple cards simultaneously, All Devices must be selected in the SSL Soundscape ASIO Panel.
9. Driver Settings (Macintosh) To select the MadiXtreme as the default Core Audio input and/or output device, click the Apple () icon and select System Preferences…. In the System Preferences window click the Sound icon to display the Sound Preferences pane. In the Sound Preferences pane, use the Output and Input buttons to view the available output and input devices. Click the MadiXtreme name to select it.
10. Driver Updates and Uninstalling Older Driver Versions Windows XP and Windows Vista The description below shows the procedure in Windows XP. In Vista the procedure is similar but more warnings may be displayed. Always click the option that allows the procedure to continue. New versions of the Soundscape Device Driver can be downloaded from our website. To install the new version of the driver, first decompress the downloaded file to a folder of your choice. Then, locate the DrvSetup.
11. Firmware Updates Updated MadiXtreme firmware will be available for download from our website whenever necessary. Typically, any new firmware will be included as part of a new driver package. Windows XP and Windows Vista When the TRack software is launched, the Firmware Updater starts up automatically if a MadiXtreme with obsolete firmware is detected. In such cases, click Next to proceed. Please close any streaming applications currently running, and wait while the firmware is updated.
Macintosh To update the MadiXtreme firmware, open the MadiXtreme Preferences pane (click the Apple () icon and select System Preferences…. then in the System Preferences window click the MadiXtreme icon). In the MadiXtreme Preferences pane, click the Update Firmware button and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be prompted to locate the firmware file that you want to load into the card.
12. Working With Your Audio Applications In order to use your MadiXtreme effectively, you will need to be familiar with the operation of your sequencer or other audio application(s). If necessary, please spend time reading the manual(s) for your application(s) of choice. In particular, if you are using a sequencer, make sure you understand the basics such as setting up the clock synchronization, configuring the inputs and outputs of the software mixer, arming tracks etc.
Steinberg Nuendo (Based on Nuendo 4.1.2 Build 851 running under Windows XP) Selecting the Driver For this quick-start example, we have chosen to use the ASIO driver (Devices menu, click Device Setup, highlight VST Audio System in the left-hand pane, select SSL Soundscape ASIO in the ASIO Driver drop-down menu then click OK). Audio Connections and Clock Settings We will assume here that the MadiXtreme is connected to an Alpha-Link MADI AX or MADI SX.
Overview The Nuendo Mixer is divided into three main sections (press function key F3 to display the Mixer): Input Channel Strip Centre Section (with Four Audio Channel Strips) Output Channel Strip • Input channel strips (or ‘input busses’), to the left of the mixer • Output channel strips (or ‘output busses’), to the right of the mixer • Audio channel strips (in the centre section of the mixer) Input and output channel strips are created automatically when an input or output bus is created in the VST Co
Input Channel Strips Click the VST connections button (bottom left of the mixer) to open the VST Connections window. In the VST connections window, check that the Inputs tab is selected. Click the Add Bus button and use the resulting dialogue box to create input channel strips as required. To assign an existing Nuendo input bus to a different MadiXtreme input, click the name of the MadiXtreme input in the Device Port column and select the required input from the resulting menu.
Audio Channel Strips In the Project menu select Add Track and click Audio. Use the resulting Add Audio Track dialogue box to create audio tracks as required. The corresponding channel strips will be added to the mixer. The input and output channel strips that are currently connected to the audio channel strips are indicated in routing boxes located above the audio channel strips. Click the boxes to connect the audio channel strip to a different input or output channel strip as required.
Cakewalk Sonar (Based on Sonar 7.0 Producer Edition running under Windows XP) Selecting the Driver The ASIO driver mode was chosen for this quick-start example (Options menu, click Audio, click the Advanced tab, select ASIO using the Driver Mode drop-down menu and click OK to confirm and close the window). Audio Connections and Clock Settings It is assumed that MadiXtreme is connected to an Alpha-Link MADI AX or MADI SX.
Overview The Sonar Console is divided into three main sections (on the keyboard, press Alt & 3 to display the Console). Tracks Section (Two Audio Tracks Shown) Busses Section (Master Bus on the Left) Mains Section (Two Stereo Outputs Shown) For clarity, we have used the buttons on the left of the console to hide the EQ Plot, EQ, FX and Send sections of the channel strips.
Selecting an Input for the Track/Channel Strip In order to hear the input signal an input must be selected for the channel strip. Click the input field near the top of the track channel strip to display a selection menu. If you are receiving a stereo test signal via MadiXtreme inputs 1 and 2, highlight SSL Soundscape ASIO. A submenu will be displayed: click Stereo SSL Soundscape ASIO STR 1 Madixtreme 1 in the submenu.
Magix Samplitude (Based on Samplitude 10 Pro running under Windows XP) Selecting the Driver The ASIO Driver System was selected for this quick-start example (Options menu, click System/Audio, select the ASIO option box. Click OK to confirm your selection and close the window. Audio Connections and Clock Settings It is assumed that the MadiXtreme is connected to an Alpha-Link MADI AX or MADI SX.
Overview The Samplitude Mixer is divided into three main sections (on the keyboard, press M to display the Mixer). Channel Strips Master Section Global Buttons For clarity, we have used the buttons on the left of the Mixer to hide the EQ Insert and Aux sections of the channel strips. The Samplitude Mixer features one audio channel strip for each audio track in the current project. By default, the output of each audio channel strip is routed to the Master section – this can be changed if required.
Selecting an Input for the Track/Channel Strip In order to hear an input signal the track input must be selected. Click the input field near the top of the track channel strip to display a selection menu. If you are receiving a stereo test signal via MadiXtreme inputs 1 and 2, make sure that 1. SSL Soundscape ASIO In (1+2) is selected (as it should be by default).
Apple Logic Pro (Based on Logic Pro 8 running under Mac OS X 10.5.4) Selecting the Driver Click the Logic Pro menu header, highlight Preferences in the menu, click Audio in the submenu to open the Logic Preferences window. Click the Devices tab if necessary, and under Core Audio, select the MadiXtreme in the Device menu. Audio Connections and Clock Settings For this quick-start example, it is assumed that the MadiXtreme is connected to an Alpha-Link MADI AX or MADI SX.
Creating a Logic Project In the Logic Pro File menu, select New. In the New window and click Empty Project – you will be prompted to create new audio tracks. Create a single stereo audio track, assigned to inputs and outputs 1 and 2. Finally, click on File again, select Save As…, name your trial project and click Save. This way you won’t have to do it when you start recording.
Selecting an Input or Output Note that you can select any adjacent pair of MadiXtreme inputs or outputs for the stereo track you have created by clicking the Input and Output slots in the I/O section of the Track channel strip and using the menu and submenus that will thus be displayed. In this example, it is assumed that you are receiving audio via inputs 1 and 2 and monitoring outputs 1 and 2, so there should be no need to change the settings.
13. Technical Specifications Physical * Connections Depth 168mm / 6.6" System Single x1 PCIe slot Width 1 slot (18.5mm / 0.7") MADI Height 99mm / 3.9" Twin SC type chassis socket Glass Multimode Fibre 50/125µ or 62.5/125µ Boxed size 320mm x 220mm x 65mm 12.60" x 8.66" x 2.56" Wordclock 75Ω BNC, Zin = 75Ω, 3V3/5V TTL compatible Boxed weight 0.52kg / 1.
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