Digigram VX442e User manual

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VX442e
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Professional Multichannel Sound Card
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User manual

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For technical support,
please contact your system supplier.
Digigram S.A.
82/84 Allée Galilée, 38330 Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, FRANCE
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 52 47 47• Fax: +33 (0) 4 76 52 18 44• E-mail: [email protected]
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Digigram Asia Pte Ltd.
60 Albert Street, #09-11 OG Albert Complex, Singapore 189969
Tel: +65 6291 2234 • Fax: +65 6291 3433 • E-mail: [email protected]
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VX442e User manual
Table of Contents
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INFORMATION FOR THE USER 5
IMPORTANT NOTICE 6
CONTENTS OF THIS PACKAGE 6
FEATURES 6
VX442e main hardware features 7
Main software features 7
Minimum hardware requirements 8
Software requirements 8
Supported operating systems 8
HARDWARE INSTALLATION 9
Installing the card 9
Interrupt and memory address 9
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION 10
Standard installation under Windows 10
Digigram Control Center 12
ASIO Control Panel 13
How to check the installation 14
The ‘Digigram Hardware Settings’ (‘DHS’) panel 15
SPECIFICATIONS 16
Configuration 16
Inputs 16
Outputs 17
Connectors 17
Audio specifications 17
Audio performance 18
Development environments 18
APPENDICES 19
VX442e schematic diagram 19
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Card Layout 20
68-pin SCSI connector pinout 21
Cable delivered by Digigram 22
Breakout cable schematic 22
Breakout cable wiring diagram 23
Adapter cable Sub-D 62⬄ SCSI 68 MDR (before July 2015) 24
Adapter cable Sub-D 62⬄ SCSI 68 MDR (since July 2015) 24
Cable for connection to BoB8 (before July 2015) 25
Cable for connection to BoB8 (since July 2015) 25
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Copyright 2008 Digigram. All rights reserved. 
No portion of this manual may be reproduced without prior written consent from Digigram. The copyright protection
claimed here includes photocopying, translation and/or reformatting of the information contained in this manual. 
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Digigram is not responsible for errors and omissions, and
reserves the right to make improvements or changes in the products and programs described without notice. 
Digigram and the Digigram logo, and VX442e are registered trademarks or trademarks of Digigram S.A. Other
trademarks are property of their respective holders. 
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4

VX442e User manual
INFORMATION FOR THE USER
This device complies with part 15 of FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a CLASS
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions contained
in this data sheet, may cause harmful interference to radio and television
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in
a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
* reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
* increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
* connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that of the
receiver
* consult the dealer or an experienced audio television technician.
Note  : Connecting this device to peripheral devices that do not comply with
CLASS   B requirements or using an unshielded peripheral data cable could also
result   in harmful interference to radio or television reception. The user is
cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved by
the   party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate   this   equipment.   To   ensure that the use of this product does not
contribute   to   interference,   it   is   necessary   to   use shielded   I/O   cables.
Warning:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage
several components on the board. To avoid
such damage in handling the board, take the
following   precautions:
Bring the device and everything that contacts it
to ground potential by providing a conductive
surface   and   discharge   paths.   As   a   minimum,   observe   these   precautions:
●Disconnect   all   power   and   signal   sources.
●Place   the   device   on   a   grounded   conductive   work   surface.
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●Ground   yourself   via   a   grounding   wrist   strap   or   by   holding   a
grounded   object.
●Ground   any   tool   that   will   contact   the   device.
Due   to   the   reduced   length   of   the   PCI   EXPRESS 
TM 
 bus   connector   and   the
resulting   lack   of   mechanical   stability,   we   strongly   advise   against
transporting   the   PCIe 
®
 card(s)   installed   in   a   computer,   unless   its   chassis   or
case   provides   a   dedicated   support   to   keep   the   card   securely   in   place   in
order   to   avoid   physical   damage.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
This card has been tested and found to comply with the following
standards:
● International: CISPR22 Class B
● Europe: EMC 89/336/CEE (1992) specifications
● United States: FCC Rules-Part 15-Class B (digital device)
In order to guarantee compliance with the above standards in an
installation, the following must be done:
● the provided cable must not be modified
● additional cables used must have their respective shield connected
to each extremity
CONTENTS OF THIS PACKAGE
Thank you for purchasing a Digigram sound card.
In its OEM version, the card is delivered without the breakout cable.
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VX442e User manual
FEATURES
The VX442e is an audio card for PCI EXPRESSTM (PCIe®) bus. It is in
PCI EXPRESSTM x1 format and can thus be plugged into any PCIe®slot
(x1, x2, x4, x8, x16, x32).
VX442e main hardware features
● 4 balanced ∗ analog mono line inputs, with software programmable
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analog and digital gain
● 4 servo-balanced ∗∗ analog mono line outputs, with software
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programmable analog and digital gain
● 192 kHz / 24-bit converters
● Maximum level on analog inputs and outputs: +24 dBu
● 2 AES/EBU ∗∗∗ stereo inputs, with hardware sample rate converters
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(up to 192 kHz)
● 2 AES/EBU∗∗∗ stereo outputs (up to 192 kHz)
● 1 AES/EBU∗∗∗ stereo sync input (up to 192 kHz)
● 1 standard Word Clock input (up to 96 kHz)
● 1 standard Word Clock output (up to 96 kHz)
● 1 video sync input
● 1 SMPTE/LTC (Linear Time-code) input
Main software features
● Real-time, simultaneous record and playback in PCM (8, 16 and 24
bits), Float IEEE754 conversion supported (with 24-bit fixed-point
dynamic range)
● When using the np SDK, real-time mixing of several PCM audio
streams, direct monitoring, level adjustment, panning, cross-fades,
punch-in/punch-out, scrubbing
● Low latency drivers.
1∗ can
  be   used   with   unbalanced   signals
2∗∗
  electronically   servo-balanced   outputs   provide   automatic   level   adjustment   to
accommodate   either   balanced   or   unbalanced   lines
3∗∗∗
  can   be   used   as   S/PDIF   interface   as   well
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REQUIREMENTS
Minimum hardware requirements
PCI EXPRESS™ (PCIe®) slot (x1, x2, x4, x8, x16 or x32).
CPU power and memory required depend on the operating system and
on the audio application used.
Software requirements
To use your VX442e, install the driver from the HR Runtime package
version 1.72 or higher. This package includes:
● a Digigram np driver enabling OEM applications to best
capitalize on the boards
● a WDM DirectSound driver
● a Wave driver (under Windows XP and Server 2003 only. As of
Windows   7,   Wave   devices   are   not   supported   by   Windows  )
● an ASIO driver (optional installation)
Note:  the  HR Runtime package for Windows Vista does not include a
Wave driver. In case your audio application explicitly requires a
Wave interface, a Wave driver is available on request. In this case,
please   contact   Digigram  .
Supported operating systems
The VX442e runs under Windows and Windows Server versions as of
Windows XP and Server 2003.
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8

VX442e User manual
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Due to the reduced length of the PCI EXPRESS™bus connector and the            
resulting lack of mechanical stability, we strongly advise against transporting the          
PCIe
®card(s) installed in a computer, unless its chassis or case provides a            
dedicated support to keep the card securely in place in order to avoid physical             
damage.
The card has to be installed in the computer prior to installing its driver.
Installing the card
Gently plug the card in a free PCI slot and press it down to position it
firmly. Tighten the screw.
Interrupt and memory address
Hardware interrupt and addresses are automatically set up at start-up by
the PCI PnP BIOS.
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SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Note: the installation of the software requires administrator rights
on   your   computer
Please visit the Digigram web site at www.digigram.com for the most
recent driver.
In case you run a specific application developed or installed by a
Digigram Partner, this application might require the use of a specific
driver version. In this case, make sure that the updated driver has been
approved by your supplier.
Standard installation under Windows
If the driver has been downloaded from our web site, it has to be
expanded prior to the driver’s installation as follows: double-click on the
downloaded file (self-expanding). You can use the default destination
location (Windows temporary folder) or select another directory.
Important note: this default procedure installs the ‘Digigram Hardware       
Settings’ control panel. This application allows the configuration of the         
hardware resources of Digigram cards for all audio applications. The DHS          
allows for instance to define the clock of the card, the input source, input and              
output analog and digital  gain, Sample Rate Converters, digital output format,           
etc...
Please note that, with the DHS installed, controls available through the
DirectSound control panel are limited to:
●Volume control for input and output
●Wave control
Under Windows XP and Server 2003 you may also install the driver without            
installing the DHS control panel, and in this case more controls are available            
through the DirectSound control panel:
●Volume control for input
●Wave control
●Monitoring control
●Analog input level
●Digital input level
●Clock selection: AES Sync, AES1, Word Clock
●Digital output format: professional, consumer
10

VX442e User manual
To do so, install the driver with the command line: “setupx_topology” (not           
available under Windows Vista). For detailed information, please refer to the          
dedicated document on our web site.
● Shutdown your computer and insert your VX card.
● Restart your computer.
● Click on Cancel if the Found New Hardware Wizard appears.
● Double-click on the HR Runtime vxx.msi/HR Runtime
vxx.msi for Vista icon to launch the driver installation.
● A welcome message is displayed, click Next to continue.
● The “License Agreement” window appears: read it, and click
on
“I   accept   the   terms   in   the   license   agreement”   to approve it.
● Do the same in the next window for Virtual PCX and PC Codec
Legal Notice.
● In the “Custom Setup” window, the “Drivers for the HR
board  s” are displayed; by default, both WDM DirectSound and
ASIO HR are installed.
To install the Wave driver ∗, select ‘Wave’.
4
To be able to use your VX card through np, select the
‘Digigram np’ component option (or make sure that the np
application   explicitly   sets   the   ‘VX_FLAG’   with   PCXInitialize()  ).
Next.
● In the “Ready to Install the Program Window”, click on Install to
start copying the files.
●Note:  In case you use an unsigned driver version,
the “Digital Signature Not Found” message may
appear because a non-Microsoft software is about
to   be   installed.
Click on  Continue  in the  “Hardware installation”
window   (Windows   XP,   Server 2003).
●Under   Windows   Vista:
Click   Allow   in   the   “  User   Account   Control  ”   window.
Click   Install   in the “  Windows   Security  ”   window.
● In the “Digigram drivers” window, select the number and the
size of buffers required by your applications. Click on Ok.
● Click Finish to complete the driver installation.
4∗ Windows
  XP   and   Server   2003   only;   for   Windows   Vista,   a   Wave   driver   is
available   on   request.
11


Digigram Control Center
This control panel allows to define:
● the number of buffers and their size
● the granularity
Please note that for all sound cards of the VX range, “PCM only” is the
only operating mode, therefore this button is not functional in the
Digigram control panel (CPL). (To access this control panel, go to
<Start>,<Programs>,<Digigram>,<Digigram Control Center>).
For detailed information on how to use the Digigram control panel,
please refer to its online help (“? Help” button).

 
12

VX442e User manual
ASIO Control Panel
To launch the ASIO control panel, go to <Start>, <Programs>,
<Digigram>, <Digigram ASIO HE Settings>.
It allows to:
● set/modify the size of ASIO buffers (and thus latency)
● select the number of bits per sample (16 or 24)
● select the LTC frame rate
● select the I/O used
● enable/disable the hardware monitoring control
For more information on this ASIO control panel, please refer to its
online help.
Removing the driver under Windows XP and Windows
Server 2003
● Open the Windows Control Panel and double-click on the
Add/Remove Software icon.
● Select “Digigram   HR   Runtime   …”  , and Change/Remove.
● Select Remove in the HR Runtime window.
● Follow the instructions to finish to remove the driver.
Removing the driver under Windows Vista
● Open the Windows Control Panel and double-click on the
Programs and Features icon.
● Select “Digigram HR Runtime for Vista…”  , and
Change/Remove.
● Select Remove in the HR Runtime window.
● Follow the instructions to finish removing the driver.

 
13


How to check the installation
Once the cards and the driver have been installed according to the
procedure described in this manual, you can verify that the card is
properly installed and works fine as follows:
● Menu <Start> <Settings> <Control panel>,<Sound and
Multimedia>, tab “Audio”,Default device (Playback device,
Recording device). The card’s channels can be selected. The
card can be used with any DirectSound   application.
Available WDM devices are:
● VX442e 1+2 (WDM) (record   and   playback  )
● VX442e  3+4 (WDM) (record   and   playback  )
● The card is also visible via the np interface: go to <Start>
<Programs> <Digigram> and select <Digigram Control
Center>.
● In the “Digigram drivers” window, select the ‘General
Information’ tab.
In the “Modules Information” window, you can see the HR
Runtime modules that have been installed, and their versions.
● In the “Digigram drivers” window, select the ‘Diagnostics’ tab.
You should see here the icons of the cards you have installed.
● If the card you have installed is listed:
● Right click on the icon of the card.
● Select ‘Diagnostics’, and Play   Sine  . This plays in loop a sine
signal on the outputs of the card. You can also select Play   file
to play in loop a file of your choice (PCM only).
If the playback is correct, the card is correctly installed and
works.
● To stop the playback, right click on the card icon, and select
Stop   Activities  .
● If the card is not displayed:
● Make sure that during the HR runtime installation the “Driver
for the HR boards” has been selected in the “Select
components” window.
● Make sure that the card is correctly inserted in the PCI slot, and
screwed on the PC chassis.
● If necessary, uninstall the HR runtime package as described in
this manual, and re-install it.
● If the Wave driver has been installed ∗:
5
5  ∗ Windows
  XP   and   Server   2003   only;   for   Vista,   a   Wave   driver   is   available   on
request.
14

VX442e User manual
● Go to menu <Start>, <Settings>, <Control panel>, <Sound
and Multimedia>, tab “Audio”, Default device (Playback
device, Recording device). The card’s channels can be
selected. The card can be used with any Wave application.
Available Wave recording and playback devices are:
● VX442e 1+2 (Wave  ) (record   and   playback  )
● VX442e 3+4 (Wave  ) (record   and   playback  )
● If the ASIO driver has been installed:
● The card is visible from any ASIO application.
The ‘Digigram Hardware Settings’ (‘DHS’) panel
Digigram Hardware Settings (DHS) is an application allowing to
configure the hardware resources of Digigram cards for all audio
applications using them.
A resource being managed by the DHS application can not be modified
by any other applications. To enable an audio application to modify a
Digigram card resource, this resource must not be managed by the
DHS.
Note: As soon as a resource of a card is managed by the DHS,
the   clock   selection   of   this   card   MUST   be   defined   in   the   DHS.
The DHS allows to:
●Select the clock the card uses
●Select the input source
●Adjust analog and digital gains of inputs and outputs
●Enable Sample Rate Converters of an input
●Select the input monitored on an output
●Set the monitoring gains
●Define the digital output format
For more detailed information on how to use this control panel, please
refer   to   its   on-line   help.
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15


SPECIFICATIONS
Configuration
VX442e
Bus/Format
PCI Express™ (PCIe®) x1
(x2, x4, x8, x16, x32 compatible)
Size
168 mm × 111 mm x 20 mm
Power requirements
(+3.3V / +12V)
2.5 A /  0.1 A
Operating: temp / humidity
(non-condensing)
0°C/+50°C • 5%/90%
Storage: temp / humidity
(non-condensing)
-5°C/+70°C • 0%/95%
Inputs
VX442e
Analog line inputs (mono)
4 balanced∗
Maximum input level/
impedance
+24 dBu/ >10 kΩ
AES/EBU ∗∗ inputs
6
(stereo)
2 with switchable hw sample rate
converters,
ratio 1:8 to 7,5:1,
up to 192 kHz
Programmable input gain
analog: from –94.5dB à +15.5 dB ⊗
7
digital: from –110 dB à +18 dB
Other inputs
AES/EBU Sync (up to 192 kHz),
Word clock (up to 96 kHz), LTC, Video
AES11 synchronization
Yes

 
6∗∗
 can   be   used   as   S/PDIF   interface   as   well
7⊗ maximum
  sensitivity:   0   dBFs   for   –15.5   dBu   input
16

VX442e User manual
Outputs
VX442e
Analog line outputs
(mono)
4 servo-balanced ∗
8
Maximum output level /
impedance
+24 dBu / <100 Ω
Digital outputs (stereo)
2 AES/EBU ∗∗, up to 192 kHz
9
Programmable output
gain
analog: from –86 dB to +24 dB
digital: from –110 dB to +18 dB
Other output
Word clock (up to 96 kHz)
Connectors
VX442e
Internal connectors
Inter-board Sync
External connector
68-pin SCSI MDR
Digigram accessories
available
Breakout cable or 2U 19“ Breakout Box
Audio specifications
VX442e
Sampling frequencies
available
Programmable from 32 to 192 kHz
A/D and D/A
converter resolution
24 bits
Supported audio
formats
PCM (8, 16, 24 bits), Float IEEE754

8∗
  electronically   servo-balanced   outputs   provide   automatic   level   adjustment   to
accommodate   either   balanced   or   unbalanced   lines
9∗∗ can
  be   used   as   S/PDIF   interface   as   well
17


Audio performance
Measurements done at Fs=48 kHz unless stated otherwise,
with filter on the 22 Hz - 22 kHz range
VX442e
Frequency response
(record + play)
20 Hz–20 kHz: ±0.2 dB
Channel phase
difference: 20/20kHz
<0.2°/2°
Dynamic range
(A-weighted)
Analog In: >104 dBA
Analog Out: >104 dBA
THD + noise 1 kHz
at –1 dBfs
Analog In: <–97 dB
Analog Out: <–94 dB
THD + N 1 kHz AES/EBU
In w/ SRC
<-130 dB
Crosstalk (Analog in or
out)
    1 kHz at 24 dBu: <–100 dB
15 kHz at 24 dBu: <–85 dB
Development environments
VX442e
Digigram management
np SDK (HR Runtime, PCM)
Other management
Wave ∗,Wasapi, DirectSound, ASIO, (all
10
PCM)
OS supported
Windows and  Windows Server versions
as of XP and Server 2003 (32 & 64 bits)
Main on-board
processing features (with
np SDK)
PCM play & rec, Float IEEE754,
direct monitoring, real-time mixing,
level adjustment, panning, cross-fade,
punch-in/punch-out, scrubbing

10  ∗ Windows
  XP   and   Server   2003   only;   for   Windows   Vista,   a   Wave   driver   is   available
on   request.
18

VX442e User manual
APPENDICES
VX442e schematic diagram

 
19


Card Layout
J1: 68-pin SCSI MDR female I/O connector
J1 before July 2015
J1 connector is fixed to the card
bracket using Philips screws, and
is adapted to clip themale SCSI
connector of the cable.
J1 after July 2015
The connector is fixed to the card
bracket using locking screws.
The male SCSI connector of the
cable is now screwed in the
locking screws.

 
20