M-Audio Midiman Sonica User manual

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
What’s in the Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Sonica Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Windows: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Apple Macintosh®: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
A Closer Look... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Windows Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Mac OS 9.2.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Mac OS X (10.1.3 or later) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Hooking UpYour Sonica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Using the Sonica with a Software DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Using the SRSTruSurround XT™ Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Sonica and theWindows Sound System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Sonica and the Macintosh Sound Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Sonica and Macintosh OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
SonicaWarranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
USB Audio Sonica Manual
version: ASQ-061002
1

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Sonica by M-Audio. Sonica is your audio
upgrade for any PC or Macintosh computer*,utilizing the convenience of
your computer’s USB port—no tools, computer disassembly, or power
supply is needed.The Sonica brings you true 24-bit 96kHz audio for the
highest quality stereo, virtual surround, and multi-channel surround
sound available today.
Please take the time to read this User Guide. It will tell you how to install
the Sonica on your particular computer and instruct you on how to get
the most from your Sonica audio interface.
*must meet minimum system requirements
2

3
What’s in the Box?
The following items are included with your Sonica:
•Sonica audio interface
•One (1) standard USB cable
•Midiman/M-Audio driver CD (includes driver installation software)
•Product manual and warranty card
Sonica Features
•Portable 24-bit/96kHz audio upgrade for laptops and desktops
•Digital connector for surround sound receiver or MiniDisc
•Analog connector for powered speakers or stereo receiver
•Supports Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC3)®, Dolby Pro Logic®, DTS®, and
other encoded multi-channel formats
•Advanced SRS TruSurround XT® technology delivers 5.1 virtual
surround sound over stereo speakers, deep bass enhancement, and
Dialog Enhancement
•Completely USB-powered (no power supply required)
•One-year warranty
Technical Features
•USB-to-S/PDIF Optical Out and 1/8" MiniAnalog Line Out
•S/PDIF Optical Out can transmit either Linear PCM, or a digitally
encoded surround sound signal such as Dolby DigitalAC-3 or DTS
•Sonica supports the following output formats: 24-bit Linear PCM;
16-bit Linear PCM; 16-bit AC-3, Dolby Pro Logic, or DTS over
optical connector
•Sonica supports the following sampling frequencies (Hz): 8000, 9600,
11025,12000,16000,22050,24000,32000,44100,48000,88200,96000
•Audio Performance Specifications: Dynamic Range: 97 dB (typical, -60
dB input, A-weighted); Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 97 dB (typical, A-
weighted);THD+N:-87 dB (typical)

4
System Requirements
Windows:
Minimum:
•200 MHz Pentium with MMX
•64 MB RAM
•CD-ROM Drive
•Available USB 1.1 port
•Windows® Me, 2000,or XP
Recommended:
•500 mHz Pentium III
•128 MB RAM
•DVD-ROM Drive and DVD Player application (For Dolby Digital
Playback)
•Available USB 1.1 port
•Windows® Me, 2000,or XP
Apple Macintosh®:
Minimum:
•G3,G4,iBook, or PowerBook with available built-in USB port
•64 MB RAM
•CD-ROM Drive
•Mac OS 9.2.2 or later
•Mac OS X version 10.1.3 or later
Recommended:
•G3,G4,iBook, or PowerBook with available built-in USB port.
•128 MB RAM
•DVD-ROM Drive
•Mac OS X version 10.2.or later (for multi-channel output)

A Closer Look...
The following is an illustration of your Sonica, with a description of its
connectors and components. Please see the section, “Hooking Up Your
Sonica,” for more information.
1. USB Connector:Connect the“device end” of the USB cable that came
with your Sonica to this USB connector.
2. Power LED:This LED will be lit bright blue when the Sonica receives
power from the USB port.This will occur when the Sonica is properly
connected to your computer using a standard USB cable (such as the
one that was supplied with the Sonica),and that computer is powered
ON with the USB port enabled (depending on your computer model,
Sonica may receive power from your computer, even with your
computer turned off).
3. Optical Digital Output:This is a standard optical connector for digital
audio (sometimes called a TOSLink connector), and will accept a
standard optical digital cable. Either stereo digital audio or digitally
encoded surround sound audio may be output from this port. This
output comes with a cover that should be removed and can be stored
for later use when you are transporting the Sonica.
4. Analog Line Output:This 1/8” mini-jack accepts a stereo plug and is the
standard for connection with portable audio devices and powered
computer speakers. If needed when connecting to a home stereo
receiver, you may also obtain a cable with an 1/8” stereo plug on one
end, and two male RCA plugs on the other (these are usually red and
white, designating right and left side of the stereo signal).
5

Software Installation
Your Sonica comes with software that allows it to communicate with your
particular operating system and platform (PC or Mac). Please locate the
operating system for your computer in this section and follow those
instructions. Sonica’s “driver” software, which includes the SRSTruSurround
XT virtual surround sound software,will load during this installation.
Your Sonica has a USB connector for a standard USB cable, which is
supplied with the unit.You may plug the “computer end” of the cable into
your computer’s USB port.When you are asked to connect your Sonica
during the driver software installation,simply plug the “device end” of the
USB cable into your Sonica.The “computer end” and “device end” will be
easily identifiable by their size and shape.
Windows XP
1. Place the Sonica Software CD in your CD-ROM Drive.
2. Plug the Sonica into your computer’s USB port.
3. The New Hardware Wizard will appear, and state that "This wizard
helps you install software for: Unknown." Select, "Install the software
automatically (Recommended)." Click "Next."
4. The Hardware Installation window appears with a warning that the
driver has not passed Windows Logo testing. Press the button
"ContinueAnyway."
5. The New Hardware Wizard window appears, stating that, "The
Wizard has finished installing the software for:M-Audio Sonica DFU.”
Click "Finish."
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6. The Hardware Installation window appears with a warning that the
driver has not passed Windows Logo testing. Press the button
"ContinueAnyway."
7. After the installation,the M-Audio Sonica Control Panel icon appears
in the System Tray of your Windows Taskbar. See section,“Using the
SRS TruSurround XT Software” for more information on using this
control panel.
Windows XP Installation is now complete.
Windows 2000
1. Place the Sonica Software CD in your CD-ROM Drive.
2. Plug the Sonica into your computer’s USB port.
3. When the New HardwareWizard appears, click "Next."
4. The New HardwareWizard will state that "This wizard helps you install
software for: Unknown." Select, "Install the software automatically
(Recommended)." Click "Next."
5. The New HardwareWizard will prompt for the location of the driver files.
Make sure the box titled "CD-ROM drive" is checked,and click "Next."
6. The New Hardware Wizard will state that it found a driver for the
following device: Unknown.Click "Next" to continue.
7. The New Hardware Wizard will prompt that it has finished installing
the software for this device.Click "Finish" to continue.
8. The Hardware Installation window appears with a warning that the driver
has not passedWindows Logo testing.Click the button "Yes" to continue.
9. The computer must be rebooted to complete the M-Audio Sonica
driver installation.Click "Yes" to reboot.
10. After the installation,the M-Audio Sonica Control Panel icon appears in the
System Tray of your Windows Taskbar. See section, “Using the SRS
TruSurround XTSoftware”formoreinformation onusing thiscontrolpanel.
Windows 2000 Installation is now complete.
7

Windows Me
1. Place the Sonica Software CD in your CD-ROM Drive.
2. Plug the Sonica into your computer’s USB port.
3. The New Hardware Wizard will appear, and state that "This wizard
helps you install software for: Unknown." Select "Install the software
automatically (Recommended)." Click "Next."
4. The New Hardware Wizard will prompt that it has finished installing the
software for the“M-Audio Sonica DFU” device.Click "Finish" to continue.
5. The New HardwareWizard will appear one more time, and state that
"This wizard helps you install software for: USB Audio Device." Select
"Install the software automatically (Recommended)." Click "Next."
6. The New Hardware Wizard will prompt that it has finished installing the
software for the“M-Audio Sonica USB” device.Click "Finish" to continue.
7. After the installation the M-Audio Sonica Control Panel icon appears
in the System Tray. See section, “Using the SRS TruSurround XT
Software” for more information on using this control panel.
Windows Me Installation is now complete.
8

Mac OS 9.2.2
1. Insert Sonica Software CD into your CD-ROM drive. AutoRun will
open the CD and allow you to view its contents.
2. Double click the “M-Audio Sonica Installer.”
3. Click "Continue" at the M-Powered Screen.
4. Read the "Instructions for using M-Audio Sonica." Click "Continue."
5. Select your install location, or simply choose the OS 9 boot drive
(which is the default).Click "Install" to continue.
6. Installation requires a restart of the computer.Click "Continue" to restart.
7. The next prompt states a similar message. Click "Restart" to reboot
the computer.
8. Plug the Sonica into your computer’s USB Port.
9. Once the computer has restarted, select "Sound" in "Control Panels,"
then select the "Output" tab.Click on "M-Audio Sonica" to choose the
Sonica as your default output device.
Mac OS 9.2.2 Installation is now complete.
9

Mac OS X (10.1.3 or later)
1. Insert the Sonica Software CD into your CD-ROM Drive and open the
CD to view its contents.
2. Double click "M-Audio Sonica Installer.dmg" file. An Icon will appear on
your desktop marked "Sonica."
3. Double click the "Sonica" icon on your desktop.
4. Now double click on the "M-Audio Sonica Installer.mpkg."
5. You will need your Administrator Password for the next step. To
continue,click the lock icon in the lower left corner of the window that
states,“ClickThe LockTo Make Changes."
6. Enter your password and click "OK."
7. The next window "Welcomes You..." to the installation process.
Click "Continue."
8. Select your OS X hard drive.Click "Continue."
9. When prompted,click "Upgrade" to continue.
10. When prompted, click "Continue Installation."
11. When prompted, click "Restart" to finish the installation.
12. After the computer has restarted, now plug the Sonica into your
computer’s USB Port.
13. Go to "System Preferences" in the Apple Menu. Select the "Sound"
preference panel, and click the "Output" tab. Select "M-Audio Sonica"
to choose the Sonica as your default output device.
Mac OS X Installation is now complete.
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