M-Audio Delta R-BUS User manual

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
What’s in the Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
About the Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Product Features & Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Minimum System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
For the PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
For the Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Delta R-BUS PCI Breakout Cable: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Delta Driver Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Windows 2000 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Windows ME or 98 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Windows 95 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Windows NT Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Macintosh Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Verifying Windows Driver Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Verifying Delta Control Panel Software Installation, PC and Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Delta System Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Using the Delta R-BUS with your Music Software Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Delta Control Panel Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Monitor Mixer Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Patchbay/Router Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Hardware Settings Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
S/PDIF Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Delta R-BUS Recording Tutorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Typical Setup #1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Typical Setup #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Typical Setup #3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Troubleshooting Tips for Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Appendix A - Technical Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Appendix B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Appendix C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Limited Lifetime Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
1
Delta R-BUS Manual

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card
designed and built by M Audio. R-BUS is a 24-bit, 8-channel format created
by the Roland Corporation, and is compatible with R-BUS equipped products
such as Roland’s VM-7000 Series and VM-3100 Pro V-Mixers, VS-2480 24-
track Digital Studio Workstation, VSR-880 Digital Studio Recorder and XV-
5080 128-Voice Synthesizer/Sample Playback Module.
Even if you are experienced in digital recording, please take the time to
read this manual. It will give you valuable information on installing your
new card and the supporting software, plus help you to fully understand
the function and usability of the Delta R-BUS.
The Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card is part of the Delta family of audio
devices, and therefore enjoys the benefits of proven Delta technology,
plus advanced and extensive Delta driver development. Once you’re up
and running, you will quickly discover the power and brilliance in
sound, quality and design, of your Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card.
R-BUS is a trademark of the Roland Corporation.
What’s in the Box?
Your Delta R-BUS box contains:
•This instruction manual.
•The Delta R-BUS breakout cable.
•The Delta R-BUS PCI host adapter card.
•Sync cable for internally connecting and synching multiple Delta R-BUS
cards.
•CD or floppy disk containing drivers & Delta Control Panel software for
Windows 9x/NT/ME/2000 and Macintosh OS 8.5.1 or higher.
•MAudio Warranty Registration card.
About the Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card
The Delta R-BUS functions as a multichannel digital recording interface.
One standard R-BUS 8-channel connector provides 8 digital inputs and 8
digital outputs when connected to an R-BUS capable device, such as a
Roland digital multitrack machine, or a digital mixing console with
R-BUS I/O. The Delta R-BUS has two channels of analog I/O on RCA
jacks, plus coaxial S/PDIF I/O. The user selects between the Analog and
S/DIF inputs using the supplied Delta Control Panel software, while the
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output signal is sent to both the Analog and S/PDIF outputs
simultaneously.
The Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card gives you the highest quality digital
I/O available -- at up to 24-bit data width at any sampling rate from 8kHz
to 96kHz. The Delta R-BUS allows seamless transfers between your
computer and R-BUS capable devices, while receiving R-BUS sync. The
Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card’s included breakout cable provides the
Analog and S/PDIF input and output connections, plus a BNC
wordclock output. The wordclock out is always active, so that you may
send a digital clock signal for synchronizing the sampling clock on other
digital audio devices.
You can record instruments or a stereo signal to the Delta R-BUS’s Analog
inputs, or record a digital audio signal from your DAT, MiniDisc, CD, or
external A/D converter via the Delta R-BUS’s S/PDIF input. You can
monitor from the analog output while you record from the S/PDIF
output to a digital mixdown deck such as a DAT. Last, but not least,
control all routing and hardware settings using the Delta’s
comprehensive control panel software.
Within the Delta R-BUS’s PCI chip is a hardware digital mixer.
Controlled by the included Delta Control Panel software, it may handle
all of your routing needs, give you extra control of all left, right and stereo
levels, in addition to control of pans, solos, and mutes.
Product Features & Specifications
•10x10 24-bit/96khz (32kHz to 96kHz R-BUS) full-duplex recording interface.
•PCI host card with external breakout cable.
•Macintosh and Windows compatible.
•8-channel R-BUS digital input & output on standard DB25 R-BUS connector.
•Stereo coaxial S/PDIF digital input & output on gold-plated RCA
connectors.
•Stereo analog input & output on gold-plated RCA connectors
•Analog I/O offers high dynamic range and low distortion, software
configurable to Consumer and -10dBV operating line levels.
•S/PDIF output simultaneously sent to analog outputs for monitoring
convenience.
•Input switching allows either S/PDIF or analog as active stereo input.
•R-BUS-to-S/PDIF or S/PDIF-to-R-BUS conversion in real time.
•Syncs with: Internally generated clock, clock from SPDIF inputs, or word
clock from incoming R-BUS either from an external R-BUS device or
internally from another Delta R-BUS card.
•Word clock output via break-out cable's BNC connector.
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•Comprehensive digital mixing, routing, and monitoring capabilities with
included Delta Control Panel software.
•Hardware sample-accurate sync will allow linking of multiple Delta units.
•Windows 95/98/ME/2000 multi-card/multi-client drivers with ASIO1 and
ASIO2 multi-card, GSIF and EASI drivers included; Windows NT multi-card
and Mac OS drivers with ASIO 1&2 also included.
Minimum System Requirements
For the PC
Windows 95, 98,NT, 2000 or ME
UDMA EIDE ATA 33/66 Harddrive
96kHz Operation
Pentium III 500Mhz
128 MB of PC100 RAM (256 recommended)
48kHz Operation
Pentium II 400
64 MB of SDRAM (128 recommended)
For the Mac
OS 8.6 or higher
G4, G3 or G3 accelerator
128 MB RAM - (96kHz operation)
64 MB RAM - (48kHz operation)
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Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card:
1. Delta R-BUS Audio Card: This is the PCI “host card” that installs into
your computer’s PCI slot.
2. 15-pin D-sub connector: This 15-pin D-sub connector attaches to the
supplied breakout cable, which provides additional I/O connectors.
This breakout cable is a proprietary cable, manufactured by M Audio.
3. R-BUS I/O on 25-pin D-sub connector: This 25-pin D-sub connector
attaches via R-BUS cable to an R-BUS capable device.
4. R-BUS “Out” Sync Connector: Using the supplied internal sync cable,
connect this Out jack to the In jack of a second, or “slave” R-BUS card
and, with the proper Delta panel hardware settings, synchronize the
master clocks of up to four Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Cards.
5. R-BUS “In” Sync Connector: Using the supplied internal sync cable,
connect this In jack to the Out jack of the primary R-BUS card and,
with the proper Delta panel hardware settings, synchronize the
master clocks of up to four Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Cards.
Delta R-BUS PCI Breakout Cable:
1. Word Clock Out: This female BNC connector outputs a word clock
signal that is in-sync with the present sample rate clock of the Delta
R-BUS. The output circuitry is designed to drive a word clock signal
across 75-ohm coaxial cables and into a device with 75-ohm
termination.
2. Analog Out “Left” RCA jack: This jack outputs analog audio to a
variety of external target devices. This jack is RCA female and is
compatible with RCA male audio cables.
3. Analog Out “Right” RCA jack: This jack outputs analog audio to a
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.6.
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variety of external target devices. This jack is RCA female and is
compatible with RCA male audio cables.
4. Analog In “Left” RCA jack: This jack inputs analog audio from a
variety of external sources. This jack is RCA female and is compatible
with RCA male audio cables.
5. Analog In “Right” RCA jack: This jack inputs analog audio from a
variety of external sources. This jack is RCA female and is compatible
with RCA male audio cables.
6. S/PDIF Out RCA jack: This jack outputs digital audio to a variety of
external sources. This jack is RCA female and is compatible with
coaxial digital cables.
7. S/PDIF In RCA jack: This jack inputs digital audio from a variety of
external sources. This jack is RCA female and is compatible with
coaxial digital cables.
Hardware Installation
To mechanically install the Delta R-BUS, do the following:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Remove the computer’s cover and position the computer so that you
may easily access its PCI slots.
3. Select the PCI slot where you will install your Delta R-BUS PCI host
card. Make sure the slot is a PCI slot. If you don't know what "PCI
slot" means, check the owner’s manual for your computer. PCI slots
are distinguishable from ISA slots by being shorter and set back
farther from the outside of the computer, however some newer
computers have only PCI slots. Newer Macintoshs will have only PCI
slots.
4. Before removing the Delta R-BUS PCI host card from its protective anti-
static bag, touch the metal power supply case of the computer in order to
dissipate any static electricity your body may have accumulated. You
might want to pick up a grounding wrist strap (available from electronics
stores like Radio Shack) if you want to be doubly sure you aren't carrying
a static charge that could damage the card.
5. Remove the metal bracket that covers the access hole on the back of
the computer. This bracket is usually fastened to the computer with a
single screw.
6. Position the Delta R-BUS PCI host card over the target PCI slot and fit
the card loosely over it with the card in the upright position. Press the
card gently but firmly downward into the slot until the card is
completely and squarely seated in the slot. If the card seems difficult
to seat, a slight rocking motion may help.
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7. Screw the Delta R-BUS PCI host card’s metal bracket down into the
bracket hole on the back of your computer using the screw you
removed in step 5 above.
8. Place the cover back on your computer.
Now it is time to connect the Delta R-BUS’s breakout cable to the PCI host
card that you have just installed. Never attach the break-out cable with
the computer turned on. Doing so could damage the PCI card, and void
your warranty. Similarly, you should power down your computer before
attaching your R-BUS device to the 25-pin connector. With your
computer turned off:
1. Unwrap the Delta R-BUS breakout cable. Locate the 15-pin D-sub
connector on the Delta R-BUS PCI Host card.
2. Connect D-sub end of the breakout cable to the 15-pin D-sub connector
on the Delta R-BUS PCI Host card that now resides in your computer.
Delta Driver Software Installation
The Delta R-BUS system includes a driver CD for Windows
95/98/NT/ME/ 2000 and Macintosh, containing all Windows drivers,
Macintosh drivers, and Delta Control Panel software. To install these on
your system, please follow these steps:
Windows 2000 Installation
1. After installing the Delta R-BUS hardware, boot your system and start
Windows. During the Windows boot procedure, new hardware will
be automatically detected by the Found New Hardware Wizard.
Click ‘Next>’.
2. The ‘Found New Hardware Wizard’ will now ask how you want to
find the driver. "Search for the best driver for your device" is already
selected. Click ‘Next>’.
3. Windows will give you a selection of locations to search. Make sure
that only “Choose a Path” is checked, or click on the check box to do
so. Insert the Driver CD into your CD ROM drive. Type in the drive
letter of your CD drive (we will assume here that it is D:\) and the
path to the Delta drivers, which will be D:\Delta Series\Wdm. Click
‘Next>’.
4. The ‘Wizard’ reports that its Windows driver file search has found the
M Audio Delta R-BUS. Click Next>.
5. Windows is now ready to install the driver files from the specified
location. Click Next>. Windows will start to copy the files and show
you a progress report screen.
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6. The Wizard reports that Windows has finished installing the software.
Click ‘Finish’. Your Delta R-BUS is ready for action.
After completion of the driver installation, Windows may require you to
restart Windows. If it does request a restart, remove the Drivers CD Disk
from the CD drive and respond “Yes.” The system will restart and your
Delta R-BUS is ready for play.
Windows ME or 98 Installation
1. After installing the Delta R-BUS hardware, boot your system and
start Windows. During the Windows boot procedure, new hardware
will be automatically detected by the Add New Hardware Wizard as
shown here. Click ‘Next>’.
2. The ‘Add New Hardware Wizard’ will now ask how you want to
find the driver. "Search for the best driver for your device" is
already selected. Click ‘Next>’.
3. Windows will give you a selection of locations to search. Make sure
that only “Choose a Path” is checked, or click on the check box to do
so. Insert the Driver CD into your CD ROM drive. Type in the drive
letter of your CD drive (we will assume here that it is D:\) and the
path to the Delta drivers, which will be D:\Delta Series\Delta9x.
Click ‘Next>’.
4. The ‘Wizard’ reports that its Windows driver file search has found
the M Audio Delta R-BUS. Click Next>.
5. Windows is now ready to install the driver files from the specified
location. Click ‘Next>’. Windows will start to copy the files and
show you a progress report screen.
6. The Wizard reports that Windows has finished installing the software.
Click ‘Finish’. Your Delta R-BUS is ready for action.
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After completion of the driver installation, Windows may require you to
restart Windows. If it does request a restart, remove the Drivers CD Disk
from the CD drive and respond “Yes.” The system will restart and your
Delta R-BUS is ready for play.
Windows 95 Installation
1. After installation of the Delta R-BUS hardware, boot your system and
start Windows. During the Windows boot procedure, new hardware
will be automatically detected.
2. Choose the Install of "driver from disk provided by hardware
manufacturer," then click OK.
3. An ‘Install From Disk’ will prompt you to copy files from the A:\
drive. Insert the Driver software CD into your CD ROM drive. Type
in the drive letter of your CD drive (we will assume here that it is D:\)
and the path to the Delta drivers, which will be D:\Delta
Series\Delta9x. Click ‘Next>’.
4. Windows will start to copy files, with a progress indicator on the
screen. Once this process completes itself, your Delta R-BUS will be
ready for action.
After completion of the driver installation, Windows may require you to
restart Windows. If it does request a restart, remove the Drivers CD Disk
from the CD drive and respond “Yes”. The system will restart and your
Delta R-BUS is ready for play.
Windows NT Installation
1. Power up your computer after physically installing the Delta R-BUS
interface card.
2. Go to Start | Settings | Control Panel and double click on
‘Multimedia.’
3. Click the ‘Devices’ tab, then click the ‘Add’ button.
4. “Unlisted or Updated Driver" will be highlighted at the top of the
list. Click OK.
5. The ‘Install Driver’ box will prompt you to insert the driver disk,
and the A: prompt will appear as the path. Insert the Drivers CD
into your CD ROM drive. Type in the drive letter of your CD drive
(we will assume here that it is D:\) and the path to the Delta drivers,
which will be D:\Delta Series\Delta_nt. Click OK.
6. The "M Audio Delta Interface Card" driver will appear in the Add
Unlisted or Updated Driver dialog box. Click OK.
7. Windows NT will require you to restart your computer for the
changes to take effect. Choose "Restart Now." Upon restart, your
Delta R-BUS will be ready for use.
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Macintosh Installation
1. Open the System folder on your Macintosh hard drive. In the
System folder, locate the Extensions folder.
2. On your Drivers CD disk, open the Delta R-BUS folder. Place the
extension file "Delta R-BUS Driver" in your Extensions folder by
clicking on it and dragging it to the Extensions folder.
3. If you are using a music program that uses ASIO drivers, it will also
have an ASIO folder within the application’s folder. In your Mac
Delta R-BUS folder you will find three Delta R-BUS ASIO drivers.
For Cubase versions 4.x, use the "ASIO2 DeltaR-BUS" driver. For
Metro, or earlier versions of Cubase, use the "ASIO DeltaR-BUS v3"
driver. For any music program that is not ASIO2 capable, use the
“ASIO Delta R-BUS” driver instead (check your program’s
documentation). Place the file "ASIO Delta" in your music program's
ASIO folder by clicking on it and dragging it to the ASIO folder. You
will find the ASIO folder inside of your music application’s folder.
3. Drag the "DeltaPanel PPC" file onto your Macintosh hard drive. You
can run the Delta Control Panel from any place that's convenient,
some music software applications that use ASIO will allow you to
launch the Delta panel from within the program. If not, we suggest
creating a shortcut to the control panel by highlighting it and pressing
Command (Apple key)+M. Then, drag the shortcut to the desktop.
4. With the Delta R-BUS PCI card installed, restarting the computer
will load the Delta R-BUS extension. You will be able to visually see
the Delta extension icon pass by as your system loads extension.
5. Go to the Apple menu |Control Panel | Sound. You should see the
“built-in” sound icon, plus the Delta icon if your Delta R-BUS is
properly installed. If your music program does use ASIO
(recommended), leave the Sound Manager driver set to "built-in" for
both Sound In and Sound Out. If your program does not use ASIO
(check your software’s documentation) and you will be using the
Sound Manager to communicate with your Delta R-BUS, set Sound
In and Sound Out to “Delta.” See the section “Hardware Settings
Page” in the Delta R-BUS “Control Panel Software” section for
information on selecting Sound Manger inputs and outputs.
Your Delta R-BUS is now ready for audio input and output.
Verifying Windows Driver Installation
Windows displays the Delta R-BUS driver status in the Device Manager
page of the System Properties dialog box. The Device Manager page is
opened via the Windows Start button: select Start | Settings | Control
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Panel | System | Device Manager. With the Device Manager displayed,
click on the "+" next to "Sound, video and game controllers" to open a list
of devices, the Delta R-BUS being a device of that nature. Below is an
example view of the Device Manager.
This example shows the M Audio Delta R-BUS and M Audio Audiophile
2496 entries in the Windows Device Manager device list. The Delta
R-BUS is properly installed with no conflicts, as is the Audiophile 2496.
If you do not see your M Audio Delta R-BUS in your Device Manager in
this fashion, please jump ahead to the "Troubleshooting" section of this
manual.
Verifying Delta Control Panel Software
Installation, PC and Mac
In Windows, open the Windows Control Panel (do so via Start | Settings
| Control Panel ). If your Delta R-BUS hardware and Delta Control Panel
software are properly installed, the Windows Control Panel should
display an "M Audio Delta H/W" icon. By double-clicking on that icon,
you can launch the Delta Control Panel software. For convenience, you
may also create a shortcut on your desktop by dragging a copy of the
"M Audio Delta H/W" icon from the Control Panel to your Windows
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desktop using your mouse or trackball. After completing the drag
operation, a dialog box will ask you if you wish to create a shortcut -- click
on ‘Yes’. Once the shortcut is installed, all you have to do is double-click
on the shortcut icon on your desktop to launch the Delta Control Panel
software.
On the Macintosh: The Delta Control Panel may be placed anywhere on
your hard drive, or any partition of your hard drive that you find
convenient. Once the control panel file has been dragged from the CD
onto your hard drive, you may double click it to launch the Delta Control
Panel software. You may create an alias to the control panel by
highlighting it, then holding Apple key+M. This alias can then be placed
on your desktop.
NOTE: When using a music software program that is ASIO
capable, launch the Delta Control Panel software from within
that program. Some of the control panel functions will be
controlled from within that program, so it is desirable to
launch the music program first, and then the Delta Control
Panel from the the program’s “launch” or “control panel”
button. Without the music program open however, it is okay
to open the Delta panel from your desktop or other location.
Delta System Basics
Delta R-BUS’s Inputs/Outputs
The Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card’s inputs and outputs are compatible
with a wide variety of audio products. The 25-pin D-sub connector on the
PCI host card interfaces to one R-BUS device via an R-BUS approved
cable. One R-BUS cable carries 16 channels of audio data (8 “in” and 8
“out”), plus an R-BUS sync signal. R-BUS is a digital audio standard
created by Roland, and is generally associated with Roland digital audio
products or with devices that provide this R-BUS technology. Such
devices might include digital multitracks, digital mixers, or a converter
that turns 8 analog signals, 8-channel ADAT optical or TDIF into an
R-BUS format signal.
On the external breakout cable that connects to the PCI card, you will find
connectors for all other inputs and outputs. Coaxial S/PDIF I/O on female
RCA jacks accepts a digital input from a variety of sources, and sends a
digital output from your computer via the Delta software. The Delta
Control Panel software gives you several options for digital output such as
setting copy protection bits, plus advanced settings that will allow the
output of a Dolby Digital 5.1, or “AC3” signal. The breakout cable BNC
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connector is a wordclock output which may be used to synchronize other
digital devices to the Delta R-BUS board. Wordclock is a sampling clock
signal which automatically operates at the present Delta R-BUS sample
rate, whether that sample rate is derived from the Delta R-BUS’s internal
clock, S/PDIF input, or R-BUS internal or external input.
Analog jacks on the Delta R-BUS breakout cable, two for input and two
for output, are RCA phono type female jacks. Although the RCA jacks
typically allow connection to unbalanced (typically consumer) line level
connections, +4dBu level unbalanced equipment may be connected to the
Delta R-BUS’s RCA jacks. However, sometimes +4dB signals may be too
hot for these analog inputs. Consult the user guide for your particular
device. On the analog outputs, the Delta Control Panel software provides
line level switches between -10dB and -4dB (labeled “Consumer”). These
software switches allow you to adjust your stereo output signal to the line
level of the receiving device.
NOTE: In order to preserve its high dynamic range and
minimize distortion, the Delta R-BUS does not have
microphone pre-amplifiers built into it. Therefore direct
connection to a microphone is not recommended. Instead
run the microphone signal through a microphone pre-amp
(such as the M Audio"DMP3™") and then connect the pre-
amp output to the input of the Delta R-BUS.
The Digital Monitor Mixer
The Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card has a hardware digital audio mixer
built into its PCI controller chip. It accepts digital audio streams from all
hardware inputs and all outgoing software audio devices, mixes them
with 36-bit internal precision and then provides the mixed output to one
or more locations. For the purpose of monitoring, the output of the mixer
may be routed to the pair of Delta R-BUS analog outputs and the S/PDIF
digital output simultaneously (SP/ANA stereo pair). The output of the
mixer may also be routed to the Delta R-BUS Audio Card’s R-BUS OUT1
and OUT2. At the same time the mixer may be used for stereo mix-down,
with the mixer’s output recorded into the user’s application software.
The digital audio mixer is configured and controlled by the included
Delta Control Panel Software.
The Patchbay / Router
In addition to the built-in monitor mixer, the Delta R-BUS PCI Audio Card
includes an output patchbay/router. The patchbay/router allows each
output (analog or digital) to be connected to a variety of input sources. The
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Delta R-BUS’s outputs may accept audio from software sources (these output
devices are visible in your audio software applications) or from hardware
sources such as the analog and digital inputs (R-BUS or S/PDIF), or the
monitor mixer. This capability makes the Delta R-BUS quite flexible for WAV
or AIFF output, monitoring, or directly connecting inputs to outputs for
system test purposes or input monitoring.
Synchronization
For proper operation, the entire Delta R-BUS system is always
synchronized to a single master clock. The master clock is chosen via the
Delta Control Panel software, and this clock may be derived from the Delta
R-BUS’s internal crystal oscillators, S/PDIF In, or R-BUS In (either internal
or external). Much of the time, the master clock is taken from the internal
crystal oscillators. However, the S/PDIF and R-BUS options are used in
situations where the Delta R-BUS must be synchronized to external digital
audio or sample rates derived from an external device. The Delta R-BUS
may be synchronized to other R-BUS capable devices using “R-BUS In” as
your choice for master clock. Multiple Delta R-Bus cards may be
sychronized by choosing “Delta R-BUS” as the master clock, and by
making the proper connections and additional hardware settings.
Using the initial default setting, the master clock is derived from the
internal crystal oscillators. Operation in this mode is similar to that of a
generic sound card – for instance, when a WAV or AIFF file is played
through the Delta drivers, the software application playing the WAV or
AIFF file is responsible for setting the sample rate in the sound card
hardware. The Delta R-BUS supports these sample rates by using either
of its internal crystal oscillators and dividing the rate of that oscillator by
some value to derive the proper sample rate.
In situations where S/PDIF In is being used, the Delta R-BUS Audio Card
must be configured to get its master clock from the S/PDIF In data stream.
The reason for this is simple – a S/PDIF data stream coming from an
external source is rarely going to be in sync with the Delta R-BUS card (or
other digital audio devices in the system for that matter), even if the sample
rates are set the same. If the master clock were set to use the internal crystal,
then the incoming S/PDIF audio would have "pops," "crackles," and other
undesirable audio artifacts present in it. Instead, setting the master clock to
"S/PDIF In" will synchronize the Delta R-BUS card to the S/PDIF input
data and its digital audio will be transferred properly.
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In situations where the Delta R-BUS is synching to an external R-BUS device,
such as a clock from a Roland digital multitrack or digital mixer that has
R-BUS I/O, the Delta R-BUS Audio Card should similarly be configured to
get its master clock from the external R-BUS wordclock data stream, labeled
“R-BUS In.” The reason for this is the same – an R-BUS data stream coming
from an external source is rarely going to be in sync with the Delta R-BUS
Audio Card (or other digital audio devices in the system), even if the sample
rates are set the same. If the master clock were set to use the internal crystal
(or any selection other than the proper R-BUS clock source), then the
incoming R-BUS audio would have "pops," "crackles," and other undesirable
audio artifacts present in it. Instead, setting the master clock to "R-BUS In"
will synchronize the Delta R-BUS Audio Card to the R-BUS input data and its
digital audio will be transferred properly. The special case to consider, again,
is the external unit sending the R-BUS digital audio to the Delta R-BUS card
may be "locked" to the word clock emitted from the Delta R-BUS card. In
these cases, the Delta R-BUS and the external R-BUS device are in-sync, and
the R-BUS data would therefore be in-sync with the Delta R-BUS system
when the Delta R-BUS card is set to “Internal Xtal.”
When using more than one Delta R-BUS card, the second and subsequent
Delta R-BUS cards may be synchronized to the first Delta R-BUS card by
selecting “R-BUS PCI” as the master clock. The Delta R-BUS has
connections on the PCI card that allow you to connect and synchronize
the R-BUS clock on multiple Delta R-BUS cards using the supplied
internal sync cable. This is necessary to prevent the "pops," "crackles,"
and other undesirable audio artifacts that occur in unsynchronized
digital audio. This is covered further in the “Hardware Settings” section
of this manual.
Finally, the S/PDIF In and R-BUS In (as well as R-BUS PCI) options may
be used to operate the Delta R-BUS at non-standard sample rates. When
one of these options is selected, the Delta R-BUS’s sample rate will
automatically match that of the incoming S/PDIF or R-BUS data stream.
NOTE: When either the S/PDIF or R-BUS In is selected as
the master clock source, the Delta R-BUS mixer’s frequency
response will be affected by whatever sample rates you
inject at the S/PDIF or R-BUS In. This is because (1) the
digital mixer operates at the same sample rate as the rest of
the board, and (2) sample rate and frequency response are
directly correlated.
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Using the Delta R-BUS with your Music
Software Application
Once the Delta R-BUS’s hardware and driver software are properly
installed, it is ready for use with your music application software. Some
of these applications may require you to highlight or enable the Delta
R-BUS drivers within the program, and others may have a utility that
analyzes or profiles the audio cards in your system and enables the
drivers. Your software should have an audio device driver setup page, as
well as a MIDI driver setup page.
WINDOWS MME AUDIO INPUT DEVICES: All of the Delta R-BUS
card’s R-BUS inputs, plus either the Analog or S/PDIF In, may be used
simultaneously for a total of 10 input channels. Within your software
application(s), the names of the Delta R-BUS audio input devices are:
PCM In 1/2 Delta-R-BUS
PCM In 3/4 Delta-R-BUS
PCM In 5/6 Delta-R-BUS
PCM In 7/8 Delta-R-BUS
SP/ANA In Delta-R-BUS
Mon. Mixer Delta-R-BUS
The “PCM In” devices allow recording a stereo stream directly from the
specified R-BUS input pairs. The “SP/ANA In” device allows you to record
a stereo stream directly from either the Analog or S/PDIF input, as selected
in the Delta Control Panel’s Hardware Settings page (only one pair of these
inputs, analog or digital, can be used at one time, and the “active” input
must be selected in the control panel). The “Mon. Mixer” device allows
stereo recording from the digital "monitor" mixer built-into the Delta
R-BUS card. The audio data recorded from this device is the mix of input
and output streams that is set up in the Delta Control Panel software’s
Monitor Mixer (see Delta R-BUS Control Panel Software section).
Note that all of the input devices are stereo. Your application software
may break these down further to "left" and "right" mono devices.
Therefore you may see them as "Left PCM In 1/2 Delta-R-BUS, Right
PCM In 1/2 Delta-R-BUS", "Left SP/ANA In Delta-R-BUS, Right
SP/ANA In Delta-R-BUS", or "Left Mon. Mixer Delta-R-BUS, Right Mon.
Mixer Delta-R-BUS," etc. from within your recording software.
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WINDOWS MME AUDIO OUTPUT DEVICES: All of the Delta R-BUS
Audio Card’s analog and S/PDIF outputs may be used simultaneously
for a total of 10 output channels. Within your software application(s), the
names of the Delta R-BUS audio output devices are:
WavOut 1/2 Delta-R-BUS
WavOut 3/4 Delta-R-BUS
WavOut 5/6 Delta-R-BUS
WavOut 7/8 Delta-R-BUS
WavOut SP/ANA Delta-R-BUS
All WavOut devices allow playing a stereo audio stream to the R-BUS
hardware outputs (for WavOut 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8), the S/PDIF and
Analog hardware outputs (for WavOut SP/ANA), and/or into the
hardware mixer. Your application software may break each of these
stereo devices down further to "left" and "right" mono devices. Therefore
you may see them as "Left WavOut 1/2 Delta-R-BUS, Right WavOut 1/2
Delta-R-BUS", or "Left WavOut S/PDIF Delta-R-BUS, Right WavOut
S/PDIF Delta-R-BUS", etc. from within your music software. Other
software will handle the outputs as stereo pairs, but allow you to pan
audio left or right within the pair.
Note that each device name begins with "WavOut." This is to remind you
that these are software devices, and not always connected directly to
output hardware. Instead they are connected to the Delta R-BUS’s
internal patchbay/router and may be sent to one of many destinations.
For more on the patchbay/router, see the Patchbay/Router section of the
Delta Control Panel software discussion.
MACINTOSH SOUND MANAGER INPUTS AND OUTPUTS: The
Apple Sound Manager limits the user to one stereo pair for input and one
stereo pair for output. Within your music software, the device selection
when using the Sound Manager drivers for input and output will be
“Sound Manager” both for input source and for output port.
To select the Sound Manager driver, open the Apple Menu and go to
Control Panel | Sound. For both “Sound In”and “Sound Out,” click and
highlight the Delta icon, then exit. You may select which Delta hardware
stereo input pair and stereo output pair will be used for the Sound
Manager’s Sound In and Sound Out in the Delta Control Panel
“Hardware Settings Page” (see section, “Hardware Settings Page”under
“Delta Control Panel”). Whichever stereo pair you select, the software
input and output device selection within your music program will
remain the same (i.e., “Sound Manager”).
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The Delta R-BUS Audio Card is by nature a multichannel card. You can
see how using only the Sound Manager drivers can be limiting.
Therefore, we recommend the use of a music program that is ASIO
compliant.
ASIO DRIVER INPUT DEVICES: When using the ASIO audio drivers
with PC or Macintosh music programs that support ASIO-style audio,
the input devices are displayed as mono devices. Within ASIO software
applications, the names of the Delta R-BUS audio input devices are:
R-BUS In1 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS In2 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS In3 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS In4 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS In5 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS In6 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS In7 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS In8 Delta-R-BUS
SP/ANA In L Delta-R-BUS
SP/ANA In R Delta-R-BUS
Mon. Mixer L Delta-R-BUS
Mon. Mixer R Delta-R-BUS
Notice the SP/ANA In and Monitor Mixer names include "L" and "R"
characters. "L" indicates the left channel of the stereo stream, while "R"
indicates right channel.
ASIO DRIVER OUTPUT DEVICES: The Delta R-BUS’s ASIO output
devices appear in stereo pairs. Because each device is stereo, you may see
"left" and "right" references within your software application. This allows
the application to pan audio left and right under software control. To
send a signal to a Delta ASIO output 1 (for example) as a mono output ,
one would choose "R-BUS 1/2 Delta-R-BUS" for that track’s output port,
and then pan that output hard left. The ASIO outputs are named as
follows:
R-BUS 1/2 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS 3/4 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS 5/6 Delta-R-BUS
R-BUS 7/8 Delta-R-BUS
SP/ANA L/R Delta-R-BUS
WINDOWS MULTIMEDIA SETTINGS: Windows may be set up to use
the Delta R-BUS as its default audio device, allowing system sounds to be
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sent out the Delta R-BUS. This also enables you to use the Delta R-BUS
with the sound applets included with Windows. To set this up, go to
Control Panel | Multimedia. In the Audio Properties page, set the
Playback and Recording devices to the Delta R-BUS input and output
devices of your choice. The most practical choice may be the SP/ANA
output, using the Delta R-BUS’s analog outs to monitor the system
sounds.
Delta Control Panel Software
ON THE PC: Once the Delta R-BUS is properly installed, an "M Audio
Delta H/W" icon will be displayed in your Windows Control Panel. By
double-clicking on that icon, you will launch the Delta Control Panel
software. You may also launch the Delta Control Panel software from the
desktop if you have previously created a shortcut there (see "Verifying
Delta Control Panel Software Installation" section for instructions on how
to do this). Once the Delta Control Panel software has been opened, you
will see the main panel and its several tabs. To display a desired page,
click on its tab. Below are functional descriptions of each page.
ON THE MAC: The Delta Control Panel must be placed on the hard
drive by dragging the application from the Drivers disk. Once this is
done, an alias may be created by highlighting the Delta Control Panel on
the hard drive and pressing the Apple key+M. Then, this alias may be
dragged to the desktop. Double clicking either will launch the control
panel. Once the Delta Control Panel software has been opened, you will
see the main panel and its several tabs. To display a desired page, click on
its tab. Below are functional descriptions of each page. Though most of
the descriptions are Windows based, the functions are identical unless
otherwise indicated. Within each section you will find the necessary
name changes for using the Delta Control Panel “ON THE MAC.”
NOTE: When using a music software program that is ASIO
capable, launch the Delta Control Panel software from within
that program. There will be a button in the ASIO or Audio
setup page that will allow you to do so. Some of the control
panel functions will be controlled from within that program,
so it is desirable to launch the music program first, and then
the Delta Control Panel from the the program’s “launch” or
“control panel” button. Without the music program open
however, it is okay to open the Delta panelfrom your desktop
or other location.
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Monitor Mixer Page
The Monitor Mixer is the first page that appears when the Delta Control
Panel is opened, and controls the digital mixer built into the Delta
R-BUS’s PCI controller chip. As described in previous sections, the output
of this mixer may be assigned to the OUT1/OUT2 R-BUS outputs, and to
the Analog and S/PDIF outputs simultaneously (this selection is made in
the Patchbay Router page). At the same time, the mixer outputs may be
recorded in stereo by software by selecting “Mon. Mixer”as the audio
source for a given track.
The Monitor Mixer Page is essentially a collection of volume level faders,
audio level (or ‘peak’) meters, and solo/mute controls. For each mixer
output and input channel there is one of each: a volume fader, a peak
meter, a solo control, and a mute control.
LEVEL FADERS
Each volume fader may be controlled by dragging the fader ‘handle’
vertically with the mouse, or by clicking on the ‘handle’ to make it active
and then adjusting it with the up/down cursor keys of your computer
keyboard. Because the mixer has no gain, these faders only attenuate
(reduce) the signal levels. The highest setting is 0dB, or ‘Unity Gain.’
The default fader setting is the quietest setting, –144dB, which essentially
mutes the audio. A pair of level faders may be "linked" so that both
channels may be adjusted together as a stereo pair.
Also, at the top of each fader and meter is a fader level "fine adjustment"
control. Clicking on the small "up" and "down" arrows will adjust the
corresponding fader setting in 0.5dB increments. Next to each fine adjustment
control is a numerical fader readout that is always current and active.
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