Solid State Logic DSP-Powered PCI Audio Card 4.3 Datasheet

soundscape mixpander

DSP-Powered PCI Audio Card
for PC based Audio Workstations
Installation &
QuickStart Guide
Version 4.3
English Version

Soundscape Mixpander
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Table of Contents
Welcome to the SSL Soundscape Mixpander............................................................................4
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................5
How to use the manuals............................................................................................................................................. 5
Reading conventions .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Key commands and key combinations ............................................................................................................... 5
Menus ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Screenshots.............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Disclaimer .................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Trademarks.................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Website ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6
SSL Soundscape Mixpander ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Software drivers .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
Digital mixing, effects and processing ..................................................................................................................... 7
DSP-based processing ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Native effects and processing plug-ins .................................................................................................................... 8
Studio friendly!............................................................................................................................................................ 8
Master Clock synchronization options .................................................................................................................... 8
2. Technical Specifications .....................................................................................................9
SSL Soundscape Mixpander ...................................................................................................................................... 9
SSL Soundscape Mixpander/9.............................................................................................................................. 9
SSL Soundscape Mixpander/5.............................................................................................................................. 9
SSL Soundscape Mixpander/9 and Mixpander/5............................................................................................... 9
3. Installation ...................................................................................................................... 10
Minimum system requirements.............................................................................................................................. 10
PC Configuration ...................................................................................................................................................... 10
Recommended BIOS settings.............................................................................................................................. 11
IRQ assignment .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Hardware and software installation overview ..................................................................................................... 12
Installing the SSL Soundscape Mixpander............................................................................................................ 13
Connecting the SSL Soundscape Mixpander to the XLogic Alpha-Link........................................................... 14
Installing the SSL Soundscape Device Drivers ..................................................................................................... 15
Installing the SSL Soundscape Device Drivers under Windows XP.................................................................. 16
Device Manager.................................................................................................................................................... 19
Preparing Windows Plug and Play ........................................................................................................................ 20
Installing the SSL Soundscape Mixer software..................................................................................................... 21
Shortcuts and automatic SSL Soundscape Mixer startup.................................................................................... 22
Installing Soundscape format DSP-powered plug-ins......................................................................................... 24
Installing the SSL Soundscape WDM/KS Driver under Windows XP .............................................................. 26
Plug and play device detection .......................................................................................................................... 26
Software updates and uninstalling older software versions............................................................................... 31
Driver updates and uninstalling older driver versions ....................................................................................... 31
Configuring a multiple unit system ....................................................................................................................... 32
4. Driver Settings................................................................................................................. 33

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Using the WDM/KS drivers..................................................................................................................................... 33
Using the Multimedia (MME) drivers.................................................................................................................... 34
Using the SSL Soundscape ASIO-2 driver............................................................................................................. 35
Multiple SSL Soundscape hardware devices and Cubase.............................................................................. 36
5. Quick Start Tutorial .......................................................................................................... 37
Starting the SSL Soundscape Mixer for the first time .......................................................................................... 37
Entering the mixer password .................................................................................................................................. 39
Setting the Master Clock .......................................................................................................................................... 42
Mixer concepts........................................................................................................................................................... 42
Mixer example: the default 64 Ch Mixer................................................................................................................ 44
Supplied mixer files.................................................................................................................................................. 47
Modifying the routing.............................................................................................................................................. 48
6. Step by Step Multitrack Recording ....................................................................................50
Multitrack recording example using the SSL Soundscape Mixer and Cubase SX........................................... 50
Index .................................................................................................................................. 55

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Welcome to the SSL Soundscape Mixpander
Congratulations for your purchase of an SSL Soundscape Mixpander PCI audio card.
This user guide describes the use of the SSL Soundscape Mixpander DSP-powered audio card in
conjunction with the XLogic Alpha-Link Converter series. For more information on using the SSL
Soundscape Mixpander as a DSP expansion card with the Soundscape 32 DAW, please refer
directly to the Soundscape Editor manual.
Please be assured that the SSL Soundscape Mixpander will provide you with many years of
reliable service and a level of audio quality normally associated with systems costing several times
its price, while its expandability, the ergonomics of the software and the worldwide customer
support from Solid State Logic are unmatched at any price.
IMPORTANT: Please register your SSL Soundscape Mixpander audio card on our website.
This will ensure that you receive notifications of future software upgrades and other
important information, and that your guarantee is registered. Registration will also make
you eligible for technical support. The Solid State Logic home page is at: http://www.solid-
state-logic.com/
Solid State Logic is committed to the development and marketing of top-class solutions for native
PC-based digital audio recording systems.
The SSL Soundscape Mixpander PCI card, used in combination with our Alpha-Link audio
converter products, delivers the most powerful input/output, DSP-powered mixing, effects and
processing solution for PC-based audio recording and editing systems.
The included SSL Soundscape Mixer software, a high-end application based on the mixer section
of the SSL Soundscape Editor DAW software, offers unparalleled flexibility and ease of use. Its
functionality goes far beyond that of a basic routing system between the external inputs and
outputs and your native audio applications, offering a totally configurable mixer architecture and
support for Soundscape format DSP-powered plug-ins from Solid State Logic and third party
developers including Cedar Audio, Dolby Laboratories Inc., Wave Mechanics, TC Electronic, Sonic
Timeworks, Aphex Systems, Arboretum Systems, Spinaudio, Drawmer, Acuma Labs and
Algorithmix. VST plug-ins running on the host PC’s CPU can also be inserted directly in the
Soundscape Mixer. Naturally, simple preset mixer configurations can be loaded for basic routing
tasks if you wish to work from a single, native application.
The SSL Soundscape Mixpander PCI card and associated software run under Microsoft®
Windows® 2000 and Windows® XP.

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1. Introduction
How to use the manuals
The SSL Soundscape product range has been designed from the ground up to be easy to use. If you
are familiar with the Windows environment, installing PCI cards and the basics of recording and
playing back digital audio, you could probably just set the system up and feel comfortable running
a session within an hour. However, the SSL Soundscape Mixer offers a wealth of powerful and
helpful features that you will only discover quickly by reading the SSL Soundscape Mixer
Reference Guide, as well as this Installation and QuickStart Guide. It is therefore advisable, at
some point, to read them both from cover to cover. For example, the Mixer is fully configurable,
and while a few ready-made Mixers are provided, it is absolutely necessary to read the “Mixer”
chapter of the Reference Guide early on to take full benefit from its capabilities. If you are new to
digital audio recording, reading the manuals first is highly recommended. Please make sure you
understand the Master Clock and Sample Rate concepts and that you understand the Mixer
software’s routing possibilities. It is also a good idea to have the system switched on while you
read the manuals, so that you can experiment with the features you read about. We trust that you
will soon feel confident creating and using your own mixer configurations. However, even when it
has become second nature, the comprehensive Table of Contents and Index (located respectively at
the beginning and end of each manual) will provide convenient ways to check specific information
whenever you need it.
Reading conventions
Key commands and key combinations
Some functions of the SSL Soundscape Mixer can be accessed through the use of computer
keyboard keys or key combinations, as well as by using a mouse or other input device. In this
manual computer keys will be shown between square brackets. For example, the key for the letter
“E” will be written: [E]. Key combinations will be written using “+” signs. For example, pressing
the “D” key while holding the “Control” key will be written as [Ctrl]+[D].
Menus
Where appropriate, to indicate a “path” under one of the main menus, the following format will be
used: menu: Header|Submenu 1|Submenu 2|Submenu3|Item.
Screenshots
The appearance of the SSL Soundscape Mixer software on your computer screen may be different
from the screenshots in this manual. This could be because your SSL Soundscape hardware

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configuration is different, because you are using a different version of Windows, because you are
using different Windows settings, or because the look of the SSL Soundscape Mixer can vary (e.g.,
the Toolbar can be moved around the main window). The screenshots themselves were not always
made using the SSL Soundscape Mixer’s default settings.
Disclaimer
These manuals have been written with great care and attention to detail, and we have attempted to
cover every operational aspect of the SSL Soundscape Mixer. However, they are not contractual
documents. Solid State Logic and/or the writer(s) of this manual cannot be held responsible for any
loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from any error or omission in these manuals.
Trademarks
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.
Website
The URL for the Solid State Logic website is: http://www.solid-state-logic.com/
SSL Soundscape Mixpander
The SSL Soundscape Mixpander, the absolute reference in multi-DSP effects and processing cards,
used to be the exclusive privilege of Soundscape digital audio workstation users. Connected to the
expansion port of a Soundscape 32 or compatible digital audio workstation via a proprietary bus,
the SSL Soundscape Mixpander lends its awesome power to the Soundscape system to accomplish
the most formidable mixing and processing tasks without breaking a sweat and allows multi-
channel audio streaming between the Soundscape DAW and the host PC.
Today, with the SSL Soundscape Mixpander and XLogic Alpha-Link, users of native PC-based
systems can enjoy many of the same benefits as Soundscape DAW users when recording or
mixing.
The SSL Workstation I/O solutions combine three main elements to provide, quite simply, the
ultimate digital audio solution for native PC-based systems:
- An SSL Soundscape Mixpander/9 (or Mixpander/5) multi-DSP card for mixing, effects and
processing.
- An SSL XLogic Alpha- Link audio converter.
- The associated SSL Soundscape Mixer software, based on the mixer section of the Soundscape
Editor DAW software.

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Software drivers
The SSL Soundscape Mixpander comes with Low-latency MME drivers, WDM drivers, ASIO-2
drivers, DWave drivers and GSIF drivers for Windows 2000 and XP. It can be used with any PC
based MIDI+Audio sequencer, recording and editing software or other audio applications.
All SSL Soundscape native systems are truly multiclient. This means that you can share your SSL
Soundscape audio hardware between several different applications. You could for instance run
Steinberg’s Cubase or Nuendo, Sony’s ACID and Tascam’s Gigastudio simultaneously, with each
application using a predefined number of the available audio channels. You could also record the
output of Gigastudio into the audio software via the SSL Soundscape Mixer, along with external
sources… adding real-time DSP-powered effects and processing as you go along.
Digital mixing, effects and processing
The SSL Soundscape Mixer software runs on the on-board DSP-powered mixing engine of the SSL
Soundscape Mixpander . The Mixer’s architecture is the same as used for the high end Soundscape
Digital Audio Workstations, but adapted for the native environment: the “Track” inserts, which
can be placed anywhere in the Mixer, are available as audio inputs and outputs to Windows audio
applications such as MIDI+Audio sequencers or software samplers.
The included Soundscape Audio Toolbox provides some essential building blocks for commercial
standard mixes, with multi-function dynamics processors (gate, expansion, compression and
limiting), delay and delay based effects (chorus, flanger) and dither. Optional effects and
processing plug-ins are available from Solid State Logic and other world renowned developers
including Wave Mechanics, TC Electronic, Dolby Laboratories Inc., Cedar Audio, Sonic
Timeworks, Aphex Systems, Arboretum Systems, Spinaudio, Drawmer, and Acuma Labs.
DSP-based processing
PC-based mixers suffer from a certain amount of processing delay, also known as “latency”. This
may be very small on an expertly configured, modern PC, but gets worse as native effects and
processors are added in the signal path, so much so that it can be impossible to play an instrument
and monitor the output in real-time through a software mixer with a few plug-ins. This is why
most native MIDI+Audio sequencers now include a “plug-in delay compensation” feature. This
solves the problem in mixing situations, but is by its very nature unusable while recording.
In contrast, the SSL Soundscape Mixer and Soundscape format DSP-powered plug-ins offer a level
of performance on a par with high-end audio hardware in terms of sound quality and comparable
to a hardware mixing console in terms of latency (…or absence thereof!). This is a major advantage
when recording live vocals or instruments. DSP effect plug-ins can be inserted at any point in the
signal path and the wet signal can be monitored in real-time (i.e. without any annoying processing
delay) while recording the dry or wet signal, or both, into your chosen application.

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When using a native MIDI+Audio sequencer in parallel with the SSL Soundscape Mixer, you can
use VST and/or DirectX (depending on your choice of sequencer) and DSP-powered effects at the
same time. In situations where the computer runs out of power, when the audio quality suffers or
the MIDI timing becomes so poor that you cannot work with it, the SSL Soundscape hardware can
take some of the work off the computer, allowing it to perform at its best and giving you the extra
power needed to complete your work.
Native effects and processing plug-ins
While Soundscape format DSP-powered effects and processing plug-ins provide a unique
combination of superior sonic quality, negligible latency and rock-solid reliability, we recognize
that native processing has a part to play. The SSL Soundscape Mixer supports the VST format. This
means that VST effect plug-ins running on the host CPU can be inserted directly in the SSL
Soundscape Mixer. This is extremely useful in situations where latency is not an issue (e.g., during
mastering) and allows access to a multitude of plug-ins.
Studio friendly!
The SSL Soundscape hardware is friendly to the rest of your studio too. You can hook up your
external effects units to the SSL Soundscape Mixer using any number of pre/post sends and insert
additional mixer strips to mix the return signal. Every element in the Mixer is in fact a plug-in that
you can place exactly where required, which means that you can record to disk through the EQs,
compressors or other effects.
If you already have a mixing console or you use the native EQs from your sequencer or audio
software, then use the power of the SSL Soundscape hardware for the cool DSP effects rather than
straightforward EQs and compressors. It's all up to you, and it means that you do not end up
paying for processing power that you do not need, as is the case with some PCI cards that offer an
inflexible mixer, with no possibility of running plug-in DSP effects from third party developers.
All settings and the entire mixer configuration can be saved and loaded from a PC file, so you
never need to lose that perfect mix you were working on yesterday!
Master Clock synchronization options
The clock reference for the SSL Mixpander is provided by the Alpha-Link AX, Alpha-Link MADI-
AX or Alpha-Link MADI-SX. These units have an on-board Master Clock generator and
WordClock input and output connectors. They can be set to operate as Clock Master, or
synchronize to external WordClock or to ADAT/AES Clock.

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2. Technical Specifications
SSL Soundscape Mixpander
SSL Soundscape Mixpander/9
•Motorola 56301 80MHz DSP for Bus Master PCI interfacing and up to 36 channel full
duplex 24-bit audio streaming via 36 buses. The Multi-client SLL (Super Low Latency)
drivers are fully Bus Mastering for minimal load on the host PC.
•8 x Motorola 56362 100MHz DSP, 6 with 384kB and 2 with 1.5MB of fast SRAM. The total
processing capability is up to 2.6 GIPS (Giga Instructions per Second).
SSL Soundscape Mixpander/5
•Motorola 56301 80MHz DSP for Bus Master PCI interfacing and up to 36 channel full
duplex 24-bit audio streaming via 36 buses. The Multi-client SLL (Super Low Latency)
drivers are fully Bus Mastering for minimal load on the host PC.
•4 x Motorola 56362 100MHz DSP, 3 with 384kB and 1 with 1.5MB of fast SRAM. The total
processing capability is up to 1.4 GIPS (Giga Instructions per Second).
SSL Soundscape Mixpander/9 and Mixpander/5
•On board configurable 36 bus digital mixer with full 5.1 surround processing, real-time
plug-in capability and 64 inputs and outputs to and from other host PC applications via the
PCI bus and drivers.
•Expansion Bus connector on the rear bracket for connection to Alpha-Link AX, Alpha-Link
MADI-AX or Alpha-Link MADI-SX. The bi-directional bus includes WordClock and
SuperClock.
•Sample Rates: 10kHz to 96kHz, supplied via Expansion Bus.
Soundscape format DSP-powered plug-ins
Many high quality software plug-ins are available for the SSL Soundscape Mixer platform, both
from specialist third party companies and from Solid State Logic. Visit our website for further
details on available optional plug-ins for the SSL Soundscape Mixpander.

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3. Installation
In order to run the SSL Soundscape Mixer software you need:
- The drivers, SSL Soundscape Mixer software, and any plug-ins you own a password for. Please
always use the latest software, downloadable from our website.
- One or more SSL Soundscape Mixpander cards.
Minimum system requirements
The minimum specifications for running the SSL Soundscape Mixer software are as follows:
•A PC running Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
•One free full length PCI expansion slot (one per card if you plan to use multiple cards).
•One free IRQ, or one IRQ that can be shared (one per card if you plan to use multiple
cards).
•Mouse, track ball, or tablet and pen.
•SVGA color monitor 800x600 resolution and 16bit graphics.
NOTE:TheSSLSoundscapeMixersoftwarerequiresacorrectinstallationofWindowsonthehost
PC.TrysomeofthesampleprogramsthatcomewithWindows.Ifyouexperienceanyproblems,try
tosorttheseoutthroughMicrosoftTechnicalSupportbeforeinstallingtheSSLSoundscapeDevice
DriverandSSLSoundscapeMixer.Itismucheasiertodealwithoneproblematatimeanditwill
bemoredifficultforustohelpyouifyoudonothaveareliableWindowsinstallation.Also,ifyou
arenewtoWindowsandthePCenvironment,itwouldbeusefultospendsometimetryingoutthe
Windowsapplicationssupplied,becauseinordertousetheSSLSoundscapeMixeryouwillneedto
befamiliarwithnormalWindowstaskssuchasusingthemenus,selectingfilesanddirectories,
usingthemouse,etc.
PC Configuration
In most cases there is no need for any special tweak to your PC configuration for Soundscape PCI
audio cards to operate effectively. However, if you encounter problems, please consider the
information in this section.
The Soundscape PCI audio cards use Motorola Farmchips for their PCI to DSP interface. They rely
on a fully compliant PCI implementation with little or no tolerance for abnormal PCI
implementations.