ABN 66 169 561 871

Auricon 2.2+

Manual

Sonifex Pty Ltd T/A Innes Corporation

12/6 Leighton Pl
Hornsby, NSW 2077, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9987 0499
Fax: +61 2 9987 0599
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.innescorp.com.au
Overview
The Auricon 2.2+ is a professional-quality audio input-output card designed and manufactured
in Australia by Innes Corporation. It is supplied with DSP software and a Windows WDM driver
to provide full sound card functionality on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003,
Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2.

The Auricon 2.2+ has two stereo outputs and two stereo inputs, and is software and pin
compatible with the earlier Auricon 2.2. The inputs and outputs can be reconfigured as separate
mono channels, giving four inputs and outputs. The inputs can be configured for DC or AC
coupling.

The card uses 24-bit 96kHz sigma-delta converters which pass data to and from the PC via a
32-bit bus mastering PCI interface. An onboard 32-bit digital signal processor provides audio
buffering, sampling rate conversion, level adjustment and mixing functions. Sampling rates of
96kHz, 88.2kHz, 64kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz, 32kHz, 24kHz, 22.05kHz and 16kHz are directly
supported with 32-, 24-,16- or 8-bit PCM data and may be set independently for each input and
output channel, while the Windows sampling rate converter will transparently support all other
sampling rates. All the standard Windows audio APIs are supported, including Wave,
DirectSound, DirectShow, MCI and MIDI playback, as are a variety of audio compression
modes via the Windows Audio Compression Manager or other software compression systems.
The Core Audio API available on Windows Vista and later systems is also supported.

Specifications
Operating system: Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, 7,
Server 2008 R2, 8, Server 2012, including 64-bit versions (x64).
Sampling rates: 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 64kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz, 32kHz, 24kHz, 22.05kHz
and 16kHz
Hardware resolution: 24 bits
Software resolution: 32, 24, 16 or 8 bits
Dynamic range: 114dB typical (unweighted)
Input impedance: 20k (balanced)
Output impedance: 40 ohms (balanced)
Maximum signal: +24dBu (34.6Vp-p)
Frequency response: Input – DC to 44kHz (DC coupling)
1Hz to 44kHz (AC coupling)
Output – DC to 44kHz

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12/6 Leighton Pl
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Phone: +61 2 9987 0499 Auricon 2.2+ Manual
Fax: +61 2 9987 0599
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.innescorp.com.au
Electromagnetic Compatibility
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely
to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference
at his own expense.

This equipment complies with the Class A radiated and conducted EMI requirements of
Australian Standard AS3548:1995, including Amendments 1 & 2.

RoHS

The Auricon 2.2+ card is manufactured for compliance with RoHS (reduction of hazardous
substances). Certification is available upon request.

Notes Regarding Windows Version Differences

Windows XP and Server 2003 are the only current versions of Windows that provide complete
support for “traditional” WDM audio drivers. Windows 8, 7, Vista and corresponding server
versions provide limited support for applications using the legacy audio APIs, while adding a
new Core Audio API offering greater functionality. The following limitations apply when using the
Auricon 2.2+ with various versions of Windows.

• Windows 8, 7, Vista and corresponding server versions virtualise the mixer API to each
application, providing only a mute and volume control on each input and output. These
controls affect only the audio levels going to and from that application. A Windows XP
compatibility mode is available in Windows Vista to provide full mixer access to the hardware
if needed.

• Peak meters for WDM drivers are only available through the mixer API under Windows XP
and Server 2003 (and Windows Vista running in XP-compatibility mode). It is possible to
access the meters programmatically under Windows 2000 (contact Innes Corporation for
details and sample code). Windows 8, 7, Vista and corresponding server versions provide
an IAudioMeterInformation interface as part of their EndpointVolume API, but this isn’t
supported on any of the earlier platforms.

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12/6 Leighton Pl
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Phone: +61 2 9987 0499 Auricon 2.2+ Manual
Fax: +61 2 9987 0599
E-mail: [email protected]
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• Under Windows 2000 it has been observed that sometimes the mixer control settings are not
preserved after rebooting. When this happens the settings revert to their defaults. Microsoft
has fixed this in later versions.

• Windows 8, 7, Server 2012, Server 2008-R2, Server 2008, Vista, XP, Server 2003 and
Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 support true 24 and 32 bit playback. In earlier versions of
Windows 2000, extended bit depth audio was accepted by the wave and DirectSound API’s
but truncated internally to 16 bits. 24 bit (or 32 bit) capture is supported on all Windows
versions.

• In all versions prior to Windows Vista, Microsoft’s sampling rate converter, which is
automatically switched in when playing multiple audio streams of differing sampling rates
through a single physical output, is slightly inaccurate when doing some conversions
(notably 11.025kHz and 22.05kHz to or from 48kHz).

• Audio capture splitting (running multiple capture applications from a single audio source) is
not supported on Windows 2000.

• Hardware mixing of multiple input sources for recording is not supported under Windows 8,
7, Vista or corresponding server versions, as each input source appears as a discrete audio
endpoint device.

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12/6 Leighton Pl
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Phone: +61 2 9987 0499 Auricon 2.2+ Manual
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E-mail: [email protected]
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Installation

The software package consists of the driver installation file (Auricon22Plus.inf or

Auricon22Plus64.inf), the kernel-mode driver (Auricon22Plus.sys), the configuration DLL
(AurcnPrp32.dll or AurcnPrp64.dll) and the catalogue file (Auricon22Plus.cat or
Auricon22Plus64.cat).

Switch off the computer and carefully install the Auricon card in any free PCI slot, observing the
normal precautions against static electricity discharge. Then switch the computer back on and
boot Windows.

Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008 - Windows will report that new hardware
has been found and the New Hardware wizard will start. Insert the driver CD supplied with the
card and proceed through the wizard. Allow Windows to search for the driver – do NOT specify
a driver location or file name.

Windows 7, 8, Server 2008 R2, Server 2012 – Windows no longer searches removable media
for drivers. Open Device Manager, where the Auricon will be listed under Other Devices as a
Multimedia Audio Controller. Right-click on it, select Update Driver Software, then click on
Browse my computer for driver software and click on the Browse button to navigate to the
driver’s location. Click on Next to install the driver.

On Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003, you may be warned that the driver has not passed
Windows Logo testing. Click on Continue Anyway to proceed with the installation.

Windows 8, 7, Vista, Server 2012, 2008-R2 and 2008 will recognise Innes Corporation’s own
digital signature on the driver and invite you to proceed with the installation. If you wish you can
tick the box to always accept Innes Corporation drivers.

At the completion of the installation process a loudspeaker symbol should appear in the toolbar
at the bottom of the screen. Your Auricon is now fully operational. If the speaker does not
appear, it may be necessary to reboot your PC. This typically happens if there has been no
sound card previously installed in the PC. Windows XP (prior to Service Pack 1) and Server
2003 by default have the loudspeaker symbol turned off. To enable it, go into Control Panel,
select Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices, then click on Sounds and Audio Devices, and
finally tick the box marked Place volume icon in the task bar.

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Phone: +61 2 9987 0499 Auricon 2.2+ Manual
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E-mail: [email protected]
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 Configuration
There are four configuration settings for the Auricon 2.2+, these being stereo/mono mode,
nominal line level, input topology and input coupling.

The mode may be configured as either stereo or mono. In mono mode the number of input and
output channels that Windows sees is doubled.

The nominal line level can be set to +8dBu, +4dBu or 0dBu. In each case the clipping level is
16dB above the nominal level.

The input topology can be configured as either a mixer or a selector. With mixer topology, any
or all of the physical inputs can be mixed down into any of the wave input streams, whereas
with selector topology only one physical input can be selected for each wave input stream.
Note: The input topology is always set to selector under Windows 8, 7, Vista and Server 2012,
2008-R2 and 2008, as these platforms do not support input mixing.

The input coupling can be set to either DC or AC (the default is AC). The AC coupling corner
frequency is approximately 0.1Hz. Note this is applied after the A/D converters, so a differential
DC offset on the inputs can cause premature clipping.

To change the configuration, right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop (or in the Start
menu in the case of XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008 and 7), select Properties, then click
on Device Manager. On Windows 8 and Server 2012, open the Control Panel, go to System
and Security and then System, and open Device Manager from the link in the left hand pane.
Open Sound, video and game controllers, then right-click on Auricon 2.2+ and select
Properties. Now click on the Configuration tab and select the desired mode, line level and/or
topology. Under Windows 2000, XP and Server 2003 it may take a minute or so for Windows to
reconfigure itself and the screen may flicker during this time. Be patient!

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12/6 Leighton Pl
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Phone: +61 2 9987 0499 Auricon 2.2+ Manual
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E-mail: [email protected]
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Operation on Windows 8, 7, Vista and Server 2012, 2008-R2, 2008

The audio subsystem of Windows 8, 7, Vista and corresponding server versions has changed
substantially from earlier versions of Windows, although most applications should continue to
work without modification. The major differences likely to affect users of the Auricon 2.2+ are
described below.

Audio Endpoints

Key to the new system is the concept of audio endpoints. These are the physical audio sources
and destinations, such as microphones, speakers and line connectors.

Previously, an audio capture device would typically have multiple inputs which were combined
in a mixer or selector. Under Windows Vista and later, each input is represented by its own
device, and Windows itself operates the card’s selector to route the chosen source to the A/D
converter.

In the case of the Auricon 2.2+, each of the physical line inputs is represented by an endpoint
device, and as the hardware has separate A/D converters for each one, they can be used
simultaneously. There are also virtual endpoint devices for the digital loopback sources,
although by default these are disabled. To enable these sources, right-click on the loudspeaker
symbol at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, select Recording Devices, right-click
anywhere in the window and select Show Disabled Devices. Now right-click on the desired
Wave Out Mix device and select Enable. This source will now appear as one of the available
audio recording devices. Note that when an application is recording from a loopback endpoint,
the corresponding line input is unavailable, and vice versa.

Windows has a default playback endpoint and a default recording endpoint, which are typically
used by applications where the input or output device cannot be explicitly chosen. After the
Auricon 2.2+ driver is installed, the first channel is set as the default for playback and record but
this can be changed by right-clicking on the loudspeaker symbol, selecting Playback Devices or
Recording Devices, and then right-clicking on the desired endpoint and selecting Set as Default
Device. The default device is remembered across reboots and should not need to be set again.

Mixer API

By default, the mixer API is virtualised for each application, providing just a mute and volume
control for each endpoint and affecting only the audio going to and from that application. The
hardware controls on the card itself are not accessible from the mixer API in this default mode.

For applications that need direct access to the hardware mixer controls, or that need access to
the line input monitor controls or peak meter nodes, there are two options. Firstly, if it is a new
application being written specifically for Windows Vista or later system, it can be designed to
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Phone: +61 2 9987 0499 Auricon 2.2+ Manual
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use the Core Audio APIs, which include the DeviceTopology API and the EndpointVolume API
(which includes the IAudioEndpointVolume and IAudioMeterInformation interfaces). These are
documented in the Windows 7 SDK which is available from Microsoft, however note that these
APIs don’t work with earlier versions of Windows.

Alternatively, applications can be given access to the hardware mixer controls through the mixer
API by right-clicking on the application’s icon, selecting Properties, clicking on the Compatibility
tab and selecting Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 2. Be
aware, though, that in this compatibility mode, the Auricon 2.2+ card is represented by a single
mixer device with destination lines for each of the individual inputs and outputs, which is slightly
different to its behaviour under Windows XP where each input/output pair had its own mixer
device. How this will work with any particular application that uses the mixer API can only be
determined by experimentation.

Audio Engine

The Windows audio engine runs at a fixed sampling rate and bit depth. By default, the Auricon
2.2+ driver sets this to 48kHz 24-bit for all the inputs and outputs. The Windows sampling rate
converter is used whenever a different sampling rate or bit depth is requested by applications.
The engine sampling rate and bit depth for each endpoint can be changed if required by
selecting the endpoint, clicking on Properties, and then clicking on the Advanced tab.

If your applications will be playing or recording at rates higher than 48kHz, you will need to set
the audio engine to 96kHz otherwise Windows will down-sample to 48kHz.

Windows Vista / 7 / 8 Mono Recording Bug

Windows Vista / 7 / 8 has a bug which causes mono recording streams to capture only the left
channel of the source, rather than mixing the left and right as previous versions did. As a
workaround until this is fixed, the latest driver provides a Mono Mix recording endpoint for each
of the card’s inputs. By default these are disabled, but can be individually enabled as follows.

Right-click on the loudspeaker symbol in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and select
Recording Devices. Right-click on any of the sources and check Show Disabled Devices,
which should then reveal two additional sources called Input 1 Mono Mix and Input 2 Mono
Mix. To enable these, right-click on them and select Enable. Note that, after enabling, it will still
show as currently unavailable as these endpoints are multiplexed with the normal stereo inputs
and are only activated when opened by a recording application. Also be aware that, for the
same reason, the stereo and mono mix endpoints for the same source can’t be used
simultaneously.

The Mono Mix endpoints should be used for communications applications such as Skype which
open a mono capture stream.
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DirectSound and WDM Kernel Streaming
Microsoft's DirectSound and Windows Driver Model (WDM) are designed to work hand in hand
to take full advantage of audio card hardware and provide kernel-mode software emulation of
features not directly supported. Kernel streaming allows audio data to be passed directly
between driver modules resulting in a robust, high performance integrated sound processing
system.

With its WDM driver, the Auricon can play MIDI files and audio CDs in addition to Wave files.
The kernel mixer allows multiple sounds from the same or different applications to be played
simultaneously, while the kernel splitter (not available on Windows 2000) automatically splits an
input source to multiple applications. Sampling rate conversion is automatically inserted if any of
the multiple playback or recording streams have different sampling rates.

Note: To use direct CD playback, you need to enable this by going to Settings - Control Panel
- Multimedia - CD Music and then clicking on the Enable Digital CD Audio checkbox (this is
enabled by default in Windows 8, 7, Vista, Server 2012, Server 2008-R2, Server 2008, XP and
Server 2003). Not all CD-ROM drives support digital audio playback. On Windows XP and
Server 2003 there is also an option to enable error correction and this should be turned on for
best results.

WaveRT on Windows 8, 7, Vista and Server 2012, 2008-R2 and 2008

The Auricon 2.2+ uses the WaveRT driver model on Windows 8, 7, Vista and corresponding
server versions, giving the card’s PCI controller and digital signal processor direct access to the
audio engine’s buffers and position registers. This allows audio transfers to proceed without any
driver code involvement, eliminating transitions to and from kernel mode and thus improving
efficiency and responsiveness. The card also supports both pull mode (the native mode for
Windows 7 and 8) and push mode.

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Topology
The Auricon 2.2+ topology is shown in the diagrams at the end of this manual.

The playback topology consists of a master output level, mute control and peak meter, and
input monitor level and mute controls for each of the line inputs. To these the kernel mixer adds
virtual level and mute controls for wave, synthesizer and CD outputs.

The record topology consists of a master input level, mute control and peak meter, line input
level controls for each of the physical inputs and a digital loopback level control and mute.

The digital loopback allows the output of the card to be digitally mixed back into the input. This
function is muted when Windows’ Digital Rights Management detects that protected audio is
being played, in accordance with Microsoft’s specifications. Note: Under Windows 8, 7, Vista
and corresponding server versions, the loopback endpoint is disabled by default. See the
section on Windows 8, 7, Vista and Server 2012, 2008-R2 and 2008 above for instructions on
how to enable it.

The range on the input and output master controls is -96dB to +6dB, while the individual line
controls range from -96dB to 0dB. Note that, for reasons known only to Microsoft, on Windows 7
and Vista Service Pack 1 the 0dB setting on the playback Master Volume control is 67, while on
Windows 8 it is 75.

To access the playback and record mixer controls on Windows XP, Server 2003 and earlier,
double-click on the loudspeaker symbol at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. On
Windows Vista and later, right-click on the loudspeaker symbol, select Playback Devices or
Recording Devices, select the desired endpoint, click on Properties, and then click on the
Levels tab.

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Extended Bit Depth Audio
Traditionally, PC-based audio capture and playback has been restricted to either 8 bit or 16 bit
encoding, with the WAVE_FORMAT_PCM descriptor used to define the audio parameters such
as samples per second, bits per sample and number of channels.

With the advent of 24 bit A/D and D/A converters, there was a need to support extended bit
depth. To achieve this, Microsoft introduced a new data format descriptor called
WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE. This provides additional information, including the number of
valid bits per sample and support for specifying channel placement in multi-channel streams.

The WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE descriptor may be used in place of the normal

WAVE_FORMAT_PCM in setting up playback and recording through either the Winmm (wave)
API or the DirectSound API. For further information refer to the Microsoft DirectX 8
documentation.

Some audio editing applications, such as Syntrillium’s Cooledit 2000 and Adobe Audition,
support extended bit depth audio and work well with the Auricon 2.2+ using 24 or 32 bit
recording.

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Hyperthreading and Audio

Some motherboard processors offer hyperthreading, a technology lying midway between single
core and fully independent multiple processor cores. A hyperthreaded processor provides
parallel execution paths for multiple threads, however there remain some shared resources
such as the memory caches and the floating point processor.

For most applications this is fine and results in a substantial improvement in performance for a
given processor complexity, however for time-critical audio applications a problem can arise,
when a low-priority thread is using a shared resource that the high-priority audio thread
requires. Since the processor has no concept of thread priorities, the high-priority thread is
blocked until that resource becomes free, resulting in gaps on playback or skipping while
recording.

If this proves to be a problem on a hyperthreaded system, the hyperthreading can usually be

disabled in one of the BIOS settings. Refer to the motherboard or system documentation for
details on how to do this.

Note that this problem does not occur on true multicore processors.

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Connecting the Auricon 2.2+ to Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs
Most professional audio equipment, including the Auricon sound card, uses high level balanced
audio interconnections. Commercial radio stations in Australia typically use a nominal
programme level of +8dBu, while the ABC, SBS and many production houses use +4dBu. In the
USA 0dBu is commonly used.

By contrast, domestic audio equipment uses low level unbalanced interconnections, typically at
a level of about 100mV rms (about -18dBu). The best way to interconnect between these two
systems is with a balancing amplifier. Failing that, it is still possible to achieve an acceptable
interconnection, particularly when going from a high level balanced output to a low level
unbalanced input.

In the diagram below, the transformer does the balanced to unbalanced conversion and the
resistors adjust the level. It is preferable to use a 1:1 transformer and the resistive attenuator
rather than a stepdown transformer as this will help minimise capacitive coupling of common
mode noise across the transformer windings.

Note that you should never ground one side of a balanced output. Doing so will most likely
damage the output drivers.

Going the other way from unbalanced to balanced is easy if the signal level is adequate. Simply
connect the balanced input across the active and earth of the unbalanced output. In most
cases, though, the level at the unbalanced output will be too low so you will need an amplifier. If
this is the case it is probably best to do the job properly and use a balancing amplifier.

Finally, note that the shields on the audio cables should only be connected at one end. In the
world of balanced audio, the shields are simply that - electrostatic screens - and should not be
used for earth returns.

Unbalanced
input Shielded twisted pair Balanced
Output

Unbalanced Balanced
output Shielded twisted pair input

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Functional Description
The balanced audio inputs are buffered, attenuated and filtered prior to being coupled into the
A/D converters. From the D/A converters, differential line driver amplifiers provide a maximum
output level of +24dBm and also incorporate low pass filtering to attenuate the out-of-band
noise produced by the converters.

Digitized audio is passed in serial form between the converters and the Analog Devices
ADSP21161 digital signal processor. The DSP provides a circular buffer as short term FIFO
storage to cover latency times between PCI transfers, and also performs the sampling rate
conversion, level adjustment and mixing functions. Card-initiated bus mastering is used for
audio data transfer through the PLX PCI9054 PCI interface.

The converters operate at a sampling rate of 98kHz (this frequency allows efficient sampling
rate conversion to all the standard rates). Clocking for the converters, serial data transfer and
DSP is provided from a 25.088MHz precision crystal oscillator.

Configuration data for the PCI interface is stored in a serial EEPROM which is programmed in
the factory during initial setup of the board.

The DSP software is uploaded from the PC whenever the Auricon device driver is started. The
Auricon supports standby and hibernation power management modes.

A filtered analogue 5V plane is used in order to minimise any digital noise on the analogue
inputs and outputs. The analogue ground is also fenced off from the digital ground, and clock
and serial data signals crossing the ground plane division are filtered.

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 Auricon 2.2+ Pinout

1
+ 14
Output 1 Left 2
- 15
+ 3
Output 1 Right 16
- 4
+ 17
Input 1 Left 5
- 18
+ 6
Input 1 Right 19
- 7
+ 20
Input 2 Left 8
- 21
+ 9
Input 2 Right 22
- 10
+ 23
Output 2 Left 11
- 24
+ 12
Output 2 Right 25
- 13
Shield DB25

When configured for mono operation, channel A is 1 left, channel B is 1 right, channel C is 2 left and
channel D is 2 right.

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 Auricon 2.2+ Topology

Line Input 1

Analog Output 1
Wa ve Out Line Input 2 Playback Maste r

Playba ck Software De vice A

Midi Synth

CD

Loopba ck

Record Softwa re Device A

Line Input 1 Record Maste r

Line Input 2

Line Input 1

Analog Output 2
Wa ve Out Line Input 2 Playback Maste r

Playba ck Software De vice B

Midi Synth

CD

Loopba ck

Record Softwa re Device B

Line Input 1 Record Maste r

Line Input 2
Analog Input 1

Analog Input 2

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 Output Mixing

The Auricon 2.2+ presents itself to the operating system as multiple independent wave output
devices. Each device can support any number of output streams, courtesy of the Windows
Kernel Mixer.

The topology of each output device is shown below. It consists of the kernel mixer that
combines any number of individual waveOut and DirectSound audio streams (applying
sampling rate conversion if need be), followed by the “Wave Out” level control. Midi and CD
streams are also added at this point. This is then followed by the Auricon mixer (implemented in
the on-card DSP) that adds the input sources (two if configured as stereo and four if configured
as mono), master level control and peakmeter. All level controls include a mute control as well.

Any number of waveOut streams

waveOut stream

waveOut stream Windows Kernel Mixer

Wave Out
Any number of DirectSound streams
DirectSound stream Software Synth
Midi
Auricon Mixer
DirectSound stream Redbook
CD
Analog Output
Playback Master
Analog Input 1
Line Input 1

Analog Input 2
Line Input 2

Analog Input 3
Line Input 3

Analog Input 4
Line Input 4

Inputs 3 and 4 only present in mono configuration

Each waveOut stream is created by opening an instance of the waveOut device. Each
DirectSound stream corresponds to a DirectSoundBuffer object. There is no limit to the number
of streams that can be opened on each device. Note that with versions of Windows prior to
Vista, only DirectSound streams have individual level controls – these are set using the
DirectSoundBuffer.SetVolume method. The Windows documentation suggests that
waveOutSetVolume should also adjust the level of individual waveOut streams but this doesn’t
seem to work - instead changing the level of one stream actually changes the setting of the
kernel mixer’s “Wave Out” fader and thus affects the level of every stream on that device.

Sonifex Pty Ltd T/A Innes Corporation 17

12/6 Leighton Pl
Hornsby, NSW 2077, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9987 0499 Auricon 2.2+ Manual
Fax: +61 2 9987 0599
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.innescorp.com.au