Tascam PCI-822 User Manual

Hide thumbs

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Quick Links

Download this manual

PCI-822

User's Guide

PCI-822 is a trademark of TASCAM Professional Division, TEAC America, Inc.

All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the

property of their respective holders.

7733 Telegraph Road • Montebello, CA 90640 • 323-726-0303

Table of Contents

Troubleshooting

Summary of Contents for Tascam PCI-822

Page 1 PCI-822 User’s Guide User’s Guide PCI-822 is a trademark of TASCAM Professional Division, TEAC America, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Copyright © 2000, TASCAM Professional Division, TEAC America, Inc. 7733 Telegraph Road • Montebello, CA 90640 • 323-726-0303...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Windows Installation ........5 MIDI Limitation (for Windows 95 only) ..5 Installing in Windows 95/98......6 Installing GigaSampler LE ......7 Updating the PCI-822 Software....8 Uninstalling the PCI-822 ......9 Macintosh Installation .........10 Installing in the Macintosh ......10 Updating the PCI-822 Software....11...
Page 3 Hard Drive and Adapter......39 Disk Fragmentation ........40 Data Compression........41 Sporadic Disk Activity ........41 Multi-tasking ..........43 File Caching ..........44 Other Caching Options .......45 32-bit Drivers ..........45 Virtual Memory Swapfile......46 Video Card ..........47 Graphics Acceleration .......47 Windows System Monitor ......48 PCI-822 Specifications .......50...
Page 4: Introduction
16, 22.05 and 32 kHz digital audio output for playback through high-quality external converters. The PCI-822 has a software control panel for digital audio input status, sample rate selection, and clock source control. The PCI-822’s ASIO driver provides low-latency performance when adjusting parameters and monitoring inputs with applications such as ®...
Page 5: Technical Support
In addition to this User’s Guide, your PCI-822 package should contain: • PCI-822 circuit board • Breakout cable that connects to the 15-pin connector on the PCI-822, providing 2 RCA (coax) connectors for SPDIF in/out, 1 BNC connector for word clock out, and 4 standard 5-pin MIDI connectors (2 in, 2 out) •...
Page 6: Connectors And Cables
CU/PW88DL 5m (16') — Word clock cables — The 15-pin PCI-822 breakout cable has a BNC connector for word clock output. Word clock signals contain high frequencies and should be transmitted on 75-ohm coax cables for reliability. Usually, a BNC connector is used for word clock.
Page 7 SPDIF use. Since SPDIF inputs and outputs look the same, make sure you check the labels on the molded connectors of the PCI-822 breakout cable, and connect your 75-ohm coax cables to the correct connectors.
Page 8: Windows Installation
2. Install the PCI-822 card, as described on the next page. 3. Open the System tab of the PCI-822 control panel, and disable the PCI-822 MIDI ports (by setting the MIDI Mode to ‘Disabled’). 4. Re-enable your other MIDI ports, and then reboot the computer.
Page 9: Installing In Windows 95/98
PCI-822 connectors. 3. Insert the PCI-822 board into the empty PCI slot, and secure the PCI-822 bracket with a mounting screw. 4. Attach the PCI-822 breakout cable to the 15-pin connector, using the screws on each side of the connector to secure it firmly.
Page 10: Installing Gigasampler Le
Note: The MIDI-to-audio latency in GigaSampler is affected by the “Buffer Size” setting in the System tab of the PCI-822 control panel. Smaller buffer sizes provide lower latency but increase the risk of audio glitches. The default value is 256 samples, but many systems work well with the Buffer Size set to 128 samples.
Page 11: Updating The Pci-822 Software
WinZip (from http://www.winzip.com). 2. Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk into your computer’s floppy drive. 3. Open the zip file, and extract the enclosed PCI-822 files onto a floppy disk (and then leave the disk in the floppy drive).
Page 12: Uninstalling The Pci-822
2. Remove the mounting screw that holds the PCI-822 bracket in the computer. 3. Lift the PCI-822 board straight out of its PCI slot, and put the board into an antistatic bag. 4. Replace the blank metal bracket and the computer’s cover, and restart your computer.
Page 13: Macintosh Installation
PCI-822 connectors. 3. Insert the PCI-822 board into the empty PCI slot, and secure the PCI-822 bracket with a mounting screw. 4. Replace the cover or close the side panel, and restart the computer.
Page 14: Updating The Pci-822 Software
3. Remove the mounting screw that holds the PCI-822 bracket in the computer. 4. Lift the PCI-822 board straight out of its PCI slot, and put the board into an antistatic bag. 5. Replace the blank metal bracket and the computer’s cover or side panel, and restart your computer.
Page 15: Software Reference
1. Open the System folder on your hard drive. 2. Open the Control Panels folder, and click once on the PCI-822 icon to select it. 3. Select ‘Make Alias’ from the File menu.
Page 16: Clock/Device Status Tab
44.1 or 48kHz, depending on the Sample Rate selection. TDIF With this setting, the TDIF device connected to the PCI-822 DB-25 connector is the sample clock master. S/PDIF With this setting, the stereo SPDIF device connected to the PCI-822 coax input is the sample clock master.
Page 17 = valid digital audio format detected Format red = error in digital audio signal format (Fmt) Slip green = the PCI-822 is locked to incoming audio clock red = the PCI-822 sample rate is different than the incoming audio clock PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 18 If the PCI-822 sample rate is almost the same as the incoming audio clock, but not perfectly locked, the Slip indicator flashes red periodically. A slash appears across the green indicator until you click ‘Clear Errors.’ See “Synchronization” later in this Guide for more details about slip errors.
Page 19: Patchbay Tab (Windows Only)
Patchbay Tab (Windows only) The Patchbay tab lets you route any of the PCI-822 audio inputs to any of its audio outputs. You can use the Patchbay tab both for input monitoring and for real-time digital audio format conversions. For example, you can monitor the PCI-822 “TDIF 5:6” inputs through the SPDIF coax outputs, as shown here.
Page 20: System Tab
System Tab In addition to displaying the PCI-822 software version and contact information for TASCAM, the System tab lets you enable the MIDI ports and set other options. Clicking the ‘TASCAM Web Site’ button accesses our web site if your PC has an internet link and web browser.
Page 21 You can use 24-bit resolution when recording or playing 16-bit digital audio, but it is slightly less efficient than using 16-bit resolution. On the Macintosh, the PCI-822 has two different ASIO drivers — one for 16-bit audio, and one for 24-bit audio. Either can be selected within an ASIO-compatible application.
Page 22: Using The Pci-822
Using the PCI-822 This chapter provides some basic set-up information to help you connect the PCI-822 card to many popular digital tape machines, mixers, and external converters. In addition to using the proper cables with the correct connectors, it’s important to have exactly one audio clock master and to have all other digital devices follow that master.
Page 23 DAT machine, you must set the PCI-822 clock source to “Internal.” Other devices (such as most digital mixers and multitrack tape machines, and the PCI-822) can be either the master or a slave. In each usable system, exactly one device is set to “Internal” sync, and all other devices are slaved to that device.
Page 24: Unusable Clock Settings
(neither device is set to “Internal” so there is no clock master in the system). computer with TDIF-compatible TDIF PCI-822 device (no sync source) Clock Source: TDIF or Clock Source: TDIF or SPDIF SPDIF or Digital In PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 25: Tm-D1000 Digital Mixer
TM-D1000 Digital Mixer The PCI-822 can be used with a variety of digital mixers, and it’s an especially good match for the TASCAM TM-D1000. Typically, you’d use a TDIF cable, 2 SPDIF cables, and 2 MIDI cables to connect a PCI-822 and a TM-D1000, so you can transmit up to ten digital audio input and output channels between the computer and mixer, and also record and play mixer automation data via MIDI.
Page 26 Remember to press ENTER after changing any value. To send the SPDIF outputs from the PCI-822 to the mixer, set the TM-D1000 channel inputs to Digital In A. To send the TDIF outputs from the PCI-822 to the mixer, set the TM-D1000 channel inputs to TDIF-1 A.
Page 27: Dtrs Multichannel Tape Machines
Clock Source: Internal sync If you want the PCI-822 to be the clock master, set its clock source to ‘Internal,’ and connect a 75-ohm word clock cable from the PCI-822 word clock output to the word clock input on the DTRS tape machine.
Page 28: Dat Tape Machines
To record from a DAT machine into the PCI-822, connect a SPDIF cable from the DAT’s coax output to the PCI-822 coax input, set the PCI-822 clock source to ‘SPDIF,’ press PLAY on the DAT, and then record within your computer audio application. You can also use your DAT machine as an A/D converter in this mode.
Page 29: If-Tad Converter
ADAT machine. To transfer audio from an ADAT tape into the computer, set the PCI-822 clock source to ‘TDIF,’ press PLAY on the ADAT, and then record within your computer audio application. To send audio from the computer to the ADAT, set the PCI-822 clock source to ‘Internal,’...
Page 30: Ma-Ad8 Converter
The TASCAM IF-DA8 provides 8 channels of line-level output from a TDIF connection. Its clock source can be either the TDIF connection or a word clock input. To use it with the PCI-822, connect a TDIF cable from the PCI-822 to the IF-DA8’s “DIGITAL I/O 2” TDIF connector, set the IF-DA8’s clock source to “D I/O 2,”...
Page 31: Troubleshooting On The Macintosh
MIDI ports. • PCI-822 audio devices don’t appear Verify that the PCI-822 ASIO driver files have been copied into the correct location for the application you’re trying to use. Run the “PCI-822 Installation Test” to verify that the card was installed correctly.
Page 32: Audio Input (Recording)
PCI-822 control panel — SIGNAL: If “Signal” is red, verify that the cable is properly connected from the output of the source device to the PCI-822 input, and that the source device is actually playing audio. FMT: If “Fmt” is red, the digital audio input format doesn’t match the selected PCI-822 input.
Page 33: Clicks And Pops
Clock Source to the appropriate setting. If the A/D converter is connected to the card via the TDIF connector, set the Clock Source to “TDIF” in the PCI-822 control panel. If the A/D converter is transmitting audio to the RCA (coax) connector, set the PCI-822 Clock Source to “SPDIF”...
Page 34 — Hardware buffer size — The PCI-822 card has a programmable hardware buffer size in the System tab of its control panel. The Buffer Size setting controls how many audio samples are transferred at a time between the card and your computer’s motherboard.
Page 35: Troubleshooting In Windows
• Just installed the PCI-822 and it doesn’t work There’s probably an IRQ conflict. If so, the channel output status icons (on the Clock/Device tab of the PCI-822 control panel) will be dark green rather than bright green when you try to play a sound.
Page 36: Audio Input (Recording)
PCI-822 control panel — SIGNAL: If “Signal” is red, verify that the cable is properly connected from the output of the source device to the PCI-822 input, and that the source device is actually playing audio. FMT: If “Fmt” is red, the digital audio input format doesn’t match the selected PCI-822 input.
Page 37: Clicks And Pops
Clock Source to the appropriate setting. If the A/D converter is connected to the card via the TDIF connector, set the Clock Source to “TDIF” in the PCI-822 control panel. If the A/D converter is transmitting audio to the RCA (coax) connector, set the PCI-822 Clock Source to “SPDIF”...
Page 38 Note that SCSI drives have none of these problems. If you have a SCSI drive, make sure that you’re using a good bus-mastering SCSI adapter. Other adapters, without bus-mastering, do not have sufficient performance and can cause audio problems. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 39 See “Tuning the System” later in this Guide for details about disabling auto-insert notification. If you ever re-install Windows on your system, check the auto-insert setting again, because it can be automatically enabled when Windows is installed. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 40 Advanced), disable it. — Hardware buffer size — The PCI-822 card has a programmable hardware buffer size in the System tab of its control panel. The Buffer Size setting controls how many audio samples are transferred at a time between the card and your computer’s motherboard.
Page 41 If the problem persists, make sure you’ve explored the other causes of clicks and pops described in this chapter before rushing out to buy a new hard disk or system. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 42: Tuning A Windows System
If you have Internet access, you may want to periodically check your software manufacturer’s web site in addition to ours (http://www.tascam.com) for updated information. Hard Drive and Adapter One of the most important parts of a digital audio workstation is its hard drive and adapter.
Page 43: Disk Fragmentation
One strategy is to leave the computer running and defragment the disk at the end of each day. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 44: Data Compression
Windows Control Panel, double-click the Display icon, select the “Screen Saver” tab, and click the down arrow next to the “Screen Saver” box. Select ‘None’ (the first entry) and then click ‘OK’ to confirm the selection. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 45 3. Double-click the line that describes your particular model of CD-ROM (“NEC CDR-74” for example). 4. When the “Properties” dialog box appears, click the “Settings” tab and uncheck ‘Auto insert notification.’ 5. Click ‘OK’ to confirm the change, and then close the Control Panel. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 46: Multi-Tasking
CPU cycles and disk bandwidth, so it’s important to minimize the use of other high-demand applications. It’s probably OK to run a word processor in the background while you’re mixing down, but avoid applications that do a lot of computation or frequently access the hard disk. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 47: File Caching
Windows 3.1 limit of 24576 (24 MB). Microsoft specifically warns that it does not guarantee performance of the cache at sizes larger than this and disavows responsibility for data corruption or loss that may occur. So do we! PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 48: Other Caching Options
Panel, double-click the System icon and select the “Performance” tab. If the “File System” status doesn’t indicate “32-bit,” contact the manufacturer of your disk controller to get a 32-bit protected mode driver and install it in your system. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 49: Virtual Memory Swapfile
Maximum: set it to the same value you specified for minimum Leave “Disable virtual memory” unchecked! Click “OK” to confirm your choices, and close the Control Panel. After changing this setting, you’ll be reminded that the new settings won’t take effect until you restart Windows. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 50: Video Card
Windows. After you’ve rebooted, see if the glitching problem is gone. If so, you may want to experiment with other settings of the “Hardware acceleration” slider to regain some of the graphics performance. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 51: Windows System Monitor
You may also want to select items from other parts of the system so you can correlate the performance of WaveCenter/PCI with other CPU and disk activity. The following list describes the available statistics. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 52 Generally, it means that the CPU or disk system couldn’t keep up with the real-time demands of the application. It’s normal to see a “blip” when playback stops, but an output underrun in the middle of playback indicates a problem. PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 53: Pci-822 Specifications
Software Windows 95/98 device driver (MME, ASIO, GSIF) MacOS 8.5 (or later) device driver (ASIO, OMS) Control panel for displaying status and setting options System requirements 1 PCI slot Dimensions 4.7" x 3.6" (12cm x 9.2cm), PCI short card PCI-822 User’s Guide...
Page 54 The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to the equipment without the approval of manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment. Declaration of Conformity TEAC America, Inc. declares that the multichannel digital I/O card called PCI-822 conforms to the following Directives and Standards: Council Directives: 89/336/EEC, 73/23/EEC...