Defining Driver And Audio Parameters; Preview Player - ALCATECH BPM STUDIO 4 PRO User Manual

2.06. Defining Driver and Audio
parameters
BPM studio offers extensive features, and
therefore requires more system resources than
simpler MP-3 players like WinAMP™ for example.
The capability of playing 10 MP-3 files
simultaneously, or various channel signal output
for example, demand a well configured PC.
Further BPM Studio offers extensive possibilities
to manipulate audio engine settings. The audio
engine represents the core of BPM Studio, and
is responsible for highest quality play backs with
shortest possible remote control latency intervals.
Therefore make sure of the following:
1.) Every sound card in your system must have
it's own, assigned IRQ. This interrupt can not be
shared with other system components.
2.) Also the serial port used to connect the remote
control unit must have it's own, unshared interrupt.
3.) Background programs, like real time virus
scanners, power- and print management, etc.
should be deactivated.
4.) For utmost compatibility to various different
sound cards, BPM Studio provides various
different driver models:
Kernel driver: 4..13ms, this driver is definitely
the fastest
Direct Sound driver: 20..30ms, when emulating
drivers up to150..300ms (!)
MME Wave driver: 70..180ms, depending on
buffer size, and program chosen options
ASIO/EASI driver: 20..50ms, latency is usually
defined manually in the ASIO drivers program
options
This suggests to prefer the Kernel, or Direct
Sound driver, since both work on the kernel level
of the operating system, and therefore operate
rather independent from the systems user
resource. The ASIO, and Wave drivers also work
rather stable, and are especially suitable for
background music, like in dance schools,
restaurants, etc. BPM Studio supports Wave
drivers, since they are available for almost any
sound card, and usually provide smooth
operation. Normally they are also deployable
under Windows NT.
Direct Sound Driver:
This is the fastest and most stable common driver.
Depending on hardware outfit, it allows switching
from Cue to Play within 20 to 30ms. For the
demanding DJ, who is very conscious about
mixing on single-beat level accuracy, utilizing the
Cue/Play- and loop functions to accomplish this,
this driver is essential. Although, if your sound
card is compatible with the kernel driver, it should
be preferred, since it has even shorter latency
intervals while still maintaining stability.
Kernel Driver:
This device driver, developed by ALCATech,
addresses the sound card on a very low kernel
mode level. Due to the very high priority kernel
drivers have within the system, they provide
shortest latency intervals from 4..13ms, while still
maintaining system stability. The kernel driver
utilizes common driver functionalities like direct
sound for example, and therefore supports many
different cards, even models that, for the reason
of unavailable direct sound drivers, had to be used
with ASIO wave drivers, and therefore tended to
produce drop outs.
Ex version 4.2 the Kernel driver is also able to
operate under Windows
So, this operating systems can be used as full
multimedia systems, too.
Especially the new DirectCue, and loop
functions require minimal latency
intervals, and fastest reaction times.
Therefore you should try to keep
latency and buffer size to a minimum.
Installation
® ®
2000 and Windows XP.