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Computer Concepts Lark User Manual

16 bit stereo/audio system for acorn risc computers
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  • Page 2 Lark User Guide Gaddesden Place, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 6EX Tel 0442 0442 231632 63933 — Fax Entail — Info@CConcepts.co.uk...
  • Page 3 Computer Concepts Ltd. have no direct control over the use to which this product is put and therefore offer no warranty, implied or otherwise, relating to its use for any purpose other than that for which it is intended.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Archimedes & A5000 Risc PC A3000 Initial testing (all computer types) Copying the software Updating !System Before using Lark for the first time Testing your Lark 3. Getting started Connecting a microphone Connecting an audio input Connecting the audio output (active speakers)
  • Page 5 4. The software suite Audio Works AudioCtri MIDI Piano 5. If problems occur... 6. Technical information Lark link positions Stereo line-level socket: pin~out.

  • Page 6: About This Manual

    About this manua| This manual describes the key aspects of the Lark package: the expansion card itself, hardware connections and peripherals, and the associated software. It describes in depth the use of software applications that are provided exclusively with this product.

  • Page 7: Introduction

    The Lark provides a high-quality stereo sound output. Using this, you can output sound samples to, for example, a hi-fi system. The Lark also includes a MIDI interface. This lets you interface third-party software on the computer to MIDI-compatible peri- pherals such as keyboards.

  • Page 8: Possible Extras

    If you do not connect the internal speaker to Lark, you can only play samples through the speaker using the internal sound system. Audio playback using the Lark is always possible through external speakers via the stereo connector on the back panel of the card or the headphone socket.

  • Page 9: What's On The Discs

    For information on these applications, refer to the AudioWorks !AudioCtrl manual. For information on using to set up the Lark 4. The software suite. audio parameters refer to !SysMerge– this updates the !System directory on your computer.
  • Page 10 Note regarding jack sockets: There are two standard types of 3.5mm jack: European and Japanese. The jack sockets on the Lark are European specification ( which is of higher quality). Computer Concepts can supply an adaptor if your equipment uses Japanese specification jacks. The adaptor is free;...

  • Page 11: Installation

    No special skills are required to fit the Lark. However, the suppliers cannot accept responsibility for any that damage may result from incorrect installation. If in any doubt, consult your local supplier.

  • Page 12: What You Should Have Received

    2. Installation What you shou|d have received Check that you have received the following: • Lark expansion card in anti-static packaging, • this manual, • AudioWorks manual, • MID1 manual, • three floppy discs, • ribbon cable, • MID1 cable, •...

  • Page 13: Fitting The Lark Card Archimedes & A5000

    Fitting the Lark card — Archimedes & A5000 Disconnect power Before installing the Lark, switch off the power to the computer. However, leave the power lead connected. Disconnect all other leads to the computer. Remove anything (such as a monitor) that may be on top of the case.
  • Page 14 The upper two plates are temporary fitments that are removed when expansion cards, such as the Lark card, are installed. One standard width expansion card occupies half the width of the back panel. The numbers 0...3 on the diagram above indicate the positions in which expansion cards may be fitted.
  • Page 15 Incorrectly connecting the ribbon cable can damage your computer. Carefully follow the instructions in this manual and pay particular attention to the orientation of the cable. The suppliers of Lark cannot be held liable for any damage that results from incorrect installation. If in any doubt contact your local supplier.
  • Page 16 The cable plugs into connector LK3, which is towards the centre of the A5000 circuit board. Note that the cable is twisted through 180°; the rearmost pin on the Lark connects to the frontmost pin on the A5000 circuit board.
  • Page 17 • plugging the cable onto link LK5 on the Lark card. You can plug the cable in either way round. The speaker cable may not be long enough to reach the Lark card. ( This depends on the type of computer and which slot you plug Lark into.) In this case, return the voucher enclosed with Lark for a free...
  • Page 18 2. Installation pushing the expansion card into place with the other hand. If the Lark expansion card is fitted adjacent to another card, bolt their rear panels together after installation using the T-piece provided. However, if no adjacent card is present, screw the half- width blanking plate supplied to the Lark rear panel.

  • Page 19: Risc Pc

    Incorrectly connecting the ribbon cable can damage your computer. Carefully follow the instructions in this manual and pay particular attention to the orientation of the cable. The suppliers of Lark cannot be held liable for any damage that results from incorrect installation. If in any doubt contact your local supplier.
  • Page 20 Unplug the speaker cable from LK11 on the motherboard. 5 Plug in the Lark card. 6 Plug the ribbon cable into LK7 on Lark. Note that the cable is twisted. 7 If you wish to connect the internal speaker to Lark: Plug the speaker cable into LK5 on Lark.

  • Page 21: A3000

    2. Installation Fitting the Lark card — A3000 Before plugging Lark into an A3000 you must change two links on the Lark card. These are: LK6 and LK10 Change both links from pins 1-2 to 2-3. (Pin 1 marked with a dot.) The position of these links is shown in 6.

  • Page 22: Initial Testing (All Computer Types)

    . xx is the version number. Press Return to return to the normal desktop display. Copying the software We recommend copying the Lark applications onto a hard disc for normal use. After copying, store the original discs in a safe place. !System...

  • Page 23: Before Using Lark For The First Time

    2. Installation 3 Drop the !System icon from the Lark disc onto the window. This creates a new, combined version of !System and automatically updates the existing version. 4 When the window shows !System updated, click on its Close icon to exit from !SysMerge.

  • Page 24: Testing Your Lark

    On the Icon Bar Menu choose Testing your Lark: 5. If problems If you have problems with these initial tests refer to occur... There is more information on connecting to Lark in the (Getting started). next section BellString AudioCtrl 1 Drop onto the icon on the icon bar.

  • Page 25: Getting Started

    Lark. Some types of microphone require a preamp boost to give a satisfactory level. Lark has an optional +20dB gain. The option tc !AudioCtrl... Input Source select this...

  • Page 26: Connecting An Audio Input

    3. Getting started Connecting an audio input The Lark has a 5-pin DIN socket for audio input and output. Technical Information. The pin-out of the socket is given in 6. Suitable audio sources include: CD players, amplifiers, or hi-fi equipment. Microphones may be used as inputs to this socket if connected through an external amplifier or other equipment offering line-level output (such as a hi-fi).

  • Page 27: Connecting Headphones Or Passive Speakers

    Play back through the computer's internal sound system using Lark's superior sound reproduction facilities requires the audio cable plugged into LK5 on the Lark. This is not possible on the A3000 (refer 2. Installation). Sound played back through the speaker in the computer is in mono only.

  • Page 28: Connection To Midi

    This configures the computer to play only through Lark. Connection to MIDI Caution! Use only the MIDI cable supplied. A cable has been supplied especially for use with the Lark's MID1 circuitry. This terminates in three 5-pin DIN sockets, for: • MIDI in (blue band), •...

  • Page 29: The Software Suite

    In these dialogue boxes you will find that two sampling devices are available for use: Lark (Stereo) and Lark (Mono). Choosing the former uses the Lark as a stereo sampling source, while the latter uses only the left channel. Page 23...

  • Page 30: Audioctri

    4. The software suite AudioCtrl When the Lark is installed in your computer, a Lark option appears in the preferences window. !AudioCtrl Clicking upon opens the mixer preferences window: Lark This window lets you adjust signal levels for the sound input and output channels.
  • Page 31 4. The software suite Page 25...
  • Page 32 • the computer's internal (VIDC) sound system, • the Lark card (when playing sound from the computer through the Lark), and • sound from an auxiliary source. Mute (Below each slider) This mutes the Lark card so that the variable concerned inputs or outputs no sound.

  • Page 33: Midi

    • Save a desktop boot file including commands to set up the Lark card mixer according to the settings currently showing in the Lark mixer window. See Desktop boot files in your RISC OS 3 User Guide for more details on these files.

  • Page 34: Touch Sensitivity

    4. The software suite Interpreter method The menu lets you select output through Audio Manager or the Acorn sound system. The Acorn option exists only in case any applications do not work with Audio Manager (we do not know of any such applications).

  • Page 35: Piano

    *voi ceinf o as above. Thus if you have MIDI Interpretation set to in, playing notes on your keyboard uses the Lark as a synthesizer. Initially notes are played using WaveSynth, but if you were to load another voice module, you could execute a program change on your synthesizer and use this new voice instead.
  • Page 36 4. The software suite Page 30...

  • Page 37: If Problems Occur

    "unplugged", type RMReinit Lark against the • press Return twice to get back to the desktop. A3000 users: have you changed the link settings on the Lark card ( LK6 and LK10) to pins 2-3 ? Page 31...
  • Page 38 1 Otherwise follow procedure 2 Procedure 1 1 If fitted, remove headphones from the rear socket on Lark. 2 Check that the mixer preferences window is set up like this: 3 Check that the computer's sound system and speaker are switched on.
  • Page 39 3 Select Create new sample in AudioWorks (a stereo sample is best for this test), and choose Record. 4 Ensure the stereo Lark sampler is selected in the record dialogue box. 5 Select Continuous recording and check that High quality is not selected.
  • Page 40 For this procedure, you should have an external amplifier connected LineOut as a monitor and a sound source is connected to Lark. 1 Check that the mixer preferences window is set up like this: 2 You should now hear the sound source.

  • Page 41: Sound Output Does Not Work

    The following test works only if the computer's internal speaker is connected to Lark. You can only do this on an A5000, A540 or Risc PC. For other models of computer try procedure OO in Cannot record sound as this checks components of the sound output system.
  • Page 42 If you wish to test the connection of the Lark to an external amplifier from the 5-pin DIN socket, note that via this conneetion the Lark's output is at line level, and is suitable for driving equipment designed for direct connection to a headphone socket.
  • Page 43 (gradually re-introducing elements back into the system), you should be able to tell which expansion card or software is at fault. If you wish to use the Lark card successfully you should remove the offending card or not run that program.
  • Page 44 • You may have the wrong playback gain setting. The computer runs very slowly Lark is using most of the computer power to play a sample. Other tasks therefore run slowly. • Reduce the rate or • reduce the number of channels.

  • Page 45: Technical Information

    The following diagram illustrates the position of various links on the Do not alter any Lark which may or may not be shorted by default. of these link settings unless you are sure what you are doing. If in any doubt, you should in all cases first contact Computer Concepts.

  • Page 46: Stereo Line-Level Socket: Pin~Out

    2. Stereo line-leve| socket: pin-out. The following is the pin-out for the stereo audio line-level connector on the rear panel of the Lark, provided for those users needing to make up their own connecting cables. (Viewed from back panel with expansion card PCB held away...
  • Page 47 Initial testing Auxiliary input Input is distorted Input source Installation 5-18 Internal speaker 1 1 , Before using Lark for the first time 17 Introduction BellString IRQ latency Bursts of noise on playback Jack sockets Cannot record sound Computer runs slowly...
  • Page 48 LK11 & LK12 Technical information Testing your Lark The software suite Maestro Touch sensitivity Menu mouse button Microphone MIDI MIDI in Updating !System MIDI interpretation MIDI out MIDI Thru Mixer You should have received Mouse buttons Multimedia speakers Mute button...

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