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Summary of Contents for Applied Engineering Sonic Blaster
- Page 1 Sonic Blaster ™ User's Manual Æ APPLIED ENGINEERING A DIVISION OF AE RESEARCH CORPORATION v1.2...
- Page 2 Class H limits may be attached to this computer. Operation with non-certified peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception. Applied Engineering is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment. It is the responsibility of the user to...
- Page 3 This warranty applies to the orIgInal retaIl purchase only. Therefore, please include a copy of the original invoice or a small service charge may be applied. If the product is to be sent to Applied Engineering by mail, the purchaser will insure the package or assume full responsibility for loss or damage during shipping. Prior to returning the product for warranty consideration, call Applied Engineering Technical Support for a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number and shipping instructions.
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Page 4: Table Of Contents
A Note about Volume Control Now What? Part Two Sonic Blaster The Software INTRODUCTION START, LOOK. AND LISTEN About the Sonic Blaster Disks Running the Software Booting the Software From the Startup Disk From the Finder` Other Launchers Sample Session... - Page 5 Record Level Play Time Max Block Select Region Resolution CHAPTER TWO - THE “FILE” OPTIONS New ( -N) Open ( -O) Append... Close ( -W) Save ( -S) Save As... Formats Recognized Print ( -P) Page Setup Choose Printer... Sonic Blaster...
- Page 6 CHAPTER THREE THE “EDIT” OPTIONS Undo ( -Z) Cut ( -X) Copy ( -C) Paste ( -V) A Note about the Clipboard Mixing Mix Settings Select All ( -A) FOUR “VIEW” OPTIONS CHAPTER Zooming Zoom ( -M) Zoom In ( -+[plus]) Zoom Out ( --[minus]) Full View ( -F) Oscilloscope Change Color...
- Page 7 List of Open Sound Files A p p e n d i c e s A: Copying Sonic Blaster to RAM, ROM or Hard Disk B : T r o u b l e S h o o t i n g...
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Page 8: Introduction What You Havev
Welcome to the world of... S O U N D ! The Sonic Blaster is an audio digitizer and playback system. Once installed, your IIGS thunders into a whole new dimension. You've seen the GS incredible graphics, now hear its powerful roar. - Page 9 Note: This indicates a special note or warning. Pay close attention to these entries. Sonic Blaster is the full name of the product. In this manual, we’ll sometimes call it SB for short. Part I, Sonic Blaster--The Hardware, describes the card, tells you what you need to use it, and takes you through the installation of the Sonic Blaster.
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Page 10: Sonic Blaster -- The Hardware
PART 1 Sonic Blaster - - The Hardware Part 1 The Hardware... -
Page 11: Display Channel
Sonic Blaster Part 1 -The Hardware... -
Page 12: Chapter One Getting Started
Sonic Blaster. Where It Goes We recommend installing the Sonic Blaster into slot 2. You can also use it in slot 1 or slot 6. It will also work in slot 5 but most GS users access the 3.5” drive through this port. -
Page 13: Ramkeeper Users
Changes Recording and Saving To record or save changes to a file using the Sonic Blaster software, you should install the card in slot 1, 2, or 6 and set the Slot option to ‘Your Card.’ If the Slot option is not set to ‘Your Card”... -
Page 14: Chapter Two Putting It In
4 . ) R e m o v e t h e p l a s t i c p l a t e f r o m t h e b a c k p l a n e if it still covers the large opening closest to the slot in which you plan to install the Sonic Blaster. If this opening is already being used, you may need to do some rearranging;... - Page 15 Remove the plastic plate Remove the Sonic Blaster from its anti-static bag. Hold the card by its edges, like a photograph. Plug the card into slot 2, 1 or 6 (in order from most recommended to acceptable) by inserting the fingers of the circuit board into the slot.
- Page 16 Important! You must connect the mounting plate to the back panel of computer for proper grounding. If you do not, Sonic Blaster cannot function properly. Now attach the loose end of the Ensoniq Input/Output (E-I/O) cable to the seven-pin audio connector on the IIGS motherboard.
- Page 17 SB’s “OUT” connector on the back of your IIGS. (The cable from your speaker or amplifier may require an adapter to connect to Sonic Blaster’s stereo mini plug. See Appendix C for adapter information.) 10) Set the card’s volume pots located along the top edge of the card.
- Page 18 12) Now, use the Control Panel to set the slot setting for the Sonic Blasters slot to, “Your Card.” If you plan to use the Sonic Blaster for playback only, you can skip this step. (Refer to the section “Where It Goes”...
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Page 19: A Note About Volume Control
Sonic Blaster. Boot up the included Super Hi-Res software to put the card through its loops. Sonic Blaster’s software is very easy to use but you’ll probably want to at least read the Introduction of Part II to get an idea of what it can do. -
Page 20: Sonic Blaster -- The Software
PART Sonic Blaster -- The Software Part II - The Software... - Page 21 Æ Sonic Blaster Sonic BIaster - The Software...
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Page 22: Introduction
Running the Software Before you run the software, do the following: M a k e a c o p y of the Sonic Blaster disk. Use either System Utilities (included on your GS System disk), the Finder, Filer or your favorite copy program to make the copy. -
Page 23: Booting The Software
Booting the Software From the Startup Disk Insert the Sonic Blaster startup disk into your boot drive. Turn on the computer. The disk will automatically load the SB software. From the Finder With the computer on and the Finder loaded, insert your Sonic Blaster startup disk into a 3.5”... -
Page 24: Repetitive Play, Volume And Rate
The sound graph is a visual representation of your files sound wave. The pathname of the sound file is displayed at the top of the sound graph window. Click on the Play button. The sound file you have loaded will now play. Repetitive Play, Volume and Rate Click the button then press... -
Page 25: What's Next
File options and proceeding to the right. The Appendices offer everything from instruction on how to load the program to your RAM, ROM, or hard disk to some information about adapters you may need and their catalog numbers. SonIc Blaster - The Software... -
Page 26: The Screen
Note: is not an included file. SAMPLE SESSION The Sonic Blaster screen presents you with a super-simple interface and a wealth of information. The Sound Graph The sound graph is the window at the bottom of the screen. It contains the sound wave of the sound file currently selected. -
Page 27: Stop, Play, Pause, And Record
Set your record level automatically using Auto Gain (under the setup menu) or set manually using the VU meters and bar on screen or the Record Level screen (under the View menu). Oscilloscope Sonic Blaster - The Software... -
Page 28: The Cassette Label
If you have several windows open, you may want to close them (save if desired) to compress the available memory and get a larger onto which you can Max B lock record. Note: While recording, the will be completely occupied with digitizing; all other functions (VU meters, mouse, etc.) are disabled. -
Page 29: Record Sample Rate
(low level input) to line level input (medium) to speaker level (high). You can also set the record level from the option Oscilloscope under the view menu or have Sonic Blaster set it for you automatically with the option under the Auto Gain Setup menu. -
Page 30: Select Region
Select Region tells you how many bytes you currently have Select Region selected. In the example screen, the selected area is bytes. If you’ve selected the entire window (by choosing Select [ -A] or by dragging across the entire wave when set to Full ), and the number on the cassette label is slightly different view... - Page 31 Æ Sonic Blaster Sonic BIaster - The Software...
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Page 32: Chapter Two - The "File" Options
CHAPTER Two The “File” Options Click and hold on the File menu on the left side of the menu bar. You'll be presented with the following options: New ( -N) The New command creates a sound graph at the bottom part of the screen with the name # (where # is an appended Untitled... -
Page 33: Append
Click No’ to keep the file as it was when loaded or as it was when it was last saved. Click Yes’ to save the file in its current state. Click Cancel to stop the ‘Close’ and return you to the program with the file still loaded. Sonic Blaster - The Software... -
Page 34: Save ( -S)
Save ( -S) Use this option to save changes you have made to a file, if you have just created the file, you will be presented with the Save dialog box (see Save As... below), if you made changes to a file that already has a name, the file will be saved under the same name. -
Page 35: Formats Recognized
Cancel returns you to the edit mode. Formats Recognized The Sonic Blaster software lets you play and save sound files from and to many different formats. It uses it’s own format (AE), Apple’s standard sound file format (AIFF), Raw Data format (straight binary form), and 2:1 and 2.67:1 compressed. - Page 36 Note: If you plan to use a program or desk accessory that plays back sound files, other than the ones provided with the Sonic Blaster, you’ll need to find Out the program’s or desk accessory’s default playback rate (if it does not let you set the playback rate) and record your sound files at that speed before saving as Raw Data.
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Page 37: Print ( -P)
Set to this mode for tractor-feed paper single-feed paper Dialog box for Print option Sonic Blaster will print the sound graph, the file’s title, and the Resolution factor. Page Setup The Page Setup option, when selected, displays the standard IIGS Page Setup dialog box. -
Page 38: Choose Printer
Select size of paper you're using Select to print 1/2 size Select “Condensed” for sharpest printout Does not apply Prints vertically Prints horizontally Dialog box for Page Setup option Choose Printer... Lets you specify your printer arrangement. Select the printer you have online, the port to which it is connected and whether it is an AppleTalk connection or a direct connection. - Page 39 Æ Sonic Blaster Sonic BIaster - The Software...
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Page 40: Chapter Three
A Note about the Clipboard The Sonic Blaster’s clipboard is a local clipboard; it can be used only for the Sonic Blaster program. Once you quit the program, whatever you currently have pasted to the clipboard is lost. -
Page 41: Mixing
Mix Settings dialog. Note: The Mix Setting is saved in the Preferences file. After selecting the Mix Settings, you’re ready to do the actual mixing. Sonic Blaster - The Software... -
Page 42: Mix
Select the Mix option to begin mixing the clipboard sample with the selected sample of the active window. When mixing segments, keep in mind the following rules: ◊ The mix option will be inactive until you have a segment selected in the active window. ◊... - Page 43 Æ Sonic Blaster Sonic BIaster - The Software...
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Page 44: Chapter Four The "View" Options Zooming
CHAPTER FOUR The ‘View” Options Zooming In the Zoom modes, described below, you can magnify portions of the sound pattern. In these enlarged views, you can select very small parts of the wave and use the edit functions to fine tune the file--cut out unwanted noise or unwanted silence, fine the exact location at which a sound begins, piece together sounds without popping, etc. -
Page 45: Change Color
Cancel Change Color option. ◊ when you've found a color scheme you like. The next time you start the program, the Colors will be the same as when you last ran the program. Sonic Blaster - The Software... -
Page 46: Chapter Five The "Effects" Options 3
CHAPTER FIVE The “Effects” Options The Effects options affect only the segment of the currently selected window that you have highlighted by clicking and dragging. Note: When working with stereo files, you can select the channel on which you want the effects to take place with the option in the Setup Menu. - Page 47 A couple of things to keep in mind: -> If you set the echo interval to a number larger than the selected segment, nothing will happen. -> On the longer echos, you’ll need to leave some space for the sound to echo into. Sonic Blaster- The Software...
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Page 48: Fade Down
Fade Down will modify the selected segment to sound as if the Fade Down volume was gradually turned down toward the end of the segment. Fade Up will modify the beginning of the segment to make the Fade Up amplitude start low and build as if the volume was gradually turned up. -
Page 49: Silence
Shifting the zero level does not remove noise. It can, however, introduce noise if the phase is shifted too high or low Silence replaces the selected segment with the sound of Silence nothing; a sound like you've never heard before. Sonic Blaster - The Software... -
Page 50: Chapter Six The "Setup" Options 4
CHAPTER Six The “Setup” Options Note; Channel 1 is the same as Left and Channel 2 is the same as Right on most stereo setups. Playback Channel... You can choose to playback through Channel 1 (left), Channel 2 (right), or Both Channels. Cancel leaves the settings as they were before you choose the option. -
Page 51: Auto Gain
Auto Gain You must have some form of input to use this option. Auto will set the record level for you. This feature automatically Gain adjusts the level according to the highest input to help eliminate clipping. Input the sound you’ll be recording, click Save to set the level, then proceed with your recording. -
Page 52: Chapter Seven
CHAPTER S EVEN The Sounds” Options Display Channel 1 Shows the sound graph for Channel I of the current file. Display Channel 2 Shows the sound graph for Channel 2 of the current file. This option will be disabled for mono files. Notes Unlike the Effects options, any Edit made to one channels graph will also be made to the other channels graph. -
Page 53: Appendices
APPENDICES The following appendices are included for further reference and reading enjoyment: - - Copying Sonic Blaster to RAM, ROM or Hard Disk - - Trouble Shooting - - Adapters - - The Introplay Program - - Saving Large Files to Multiple Disks... - Page 54 Hard Disk The System If you want to run Sonic Blaster from your RAM, ROM or hard disk, use the latest version of GS/OS. The GS/OS version we’ve included with the Sonic Blaster was the latest at the time the card was packaged.
- Page 55 SBPARAMS System directory of the Sonic Blaster program disk to the System directory of your boot disk. You can also copy any sound files with which you plan to work onto the RAM, ROM, or hard disk if there is room.
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Page 56: Trouble Shooting
APPENDIX B Trouble Shooting Strange Behavior in General When the Sonic Blaster doesn’t seem to be playing or recording properly, it’s probably do to a loose connection somewhere. Important! You must connect the mounting plate to the back panel of the computer for proper grounding. If you do not, Sonic Blaster cannot function properly. - Page 57 Is the other end securely connected to the card? If not, the Sonic Blaster is not grounding properly. ◊ Is the E-I/O cable connected to both the Sonic Blaster and the motherboard? ◊ Check your speaker wires. Are all the connections...
- Page 58 Control Panel while playing can also cause this error). Requires AE Sonic Blaster Card The program can’t find the Sonic Blaster card. Make sure the card is installed properly and that the slot containing the card is set to the Slots option of the Control Panel.
- Page 59 APPENDIX C Adapters Speaker Connections The Sonic Blaster uses the 1/8” stereo mini jack for input and output. This is the same jack used by most portable stereos. The Bose Roommate speakers and several other brands use the 1/8” jack and will need no adapters.
- Page 60 “mini phone plug to phono plug cable (RS Cat. No. 42-2444) for mono recording. For Mono Record To Audio “OUT’ of To Sonic Blaster “IN” VCR. CD, TV, etc. RS Cat. No. 42-2444 Phone (RCA) Plug to 1/8”...
- Page 61 (two 1/8” mono plugs to 1/8” stereo jack” adapter--RS Cat. No. 274-375--see below) or try a dual head microphone (RS Cat. No. 33-1065). ToMono Microphones Left and Right To Sonic Blaster "IN” (Ch1 & Ch2) RS Cat. No. 274-375 Two 1/8” Mono Plugs to 1/8” Stereo Jack If your mike cable ends in a 1/4”...
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Page 62: D: The Introplay Program 5
APPENDIX D The Introplay Program The file Introplay, found in the System/System.Setup folder (subdirectory) of the Sonic Blaster program disk, will play the sound file as the GS/OS startup screen is displayed. Introsound We’ve included an file but you can easily create Introsound your own. - Page 63 Record Channel Stereo Record, pasted into both channels (not true stereo; just split mono) and the size of the segment will be doubled. All ( -A). Select Paste ( -V) the sound segment into the sound graph window SonIc Blaster...
- Page 64 The ‘silent wave used to create the window will be replaced with the clipboard contents. Save ( -S) the file to whatever disk you want. (Refer to the Save instruction in Chapter 2 if you don't know how to change volumes, etc. End the file’s name with the sequence number, for example, Laughs.I will be your first save, Laughs.2 your second, etc.
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Page 65: F: Try This! 5
Edit the left and right channel separately. (See "Effect Channel” p.41.) This allows you to record and play back at a higher sampling rate than if you make the recording in stereo. (See also, “Traveling Sound” p. 56.) Sonic Blaster... - Page 66 Answering Machines Are people complaining about how boring your answering machine messages are? Well, with a Sonic Blaster, some stutter, and a little echo, even the most commonplace “I’m sorry. We can’t come to the phone right now comes alive! Some answering machines allow external inputs for leaving messages.
- Page 67 ‘It’s a floor wax and a dessert topping Ever talk to obnoxious phone salespeople who only let you say ‘Yes’ or “No”? Now you can let Sonic Blaster do the talking for you. Record a “Yes” and “No” then select and play the appropriate one.
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Page 68: G: Programmers' Reference 5
Don't look at it. Don’t even think about it. The card will run fine without knowing what’s under the hood. Identify the Sonic Blaster The card resides in the following memory locations: $CN00 ——>... - Page 69 Note: Bits 5 and 6 are not used. This is all the information provided by the program. The rest is done through the Ensoniq chip. Refer to the IIGS Hardware Reference Manual for information about digitizing with the Ensoniq. Sonic Blaster...
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Page 70: H: Getting Help 6
APPENDIX H Getting Help If you have a technical question relating to your Sonic Blaster card or any other Applied Engineering product that is not covered in the manual please contact the dealer from whom you purchased the product. If you are experiencing difficulties with one particular program, contact the programs author or publisher. -
Page 71: Returning A Product
Warning~ If you don't include an invoice, products will be treated as out of warranty products and will be returned to you C.O.D. for the amount of the service charge. A completed form should look something like the one below. Sonic Blaster... -
Page 72: Packing
Æ's Option. Any misuse, abuse, or non-Æ authorized alteration, modification, and/or repair to the Applied Engineering product will void the warranty. This warranty will also be void if you use the Æ product for any purpose other than its intended use. -
Page 73: Glossary
(see below). You can’t record from the auto gain window. Send the loudest part of segment of the sounds to be recorded to the Sonic Blaster while in the Auto Gain window, click Save to set your levels, and then record from the main screen. - Page 74 Pathname A pathname is a path of directories required to access a specific file on a disk device. To reference a file named on volume MYDATA /MY.DISK would use a ‘path’ to the file Some files may be additional /MY.DISK/MYDATA. directories and those directories may contain references to more files or more directories.
- Page 75 VU Meter VU stands for Volume Units. The two meters on the screen give you a visual representation of the input levels the Sonic Blaster receives. Like the Oscilloscope, the VU meter is an effective tool for setting the record level.
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