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| SPEA Hotline Information - Information compiled by the Tech Support Team |
IMPORTANT: Please consult the help files for installation/configuration of system, software and drivers as well the various sources of drivers.  - Questions - Hardware / Configuration / Software Hardware
1-1
: Which CD-ROM drives are supported?
1-2
: Can individual sounds (samples, sounds, instruments) in the
wavetable be exchanged or editted?
1-3
: Is it possible to address own samples with a MIDI-keyboard?
1-4
: Can the PC keyboard be used as a replacement for a
MIDI-keyboard (e.g. with Recording Session) to input notes
or melodies?
1-5
: Is there humming in the hifi-system or in the active-boxes
that are connected to the V7-media fx?
Configuration
2-1
: Can the V7-media fx be used under OS/2, Unix, Linux, NT
or Win95?
2-2
: Problems with Soundblaster configuration?
(board, sound emulation not found / not recognized)
2-3
: After changing the video window during MPEG playback the sound
is distorted or jumpy?
2-4
: Message: "Timeout waiting for acknowledge"
2-5
: Message: "...string too long..."
2-6
: Can I use the sound board for duplex in/out under Windows95?
2-7
: Distortion during recording/replay of WAV-files?
Interruptions in the sound of games?
(e.g. interrupted or corrupted sound)
2-8
: You can't start programs in Windows? You get messages like
"Error in Applicationprogram..." or
"Error in KRNL386.EXE..."?
2-9
: No output of audio signals via V7-media fx with a
Mitsumi CD-ROM drive connected to the V7-media fx?
2-10
: Can I configure the Mitsumi FX001D CD-ROM drive as a
double-speed drive?
2-11
: In Windows: Replay of *.wav files works,
replay of *.mid doesn't!
2-12
: Audio CD playback doesn't work
Software
3-1
: Using the program Recording Session the sounds of the
V7-media fx cannot be addressed with a MIDI-keyboard?
3-2
: No music when using the program SuperJam Jr. ?
3-3
: Are there manuals in languages other than English for
the programs Recording Session, Superjam Jr.,
Monologue for Windows and Voyetra Multimedia Sound Software
or full versions (updates) in other languages?
3-4
: Can I print music from the program "Recording Session"?
- Answers - Hardware1-1 : Which CD-ROM drives are supported?  The V7-media fx supports the following CD-ROM drives: - Panasonic/Matsushita CR-523 (single speed) - " " CR-563 (double speed) - Mitsumi CRMC, LU005S, FX-001D - Sony CDU 31a Important: The jumper setting on the V7-media fx for the I/O-addresses must be the same as the setting of the I/O-address for the CD-ROM-driver in the CONFIG.SYS (Port=xxx). Other drives must be addressed via a separate controller (IDE or SCSI) only the audio output of these drives is connected to the media fx (see E8 for connections). 1-2 : Can individual sounds (samples, sounds, instruments) in the wavetable be exchanged or editted? The sounds on the V7-media fx are stored in ROM. You can neither exchange nor modify them. 1-3 : Is it possible to address own samples with a MIDI-keyboard? No, the hardware doesn't allow that. 1-4 : Can the PC keyboard be used as a replacement for a MIDI-keyboard (e.g. with Recording Session) to input notes or melodies? With Recording Session you can only enter musical notes with the mouse, not with the PC-keyboard. 1-5 : Is there humming in the hifi-system or in the active-boxes that are connected to the V7-media fx? If the humming only occurs with an external amplifier (hifi or active speakers) it is caused by a ground loop. Either connect your PC to a wall-socket that belongs to a different circuit (other than the circuit of the amplifier's wall-socket) or turn the plug of the amplifier's power-cord in the socket. Distortions of unidentifiable origins can be caused by an old-fashioned electrical installation without separate PE. Check also the power supply of the active speakers or the MIDI-keyboard. Configuration2-1 : Can the V7-media fx be used under OS/2, Unix, Linux, NT or Win95? - Unix/Linux: these operating systems are not supported. - WinNT, OS/2: Drivers are available for media fx Type 2 boards. These drivers will not work with Type 1 boards (with built-in volume control). Type 1 board users in Win-OS/2 sessions: Remove all entries for the media fx in your SYSTEM.INI. Download the OS/2 Ensonic drivers from the IBM mailbox. This driver will permit WAVE replay but not MIDI and does not support the CD ROM interface. A media fx should not be addressed from a DOS box or Win-OS/2 session. Important: If old drivers are installed, remove these before installing the new software. 2-2 : Problems with Soundblaster configuration? (board, sound emulation not found / not recognized) Try to use the standard VGA-driver for Windows and see if the error persists. If the distortions disappear, you probably have a conflict in the configurat. of DMA-channels and buffers that also affects the graphics card. - In this case find the lines amem=xx in the blocks [SNDSCAPE.DRV] and [AAPIPKB2.DRV] in the SYSTEM.INI and increase the value of amem=xx (DMA-buffersize in KB) in steps of 2KB (2, 4, 8, .. 16KB). - Find also the line DMAbuffersize=xx in the block [386Enh] and try with 16, 32, 64 (KB). - Remember: You must save SYSTEM.INI and restart Windows for your modifications to be effective. - Make sure the installation is correct; if the problem persists try another slot or another PC. - Check the connections of headsets, speakers, CD-ROM. Maybe there are corroded plugs/sockets/switches. - Make sure there are no conflicts in the PC regarding I/O adresses, DMA channels or IRQs. If there are conflicts, fix them. - PCI System Bios: Set option "CPU to PCI byte merge" or "CPU to PCI burst write" on "Disabled" ; switch off the hardware cache. - Edit your SYSTEM.INI to [928], FIFO=1 - CONFIG.SYS : memory manager EMM386 >>> set ... NOEMS d=128 - Install the actual driver version Rel. >=0495.x !!! - Make sure you are using the correct release for your fx serial number! - Increase the DOS Environment (SHELL=.../E:1024) - see CONFIG.SYS. Note: - The V7-media fx is compatible to Soundblaster and FM by emulation. - The board contains no Soundblaster and no OPL Chip! - The sound-programming of some software (mostly games) needs the Soundblaster-hardware or references BIOS-functions of the Soundblaster. - If the emulations of Soundblaster or FM are not completely or not at all supported, problems will occur as a logical consequence. A possible solution is to try Soundblaster Pro or Ensonic in the setup of the game. 2-3 : After changing the video window during MPEG playback the sound is distorted or jumpy? Make the following entry in your SYSTEM.INI: [Display] Bus-Throttle=on 2-4 : Message: "Timeout waiting for acknowledge" This error message indicates a conflict in the configuration of the V7-media fx. Make sure that the jumpersetting on the board corresponds with the addresses set in SSINIT. Correct discrepancies if necessary. 2-5 : Message: "...string too long..." Install the actual driver version Rel. >=0495.x !!! Make sure you are using the correct release for your fx serial number! Increase the DOS Environment (SHELL=.../E:1024) - see CONFIG.SYS. Note: - The V7-media fx is compatible to Soundblaster and FM by emulation. - The board contains no Soundblaster and no OPL Chip! - The sound-programming of some software (mostly games) needs the Soundblaster-hardware or references BIOS-functions of the Soundblaster. - If the emulations of Soundblaster or FM are not completely or not at all supported, problems will occur as a logical consequence. - A possible solution is to try Soundblaster Pro or Ensonic in the setup of the game. 2-6 : Can I use the sound board for duplex in/out under Windows95? Switch off the option "Single DMA" under Win95 and use the current driver. 2-7 : Distortion during recording/replay of WAV-files? Interruptions in the sound of games? (e.g. interrupted or corrupted sound) Try to use the standard VGA-driver for Windows and see if the error persists. - If the distortions disappear, you probably have a conflict in the configurat. of DMA-channels and buffers that also affects the graphics card. - In this case find the lines amem=xx in the blocks [SNDSCAPE.DRV] and [AAPIPKB2.DRV] in the SYSTEM.INI and increase the value of amem=xx (DMA-buffersize in KB) in steps of 2KB (2, 4, 8, .. 16KB). - Find also the line DMAbuffersize=xx in the block [386Enh] and try with 16, 32, 64 (KB). - Remember: You must save SYSTEM.INI and restart Windows for your modifications to be effective. - Make sure the installation is correct; if the problem persists try another slot or another PC. - Check the connections of headsets, speakers, CD-ROM. Maybe there are corroded plugs/sockets/switches. - Make sure there are no conflicts in the PC regarding I/O adresses, DMA channels or IRQs. If there are conflicts, fix them. - PCI System Bios: Set option "CPU to PCI byte merge" or "CPU to PCI burst write" on "Disabled" ; switch off the hardware cache. - Edit your SYSTEM.INI to [928], FIFO=1 - CONFIG.SYS : memory manager EMM386 >>> set ... NOEMS d=128 - Some mainboards perform a byteswap in the 16 bit part of the ISA-bus. This can cause strong distortions in recording / replaying of waveforms and sometimes even cause the program to stall. Solution: Install the V7-media fx in an 8 bit slot. If your mainboard has no 8 bit slot you can cover the 16 bit part of the V7-media fx connector with Scotch-tape. the V7-media fx will react as if it were in an 8 bit slot. The performance will not be affected. Possibly a solution: Swap the IRQs. E.g. swap base-IRQ 2 and Soundblaster-IRQ 7 to base-IRQ 7 and Soundblaster-IRQ2 2-8 : You can't start programs in Windows? You get messages like "Error in Applicationprogram..." or "Error in KRNL386.EXE..."? Open the Control Panel, select in the module Multimedia-Drivers the item Setup and decrease the DMAbuffersize in the drivermodule "SOUNDSCAPE DVB AD-1848 Wave, Aux". Keep in mind the bad effects that a very small DMAbuffersize might have! 2-9 : No output of audio signals via V7-media fx with a Mitsumi CD-ROM drive connected to the V7-media fx? Important: The jumper setting on the V7-media fx for the I/O-addresses must be the same as the setting of the I/O-address for the CD-ROM-driver in the CONFIG.SYS (Port=xxx). Check/change the hardware address of the soundboard (330H). It is possible that you have an address conflict with other hardware e.g. Adaptec controllers. Pin out description of the audio connections for supported CD ROM drives: media fx: -Pin - Sony l m m r - Mitsumi (m) l m r - Matsushita r m l m ()=pin may be not available. (no bug!) m=ground Channel: r=right, l=left 2-10 : Can I configure the Mitsumi FX001D CD-ROM drive as a double-speed drive? No, the Mitsumi FX001D drive is a single speed drive. It can be installed with the original drivers from Mitsumi as follows: (see also: E1) Entries in the CONFIG:SYS: - DEVICE=C:\MEDIAFX\SSCD.SYS PORT=330 NUM=8 *) - DEVICE=C:\TREIBER\MTMCDAS.SYS /D:SSCD_000 /P:338 /A:1 **) Entry in the AUTOEXEC.BAT: C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:SSCD_000 /M:64 /E /V /L:n ***) *) PORT= I/O address of the media fx **) P: I/O address + 8 ***) n=drive e.g. /L:E, The CD-ROM drive will be drive E: 2-11 : In Windows: Replay of *.wav files works, replay of *.mid doesn't! Deinstall the V7-media fx and redo the installation: Delete the directory C:\MEDIAFX, the files MIDIMAP.CFG, AAPIPKB2.DRV and TAPIPKB2.DRV and all entries in the SYSTEM.INI that hint at SNDSCAPE, AAPIP and TAPIP as well as the blocks [SNDSCAPE.DRV] and [AAPIPKB2.DRV]. Then install the V7-media fx again. 2-12 : Audio CD playback doesn't work When a jackplug is inserted in the CD in input, the internal audio input of the media fx is deactivated (see E8). Software3-1 : Using the program Recording Session the sounds of the V7-media fx cannot be addressed with a MIDI-keyboard? Acvtivate "MIDI Thru" in "Options" of Recording Session. Check the MIDI-cables with other MIDI-devices and/or try other cables. Check also if the cables are plugged correctly - labeling of MIDI IN / MIDI OUT is sometimes misleading. If you are not sure, just swap the IN and the OUT cable. You won't cause any damage. 3-2 : No music when using the program SuperJam Jr. ? Set "USE MIDI-Mapper" to ON. You find this setting in the pulldown menu "Options" - "Global" in SuperJam jr. 3-3 : Are there manuals in languages other than English for the programs Recording Session, Superjam Jr., Monologue for Windows and Voyetra Multimedia Sound Software or full versions (updates) in other languages? The manual of the V7-Media fx is available in German. The other programs that come with your V7-media fx are licenced original software with manuals in English only. Updates of these programs to a full version can't be obtained from SPEA. We recommend the following companies to buy sound software and accessories from: - M3C Systemtechnik GmbH - Berlin - Tel. 030-7856066 - Magic Music - Bretzfeld-Schwabbach - Tel. 07946-7768 3-4 : Can I print music from the program "Recording Session"? The delivered version of Recording Session is a demo-version. You can order a complete version called "Studio" (for approx. DM 250) from M3C in Berlin (Tel. 030-7856066). "Studio" allows you to print notes. eof |
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