1 version: ASQ-061002 USB Audio Sonica Manual Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 What's in the Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Sonica Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Windows: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Apple Macintosh®: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 A Closer Look... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Windows Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Mac OS 9.2.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Mac OS X (10.1.3 or later) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Hooking Up Your Sonica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Using the Sonica with a Software DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Using the SRS TruSurround XTTM Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sonica and the Windows Sound System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Sonica and the Macintosh Sound Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Sonica and Macintosh OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Sonica Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Sonica by M-Audio. Sonica is your audio upgrade for any PC or Macintosh computer*, utilizing the convenience of your computer's USB port--no tools, computer disassembly, or power supply is needed. The Sonica brings you true 24-bit 96kHz audio for the highest quality stereo, virtual surround, and multi-channel surround sound available today. Please take the time to read this User Guide. It will tell you how to install the Sonica on your particular computer and instruct you on how to get the most from your Sonica audio interface. * must meet minimum system requirements 2 What's in the Box? The following items are included with your Sonica: · · · · Sonica audio interface One (1) standard USB cable Midiman/M-Audio driver CD (includes driver installation software) Product manual and warranty card Sonica Features · · · · · Portable 24-bit/96kHz audio upgrade for laptops and desktops Digital connector for surround sound receiver or MiniDisc Analog connector for powered speakers or stereo receiver Supports Dolby Digital 5.1 (AC3)®, Dolby Pro Logic®, DTS®, and other encoded multi-channel formats Advanced SRS TruSurround XT® technology delivers 5.1 virtual surround sound over stereo speakers, deep bass enhancement, and Dialog Enhancement Completely USB-powered (no power supply required) One-year warranty · · Technical Features · · · USB-to-S/PDIF Optical Out and 1/8" Mini Analog Line Out S/PDIF Optical Out can transmit either Linear PCM, or a digitally encoded surround sound signal such as Dolby Digital AC-3 or DTS Sonica supports the following output formats: 24-bit Linear PCM; 16-bit Linear PCM; 16-bit AC-3, Dolby Pro Logic, or DTS over optical connector Sonica supports the following sampling frequencies (Hz): 8000, 9600, 11025, 12000, 16000, 22050, 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000 Audio Performance Specifications: Dynamic Range: 97 dB (typical, -60 dB input, A-weighted); Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 97 dB (typical, Aweighted);THD+N: -87 dB (typical) · · 3 System Requirements Windows: Minimum: · · · · · 200 MHz Pentium with MMX 64 MB RAM CD-ROM Drive Available USB 1.1 port Windows® Me, 2000, or XP Recommended: · · · · · 500 mHz Pentium III 128 MB RAM DVD-ROM Drive and DVD Player application (For Dolby Digital Playback) Available USB 1.1 port Windows® Me, 2000, or XP Apple Macintosh®: Minimum: · · · · · G3, G4, iBook, or PowerBook with available built-in USB port 64 MB RAM CD-ROM Drive Mac OS 9.2.2 or later Mac OS X version 10.1.3 or later Recommended: · · · · G3, G4, iBook, or PowerBook with available built-in USB port. 128 MB RAM DVD-ROM Drive Mac OS X version 10.2. or later (for multi-channel output) 4 A Closer Look... The following is an illustration of your Sonica, with a description of its connectors and components. Please see the section, "Hooking Up Your Sonica," for more information. 1. USB Connector: Connect the "device end" of the USB cable that came with your Sonica to this USB connector. 2. Power LED: This LED will be lit bright blue when the Sonica receives power from the USB port.This will occur when the Sonica is properly connected to your computer using a standard USB cable (such as the one that was supplied with the Sonica), and that computer is powered ON with the USB port enabled (depending on your computer model, Sonica may receive power from your computer, even with your computer turned off). 3. Optical Digital Output: This is a standard optical connector for digital audio (sometimes called a TOSLink connector), and will accept a standard optical digital cable. Either stereo digital audio or digitally encoded surround sound audio may be output from this port. This output comes with a cover that should be removed and can be stored for later use when you are transporting the Sonica. 4. Analog Line Output:This 1/8" mini-jack accepts a stereo plug and is the standard for connection with portable audio devices and powered computer speakers. If needed when connecting to a home stereo receiver, you may also obtain a cable with an 1/8" stereo plug on one end, and two male RCA plugs on the other (these are usually red and white, designating right and left side of the stereo signal). 5 Software Installation Your Sonica comes with software that allows it to communicate with your particular operating system and platform (PC or Mac). Please locate the operating system for your computer in this section and follow those instructions. Sonica's "driver" software, which includes the SRS TruSurround XT virtual surround sound software, will load during this installation. Your Sonica has a USB connector for a standard USB cable, which is supplied with the unit.You may plug the "computer end" of the cable into your computer's USB port. When you are asked to connect your Sonica during the driver software installation, simply plug the "device end" of the USB cable into your Sonica.The "computer end" and "device end" will be easily identifiable by their size and shape. Windows XP 1. Place the Sonica Software CD in your CD-ROM Drive. 2. Plug the Sonica into your computer's USB port. 3. The New Hardware Wizard will appear, and state that "This wizard helps you install software for: Unknown." Select, "Install the software automatically (Recommended)." Click "Next." 4. The Hardware Installation window appears with a warning that the driver has not passed Windows Logo testing. Press the button "Continue Anyway." 5. The New Hardware Wizard window appears, stating that, "The Wizard has finished installing the software for: M-Audio Sonica DFU." Click "Finish." 6 6. The Hardware Installation window appears with a warning that the driver has not passed Windows Logo testing. Press the button "Continue Anyway." 7. After the installation, the M-Audio Sonica Control Panel icon appears in the System Tray of your Windows Taskbar. See section, "Using the SRS TruSurround XT Software" for more information on using this control panel. Windows XP Installation is now complete. Windows 2000 1. Place the Sonica Software CD in your CD-ROM Drive. 2. Plug the Sonica into your computer's USB port. 3. When the New Hardware Wizard appears, click "Next." 4. The New Hardware Wizard will state that "This wizard helps you install software for: Unknown." Select, "Install the software automatically (Recommended)." Click "Next." 5. The New Hardware Wizard will prompt for the location of the driver files. Make sure the box titled "CD-ROM drive" is checked, and click "Next." 6. The New Hardware Wizard will state that it found a driver for the following device: Unknown. Click "Next" to continue. 7. The New Hardware Wizard will prompt that it has finished installing the software for this device. Click "Finish" to continue. 8. The Hardware Installation window appears with a warning that the driver has not passed Windows Logo testing. Click the button "Yes" to continue. 9. The computer must be rebooted to complete the M-Audio Sonica driver installation. Click "Yes" to reboot. 10. After the installation, the M-Audio Sonica Control Panel icon appears in the System Tray of your Windows Taskbar. See section, "Using the SRS TruSurround XT Software" for more information on using this control panel. Windows 2000 Installation is now complete. 7 Windows Me 1. Place the Sonica Software CD in your CD-ROM Drive. 2. Plug the Sonica into your computer's USB port. 3. The New Hardware Wizard will appear, and state that "This wizard helps you install software for: Unknown." Select "Install the software automatically (Recommended)." Click "Next." 4. The New Hardware Wizard will prompt that it has finished installing the software for the "M-Audio Sonica DFU" device. Click "Finish" to continue. 5. The New Hardware Wizard will appear one more time, and state that "This wizard helps you install software for: USB Audio Device." Select "Install the software automatically (Recommended)." Click "Next." 6. The New Hardware Wizard will prompt that it has finished installing the software for the "M-Audio Sonica USB" device. Click "Finish" to continue. 7. After the installation the M-Audio Sonica Control Panel icon appears in the System Tray. See section, "Using the SRS TruSurround XT Software" for more information on using this control panel. Windows Me Installation is now complete. 8 Mac OS 9.2.2 1. Insert Sonica Software CD into your CD-ROM drive. AutoRun will open the CD and allow you to view its contents. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Double click the "M-Audio Sonica Installer." Click "Continue" at the M-Powered Screen. Read the "Instructions for using M-Audio Sonica." Click "Continue." Select your install location, or simply choose the OS 9 boot drive (which is the default). Click "Install" to continue. Installation requires a restart of the computer. Click "Continue" to restart. The next prompt states a similar message. Click "Restart" to reboot the computer. Plug the Sonica into your computer's USB Port. Once the computer has restarted, select "Sound" in "Control Panels," then select the "Output" tab. Click on "M-Audio Sonica" to choose the Sonica as your default output device. Mac OS 9.2.2 Installation is now complete. 9 Mac OS X (10.1.3 or later) 1. Insert the Sonica Software CD into your CD-ROM Drive and open the CD to view its contents. 2. Double click "M-Audio Sonica Installer.dmg" file. An Icon will appear on your desktop marked "Sonica." 3. Double click the "Sonica" icon on your desktop. 4. Now double click on the "M-Audio Sonica Installer.mpkg." 5. You will need your Administrator Password for the next step. To continue, click the lock icon in the lower left corner of the window that states, "Click The Lock To Make Changes." 6. Enter your password and click "OK." 7. The next window "Welcomes You..." to the installation process. Click "Continue." 8. Select your OS X hard drive. Click "Continue." 9. When prompted, click "Upgrade" to continue. 10. When prompted, click "Continue Installation." 11. When prompted, click "Restart" to finish the installation. 12. After the computer has restarted, now plug the Sonica into your computer's USB Port. 13. Go to "System Preferences" in the Apple Menu. Select the "Sound" preference panel, and click the "Output" tab. Select "M-Audio Sonica" to choose the Sonica as your default output device. Mac OS X Installation is now complete. 10 Hooking Up Your Sonica Your Sonica has an 1/8" mini jack.This is an "analog" audio output that you can connect to your powered speakers.You may also connect this output to the stereo analog inputs of a home stereo or surround receiver. The Sonica also has a standard optical connector. This is a "digital" audio output that that will transmit either a stereo digital audio signal or a multichannel "surround sound" encoded digital audio signal. You may connect the Sonica's digital output to the digital inputs of a home theater system, stereo receiver with a digital input, surround speakers with a digital input, MiniDisc recorder, or any device that has an optical digital audio input. NOTE: When playing a digitally encoded surround sound sig ...