DSP24 Settings utility for Mac OS X

Introduction

The DSP24 Settings utility is the equivalent of the External Links [1] software for Windows. Despite the different look & feel, it provides the same major functions. To launch the DSP24 Settings utility, double click on its icon in your applications folder.

External Links

The External Links section of the DSP24 Settings utility allows you to control both the input and output routing of the DSP24 PCI-card.

The Input column (on the right) allows you to assign the input signals for the DSP24 driver. For every input channel pair, you can select the box number of your external box. In the picture above, all input channels (1+2, 3+4, 5+6, 7+8) are routed from external box number 1 (which is the number you have selected on the external box via its DIP switches). If you own a DSP24 MK II and if you want to use Input 1+2, please select External Box 4. Note: input channel 9+10 is always routed to the S/PDIF (or AES/EBU) input via your XG DB I [2], there is no need to change this.

The Output column (on the left) controls the output signal for every output channel pair (1+2, 3+4, 5+6, 7+8 and S/PDIF=9+10). On channel 1+2 (and on the S/PDIF channel) it is possible to send out the signal from the digital mixer on the card that is controlled via the Output Mixer section. If you want to send out the mixer signal, please select Digital Mixer in the selection box for the specific channel pair. As alternative, you can send out the playback signal - directly from the CoreAudio HAL of Mac OS X (HAL stands for Hardware Abstraction layer). To do that, please select HAL Out channel x+y for the specific channel pair. As third alternative, you can send out any input signal via one of the outputs of the card (e.g. by selecting External Input x+y or SPDIF In) - when this is done, the input signal is directly routed to the output signal without any latency/delay (in realtime). The playback signal from your audio application cannot be heard on the specific channel in this case. If you want to hear the input signal and the playback signal simultanously, it is best to use the Digital Mixer setting (default for DAC Output 1+2).

Hardware Settings

You can check / control the major hardware functions in the Hardware Settings section of the DSP24 Settings utility.

The Buffer Size box shows you the current buffer size. The smaller the buffer size selection, the smaller the latency will be. However, the system utilisation will go up. You cannot change this setting when the driver of the DSP24 card is in use (as on the picture above). You can also change this setting inside many CoreAudio compatible audio applications.

The Clock Source box shows you the current samplerate under Clock Rate. You can also switch between Internal and External clock here. You need to use External clock, when you want to record from the digital input synced to the source.

Under Card No. you can select the DSP24 PCI card you want to control - if several cards are installed in one system.

Output Mixer

The Output Mixer of the DSP24 Settings utility allows you to control the levels of all input and output signals (playback only).

On the left side, you can control the Master volume. The HAL Outputs section controls all playback signals from your audio applications, the External Inputs section controls the input signals.

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last updated: 11/11/2002 author: Claus Riethmüller