Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product Sonic Blaster Apple
Go to page of 75
Sonic Blaster ™ User's Manual Æ APPLIED ENGINEERING A DIVISION OF AE RESEARCH CORPORATION v1.2.
Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement The equipment described in this manual generates and uses radio frequency energy. If it is not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with these instructions, it may cause interference to radio or television receptio n.
Limited Warranty & Disclaimer Applied Engineering warrants the Sonic Blaster card against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 5 years from the date of original retail purchase.
Table Of Contents INTRODUCTION - WHAT YOU HAVE V The Board v The Software v The Manual v Part One Sonic Blaster -- The Hardware CHAPTER ONE- GETTING STARTED 3 What You Need 3 Where It Goes 3 RamKeeper Users 4 CHAPTER TWO - PUTTING IT IN 5 A Note about Volume Control 10 Now What? 10 Part Two Sonic Blaster -- The Software INTRODUCTION - START, LOOK.
THE SCREEN The Sound Graph The Select Ear Stop, Play, Pause, and Record The Cassette Label Single Play/Continuous Play VU On/VU Off Volume Playback Sample Rate Record Sample Rate Record Level Play Time Max Block Select Region Resolution CHAPTER TWO - THE “FILE” OPTIONS New ( -N) Open ( -O) Append.
CHAPTER THREE - THE “EDIT” OPTIONS Undo ( -Z) Cut ( -X) Copy ( -C) Paste ( -V) A Note about the Clipboard Mixing Mix Settings Mix Select All ( -A) CHAPTER FOUR - THE “VIEW” OPTIONS Zooming Zoom ( -M) Zoom In ( -+[plus]) Zoom Out ( --[minus]) Full View ( -F) Oscilloscope Change Color CHAPTER FIVE - THE “EFFECTS” OPTIONS Amplify.
CHAPTER SIX - THE “SETUP" OPTIONS Playback Channel... Record Channel... Effects Channel... Auto Gain Play Clipboard ( -X) Default Play Rate Set Play to Record Rate Set Record To Play Rate Displ.
INTRODUCTION What You Have The Board Welcome to the world of... SOUND! 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.
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.
PART 1 Sonic Blaster - - The Hardware Part 1 - The Hardware 1.
Sonic Blaster 2 Part 1 -The Hardware.
CHAPTER ONE Getting Started What You Need To effectively use the Sonic Blaster, you need: ◊ A IIGs with at least 512K expanded memory (768K total). ◊ A pair of external speakers ; amplified or non-amplified will work.
Recording and Saving Changes 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.
CHAPTER Two Putting It In 1.) TURN OFF THE APPLE’S POWER SWITCH. Never install or remove a card while the computer is on. However, you need to leave the computer plugged in throughout the installation to allow the power supply to discharge static electricity from your body.
Remove the plastic plate 5) Remove the Sonic Blaster from its anti-static bag. Hold the card by its edges, like a photograph. 6) 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.
7) Connect the mounting plate to the opening in the back panel using the hardware provided. Partially insert one screw into the bottom hole of the connector then slide this screw over the notch at the bottom of the opening. Make sure the writing (“OUT” and “IN”) is right side up.
Connect the E-I/O cable to the motherboard 8a) If you have a card in the Memory Expansion slot, you may need to remove it to plug in the E-I/O cable. In the case of RamKeepers, be sure to back up your ROM disk before unplugging the transformer and battery.
There are several ways to control the Sonic Blasters output volume. The different methods are explained more in the following section, “A Note About Volume Control.
A Note about Volume Control Rarely will you want to turn up the Sonic Blasters volume pots all the way. The settings described in step 10 should provide you with a good top-end volume. Control the volume range with the volume knob of your amplifier (if connected) or the volume knob of the speakers (if equipped).
PART II Sonic Blaster -- The Software Part II - The Software 11.
Æ Sonic Blaster 12 Sonic BIaster - The Software.
INTRODUCTION Start, Look, and Listen Sonic Blaster’s software has a Mac-like interface that makes the program’s use extremely intuitive. If you’ve experienced the GS’ Finder or if you’ve ever used a Macintosh before, you’ll be familiar with many of the menu options and how to use them.
Booting the Software From the Startup Disk 1) Insert the Sonic Blaster startup disk into your boot drive. 2) Turn on the computer. 3) The disk will automatically load the SB software. From the Finder I) With the computer on and the Finder loaded, insert your Sonic Blaster startup disk into a 3.
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. 6) Click on the Play button. The sound file you have loaded will now play. Repetitive Play, Volume and Rate 1) Click the Continuous Play button then press Play again.
What’s Next? Use the rest of the manual as reference. The next chapter gives a detailed description of the screen contents. The rest of the chapters in Part II itemize and describe each of the options offered in the menus in the order in which they appear starting with the File options and proceeding to the right.
CHAPTER ONE The Screen File Edit View Effects Setup Sounds /AEROM/SOUNDS/SAMPLE.SESSION The Sonic Blaster Screen * Note: SAMPLE . SESSION is not an included file. The Sonic Blaster screen presents you with a super-simple interface and a wealth of information.
-> Select from the pointer position to the visible end of the graph by holding down the option key while clicking the mouse -> Extend your selection to the left or right without changing your anchor point by holding down the shift key while dragging the pointer to the left or right.
3) If you have several windows open, you may want to close them (save if desired) to compress the available memory and get a larger Max B lock onto which you can record. * Note: While recording, the GS will be completely occupied with digitizing; all other functions (VU meters, mouse, etc.
Record Sample Rate Record Sample Rate bar allows you to set the Hz at which you record. A higher Sample Rate means a higher quality recording produced and a larger memory block used.
Select Region Select Region tells you how many bytes you currently have selected. In the example screen, the selected area is bytes. If you’ve selected the entire window (by choosing Select All [ -A.
Æ Sonic Blaster 22 Sonic BIaster - The Software.
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 Untitled # (where # is an appended number).
For more information on ROM disks, see "RamKeeper" in the glossary. For more information on RAM disks, refer to your IIGS Owner’s Manual. Append... The Append option will open a file and stick it beginning-to-end with the currently open file automatically and seamlessly.
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 As .. . 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.
If the disk you want to save to is not currently online, eject a disk, that is, if no other drive is available, and insert the correct disk into the drive.
AF Format is Sonic Blasters own filetype. This is the default format for saving files. You’ll save the file you want to use as your startup sound in this format. AIFF Format is the Apple Standard format. 2:1 Compressed is a format which does some squeezing to save the same amount of information in half the space.
Delete... Delete is extremely useful for getting rid of files you no longer want in order to make room for new files. When you choose Delete, you’ll be presented with the open screen. However, the Open button is now the Delete button. Choose the disk that contains the file you want to delete.
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.
Æ Sonic Blaster 30 Sonic BIaster - The Software.
CHAPTER THREE The “Edit” Options Undo ( -Z) After you’ve made a change to the file, you can select Undo to cancel the most recent modification. The Undo command will be followed by the most recent option you’ve selected, for example, Undo Paste or Undo Echo .
Mixing Mix Settings and Mix enable you to Join selected portions of files together. A sound segment copied to the clipboard can be mixed with the selected portion of an active file. Use the SB’s mixing capability to create background noises for your files.
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.
Æ Sonic Blaster 34 Sonic BIaster - The Software.
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 .
◊ and drag the Zero Adjust thumb to move the horizontal zero line up (right) or down (left). This setting has no affect on the recorded sound. ◊ OK when the record level is Set to your satisfaction. The Oscilloscope option Change Color Select this from the menu and you'll be presented with a color palette.
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 Effects Channel option in the Setup Menu.
Echo dialog box ◊ Echo Amplification determines how loud the echo will be. -> 50%, the default setting, is a good setting for most echos. each echo is at half the volume of the previous. -> A Setting of 100, will echo the sound at full strength.
Fade Down Fade Down will modify the selected segment to sound as if the volume was gradually turned down toward the end of the segment. Fade Up Fade Up will modify the beginning of the segment to make the amplitude start low and build as if the volume was gradually turned up.
2) Select the Shift option. The Shift dialog box (below) displays the viewable portion of the screen. Shift dialog box 3) Use the up and down slide bar to raise or lower the zero line. 4) Click the Ok box to shift the selection to the chosen level or click the Cancel box to return to the active sound graph.
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.
Auto Gain You must have some form of input to use this option. Auto Gain will set the record level for you. This feature automatically 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.
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.
APPENDICES The following appendices are included for further reference and reading enjoyment: A - - Copying Sonic Blaster to RAM, ROM or Hard Disk B - - Trouble Shooting C - - Adapters D - - The Intro.
APPENDIX A Copying Sonic Blaster to RAM, ROM or 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.
2) Select All ( -A) 3) Drag all the files to the RAM disk icon. This allows the computer to find the files it needs to boot. * Note : Because this is an auto-start program, when you boot it from the RAM disk and Quit ( -Q), you'll just be returned to the program.
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.
Distorted Sound ◊ Once again, is the SB’s connector plate screwed onto the back panel? 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.
Missing FORM/COMM/SSND chunk in AIFF file This is a seldom, if ever, seen, error message that appears when a sound file does not have some required information.
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.
CD, VCR, TV. Turntable and Amplifier Connections If your VCR or TV has phono jacks for audio input and output, you can use a “mini phone plug to phono plug cable (RS Cat. No. 42-2444) for mono recording. For Mono Record To Audio “OUT’ of VCR. CD, TV, etc.
The microphones don’t need to be super high quality for voice recordings, but the higher the quality input, the better the recording (up to a point). Start out with a low-cost mike. (Try Radio Shack’s Windscreen Dynamic Omni--RS Cat. No. 33-2001.) For mono input, a mike with a 1/8’ mini stereo plug does not need a Y-adapter.
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 Introsound as the GS/OS startup screen is displayed. We’ve included an Introsound file but you can easily create your own.
APPENDIX E Saving Large Files to Multiple Disks If you have a file that is larger than a single floppy disk, you can break it up into two or more files and save it to separate disks. You can then load it back into the program using the Append option under the File menu.
The ‘silent wave used to create the window will be replaced with the clipboard contents. 8) 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.
APPENDIX F Try This! (Tips and Hints) Record Sample Rate When deciding at what rate to record a sample, keep in mind that the higher the sampling rate, the higher the sound quality but the more memory used. We recommend that you experiment to find out how the quality differs with lower sampling rates for both voice and music recording.
Fun Stuff You’ve probably had a chance to mess around with the Sonic Blaster software by the time you read this; we have, too. Here are a few things we’ve tried at Applied... Back Talk Record a word or phrase forward, listen to it backwards, record yourself saying it backwards and then flip it.
More Phone Fun Hey Dad—I’m in jail Imagine the surprise your parents will get when you call them from jail (any police show will give you some good background noise). Imagine the look on your child’s face when he/she gets a call from Alvin and he actually calls them by name (fast playback rate).
APPENDIX G Programmers’ Reference * Note: This chapter contains technical information for programmers interested in programming the Sonic Blaster. It is not a programming tutorial, If you're not a programmer you should ignore this information. Don't look at it.
Notes About Files Binary Info Example File ID 'AEPM' Type 0 AE Format Channel 0 Mono Recording Length 10246 10,246 byte file Freq 30368 Recorded at the Highest SB Record Rate 10,246 8-bit samples In the case of stereo files, Channel 2 sampled data immediately follows Channel 1 sampled data and does not require a separate header.
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.
Returning a Product RMA Number , “Attention" Sheet, and Invoice If your product needs to be returned, the technical support representative will give you a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number. ◊ Record the RMA number for your own records.
Packing If you don’t have the original packing material, wrap the board in anti-static material (preferably the anti-static bag in which the card was originally shipped; however, aluminum foil will work fine). Pack it in a sturdy box cushioned with wadded papers (i.
Glossary AE Format - Sonic Blaster defaults to the AE format for saving files. Information about the files record rate is saved along with the binary information so that when the file is loaded back into the program, it will be set to the same speed as it was recorded.
Pathname - A pathname is a path of directories required to access a specific file on a disk device. To reference a file named MYDATA on volume /MY.DISK you would use a ‘path’ to the file /MY.DISK/MYDATA. Some files may be additional directories and those directories may contain references to more files or more directories.
RamKeeper - RamKeeper an Applied Engineering board which allows you to set up your IIGS memory card as an electronic hard disk.” This means you can load programs and data files at a super-fast rate from RAM without having to insert and swap disks.
An important point after buying a device Apple Sonic Blaster (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Apple Sonic Blaster yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Apple Sonic Blaster - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Apple Sonic Blaster you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Apple Sonic Blaster will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Apple Sonic Blaster, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Apple Sonic Blaster.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Apple Sonic Blaster. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Apple Sonic Blaster along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
