ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º .\\aster.\\ixer v2.1 º ÌÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ/\ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͹ º made by C‚dric AMAND //\/\\ º º aka .\\ister Gun // \\ º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ Disclaimer at the end of the doc ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º CONTENTS º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ * Introduction - About SB16SET... - MasterMixer - Requirements * Manual - How to Use it - F.A.Q. - BugFixes + History - Known "bugs" * Misc. - Projects - About the author - Greetings - Contacts ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º Intro. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ 1ø) About SB16SET ----------------- Notice that every SB16SET's control bar has 20 possible levels. (What I call a "Level" is any stable position between 0 and maxi.) In a HardWare point of view, the SoundBlaster 16 is able to handle 32 different levels (because the mixer word for that use is 5 bit long ; 2^5=32) ---> Yes : there are 12 levels you NEVER USE before ! On the other hand, the "BASS/TREBLE" bars are also 20 levels long. This time, the SB16 card can only handle -16- levels for that matter. So, four (4) of the levels that you see in SB16SET -DO NOT EXIST- SB16SET "balance" settings are ambiguous ; do you really understand what you are doing when moving the "balance" cursor ? SB16SET is offering a "command-line" option, you must specify multiple switches, then listen to the result. And if it's not what you've expected, you must rewrite all the line (sometimes 100 characters long !) When using such "command-line parameters", you can specify volume controls from 0 to 255. Is that a real progress ? NO! Because there are 256-32= 224 levels that -DO NOT- exist ! To run SB16SET, you -must- load 3 MEMORY-WASTING drivers, that are in your "config.SYS" file. (Those drivers are CTSB16.SYS, CTMMSYS.SYS and CSP.SYS) ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º .\\aster.\\ixer. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ 1ø) Real Levels --------------- My program can handle -all- the hardware levels of your SB 16+ card, and now using their respective MAXIMUM range (5 bits, 4 bits...) (There is no more level that is equal to another one !) It features - 23 "documented" levels. (Read "levels that are not secret":) - some non-documented levels, that are NOT in SB16SET ; like the (usefull) "x8" gain control. 2ø) Easier system ----------------- I do not use "balance" settings, because they are ambiguous. To avoid them, I put "parallel" viewers, like in most HiFi sets. All levels have their dB-meter, who shows the current attenuation of every channel, using the formulaes taken from Creative's DOC. 3ø) Multiple configs & FASTER ! ------------------------------- .\\aster.\\ixer can SAVE/EDIT/LOAD different settings : - Create any mixer setting, using simple mouse controls. - The changes are made in real time. (Send at once, you ear the result!) - Save your setting on one of the six (6) available "custom setups". Later, you can Load/QuickLoad them : - When in graphical mode (running MIXER.EXE), to edit, change... - With simple COMMAND-LINE parameters, you can QuickLoad in ¬ a second! Û THIS IS GREAT ! Û Compare with SB16SET who pauses during nearly 2 seconds ! (And SB16SET does less than MasterMixer !) 4ø) AWE-32 support ! -------------------- Another great function of .\\.\\ is the SB-AWE-32 support. This program can handle -Reverb- & -Chorus- effects under DOS. No more need of "AWEUTIL" to change it ! Note that the AWE-32 can handle different Chorus/reverb settings for EACH of its 32 voices ! .\\.\\ gives the same value to all those 32 voices. 5ø) Hardware configuration -------------------------- .\\.\\ can dynamically change your Hardware settings. It can handle : - IRQ : 2, 5, 7, 10 (?) are reserved - 8 bit DMA : 0, 1, (2), 3 - 16bit DMA : (4), 5, 6, 7 Note that .\\.\\ can enable -multiple- 8 or 16bit DMAs : it is an hardware feature of SB16/AWE32 cards. However, don't ask me why you should do so :) Because it sets IRQ & DMA, you can use .\\.\\ to entirely configure your SB; I mean that you can REMOVE ALL SB-related stuff from CONFIG & AUTOEXEC !! Loading only MY program (who takes NO MEMORY, it is not a TSR) will - Configure the mixer / No more SB16SET - Configure the SB's hardware / No more CTSB16, CTMMSYS, CSP.SYS - Configure AWE32 effects. / No need of AWEUTIL (except for GS in DOS) In my house, warmboot time with the 5 Creative programs is approx. 12 secs. When using .\\.\\ this time falls to 3 secs !! MAKE YOUR CHOICE. See below in this DOC for more infos. ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º REQUIREMENTS º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ You absolutely need : - A Mouse - at least a SB 16 card (16, 16scsi, AWE) - to copy all my files where the SB16SET.EXE file is currently located (for compatibility reasons.) - Something better than a 80286 :) Chorus/Reverb features of course need an SB-AWE-32. ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º How to use it. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ ***IMPORTANT*** FIRST COPY THE FILES ( at least MIXER.EXE + ïïASTER.MIX ) IN THE DIRECTORY THAT CONTAINS THE old "SB16SET.EXE" file! If you don't know where it is, see the "SET SOUND=..." line in your "AutoExec.bat" file. If you still don't know where to copy my program, start it ("MIXER.EXE"), an error will occur, but you'll be prompted the name of that directory. When everything is in the right directory, launch the program (again); *BASIC UNDERSTANDING* --------------------- 1ø) When I say "click on something", I mean " push the LEFT mouse button ". 2ø) The only use of the right mouse button is to QUIT the program (like ESCAPE) 3ø) All changes are immediatly send to the SoundBlaster. The values that you can see are the values READ -from- the card AFTER -writing- your last change. That means that what you see is ALWAYS the actual status of your SB's internal mixer. *CREATING YOUR OWN SETTINGS* ---------------------------- - Click and drag on the zone with bars and small points on it, at the right of the screen. These are the "volume controls". You can even draw funny things if you wish :) Notice that there is - a 32 levels wide zone (11 controls) - a 16 levels wide zone (4 controls ; Bass/Treble.) - Click on any item in the Input/Output zone to swith things from ON to OFF, or from Right to Left (R/L). Note : Some output switches are linked : this is not a BUG, it is an hardware fact. - Click on the -NAME- of Chorus/Reverb setting to increase the effect. The Effect Names are the same as in Windows. That is : * 'Room1', 'Room2', 'Room3', 'Hall1', 'Hall2', 'Plate', 'Delay' and 'PanningDelay' for REVERB SETTING * 'Chorus1', 'Chorus2', 'Chorus3', 'Chorus4', 'FB Chorus', 'Flanger', 'ShortDelay' and 'Shortdelay FB' for CHORUS. *LOADING/SAVING YOUR WORK* -------------------------- - Click on the blue zone (right bottom of the screen) to LOAD any of the six Custom file. (Simply click on the name of the config you want to load.) - To save the current (on screen) setup, first click on the "SAVE" button. Then select any of the six line in the blue area ; point a file name, then click on it. The current settings will be saved on the specified file. You'll be prompted for a new name. (Note that PC speaker makes a short "beep" when loading or saving) NOTE: If you made any mistake, strike ESCAPE ! *COMMAND-LINE QUICKLOAD(tm)* ---------------------------- -- Lets say that you previously saved something in the first Setup (nø1). You don't need to remember the full name to call it from command-line ; --> simply call it like this : "MIXER 1" (Just add the number of the setup, from 1 to 6) This is very usefull for *.BAT files ! In doing this, your SoundBlaster will immediatly receive all the settings that you previously saved, of course -without- going into the "mouse controlled" editor. This will be made in ¬ a second (on my P66) .\\.\\ will confirm the loading by a short message like "Config xx loaded" NOTE THAT HARDWARE SETTINGS -ARE also SENT-. BEWARE OF COMPUTER CRASH WHILE RUNNING ANOTHER PROGRAM ! ** EXAMPLE ** ------------- In my case, I am using Custom Config number '1' for my Boot settings, instead of the slow, noise-making SB16SET. In fact, "MIXER 1" is the one and only line speaking about SB in my AutoExec ! NO MORE DRIVERS !!! To replace what SB16SET (from "AutoExec.bat") was doing, I wrote : --> "c:\music\sbawe-32\MIXER 1" (Instead of "c:\music\sbawe-32\SB16SET /P /Q") When you saved a "Custom Setup" who as the -RIGHT Hardware settings- for your card (IRQ & DMA are the same as in "BLASTER" environment string), you can remove CTMMSYS.SYS, CTSB16.SYS and CSP.SYS from you "config.SYS". The only line needed is "MIXER 1" in your "autoexec.bat" ! If you don't use GS emulation in DOS (who does?), you can remove AWEUTIL too. RamTracker uses GM emulation, but loads itself the correct SBK, so even when using this program, you can REMOVE "aweutil" stuuf from AUTOEXEC. *HARDWARE OPTIONS* ------------------ Are just other "click to switch" options, you click on any number to change it from 'ON' (bright color) to 'OFF' (dark color). Û!Û In MOST cases, only ONE number should be 'on' per line ; (One for IRQ, one for DMA 8bit and the last one for DMA 16 bit) Some DMA's won't switch 'on' : they are reserved for other devices. NOTE : * In most cases, you should set ALL your "custom settings" with ------ the same HARDWARE config. However, It is not an obligation. * Be carefull if you don't understand usage of hardware settings. ÛÛ DO NOT CHANGE DMA/IRQ WHILE ANOTHER PROGRAM IS PLAYING ÛÛ THIS ALSO INVOLVES -NO QUICKLOADING- Of course, you can call .\\.\\ from another program (it is one of its most interesting uses) but PLEASE do not change IRQ/DMA! * The hard. settings from the demo file (the one in the ZIP) are set to IRQ 5, DMA 1&5. So each time you load/QuickLoad any of the six configs. from the demo file, your system is set to match IRQ1,DMA1&5. If it is not -your config- (see bottom line), first change all hardware settings (Load/Change/Rewrite every custom) You'll avoid some confusions later. IMPORTANT --------- At the bottom line, there is a copy of the 26 first characters of your "BLASTER" environment string. This reminds you the current (hardware) settings of your card (I mean the JUMPERed/DIAGNOSEd settings) - "Ix" means IRQ 'x' replaces a number. - "Dx" means DMA 8 bit (DMA8) - "Hx" means DMA 16bit (DMA16, or [H]ighDMA) Your settings MUST BE THE SAME as those referenced in that string. I do not make those changes automatically because most "High-Level" users will find interesting applications for some 'unusual' config changes. For example betatesting purposes, SB Program testing, unknow DMA locating. Changing IRQ/DMA in real time is also an interesting (but dangerous) thing. *EXAMPLE* --------- If when first running .\\.\\, you see ...I7 D1 H10... at bottom line, please do the following changes BEFORE ANY OTHER TASK ; * IRQ from 5 to 7 (to match I7) * DMA8 from 1 to 1 (to match D1, no change) * DMA16 from 5 to 10 (to match H1) Save that config to any Custom setup, with the mixer effects you want. This will make a nice BOOT setting. I know this seems strange, and maybe boring. But when Creative will decide to make real 'plug&play' cards, we'll avoid such settings. ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º F.A.Q. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ 1ø) I want you to copy my file in a particular directory mostly to avoid stupid errors when calling .\\.\\ -FROM- another program that cannot maintain his OWN directory structure. This is NOT my fault. 2ø) AWE-32 effects are NOT sent if an SB16 is present. That means that you can use the "ïïaster.MIX" from a friend (having an AWE) even if you do not own such a Great Card. (Sorry ; I mean The Greatest.) 3ø) Since v2.2, ABSOLUTELY -N-O- driver is needed for running .\\.\\ My system is perfectly running with ONLY .\\.\\ loaded at boot, and my program is NOT a TSR : so it takes ABSOLUTELY NO MEMORY. However, please note that Creatives's software (especially CSP related) needs some of their OWN driver. (Like QSalign and other stupidities :) In fact, Creative's drivers are only for Creative's demo software :) Other programs (games) are using their own routines in most cases. ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º BUGFIXES+HISTORY. º (Every time I add something to .\\.\\, I Write it here) ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ + Now uses environment variables, and converts Hexadecimal to Decimal :) - Can REALLY use SB card that are not on 220h :) + All the SB registers are in the .EXE, no more ASCII file reading * Much faster QuickLoad (1/4 second !) + All the custom settings are saved in ONE unique file ("ïïaster.MIX"). * More settings : 6 instead of 5, because the first one is often reserved for Boot operation. (5 settings + 1 boot setting = 6 :) * Very Much faster program loading (due to a better mouse reset routine) All mouse routines rewrited for better performance (you can't see it.) No more need to move the mouse to see the cursor at startup :) - No more need to click on the "x" of gain controls, etc... - Cursor Shape is now restored even if some "FATAL ERROR" occurs. Gains are now right (x1,x2,x4,x8) , no more 1,3,5,7 :) AGC command is a linked (R&L together) control, it is now shown. * SoundsBetter AWE 32 support ! Reverb/Chorus using Eæ8000 commands ! * Force Hardware Configuration + Realtime Hardware changes are possible ! MasterMixer now REPLACES : -3 SB drivers- & -SB16SET- & AWEUTIL All the SB drivers in ONE PROGRAM that takes ABSOLUTELY NO MEMORY ! + Copy of the "Blaster" string at bottom line to help first settings. ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º KNOWN "BUGS". º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ 1ø) If you switch some level from 0 to max, or even less, some CLICKS may occur, especially when using the Power Amplifier (Speaker Out). N.B. : A "click", in an electronical point of view, is a capacitor discharge that produces a "PLOCK" noise. I tried -everything- to remove such "SB's clicks" ; nothing really works. (However, my program produces less clicks than SB16SET. I am very happy about that, but don't ask me why :) :) 2ø) I don't know the way to -READ- the current REVERB/CHORUS setting. So when you load .\\.\\, it is always "Hall1/Chorus1" shown at startup, even if it is not the real status of your card. Sorry about it. PLEASE HELP me with DOCs !!! 3ø) Note that .\\.\\ does not really 'replace' any driver. But when running my program, most programs are running 'as if' they were loaded. All I wanted is a fast boot operation, a speedy mixer setting, and of course all the DOS programs that I often use working (games, trackers...), I also wanted to keep Chorus/reverb settings for my Games (GREAT Awe32!) Since all of this works, I think that .\\.\\ "REPLACES" SB stuff. See FAQ. ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º PROJECTS. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼIf sufficiant demand, there'll be other versions. - Maybe even MORE undocumented "effects". - Since the screen is FULL, I will implement sVGA Textmodes. - I am working on the ASP/CSP chip. But : don't expect anything for now :) - Maybe GUS support, if it doesn't disappear from the market too fast. (J-O-K-E, ok ?) To find the newest version on BBS/InterNet, ---> SEARCH "MASTMIX?.ZIP" on any area about SB / MUSIC / UTILS / etc... ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º About the Author. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ 20 years old, 1m88, but that's not your business. :) Engineering studies (entering third year) at "I.S.I.B" in Brussels, Belgium. Big StarTrek (ST+TNG+DS9+VOY+FILMS) collection. ;) Like : Hardcore, Strauss, ZZTop, U96, Utah Saints, Pavarotti... (no joke) Do not like : AB prods., BayWatch, "GUS-the-best" lamers ;) ... You can consider your copy a registered one if you send me some StarTrek related stuff on the BBS number. (AWE-32 code works too...) ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º GREETINGS. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ Salut … : Type One, Green Kawa, Sam!, Magic Fred, Fly, Morflame, Karma, FIX, Fakir Johnny, McGarret/MadFlight, Worf, Darkness, Shamen & Tequilla :), Zodiak, Undertaker... Sans oublier tous ceux que j'ai oubli‚, mais … qui je pense constamment. Aussi … : Judge Dredd, Ari Laakonen, Thor, Cygnus X-1 for AWE supporting ! Andr‚ Baresel, Craig Jackson : .\\.\\ is a pure produce of your DOC. (SoundBlaster=Creative=conceptors of first PC SoundCards=Standard=RULES!) Groupes : Triton, ImphobiaCDA, Future Crew, TFL-TDV, infinity2001, S!Prod, Cascada, Channel 38... .. . Don't forget the most AWEsome card in your demoz ! N'oublions pas : Joachim, Jacques, Berti, G‚rard, "Le Skeen", "Forrest", "OVM" Thomas "AKæ" V., Arnaud Ruymen (still alive ?), Didier S. Gene Roddenberry, W. Shatner, L. Nimoy, N. Nichols ... ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º CONTACTS. º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ Want to send any mail to the author ? Call +32-(0)2-2453498 (Genesis BBS) , leave mail for "CEDRIC AMAND" (Brussels, Belgium) As you may guess, I am supporting the SoundsBetter-AWE-32. In an electronical point of view, it is the most complete card in the market. However, Creative is killing this beauty with their 'most secret' low level DOCs. ***** So : If you really want to make me glad, send me ANY DOC about AWE32, and MORE IMPORTANT any -source code- about it. Read this DOC & try to help me ! ***** ***************************************************************************** ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º DISCLAIMER º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ .\\aster.\\ixer is NOT freeware. You are allowed to copy it without restrictions for non-commercial use. However, any donation to the author is welcome. No payment of any kind may be charged for this product or any combination of products or services including this product without my authorization and official written license. Commercial use, especially the industrial manufacturing on any data storage media and their distribution without the expressed permission of the producer, is strictly prohibited. This program or the data files contained therein may not be altered or modified without the permission of the author. IMPORTANT : You take full responsibility for the operation of this software and any consequences thereof. The author cannot accept liability for damages or failures arising from the use of this software. /\ (cp1.4:) **//\/\\********************************************************************* // \\ 08/08/1995