SOUND BLASTER AWE32 README.TXT
===============================

This file contains additional information to supplement the manual.
Please read all the sections before you proceed with the installation.


This file contains the following sections:

    1.  Environment Variables
    2.  Maximum Recording Rates For Sound Blaster AWE32
    3.  Additional information on Sound Blaster AWE32
    4.  Additional feature for Vienna SF Studio(TM)
    5.  Additional Information on Creative Mixer version 4.32
    6.  Acknowledgement


1. ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES

   There are three environment variables used to signify information
   of our Sound Blaster cards: SOUND, BLASTER and MIDI.  These
   variables will be setup during your Sound Blaster installation.

   SOUND environment variable

   The SOUND environment variable specifies the directory location of
   Sound Blaster AWE32 drivers and software.  The command for setting
   the SOUND environment variable is as follows:

             SET SOUND=<path>

     Note that there is no space before and after the = (equal) sign.

   BLASTER environment variable

   The BLASTER environment variable specifies the base I/O address,
   interrupt number and DMA channel hardware configuration of the
   Sound Blaster AWE32.  The command for setting the BLASTER environment
   variable is as follows:

             SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 E620 T6

     Where:
         Axxx  Specifies the Sound Blaster AWE32 base I/O address.
               xxx can be 220, 240, 260, or 280.
         Ix    Specifies the interrupt request line.  x can be 2, 5,
               7, or 10.
         Dx    Specifies the Low DMA channel.  x can be 0, 1, or 3.
         Hx    Specifies the High DMA channel.  x can be 5, 6, or 7.
         Pxxx  Specifies the MPU-401 interface base I/O address.  xxx
               can be 300 or 330.
         Exxx  Specifies the Advanced WavEffects chip's base I/O
               address. xxx can be 620, 640, 660, or 680.
         Tx    Specifies the card type.  x must be 6.

     Note that there is no space before and after the = (equal) sign,
     but there must be at least one space between two settings.

   MIDI environment variable

   The MIDI environment variable specifies the MIDI file format used
   and where the MIDI data is sent to.  The MIDI data can be sent to
   FM chips or Sound Blaster MIDI port.  Generally, there are three
   MIDI file formats available in the market, General MIDI, Extended
   MIDI and Basic MIDI.  The command for setting the BLASTER
   environment variable is as follows:

             SET MIDI=SYNTH:<1/2> MAP:<G/E/B> MODE:<0/1/2>

     Where:
            SYNTH:   1  Specifies internal synthesizer (default)
                     2  Specifies Sound Blaster MIDI port

            MAP:     G  Specifies General MIDI file format
                     E  Specifies Extended MIDI file format (default)
                     B  Specifies Basic MIDI file format

            MODE:    0  Specifies General MIDI (default)
                     1  Specifies Roland Sound Canvas
                     2  Specifies Roland MT32


2. MAXIMUM RECORDING RATES FOR SOUND BLASTER AWE32

   The sampling rate used for recording is largely influenced by your
   computer's main  processor.  To obtain 16-bit digital audio using
   Windows, the following maximum recording rates are suggested.

            ͻ
                    SYSTEM             RECORDING RATE    
            ͹
                                                         
                386 and above          Stereo - 44KHz    
                                       Mono -   44KHz    
                                                         
            Ķ
                                                         
                386 SX and below       Stereo - 22KHz    
                                       Mono   - 44KHz    
                                                         
            ͼ

   To obtain optimal performance, try  configuring the sound card to
   use a high DMA (Direct Memory Access) channel under Windows.  Refer
   to your Sound Blaster AWE32 Getting Started Manual for more
   information on setting up the sound card to use a high DMA channel.


3. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SOUND BLASTER AWE32

   a. The QSound effect type is slightly softer in volume when
      compared to the reverb/chorus effect types, so you might want to
      turn up the volume while utilizing QSound effects.

   b. The AWE32 Control Panel allows you to experiment with QSound
      panning. Lets say you have a piano track playing in MIDI Channel
      1, and you are currently using the QSound effect code.  Activate
      the BOB dialog box of the control panel, and assign controller
      10 ( MIDI PAN ) to channel 1.  Make sure that the 'M' checkbox
      is checked.  When you move the slider for channel 1 you will
      experience the piano sound being panned spatially.


4. ADDITIONAL FEATURE FOR VIENNA SF STUDIO(TM)

   We have added a new feature to Vienna SF Studio(TM) which is not
   available during the printing of user manual.  This feature is the
   "Zero Crossing Detection".  Basically, this feature automates the
   process of detecting sample locations which is zero level.

   When locating a pair of local loop points at the Loop Deck, it is
   highly possible to mark them at different amplitude levels.  If the
   levels between start loop and end loop is too far apart, there will
   be an undesirable 'clicking' sound generated when the sample is
   looped during the sustain period.  To prevent this, one
   recommendation is to ensure that both the start loop and end loop
   are of equal level.  By doing so, the level remains the same when
   transiting from the end loop to start loop point.  The "Zero
   Crossing Detection" will aid you in locating sample points with
   zero level.

   Vienna uses samples that are 16 Bit signed Mono.  This implies that
   the possible levels on a sample point spans from +32767 to -32768.
   However, on the Loop Deck, the waveform window has a fixed number
   of pixels to display this huge sample level figure.  This has a
   direct impact on what you 'see' on the waveform window.  If, for
   example, the waveform window is 128 pixels tall, then each pixel
   roughly represents 512 levels.  This means that any level from 0 to
   511 will be drawn equivalently as zero level.  Under such
   situation, it is desirable to use the "Zero Crossing Detection" to
   accurately identify a zero level sample point.

   Vienna incorporated a pair of hot keys which you can use at the
   Loop Deck.  This pair of hot keys will help you in locating the
   local start loop and local end loop.  To mark a loop region, simply
   move the local start loop and local end loop to the region.  Press
   the keys Ctrl+Alt+Z (Ctrl and Alt and Z keys together) and Vienna
   will start locating the nearest zero level to the local start loop.
   If there isn't any zero levels (not very likely), your local start
   loop will remain in its original position. Similarly, press the
   keys Ctrl+Alt+X to locate the nearest zero level to the local end
   loop.  This feature is only available on the local loop points and
   not the global loop. You can use Global loop points to approximate
   a loop region for a sample and then use the local loop to
   'fine-tune' from it.  This is useful when you need to reuse a
   sample in different instruments which possibly requires different
   loop region. Using global loop will enable you to offset your loop
   points even in large samples exceeding 64KB.


5. Additional Information on Creative Mixer version 4.32

   The following are features that were not mentioned in the User's
   Guide or online help for the Creative Mixer version 4.32.

   a. Resetting the Treble, Bass and Output Gain (for SB16 & SB AWE32
      only)

      You can reset the amount of Treble, Bass, and Output Gain to
      their default values simultaneously or individually.

      To reset them simultaneosly, press Ctrl+R.

      To reset the Treble or Bass level, double-click their respective
      vertical slider thumbs with the left mouse button.

      To reset the Output Gain level, double-click either the Left or
      Right Gain Level in the Output Gain dialog box with the left
      mouse button.

   b. Centralizing the Balance Sliders

      You can centralize any Balance Slider on the Mixer by
      double-clicking the slider thumb with the left mouse button.
   
   c. Quick Access to Sliders Using Keyboard

      You can activate any slider on the Mixer by pressing the
      following keys:

      "M" for the Master Volume volume slider.
      "T" for the Treble slider. (for SB16 & SB AWE32 only)
      "B" for the Bass slider. (for SB16 & SB AWE32 only)
      "V" for the Wave volume slider.
      "D" for the MIDI volume slider.
      "C" for the CD volume slider.
      "L" for the Line volume slider.
      "I" for the MIC volume slider.
      "P" for the PC Speaker volume slider. (for SB16 & SB AWE32 only)


6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

   The included version of SB16FM.DRV is from Voyetra Technologies.


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