Copyright: ©Copyright Aztech Systems Ltd (ver 1.0)
Citation: ©Copyright Aztech Systems Ltd (ver 1.0)


Contents
Table of Contents

Multimedia Sound Card Online Manual help topics:

Audio Mixer Utilities for DOS

Memory Resident Mixer (MIXTSR.EXE)

Using the MIXTSR.EXE Mixer

Volume Option

Record Option

Save Option

Exit Option

Quitting the MIXTSR.EXE Mixer

DOS Command Line Mixer (VOLSET.EXE)

Using the VOLSET.EXE Mixer

The S3D.EXE Utility (Optional Utility)

Audio Mixer Utility for Windows

Using the Windows Mixer

Adjusting the Volume and Balance

Selecting a Recording Source

Basic Troubleshooting Guide

Configuring the Sound Card

Changing the Hardware Settings using Software

Using the CONFIG.EXE Program

Sound Blaster Option

Microsoft Windows Sound System Option

MPU401 (MIDI) Option

CD-ROM Drive Option

Default Setting Option

Quit Configuration Option

Using the HWSET.EXE Program

The SETMODE.EXE Utility

Upgrading to Windows 95


Audio Mixer Utilities for DOS

There are two mixer utilities which you use to control the sound card’s audio output in the DOS environment:

•	Memory Resident-based (MIXTSR.EXE)

•	DOS Command Line-based (VOLSET.EXE)


Memory Resident Mixer (MIXTSR.EXE)

This is a Terminate-Stay-Resident (TSR) program which allows you to control the sound card’s audio output while running DOS applications.

With this TSR feature, the mixer utility can be used any time, even while you are running other software. After adjusting the mixer settings, you can return to your software and continue from where you stopped.


Using the MIXTSR.EXE Mixer

To start the mixer program

Note!	Do not run the MIXTSR.EXE program under Windows MS-DOS Prompt.

1.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory.

{PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card’s software.

2.	Type MIXTSR and press [Enter] to load the mixer program into memory.

3.	Press [Alt]+[/] to start the mixer program

This displays the Mixer Control panel with the Volume option selected by default.

To select an option

There are four options in the Mixer Control panel — Volume, Record, Save and Exit.

1.	Use the [PageUp] or [PageDown] keys to select the mixer option.

Alternatively, press the highlighted letter of the option - [V] for Volume, [R] for Record, [S] for Save and [E] for Exit.

At each selected option, the panel changes to show the configurable mixer functions for the option you have chosen.


Volume Option

This option allows you to adjust the sound card’s output volume. There are several audio sources within this option.

For details on these audio sources, position your mouse pointer over an audio source and click the left mouse button (when the mouse pointer turns into a pointed finger).

To adjust the output volume of an audio source

1.	Use the [Tab] key to select the audio source.

2.	Press [←] to decrease the volume and [→] to increase the volume.

To separately control the volume for the left and right channels of an audio source

1.	Use the [Tab] key to select the audio source.

2.	Press [↑] to select the left channel and [↓] to select the right channel.

3.	Press [←] to decrease the volume and [→] to increase the volume.

4.	Press [Home] to return to the default mode (both channels).

To adjust the left/right balancing of the sound card’s output volume

1.	Use the [Tab] key to select Master Balance.

2.	Press [←] to direct audio output to the left channel and [→] to direct audio output to the right channel.

To adjust the playback stereo mode

1.	Use the [Tab] key to select Playback Stereo.

2.	Press [Enter] to switch between ON or OFF (mono).


Master

Controls the master output volume.


SB Voice

Controls the VOC and WAV output volume.


FM/WT

Controls the FM Music Synthesis and Wave Table Synthesis output volume.


CD

Controls the CD Audio output volume.


Line

Controls the Line-In output volume.


Mic

Controls the Microphone output volume.


Master Balance

Controls the left/right balancing of the sound card’s master output volume.


Playback Stereo

Switches the playback stereo mode ON or OFF (mono).


Record Option

This option allows you to select a recording source for your sound card. There are four recording sources within this option.

For details on these recording sources, position your mouse pointer over an recording source and click the left mouse button (when the mouse pointer turns into a pointed finger).

To select a recording source

1.	Press [Tab], [←] or [→] to select the recording source.

2.	Press [Enter] to enable the recording source.

This returns you to the main screen.


MIC

Selects the Microphone as the recording source.


LINE IN

Selects the Line In as the recording source.


CD

Selects the CD Audio as the recording source.


MIX

Selects the Microphone, Line In and CD Audio as the recording sources.


Save Option

This option allows you to save whatever changes made to the mixer program. After selecting the Save option, you will see:

To save the changes

1.	Press [Tab], [←] or [→] to select Yes.

2.	Press [Enter] to save the current mixer settings.

This returns you to the main screen.


Exit Option

This option allows you to exit the mixer utility. After selecting the Exit, you will see:

To exit the mixer program

1.	Press [Tab], [←] or [→] to select Yes.

2.	Press [Enter] to confirm.

This removes the Mixer Control panel from the screen.

Note!	Although the Mixer Control panel is not displayed on screen, it is still present in memory. If you wish to use the mixer program later, press [Alt] + [/].


Quitting the MIXTSR.EXE Mixer

Because this mixer utility is a TSR program, extra care must be taken when quitting the program. Take note of the following pointers when quitting the mixer program:

•	Do not unload the mixer utility from the “DOS Prompt” of another program. The mixer utility will not be removed from memory.

•	You should quit all software loaded after the mixer utility before unloading the MIXTSR.EXE mixer.

To quit the mixer program

1.	Quit all programs loaded after the mixer utility.

2.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory. {PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card’s software.

3.	Type MIXTSR  /Q and press [Enter] to unload the mixer program from memory.


Volume Option

Controls the output volume.


Record Option

Selects the recording source.


Save Option

Saves the current mixer settings.


Exit Option

Quits the mixer program.


DOS Command Line Mixer (VOLSET.EXE)

This audio mixer utility allows you to adjust the audio output of your sound card directly from the DOS prompt.


Using the VOLSET.EXE Mixer

To use the VOLSET.EXE mixer

Note!	Do not run the VOLSET.EXE program under Windows MS-DOS Prompt.

1.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory. {PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card’s software.

2.	Type VOLSET followed by the option you want to change and the value you want to change it to and press [Enter].

For example, to set the microphone volume to 10 on the left channel, and 8 on the right channel, you would type:

VOLSET /M:10,8

Note!	Typing VOLSET or VOLSET/? will display its command line format and the available possible options.

Parameters for VOLSET.EXE mixer

Option		Value		Description
/?		--		Displays the help screen.
/MR		--		Resets the mixer settings back to the factory default values.
/MS		--		Stores the current mixer settings.
/D		--		Displays the current mixer settings.
/V		L: 0 - 16 R: 0 - 16		Sets the VOC and WAV output volume. “L” for the left channel and “R” for the right channel.
/M		0 - 16		Sets the Microphone output volume.
/X		L: 0 - 16 R: 0 - 16		Sets the master output volume. “L” for the left channel and “R” for the right channel.
/F		L: 0 - 16 R: 0 - 16		Sets the FM Music Synthesis and Wave Table Synthesis output volume. “L” for the left channel and “R” for the right channel.
/C		L: 0 - 16 R: 0 - 16		Sets the CD Audio output volume. “L” for the left channel and “R” for the right channel.
/L		L: 0 - 16 R: 0 - 16		Sets the Line-In output volume. “L” for the left channel and “R” for the right channel.
/R		M, C, L, X		Selects the recording source. “M” for microphone, “C” for CD Audio, “L” for Line-In, and “X” for combining the three sources.
/S		S, M		Sets the playback mode. “S” for Stereo and “M” for Mono.


The S3D.EXE Utility (Optional Utility)

Note!	This optional utility will only be available to you if your sound card comes with the 3D sound effects feature.

The S3D utility is a DOS command line utility used to enable or disable the sound card’s 3D sound effects output in the DOS environment.

To use the S3D.EXE mixer

Note!	Do not run the S3D.EXE program under Windows MS-DOS Prompt.

1.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory. {PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card’s software.

2.	To turn ON the sound card’s 3D sound effects, type:

S3D  /3D:ON

3.	To turn OFF the sound card’s 3D sound effects, type:

S3D  /3D:OFF


Audio Mixer Utility for Windows

This is a mixer utility which you use to control the sound card’s audio output in the Windows environment.


Using the Windows Mixer

To start the Windows mixer

1.	Double-click the Mixer Control icon, [image].

The Windows mixer icon is found in the program group created by the sound card’s setup program.

This displays the mixer panel.

For details on the sliders and buttons in the mixer panel, position your mouse pointer over the slider/button and click the left mouse button (when the mouse pointer turns into a pointed finger).


Master Volume Slider

Controls the master output volume.


Recording Control Button

When selected (button indicator is lit), displays an extended view of the volume control allowing you to select the recording source.


Playback Control Button

When selected (button indicator is lit), displays an extended view of the volume control panel allowing you to control the playback volume of individual audio source.


Lock Button

When selected (button indicator is lit), both left and right sliders move simultaneously while adjusting the volume sliders.


Mute Button

When selected (button indicator is dimmed), disables the sound card’s audio output in the Windows environment.


3D Button (Optional Button)

Note!	The 3D button shown here will only be available to you if your sound card comes with the 3D sound effects feature.

When selected (button indicator is lit), enables the sound card’s 3D sound effects in the Windows environment.


Adjusting the Volume and Balance

To control the sound card’s master output volume

1.	Move the slider up to increase the volume and down to decrease the volume.

When adjusting the output volume, the volume’s left and right sliders move together because the lock mode is enabled ( [image] indicator is lit).

You can separately control the volume for the left and right channels by clicking on the Lock button to disable the lock mode ( [image] indicator is dimmed).

To individually control the volume of the sound card’s audio sources

1.	Click the Playback Control button, [image] .

This displays an extended view of the volume control panel. There are several sliders within the extended view of the volume control panel.

For details on these sliders, position your mouse pointer over an audio source and click the left mouse button (when the mouse pointer turns into a pointed finger).

To turn ON or OFF the sound card’s audio output

The sound card’s audio output is enabled when the [image] is lit.

The sound card’s audio output is disabled when the [image] is dimmed.

To turn ON or OFF the sound card’s 3D Sound Effects (if applicable)

The sound card’s 3D sound effects is enabled when the [image] is lit.

The sound card’s 3D sound effects is disabled when the [image] is dimmed.


Line

Controls the Line In output volume.


Wave

Controls the WAV output volume.


MIDI

Controls the FM Music Synthesis and Wave Table Synthesis output volume.


CD

Controls the CD Audio output volume.


Mic

Controls the Microphone output volume.


Selecting a Recording Source

Your sound card is able to record from a variety of audio sources. The recording sources include the Microphone, Line In, CD Audio or a combination of these sources.

To select a recording source

1.	Click the Recording Control button, [image] .

This displays an extended view of the volume control panel. There are several icons on the extreme right of the extended volume control panel.

For details on these icons, position your mouse pointer over an icon and click the left mouse button (when the mouse pointer turns into a pointed finger).

2.	Select the recording source by clicking at the relevant icon.

Note!	When a recording source has been selected, the icons of the other recording sources will be “crossed-out”.

To control the recording gain of the selected recording source

The recording gain for the selected recording source can be controlled by their respective sliders in the extended volume control panel.

1.	Move the slider up to increase the recording gain and down to decrease the recording gain.

When adjusting the recording gain, the volume's left and right sliders move together because the lock mode is enabled ( [image] indicator is lit).

You can separately control the recording gain for the left and right channels by clicking on the Lock button to disable the lock mode ( [image] indicator is dimmed).


Line In Recording Source

Selects the Line In as the recording source.


Microphone Recording Source

Selects the Microphone as the recording source.


CD Audio Recording Source

Selects the CD Audio as the recording source.


Mix Recording Source

Selects the Microphone, Line In and CD Audio as the recording sources.


Line In Recording Gain

Controls the recording gain of the Line In source.


Microphone Recording Gain

Controls the recording gain of the Microphone source.


CD Audio Recording Gain

Controls the recording gain of the CD Audio source.


Mix Recording Gain

Controls the recording gain of the Microphone, Line In and CD Audio sources.


Basic Troubleshooting Guide

During the course of using your sound card, you may encounter some problems. However, before you call for technical support, please review the basic troubleshooting guide below for solutions.

“Sound Card is not Found” appears when you run the diagnostics program

Causes		Solutions
Your sound card is not properly installed.		Check that your sound card is full inserted in its expansion slot. For more details, refer to Installing the Sound Card in the Easy Start—Read Me First.

No audio output when you run the diagnostics program

Causes		Solutions
Your speakers or headphones are not properly connected.		Check that your speakers or headphones are firmly plugged into the correct connector on the sound card. For more details, refer to the Connecting Audio Equipment diagram in Easy Start—Read Me First.
Your sound card’s volume is set too low.		Check that the sound card’s output volume is not muted or set too low. You can adjust the sound card’s output volume with the mixer utility. For more details, refer to: - Using the MIXTSR.EXE Mixer - Using the VOLSET.EXE Mixer
The sample audio files are not found in their default location.		Check that the DEMO16.WAV and SAMPLE.VOC file are in the same location as the diagnostics program.

No audio output during normal usage

Causes		Solutions
Your audio equipment is not properly connected.		Check that all connections are firmly plugged into the correct connectors on the sound card. For more details, refer to the Connecting Audio Equipment diagram in Easy Start—Read Me First.
Your sound card’s volume is set too low.		Check that the sound card’s output volume is not muted or set too low. You can adjust the sound card’s output volume with the mixer utility. For more details, refer to: - Using the MIXTSR.EXE Mixer (if in DOS) - Using the VOLSET.EXE Mixer (if in DOS) - Adjusting the Volume and Balance (if in Windows)

No audio output when in Windows

Causes		Solutions
You have installed another sound card’s Windows driver.		Remove the conflicting audio driver and re-install your sound card’s Window driver using the setup program. For more details, refer to the software installation Easy Start—Read Me First.
You have removed your sound card’s Windows driver.		Re-install your sound card’s Windows driver with the setup program. For more details, refer to the software installation in Easy Start—Read Me First.

If the problem persists, contact the technical support staff of your sound card dealer or distributor. The technical support personnel can provide better service if you are at your PC, and if you have the following information available:

•	The model of your sound card.

•	The make and model of your system.

•	The version of your sound card’s software and installation disk (s).

•	The exact wording of any message that appeared on your screen.

•	What happened and what you were doing when the problem occurred.


Configuring the Sound Card

Your sound card is set at the factory with the standard settings. These settings should allow your sound card to work in your computer without any problem. However, in certain situations, some of the factory settings may conflict with those of the other devices on your computer. If this happens, you can modify the affected hardware settings on your sound card.

Some of the hardware settings on your sound card are set by jumpers, while others are set by a configuration program.

Note!	For more information on the sound card’s hardware settings which are set by jumpers, refer to the sound card’s Reference Guide.


Changing the Hardware Settings using Software

In addition to jumpers, there are hardware settings on your sound card which you can only change with software. This is done by using either one of the two available DOS-based configuration programs:

CONFIG.EXE	This is a menu-driven program that allows you to change your sound card’s hardware settings through a series of on-screen menu options.

HWSET.EXE	This is a command-line program that allows you to change your sound card’s hardware and mixer settings directly from the DOS prompt.


Using the CONFIG.EXE Program

To start the CONFIG.EXE Program

Note!	Do not run the CONFIG.EXE program under Windows MS-DOS Prompt.

1.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory.

{PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card's software.

2.	Type CONFIG and press [Enter] to start the configuration program.

This displays a welcome screen.

3.	Press [Enter] to proceed with the configuration.

This displays the configuration program's main menu. There are several options within the main menu.

For details on these options, position your mouse pointer over an option and click the left mouse button (when the mouse pointer turns into a pointed finger).

To select an option in the CONFIG.EXE Program

There are six options within the CONFIG.EXE program's main menu. Each of these options contain several configurable hardware settings of your sound card. To select an option:

1.	Use the [↑], [↓], [←] and [→] keys to select an option.

2.	Press [Enter] to access the hardware settings within the option.


Sound Blaster

Contains various configurable hardware settings used by the sound card’s Sound Blaster compatibility module.


Microsoft Windows Sound System

Contains various configurable hardware settings used by the sound card’s Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility module.


MPU401 (MIDI)

Contains various configurable hardware settings used by the sound card’s MPU401 (MIDI) module.


CD-ROM Drive

Allows you to install or remove the CD-ROM driver for your Aztech IDE CD-ROM drive.


Default Setting

Reset all hardware settings to their factory default values.


Quit Configuration

Exits the configuration program.


Sound Blaster Option

Hardware Settings		Available Values		Description
Port Address		• 220H • 240H		Specifies the I/O port address range used by the sound card's Sound Blaster compatibility module. The two available I/O port address ranges include 220H - 22FH and 240H - 24FH. The selection of a I/O port address range is done by specifying the base address of the particular range, i.e. 220H or 240H.
Interrupt		• IRQ 2 • IRQ 5 • IRQ 7 • IRQ 10		Specifies the interrupt used by the sound card’s Sound Blaster compatibility module.
DMA Channel		• DMA 0 • DMA 1 • DMA 3		Specifies the DMA channel used by the sound card’s Sound Blaster compatibility module.
Game Port		• Enable • Disable		Enables or disables the sound card’s game port. You should disable the sound card’s game port if you already have a joystick connected to another device on your PC.


Microsoft Windows Sound System Option

Hardware Settings		Available Values		Description
Use MWSS		• Yes • No		Enables or disables the sound card’s Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility module.
Port Address		• 530H • 604H • E80H • F40H		Specifies the I/O port address range used by the sound card's Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility module. The four available I/O port address ranges include 530H - 537H, 604H - 60BH, E80H - E87H and F40H - F47H. The selection of a I/O port address range is done by pecifying the base address of the particular range, i.e. 530H, 604H, E80H or F40H..


MPU401 (MIDI) Option

Hardware Settings		Available Values		Description
MPU401 Enabled		• Yes • No		Enables or disables the sound card’s MIDI (MPU401) module.
Port Address		• 300H • 330H		Specifies the I/O port address range used by the sound card's MIDI (MPU401). The two available I/O port address ranges include 300H - 301H and 330H - 331H. The selection of a I/O port address range is done by specifying the base address of the particular range, i.e. 300H or 330H.
Interrupt		• IRQ 2 • IRQ 5 • IRQ 7 • IRQ 10		Specifies the interrupt used by the sound card’s MIDI (MPU401) module.


CD-ROM Drive Option

Hardware Settings		Available Values		Description
CD-ROM Model		• IDE CD-ROM • No CD-ROM		Installs or removes the driver for the Aztech IDE CD-ROM drive.


Default Setting Option

This option allows you to change back all the hardware settings to their original factory default values.


Quit Configuration Option

This option allows you to exit the configuration program.


Using the HWSET.EXE Program

To use the HWSET.EXE Program

Note!	Do not run the HWSET.EXE program under Windows MS-DOS Prompt.

1.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory. {PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card’s software.

2.	Type HWSET followed by the option you want to change and the value you want to change it to and press [Enter].

For example, to set the sound card’s MIDI module I/O port address to 330H, you would type:

HWSET  /MPUA:330

Note!	Typing HWSET or HWSET/? will display its command line format and the available possible options.

Parameters for HWSET.EXE Program

Options		Values		Description
/S, /?		--		Displays the help screen.
/MR		--		Resets the sound card hardware settings back to the factory default values
/MS		--		Saves the current sound card hardware settings
/SBA		220 or 240		Sets the Sound Blaster compatibility module’s I/O port address range.
/MPUA		300 or 330		Sets the MPU401 (MIDI) module’s I/O port address range.
/MSSA		530, 604, E80 or F40		Sets the Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility module’s I/O port address range.
/SBDMA		0, 1 or 3		Sets the Sound Blaster DMA channel.
/SBIRQ		2, 5, 7 or 10		Sets the Sound Blaster compatibility module’s interrupt.
/MPUIRQ		2, 5, 7 or 10		Sets the MPU401 (MIDI) module’s interrupt.
/GPA		E or D		Enables (E) or disables (D) the sound card’s game port.
/MSS		E or D		Enables (E) or disables (D) the Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility module.
/MPU		E or D		Enables (E) or disables (D) the MPU401 (MIDI) module.


The SETMODE.EXE Utility

When you use your sound card in the DOS environment, the sound card is by default configured to the Sound Blaster compatibility mode. When you are in the Windows environment, the sound card is automatically configured to the Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility mode.

With the SETMODE.EXE utility, you can configure the sound card to run in the Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility mode when in the DOS environment.

Note!	Do not run the SETMODE.EXE program under Windows MS-DOS Prompt.

To set to Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility Mode

1.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory.

{PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card's software.

2.	Type SETMODE /MSS and press [Enter].

To return to the Sound Blaster compatibility Mode

1.	Navigate to the {PATH}\UTILITY directory.

{PATH} here refers to the location where you have installed the sound card's software.

2.	Type SETMODE /SBP and press [Enter].


Upgrading to Windows 95

If you have previously installed your sound card’s software and drivers on Windows 3.1x and now intend to upgrade your system to Windows 95, please take note that you have to first de-install the sound card’s drivers from Windows 3.1x before proceeding to install Windows 95.

You can de-install the sound card’s drivers from Windows 3.1x by following the instructions listed below.

Note!	Please ensure that SHARE.EXE and other related applications are not invoked during the de-installation process.

1.	Double-click the Audio Setup icon found in your sound card’s program group in Windows 3.1x.

The Audio Setup program will detect the previously installed software.

2.	Turn OFF the Hardware Configuration option by clicking on it’s check box.

3.	Click Continue to proceed with the de-installation.

The de-installation dialog box appears.

4.	Click Deinstall to perform a full de-installation of your sound card’s drivers and applications.

The de-install program then prompts you to confirm that SHARE.EXE is not installed.

5.	Click OK to confirm that SHARE.EXE is not loaded.

The de-install program then prompts you to specify the location of the installed sound card’s software.

6.	Type in the location where the installed sound card’s software can be found and press [Enter].

The de-install program then prompts you to confirm de-installation of the sound card’s software.

7.	Click OK to proceed with the de-installation.

After the de-installation is completed, you will be prompted to restart or return to Windows.

8.	Click Restart Windows to effect the new system changes.

Once the sound card’s software and drivers have been de-installed, you can proceed to setup Windows 95 on your system. Refer to your Windows 95 documentation for more details.

After you have installed Windows 95 on your system, you can then setup the sound card’s software by following the instructions below.

1.	Click the Start button at the task bar and select the Run option.

2.	Type A:\SETUP in the text box (assuming you have inserted Disk 1 into drive A) and click OK.

3. 	Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software installation.

4.	When the software installation has been completed, you will be prompted to restart Windows 95 or return to Windows 95 desktop.

5.	Click Restart Windows... button.