*********************************************************** * * * The EWS64XL jigsaw puzzle "solved" by Etienne Brauns * * * * Version 1.0 (Octobre 15,1998) * * * *********************************************************** 1. Introduction --------------- With the EWS64Xl it is very important to make the distinction from the very start between two important parts : the CODEC and the SYNTHESIZER. The CODEC (COding and DECoding) part is intended primarily for games applications. The CODEC has AD (analog to digital) and DA (digital to analog) convertors of only 16 bit whereas the SYNTHESIZER part has one 18 bit AD and even two 18 bit DA's. The SYNTHESIZER part therefore is more suited for the better audio-work (digital recording and playback). In the dreadful booklets that came along with my EWS64XL this important distinction is not made explicit from the beginning with the result the reading of the "manuals" becomes very confusing to the novice. Moreover the information in the four booklets is scattered all over the place making it very frustrating to get a straight and clean insight into what kind of power EWS64XL has hidden under its hood. As a result of that frustration I came to the conclusion to draw myself a diagram of the EWS64XL functions and to write down a support text to be able to make things somewhat (much) more comprehensible. Since other people eventual could benefit from this effort I decided to make the diagram and text public on the Internet. I hope you will enjoy this 'little' contribution (many hours of work I can tell you). If so, do not forget to send me a postcard from your town or region in a way I get a little feedback on the appreciation out there on the Internet globe. I don't think this is asked too much when compared to the effort I made. Together with this text I also have made my EWS64XL diagram available as a EWS64XL-v1.jpg file on te Internet. To be able to follow the red thread through the story, following hereafter, it is better to have a printout of this diagram by hand. The CODEC is indicated on my diagram in the left upper corner, being limited by a dotted rectangle. The CODEC consists of a number of parts that you can find also on the Control Panel. The names on my diagram correspond completely to the names on the Control Panel e.g. you can see the INPUT SELECTION that allows four possible choices through a sliding switch that enables the positions MIX, IN-1, MIC and SYNTH. Also the REC part on the Control Panel is indicated with its A-B switch in the A position being the CODEC position for REC. Also the MONITOR part on the Control Panel is indicated on my diagram. The explanation for the functions of all these parts will be given later in this text. For the time being just remember that, at least according to my diagram, the parts MONITOR, REC (in the A-position of the A-B switch) and INPUT SELECTION on the Control Panel belong in an integral way to the CODEC. I will give full explanation of the functions later in the text. In the upper right corner of my diagram the dotted rectangle MIC shows the parts involving a microphone icluding the MIC BOOST and AGC which you can find on the Control Panel. I will explain those also later. Do observe that the microphone has only an input to the CODEC ! You can further see a dotted rectangle MIXER below the dotted rectangle MIC. The MIXER rectangle contains the parts WAVE, SYN, CD/SYN2, IN-1 and BEEP which all are also present on the Control Panel. I have not included the IN-2 into the MIXER on my diagram since the IN-2 does not belong to the MIXER but only to the SYNTHESIZER ; I will explain this later. For now remember that the EWS64XL has a MIXER comprising five parts WAVE, SYN, CD/SYN, IN-1 and BEEP but does not comprise the IN-2 ! In my humble opinion (IMHO) the position of the IN-2 on the Control Panel is chosen rather unfortunately, but of course we can live with that. Further explanations on the functions of all those parts are given later. Below the dotted MIXER rectangle I have drawn a dotted rectangle called OUT-1 comprising all the OUT-1 items including the switch A-B-C. I will explain those later, just remember the OUT-1 on my diagram. Below the dotted rectangle OUT-1 you can additionally find the dotted rectangles IN-2 (with the famous A-D-M switch), DIGIN and OUT-2. The items within those three rectangles also correspond completely with the IN-2, DIGIN and OUT-2 on the Control Panel. I will also explain the functions of those items later. Off all the items on the Control Panel you can now retrace on my diagram, without having to know the functions : - INPUT SELECTION, MONITOR, REC (A-B switch in position A) (= CODEC) - MIC - WAVE, SYN, CD/SYN2, IN-1, BEEP (= MIXER) - OUT-1 - OUT-2 - IN-2 - DIGIN In the left bottom corner you can finally observe the dotted rectangle SYNTHESIZER, the most important part of the EWS64XL. From a lack of space I didn't draw all items of the SYNTHESIZER in my diagram. For a full description of the MIDI, WAVE and MOD parts within the SYNTHESIZER which can be played through the SYNTHESIZER with appropriate software (sequencer etc ; when using the correct SYNTHESIZER devices and not the CODEC devices) you can find all the information in the Terratec EWS64XL Support Manual and 'The signal paths in the SYNTHESIZER'. However, for the items that I have drawn in my diagram I will give information in this text later. 2. Description of the EWS64XL Functions --------------------------------------- 2.1 MIXER --------- The MIXER allows to modify and mix incoming analog signals. There are six possible analog signals as an input (see my diagram) : - 1. an analog signal coming in through LINE IN 1 (also a connector at the back of your computer) that can be modified through the Control Panel IN-1 (LEVEL, PAN, MUTE, SOLO) of the MIXER - 2. an analog WAVE-signal coming from the CODEC (thus not the SYNTHESIZER). This WAVE will be played the moment the CODEC device is chosen within the software you are using to play the WAVE (WAV file imported in Cubase, Cakewalk, ...). You can modify the WAVE signal through the Control Panel WAVE (LEVEL, PAN, MUTE, SOLO) of the MIXER. - 3. an analog signal from the SYNTHESIZER that you can modify through the Control Panel SYN (LEVEL, PAN, MUTE, SOLO) of the MIXER. - 4. an analog signal from the little FM-Synthesizer (= also SYN) - 5. an analog signal from the CD-player (or the additional second synthesizer you can plug in the EWS64XL). You can modify this signal through the Control Panel CD/SYN2 (LEVEL, PAN, MUTE, SOLO) of the MIXER. Do notice that the analog signal of the CD-player always goes through the MIXER. Only afterwards you can choose to send the CD-signal to the CODEC or to the SYNTHESIZER. - 6. the BEEP signal that you can modify through the Control Panel BEEP (LEVEL, PAN, MUTE, SOLO) of the MIXER. The MIXER can modify and mix these six possible signals and sends the resulting mixed signal to three possible outputs (do follow the different paths on my diagram) : - 1. the CODEC (see Mixer OUT to CODEC on my diagram) on the condition that you have put the INPUT SELECTION switch in the MIX position. If you want to record a mix through the CODEC you will use this route but of course also put the A-B switch of the REC on the Control Panel in the A position. - 2. the ANALOG OUT-1 (also a connector at the back of your computer) ) on the condition that you have put the A-B-C switch in the A position (see Mixer OUT to ANALOG OUT 1 on my diagram). In this way you can listen to the mixer output signal by connecting your amplifier to the ANALOG OUT-1 connector. If you have the A-B-C switch in the position B (or C) you can easily see on the diagram that the MIXER output signal will be disconnected from the ANALOG OUT-1. - 3. the SYNTHESIZER (see Mixer OUT to SYNTHESIZER on my diagram) on the condition that you have put the A-D-M switch in the M position. 2.2 The CODEC ------------- You can feed the CODEC with a number of analog signals through the INPUT SELECTION : - 1. either MIX : I already explained this one. - 2. either LINE IN 1 (also a connector at the back of your computer) (= IN-1 position of the INPUT SELECTION switch). In this case the CODEC will only see the LINE IN 1 analog signal as the input signal. - 3. either MIC : you can plug in a microphone in the STEREO MIC input connector (at the back of your computer) and eventually modify the analog signal first through MIC BOOST or AGC. You have to notice that the microphone signal can only go straight to the CODEC and not through the MIXER ! (I have no idea why Terratec has disregarded the MIXER option) - 4. either the SYNTHESIZER (SYNTH) on the condition you have put the A-B-C switch of the OUT-1 on the Control Panel in the A position (see also SYNTH OUT 1 to CODEC path on my diagram) You thus can choose from these four signals as an input for the CODEC and record the selected signal in WAVE form through a suitable software (Cakewalk, Cubase, ...), on the condition you select the CODEC devices for recording within that specific software. Do notice the CODEC only allows 16 bit AD : this is the reason most people will not use the CODEC for audio hard disk recording but prefer the 18 bit AD of the SYNTHESIZER. The CODEC will be used preferentially in games applications. You can also use the CODEC for the playback of a WAVE through an appropriate software (Cakewalk, Cubase, ...) on the condition you use the CODEC device in this software for playback. The software will use the CODEC to send the digital WAVE through the 16 bit DA convertor and generate an analog signal that will go into the MIXER (WAVE) (see also Wave to Mixer path on my diagram) for further processing and e.g. output to an amplifier. 2.3 OUT-1 --------- The OUT-1 on the Control Panel enables to redirect the signal from the SYNTH OUT 1 (see my diagram SYNTH OUT 1 including the 18 bit DA conversion) and send the analog signal into three possible directions through the A-B-C switch : - 1. in position A towards the MIXER where the signal can be modified further through the SYN on the Control Panel (LEVEL, PAN, MUTE, SOLO) during mixing. An important remark is to be made : I have already explained that the MIXER signal can also be directed to the SYNTHESIZER through the IN-2 switch A-D-M on the Control Panel. In this way the danger could exist that the output of the SYNTHESIZER (SYNTH OUT 1 on my diagram), being send through the A-B-C switch (if in position A) of the OUT-1 on the Control Panel and further through the MIXER could go back to the Synthesizer (through the switch A-D-M in position M) of the IN-2 on the Control Panel, thus iniating an uncontrolled looping of the signal. You can experiment with these settings but you will see that a position A of the A-B-C switch can not be combined with the M position of the A-D-M switch . Terratec did take care that such a loop is impossible. - 2. in position B towards the ANALOG OUT 1 - 3. in position C towards the PC-speaker, if connected 2.4 IN-2 -------- The IN-2 on the Control Panel enables to send two digital signals (never combined) or two analog signals (also never combined) to the SYNTHESIZER : - 1. a digital signal through the coax-input connector on the front panel of the EWS64XL (with the COAX position for the DIGIN switch on the Control Panel), on the condition of course that the A-D-M switch is in position D (Digital) - 2. a digital signal through the optical input connector on the front panel of the EWS64XL (with the OPT position for the DIGIN switch on the Control Panel), on the condition of course that the A-D-M switch is in position D (Digital) - 3. an analog signal coming in through the LINE IN 2 connector at the back of your computer and being send through the A-D-M switch (if in the A = Analog position) to the 18 bit AD convertor. Do notice you have to take care of an analog level control yourself (e.g. an additional mixer) for this signal since the EWS64XL has no facility build in for this. - 4. an analog signal coming from the MIXER being send through the switch A-D-M (if in position M) to the 18 bit AD convertor. Since looping back to the SYNTHESIZER is excluded (position A of the A-B-C switch can not be combined with the M position of the A-D-M switch) the incoming mix can only comprise five possible signals (CODEC WAVE, FM SYNTH, CD/SYN2, IN-1 en BEEP). Do remark that the LEVEL contol of the IN-2 on the Control Panel is situated after the 18 bit AD convertor and this is the reason this IN-2 LEVEL control only functions in a digital way, since having to control a digital signal. 2.5 OUT-2 --------- The SYNTHESIZER has an extra SYNTH OUT 2 (see diagram) producing two outgoing signals : - 1. an analog signal that you can modify through the OUT-2 on the Control Panel (LEVEL, PAN, MUTE) being send to the ANALOG OUT 2 connector at the back of your computer - 2. a digital signal that is sent straight to the coax DIG OUT 2 connector at the front panel of your EWS64XL 2.6 SYNTHESIZER --------------- The SYNTHESIZER enables to play back MIDI, WAV and MOD files when using the appropriate software (Cakewalk, Cubase, ...). Of course you will then have to select the appropriate devices within that software : e.g. a WAVEPLAY#x device to playback a WAVE through the SYNTHESIZER or the WAVERECORD device to be able to record through the SYNTHESIZER. In '2.4 IN-2' I already explained in detail that you are able to send two analog and two digital signals to the SYNTHESIZER. I also pointed to the fact that these signals leave the IN-2 as a digital signal to be further handled digitaly inside the SYNTHESIZER. In '2.3 OUT-1' and '2.5 OUT-2' I also explained which output signals can be obtained from the SYNTHESIZER. What does happen in fact with all these signals within the SYNTHESIZER ? What can you do with those signals ? As a result of a lack of space I didn't draw everything within the SYNTHESIZER with regard to the MIDI, WAVE and MOD parts of the SYNTHESIZER. You can look up this information in the Terratec diagram 'Signal Paths in the Synthesizer' and also in 'The FX Panel' within the manuals that came along with your EWS64XL. I will however explain the items I did draw on my diagram. You can see that the digital signal being send from the IN-2 to the SYNTHESIZER can travel in different ways through the SYNTHESIZER : - 1. first you can see the dotted rectangle that I called 'Synth Recording Path'. This part of the SYNTHESIZER contains the RECORD switch on the FX Panel which (if in the AUDIO IN position) enables to send the digital signal to the recording software. This recording software is represented by the RECORD rectangle on my diagram, being a sequencer such as Cubase, Cakewalk etc. Before entering the recording software the digital signal has to go through the REC on the Control Panel (first you need to put the A-B switch in the B position !). In position B the LEVEL control of REC will be a digital one since the incoming signal is digital. This is the reason why the analog VU meter of REC on the Control Panel becomes obsolete (this VU meter can not represent digital signals). As a conclusion : an analog signal (coming in through LINE IN 2 or through the MIXER) or a digital signal (coming in from the DIG IN OPT or the DIG IN COAX) can be input through the IN-2 as a digital signal in the SYNTHESIZER and recorded straight through the recording software on the condition that the RECORD switch on the FX-Panel is put into the position AUDIO and the A-B switch of REC on the Control Panel is put into the position B. - 2. the RECORD switch on the FX Panel can also be put into the MIX position. In this case you can observe on my diagram that the digital signal has to follow a somewhat more complex path before arriving in the recording software. The signal has to go first through the AUDIO IN (on the FX Panel) which is also indicated with a dotted rectangle AUDIO-IN on my diagram. If you activate the EQ/V-Space switch of the AUDIO IN on the FX Panel in its ON position you can see on my diagram that the signal will be send to the EQ/3D/REC&MIXER BUS, as I called this bus on my diagram. If you compare my diagram with the diagram in the Support Manual of Terratec you will notice that in the Terratec diagram regretfully only the indication EQ-3D is given whereas this bus has also a recording and mixing function. Please notice that this mixerbus within the SYNTHESIZER of course has nothing to do with the MIXER as already described (in 2.1). You can also see that in the diagram in the Support Manual of Terratec one has used the name Input-EQ/3D/Rec for a switch whereas this is actually the switch EQ/V-Space Send of the AUDIO IN on the FX Panel. This was the point I definitely was going to use the word jigsaw puzzle in the title of this contribution. A puzzle with pieces that even didn't fit well !. Anyhow, you can see that the digital signal from the EQ/3D/REC&MIXER BUS of the SYNTHESIZER then is able to travel further through the RECORD switch (indicated as Record-Selector switch on the Terratec diagram) on the FX Panel on the condition this switch is put in the position MIX. Passing through the REC on the Control Panel, the signal finally arrives into the recording software. It has become obvious now that the MIX position of the RECORD switch on the FX Panel has nothing to do with the MIXER as described in 2.1 As you can see it is also possible to add ECHO to the digital signal (see also AUDIO IN on the FX Panel). Additionaly you can add REVERB and CHORUS to the digital signal if you put the EQ/V-SPACE SEND switch (mutual EQ/V-SPACE SEND switch for REVERB and CHORUS within the CHORUS part on the FX Panel) in the ON position. It seems however the case that there is no CHORUS SEND in the AUDIO IN part on the FX Panel whereas there is a CHORUS SEND for the MIDI, WAVE and MOD on the FX Panel. You can also notice on the Terratec diagram you can only add Echo, Reverb and Chorus to the digital signal that you are sending to the recording software. The Equalizer and V-Space effects can only be added after the signal has been put on the EQ/3D/REC&MIXER BUS of the SYNTHESIZER. Therefore you can not send such effects to the recording software ; you can only listen to them through the SYNTH-OUT 1 bus or the SYNTH-OUT 2 bus. If you put the EQ/V-SPACE send switches of the MIDI, WAVE and MOD parts on the FX Panel in the ON position you can see that those signals also are put on the EQ/3D/REC&MIXER BUS of the SYNTHESIZER and thus can be mixed with the IN-2 incoming signal : thus a true REC&MIXER bus of the SYNTHESIZER. HAVE FUN ! Remember to send me a postcard ! Etienne Brauns Lemmensblok 2 B-2400 Mol Belgium