AD516/AD1012/Studio16 Frequently Asked Questions v1.12
Authors: Floyd Diebel
Kenneth "Kenny" Nilsen
Table of contents
0 - Introduction
0.1 - About this FAQ
0.2 - Legal mumbo jumbo
0.3 - Disclaimer
0.4 - Acknowlegdment
1 - Basic Information
1.1 - About the Hardware
1.2 - About the Software
1.3 - About the Manufacturer
2 - Hardware/Software Support
2.1 - Is there any external software support for AD516/AD1012/Studio16?
2.2 - Can I use the AD516 with Newtek's Video Toaster?
2.3 - Can I use Studio16 with DPS Inc.'s Personal Animation Recorder?
2.4 - Is there an AHI driver for the AD516/AD1012?
2.5 - Can Studio16 import/export CMX files?
2.6 - Where can I get details on Studio 16's fileformat ?
3 - Miscellaneous Questions
3.1 - What is the latest version of Studio 16 ?
3.2 - Does the AD516/AD1012 read and output SMPTE timecode?
3.3 - Does Studio16 support the use of graphics cards?
3.4 - Can I use an external mixer with Studio16?
3.5 - Are there any known problems or limitations with Studio16?
3.6 - Why can't I save some of the mixer settings?
3.7 - Does AFS (Ami-File-Safe) work with Studio 16?
A - Appendix and Extra Information
A.1 - What is a 'DSP' ?
A.2 - Is there a mailing list for Studio 16 ?
A.3 - Where can I find updated software ?
A.4 - Is there a support page for Studio 16 ?
A.5 - Where can I contact Sunrize Industries ?
0. Introduction
0.1 - About this FAQ
This is the Studio 16 mailing list's Frequently Asked Questions and
their answers. The purpose of the FAQ is to be a resource on
answers and information. Its secondary purpose is also to prevent
questions from being asked over and over again.
Bear in mind that this FAQ is not an usermanual, nor a developer
document. It's purpose is only to answer commonly/frequently
asked questions.
0.2 - LEGAL MUMBO JUMBO (stolen from AmiTCP FAQ :-S )
THIS DOCUMENT IS COPYRIGHT KENNETH KENNY NILSEN AND FLOYD DIEBEL.
PERMISSION IS GRANTED FOR THIS DOCUMENT TO BE FREELY DISTRIBUTED COMPLETE
AND UNALTERED. IN ADDITION, ANY PORTION OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE
DISTRIBUTED ON USENET, SO LONG AS THE CREDITS ARE INCLUDED IN ANY
PORTION THAT INCLUDE MORE THAN TWO ANSWERS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS
LICENSE, USENET IS ANY DATA STREAM OR FILE COLLECTION WHICH USES ALL
DOCUMENTS POSTED TO ANY NEWSGROUP THIS ARTICLE IS POSTED TO.
0.3 - DISCLAIMER (also stolen..)
IF YOU SCREW UP, IT'S YOUR FAULT AND NOT OURS. THIS INFORMATION IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" AND ANY DAMAGE OCCURING TO YOU OR YOUR EQUIPMENT IS YOUR
OWN FAULT. KENNETH "KENNY" NILSEN AND FLOYD DIEBEL DISCLAIM ANY
LIABILITY OF ANY KIND FOR DAMAGES THAT MAY OCCUR FROM USE OF THE
INFORMATION WITHIN THIS FAQ.
KENNETH "KENNY" NILSEN AND FLOYD DIEBEL ALSO DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY AS
TO THE INFORMATION'S ACCURACY. WHILE MUCH EFFORT HAS GONE INTO PROVIDING
ACCURATE DATA, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE WHAT-SO-EVER.
0.4 - Acknowlegdement
Thanks to the people on the Studio 16 mailinglist for questions and
answers, and for letting the FAQ appropiate their posts.
I would also like to thanks Pauli Perkka for hosting this FAQ and
being the 'official' Studio16add.lha distributor.
1. Basic Information
1.1 - About the Hardware
Taken from a Sunrize Industries promotional brochure:
AD516
Features stereo in, stereo out connectors plus a SMPTE-in jack.
Supports 16 bit, CD quality at rates of up to 48,000 samples
per second and 8 track playback from hard disc.
AD1012
With mono in, mono out, one-channel audio mono digitization and
and 12 bit resolution, the AD1012 is capable of sampling rates
of up to 48,000 samples per second. It includes four channels
of 12 bit audio playback and reads SMPTE code.
DD524*
The DD524 Digital Audio I/O Board adds AES/EBU and an S/PDIF
digital audio input/output to your Amiga computer enabling you
to transfer data directly to and from Digital Audio Tape.
Supported by Studio 16 editing software, as well as hard disc
backup software, the DD524 supports 16 or 24 bit samples,
44.1KHz or 48KHz sampling rates and stereo.
* To the best of the author's knowledge, this card was never
released - this information is included for historical
interest only.
1.2 - About the Software
Taken from a Sunrize Industries promotional brochure:
Studio 16's modular controls easily integrate with each other
and outside software packages....Cue List lets you coordinate and
synchronize hundreds of sounds to either internal or external
SMPTE time code by using your mouse to activate any editing
function....Using Mixer, you can adjust the volume and pan of
each channel in real time as you would with a "real" mixer....Built
in SMPTE Time Code Monitor displays time code on your screen, and
can be genlocked to make a window dub....Studio 16's meters
display sound levels for each track on traditional VU and bar
graph meters with peak hold....Waveform Editor lets you edit
multiple waveforms simultaneously and cut and paste one digital
sound into another.
1.3 - About the Manufacturer
Sunrize Industries was the company that made the AD516/AD1012
cards and its software, Studio 16. Sunrize Industries no longer
exist as they closed for business in March 1995.
2. Hardware/Software Support
2.1 - Is there any external software support for AD516/AD1012/Studio16?
Yes, including the following:
Audio Thunder (Asimware, $89 USD)
Supports conversion and sequencing of Studio16_2 format files into
a number of formats, including CDDA, Flyer Audio, AIFF, etc.
Bars and Pipes Professional (Blue Ribbon, $FREE)
Allows Studio 16 to run on the B&P screen with the SunSet
accessory, and syncing via internal SMPTE with the SunMPTE
accessory. Studio16 versions earlier than 3.0 use the SunOut and
SunTrack tools, which will crash under Studio16 v3.0+. These
tools should have been included with your copy of Studio16.
Sample Wrench (dissidents, $299 USD!)
An excellent sound editor and processor, and the current version
(3.1) allows Studio 16 to be used for playback. Sample length
is limited to available ram, however.
AudioLab (Maurizio Ciccione, $125 USD)
A sound processor, file format converter, sequencer (includes a
variation on Studio16's cuelist), filter designer, and lots more.
Does not allow for playback through the AD516/AD1012.
Scala MM400
Scala has an EX driver for the cards which allow you sync upto two
samples (stereo) and play them through the AD516/AD1012.
SoundFX (Shareware, $25 USD)
An excellent array of effects and processing tools. Will load
files in the Studio16_2 format. Does not allow for playback
through the AD516/AD1012, and sample length is limited to
available ram.
MasterISO (AsimWare, N/A)
A CD Mastering suite featuring batch conversion capabilities
like Audio Thunder (same programmers), and has import modules for
Studio 16, including on-the-fly conversion.
2.2 - Can I use the AD516 with Newtek's Video Toaster?
If you have the Toaster Handler software from Sunrize, you will
be able to use 1-2 tracks of audio on the AD516 with Studio16,
even while the amiga is locked doing the Toaster's transitions.
Without the Toaster Handler, this is not possible.
2.3 - Can I use Studio16 with DPS Inc.'s Personal Animation Recorder?
Yes. The PAR will sync to Studio16's internal SMPTE timecode
easily and reliably, with no added software.
2.4 - Is there an AHI driver for the AD516/AD1012?
Not at this time. There are at least two teams working on achieving
this. One of the teams involves former Sunrize Industries employee
Ben Fuller. The second team (us) is working from Sunrize docs and
specs only.
2.5 - Can Studio 16 import/export CMX files?
No. The Cuelist can export an ASCII list, but does not support CMX
directly. We are working on getting this support.
2.6 - Where can I get details on Studio 16's fileformat ?
You can get it from Pauli Porkka's Amiga soundcard page
(www.iki.fi/~pporkka/) and from Aminet at
(ftp.wustl.edu/pub/aminet/dev/misc/Studio16add.lha)
3 - Miscellaneous Questions
3.1 - What is the latest version of Studio 16 ?
The latest version is 3.01A. The difference between 3.01 and 3.01A
is the AD516-handler file. On the author's system, the newer
handler seemed to clear up minor startup problems when using
multiple AD516 cards.
3.2 - Does the AD516/AD1012 read and output SMPTE timecode?
The AD516 and the AD1012 both read external SMPTE timecode,
provided it is LTC format. Users of VITC need to use and external
LTC converter. Studio 16 also outputs an 'internal' timecode,
which can control and interface with things such as Bars and Pipes
Professional and the DPS Personal Animation Recorder. Neither the
AD516 nor the AD1012 can 'stripe' tape, or output an external
SMPTE signal. An extra program available from Sunrize, called
SMPTEOut, allows the Amiga's built-in audio to output SMPTE
code, in LTC format, and this can be used to control external
devices, or 'stripe tape'. No Sunrize hardware is required to
run this software. Some notes from users:
From: D_Reynolds
Yes, I have it [the SMPTEOut module]. I bought it with the AD516 a few
years back and was never able to get good results with it.
If I recorded time code on to a tape with it, it seems
that my edit controller couldn't always "follow" it, as
if the code was intermittent or there was a variation in
record level or something. If I used timecode that was
hardware generated, from my camera or my TC generator,
I never had problems during editing.
BTW, I use the Panasonic AG7750 S-VHS decks, a WVF-250
3CCD camera w/AG7450 dockable S-VHS deck and the controller
is a TAO Editizer, (PC based) and has a built-in TC generator.
Sat Dec 6 16:23:32 1997
I have never had a problem with the SMPTEoutput being read by video
hardware. However, I have always used the "sync to video" and striped tape
with the genlock active. I imagine it possible that some problems would
occur with SMTPE LTC timecode not synced to the video timing.
3.3 - Does Studio 16 support the use of graphics cards?
Yes, although there are a few problems.
Sun Nov 30 15:42:22 1997:
I've been using Studio16 and B&P together on a Picasso II/CyberGraphx 1600 x 1300
virtual screen (running under an 800 x 600 resolution mode-I think) for a few
years now . The Studio16 s/w runs (surprisingly!) very well on a Picasso II
screen (A2000). Can't say I've ever had any graphic-specific problems with
it. The problems I've encountered are usually with B&P. Ex: The notes show
up as lines.
On Thu, 27 Nov 1997, Bob Maple wrote:
I have a Spectrum board running CyberGraphX and Studio16 is so-so on it.
Sometimes playback will 'hiccup' when the cuelist scrolls, the editor is
nearly un-usable because it's so slow to drag the mouse around, and if I flip
screens while playing back, the output hiccups.
Sun Nov 30 15:43:03 1997:
i use the studio16 through a retinaII with the retinaemu software in
1024x768 mode, and it works great. the only problem i've noticed is some
random characters appearing in the top of the cuelist [this appears to
bug in cuelist - the cuelist was never meant to operate in such a large
screenmode]. other than that, perfect - screen switching and everything.
of course, this card isn't nearly as supported as most others, i.e., it
doesn't run with cybergrafx or picasso96 software.
3.4 - Can I use an external mixer with Studio 16?
Yes. Sunrize recommended the JL Cooper Fadermaster specifically,
but any MIDI capable mixer should work.
3.5 - Are there any known problems or limitations with Studio 16?
There are a few, and the will affect some users more than others.
- Limited hardware input channels. Each AD516 comes with only
two inputs (the AD1012 is mono, with one input). This problem
can be solved by installing more cards - up to four AD516
cards can be installed in one machine, giving the user eight
inputs.
- No effects loop capability with Studio 16's mixer module. If
you have more than one AD516 installed in your machine, you
can sort of 'kludge' an 'effects loop' together, but it is not
ideal.
- Mixing tracks on the fly with only a mouse can be frustrating,
as well as time consuming. This problem can be solved
somewhat with an external hardware MIDI mixer. See item 3.5.
3.6 - Why can't I save some of the mixer settings?
The mixer module or Studio 16 has a bug which simply 'forgets' to
save the settings. This may have been a "safety" feature
implemented by Sunrize, in the same way the Cuelist's ON/OFF
button always defaults to OFF upon starting up.
In any event, a patch will be made so that user's can choose.
3.7 - Does AFS (Ami-File-Safe) work with Studio 16?
Yes, but discussion of AFS usage in any situation (including with
Studio 16) illicits everything from highest praise to utter and
complete contempt. Your mileage may vary.
From: CMM
I have used AFS for over two year and have *never* had a problem with it.
Regarding AFS file transfers being slower, this is simply not true. AFS is
much, much faster than FFS with the same amount of buffers. Set up a
partition with FFS and on with AFS, set the buffers for each to 500 and
run some test. You will find that AFS is tremendously faster.
Mon Dec 8 11:10:58 1997
All AFS gives you mostly is a caching file system. Since your controller
and drives are rather slow, you may see good improvement (but at the expense
of CPU usage). AFS has some other minor limitations that make it less
desirable (most important are the lack of good recovery file utilities in
case of corruption - despite what the docs say the filesystem can be
corrupted).
You can use HDToolbox to set the block size (up to 32k blocks! Four times
the size of what the Big Blocks program sets (8k blocks). Just make sure
you use the FastFileSystem that comes with Studio16 (or newer). And as to
making the drive disappear, I hope you know you have to reformat the drive
for the change to take effect.
From: Frederick Abrams
I stopped using AFS before under worse conditions whereby someone installed
it on my system which he claimed would resolve bad block and checksum error
troubles which were frequent. This only added to the salad of troubles as I
later discovered that the problem was caused by damage to the hard drive.
But there is no question from my limited experience, that AFS improves
dramatically on the performance of Studio16.
A - Appendix and Extra Information
A.1 - What is a 'DSP' ?
DSP stands for Digital Signal Processor. It is a little chip that is
capable of handling different kinds of signals in realtime. A DSP can
be programmed to do certain operation on signals. The ADSP2105 in
the Sunrize audio cards is designed to operate on audio signals.
A.2 - Is there a mailing list for Studio 16 ?
NOTE: It is unknown if this mailing list is still in operation.
Yes, there is. To join the list you simply send
mailto:majordomo@thule.no
with a body message that only contains this line:
subscribe studio16
After you get confirmed your subscription you enter or reply to
the address studio16@thule.no
The mailinglist is hosted by the people that made Thor (offline news
and email reader, http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/pub/aminet/comm/thor/).
A.3 - Where can I find updated software ?
You will find it on Aminet. It will be announced on the mailing
list and in comp.sys.amiga.announce. You will find the main
add-on archive which contains all updated tools on Aminet in
http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/pub/aminet/dev/misc/Studio16add.lha and on
Pauli Porkka's Amiga Audio Card page: ????.
The preferred site to get archives, FAQ, and resource info is
http://www.youngmonkey.ca/hands/files/Sunrize/index.html.
It also contains some other dev docs available nowhere else.
A.4 - Is there a support page for Studio 16 ?
Yes. The aforementioned web page which resides at
http://www.youngmonkey.ca/hands/files/Sunrize/index.html is
the current Studio 16 support page.
A.5 - Where can I contact Sunrize Industries ?
You can't. Sunrize no longer exists and the former employees are
hard to get hold of - and if you do they don't reply on Studio 16
questions.
Copyright ©1997 by Floyd Diebel & Kenneth "Kenny" Nilsen
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