310a apu manual

AudioPort Universal

Audio Impressions Audio Port Universal is Audio Impressions proprietary system for enabling samplers or computers dedicated to digital audio plug-ins to send multichannel digital audio over gigabit Ethernet. AudioPorts receiving end is cross-platform, so it doesnt matter whether youre sending audio from one or more Windows PC sample players to a Macintosh or to a Windows-based sequencer or DAW.

AudioPort is comprised of two parts, the Host and the plug-in. You install AudioPort host on one or more Windows PC computers, and you instantiate whatever VST based virtual instruments or effects plug-ins you wish inside that host. You then install one or more AudioPort plug-ins on your Macintosh or Windows sequencer or DAW. Digital audio flows from Host to plug-in via standard Gigabit Ethernet so no expensive cabling or audio I/O cards/converters are necessary.

Note: AudioPort Host has no audio input so any audio it sends out must be generated by the VST plug-ins within this host. Therefore its useful for sampler and synth plug-ins but not for general signal processing plug-ins that take audio from elsewhere.

Each host can send out up to 32 channels of digital audio at up to 192 kHz/32 bit depth, and you instantiate one AudioPort plug-in for each pair of channels being received in the sequencer or DAW. APU works with MusicLabs MIDIoverLAN CP for communication with synths and samplers instantiated in AudioPort Host. AudioPort also supports direct-connected MIDI keyboards and hardware devices that have Windows drivers or native Windows support.

Precautions and Conventions 1. Please use extra caution when setting system levels, always

beginning at low gain settings while playing sounds, and never turning the gain up beyond a known safe level until sound has been produced and you have calibrated the system to ensure you do not damage your hearing or loudspeakers.

2. Never place power cords, Ethernet cables or any cables where someone is likely to trip over, walk on or otherwise snag them inadvertently.

3. Please do not attempt to launch more than one AudioPort Host on the same computer... even if you have different serial numbers or a multi-processor computer.

4. Versions of the VST AudioPort plug-in (not the Host) can run on a Macintosh or a PC; please use the proper installer for the operating system and do not swap a Mac-installed VST plug-in onto a Windows machine or vice-versa. The AU version of the AudioPort plug-in is intended only for use on a Macintosh.

5. We do not recommend instantiating both AU and VST versions of the AudioPort plug-in within a given sequencer or DAW; use one or the other.

PC-to-Mac and PC-to-PC Audio via Ethernet

2009, 2010 Audio Impressions, Inc, Calabasas CA 91302 Page 2AiAPU_100715-R310a-PDF

Getting StartedPlace the installer files on the appropriate computers

First, be sure you have a note pad or notebook as well as a pen or pencil. There are some things youll be noting on one computer and needing to see on another so paper notes are helpful.

There are five files available for download when you navigate to the AudioPort Universal download folder on our web site. You should obtain #1 through #3 below in all cases; you only need #4 or #5 depending upon whether your sequencer/DAW computer is a Macintosh OS-X or a Windows PC.

6. APUniversal_Manual_Rxxx.pdf This PDF file contains this manual (this manual is also available from our websites support>downloads folder). The xxx will be the current revision of the manual.

7. AudioPort Universal Readme.txt This is a brief text ReadMe file with very brief installation and use instructions for AudioPort.

8. AudioPort_Host_Universal_1.0_PC.msiThis is an installer file to place AudioPort Host on a Windows VST Sampler/Effects hosting computer. Download this and copy it onto each of the hosting Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 computers (you can use up to four per AudioPort Universal license).*

9. AudioPort_Plug-in_Setup_MAC_2.0.1.zipThis is an archive containing an AudioPort plug-in installer (.mpkg) file. Download it to (or copy it to) the Macintosh sequencer or DAW computer. It will install both the AU and VST versions of the AudioPort plug-in.

10. AudioPort_Plug-in_PC 1.0.msiThis is an installer for the AudioPort plug-in on a Windows sequencer computer. Download or copy the file to that computer.

*If youre using APU Host in a 64-bit Windows system we recommend that you purchase jBridge (about 15 Euros or roughly $22 USD) in order to take full advantage of the RAM a 64-bit operating system can address. Go to this link: http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/

First make sure you network (LAN) is set up

AudioPort Universal relies upon a fast LAN (local area network) to send digital audio from PCs to a Mac or PC. All these computers must be interconnected by Gigabit Ethernet.

Gigabit speed is sometimes called 1000 base-T.

If you are using a combination Router/Hub to interconnect the computers, be very careful to verify that it is capable of supporting Gigabit speed within the LAN (the uplink speed to the internet itself is not so important here). If youre using a separate stand-alone hub, ideally it should be whats known as a switched hub (or just plain Ethernet switch), and it must be Gigabit speed. The interconnecting cables should be Cat 6 or Cat 5e rated (not ordinary Cat 5).

Installing AudioPort Universal Host

1. Double click AudioPort_Host_Universal 1.0_PC.msi to run the AudioPort Host installer on the first of however many Windows computers you are going to use to play samples, host effects plug-ins and so forth.

Figure 2. APU Host Installer

2. Make a note of this computers IP address. The IP address (Internet Protocol) can be discovered by performing the following steps:

Continued on page 2


e. Click the Support tab in that window, and write down the IP address which will be something like 192.168.10.21; this is the LAN or net-work or IP address of this port on this computer. You dont need to write down the second line, which is typically 255.255.255.0.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each of the Windows host computers.

NOTE: YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INSTANTIATE VST PLUG-INS IN AUDIOPORT HOST UNLESS THE SEQUENCER IS LAUNCHED, SET UP WITH AUDIOPORT PLUG-INS AND THE HOST HAS A CONNECTION TO AT LEAST ONE SUCH PLUG-IN. These steps are explained subsequently.

Figure 3. Network Connections Control Panel

a. Click the START Menu and drag/release on Control Panel for the list of control panels.

b. Double-click on the one labeled Network Connection.c. Right-click on whatever is your active High-Speed LAN adaptor.d. Drag and release on Status.

Figure 4. Finding the IP address from the computers LAN Connection Status Window


Installing AudioPort Universal plug-in

1. Run one of the AudioPort Plug-in installers on your main DAW or Sequencer.

2. If its a Macintosh computer:

Figure 5. Unzipping and running the Macintosh APU plug-in installer

a. Double-click the file AudioPort_Plug-in_Setup_Mac_2.0.1.zip. It unzips into a Mac installer package (.mpkg) file named AudioPort Plug-In Setup.

b. Double-click that file and designate your primary hard drive as the install location. Both AU and VST plug-ins will be installed in the Li-brary folder at the root level of the boot hard drive, not the Library folder inside the Users directory. (See Fig. 6.)

i. The Audio Units file is named AiNetAudioUnit.component and it will be in the Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components folder.

ii. The VST file is named AiNet.vst and it will be in the Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST folder.

3. If its a Windows PC computer:

Figure 7. Double-click to run the Windows APU plug-in installer

a. Double-click the file AudioPort_plug-in_PC_1.0.msi. b. If you get a firewall warning about an unknown publisher, disregard

it and click Continue. c. The install wizard will then complete installation of the AudioPort

Universal plug-in. The actual plug-in file is named AudioPort.dll and installed in C:\Program Files\Audio Impressions\AudioPort.

Figure 6. Using the Macs Finder to locate where the AudioPort Universal installer places the VST and AU plug-ins


Insert one or more AudioPort Plug-ins in the Sequencer

On a Macintosh, dont launch your sequencer until AFTER youve installed the AudioPort plug-ins on the computer (or if the sequencer is launched, quit then re-launch it). On a PC it doesnt matter when the sequencer is launched.

You will ultimately need at least one AudioPort plug-in instantiated in your Sequencer (or DAW) per each Windows PC AudioPort Host youre bringing into the sequencer/DAW computer. Each of these AudioPort plug-ins is capable of receiving two channels of audio. For each additional pair of audio channels youre sending from a given AudioPort Host youll need to instantiate another AudioPort plug-in.

So, for example, if youre sending only stereo audio from each Host, and you have four AudioPort Host computers, you will need to instantiate two (4) AudioPort plug-ins.

On a Macintosh, the AudioPort plug-ins are installed in the main plug-ins folder so when you launch the sequencer it should automatically scan and find the newly installed AU and VST versions of AudioPort plug-in.

On a Windows PC, you can either add the directory of your PC based sequencer to the VST plug-ins search path or copy AudioPort.dll into a VST directory that is already set up. The actual plug-in file is named AudioPort.dll and installed in C:\Program Files\Audio Impressions\AudioPort.

For each Audio port plug-in:

1. Create a new stereo audio track.

2. In this newly created stereo track insert an AudioPort plug-in (as an effect). See Figs. 8 & 9, next page.

3. Be sure the track is Input Enabled (or activate the monitor input icon button, depending on the nature of your sequencer).

4. Type in the IP address of the PC you want to connect to in the plug-in window. Do not yet click the Connect button, however. (Please disregard the fact that the two AudioPort plug-in buttons in Fig. 8 indicating Disconnect; this would not appear until you first launch the corresponding AudioPort Hosts and then press the Connect buttons as will be shown.)

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for any additional AudioPort plug-ins you have instantiated. Be sure that you enter an IP address on each plug-in that corresponds to the Host computers address from which you want the particular plug-in to receive audio.

6. If you are designating more than one AudioPort plug-in to receive audio from a given Host (e.g, two or more plug-ins with the same IP address), be sure to select a different pair of audio channels for each of these plug-ins. Typically you just start with channels 1+2, then 3+4, and so forth. You must NOT have two plug-ins set to the same pair of channels AND the same IP address.


Figure 8a. One AudioPort plug-in instantiated as an effect on a stereo track of Ableton Live (v6-Windows)

Figure 8b. A second AudioPort plug-in instantiated as an effect on a second stereo track of Ableton Live (v7-Mac). Shows how you can use the

Recent Servers drop-down to select an IP address previously used for the first plug-in. Also note that with more than one APU Plug-in connected to the same AudioPort Host computer, each APU plug-in must use a different pair of channels. In this example, since we assigned channels 1+2 in the first plug-in,

we assigned channels 3+4 in this second plug-in.

Figure 9. DP AudioPort Plug-in Setup.Two AudioPort plug-ins instantiated as effects on stereo tracks of Digital Performer (v6); each has a different IP address and receives audio from a

different AudioPort Host computer

Note: There is a known issue with some versions of Ableton Live and Cubase that makes it impossible to simply type the IP address into the AudioPort plug-in. If you encounter this difficulty, there is a simple (albeit inconvenient) work-around. Open a word processor, text edit, notepad, or any program that will let you type and then copy numbers. Enter one number group at a time (e.g., 192), then copy it, click the cursor in the corresponding box of the AudioPort plug-in GUI in the sequencer, and paste that number group. Repeat this to copy/paste all four groups of numbers (e.g., 192, then 168, then 10, then 21). You should only need to do this once per targeted computer; after you Connect to that computer, its IP address will show up in the Recent Servers box of all the AudioPort plug-ins. You may then use that feature to grab the desired address for subsequent AudioPort plug-ins.


Install jBridge - if you use AudioPort Host in 64-bit Windows

jBridge (also called jBridger in some references) creates a way for VST files (.dll files) to work in the AudioPort Universal Host so they can take full advantage of the increased RAM memory that can be addressed by a 64-bit operating system. You need to buy jBridge (for about 15 Euros/$22 USD), and install it on the sampler (samplers if youre using a multi-sampler system). One license is good for your whole studio. When you purchase jBridge they make a customized installer for you with your name on the file (our illustrations say Your Name but it will have your actual name). The installer also comes in a highly compressed archive format called 7-Zip for which you can download a free utility to unzip it from: http://www.7-zip.org/Be sure to get the 64-bit version of 7-Zip since youll be running it on a 64-bit version of Windows 7.

1. Download the 7-Zip installer. Its filename should be something like 7z465-x64.msi (the 465 here refers to the version number so it may differ).

2. Put the installer file on the sampler desktop and double-click it.

3. Follow the installer Wizard as shown in Figure 10 through 15.

Figure 10. 7-Zip Setup Step 1







Now you can unzip and install the jBridge program. Locate the installer (Figure 16) and right-click it.

Figure 16. Right click this 7z archive file to extract the jBridge installer


The 7-zip software now gives you some choices. (See Fig. 17.)

Figure 17. Use this pop-out menu item to extract the jBridge installer

Using Extract Here places the installer right on the desktop, whereas Open archive creates a temporary window from which you can run the installer and you may or may not extract it first. This makes it easy to copy (to a USB thumb drive or over a network) so you can install it on a second sampler (if youre using one) or for backup should you ever need to reinstall it. Double-click this file to begin installing jBridge. (See Fig. 18.)

Figure 18. Double-click the extracted jBridge installer (red arrow)

The installer window will then open and prompt you for a password. This is the password that should have been e-mailed to you when you purchased jBridge. The password is not case sensitive. In Figure 19, the password is jbridge.

Figure 3-19. Enter your jBridge password to continue installation

Read and agree to the license terms, and youll get a screen with a default file location. Accept the default by clicking the Install button unless you have an important reason to do otherwise. (Refer to Fig. 20.)

Figure 20. Click Install to accept the default jBridge install location


Youll get a screen indicating the installation is complete. You can read the notes or not, and close that window. Now it s time to actually run jBridge so it can make some bridge files in order to allow Kontakt Player to run in 64 bit mode within the AudioPort Universal Host.

Run jBridge to prepare APU and your VST(s) for 64-bit Operation

Well assume you are logged in to your sampler as the computers administrator (or else you wouldnt have been able to get this far with various software installations) but if for some reason youre not, nows the time to log off and log back in as the administrator.

1. Click the Windows START menu, drag up to the jBridge folder, then onto jBridger, and in the pop-out menu select Run as administrator. (See Fig. 21.)

Figure 21. Launch jBridger using the Run as Administrator option

2. Youll see a screen asking whether you want to use a 32 or 64 bit host. Select the 32bit option. (See Fig. 22.)

Figure 22. Select the x32 (32bit) host option (per red arrow here)

3. The next window to appear gives you some options. Check the first two, then click the Create necessary files inside a directory Ill specify button. (See Fig. 23.)

Figure 23. Check the first two boxes and click as shown by arrow here


4. A directory browser window will appear. Place the files inside the folder where Kontakt Player saves its .dll files. Here we are jBridging Kontakt 4 VSTs so the files would go in the Native Instruments>Kontakt 4 Player>VSTPlugins 64bit. (See Fig. 24.)

Figure 24. Designate the VST Plug-ins 64 bit folder

5. jBridge will now create new files ending in .32.dll as well as a text file, and it prompts you for a destination directory for these files. Select a VST Plug-ins folder, preferably one you create on the root level of your C-drive. (See Fig. 25.)

Figure 25. Put jBridge files in the VST Plug-ins folder

6. jBridge now creates multiple patches so the original Kontakt 64-bit dll files (per Fig. 24) can run in the AudioPort 32 bit host, and it asks you to confirm each such action with a dialog box. Click the Yes button each time. (See Fig. 26.)


Figure 26. Click Yes to confirm each of the dll patches

7. jBridge will now give you a report which indicates its done with its setup. Click the OK box. (See Fig. 26)

Figure 26. Click OK to exit jBridge setup


Launching AudioPort Host & loading VST plug-ins

1. Go to your first Windows Host computer and launch AudioPort Host (double-click the desktop shortcut or the Start/Programs/Audio Impressions menu). See Fig. 27.

Figure 27. Shortcut to launch AudioPort Universal Host

2. If your Windows firewall is enabled, you will get a security alert (per Fig. 11). Click Unblock, which will allow the audio to be conveyed over Ethernet.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for any additional PCs on which you wish to run AudioPort Host, noting the IP address for each such computer..

4. Now go back to your sequencer/ DAW and one by one find the tracks with the AudioPort Plug-in instantiated.

5. If they are not already displayed, click the AudioPort plug-ins to cause their GUIs to appear (per Fig. 8 or Fig. 9).

6. One by one, click the Connect button on each GUI. If you have two monitors and are also looking at the PC targeted by the Plug-in, AudioPort Host should now show it is connected (see the message in the blue bar at the bottom of Fig. 29), and instrument plug-ins can now be added.

Note: It is possible for the Plug-in GUI to show theres a connection to the Host, yet the connection may not take. If you look at the PC targeted by that Plug-in, and AudioPort Host is not connected, then typically you either have an incorrect IP address or the plug-ins Audio Track in your sequencer is not input enabled, or theres a network problem.

7. In AudioPort Host Drag and drop any VST instrument or effect (.dll file) onto the AudioPort Host window. See Fig. 28.

Note: If you used jBridge to create bridged VST files, place the bridged version of the VST (which is an application ending in .dll, not the text file jBrige also creates with a

similar name) into the AudioPort Host.

8. Connect output pin(s) from your newly instantiated instrument (or effect) to the Audio Output module.

Figure 28. Firewall warning may appear at initial launch of AudioPort Host

Continued on page 14


Figure 29. Instantiating samplers, synths, etc. in AudioPort Host

Note: AudioPort Hosts Audio Output Pins 1 and 2 should always be connected as they are necessary for Sample Rate and Buffer Size synchronization. If you roll your mouse over the pins, the pin number will be displayed at the lower left corner of the window.

9. Once you have set up AudioPort Host you can use Hosts File/Save menu to save the configuration as an AudioPort configuration file (.apf). Then the next time you launch the Host, once youve connected to in from the sequencer, you can use File/Load to immediately bring up all the same VST plug-ins and connect them to the AudioPort output.

10. Its a good idea to also save the sequencer session in order to preserve the AudioPort plug-in instantiations and their IP address assignments. So long as the target computer(s) on which the AudioPort Host is launched retain the same IP address, loading the original session (as a template) will immediately prepare the plug-ins for connection to the host(s). See Fig. 30.

Figure 30. Save your Host session

Note: Normally when you re-launch AudioPort Host after saving a session (it saves a file with an .apf suffix), you shoujld be able to quickly find that file with the Open recent file menu option. However, a known anomaly is that with some computers and operating systems, you may have to manually navigate to the file and open it with the standard Open command a few times before that file appears in the Open recent file list.


MIDI Control of VST plug-insIf you wish to control the sound makers within AudioPort Host, you can use MIDI to do it. AudioPort Host will recognize any locally-connected MIDI hardware device such as a keyboard so long as the computer has a suitable MIDI driver (if one is needed by the computer for the device; Class compliant devices such as some newer keyboards may not need a special driver in some versions of Windows).

For control of sound-makers in AudioPort Host from the remote sequencer/DAW computer, you can rely upon MusicLabs Midi Over LAN CP or Nerds ipMIDI (neither ipMIDI nor MolCp is included with your purchase of AudioPort Universal. You can buy these from Nerds or MusicLAB directly).

1. Set up ipMIDI or MolCp on the AudioPort Hosting computer so that the necessary number of ports and the specifically needed ports are set to receive MIDI (with MolCp you have to set the ports for Midi IN; ipMIDI doesnt need any specific in/out setup).

2. To assign a MIDI port to any given VST plug-in within the AudioPort Host, simply right-click on the plug-ins blue bar and use the drop-down menu to make your MIDI assignment. Note that ipMIDI calls these Ethernet MIDI ports whereas MolCp calls them Ports if they communicate over the LAN or Pipes if they communicate internally to other software within the same computer.

Figure 31. MIDI assignment in APU

3. Be sure to assign the corresponding MolCp ports on your sequencer to send Midi OUT to the pertinent computer(s) running AudioPort Host, and to assign tracks as need to address those ports and channels.

Tip: After you assign MIDI to the instantiated plug-ins within AudioPort Host, its a good idea to again click the File/Save menu (assuming youve already saved the basic session setup). This will capture the actual MIDI assignments so that the next time you launch AudioPort Host, once youve made a connection from an AudioPort plug-in, all you have to do is load this previously saved .apf session file and youll be ready to go.


AudioPort Host MenusThere are only three drop-down menus accessible in the AudioPort Host window. This program is intentionally kept lean so that it can process a lot of audio, at up to 192 kHz/32 bit, with minimum CPU load. Still, its helpful to know what commands and options are at your disposal.

File

Referring to Fig. 32A, you will see that the first two items, Open and Open recent file, are grayed out, indicating they may not be selected. The reason is also suggest by the phrase, Please connect to a remote host. The other term for that remote host is none other than your sequencer, and in particular at least one AudioPort Plug-in that you have set up in that sequencer.

Figure 32. Available options in the File menu expand when connected

In other words, AudioPort Host requires a Connection before it will let you load any VST plug-ins. In this regard it is similar to other hosting environments.

After you connect to AudioPort Host from an AudioPort plug-in on the hosting sequencer, AudioPort Host allows you to Open a previously saved .asf file which, in turn, will cause whatever VST plug-ins had been instantiated to reappear in the host (assuming they have not changed to a different location on your computer hard drive). This is illustrated by the now black type as shown in Fig. 32B. Actually, the Open recent file menu will remain gray if you have not previously opened any files.

The Save and Save As options are present all the time, even if a connection is lost. This is not an error, but rather its done because its possible that you may have set up a session while there was a connection, and then for some reason AudioPort Host loses its connection from the host sequencer. In this case, the loaded plug-ins remain instantiated in AudioPort Host. By leaving the Save and Save As options available despite the disconnected status, we allow you to save your work before a possible re-start of the Host or reboot of the entire computer.

Hint: We suggest you make copies of your actual VST plug-ins (the .dll files) and place those copied plug-ins in AudioPorts VST plug-ins folder. Then drag them from that folder onto AudioPort Host to launch them the first time. This ensures all your plug-ins will be easy to find. This folder is located here: C:\Program Files\Audio Impressions|Audio Port\VST Plug-ins.


Plug-ins

This menu lets you either add another instantiation of a plug-in youve already placed in AudioPort Host (using the Create plug-in pop-out menu) or you can Delete all instantiated plug-ins to clear the slate for a new session. Refer to Fig. 33.

Figure 33. Plug-ins menu Create plug-inAs it would appear with the setup from Figure 29

(about to instantiate another Kontakt Instrument)

If you right-mouse-click on the AudioPort Host window itself, you get a menu similar to the Create plug-in pop-out.

You cannot actually create another Audio Output; only one 32-channel blue bar output is allowed per Host.

If you want to clear the plug-ins menu list, dont use the Delete all plug-ins item; that simply removes plug-ins from the open AudioPort Host window, not from the menu. Instead, do the following:

1. Quit (close) AudioPort Host.

2. In your PC, navigate to the C:\Documents\User Name\Application Data\AudioPort Host folder.

Note: The Applications Folder is a hidden folder. In order to view it and open it if it is not already accessible you must open the Control Panel, Click Folder Options, click the Menu tab View, and in the list below will be Hidden Files and Folders options. Select: Show hidden files and folders.

3. Locate the one and only file in that folder, named AudioPort Host.settings.

4. Delete this file (recycle bin).5. Relaunch AudioPort Host and its plug-ins menu should be

empty. If not, repeat steps 1 through 4.

Options

The Options menu offers two choices, About and Priority. Fig. 34 shows the About screen, typical of what youd expect.

Figure 34. About AudioPort Host

When you select the Priority option you see a window showing the currently set priorities for Process and Audio Connections. This window was created primarily by and for use by our developers, and under most circumstances should be left at the default values per Fig. 35. However, we did provide you the ability to make some changes in the rare instance that they might improve performance of either AudioPort or of another application youre running on the same computer.



Figure 35. AudioPort Host Priorities

The Process Priority default is at the highest value, Realtime. This means that AudioPort takes precedence over any other activities that the computer may be performing. Generally, you shouldnt be using the computer on which you run AudioPort Host to do other things while the Host is running; if you do and those other things are not running smoothly, you can try changing to High Priority from Realtime Priority.

Figure 36. Setting Process Priority

Audio Connection Priority has three levels, in increasing priority value: Normal, High and Realtime. The default is Normal Priority as shown in Fig. 37. If you notice glitches, crunchiness or other roughness or random changes in latency in the audio connection, you can try increasing to High or Realtime value here. (See Fig. 37, next page.)


Figure 37. Setting Audio Connection Priority


Physical LAN setupThe LAN (Local Area Network) is what you generally use to interconnect multiple computers for file sharing, distributed processing tasks and for shared access to a single internet connection. So even if you didnt know what it was called, the chances are you already have a LAN in your studio if youre using multiple computers.

Any LAN has two aspects... the physical connections (although today LANs may be wireless, we can still think of the wireless link as the physical connection), and the logical connections. Wireless LANs are NOT suitable for use with AudioPort, so if you had been using that method to share files or internet among multiple computers, you will need to install a hard-wired (cabled) LAN to get sufficient speed for satisfactory AudioPort performance.

These instructions tell you how to (a) plug in the cables and the external devices that link these cables, known as Ethernet switches (hubs) and Routers, and (b) how to set up the computers to communicate properly over the LAN. There are a few options, and its important to somewhat understand what these are and how to use them. See Fig. 38 for an overview of the LAN setup.

Figure 38. Overview of a typical LAN setup for use with AudioPort Universal

Basic LAN devices and cables

Note: If the following paragraphs are like reading Greek, and you dont know Greek, have a qualified technician help you with the network setup, please!

Almost all computers these days come with whats called a built-in NIC... a network interface card, or an equivalent motherboard function that handles the job, and you see the evidence of this as an 8-pin modular connector on the side or back of the computer. This LAN connector is called an RJ-45 female, and it looks like the LAN chassis jack shown in Fig. 22. The cables you plug in to these have mating male RJ-45s and are typically classified (originally by the telephone company, or Telco) as Category 5, 5e (enhanced) or 6 to designate increasing capability (higher bandwidth).

Figure 39. Ethernet (LAN) Connection

You will need a mechanical and logical interconnection of the cables from all the computers involved. This is typically accomplished with whats informally called a hub, although the proper technical name for the kind of hub we recommend is a switched hub or simply an Ethernet switch. Its a box with multiple RJ-45 female connectors and internal logic to move the data between the computers. Hubs are rated with the maximum speed they can handle, typically automatically sensed 10/100 Base-T or 10/100/1000 Base T (1000 Base-T is Gigabit). We specify the latter.

Q: Where do the base T numbers come from?

A: Early (1980-1995 or so) Ethernet moved data at 10 megabits per second, and was sent first over coaxial cable, and later over cables similar to phone lines. The latter were called 10-Base-T (10 megabits/second, based on Twisted pairs of wires). Cat 3 or Cat 5 cables were used. Later 1990s brought affordable 100 Megabit/sec speeds, via so called 100-Base-T cables that were simply called Cat 5 or enhanced Cat 5 (Cat 5e). In recent years 1000 megabits per second... that is 1 gigabit/sec... 1000 Base-T speed Ethernet


has become common and affordable. It can travel on Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable. The higher the speed, the better when it comes to moving digital audio, and AudioPort Universal requires Gigabit Ethernet if it is to deliver the advertised results.

In order to get the highest rated speed, all the components must be built or rated to deliver that speed: the NIC on each computer must be Gigabit speed, as must the Ethernet Switch, and the cables must be high quality Cat 5e or Cat 6 (without being pinched or damaged).

You can purchase a new 8-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch for around $50 retail, or refurbished as low as $20. This gives you enough ports for four sampler/host computers, a sequencer/DAW computer, and an uplink to the internet with two spare ports. If you are linking only 3 computers, you can sometimes find 4 or 5 port switches for even less. Fig. 40 shows a typical such switch, the D-Link DGS-2205, a 5-port model (typical street price $38).

Figure 40. Gigabit Ethernet Switch

Logical LAN SetupUnderstanding LAN Addressing

Each computer requires a unique network address, or IP address as its called. Generally speaking, such addresses are handed out automatically by a device called a Router, which may included as part of the switched hub or which may be a separate physical device. The router also provides an uplink connection to the internet cable or DSL modem.

Addresses can be assigned to each computer manually (you type in whats called a fixed or static IP address), or they can be assigned automatically (you set the computer to acquire its address automatically or using DHCP).

Most people do as little setup as possible and just plug in their computers to the LAN, and let them automatically acquire network addresses. The addressing is actually accomplished by the LANs router. DHCP (which means Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is the factory default function for most home and small office/home office routers, so if you dont know much about it and have never made any changes to the factory defaults, you can assume thats whats happening. Similarly, when you set up a new Windows PC or Macintosh, the systems network settings will generally be defaulted to acquire an automatic address.

Its OK to use automatic (DHCP) addressing for use with AudioPort. Just set up your PC Host computers as shown for automatic addressing on this page (Fig. 41), then set up your Mac as shown on page 24, Fig. 50 for DHCP.

However, you should know that there are a few benefits to setting fixed (static) addresses manually instead of DHCP:

1. Fixed IP addresses moves the packets of data faster from one computer to the other because the router doesnt have to intercept, read the addresses, and then forward them.

2. Each AudioPort plug-in you instantiate in your sequencer must have the correct IP address of the computer from which it is receiving audio. Once you set this up the first time you can save the sequencer session and you dont have to ever again type in these addresses for each AudioPort plug in unless the IP


address of one or more AudioPort Host PCs changes, which can happen with DHCP.

3. When you use DHCP (automatic) addressing and you shut off the computers or the router (even if theres a brief power glitch), its possible that one or more computers will acquire a different IP address. Should that occur, youll have to manually re-enter the addresses in the AudioPort plug-ins. The prospect of doing this, alone, is reason enough to use fixed (static) IP addressing. Then the computer addresses ALWAYS stay the same, regardless of power cycling. You can still have the router connected for internet access if you wish.

Automatic Addresses for the Windows PCs

Your sample players and sequencers will include at least one Windows computer and may not include a Macintosh Sequencer. These instructions are for any and all PCs on this particular network.

Note: We describe how to set the LAN addresses and name the LAN and computer for a Macintosh (sequencer) after these Windows instructions.

1. Find the LAN setup by going to the START menu (typically lower left of the screen) and using the pop-out menus, dragging to select: Control Panels > Network Connections. Then release the mouse.

2. If you have multiple LANs (such as local only and web-connected), it can be helpful to rename them according to function so you can quickly recognize them; most people wont need to do this. Referring to Fig. 41 A, right-click and rename each of the LAN connections (Fig. 41B), by selecting the Rename option. If you have only one LAN, renaming is not necessary.

Figure 41. Naming PC LANs and setting up automatic IP addressing


3. Right click this LAN icon or name, and select its Properties, then scroll to the Internet Protocol TCP/IP item (Fig. 41 C) and click the Properties button.

4. Set the LAN to Automatic Addressing, (Fig. 41D) and click OK.

5. Right click again on the same LAN item in Network Properties (Fig. 41 E), then scroll down and release to select Status.

6. Click the Support tab (Fig. 41F) to discover what TCP/IP address has been assigned. Write this down.

Q. Why note the automatic address? A. You need this address so you can enter it in the one or more AudioPort plug-ins that must receive audio from this computer.

An alternate way to discover the DHCP-assigned address of the secondary LAN is shown in Fig. 42. You can (1) click on the windows START menu>Settings>Network Connections>Secondary LAN (or whatever you named this) and release the mouse. Then (2) the Local Area Connection Status window General tab will appear, and you can click the Support tab, and (3) again see the IP address of this port.

Figure 42. Another way to see the automatic IP address assigned to a LAN port



Geek Tech Notes on Network Addressing (TCP/IP)

There are four numbering groups in an IP address (also known as a TCP/IP address or network address). Each of these number groups can have up to 3 digits. The groups are separated by dots (periods).

If an IP address is visible to the internet, it must be legal for that purpose (for the WAN or wide area network), which basically means it has to be assigned to you by your internet service provider (ISP). Generally, ISPs use DHCP (automatic addressing) to hand out a single IP address to any given home or small business user, and your internet router will lease or obtain its legal WAN address in this way.

When you use your own router to assign addresses to multiple computers in hour home, studio or office, these internal LAN addresses generally do not appear to the outside world. The comprise your private network. If the LAN computers must appear directly on the WAN for some reason, then your ISP has to give you multiple legal addresses for this purpose (e.g., a range of fixed addresses instead of a DHCP lease).

If you have such a fixed IP setup with your ISP, then you or your computer/network consultant will know about it. On the other hand, if youre like most users, you simply buy a router, hook it up with the default settings, and let your internal LAN grab legal addresses from the routers default settings Well assume thats what youve done.

In any case, whether you use DHCP (automatic) or manual (fixed) IP addressing for your multiple in-the-office LAN, your router and the internal LAN addresses should use addresses from one of three legal ranges reserved for private networks - LANs.

So there are three choices of network addressing schemes legal for private LANs. They cover the following ranges:

192.168.0.0 thru 192.168.255.255172.16.0.0 thru 172.31.255.25510.0.0.0 thru 10.255.255.255

Routers commonly default to using 192.168.x.y for the internal LAN, in which case the .x.y numbers can be anything between 0 and 255. On any given LAN, all the IP addressing numbers except the number after the last dot must be the same on all computers. The number after the last dot (the y) will differ on each computer.

If you are using two LANs, then each one should use a different numbering scheme to avoid confusion and technical difficulties. So for example if the LAN used for the internet begins with 192.168, you can use this as your secondary LAN and make the primary LAN (for AudioPort) use a 172.16 or 10.0 address.

The gateway (or router) address refers to the address that the network router uses for the LAN, and is almost always using the number 1 in the y slot (the last number to the right). Even in our primary LAN where there is no router, things will run faster if theres no router (gateway) address entered. However, if your computers operating system requires that a gateway/router address be entered, use the same address series (e.g., 10.0.0.y in these examples) and fill in the number 1 at the end, as shown in Fig. 43.A second group of numbers called the subnet mask is also part of the IP address. If your router filled one in for the secondary network, dont change it to something else unless you know networks and understand the implications.

Generally, the subnet masks for each of the three legal private network addressing schemes are as follows:

IP address Subnet Mask192.168.x.y 255.255.255.0

172.16.x.y 255.240.0.0

10.0.x.y 255.0.0.0Figure 44. Legal fixed (manually set) IP addresses for your LAN

Note: Fully explaining the use of fixed (manual) IP addresses, subnet masks and so forth is beyond the scope of these instructions. If you have any concerns its best to consult a networking expert or speak with your internet service provider if they have friendly help desk/tech support.

CAUTION: DONT use a manually set (fixed) IP address on the WAN side of your secondary networks router. This is the address seen by the outside world the internet and unless you really

know what youre doing you can wreak havoc. Fixed IP addressing for the WAN connection requires specific arrangements with your internet service provider. If you select an address that is not internet legal and specifically assigned to you, your internet service provider may shut off your service and/or your computers can become wide open to hacking.


Fixed Addressing for the Windows PCs

Figure 43 shows how to set up a LAN for a fixed IP address.

Figure 43. Setting a LAN for fixed IP addressing (Windows)

1. Right-click the LAN and select Properties per Fig. 43 A.

2. Select the Internet Protocol TCP/IP item and click the Properties button, (Fig. 43B).

3. Click the Use the Following IP Address button (Fig. 43C) and then enter an address. It can be something like 192.168.10.21 (with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0), or 10.0.0.21 (with a subnet mask of 255.0.0.0). These numbers are not entirely arbitrary as explained on page 21. Each computers corresponding primary LAN address will now begin with 192.168.10 or 10.0.0 and must end in a different number between 2 and 255), and each must have the same subnet mask as the others on this LAN. If you

have to assign a Gateway it should be 192.168.10.1 or 10.0.0.1.

4. Right-click again on the same LAN item in Network Properties (Fig. 43 D), then scroll down and release to select Status, and click the Support tab to check and be sure the IP address has taken.

Macintosh addressing is quite similar, as shown beginning on Page 26.


Macintosh Ethernet Addressing

Most Macs sold in the last 10 years have built-in Gigabit speed Ethernet. If the Mac youre using is older and doesnt have Gigabit Ethernet built in, youll probably want to use a Fire Wire Ethernet adaptor.

When you first boot up the Mac, assuming the Router is on, whatever Ethernet port is connected to the router will probably take an automatic Ethernet address due to the way the DHCP functions. Refer to Fig. 45 to see how to access the Mac network addressing and make the necessary changes.

1. Open the System Preferences window (from the Apple Menu) and click on the gray Network globe (Fig. 45A).

2. When the Network window appears if the padlock is shown in the locked position, click the Click the lock to make changes icon (Fig. 45B)

3. Type in the administrative password (C) and click OK.

4. The Network window authenticates (D) and you can make the changes to your Ethernet connection as described below.

Figure 45. Preliminary Macintosh network setup


Figure 47. Setting the Ethernet to use a manual IP address (instead of a default DHCP setting)

Figure 48. Entering the actual Manual IP address

4. Set the individual value for the computers last IP address field per Fig. 48. These initial three numeric groups should be consistent with the LAN addressing on the samplers (10.0.0 in this example), so only the fourth group changes. Because we used 21 and 22 for the samplers, were using 15 on the Mac sequencer (any number from 2 to 255 other than 1, 21 or 22 would be OK; in other words, any address not already assigned in this 10.0.0.y series.).

Fixed IP Addressing for Macintosh OS-X

Figure 46. Preparing to set this Macs built-in Ethernet for fixed IP(On a Mac, Manual is Fixedsame meaning)

1. In Fig. 46 we depict setup of a built-in Ethernet with a Fixed IP address according to the network numbering previously used with the Windows (samplers) fixed IP. In this case it will be 10.0.0.y, and well make y equal to 15, with the subnet mask of 255.0.0.0. To do this, click the Built-in Ethernet line (Fig.46 A), or whatever is the LAN, and it will turn blue.

2. Now click the Configure button (Fig. 46 B).

Note: An alternative to steps 1 and 2 above is to click the Status drop-down bar (it reads Network Status), drag down, and select the primary Ethernet connection... same as clicking that connection and then Configure.

3. The window that now appears (Fig. 47) will allow you to set up the Built-in Ethernet [in this example the older G5 used has only one port. If you have a MacPro, you would see dual built-in Ethernet ports and could use either for a given LAN]. If the window doesnt look something like the illustration in Fig. 48, then pull down the Configure ipV4 drop-down menu per Fig. 47 and select Manually.


5. Once you have set the fixed IP address, click the Apply Now button to complete the LAN addressing operation. Click the red Close button.

Automatic IP Addressing for Macintosh OS-X (DHCP on the Mac)

1. With the LAN port selected per Figure 46, left mouse click the Configure Port drop-down and drag/release to select Using DHCP. Refer to Figure 49.

Figure 49. The Mac Network Preference pane set for DHCP

2. Then click the Apply Now button at the lower right of this preference pane. The actual DHCP address may not immediately appear as shown in Fig. 49, but you can always close and then reopen the window to verify the value if you wish (a good idea, actually).

3. If the IP address isnt in accordance with the same three first numeric groups of those you discovered for the sampler DHCP LAN (e.g., 192.168.10.y in this case), then it means your Mac isnt properly recognizing the network or isnt connected to it properly. Recheck the cable from the LAN port to the Ethernet switch or hub, and if youre using an external adaptor for this port, make sure its plugged in properly. You may have to close and open this system preferences pane again, clicking the Renew DHCP Lease button, to get an address to take, though normally this isnt necessary.


Renaming the Sequencer ComputerWhen using MolCp3, it is important to set the Source Computer Name (Source) or the Target Computer Name (Target) to match the actual name of the computer as is established for that computers operating system. Please dont just type in Sampler or Sequencer per the chart unless that IS the name of the computer. So, for example, when setting up MolCp3 on the sampler, if you referred to the sequencer as My Sequencer, thats what you should name the sequencer computer.

1. Open the System Preferences window from the Apple menu, and click the Sharing icon in the Internet & Network pane. This will show you the Computer Name.

2. If you want to change the name, click the Edit button and enter the new name. If you cannot do this, it means either the preference is locked or you do not have administrative privileges.

3. You can probably fix this by clicking the small padlock at the lower left of this preference window (if its locked) and then entering the administrative name and password to unlock it. (See Fig. 50 where the computer is named My Sequencer without the quotes and the padlock is unlocked). Figure 50. Naming the Macintosh Computer (in the Sharing Preference Pane)


More than four APU Hosts in one systemAs indicated on the first page of this manual, you can only use AudioPort host once per PC, and you can only use it on four PCs for a given license. You may if you wish purchase an additional license from Audio Impressions and then set up as many as four additional Hosting PCs. This would give you up to eight PCs that you could then use to send audio back to a single sequencer/DAW computer. See Fig. 51.

Fig. 51. Dual AudioPort Universal licenses permit this setup

There is no special setup required. You simply need an adequate number of Gigabit LAN ports and, if youre using two LANs, youll need an adequate number of secondary LAN ports as well. Generally you can cascade Ethernet switches to add ports. However, for AudioPort we recommend using a single switch with an adequate number of ports. For eight samplers plus a sequencer, thats 9 ports, so youd probably purchase a 12 or 16 port switch.

The only caveat is that at some point, depending on the number of channels of audio you send out from each AudioPort Host, you may either fill up the network with so much traffic that it starts to generate errors or increased latency or, more likely, you could exceed

the capability of your sequencer/DAW computer to process all that incoming audio. We cannot give you any specific numbers here, and we welcome feedback as to what works and what does not. Also, if youre pushing the limits, please feel free to contact our Tech Support staff for additional tips to squeeze the most performance from your system.


TroubleshootingWere presenting this in the form of a question-answer session. If you dont see your precise question, go to the Tech Support section that follows and contact us.

Q. Why cant I get AudioPort Host to allow me to load (instantiate) any VST plug-ins?

A. Look to see if the blue Audio Output bar at the bottom of the AudioPort Host window indicates [not connected]. It should indicate [connected]. It its not connected, typically this means you have not instantiated at least one AudioPort plug-in on your sequencer/DAW machine and then clicked its Connect button.

a. Be sure the IP address on the AudioPort Universal plug-in matches the IP address on the computer on which you cannot load the plug-ins.

b. If you have done this and the AudioPort plug-in indicates it is Con-nected, you may not have correctly set up the track on which the plug-in is instantiated.

c. The AudioPort plug-in must be on a stereo audio track, and must be instantiated as an input-enabled effect. In Digital Performer, the track must be referenced to some sort of actual physical audio input, even though it wont be taking audio from that input source, but instead from the Ethernet feed to the AudioPort plug-in. If you havent done this, the plug-in could display a Connected message but still not actu-ally be connecting to the AudioPort Host.

Q. I am running Cubase on my Mac sequencer, and I cant locate the AudioPort plug-ins. Whats wrong?

A. You may have an early release of the AudioPort plug-in installer. We identified a problem in the way the development software compile the Mac VST plug-in that caused it to malfunction. Since Cubase only recognizes VST plug-ins, it cant find our AU plug-in, which in that version of our installer did work. Heres what to do:

a. Quit your sequencer/DAW application program.b. Go to the Audio Impressions website and after logging in to your

account, download the latest AudioPort Universal Mac plug-in instal-lation file. It will be named something like AudioPort_Plug-in Setup_MAC_2.0.1.zip.

c. On your Macintoshs main (boot) hard drive (typically named Mac

HD), find the Library folder (not the User/Library folder). In it find the Audio folder. In it, find the Plug-ins folder. In it find two folders and remove one plug-in from each as follows:

i. From the Components folder, drag the file AiNetAudioUnit.component into the trash.

ii. From the VST folder, drag the file AiNet.vst into the trash.

d. Now unzip the newly downloaded plug-in installer, and double-click on the revealed .mpkg file to launch the new plug-in installer. Follow the steps set forth in the installer to place the latest VST and AU plug-ins in your Library/Audio/Plug-ins folders.

e. Restart the Macintosh.f. Empty the trash.g. Again launch your sequencer/DAW program and when youve set

up the specified input-enabled stereo audio tracks you should be able to find and instantiate the AudioPort plug-ins.

Q. I successfully installed and connected to AudioPort Host in my Windows 64-bit environment. Why cant I get my 64-bit sampler to work inside AudioPort Host?

A. The current version of AudioPort Host is a 32 bit program. It will run in 32-bit mode on Windows Vista or Windows 7 64-bit, but it cannot accept 64-bit VST plug-ins. You can fix this by adding an inexpensive utility called jBridge. It costs about 15 Euros (or roughly $22 USD) and it enables AudioPort Host to take full advantage of the RAM in a 64-bit Windows operating system. Go to this link:

http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/

Q. I know you state jBridge lets AudioPort Host work with 64-bit Windows computers. Will jBridge also let AudioPort plug-ins work on my 64-bit Windows-based sequencer computer?

A. No, unfortunately AudioPort Universal doesnt work with a 64-bit Windows sequencer and theres no work-around currently other than using a different program altogether (Vienna Ensemble Pro.)

Q. I am trying to get my sequencers keyboard MIDI to play the sampler running on the remote AudioPort Host computer. How do I do that?

A. We explain on page 8 that this requires a means to send MIDI over LAN, and we recommend using Music Labs MolCp3 or the Nerds ipMIDI software. AudioPort sends audio over LAN, not MIDI.


However, AudioPort Universal Host allows you to link each Plug-in you instantiate in it to an MolCp3 MIDI port or pipe, or to an ipMIDI port, or to almost any directly connected MIDI hardware device such as a keyboard plugged into that AudioPort Host computer (so long as the computer has a suitable Windows driver to recognize the connected hardware).

Q. I am hearing clicks or glitches in the audio coming through my sequencer. How can I fix AudioPort?

A. There may be nothing wrong with AudioPort, and instead this may be a network issue... or it may be that an adjustment of AudioPorts priorities would help.

a. Are you certain you have a completely Gigabit-capable LAN for the AudioPort connections? If so

b. If you are using a single LAN to link more than one AudioPort Host to your sequencer you may be running into interference on the LAN: try not to have the same LAN being used for file transfers and internet activity while AudioPort is conveying digital audio over that network.

c. There are other possible causes for glitches, some of which may be addressed by changing the priorities settings in AudioPort Host. Please see the discussion of the Options menu on page 17 of this manual.

Q. I hear pops and glitches in the audio or sometimes I get stuck notes or the sequencer crashes when Im using AudioPort. What can I do?

A. These unwanted occurrences may be caused by an unsuitable hardware buffer setting in the sequencer. There is no one ideal setting we can recommend as it varies depending upon the computer chips and clock rate, operating system, total RAM, sequencer and so forth. While other plug-ins and programs tolerate the change of this setting in real time, with AudioPort you MUST first disconnect all AudioPort plug-ins from their AudioPort Host connections. Then you can change the sequencer sample buffer size setting and reconnect AudioPort. For example, if youre using a 128 buffer, try 192 or 256, or if youre using 256 try 512. If youre familiar with these things, youll know that its a trade-off of latency versus performance in other respects, but its worth taking a few minutes to find the optimum setting for your particular system.

Q. Cubase 4.5 isnt working well with AudioPort. What can I do?

A. Upgrade to Cubase 4.5.2 or higher.

Q. Im using Digital Performer and when I click the Connect button on the AudioPort plug-ins, the plug-in GUIs indicate that they are connected. Yet when I look at the PC in the AudioPort Host window, the output bar indicates it is Not Connected. Whats going on?

A. Be sure that in DP, the track is input enabled. It also needs a pair of dummy hardware inputs selected. In other words, be sure to set up an audio track as though you were going to record from your physical sound card. For the first plug-in, set it up so Channels 1 and 2 are selected as the input source (these will enable the track), then input enable that track. Now when you click to connect the AudioPort plug-in youve instantiated on that track, it should make a proper connection to the AudioPort Host. (Of course make sure youve designated the proper IP address for that host within this AudioPort plug-in.)

Q. Im using Sonar 6 Producer and Im having trouble hearing audio with AudioPort. Any suggestions?

A. Try using Sonars Echo button.


SpecificationsAudioPort HostComputing Platforms Supported: Windows XP Home/Pro, Service Pack 2 or 3, Windows Vista or Windows 7. AudioPort runs in a 32-bit OS; it will run in 32-bit mode within a 64-bit OS or you can patch it with jBridge to get 64-bit memory addressability in the AudioPort Host. The AudioPort plug-in does not work in a 64-bit version of Windows. The Host computer should be Pentium IV 3.0 GHz or faster.

Plug-ins Accepted: Most 32-bit VST or VSTi samplers, virtual instruments, synths and effects (so long as the effect doesnt require an audio input from something exter-nal to its VST host). 64-bit versions if jBridge is used along with a 64-bit version of Windows.

Input:Does not accept digital audio input. Plug-ins within AudioPort Host can ac-cept MIDI communication from locally connected MIDI hardware devices (such as keyboards) or from Midi over LAN ports (via Ethernet) or local (same computer) connections.

Output:32 channels of digital audio, up to 192 kHz 24 bits per channel, sent via TCP/IP protocol via Gigabit Ethernet. While the license permits four simul-taneously run AudioPort Hosts, only one AudioPort Host (and hence max 32 channels) may be running on a any given host computer.

Compatibility: Works with Tascam GigaStudio plug-in (or with Standalone if it is wrapped in the FX-pansion VST adaptor), Kontakt 3 or 4, Spectrasonics STylus RMX (not Atmosphere or Trilogy, though), East-West Play VST.

AudioPort Plug-insComputing Platforms Supported: Same as AudioPort Host plus Apple Macintosh OS 10.4 or 10.5 on G4, G5 or Intel cpu. Has not been tested on notebook models. One license permits instantiation of as many plug-ins as you wish on a single PC or Mac.

Plug-in Formats: VST for PC. VST and AU for Mac.

Plug-in Function: Each plug-in accepts up to 2 channels of digital audio from one AudioPort Host. Plug-ins are associated with each Host by means of IP addressing. Plug-ins must be instantiated on input-enabled stereo audio tracks.

Input: Plug-ins are able to receive that audio via the same LAN on which the Au-dioPort Hosts send out the digital audio. The first two channels from each AudioPort host also convey sync data between Host and Plug-in. Output: Digital audio in the same format generated at the Host end from flows through the audio track of the sequencer or DAW program in which the plug-in has been instantiated.

Compatibility: Tested and verified with Logic, Ableton and Digital Performer on the Mac; Cubase, Nuendo, and Ableton on the PC. Not compatible with ProTools, even if wrapped.

Latency: As low as 4.6 mSec on Intel Core2Quad 3.6 GHz CPU with 2 channels & dedicated LAN. More channels, more traffic, or slower computers will increase latency.

Note: We cannot publish a comprehensive list of compatible sequencers or VSTs that are compatible with AudioPort Universal due to the many variables involved. We welcome your feedback with any compatibilities or incompatibilities you may discover.


Audio Impressions Technical Support PolicyAll purchasers of AudioPort Universal, an Audio Impressions sample library or the DVZ Core Engine will receive one half-hour of free technical support (normal business hours only), which includes telephone and/or remote desktop support.

Audio Impressions remote desktop support allows our technician to remotely access your PC (on a session-by-session basis only with your express permission and your full ability to view whats happening). This advanced support method allows us to very quickly diagnose and help you resolve problems so you can get back to work and is no more costly than standard telephone support (in fact, since it generally reduces the time to resolve an issue, it is generally less costly, overall, than phone support alone).

Direct telephone and remote desktop support are chargeable at Ais current rates, as listed on our website. Free support is available via email & FAQs.

http://www.audioimpressions.comNote that you can send us e-mails in a conventional manner (at the address below) but if you use the email portal on our websites Support>Technical Support page you will generally receive a faster response.

Email: [email protected] you need help you can phone:

818.431.4030

Please understand that our technical support is based in the USA (Los Angeles, CA) and is accessible from 10am to 6pm local time, Monday through Friday.

AudioPort is a trademark of Audio Impressions, Inc.

The Stylized Ai and Audio Impressions logotype are registered trademarks of Audio Impressions, Inc.


End User License Agreement (EULA)

IMPORTANT NOTICE:Downloading these Audio Impressions AudioPort Universal software files, or copying them from any other source, or using the provided serial number(s) to activate Audio Impressions software constitutes your acceptance of these terms. Do not download or install any Audio Impressions files or use any provided serial number(s) until you have read this license agreement. By installing or activating the software (or by authorizing any other person to do so) you accept this license agreement. The Software in this case refers to all related AudioPort Universal Host and Plug-in installer files, archives containing those files, and the installed actual AudioPort Host application program and AudioPort Apple Unit and Steinberg VST plug-in files.

1. Non-Transferable License and Term. A right to use the covered AudioPort Universal software is granted by Audio Impressions (hereinafter also referred to as the Licensor) to the original purchaser or end-user of the product (hereinafter also referred to as the Licensee, You, or Your) and which right is NOT transferable. You may NOT sell the Audio Impressions AudioPort Universal software (hereinafter also referred to as The Software) to someone else. Ownership of, and title to, the software will be held by Audio Impressions, Inc. Copies are provided to you only to enable you to exercise your rights under the license. This Agreement is effective from the date you obtain the software and will remain in full force until termination. This Agreement will terminate if you break any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement.

2. Termination and Disposition. You may completely erase the Audio Impressions software (that is fully erase it by means of overwriting all data with zeros, sometimes known as secure erase, or by doing a low-level reformatting of the hard drive(s) on which it has been stored, as contrasted with ordinary erasure which merely deletes the drives directory). In the event Audio Impressions, Inc. terminates this Agreement due to your breach, you agree to completely erase all copies of the software as just described. Audio Impressions, Inc. reserves all rights not expressly granted to you.

3. Permitted Uses. The Licensee run a single copy of the AudioPort Universal Host software on each of up to four computers (which are functioning with a Microsoft Windows operating system) for the purpose of hosting sound-making and sound-modifying VST plug-ins such as samplers and effects software. Digital Audio may be sent from said AudioPort Hosts over Ethernet or other TCP/IP links to a computer (with either Windows or Apple Macintosh operating system) on which the licensed AudioPort Universal VST or AU plug-ins have been installed to receive the digital audio. There is no restriction on how many such plug-ins may be instantiated (launched/installed) at one time on one computer, but they may only be launched on one computer at a time for a given AudioPort Universal license. The software license applies only to computers sharing the same local area network within a single office or building. AudioPort is not optimized or authorized for sending audio over a WAN (wide area network) or the internet since the results may be highly unpredictable.

4. Prohibited Uses. This license expressly forbids resale, re-licensing, or other distribution of this software, or any modification thereof. The Licensee cannot assign, lease, lend, rent, sublicense, time share, upload or download to or from any database or server, or transfer any or all of the software to another user. The user may not decompile, reverse engineer or otherwise disassemble the software to discover and replicate its functions.

5. Multiple Installations. The Licensee may not allow friends, colleagues or others to use the licensed software unless these people are using it on the Licensees computer hardware system as part of the same project which the Licensee is working on. The software may also be installed on one or more backup computer systems provided that they are designated for the licensees uninterrupted operations should the primary computer(s) become unusable; this does not authorize use for simultaneous audio transfer over a network separate from the primary computer on which the same software has been installed. The number of Host (sampler/effects) computers attached (via local area network) to the host sequencer/DAW computer restricted to four per license, and such Host computers must be in the same physical facility and interconnected on the same LAN associated with the purchased Ai license.

6. Protection. You agree to take all reasonable steps to protect this product and any accompanying documentation from unauthorized copying or use. You agree not to modify the enclosed product to

circumvent any method or means adopted or implemented by Audio Impressions, Inc. to protect against or discourage the unlicensed use or copying of the enclosed product.

7. Suitability. Licensor will not be responsible if the software do not fit the particular purpose intended by the Licensee. The software is licensed as is without warranties of any kind. Neither Audio Impressions, Inc. or its authorized sales representatives can be held responsible for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss arising from the use of the software licensed from Audio Impressions in any form, or consequential loss arising from a delayed or lost shipment or download of any product purchased from Audio Impressions, or from a failure of the software to perform any particular function.

8. Supported Platforms. Licensee agrees to use the software in compliance with the supported interfaces and system requirements published the product at the time of its purchase. Audio Impressions accepts no responsibility or obligation for technical support of Licensors who install the software on systems not meeting our minimum specifications.

9. Third-Party Software. Licensor shall not be responsible for provision or correct function of third-party software components that may be necessary to create a usable overall digital audio transfer over Ethernet system, such as for example provide sample playing software, sequencing software, computer operating systems, and so forth. In any case, you will be governed by the terms of the third-party developers licenses and you are responsible for correct registration and for the purchase of licensing for any third-party software you use for which a license was not explicitly designated as having been sold to you with your Audio Impressions package.

10. Citations. Your software license grants you permission to cite Audio Impressions, and AudioPort Universal by name or logo on any project you create using our software, provided you correctly attribute these logos and include their pertinent trademark or registered trademark symbols. You may not state, imply or otherwise suggest you are using Audio Impressions sample libraries unless you actually are using them under a separate license from this one for AudioPort Universal. If you wish, you may contact us for high quality logo art, which well promptly provide at no charge for this purpose; some such logos are already available on our website.

11. Returns and Refunds. As a general rule, no refunds will be given for downloaded software, nor for subsequently licensed (additionally unlocked) software. Defective or corrupted purchased downloads will be remedied by provision of an equivalent download; there may be an additional fee if you request physical media in lieu of the download. If the Licensee can legitimately explain why our software fails to perform as advertised by us, or fails to perform as stated on our website, sales literature or instruction manuals, then we will refund the purchase price or provide replacement software at the purchasers request.

12. International Customers. Customers located outside the U.S.A. agree to be responsible for any import duties or taxes. All payments must be tendered in US dollars (USD) except that for products with prices also listed in Euros and which are shipped to destinations within the European Union, payment may be tendered in Euros or US dollars at the purchasers discretion.

13. Acceptance of Terms. Downloading Audio Impressions software is an acceptance of all of the above terms and conditions of this License Agreement. If you do not accept all of the terms and conditions of this License Agreement, please do not purchase or download the software.

Audio Impressions, Inc., Calabasas, CA 91302www.audioimpressions.com

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