Studio 16 Version 3.01 September 22, 1994 =========================================================== This "Read_Me" file contains additional information and helpful hints that are not included in the manual. Contents: o What's New For Studio 16 3.01 o High Performance Disk Operation o Updating A Partition's File System o Studio 16 2.0 / 3.0 Compatability o AmiLink Compatability o Corrections And Additions To The Manual o Extra Utilities o If You Are Having Problems o Bug Reports / Enhancement Requests ----------------------------------------------------------- What's New For Studio 16 3.01 ----------------------------- o New BigBlocks o UpdateFS o Intelligent SMPTE Monitor o Smart SMPTE Switching o New Screen Modes o Calibrated VU Meters o Recorder Problem Workaround New BigBlocks ------------- If you have received a postcard from SunRize instructing you to not use BigBlocks version 1.1 or earlier, then this version is for you. It uses a new Fast File System that corrects the validation problems exhibited by previous versions. If you have previously installed BigBlocks on your system, use the new UpdateFS utility, described below. UpdateFS -------- This new utility will update your system to use the latest version of the Fast File System. If you have previously used BigBlocks and have been experiencing longer boot times, use this program to update the file system and fix the validation problem. This utility will NOT re-format your hard disk. See below for more information. Intelligent SMPTE Monitor ------------------------- The SMPTE Monitor now displays the name of the current SMPTE source in the title bar area of its window. This helps when you are using multiple time code sources like AmiLink, SMPTEoutput, and external time code. Smart SMPTE Switching --------------------- Studio 16 now automatically switches between SMPTE sources. Choosing a SMPTE source in Preferences now selects the Preferred SMPTE source. The Preferred SMPTE source is the SMPTE source that will override any other SMPTE source when it is providing time code. If you want SMPTEgenerator to override your external VCR, set the Preferred SMPTE source to Internal. If you want your VCR to override the play button on the CueList/SMPTEgenerator, set the Preferred SMPTE source to "AD516 1" or "AD1012 1" (depending on your hardware). New Screen Modes ---------------- Studio 16 now supports new screen modes, allowing Studio 16 to open on any size screen your Amiga can handle, including public screens. A full description of the new screen options are listed in the "Corrections And Additions To The Manual" section of this file. Calibrated VU Meters -------------------- The VU Meters have been calibrated to a +00dB tone that was created with the Studio 16 Editor's sinewave generator. If you calibrate Studio 16 to an external +00dB tone using the new VU meters, you will not be able to record any hot audio (sound with a volume level over +00dB) without distortion. If you record all your audio at maximum volume levels without clipping and use a +00dB tone created by Studio 16 to calibrate your record VCR, then the numbers in the VU Meter will scale to your external VU meters. Recorder Problem Workaround --------------------------- The Recorder (3.00 and 3.01) does not properly record long (over five minute) samples when external SMPTE time code is running. A symptom of this problem is that samples may drift when played back from the CueList. The drift is usually very small and generally requires that the sample be about ten minutes long before it can be detected. To work around this problem, use the CueList to record any long samples that will be locked to time code during playback. Short samples, and samples that will not be locked to time code during playback can be recorded using the Recorder. ----------------------------------------------------------- High Performance Disk Operation ------------------------------- Included with Studio 16 3.01 is the "BigBlocks" utility which can be used to vastly improve your disk performance. This utility and others are automatically installed into your Studio 16 "Extras" drawer by the installation procedure. We strongly recommend that you use the BigBlocks utility on all of the partitions you will be using for digital audio. BigBlocks greatly reduces disk seek times by increasing the partition's logical block size. This will allow you to play more tracks and reduce or eliminate the delays when playing ranges in the Editor or regions in the CueList. Once again, we strongly recommend that you use BigBlocks on your audio partitions. BigBlocks will automatically re-format each partition that is modified. If you already have data on your digital audio partitions and you want to keep it, then you MUST backup those partitions before using the BigBlocks utility. NOTE: BigBlocks uses the same DOS file system used by AmigaDOS 3.1. Using BigBlocks --------------- 1. Determine which partitions will be used for digital audio. 2. Make a backup of those partitions. 3. Double-click the BigBlocks icon in the Studio 16 "Extras" drawer. 4. A window will appear containing a list of partitions. Select the digital audio partitions from the list of partitions, then select the "Make Big Blocks" button. 5. A message will appear asking you to confirm the operation. If you have changed your mind and wish to abort the operation, select "No, Cancel" now; otherwise, select "Yes, Continue." 6. A second message will appear warning you that any data stored on the selected partitions will be lost. If you have not backed up these partitions, select "Cancel" now and go and back them up. Otherwise, select "Format Partition(s)" to perform the BigBlocks operation. 7. BigBlocks will modify the partitions you have selected to use a logical block size of 8192 bytes and then re-format each partition. 8. When the BigBlocks operation has completed, a message will appear asking you to finish all disk activity and reboot your system. Select "Reboot" to reset your computer. ----------------------------------------------------------- Updating A Partition's File System ---------------------------------- If you have used BigBlocks in a previous release of Studio 16, you should use the "UpdateFS" utility provided to update your partitions to use the AmigaDOS release 3.1 file system. Using UpdateFS -------------- 1. Double-click the UpdateFS icon in the Studio 16 "Extras" drawer. 2. A window will appear containing a list of partitions and the version of the file system that is currently used. Select the digital audio partitions from the list of partitions, then select the "Update FileSystem" button. 3. A message will appear asking you to confirm the operation. If you have changed your mind and wish to abort the operation, select "No, Cancel" now; otherwise, select "Yes, Continue." 4. UpdateFS will update the appropriate file system in the rigid disk block area of the hard disk. 5. When the UpdateFS operation has completed, a message will appear asking you to finish all disk activity and reboot your system. Select "Reboot" to reset your computer. ----------------------------------------------------------- Studio 16 2.0 / 3.01 Compatability --------------------------------- If you have Studio 16 2.0 already installed on your system, you will be able to run either version 2.0 or 3.01 without having to do anything special. You will, of course, only be able to run one version at a time. If you are using third party software that interfaces to Studio 16, you may wish to contact the makers of the software regarding compatability with Studio 16 3.01. Not all third party programs currently work with 3.01. Due to the number of enhancements made in Studio 16 3.01, you may notice a decrease in the number of tracks you are able to play back simultaneously. This performance penalty is balanced out by the increase in performance due to the changes made by the BigBlocks utility. ----------------------------------------------------------- AmiLink Compatability --------------------- Before running Studio 16 3.01, delete your previous version of Studio 16. This may include deleting three old Studio 16 libraries in your LIBS: drawer: LIBS:studio.library LIBS:gadlib.library LIBS:Interface.library If these files are not deleted, AmiLink and Studio 16 will have problems running simultaneously. If you have any questions about this, please call SunRize technical support at (408) 374-4962. AmiLink SMPTE Time Code ----------------------- When you are using the AmiLink SMPTE time code sources with Studio 16 3.01, be sure to always start the Studio 16 software before starting AmiLink. AmiLink V2.795 or higher can supply Studio 16 3.01 with three time code sources, "AmiLink L" for time code on playback deck A, "AmiLink R" for time code on playback deck B, and "AmiLink M" for time code on the record deck. You can choose which of these time code sources are used in Studio 16 by selecting the time code source in the Studio 16 Project/Preferences module. NOTE: As of version 2.795, AmiLink only provides time code to Studio 16 when it is Previewing, Performing, or Reviewing an edit operation. Time code is not provided during normal tape transport operation. ----------------------------------------------------------- Corrections And Additions To The Manual --------------------------------------- There are no keyboard shortcuts for the Edit Mode buttons as mentioned on p.108. ----------------------------------------------------------- The following should be added to Chapter 8 - ARexx Commands (p.79) ------------- S16PlayStereo ------------- Description: A simple way of playing back stereo audio from a Studio 16 card. No opens, closes or triggers are needed. Notice that this command returns after the samples have finished playing. Parameters: Two Complete Sample Path Strings. Results: None Example: S16PlayStereo 'audio:Intro_L' 'audio:Intro_R' ----------------------------------------------------------- The following should be replaced in Chapter 8 - Shell Commands (p.221) -------- Studio16 -------- Class: Shell Command Format: Studio16 PUBSCREEN/K,SCRWIDTH/K,SCRHEIGHT/K,SCRDEPTH/K, SCRMODEID/K,PICKMODE/S,SCREEN/K Description: The Studio16 command is used to launch the Studio 16 environmnent. After Studio 16 loads itself, it will display an About window containing the program revision number and other specifications about your setup. The following options may be specified on the command line or as tooltype settings in the Studio16 icon. The PUBSCREEN option allows you to specify the name of the public screen that Studio 16 will use when opening its modules. This option is case sensitive. The SCRWIDTH option allows you to specify the width of the custom screen that Studio 16 will open if a public screen is not specified. The SCRHEIGHT option allows you to specify the height of the custom screen. The SCRDEPTH option allows you to specify the depth of the custom screen. The SCRMODEID option allows you to specify the display mode identifer of the custom screen. If you are using AmigaDOS 2.1 or higher, the PICKMODE option will allow you to use the ASL ScreenMode requester to choose the characteristics of the custom screen. The SCREEN option can be used to force Studio 16 to open its modules on a specific screen. The use of this option is not recommended as does not use the operating system's recommended method for sharing screens. Use the PUBSCREEN option instead. Procedures Opening Studio 16 on any Public Screen -------------------------------------- To open Studio 16 on the Workbench Screen 1> Studio16_3:Studio16 PUBSCREEN Workbench To open Studio 16 on the Bars & Pipes Professional 2.0 Screen 1> Studio16_3:Studio16 PUBSCREEN BPPScreen The Studio 16 Screen -------------------- Studio 16 will create its own screen if a public screen is not specified. The new screen is public with the public screen name of "STUDIO16.1". The new screen is an 8-color, high resolution, interlaced or non-interlaced display. You can optionally specifiy the dimensions and number of colors using the SCRWIDTH, SCRHEIGHT and SCRDEPTH options. You can also optionally specify the screen's disply mode using the SCRMODEID option. If you are using AmigaDOS version 2.1 or higher, the PICKMODE option will let you choose the screen's characteristics with the system's Screen Mode requester. For example: For an autoscrolling 1024 x 1024 x 4-color screen: 1> Studio16_3:Studio16 SCRWIDTH 1024 SCRHEIGHT 1024 SCRDEPTH 2 For an A2024/Moniterm 10Hz screen: 1> Studio16_3:Studio16 SCRWIDTH 1008 SCRHEIGHT 800 SCRDEPTH 2 SCRMODEID 0x0004100 To use the Screen Mode requester (with AmigaDOS 2.1 or higher): 1> Studio16_3:Studio16 PICKMODE ----------------------------------------------------------- Extra Utilities --------------- Included with Studio 16 are several utility programs that you may find useful. These utilities are automatically installed in your Studio 16 "Extras" drawer by the installation procedure. Contents of the Studio 16 "Extras" drawer: o DiskSpeed (v4.2) - a utility written by Michael Sinz that measures hard disk performance. See the archive file "diskspeed.lha" for documentation and source code. o BigBlocks (v1.4) - a utility that improves hard disk performance by increasing a partition's logical block size. o UpdateFS (v1.4) - a utility that updates the file system installed in the rigid disk blocks of a hard disk. In addition to the files in the Studio 16 "Extras" drawer, the Studio 16 installation procedure will automatically update your HDToolBox (v40.4) and FastFileSystem (v40.4) files if earlier versions are detected. ----------------------------------------------------------- If You Are Having Problems -------------------------- We have designed Studio 16 3.0 to be easy to use and as intuitive as possible. If you are having a problem with Studio 16, try these steps before contacting our technical support staff: 1. Read the parts of the manual relating to the operation that you are having a problem with. 2. Read Chapter 7 - Trouble Shooting in the manual. 3. Read Appendix A - Technical Support in the manual. If you are unable to solve the problem, you may contact our technical support staff at (408) 374-4962. Most problems can be resolved quickly if you are prepared when you call us. You should be at your computer and have Studio 16 running when you call. To be assured of technical support, you must be registered. If you have not registered, please do so now. We will also need to know: o Your name. o The model and configuration of your computer system. (memory configuration, disk drives, hard disk, etc.) o The release version number of your copy of Studio 16. This information is displayed in the "About" window. o The version number of the Kickstart and Workbench that you are using. Choose "Version" or "About" from the "Workbench" menu on the Workbench screen. o The nature of the problem you are having. o Is the problem repeatable? If so, how? o What you have done to resolve the problem. ----------------------------------------------------------- Bug Reports / Enhancement Requests ---------------------------------- Finally, a small note about anomalies. Although we strive to release bug-free software, an occasional bug may slip by. If you happen to find a bug in the Studio16 3.0 software, please report it to us at the address below. We are also interested in your comments and suggestions for improving this software. Please send your comments and enhancement requests to: SunRize Industries Studio 16 Project Manager TEL: (408) 374-4962 2959 Winchester Blvd. FAX: (408) 374-4963 Second Floor Campbell, CA 95008 ----------------------------------------------------------- $VER: Studio16_Read_Me 3.1 (21.9.94) -----------------------------------------------------------