Precision Tools for Audio Professionals

How do I set the sample rate on my USB Ultra I/O or USB Ultra I/O VSR Broadcast interface? 

To select between the wide range of sample rates from 44.1KHz to 192KHz available with your USB Ultra I/O or USB Ultra I/O VSR Broadcast, you :

Right click on the Loudspeaker icon on the lower right hand of your screen.

Left click on "open sound settings"

Under "Sound" "Output" left click on "Device Properties"

Under "Device Properties" "related settings" left click on "Additional Device Properties"

In " Speakers Properties" left click on "Advanced"

In "Default Format" you can now select the sample rate required for your application

When sample rate is selected left click on "OK"

OK.

That's it !

ARX has become aware of some issues relating to the ARX USB I/O and USB I/O VSR (both now discontinued) following recent updates of Windows 10 which have changed some of the parameters around 24 bit mode.

Some PCs (not all) with the latest Win 10 updates are experiencing changed or limited allocation of USB resources within Windows 10 which now prevents recording and playback at the same time.

This issue does not affect PC’s that are operating with earlier versions of Win 10, or Win 7 or Win 8. There is not an issue with Macs.

Most Important.- The new USB Ultra I/O and USB Ultra VSR Broadcast are NOT affected by the resource problem detailed above; they operate as expected with all update versions of Windows 10.

The solution:

Using USB I/Os and USB I/O VSRs with Windows 10 

The USB I/O & VSR will play and record at the same time (pass audio in both directions) if 16bit operation is selected as the default setting instead of 24bit.

 

Open - "Sound Settings"

Click on Output - "Device Properties"

Related Settings - Click on "Additional Device Properties"

Line Properties - Click on "Advanced"

Default format - select the sample rate that suits your application - either

16bit 44.1KHz

16bit 48KHz

16bit 96KHz

 

Click "apply" then click "OK"

 

! ! ! Make sure that neither box is ticked under "Exclusive Mode" ! ! !

Once you have selected either 16bit 44.1KHz, 16bit 48Khz or 16bit 96KHz you should find that the USB I/O & VSR will operate as a "plug & play" device when unplugged and reconnected, or when you re-boot your Computer.

"Systems Settings" should hold the 16bit & sample rate settings you have selected 

"My ARX USB Box works fine during soundcheck, rehearsals, meetings or while I'm recording or playing back, but 'goes to sleep' between then and showtime, next meeting or my next session and needs to be disconnected and then re-connected before it will work again.

How can I stop this happening when my OS is Windows 10?"

 Luckily this usually unwanted "snooze" function is easily rectified by adjusting the Windows 10 power management settings. Here's how to ensure your ARX USB Box never nods off on you again...

1/ Open the Control Panel

2/ Click on the Hardware and Sound tab, then under "Device + Printers" Click on Device Manager

3/ Scroll down to "Universal Serial Buss Controllers" - (if the pull down hub & device list under Universal Serial Buss Controllers isn't visible, double click this)

then:

4/ Scroll down to the Generic USB Hubs

5/ Click on the first of these, then click on the Power Management tab.

6/ You'll see a box with a tick in it, marked "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power". Click on the box to remove the tick, then click on the OK button at the bottom of the window

7/ Repeat this process from step 5 above for all the "Generic USB Hubs" listed 

8/ Then move down to "USB Root Hubs" and "USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)" if visible and repeat steps 5 & 6 for all the USB Root Hubs listed.

9/ Job done.

 

If you have a question then check out the FAQ page on www.arx.com.au and if you don't find the answer let us know!

How to avoid untimely interruptions from your computer! No pings, bings and bongs – how do you go about disabling those system sounds when you're using Windows 10 O/S?

The last thing that you need in the middle of your corporate presentation or recording session is to hear your computer sound the alarm telling you that a new email has arrived! Those unexpected sounds, alarms or notifications from your computer are sure to come just at the wrong time – so make sure they’re muted, turned off or got rid of completely before you start…

 

Here are two ways to do just that:

1/ Right click on the "Loudspeaker" icon on the right hand side of the Tool Bar

2/ "Sound" pop up menu will appear

3/ Left click on "Sounds"

4/ Left click on "Sounds scheme"

5/ Select "No Sounds"

6/ Also make sure the box next to "Play Windows Startup sound" is unticked and empty.

7/ Select "Apply"

8/ Select "OK"

Job done

Or:

1/ Click on the Windows icon in the bottom left hand corner of your screen. The left hand pull up menu will appear

2/ Scroll down to "Windows System" and left click.

3/ Left Click on "Control Panel"

4/ Left click on "Hardware and Sound"

5/ Left click on "Sound"

6/ "Sound" pop up will appear

7/ Left click on "Sounds" banner

8/ Left click on "Sounds scheme"

9/ Also make sure the box next to "Play Windows Startup sound" is unticked and empty.

10/ Select "Apply"

11/ Select "OK"

Job done

Can I use my ARX USB DIs & I/Os when my Notebook / Laptop / PC only has USB 3.0 sockets? 

Yes, you can connect your ARX USB to your USB 3.0 enabled computer with a standard USB 2 A - B cable (as supplied in the box with your ARX USB DI or I/O).

 Did you know?

USB 3.0 Type A sockets (as pictured) are backward compatible with USB 2.0 type A plugs so you can connect as easily as you would with a USB 2.0 socket. To make it even easier your ‘plug and play’ ARX USB should automatically be available to select as your USB Audio playback or playback & record device (USB Ultra I/O and I/O Ultra VSR Broadcast only) when connected.

 

Looking for low noise and trouble-free USB Audio Device powering?

1. In an ideal world…

Ideally, we recommend that the USB port on your computer is used for your ARX USB Device only 

2. If you need to use a USB hub…

If you plug your ARX USB Device into a USB hub you will more than likely get unwanted additional noise generated from other devices plugged into the same hub.

If you are using a laptop / notebook with only 1 USB connector and have to use a hub, make sure it's a hub with its own AC or Battery power supply adapter, not one powered from your computer.

Check all the ports on the hub to find the quietest one, and be very careful when using other USB devices connected to the hub at the same time, otherwise you may get a hissing and clicking noise every time you move the mouse, touch the keyboard, or click on the screen.

  

 

Your setup should look similar to that shown in the picture above.

Please note: We recommend you don't connect or use any other devices connected to the powered USB Hub while using yourARX USB device. 

And now, a little something for you Mac users: 

"How do I play audio from my Apple device into that very well balanced world of Professional Audio." 

Well, it’s straightforward enough to do, but will require a couple of extra items since there is no USB connector on these Apple units.

Here's a list of what you will need for this setup:

•  I x ARX USB DI or I/O series product.
• 1 x Apple or quality aftermarket Lightning-to-USB3 Camera Adapter (or the USB2 version)
• 1 x AC or USB Battery Pack powered quality USB Hub.
• 1 x USB 2 A / B cable (as supplied with your ARX USB device

Your setup should look similar to that shown in the picture below.

Connect your ARX USB DI or I/O (as shown above) to your iPhone or iPad (or whichever Apple device you have) and your problem is solved!

Please note: We recommend you don't use any other devices that may be connected to the powered USB Hub while using your ARX USB device.

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