MAC OSX Setup Here
System Preferences->Sound
Select the USB DAC you purchased here from the selection of
available output devices.
Also select the
Sound Effects window
and make sure all the beeps and other OS sounds go out the
internal speakers, so they don’t go to the stereo.
iTunes Setup Information Here
iTunes is a free program from Apple, it is available for
both Macintosh and PC (best used with Vista). You can
download
iTunes here.
Ok so here is how we optimize the computer side. First make
sure that all the importing is done with Apple Lossless
format. As the name suggests no data is lost in this
format, kind of like zipping an audio file. The data in is
the same as data output.
If you have an earlier version of iTunes I suggest you
download and install the latest version. A wonderful
feature of Computer Audio the upgrading of capabilities
every few months.
iTunes->Preferences->Advanced->Importing
Also
there are usually items in the configuration such as error
reading and recovery and buffering size (used for internet
streaming, in iTunes Advanced settings). Always set the
parameter for error recovery when reading audio CD's. If
there are any other buffering options, always set them to
the highest allowable. Here is a image of the iTunes setup
screen for Importing:
Apple Lossless Encoder will assure that the data on the
hard disk will match that of the original disk.
Note: We have found on slower machines than using AIFF over
Apple Lossless will recover some space in the music. Albeit
that the files sizes will increase. You can convert
Lossless files to AIFF by setting the Encoder to AIFF. Then
select a song or songs and click
Advanced->Convert selection to AIFF
and iTunes will make copies of your Lossless files in AIFF.
You can also view the KIND of file by editing the View
options which will show AIFF, Lossless etc. Do note that
the files in Lossless and AIFF are identical in output and
conversion is truely bit true. We think the problem is that
slower computers tend to have problems converting from
Lossless to PCM data on the fly. Were AIFF is basically PCM
data with embedded cue information (song names, group
etc...).
Automatic will keep the speed and the data size the same as
the original (i.e. 44.1K/16).
Play songs will do just that, your option
Create file names will ask the data base on the internet
for song names and other info, SET.
Use
error correction this is vital so that when there is a read
error on a CD it will re-read to fix the
error.
iTunes->Preferences->Playback:
Make sure that the Sound Enhancer and Sound Check are off
as each of these will effect the data going out of iTunes.
Also make sure you have the equalizer off
View->Show Equalizer.
If you are using iTunes on a PC I would suggest using Vista
instead of earlier Windows version because DirectSound does
not have the KMIXER in Vista.
iTunes allows you all the options mentioned above. You can
download import music, import songs, make play lists what
ever. I think it is one of the best FREE software packages
you can find to augment the Wavelength Audio USB DAC into a
full media package.
Just a few notes about adding a hard drive, NAS server or
other location for your Music Files.
In 10.x your music files are located here:
Music->iTunes->iTunesMusic
In this directory you’ll find index files, library files
and a sub directory called iTunes Music (where the songs
are).
Hand
moving these files is not a good idea!
There are 2 commands to expand your library:
1)
File->Add to Library
Use this when you want to address music files that are
located elsewhere but do not want to add to this area.
Make sure the option in
Preferences->Advanced->Copy files to iTunes Music
folder when adding to Library is check
off or it will add all these files to your present library
directory.
2)
Preferences->Advanced->Change: iTunes Music folder
location
If your present file system is strapped for area and you
want to add a new area, then simply change the folder
location. All your original music is fine. iTunes will now
store all new Music Files into this new location. Note: All
of the iTunes music information and misc files will stay in
their original space in
Music->iTunes->iTunesMusic.
If you want to experiment there is also Max for
OSX which is
a open source code type program.
Remote
Control
Many of the newer Macintosh computers come with an IR
Remote control. If you want more robust solution I suggest
getting a Bluetooth Enabled Palm Pilot and the
Salling Software Clicker.
This
gives you complete control to do just about anything
with your computer. Keyspan also offers the
TuneView remote
that enables full control of your iTunes. There are also
two excellent products for iPhone and iTouch in
Signal and
Remote Buddy.
These run a small webserver on your Mac or PC and use
Safari (Airport) to browse the iTunes library.
You can also control your Mac via another computer using
VNC. There are many ways to do this and it can be a bit
complicated. A simple search of the internet or contact us
and we can help you set this up.