Echo Support Tech Notes

The Echo Support Tech Notes page includes information about rare issues and solutions.

Note: Some of the information on this page may be obsolete.

 

AudioFire products not recognized

Cubase SX 3 and Nuendo 3 Pre-Delay Issue

Cubase SX 3 and Nuendo 3 Incorrect Devices

Gina3G MIDI Input and Output Switched

Indigo ENE CardBus Controller Problem

Indigo Ground Noise

Memory Timing Causes Failure to Install Device

Universal MiaMIDI Dongle Ground Issue

Apple DVD Player OS X 10.4.x problem

Power Supply Increase May Be Needed For Gina 3G and Layla3G

Universal PCI Cards (5V and 3.3V supported)

 

AudioFire products not recognized [top]

Symptoms:

Sometimes AudioFire products are not recognized in XP, Vista or Windows 7 after new drivers are installed. The AudioFire product is listed as a Multimedia Device in the Device Manager.

Cause:

XP, Vista or Windows 7 cannot find the AudioFire drivers.

Products Affected:

All AudioFire products: AudioFire 2, AudioFire 4, AudioFire 8, AudioFire 8a, AudioFire 12, AudioFire Pre8.

Solution:

In XP, when "Found New Hardware Wizard" dialogue box appears, choose "Choose from a list or specific location". Then select "Search for the best driver in these locations" and check the box "Include this location in the search. Click the browse button and point to the "Program Files/Echo Digital Audio/AudioFire/driver" folder.

In Vista or Windows 7, go to Device Manager and click on Multimedia Device. Go to the driver tab and click on "Update Driver..."  Then choose "Browse my computer for driver software." Point it to the "Program Files (x86)/Echo Digital Audio/AudioFire/driver" folder or the "Program Files (x86)/Echo FireWire//driver" folder.

last updated: 06/30/2010

 

Cubase SX 3 and Nuendo 3 Pre-Delay Issue [top]

Symptoms:

When playing from Cubase SX 3.0.x or Nuendo 3.0.x the audio plays earlier than expected. This "pre-delay" increases with larger buffer sizes. This issue is most noticeable in projects which include MIDI because the audio will play ahead of the MIDI. In versions where this issue occurs, the input and output latency shown in the "VST Audiobay" section of the Device Setup will not match.

Cause:

This is a Cubase SX and Nuendo problem that is unrelated to our driver.

Products Affected:

All PCI and CardBus products: Indigo, Indigo io, Indigo dj, Layla3G, Gina3G, MiaMIDI, Mia, Layla24, Mona, Gina24.

Solution:

Update Cubase or Nuendo to version 3.1 or greater. This problem only affects versions 3.0.x.

last updated: 04/11/2006

 

Cubase SX 3 and Nuendo 3 Incorrect Devices [top]

Symptoms:

After changing, adding or removing Echo hardware from your system, Cubase SX and Nuendo will continue to show the old configuration.

Cause:

This is a Cubase SX and Nuendo problem that is unrelated to our driver.

Products Affected:

All PCI and CardBus products: Indigo, Indigo io, Indigo dj, Layla3G, Gina3G, MiaMIDI, Mia, Layla24, Mona, Gina24.

Solution:

In the Cubase SX or Nuendo "Device Setup" window, click "Reset" under "VST Inputs" and "VST outputs". This will update Cubase SX or Nuendo to recognize the new configuration.

last updated: 04/11/2006

 

Gina3G MIDI Input and Output Switched [top]

Symptoms:

MIDI output actually goes out the port labeled input and MIDI input actually comes in the port labeled output.

Cause:

The input and output label was printed incorrectly on the Gina3G

Products Affected:

Some Gina3Gs manufactured in early 2004.

Solution:

Plug MIDI input into the port marked output and plug MIDI output into the port labeled input.

last updated: 04/11/2006

 

Indigo ENE CardBus Controller Problem [top]

Symptoms:

Playback comes out highly distorted on all outputs at all times.

Cause:

There is a conflict with certain CardBus controller chips from ENE. This conflict disrupts the flow of data to the Indigo card.

Products Affected:

Indigo, Indigo io, Indigo dj

Solution:

We have worked with ENE to develop a workaround. Please see this page for information about this fix.

last updated: 04/11/2006

 

Indigo Ground Noise [top]

Symptoms:

When connecting the Indigo, Indigo io, Indigo dj, Indigo IOx or Indigo DJx to an external mixer or speakers, ground hum and computer noise is heard coming from the Indigo to the mixer or speakers.

Cause:

This problem only occurs with laptops with a three pronged (grounded) power supply. It is a grounding problem in the laptop computer's power supply somehow creating a grounding mismatch between the computer and the mixer or speakers.

Note: On computers that exhibit this problem, it affects the built in audio also.

Products Affected:

Indigo, Indigo io, Indigo dj, Indigo IOx, Indigo DJx

Solution:

Contact your notebook manufacturer to obtain a power supply that is properly grounded. Or power your laptop through a ground lift adapter available from your local hardware or electronics store.

last updated: 06/30/2010

 

Memory Timing Causes Failure to Install Device [top]

Symptoms:

During the final part of the "Found New Hardware Wizard" the computer hangs and mouse freezes. With products that include a breakout box, installation works with the breakout box powered off or unplugged. But the computer hangs when turning on the break out box and playing audio (Layla24, Mona) or when restarting with the box connected (Layla3G, Gina3G).

Cause:

This is a rare occurrence seen on some motherboards. Usually it has been reported on motherboards which use the Via 8237 South Bridge as part of the chipset. This is a memory timing issue. The system locks up when it attempts to load the DSP on board our PCI products. There is a conflict with the chipset or memory. Frequently, this happens when the BIOS incorrectly configures the memory timing settings.

Products Affected:

All PCI products: Layla3G, Gina3G, MiaMIDI, Mia, Layla24, Mona, Gina24.

Solution:

First, try moving the Echo PCI card to a different PCI slot. If the problem persists, look up the timing specifications for your installed RAM. Check the memory timing settings in your BIOS and adjust them to match.

last updated: 04/11/2006

 

Universal MiaMIDI Dongle Ground Issue [top]

Symptoms:

  • S/PDIF input signal does not show in console.

  • S/PDIF output may show on S/PDIF input with no loopback cable present.

  • S/PDIF output may show on S/PDIF input with cable only connected to output.

  • MIDI input may be erratic.

Cause:

The MIDI and S/PDIF dongle jack is not correctly tied to ground.

Products Affected:

The problem only affects a small number of Universal (3.3V compatible) MiaMIDI cards manufactured in early 2004.

Solution:

This problem only affects S/PDIF and MIDI input. If you do not intend to use S/PDIF or MIDI input, please disregard this problem. If you do find that your MiaMIDI exhibits this problem and you intend to use S/PDIF or MIDI input, please contact our repair department which will be happy to make arrangements to repair your MiaMIDI.

last updated: 04/11/2006

 

Apple DVD Player OS X 10.4.x problem [top]

Symptoms:

After updating or installing OS X 10.4. Playback in Apple DVD player does not work correctly. When playing a DVD, there is no audio heard and the DVD stops playing after several seconds.

Cause:

Changes in Apple DVD player.

Products Affected:

All PCI, PCMCIA (CardBus Type II) and ExpressCard products - MiaMIDI, Layla3G, Gina3G, Indigo io, Indigo dj, Indigo IOx, Indigo DJx

Solution:

Download and install the latest OS X driver from our Mac OS X Software page. If this does not fix the problem, contact support at techsupport@echoaudio.com.

last updated: 06/30/2010

 

Power Supply Increase May Be Needed For Gina3G and Layla3G [top]

Symptoms:

  • Computer will not boot with Layla3G or Gina3G plugged in.

  • Computer will spontaneously reboot when using phantom power.

  • Computer will not boot after upgrading system components.

Cause:

The computer's power supply is being overloaded. The Layla3G and Gina3G draw power directly from the computer's power supply. If the computer's power supply cannot provide enough power for all the computer's components, unexpected problems will occur. 450W or stronger is recommended.

Products Affected:

Layla3G, Gina3G.

Solution:

Upgrade the power supply in your computer. The Layla3G and Gina3G draw about 10W of power. If a system is already weak, this can push it over the edge.

last updated: 04/11/2006

 

Universal PCI Cards (5V and 3.3V supported) [top]

Symptoms:

Older (5V) PCI Cards won't fit into PowerMac G5 systems or PC motherboards with only 3.3V PCI slots.

Cause:

When Apple introduced the PowerMac G5, they elected to only include 3.3V PCI slots. Until this point, the vast majority of PCI slots included in both Macs and PCs were 5V PCI slots. PCI cards can be designed for compatibility with 5V PCI, 3.3V PCI or both. All of our products were only 5V compatible. So, any Echo product manufactured before 2004 is only 5V compatible and won't be compatible with the G5 Power Mac.

In 2004 we introduced universal versions of Layla24 and MiaMIDI which support 3.3V and 5V PCI slots. Also, all of our newer products (Layla3G, Gina3G) include universal PCI cards.

Products Affected:

Layla24, Gina24, MiaMIDI, Mia, Mona.

Solution:

If you intend to use an older Echo product in a PowerMac G5 or PC with 3.3V PCI, see if you have a Universal PCI card. To check this, look at your PCI card. If there are two slots in the bottom of the card you have a Universal PCI card. If there is one slot, you have a 5V only PCI card.

last updated: 04/17/2006

 

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