EWS64-S [Sound Page]

On this page questions and answers about EWS64-S sound issues have been listed. Items proceeded by a tiny Terratec Logo originate from the official Terratec FAQ. Questions that still need an answer are proceeded by a question mark. Some questions can appear on more than one page.

Sound falls out in games after installing Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro software 990131

After installing Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Pro (USB) software, game-sound completely mutes during startup of the game or soon after that. It doesn't return after ending the game, only after restarting the computer.

Contribution by Christoph Wilms, Terratec

Go to Windows' Settings, Configuration, Multimedia and check if the Play Device is set to Codec. If yes, change this to EWS Synthesizer. This should do the trick for games that support DirectX.

Dropped tune and slowed down result after recording 981101

A user reports a dropped tune and a slowed-down recording after using Line 1. This has nothing to do with the line-input. It's due to the fact that you easily overlook a setting in one of the EWS-applications. There are two EWS-applications with a pitch/speed-shift provision in it: the Media Player and Virtual Channels. Open these apps and check if the pitch-slider is in the center-position.

I can't load the GSSBK320.94b soundset that comes with the EWS64-S.

The on-board 2MB memory is not sufficient. Unlike the EWS64XL, the EWS-S does not come with an extra 4MB SIMM. So you will have to buy that 4MB (or more) yourself. After that you will be able to load the largest soundset.

Harddisk recording stops

When recording to harddisk the recording stops after only a few tracks, or the recorded tracks are played back with crackly noises.
In this instance you should increase the latency of the synthesizer driver in the Device Manager. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend a specific value because this setting is system and program-dependent.

After installing a new driver version I can play audio, MIDI files and CDs but I cannot hear anything.

You should have a file called UNMUTE.EXE in your Windows directory. Just run this file under Windows. Once this file has been run, sounds should be audible again.

Can I attach digital devices that operate at a 48 KHz sampling rate to the 'Digital Xtension R'?

No, the EWS64 S only supports the standard frequency of 44.1 KHz via the 'Digital Xtension R'. This sampling rate is normally supported by CD players, Mini Disc recorders, etc. You can connect devices that work at a different frequency but you may hear background noises on the recording or differences in speed.

Why is there no signal on OUT-2?

OUT-1 and OUT-2 are not treated equally and cannot always output the same signal. If you would like more information you can download a document about 'Virtual Channels' from our Download Page (vchaneng.zip).

What is the difference between a codec and a synthesizer?

The codec on the EWS64 S corresponds to what a standard sound card in the upper price range offers. This means that you can sample at 16-bit resolution, playback audio files, listen to and sample CD audio, record from a microphone or attach an external device (Line In-1).

The synthesizer is the core of the EWS. Internal digital processing within the synthesizer is 20 bit. It allows analog sampling using a 18-bit converter or data to be read in directly and digitally using the S/PDIF interface (with Digital Xtension R). Additionally, the synthesizer can provide MIDI sounds and playback MOD files without taxing the processor.

You can also lay effects over everything the synthesizer produces.

After installing the current version of the drivers I cannot hear anything when playing MIDI files.

You have probably not loaded a sound set yet. A once-off manual installation is required:

Control Panel > System > Device Manager > TerraTec audio devices > EWS64 S synthesizer > MIDI.
Tick the option 'Load Startup Banks'.
Now use the 'Load' function to load a file (e.g. gssbk320.94b) from the EWS64 'Soundset' subdirectory and reboot Windows.

When running games that support DirectX the sound sometimes breaks up or crackles.

You need driver version 2.14 or higher. These provide you with the option of selecting MusicMode or GameMode for DirectSound under 'SETTINGS' in the synthesizer driver. In this case, GameMode is of course the appropriate choice.

If you have problems with games in both DirectSound modes please use the 'EWS64 S Codec Playback' driver instead.

If I set the effect level to 0 for all the individual MIDI channels in my sequencer program the effects on all MIDI channels are still present.

You must set the MIDI effect level for REVERB and CHORUS to a value smaller than 64 in the FX panel. This allows you to regulate the effect levels for the MIDI tracks independently.

I want to convert my MIDI output to a WAV file (resampling).

You can do this as follows:

In the FX panel set the record button to the MIX position and enable the EQ/V-SPACE-Sends.
Now, when you record with the Wave Record driver, you can record all signals being played back via the synthesizer (MIDI, WAVE and AUDIO IN).

I have installed Cubase VST 3.6. When I choose the "EWS64 S Synth Play" preset, the card is muted though I can see the playback in the monitors.

This problem is caused by some strange settings in VST's EWS presets. The input for the driver is activated and the card is set to half duplex. Turn off the input of the driver and set the card to "full duplex". Also you shoud set the synchronization to "Sampleposition output" to improve the audio-/MIDI synchronization.