www.burnill.co.uk
Introduction
Sonos 4 is a complex application due to the many features it has. So if it does not seem to work be patient. It will almost certainly do what you want it to do. It just needs setting up.
This getting started guide assumes a fresh install of Sonos 4.This means that when first run all the settings will be using default values.
This guide mainly assumes that you are using the demo version. This has restricted functionality such that it will only play sound files through the processor.
Installing
Double click on the downloaded file. The installer will guide you through the installation. Accept the default settings except check the box for a desktop icon to be created.
Running
Double click the Sonos 4 icon on the desktop. Sonos will run using the Windows native sound interface. If there is only one sound card (device) on your computer then the processor will now be working so skip to playing sound files section. If you do not have an ASIO sound skip the next section. If you have multiple sound cards you may need to setup the Windows native sound interface (Wave).
ASIO sound card setup
If you have an ASIO sound card it is recommended you follow the instructions given in this section. The ASIO sound card will enable you to achieve low latency.
Select menu item 'Sonos 4>Sound Card>Interface'.Click the ASIO radio button. Then click 'ASIO Settings'. This will open a dialog for setting the ASIO sound card.If you have more than one ASIO sound card then choose the 'ASIO Device'.If you have a 192kHz sound card and want to use the stereo multiplex encoder then select the sample rate as 192kHz..If you have made any changes click 'Apply'.
Setting up for low latency is a bit more complicated as it involves selecting a small 'Preferred Buffer Size' and checking the 'Low Latency' check box. Unfortunately not all sound cards will honor the 'Preferred Buffer Size'. Often you need to click on the 'Panel' button. This should opens a sound card manufacturers ASIO setup dialog. Sometimes it is necessary to completely exit Sonos 4 and run a sound card manufacturer provided application for setting up ASIO. Again if you have made any changes you will need to click on the 'Apply' button for the changes to take effect.
The last step is to select the ASIO channels. This can be found under menu item 'Sonos 4>Sound Card>Settings>Channels'. There are four drop down list boxes for setting the channels. The names of the individual channels are sometimes a bit confusing. The only option here is to experiment untill Sonos is working correctly.
Wave sound card setup
Select menu item 'Sonos 4>Sound Card>Settings>Settings'. This opens a dialog for selecting devices. Select 'Input Device' and 'Output Device' to the desired input and output device. If you have made any changes click the 'Apply' button.
Playing sound files
Select the 'Player' tab at the bottom of the application. You will now see the Player. Select 'Play' and then select 'File' to choose sound files to play. It is possible to choose multiple sound files just by sequentially clicking on the file names.
Selecting a preset
Click on the 'Processor' tab at the bottom. Placed at the top left is a window with a title of 'Format'. On this title bar are two unmarked buttons. Click the left one. This reveals a window with factory defined presets. Select 'digital.fmt2' for internet streaming. For FM broadcasting select either 'fm50.fmt2' or 'fm75.fmt2'.The numbers '50' and '75' refer to the pre-emphasis used in your part of the world.
Setting input and output levels
The output level can be set either internally to Sonos or externally with the sound card manufacturers mixer application. For setting the output level in Sonos select the 'Sound Out' tab. At the bottom left there is a window with the title 'Controls'. Select 'Controls>Output>Output Level'.
Potential problems with FM transmitters
If you are an FM broadcaster then there are potential problems interfacing to FM transmitters using the L and R outputs of Sonos 4.The problem is that the transmitter may apply pre-emphasis followed by a limiter or clipper. If this is the case then Sonos 4 needs to apply de-emphasis to the audio. To do this select the 'Processor' tab. Then select 'Controls>Pre-Emph>De-Emph'.Select either '50us' or '75us' as appropiate. If the transmitter has a clipper or limiter then the output level of Sonos 4 needs to be adjusted so that the clipper or limiter do not affect the audio. Many transmitters will have methods of disabling the pre-emphasis and clipper/limiters. This is the best approach to follow if possible.
All of these problems can be avoided if you have a 192kHz sound card. This enables use of the MPX output of Sonos 4 to drive the composite (MPX) input of the transmitter.
Interfacing to other audio applications
If you need to feed audio from an external application into Sonos 4 then use Virtual Audio Cables. Once installed it is only necessary to do the 'Wave Sound Card Setup' to get audio into Sonos 4.
Sonos 4 is a complex application due to the many features it has. So if it does not seem to work be patient. It will almost certainly do what you want it to do. It just needs setting up.
This getting started guide assumes a fresh install of Sonos 4.This means that when first run all the settings will be using default values.
This guide mainly assumes that you are using the demo version. This has restricted functionality such that it will only play sound files through the processor.
Installing
Double click on the downloaded file. The installer will guide you through the installation. Accept the default settings except check the box for a desktop icon to be created.
Running
Double click the Sonos 4 icon on the desktop. Sonos will run using the Windows native sound interface. If there is only one sound card (device) on your computer then the processor will now be working so skip to playing sound files section. If you do not have an ASIO sound skip the next section. If you have multiple sound cards you may need to setup the Windows native sound interface (Wave).
ASIO sound card setup
If you have an ASIO sound card it is recommended you follow the instructions given in this section. The ASIO sound card will enable you to achieve low latency.
Select menu item 'Sonos 4>Sound Card>Interface'.Click the ASIO radio button. Then click 'ASIO Settings'. This will open a dialog for setting the ASIO sound card.If you have more than one ASIO sound card then choose the 'ASIO Device'.If you have a 192kHz sound card and want to use the stereo multiplex encoder then select the sample rate as 192kHz..If you have made any changes click 'Apply'.
Setting up for low latency is a bit more complicated as it involves selecting a small 'Preferred Buffer Size' and checking the 'Low Latency' check box. Unfortunately not all sound cards will honor the 'Preferred Buffer Size'. Often you need to click on the 'Panel' button. This should opens a sound card manufacturers ASIO setup dialog. Sometimes it is necessary to completely exit Sonos 4 and run a sound card manufacturer provided application for setting up ASIO. Again if you have made any changes you will need to click on the 'Apply' button for the changes to take effect.
The last step is to select the ASIO channels. This can be found under menu item 'Sonos 4>Sound Card>Settings>Channels'. There are four drop down list boxes for setting the channels. The names of the individual channels are sometimes a bit confusing. The only option here is to experiment untill Sonos is working correctly.
Wave sound card setup
Select menu item 'Sonos 4>Sound Card>Settings>Settings'. This opens a dialog for selecting devices. Select 'Input Device' and 'Output Device' to the desired input and output device. If you have made any changes click the 'Apply' button.
Playing sound files
Select the 'Player' tab at the bottom of the application. You will now see the Player. Select 'Play' and then select 'File' to choose sound files to play. It is possible to choose multiple sound files just by sequentially clicking on the file names.
Selecting a preset
Click on the 'Processor' tab at the bottom. Placed at the top left is a window with a title of 'Format'. On this title bar are two unmarked buttons. Click the left one. This reveals a window with factory defined presets. Select 'digital.fmt2' for internet streaming. For FM broadcasting select either 'fm50.fmt2' or 'fm75.fmt2'.The numbers '50' and '75' refer to the pre-emphasis used in your part of the world.
Setting input and output levels
The output level can be set either internally to Sonos or externally with the sound card manufacturers mixer application. For setting the output level in Sonos select the 'Sound Out' tab. At the bottom left there is a window with the title 'Controls'. Select 'Controls>Output>Output Level'.
Potential problems with FM transmitters
If you are an FM broadcaster then there are potential problems interfacing to FM transmitters using the L and R outputs of Sonos 4.The problem is that the transmitter may apply pre-emphasis followed by a limiter or clipper. If this is the case then Sonos 4 needs to apply de-emphasis to the audio. To do this select the 'Processor' tab. Then select 'Controls>Pre-Emph>De-Emph'.Select either '50us' or '75us' as appropiate. If the transmitter has a clipper or limiter then the output level of Sonos 4 needs to be adjusted so that the clipper or limiter do not affect the audio. Many transmitters will have methods of disabling the pre-emphasis and clipper/limiters. This is the best approach to follow if possible.
All of these problems can be avoided if you have a 192kHz sound card. This enables use of the MPX output of Sonos 4 to drive the composite (MPX) input of the transmitter.
Interfacing to other audio applications
If you need to feed audio from an external application into Sonos 4 then use Virtual Audio Cables. Once installed it is only necessary to do the 'Wave Sound Card Setup' to get audio into Sonos 4.