Super UA Q&A 2015/03/16 Can DSD playback software other than foobar2000 and Audirvana Plus be used? Although operation is not guaranteed, it should be possible to use any DSD playback software that supports DoP (DSD Audio over PCM Frames) playback. To verify support, check the documentation for the playback software. What DSD playback software is compatible with the Super UA? With the Super UA, you can play DSD files (native playback) by using software that supports DoP (DSD Audio over PCM Frames). The following DSD playback software from sources other than Roland has been confirmed to work. For Windows: The foobar2000 program combined with ASIO support and Super Audio CD Decoder (+ ASIO Proxy) can accomplish playback. The necessary settings to make at the Preferences window are as follows. [Playback] > [Output] > [Device] = [ASIO : foo_dsd_asio] [Playback] > [Output] > [ASIO] > [ASIO drivers] > [foo_dsd_asio] * Double-click "foo_dsd_asio." o [ASIO Driver] = [UA-S10] o [DSD Playback Method] = [DoP Marker 0x05/0xFA] o [DSD to DSD Method] = [None] o [PCM to DSD Method] = [None] [Tools] > [SACD] > [ASIO Driver Mode] = [DSD] For Mac OS X: Playback can be accomplished by using "Audirvana Plus" (non-free). The necessary settings to make at the System Preferences window are as follows. [Audio System] tab o [Preferred Audio Device] = [UA-S10] o [Active Audio Device] > [Native DSD Capability] = [DSD over PCM standard 1.0] Important! * Setting items, indications, and other details might differ depending on the version used. * For information on how to use the respective software, refer to the program's documentation or website. * For the software just described, Roland provides no support or assurance of operation. Can four-channel recording be accomplished by using the LINE IN jacks on the unit and the MIC 1 and 2 jacks on the breakout box? Recording cannot be accomplished using the four input jacks simultaneously. The Super UA supports two-channel recording using either of the following combinations. MIC 1 + MIC 2 LINE IN (L and R) MIC 1 + LINE IN (R) 1 / 7
What's the difference between the "IN 1-2" port and the "MONITOR" port during recording? IN 1-2 port: Incoming audio from the unit's LINE IN or MIC jacks is sent to the "IN 1-2" port. Also, when the unit's compressor is turned on, effect-applied audio is sent to the computer. MONITOR port: The audio from "IN 1-2" just described and "1-2" audio played from the computer is mixed and sent to the "MONITOR" port. Note, however, that this port cannot be used during DSD playback. It is silent then. No audio is played from some output jacks. Display UA-S10 Control Panel and check the settings in the OUTPUT block. If the "MUTE" button is illuminated, cancel MUTE. Ensure that the "Patch bay input" setting for each output jack matches the operating system's sound settings and the port used by the playback program you're using. Also, if "Patch bay input" is set to DIRECT MIX, check to make sure the input levels in the DIRECT MIXER block are not too low. When PATCH BAY TYPE is set to "2 Channel," the system mode allows selection of any one of the output jacks for playback. Select from among "PHONES," "LINE OUT A," and "LINE OUT B" as the name of the output jack to use. Sound is played at the "3-4" or "5-6" port on the Super UA, but nothing is audible from any jack. When playing different audio from each one of multiple output jacks, make the following settings. Display UA-S10 Control Panel. In the OUTPUT block, set PATCH BAY TYPE to "6 Channel." In the OUTPUT block, set the patch bay input specified for each respective output jack to the port name you want to assign. Playback is no longer possible, and UA-S10 no longer appears in the sound settings. When the sampling rate for the UA-S10 is set at 352.8 khz, including during 5.6-MHz DSD playback, playback under Windows using a program such as Windows Media Player is not possible. Also, UA-S10 disappears from the sound settings. You can use the following procedures to correct this. Windows 8.1 / 8 / 7 Open Control Panel and change the view to "Small Icons." Double-click the [UA-S10] icon. Set SAMPLE RATE to a frequency of 192,000 Hz or lower (one that is different from the rate now in use). 2 / 7
What kind of speakers or headphones should be used to hear audio that makes full use of the performance of the Super UA? A broad range of models are supported, including studio-use and portable equipment. Choose your own preferred model. I want to use four or more channels, but the "3-4" and "5-6" channels are not displayed as outputdestination selections for the software's playback audio. To use four or more channels simultaneously, the software you're using must have multi-channel support. Check the specifications of the software you're using. A popping noise is heard when switching the sampling rate. Noise is sometimes heard when switching the sampling-rate setting for the Super UA. This does not indicate a malfunction. A pop is heard when adjusting SENS for input. When using the microphone input on the Super UA, noise is sometimes heard when switching SENS. Also, the volume levels of this noise may be different for MIC 1 and MIC 2, but this does not indicate a malfunction. Can I use the unit with a connection to an ipad, iphone, or Android device? Such use is not possible. I want to capture the raw audio monitored using the Super UA on CD or as a wav file. Playing back a created audio file on the Super UA yields the same sound quality. Audio cannot be saved as a file using only the Super UA's output processing. How is "S1LKi" pronounced? Is it an abbreviation of something? It is pronounced "silky." It's an abbreviation of "Super 1-bit Linear Kinetic." Only hissing noise is heard during playback of DSD data. To play back DSD data, the OUTPUT block of UA-S10 Control Panel must be in the state shown below. PATCH BAY TYPE = 2 Channel D/A CONVERSION = 1 bit button illuminated If anything has been changed to a different setting, DSD might be played back as noise. 3 / 7
After playing back DSD file, playback of PCM data is no longer possible. Also, audio from INPUT is no longer audible. During playback of a DSD file, the settings in UA-S10 Control Panel's OUTPUT block are automatically set to values like those shown below. PATCH BAY TYPE = 2 Channel D/A CONVERSION = 1 bit button illuminated Patch bay input = OUT 1-2 (all output jacks) This means that in the following cases, the "Patch bay input" settings need to be changed after playback of a DSD file. When you want to output PCM data to a port other than OUT 1-2 When monitoring audio from INPUT (Change to DIRECT MIX.) Can I use a third-party micro USB cable? Operation is not assured. Use the included cable. Is it possible to send different audio to each individual output jack? Yes, this is possible. In UA-S10 Control Panel, set PATCH BAY TYPE for the unit to "6 Channel." * This cannot be used on software that lacks multi-channel support. Are there any advantages to playback on UA-S10 even with PCM data whose sampling rate is 44.1 khz? Up-conversion operates even at 44.1 khz, and so there are advantages in terms of sound quality. What settings are required for playback of PCM data using Windows Media Player or itunes? Playback is possible without making the setting for the sampling rate, but to obtain optimal sound quality, open the driver setup panel for the Super UA and select the sampling rate that matches the song file you want to play back. Also, in UA-S10 Control Panel, make the setting for playback in 1-bit mode. Windows 8.1 / 8 / 7 Open Control Panel and change the view to "Small Icons." Double-click the [UA-S10] icon. Set SAMPLE RATE to the rate of the song file you want to play back. Next, open UA-S10 Control Panel, and in the OUTPUT block, set PATCH BAY TYPE to "2 Channel." Set the "1 bit" button to be illuminated. 4 / 7
Mac OS X 10.10 / 10.9 / 10.8 Go into the Utilities folder and open Audio MIDI Setup, then select [UA-S10]. In the Format section, make the setting for the rate used by the song file you want to play back. Next, open UA-S10 Control Panel, and in the OUTPUT block, set PATCH BAY TYPE to "2 Channel." Set the "1 bit" button to be illuminated. I can't tell whether DSD data is being played back. UA-S10 Control Panel displays at the bottom right of the window whether the audio sent from the computer is DSD or PCM. If PCM is displayed even though DSD data is being played back, no DSD data is reaching the UA-S10. Check the settings and specifications of the playback application you're using. * Some playback applications do not support playback of DSD data on the UA-S10. The unit doesn't start up. Also, startup doesn't take place when the cable is inserted into the USB port. To operate the Super UA, AC power must also be supplied. If the Super UA stops working, check whether the AC adaptor is connected. The unfamiliar sampling rates of 176.4 khz and 352.8 khz are selectable, but when should they be used? These sampling rates are used when transmitting DoP-mode DSD audio. The setting is automatically switched to 176.4 khz or 352.8 khz when DSD data is played back. These rates can also be used for PCM playback. What does up-conversion (oversampling) do? What are its advantages? Up-conversion refers to performing processing using a sampling rate higher than the original rate. The quality of the original audio data can be drawn out to a great degree be internal conversion to a high sampling rate by means of the Super UA's innovative musically tuned processing. What are the differences between PCM data and DSD data? Each uses a different method (encoding scheme) for converting analog signals to digital data. PCM: This quantizes and records waveform amplitude. Amplitude is expressed with the precision of 16-bit, 24-bit, and other bit depths. It has conventionally been widely used for music CDs and the like. DSD: This records waveform density patterns. The patterns are expressed in a 1-bit format. This is similar to the system used for Super Audio CDs. 5 / 7
Where can I make the settings for the Super UA? Driver setup panel The driver setup panel, which you can use to set the buffer size and sampling rate (Windows only), can be accessed as follows. Windows 8.1: Open the Windows Control Panel, change the view to "Small Icons," then double-click "UA-S10." Alternatively, go to the Start screen and display the Apps view, then under "Roland," click "UA-S10." Windows 8: Open the Windows Control Panel, change the view to "Small Icons," then double-click "UA-S10." Alternatively, go to the Start screen and display the apps list, then click "UA-S10." Windows 7: Open the Windows Control Panel, change the view to "Small Icons," then double-click "UA-S10." Alternatively, go to the Start menu and click "All Programs," then click "Roland," then "UA-S10 Driver," and then "UA-S10." Mac OS X: Open System Preferences and click "UA-S10." UA-S10 Control Panel The control panel, which you can use to make a variety of settings for the unit, can be accessed as described below. To learn how to use it, after starting the control panel, use the menu at top left to view the help file. Windows 8.1: Go to the Start screen and display the Apps view, then under "Roland," click "UA-S10 Control Panel." (The name might be displayed in abbreviated form.) Windows 8: Go to the Start screen and display the apps list, then click "UA-S10 Control Panel." (The name might be displayed in abbreviated form.) Windows 7: Go to the Start menu and click "All Programs," then click "Roland," then "US-S10 Control Panel," and then "UA-S10 Control Panel." Mac OS X: In the Finder, open the "Applications" folder, then double-click "UA-S10 Control Panel." What happens when a volume dial is pressed? Also, is it possible to mute INPUT? The operations that occur when you press a volume dial are as follows. When the unit's "PHONES," "A," or "B" button is selected: Pressing the volume dial lets you set the corresponding output jack to muted. Pressing the control once more cancels muting. When the "MIC 1," "MIC 2," or "LINE IN" button is selected: INPUT is not muted when a volume dial is pressed. When the "MIC 1" or "MIC 2" button is in a pressed state: Pressing and holding a volume dial lets you turn on phantom power for the corresponding MIC input jack. Pressing the volume dial once more while in the same state lets you turn off phantom power. 6 / 7
Can microphone input be set at the unit to stereo link? How can it be canceled? Pressing the "MIC 1" and "MIC 2" buttons at the same time makes the setting for stereo link. Simultaneously pressing the buttons a second time cancels stereo link. When stereo link is in effect, the same SENS and compressor settings are applied to both MIC 1 and MIC 2. Can the breakout box be ejected and inserted without problem while the unit is powered up? This can be done without problem. Before ejecting or inserting, lower the volume level on output equipment. Also, input/output settings might change automatically when you detach the breakout box. When reconnecting it, redo the settings as needed. Does the Super UA show any differences in audio compared to the Mobile UA? The Super UA uses an AC adapter as its power source, so its power supply is stronger than the Mobile UA's, and so during high-volume output it can play audio with correspondingly more power than the Mobile UA. For line out as well, the Mobile UA uses miniature stereo phone jacks for output, but the Super UA uses balanced-output TRS 1/4-inch phone jacks. One cable each is used for left and right, so left-right isolation is also excellent. The level meter responds when a microphone is connected, but microphone audio is not audible via headphones. First, go to UA-S10 Control Panel and check whether PCM appears at the end of the SAMPLE RATE field. If DSD is shown, monitoring is not possible. Also, even when PCM is shown, making any one of the following settings is necessary in order to hear audio input from an external source. In the DAW software you're using to carry out recording, set INPUT MONITOR for the recording track to ON. In UA-S10 Control Panel, set PATCH BAY for the OUTPUT jack you want to hear (PHONES, LINE OUT A, or LINE OUT B) to DIRECT MIX. To connect a monaural microphone and listen using Direct Monitor, what setting should be made, and what screen is it on? In UA-S10 Control Panel, go to INPUT for the connected microphone and set PAN to Center. Can USB bus power be used for operation? Bus power cannot be used for operation. Be sure to connect the included AC adapter to use the unit. Copyright (C) 2015 Roland Corporation 7 / 7