Windows WDM Driver for LynxTWO™/L22™/AES16™

Copyright © 2002-2007 Lynx Studio Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Revision History / Driver Release Notes

Revision History

Version 2.0 Build 014e    July 30, 2007

1.  Dither is now enabled by default on all record devices.

2.  Lynx Mixer now shows device names with green background when device is active.

3.  Lynx Mixer now shows dropouts with red background when dropout is not zero.

Version 2.0 Build 014d    July 25, 2007

1.  Fixed Lynx Mixer display corruption issue with AES16 when SynchroLock is on.

2.  Fixed dither depth selection for right channel of record devices and when "Auto" was not selected.

3.  Removed "None" as Dither Type selection.

4.  Lynx Mixer now shows "ASIO" as device format when device is running in ASIO mode.

Version 2.0 Build 014c    July 9, 2007

1.  Added Event Logging. Now when driver starts up an event will be logged to the System Log (See Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer) if successful or not.

2.  Turned Overrun Ignore back on.

Version 2.0 Build 014b    June 27, 2007

1.  Corrected AES16 ASIO Direct Monitoring support when using Build 24 or higher firmware.

Version 2.0 Build 014a    April 25, 2007

1.  Internal test build with Overrun Ignore turned off.

Version 2.0 Build 014    March 30, 2007

1.  Driver is now fully compatible with Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit).

2.  When using Vista, first device name of each card (when using MME/DirectSound/Direct Kernel Streaming) is now 'Speakers'. This was needed so Vista would present the Speaker Configuration button to the user.

3.  Fixed an issue with the LynxTrayVolume program under Windows 64-bit that kept it from launching the Lynx Mixer on double-click.

The following features require new firmware to be installed on your Lynx Audio Card

4.  Supports additional Play Mixers for AES16 and AES16-SRC for firmware build 24 or higher.

5.  Supports multi-channel (5.1 or 7.1) playback for AES16 and AES16-SRC for firmware build 24 or higher.

6.  A very small number of computers showed poor PCI performance with PCI instruction 'Memory Read Multiple' (MRM) turned on (L2Update21 was the first version that had MRM set to ON). Driver now allows the ability to turn MRM OFF with firmware that allows it. In the Lynx Mixer you can disable MRM by unchecking Settings > Advanced > Memory Read Multiple.

7.  Previously, when multiple channels were running on a card and a dropout occurred on one device, the device would no longer be in sync with the other channels. Now, with firmware that allows it, when a dropout occurs an audible glitch may be heard but multiple channels will remain in sync.

Version 2.0 Build 013n   September 25, 2006

1.  Lynx Mixer now recognizes RoHS serial numbers and correctly displays them.

2.  Added ability to disable Topology and/or MIDI driver at load time (Use CleanReg.zip).

3.  Added LT-HD support for Firmware Update through AES16/Aurora.

Version 2.0 Build 013m   August 22, 2006

1.  Added Uninstall for both the Version 2 driver and the LynxApps.

2.  Added LynxWDM.cat file and driver signing although driver is not WHQL certified.

Version 2.0 Build 013l   May 31, 2006

1.  Lynx Mixer now stores Mixer Scenes as files on disk instead of in the Registry.  To save a scene, simply select Mixer > Save Scene... (or press CTRL+S), specify the location and name of the file (the .LMS extension will be automatically added) and press Save.   To recall a scene, select Mixer > Open Scene... (or press CTRL+O), point to the scene file you wish to recall and press Open.  Lynx Mixer keeps track of the 9 most recently used scenes for quick recall.  Either select them from the Mixer menu, or use the shortcut key sequence CTRL+#, where # is the number of the file on the Mixer menu.  Mixer scenes may also be recalled from Windows Explorer by double-clicking on them; by right-click and selecting Open; or by dragging and dropping the .LMS file onto the Lynx Mixer.

2.  Added the ability to change both the left and right Mute or Dither controls together by holding down the SHIFT key while clicking on Mute/Dither.  This works for the Record Mute, Record Dither, Output Monitor Source Mute, Output Master Mute and Output Master Dither.

3.  Fixed a problem where the Lynx Mixer About Box would not correctly identify the 64-bit kernel driver version (LynxV264.Sys).

4.  Fixed a problem that prevented selection of 'Digital In 4' as the 'Preferred Clock Source' on an AES16 or AES16-SRC.

5.  LynxTrayVolume now unhooks keys as soon as the 'Active' box is unchecked.

Version 2.0 Build 013k   May 16, 2006

1.  Added topology driver for Device 1.  This allows the standard windows volume control (SNDVOL32.EXE) to change the output volume for OUT 1 and OUT 2.  This means many home theater applications will now be able to control the volume using standard windows function calls.  Some applications (Windows Media Player, for instance) change the 'Wave Out Volume' instead of the 'Master Volume', and due to a bug in Windows, this does not change the fader position in SNDVOL32 even though the actual volume is being changed.

Version 2.0 Build 013j    May 4, 2006

1.  Added Dolby Digital S/PDIF support.

Version 2.0 Build 013i    May 1, 2006

1.  Unified driver release that includes 32-bit and 64-bit driver.

2.  Fixed an issue with the Lynx Mixer about box where an Aurora may be misidentified.

3.  Fixed an issue where the driver could not read the serial number on newer cards due to a change in the EEPROM.

Version 2.0 Build 013h    January 16, 2006

1.  First release of 64-bit driver.

Version 2.0 Build 013g    November 15, 2005

1.  Internal Release for testing.

Version 2.0 Build 013f    September 30, 2005

1.  Changed how the ASIOBufferInfo structure is accessed from within the ASIOCreateBuffers function to keep the Microsoft C++ Compiler from generating the wrong code and dereferencing the wrong address.  This might cause applications to crash or freeze when selecting the LynxTWO ASIO driver.  We have seen Adobe Premier Pro 1.5 have this issue.

Version 2.0 Build 013e    August 30, 2005

1.  Added 'DM Uses Active Devices' switch to ASIO Control Panel.  When unchecked, all devices (active or not) may be used for Direct Monitoring (this was the case with all previous versions of the driver).  When checked, only active devices are used for Direct Monitoring.  This gets around a problem where Cubase & Nuendo might select the wrong Direct Monitoring input or output if non-contiguous devices are active.  This switch is ON by default for Nuendo 2 & 3 and Cubase 2 & 3 and OFF by default for all other applications.

2.  ASIO Direct Monitoring will now no longer override existing monitor selections.  This keeps the application from trying to route two sets of inputs to the same output and having the 'last selected' input be heard.  Now the first selected input is heard and subsequent inputs are ignored until that input mutes or otherwise gives up the output.

3.  When running with multiple cards, ASIO Direct Monitoring now ignores requests to route across cards.  This was never possible, but previous versions of the driver would still allow the Direct Monitoring request to succeed by changing the output to the same card as the input, which may have caused confusion.

4.  All ASIO Direct Monitoring routing is cleared when the application exits or resets the ASIO driver.

5.  Updated Aurora Mixer to fully implement mixer routing, volume and mutes.

6.  Changed Aurora Mixer and Lynx Mixer to allow selecting the monitor sources and record sources in groups by holding the CONTROL (Ctrl) key down while selecting the source.  This will set all the monitor sources to the right of the current control to next valid source.

7.  Corrected the 'To LSlot Out' control in the Aurora Mixer which was backwards.

Version 2.0 Build 013d    August 5, 2005

1.  Fixed a problem created in Build 11c of the driver that caused any external 13.5MHz or 27MHz clock to be rejected as invalid.

2.  Added "Reset Digital I/O on Lock" switch in Mixer. When enabled and the digital input goes from Unlock to Lock, the chip is reset to avoid a potential problem where the SRC would enter an invalid state.  Default of OFF.

3.  Added "General Purpose Output" switch in Mixer driver for OEM application.

4.  Lynx Mixer now shows the correct buffer size for all cards in the system when the buffer size is changed from the ASIO Control Panel.

5.  Added Aurora Mixer to driver package.

Version 2.0 Build 013    May 10, 2005

1.  Added work-around for 64-bit math bug in Microsoft C++ compiler.  This might have caused timing errors while using ASIO Positioning Protocol with LTC.

Version 2.0 Build 012m    April 29, 2005

1.  Added support for Aurora 16 External Remote Control.  Please note this functionality requires an AES16 with a REV B PCB.

2.  Removed call to SetThreadPriority( NORMAL ) from ASIOStop.

3.  Added DLL and SYS version display in the Lynx Mixer About Box.

Version 2.0 Build 012b    February 16, 2005

1.  Fixed a problem that might clip off the first few milliseconds of a file being played back with the MME/DirectSound driver.

Version 2.0 Build 012a    February 11, 2005

1.  Fixed a problem that might have caused a Blue Screen of Death when doing a Hibernate / Suspend / Standby and the Preferred Clock Source was not Internal.

2.  Fixed a problem that would not set the SRC Mode correctly when the Sample Clock Source changed.

Version 2.0 Build 012      February 9, 2005

1.  Added "LynxTrayVolume.exe" program. This program allows control of the Lynx Mixer Master Output Volumes from the computer keyboard, regardless of which application is currently running in the foreground. It is not required for the Lynx Mixer to be open for the Lynx Tray Volume program to function.

To launch this program, right-click on the Lynx Tray Volume icon in the taskbar and select "Volume Control Settings...". With this program, it is possible to program custom key combinations that control mixer volume functions. When the driver is first loaded, no default key values are programmed. You must manually have the program learn which key sequence you wish to control Volume Max, Volume Up, Volume Down and Mute. To do this, Activate the first key sequence group by clicking the "Active" check box on the first row. Next, select which master output volumes you wish to use. Shift-click allows selection of two adjacent channels and Ctrl-click selects all 16 channels. Press the "Learn" button for the first volume command that you wish to program, and then press the key sequence you want to control that volume function. The key combination will be confirmed in the "Assigned Key:" box. Close the program once the key sequences you require have been learned.

You may quickly launch the Lynx Mixer application by double clicking the left mouse button on the Lynx Tray Volume icon.

PLEASE NOTE: It is possible to program a key sequence that already has a meaning for the operating system or for a specific application. In this case, Windows will only send these commands to the Lynx Tray Volume program, and the key sequence will no longer function for the other application(s). We suggest programming key combinations that utilize Shift and Ctrl keys to minimize the likelihood of accidentally using a sequence that is meaningful to some other application. If you encounter this problem, simply have the Lynx Tray Volume learn a new key sequence.

Version 2.0 Build 011d     February 3, 2005

1.  Added 'Ignore Direct Monitoring Requests' to ASIO Control Panel.  This is an application specific control.  When this control is checked the application cannot alter the Outputs Page in the Lynx Mixer through Direct Monitoring commands.

2.  Removed 'Preferred Clock Source' from the Settings Menu.

Version 2.0 Build 011c     February 2, 2005

1.  Changed how the Sample Clock Source selection works.  Now, the control 'Preferred Clock Source' allows selection of the desired sample clock source.  Once every 250 milliseconds (4 times a second) the sample clock source is evaluated by looking at the appropriate System Clock Rate (Frequency Counter next to the Preferred Clock Source selection button) to determine if the Preferred Clock Source is valid.  If the clock source is valid and no devices are active, the driver switches the Sample Clock Source to the Preferred Clock Source.  If at any time the Preferred Clock Source becomes invalid (clock cable disconnected, external gear that is feeding the clock is turned off), the driver changes the Sample Clock Source back to Internal, even if the card has a device that is actively playing or recording.

2.  Added 'Allow Clock Change if Active' switch in the Settings > Advanced menu.  Default is OFF.  This switch does two things:
1) It allows manual changing of the Current Clock Source by selecting a new Preferred Clock Source even if devices are active on the card.  If you do manually change the Preferred Clock Source while this switch is ON and devices are active, an audible glitch will occur.
2) If the Preferred Clock Source has become invalid and the driver has switched the Current Clock Source back to Internal, it allows the driver to change the Current Clock Source back to the Preferred Clock Source immediately when the Preferred Clock Source becomes valid.  Normally when this switch is OFF the driver will not change the Current Clock Source back to the Preferred Clock Source until all devices become inactive.

3.  Removed the 'Sample Clock Reference' control as it was no longer needed because the driver automatically detects the different clock references (Word/Word256/13.5MHz/27MHz).

4.  Added 'Rate Lock' control.  Default is OFF.  When ON, the driver will ignore all requests to change the Sample Clock Rate, including those coming from applications.  The effectively causes all files not running at the currently selected clock rate to be software sample rate converted by Windows during playback/recording.  When clocking to an external word clock, the Rate Lock function is effectively ON regardless of this switch setting, and the rate is locked to the same rate of the incoming word clock.

5.  Fixed a problem with the Mixer Device names when more than one card was installed.

Version 2.0 Build 011b     January 17, 2005

1.  Internal release for the NAMM show.

Version 2.0 Build 011a     January 14, 2005

1.  Added support for LynxTWO Virtual MIDI ports, which includes:
- MIDI control of output volumes. Each of the sixteen outputs are assigned in order to a single MIDI channel. The Volume controller (7) now effects the main output for that channel. This allows automated control of the main output volumes.
- MIDI control to start the LTC Transmitter. Once the MIDI Output driver sees a complete MTC message, the LTC Transmitter will have its position set to match, and begin generating timecode.
- LTC Receive to MIDI Timecode conversion.

Version 2.0 Build 011     January 11, 2005

1.  Release Version.  No changes from Build 010h.

Version 2.0 Build 010h     January 10, 2005 Release Candidate 2

1.  Fixed ASIO Buffer Size setting from ASIO Control Panel so it now overrides Mixer Buffer Size even if ASIO devices are active.  Please note that if MME/WDM/GSIF devices are active, that will still prevent the ASIO Control Panel from changing the buffer size.

Version 2.0 Build 010g     January 7, 2005 Release Candidate 1

1.  Moved Buffer Size in the Lynx Mixer from the Advanced menu to the Settings menu.

2.  Changed driver so Buffer Size modification only allowed when all wave devices are idle.

Version 2.0 Build 010f     January 7, 2005

1.  Added unified Buffer Size in the Lynx Mixer Settings > Advanced menu.

2.  Internal Release Only

Version 2.0 Build 010e     December 21, 2004

1.  The driver now recognizes Lynx L22 with serial numbers 230408XXXX and LynxTWO-A with serial numbers 200401XXXX as having the Rev A analog to digital converter chip. This corrects for a phase problem between channels 1 & 2 (and 3 & 4 on the LynxTWO-A) during recording. PLEASE NOTE: Only cards with these two specific serial number sequences would have exhibited any phase problems during recording and this driver corrects the issue.

2.  Internal Release Only

Version 2.0 Build 010b     October 20, 2004

1.  Fixed problem introduced with Build 010a that might have caused audio breakup on playback with ASIO driver under high processor loads.

2.  Added "Cascade" to Window Menu in Lynx Mixer.

Version 2.0 Build 010a     October 8, 2004

1.  Removed unnecessary spin lock from ASIOStart in kernel driver which fixes a very rare lockup problem with Nuendo/Cubase.

2.  Added detection code and MessageBox for Nuendo 2/Cubase 2 bug when hyper-threading is enabled and bufferSwitch call never returns.  Please note that we have alerted Steinberg of this bug and they are working on a fix.  We know the bug is in all versions of Nuendo 2/Cubase 2 up to Version 2.2 Build 35.

3.  Lynx Mixer now checks to see if another instance of Lynx Mixer is running, and if so, it will bring the other instance to the foreground and exit with a beep.

4.  Fixed a problem in the ASIO driver that would write the ASIO Control Panel settings to the wrong location in the registry, making the old "LynxTWO" ASIO driver show up in the application.

Version 2.0 Build 010     September 17, 2004

1.  Fixed a problem that might have caused a freeze on some computers when removing the driver or shutting down the computer.

2.  WDM Driver now selects buffer size for recording based on sample rate and sample format.

3.  Added display of ToolTip dB values to Output Source volume controls.

4.  Fixed a problem that might cause a buffer that had not been played to be freed.

5.  Corrected the GetPosition call to return an accurate number so DirectSound playback will not breakup.

6.  Turned on single transfer per interrupt for playback so GetPosition call will give more accurate results.

7.  Added channel number scaling to the latency so the multichannel device will have a less chance of buffer dropouts when playing back files greater than 2 channels.

8.  Changed how the driver waits for preloaded playback data to complete transferring so there is no extra PCI bus traffic that might have caused other active devices to breakup audio.

9.  We recommend flashing the latest firmware (L2Update17.exe or higher) for use with this driver. 

Version 2.0 Build 009     April 15, 2004

1.  Driver now supports firmware updating while the driver is loaded.  Please note that L2Update Build 14 or higher is required for this functionality. 

2.  Driver now supports power management (Suspend and Hibernate).

3.  WDM Driver now selects latency based on sample rate.  At 50kHz and below, it is 128 samples.  Above 50kHz to 100kHz it is 256 samples.  Above 100kHz it is 512 samples.  

Version 2.0 Build 008     February 20, 2004

1.  Driver supports multi-channel device on Play 1 and Record 1.  To enable this feature, you must set your speaker setup in the control panel to one of the multichannel settings.
Start > Settings > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio devices > Audio
Set the first Lynx audio device ("Device 1") as your preferred device
Select Advanced > Speakers
Set the Speaker setup to either Quadraphonic, Surround, 5.1 or 7.1.
PLEASE NOTE: This feature requires new firmware on the LynxTWO/L22 to work properly.  To upgrade the firmware on your card, you must remove the WDM driver from Device Manager, run L2Update, then power down the computer.  When the computer starts back up, you may reload the WDM driver and the upgrade will be complete.

Version 2.0 Build 007     February 4, 2004

1.  Driver now reports individual device names to DirectSound.

Version 2.0 Build 006     December 16, 2003

1.  ASIO driver no longer asks the application about Direct Monitoring support. This gets around a bug in Adobe Premiere Pro that would cause a GPF in Premiere Pro when the LynxTWO ASIO driver was selected. Please note that Adobe will be correcting this problem in an upcoming release of Premiere Pro.

2.  Added Play Mix volumes to Lynx Mixer application. Note: Holding down the shift key will change the Play Mix volumes in stereo pairs.

3.  Updated serial number read for ST Micro parts.

4.  Windows 2000/XP ASIO driver now checks the hardware sample rate and reports back to the application if the rate changes.

5.  Holding down the CTRL (Control) key while changing a main output volume now changes all 16 main output volumes together. The shift key still changes stereo pairs.

6.  Fixed a problem in the Lynx Mixer that may have caused the frequency counters to stop updating on the screen.

7.  Two new checkboxes are in the Windows 2000/XP ASIO Control Panel:
Unique Input Names & Unique Output Names
This allows the user to select if "Left" & "Right" are appended to the device names. When checked, "Left" & "Right" are appended to the device names such as "Record 1 Left". When unchecked the device names are simply "Record 1".  This setting is unique to each application that uses the ASIO driver.

Version 2.0 Build 005     November 13, 2003

1.  Fixed a problem in the ASIO driver (introduced in Build 004) that kept it from opening the Kernel mode driver.

Version 2.0 Build 004     October 24, 2003

1.  Mixer now saves state when mixer application exits, and restores state when driver loads (system startup).

2.  Mixer Scene Memory now active.

3.  Driver now supports the AES16/AES16-SRC.

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Version 2.0 Build 003     September 30, 2003

1.  Mixer driver now completely separate from WINMM.DLL.

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Version 2.0 Build 002     April 24, 2003

1.  Driver now supports ASIO, GSIF & Mixer.

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Version 2.0 Build 001     August 22, 2002

1.  First build of driver for testing purposes. Only simple play & record are supported.

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Known problems

1.  Uninstall does not remove all files yet.

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