Copyright: ® Creative Technology Ltd.


Help Contents
  Contents

Overview

What is Creative EnsembleAV?

About Creative EnsembleWave

The Interface

Knowing the Interface

Working with the EnsembleWave

Playing Tracks

Adjusting the Volume

Changing a Track's Playing Position

Compiling a Playlist : The Playlist Dialog

Repeating the Playlist

Scanning Tracks in the Playlist

Shuffling the Playlist

Recording Settings

Recording a Wave File

Using the CD Sync and MIDI Sync Options

Launching a Wave Editor

Moving the EnsembleWave

Minimizing the EnsembleWave

Quitting the EnsembleWave

Keyboard Shortcuts


What is Creative EnsembleAV?

Creative EnsembleAV is a multi-player control interface that allows you to control your multimedia devices, like your CD-ROM drives and overlay device, independently or concurrently. It consists of the EnsembleRemote and one or more EnsembleAV players; examples are the EnsembleCD, EnsembleWave and EnsembleMIDI. With the EnsembleRemote, Creative EnsembleAV not only allows you to control different devices from one control interface, thus saving you lots of screen space, it also allows you to invoke any of the EnsembleAV players if you require more direct control over a device.


About Creative EnsembleWave

The Creative EnsembleWave [image] is one of the players in the Creative EnsembleAV. In addition to letting you play your wave files/tracks, it has some advanced features which include:

•	ability to be controlled by the EnsembleRemote,

•	a "touch-sensitive" display,

•	multiple display forms,

•	fine control of track's playing position,

•	Introduction Mode, Repeat Mode and Shuffle Mode for playback,

•	playlist compilation of your wave files into a Collection,

•	fast track selection, and

•	direct volume control.

Note: The terms "track" and "files" are used interchangeably throughout this document.


Knowing the Interface

When you invoke the EnsembleWave, the EnsembleWave interface appears as shown below:

Related Topics:

Power Off Button

Menu Button

Minimize Button

Playlist Button

Recording Settings Button

"Touch Sensitive" Display

Fast Track Selector

Playback Control


Power Off Button

The Power Off button [image] allows you to quit the EnsembleWave.

Related Topics:

Quitting the EnsembleWave


Menu Button

The Menu button [image] displays a menu to allow you to select some system and miscellaneous functions.

Related Topics:

Launching a Wave Editor

Using the CD Sync and MIDI Sync Options


Minimize Button

The Minimize button [image] minimizes the EnsembleWave to an icon.

Related Topics:

Minimizing the EnsembleWave


Playlist Button

The Playlist button [image] is for activating the Playlist dialog used for compiling a playlist.

Related Topics:

Compiling a Playlist : The Playlist Dialog


Recording Settings Button

The Recording Settings button [image] is for activating a dialog box for you to choose the recording wave format.

Related Topics:

Recording Settings


"Touch Sensitive" Display

The "Touch Sensitive" Display consists of several "touch sensitive" controls as well as indicators that shows the current playback status and track information. By clicking the "Touch Sensitive" Display, you get to switch between the following three displays:

 Playing a wave file

 Not playing a wave file

Display 1. Graphical display of the player status

Display 2. Current playlist and track titles

Display 3. Current track number and duration of the playing track

In the second and third forms of the "Touch Sensitive" Display, you will see that both have other controls that perform more functions than simply displaying current playlist and track titles. These controls are shown below:

 Graphic Volume Control

 Two-digit Mode Selector

 Repeat Mode Selector

 Introduction Mode Selector

 Shuffle Mode Selector

 Graphic Slider


Fast Track Selector

The Fast Track Selector [image] consists of a group of buttons for quickly selecting a track to play.

Related Topics:

Playing Tracks


Playback Control

The Playback Control consists of a group of buttons for performing the playback operations on the player. These buttons are shown below:

 Stop button

 Play button

 Pause button

 Record Button

 Skip-Reverse button

 Rewind button

 Fast-Forward button

 Skip-Forward button

Related Topics:

Playing Tracks

Recording a Wave File


Playing Tracks

You can play wave files using the Playback Control buttons on the EnsembleWave. The EnsembleWave plays tracks from the playlist.

If you wish to, you can also select a track and play it using the Fast Track Selector [image] buttons. The following steps show how you can use these buttons to select a track.

When the Two-digit Mode is off, to play a track whose number is less than eleven:

1.	Choose a button from the Fast Track Selector that correspond to the track you want to select.  If you want to select track 10, choose button 0.

The track starts playing.

To play the track whose number is more than ten:

1.	Highlight the Two-digit Mode Selector [image] using the mouse or by pressing <T>.

2.	Choose two buttons on the Fast Track Selector that correspond to the track you want to select.

The track starts playing.

Note: If you choose a track number that is more than the number of tracks in the playlist, the last track in the playlist will be selected.


Adjusting the Volume

You can adjust the volume of the player using the Graphic Volume Control [image] on the "Touch Sensitive" Display.

To adjust the volume:

1.	Click and hold down the left mouse button on the Graphic Volume Control at the level you want.

The level of the Graphic Volume Control will move to the mouse position.

Note: You can use hot keys to change the volume level.  Press <V> to select the Graphic Volume Control and use the up and down arrow keys to go to the level you want.


Changing a Track's Playing Position

If you want to start playing a track from a certain position, you can use the Graphic Slider [image] to change the playing position of the track. You can change the playing position of a track before you play it or while it is playing.

To change the track's playing position:

1.	Click and hold down the left mouse button on the Graphic Slider and go to the position that you want the track to start playing.

2.	When the highlighted portion of the Graphic Slider has reached the position you have chosen, release the mouse button.

If your player is already playing, the player will immediately go to the position you have chosen and start playing.

3.	If your player is not playing, choose the Play button [image] to start playing the track at the position you have chosen.

Note: You can use hot keys to change the track's playing position.  Press <G> to select the Graphic Slider and use the left and right arrow keys to go to the position you want.


Compiling a Playlist : The Playlist Dialog

You can compile a list of tracks on the EnsembleWave using the Playlist dialog box.

To obtain the Playlist dialog:

1. 	Choose the Playlist button [image] using the mouse or by pressing <L>.

The Playlist dialog appears.

The Playlist dialog contains the following components as listed below:

Components	Purpose
Collection combo box	Allows you to select a Collection
Drives combo box	Allows you to select the drive.
List Files of Type combo box	Allows you select the type of files to be displayed in the Files list box
Playlist list box	Displays the files you have included in the playlist in the form of sequence number:track title.
Directory list box	Allows you to select the directory.
Files list box	Displays the files in the current directory
Save button	Saves the playlist into the current selected Collection.
Save As button	Allows you to save the playlist with a new Collection name.
Delete button	Allows you to delete the currently selected Collection.
Play button	Plays the selected tracks on the Playlist or Files list box.
Add button	Includes the selected tracks in the Files list box to the Playlist list box.
Add All button	Includes all tracks in the Files list box to the Playlist list box.
Remove button	Removes the selected tracks from the Playlist list box.
Clear button	Remove all the tracks in the Playlist list box.
Done button	Confirms the compilation of tracks in the Playlist list box.
Cancel button	Cancels changes made to the tracks in the Playlist list box. The playlist reverts to its last saved copy.
Help button	Displays the on-line help facility.

In the Playlist dialog, you can preview tracks before deciding to add them to the playlist, add tracks to the playlist, rearrange the tracks in the playlist, and give names to the playlist and tracks.  When you are satisfied with your compilation, choose the Done button to confirm the compilation.  Choose the Cancel button to cancel all changes made.

Related Topics:

Previewing Tracks

Adding Tracks to the Playlist

Removing Tracks from the Playlist

Rearranging Tracks in the Playlist

Saving the Playlist

Deleting a Collection


Previewing Tracks

Before you decide to add any tracks to the playlist, you may wish to preview the tracks.

To preview a track:

1.	Select the tracks from Playlist or Files list boxes.

2.	Choose the Play button.

The track starts playing.

Note: You can also preview a track by double-clicking on the track in either list box.


Adding Tracks to the Playlist

You can add tracks to the playlist one at a time or in groups.

To add a track to the playlist:

1.	Select the track from the Files list box.

2.	Choose the Add button.

The track is added to the playlist.

To add a group of tracks to the playlist:

1.	Select the tracks from the Files list box while pressing the <Ctrl> or <Shift> key.

By pressing the <Ctrl> key, you are able to randomly select the tracks.

By pressing the <Shift> key, you only need to select the first and last tracks. All tracks in between these tracks will be selected.

2.	Choose the Add button.

The selected tracks are added to the playlist.

Note: Choose the Add All button to add all the tracks in the Files list box to the playlist.


Removing Tracks from the Playlist

If you decide that you do not want a track or group of tracks in the playlist anymore, you can remove it.  In the same way as adding tracks to the playlist, you can remove tracks one at a time or in groups.

To remove a track from the playlist:

1.	Select the track from the Playlist list box.

2.	Choose the Remove button.

The track is removed from the playlist.

To remove a group of tracks from the playlist:

1.	Select the tracks from the Playlist list box while pressing the <Ctrl> or <Shift> key.

By pressing the <Ctrl> key, you are able to randomly select the tracks.

By pressing the <Shift> key, you only need to select the first and last tracks. All tracks in between these tracks will be selected.

2.	Choose the Remove button.

The selected tracks are removed from the playlist.

Note: Choose the Clear button to remove all the tracks in the Playlist list box.


Rearranging Tracks in the Playlist

The tracks in the playlist can be rearranged to play in the order you like by using the right mouse button.

To rearrange a track in the playlist:

1.	Click and hold down the right mouse button on a track you want to rearrange, and drag it to the desired position in the Playlist list box.

The track will be changed to that position, and consequent tracks will be rearranged below it in the Playlist list box.


Saving the Playlist

Once you have compiled a playlist, you may want to save it into a Collection.

To save your playlist into the current Collection:

1.	Choose the Save button

The playlist would be saved into the Collection.

To save your playlist into another Collection:

1.	Choose the Save As button

The New Collection dialog box would appear as shown below:

2.	Enter a new Collection name in the edit box and press <Enter>.

A new Collection would be created.


Deleting a Collection

To delete the current selected Collection:

1.	Choose the Delete button

The Collection would be deleted.


Repeating the Playlist

To repeat the playlist:

1.	Highlight the Repeat Mode Selector [image] in the "Touch Sensitive" Display using the mouse or by pressing <M>.


Scanning Tracks in the Playlist

To scan the tracks in the playlist:

1.	Highlight the Introduction Mode Selector [image] in the "Touch Sensitive" Display using the mouse or by pressing <I>.

Note: If the player is playing, toggling the Introduction Mode would stop the current playback and restart playing from the first track of the playlist.


Shuffling the Playlist

When you shuffle the playlist, you randomly rearrange the tracks in the playlist.

To shuffle the playlist:

1.	Highlight the Shuffle Mode Selector [image] in the "Touch Sensitive" Display using the mouse or by pressing <H>.

Note: If the player is playing, toggling the Shuffle Mode would stop the current playback and restart playing from the first track of the newly ordered playlist.


Recording Settings

To define the settings for your recording:

1.	Choose the Record Settings button [image].

The Choose Wave Format dialog box appears.

2.	Choose the wave format as instructed to in the dialog box.

3.	Choose the OK button.

Related Topics:

Recording a Wave File


Recording a Wave File

To record from an audio source:

1.	Make sure that the audio source is selected for recording. For more information, please refer to the Creative Mixer Help.

2.	Press the Record button [image].

The Wave Recording - Filename dialog box appears.

3.	Select the file you want to record to.

Note: The recording format would be as set in the Choose Wave Format dialog box.

Related Topics:

Recording Settings


Using the CD Sync and MIDI Sync Options

This section discusses the CD Sync and MIDI Sync options for recording.

Recording with CD Sync

This option is only available if you have a CD-ROM drive installed in your system and the EnsembleCD or the EnsembleRemote is launched. When you select the CD Sync option for recording, EnsembleWave will synchronize the start of the recording and playback of the current audio CD track in the EnsembleCD.

Recording with MIDI Sync

Like the CD Sync option, when you select the MIDI Sync option for recording, EnsembleWave will synchronize the start of the recording and playback of the current MIDI track in the EnsembleMIDI.

To activate CD Sync and/or MIDI Sync, simply check their respective menu item in the player menu.

Note: The synchronization will only be valid if either the EnsembleRemote is invoked or when the EnsembleMIDI is invoked for the MIDI Sync or when the EnsembleCD is invoked for CD Sync.


Launching a Wave Editor

A wave editor can be launched to edit the current track. The current track  is the one currently displayed on the "Touch Sensitive" Display.

To invoke the wave editor:

1. 	Choose the Menu button [image].

The drop-down menu appears.

2.	Select the Wave Editor option.

A wave editor would be invoked with the current track as the edited file.


Moving the EnsembleWave

To move the EnsembleWave, simply click on the surface of the player and drag it to the position you want.


Minimizing the EnsembleWave

To minimize the EnsembleWave to an icon:

1.	Choose the Minimize button [image] using the mouse or by pressing <N>.

The EnsembleWave changes to an icon.


Quitting the EnsembleWave

To quit the EnsembleWave:

1.	Choose the Power Off button [image] using the mouse or by pressing <O>.


Keyboard Shortcuts

Press	To do this
<O>	Power off the player.
<Alt+Spacebar>	Activates the menu.
<N>	Minimizes the player.
<P>	Plays a selected track.
<A>	Pauses the playing track.
<S>	Stops the playing track.
<B>	Plays the previous track.
<R>	Records a wave file.
<K>	Quickly rewinds the track.
<W>	Quickly forwards the track.
<F>	Plays the next track.
<L>	Launches the Playlist dialog.
<M>	Toggles the Repeat Mode.
<I>	Toggles the Introduction Mode.
<H>	Toggles the Shuffle Mode.
<G>	Selects the Graphic Slider.
<V>	Selects the Graphic Volume Control.
<1>	Input digit "1".
<2>	Input digit "2".
<3>	Input digit "3".
<4>	Input digit "4".
<5>	Input digit "5".
<6>	Input digit "6".
<7>	Input digit "7".
<8>	Input digit "8".
<9>	Input digit "9".
<0>	Input digit "0".
<F1>	Activates the on-line help.
<Ctrl+D>	Switches display mode.


Glossary of Terms

Record Button

Collection

Playlist

Shuffle Mode Selector

Introduction Mode Selector

Repeat Mode Selector

Two-digit Mode Selector

Graphic Volume Control

Graphic Slider

Stop button

Play button

Pause button

Skip-Reverse button

Rewind button

Fast-Forward button

Skip-Forward button


Record Button

This button is used for recording a wave file.


Collection

Name of a playlist.


Playlist

A list of tracks ordered by the user. During playback, the player would look for tracks in this list to play.


Shuffle Mode Selector

This selector toggles the Shuffle Mode of the player. When this mode is activated, the order of the tracks in the playlist will be randomized. When deactivated, the order of the tracks in the playlist will be restored.


Introduction Mode Selector

This selector toggles the Introduction Mode of the player. When in this mode, the player will play only the first few seconds of all the tracks.


Repeat Mode Selector

This selector toggles the Repeat Mode of the player. When in this mode, after the player has finished playing the last track of the playlist, it will loop back and continue playing from the first track of the playlist. When not in this mode, the player will stop playback once it finishes the last track of the playlist.


Two-digit Mode Selector

This selector toggles between single-digit and double-digit track number input when using the Fast Track Selector to select the track to play.


Graphic Volume Control

This control shows and controls the volume level of the player.


Graphic Slider

A slider that indicates the percentage of the current track that has been played.  It can also be used to control the position of the track to play.


Stop button

This button stops the playing track.


Play button

This button plays the chosen track.


Pause button

This pauses the playing track.


Skip-Reverse button

This button plays the previous track.


Rewind button

This button quickly rewinds the track.


Fast-Forward button

This button quickly forwards the track.


Skip-Forward button

This button plays the next track.