Notes on USB Audio on ArcaOS 5.0.x

These are some notes to help you configure a USB audio device on ArcaOS (and OS/2 Warp).

Getting USB Audio Support
In ArcaOS, make sure you use the USB audio driver(s) from :\CID\SERVER\ARCAPKG\USBAUD2.WPI. That is the one that gets installed with a NEW install. The other one available in the Arca Noae site, that gets installed with an UPDATE install is not working fine.

On ArcaOS 5.0.5 or later there is also an additional icon on the Multimedia folder to help you enable the "USB Audio Output".



Referring to the drivers it is also good if you update USBAUDIO.SYS from the Netlabs' USB Drivers package.

ASWITCH
ArcaOS 5.0 comes with a program called ASWITCH, which automatically switches between USB audio, and UniAud (when no audio is playing, and you plug/unplug a USB device). You find the setup program in the Multimedia folder.

ASWITCH will show on you "Startup" folder.



ASWTICH (included since ArcaOS 5.0.5) will detect an USB Speaker/headphone and will mute the computer speakers and allow to only hear audio on the USB device.

STPM.EXE
With ArcaOS 5.0.5 STPM.EXE was fixed to be able to visually select the default audio device.

Testing: Recording audio from USB Mic
I had been recommended this two applications for recording and trying your USB Mic.
 * Digital Tape Recorder (DTAPE) - GUI application
 * Wim's Audio Recorder - Command line.

USB Audio Devices Tested

 * HP Gaming Headset H320GS
 * Logitech USB Headset H340

Links

 * List of Audio Cards - USB
 * Audio Device Drivers - USB
 * Netlabs' USB Drivers