The problem is that the N-Mon driver is a 32-bit kernel driver and the Mac is booting in 64-bit kernel mode. Until recently, new Macs booted in 32-bit kernel mode by default. But recently that changed and now we have become aware of the shortcoming of our driver. There is a simple workaround for the time being: boot into 32-bit kernel mode. Please note that 64 bit applications can still operate normally when doing so.
There are two ways to control which mode you boot in:
Method 1: Startup key combination (for current startup only)
• If your Mac uses the 32-bit kernel by default, but supports the 64-bit kernel, you can start up using the 64-bit kernel by holding the 6 and 4 keys during startup.
• If your Mac uses the 64-bit kernel by default, you can start up with the 32-bit kernel by holding the 3 and 2 keys during startup.
Your Mac will revert to the default kernel the next time you reboot it.
Method 2: On-disk setting (persistent)
To select the 64-bit kernel for the current startup disk, use the following command in Terminal:
sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture x86_64
To select the 32-bit kernel for the current startup disk, use the following command in Terminal:
sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture i386
Note: This setting is stored in the /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist file and will take effect every time you start up from this disk. If you start up from a different disk, the setting on that disk, or the hardware default, will take effect.
More info can be found here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3773
SoundCode For Dolby E Encoder Frequently Asked Questions
When I boot my OS X system, I see this error message: “ N-Mon Driver not Found. Please install the N-Mon Driver.”
Do you have some sample Dolby E encoded material I can use to play around with and check out the SoundCode functionality?
Is there a users guide for N-Mon?
How do I upgrade from version 1.0 to 2.0?
When I use the AudioSuite plug-in in Pro Tools to “Decode and Import,” Pro Tools presents a dialog box that says “No audio was selected.”
Another facility will be providing me with Dolby-E encoded WAV files created with your software for us to layback to a digital VTR. Is there anything special I need to know to lay these back? Or is it as simple as putting the WAV file on a track and sending it to the deck (with the deck on data mode), and monitoring back through my Dolby-E Decoder hardware? Are there any potential clocking issues?
What is the largest file size your software is able to encode? I am aware of a file size limit for creating interleaved audio files in Pro Tools and was wondering if your software had this limitation as well?
Will your software allow pro tools to play back Dolby E files in real time, in order to be laid back to a VTR?
Can I decode eight channels simultaneous in realtime?
Do you have some sample Dolby E encoded material I can use to play around with and check out the SoundCode functionality?
We have two 5.1 + Stereo Dolby E streams you can download. One is 29.9 fps and the other is 25 fps.
N-Mon has integrated Help that provides information on how to use N-Mon. To access the integrated Help, launch it from the /Applications folder, locate it in the menu bar at the upper right, click on it, and select the N-Mon Help menu item. A PDF version can also be downloaded HERE.
There is no charge to upgrade from version 1.0 to 2.0. Version 2.0 uses the same license as version 1.0. To upgrade, just download and install version 2.0. The download can be found here.
When I use the AudioSuite plug-in in Pro Tools to “Decode and Import,” Pro Tools presents a dialog box that says “No audio was selected.”
Pro Tools 8 has a bug where if it thinks you have selected no audio, it does not need to perform Audiosuite processing. It can happen if you make a zero length selection or if the the selection area has no audio regions in it. There is a simple workaround. Make a non-zero length selection and place some audio in the timeline within your selection.
Another facility will be providing me with Dolby-E encoded WAV files created with your software for us to layback to a digital VTR. Is there anything special I need to know to lay these back? Or is it as simple as putting the WAV file on a track and sending it to the deck (with the deck on data mode), and monitoring back through my Dolby-E Decoder hardware? Are there any potential clocking issues?
Because a Dolby E stream is simply stereo PCM audio, it is very simple to layback to a VTR as you would any PCM audio. But be very careful with a few things.
1. Don't listen to the raw Dolby E stream unless you have the monitor volume turned way down. Dolby E is full-code noise that can damage speakers and ears at loud levels.
2. Use AES or SDI to connect to the VTR. The connection must pass 20-bits of the PCM audio.
3. Make sure no no sample rate conversion or gain change is in the signal path. Pro Tools HD 192 interfaces, for example, have optional sample rate conversion on the inputs. Make sure it is are disabled when monitoring a Dolby E stream from a video tape.
What is the largest file size your software is able to encode? I am aware of a file size limit for creating interleaved audio files in Pro Tools and was wondering if your software had this limitation as well?
Pro Tools does not handle files larger than 2 GB. Neyrinck products can read and write files of any size.
Will your software allow pro tools to play back Dolby E files in real time, in order to be laid back to a VTR?
Yes. The lightning fast encoder creates a stereo WAV file that can be laid back to a VTR using any workstation. The realtime decoder is then used to monitor and test the layback.
Yes. Version 2.0 features simultaneous decoding of all Dolby E programs using the "dolby e program" control in the monitor/player. The control has nine values to choose from. The first eight let you select any of the eight possible programs. The last choice lets you select all programs. If you are using the Pro Tools plug-in, then you must use the "Mon8" type. The "Mon8" type plug-in is stereo-to-stereo but provides six additional outputs using the Pro Tools auxiliary output stems feature. To monitor all eight outputs you must create three additional stereo aux tracks and set their inputs to come from the plug-in inputs.
