Virtualizing windows audio programs, Introduction, How it works – Metric Halo Mobile I/O User Manual
Page 213: What you need, How to set it up, 213 how it works, 213 what you need, 213 how to set it up
Routing Examples
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If you want to use this example as a tracking set up, choose Save As... from the file menu. This brings up a
standard Macintosh save dialog and allows you to save the entire state of MIO Console as a setup document.
Virtualizing Windows audio programs
Introduction
With the introduction of virtualization technology from:
• Parallels (
)
• VMware Fusion
Mobile I/O users have an exciting new way of using their Mobile I/O hardware with their Intel-based Macs.
Since virtualization allows you to run Windows at near-native speeds under Mac OS X on your Intel-based
Mac, it also provides a path to allow you to use Windows-based software with your Mobile I/O.
How it Works
The hardware abstraction layer provides a standard Windows stereo audio driver to the Windows programs
running in the virtualization layer. Parallels and Fusion connect this virtual audio driver to the actual audio
hardware using the CoreAudio driver running under the host OS (Mac OS X). This allows you connect an
audio program running in Windows (under virtualization) to your MIO! The virtualization technology provides
remarkable levels of performance on the Intel-based Macs and allows audio programs to run in realtime while
running virtualized under Mac OS X. Since the Mobile I/O CoreAudio driver and MIO Console are running
natively under Mac OS X, they run at full performance. You can run MIO Console (and any other Mac OS
X application) in parallel with the Windows programs running under the virtualization layer. This means that
you have full access to +DSP, the Mixer and all the analog I/O controls in MIO Console.
What you need
In order to be able to use your Windows applications with the MIO, you will need the following:
• An Intel-based Mac
• A copy of Parallels or Fusion
• An install of the Windows operating system
• The Windows-based audio apps you want to use
• and, of course, a Mobile I/O
How to set it up
The first step is to acquire and install the software. It can be purchased from:
•
•
It is very easy to install; just follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Part of the installation process
is a simple procedure for installing the Windows operating system on the virtual machine. Of course, if you
already have virtualization software and Windows installed on your Mac you are pretty much ready to go.
The next step is to install the Windows-based audio software on the virtual machine. This is exactly the same
process as it is to install the software on Windows.
Finally, you need to select the MIO as the default audio input and output device for the Mac in System Pref-
erences > Sound. Once you have made this selection, Windows’ audio will be routed to and from channels
1 and 2 of your MIO.
Now launch the Windows-based audio application and start working. The stereo output from the app will
appear on DAW 1 and 2 in the MIO; Analog Inputs 1 + 2 will appear on the inputs to the Windows audio app.