KORG DS-DAC-10R Owner's Manual

Introduction

The DS-DAC-10R is a USB DAC/ADC that supports 1-bit DSD native playback/record on Windows (ASIO/WDM) or Mac (Core Audio). It enables high-quality 1-bit DSD sound when used with the AudioGate4 HIGH RESOLUTION MUSIC PLAYER application. It may also be possible with other Windows applications supporting ASIO 2.1 DSD.

Supported Input: PCM 44.1 kHz–192 kHz, 1-bit DSD 2.8224 MHz, 5.6448 MHz, Analog signal

Supported Audio Drivers: ASIO, WDM, Core Audio

Operating Requirements

Windows

Operating System: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 10 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 11

CPU: Intel® Core™ Processors 2.6 GHz or higher (base or max). Intel Core i3 or better recommended.

RAM: 4 GB or more

Mac OS

Operating System: macOS 10.11 or later

CPU: Intel® Core™ Processors 2.6 GHz or higher (base or max). Intel Core i3 or better recommended.

RAM: 4 GB or more

Download and Install

Windows Users

Use the KORG AudioGate and USB Audio Device Setup program to install the ASIO driver and AudioGate. Do not connect the DS-DAC-10R to your computer before driver installation is complete. If already connected, disconnect and reconnect after installation.

Installing the ASIO driver/AudioGate

1. Access the AudioGate 4 download page: http://www.korg.com/products/audio/audiogate4/download.php
2. Choose "AudioGate and USB Audio Device Setup," and download the Windows version of the setup program.
3. Decompress the downloaded .zip file. In the "KORG AudioGate and USB Audio Device Setup" folder, run Setup.
4. Click "Install DS-DAC-10R Driver" to install the ASIO driver.
5. If you wish to install AudioGate, click "Install AudioGate" in the setup panel. Follow the on-screen instructions, including reading "Activating AudioGate."
6. Click "Finish" to exit the setup program.

Note: For recording with applications other than AudioGate, install the "DS-DAC-10R Setting Tool" to adjust input levels.

ASIO driver installation procedure

The installation screens may vary slightly by Windows version, but the procedure remains the same. If prompted to continue, click [Install].

1. From the downloaded KORG AudioGate and USB Audio Device Setup panel, click "Install DS-DAC-10R Driver."
2. Select "English (United States)" from the language menu and click [OK].
3. Click [Next >] on the welcome screen.
4. Accept the license agreement and click [Next (N) >].
5. Click [Install] to begin the installation.
6. If a security warning appears, click [Install].
7. Click [Finish] to exit the installer.
8. Connect the DS-DAC-10R to your computer. Wait for the message "The device driver software was installed correctly."

Mac OS Users

Use the KORG AudioGate and USB Audio Device Setup program to install AudioGate. Driver installation is not necessary if you are using AudioGate.

Installing the AudioGate

1. Access the AudioGate 4 download page: http://www.korg.com/products/audio/audiogate4/download.php
2. Choose "AudioGate and USB Audio Device Setup Download," and download the Mac version.
3. Open the .dmg file. In the "KORG AudioGate and USB Audio Device Setup" folder, run Setup.
4. Click "Install AudioGate" in the setup panel. Follow the on-screen instructions, including reading "Activating AudioGate."
5. Click "Finish" to exit the setup program.

Note: For recording with applications other than AudioGate, install the "DS-DAC-10R Setting Tool" to adjust input levels.

KORG 2ch 1bit Audio Driver Control Panel Settings

On Mac, Sample Rate adjustments are made via AudioGate or Mac's Audio MIDI settings, not directly in the control panel.

On Windows, access the control panel via Start Menu → Control Panel → KORG 2ch 1bit Audio Driver → DS-DAC Audio I/O Driver Control Panel.

Buffer Size: Adjusts the buffer size. Moving the slider left decreases buffer size, right increases it. Larger buffer sizes increase latency but improve recording stability. It is generally recommended to use the maximum setting, adjusting only if latency is an issue during live recording.

Sampling Rate: Selects the sampling rate (44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz). This setting is used for WDM (WASAPI/Direct Sound) playback on Windows.

Operation

Front and Rear Panels

Front Panel:

• Headphone volume Knob
• Headphones jack

Rear Panel:

• Indicator (Power, Sample Rate, Rec Status)
• Line output jacks (L/R)
• Line input/Phono jacks (L/R)
• USB port
• Phono ground terminal

Preparations

After driver installation, connect the DS-DAC-10R to your computer via USB. The indicator will blink green and blue during setup and turn steadily lit when ready. Start AudioGate once the indicator is steadily lit.

The DS-DAC-10R is powered by USB bus power; no external AC adapter is required. Connect directly to a computer USB port for best results. If using a USB hub, ensure it has its own power supply, as bus-powered hubs may not provide sufficient power.

1. For headphone listening, connect headphones to the headphone jack.
2. For connecting to an amplifier and speakers, use appropriate cables to connect the line out jacks to your system.
3. For recording, connect the output cable of your analog device to the line input/phono jacks.

The indicator light color signifies connection status and sampling rate:

• Green: Connection from computer to DS-DAC-10R is enabled.
• Purple: 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz sampling rate.
• White: 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz sampling rate.
• Light blue: 2.8 MHz sampling rate.
• Dark blue: 5.6 MHz sampling rate.

In record-standby mode, the sampling rate and red indicator flash alternately. During recording, the indicator is solid red.

Basic Operation

DSD Native Playback via Windows (ASIO)

1. Install AudioGate and the USB Audio Device Setup program (see "Installing the ASIO driver/AudioGate" on page 3).
2. Connect the DS-DAC-10R and start AudioGate.
3. In AudioGate, go to [Edit] → [Preferences...] → [Audio Devices].
4. Set [Driver Type] to "ASIO."
5. Set [Output Device Name] to "KORG 2ch 1bit Audio Device."
6. Set [Sample Rate] to "Auto," "5.6 MHz," or "2.8 MHz."
7. Add DSDIFF, DSF, or WSD files to the song list by dragging them in. WAV or FLAC files will be converted to the selected sample rate.
8. Click the play button in AudioGate to play audio.
9. Adjust volume using the DS-DAC-10R's headphone volume knob.

DSD Native Playback via Mac (Core Audio)

1. Install AudioGate and the USB Audio Device Setup program (see "Installing the AudioGate" on page 6).
2. Connect the DS-DAC-10R and start AudioGate.
3. In AudioGate, go to Mac → [AudioGate] → [Preferences...] → [Audio Devices].
4. Set [Driver Type] to "Core Audio."
5. Set [Output Device Name] and [Input Device Name] to "KORG 2ch 1bit Audio Device." (Input Device Name can be left blank).
6. Set [Sample Rate] to "Auto," "5.6 MHz," or "2.8 MHz."
7. Add DSDIFF, DSF, or WSD files to the song list by dragging them in. WAV or FLAC files will be converted to the selected sample rate.
8. Click the play button in AudioGate to play audio.
9. Adjust volume using the DS-DAC-10R's headphone volume knob.

DSD Recording (Recording using AudioGate)

Preparations: For Mac users, set "KORG 2ch 1bit Audio Device" as the "Input Device Name" (refer to step 5 of "DSD native playback via Mac (Core Audio)" on page 12). The recorded file will be stereo with the sampling rate shown in AudioGate.

1. Connect the line output of your audio device or record player to the line/phono input jacks of the DS-DAC-10R using an audio cable. Connect the ground terminal if using a record player.
2. In AudioGate, click the "Rec Setting" button.
3. Set "Input Type" to "Line" or "Phono."
4. For LP recording, choose "Recording Phono Equalizer Type." Set to "Off" for playback equalization or select a curve for recording equalization.
5. Set "DSD Recording File Format" to "DSDIFF," "DSF," or "WSD."
6. Click "OK" to close recording settings.
7. Click AudioGate's input monitor button (Input Monitor).
8. Play back your audio device and adjust the input level slider so the clip indicator on the level meter does not light.
9. Click the record button [▶] to start recording.
10. Click the stop button [■] to stop recording.

Refer to the AudioGate4 owner's manual for more details.

DS-DAC-10R Setting Tool

This application is used to adjust input levels, check firmware version, and verify Line input/Phono jack types when not using AudioGate.

• Windows: Start Menu → All Programs → Korg → USB Audio Device → DS-DAC-10R Setting Tool.
• Mac: Applications → DS-DAC-10R Setting Tool.app.

Firmware Version: Displays the DS-DAC-10R's firmware version.

Input Level: Adjusts the input level for the DS-DAC-10R's Line input/Phono jacks.

Current Input: Indicates the type (LINE, PHONO) of the DS-DAC-10R's Line input/Phono jacks as specified in AudioGate.

Troubleshooting

For the latest information, visit the KORG website: http://www.korg.com/products/audio/ds_dac_10r/

Power Issues / Device Not Recognized / Unstable Operation

• USB Cable: Use the included USB cable. Ensure any third-party cable supports USB 2.0 High Speed.
• USB Hub: Avoid bus-powered USB hubs, as they may not supply sufficient power. Connect directly to the computer or use a self-powered USB hub supporting USB 2.0 High Speed.
• Check for broken USB cables or faulty computer USB ports.

No Sound

• Verify the DS-DAC-10R is recognized in the DS-DAC-10R Setting Tool.
• Windows: If Driver/Firmware versions show "Disconnected," disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
• macOS: If Driver/Firmware versions show "Disconnected," disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
• Refer to "Indicator is blinking" on page 17 for error indicators.

Cannot Select DSD

• Refer to "Indicator is blinking" on page 17 for error indicators.

Indicator is Blinking

• Blinking Slowly: Computer is in sleep mode. Indicator will become solid when the computer wakes.
• Rapidly Blinking Red: A system error has occurred. Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable. If the issue persists, contact your Korg distributor.

Sound Interruption / Noise

• Real-time Conversion (AudioGate): High CPU load during DSD conversion can cause issues. Use EXPORT to create a DSD file before playback.
• Laptop Computers: Power-saving settings can cause noise. Adjust power schemes in "Power Options" and disable other power-saving plans.
• Windows Playback: Open the KORG 2ch 1bit Audio Driver Control Panel and adjust the Buffer Size (see page 7). Increase Buffer Size for computers with limited processing capability.
• Mac Core Audio Playback: Adjust buffer size in AudioGate's audio device preferences.
• Sample Rate: A slight click may occur if the sample rate is set to Auto or changed manually, but this is not a malfunction.
• USB Port: Connect to a USB 2.0 port, not USB 3.0.
• Running too many software programs simultaneously may cause issues.
• Hiss from Headphone Output: Using headphones with an output impedance of 16 ohms or greater is recommended. High-efficiency, low-impedance earphones may produce a faint hiss.

Specifications

Audio Interface

Main Specs

Connectors

Supported OS

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 8.1 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 10 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows 11
macOS 10.11 or later

Included Items

USB cable

Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for improvement. All product names and company names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.