Merging Audio Device - WDM notes.

MAD WDM Speakers (Main)

WDM Speakers allows some applications to properly route Multichannel audio on the correct channels (which is not possible with WDM Line outputs).
To fully take advantage of this feature, please go in Windows Control Panel > Sound Control Panel.
Select the Speakers - Merging Audio Device output and click on the Configure button at the bottom of this window.
Depending on the number of outputs set for the WDM Speakers (Main) output, you can select your speakers layout (Stereo, Quadriphonic, 5.1,...)
Note: On some systems, the speakers layout is not properly recalled by Windows (after a computer restart for example).  This issue is currently under investigation.
In such case, the user should reapply the speakers layout in Windows Control Panel > Sound Control Panel. - Configure.

Windows Advanced sound options

Windows allows you to set specific audio devices to applications.
For example, this allows you to use Merging Audio Device WDM for media players applications, and have Windows System sounds on another device.
Go in Windows Settings > System > Sound and select Advanced sound options to configure the applications Outputs and Inputs (if relevant).
The application must be started to be displayed in this page.

352.8 / 384 kHz Support

Compatible Windows applications :

Applications NOT compatible for 352.8 / 384 kHz sampling rate on WDM : 
Quicktime - Windows Media Player - Windows Groove Music / Films & TV - Google Chrome - Microsoft Edge - Spotify App (workaround : use Spotify web player with Firefox browser) 

Multichannel playback Applications known issues

Some applications won't playback (or remain silent) if MAD has more than 2 channels for WDM. 
In such case, please use the WDM Speakers (Main) output, and configure your speakers layout :
Go in Windows Control Panel > Sound Control Panel.
Select the Speakers - Merging Audio Device output and click on the Configure button at the bottom of this window.
Depending on the number of outputs set for the WDM Speakers (Main) output, you can select your speakers layout (Stereo, Quadriphonic, 5.1,...).
Example with WDM Speakers (Main) with 8 outputs :

If you can't use the WDM Speakers (Main) output, but only the MAD AUX output, please see the following applications workaround:

VLC:
When the MAD - WDM outputs channels is set to more than 2, VLC may crash or remain silent.
Please set VLC audio output mode to Waveout (Tools > Preferences > Audio > Output Module)
Please user VLC version 3.0.10 (or above) - previous versions may crash when starting playback.
Such option is not available in VLC Microsoft Store app, please use the desktop version.

Spotify :
When the MAD - WDM outputs channels is set to more than 2, Spotify shows a "Spotify can't play this right now.  If you have the file on your computer you can import it."
Please use  Spotify web player (with Firefox browser for 352.8/384 kHz support)
Or go in Windows Control Panel > Sound > Playback.  Select the Merging Audio Device, and access its Properties.  In the Advanced tab, set the Default format to 2 channels.

Note: On some systems, the speakers layout is not properly recalled by Windows (after a computer restart for example).  This issue is currently under investigation.
In such case, the user should reapply the speakers layout in Windows Control Panel > Sound Control Panel. - Configure.

MAD WDM Multiple Stereo Devices

All the WDM devices will run at the same sampling rate.