There are two methods in Windows for an application to
communicate with a sound card (or in our case, a WNIP driver that is emulating
a sound card.) WDM means Windows Driver Model. The application talks to Windows
and Windows then talks to the driver. Most automation systems such as RCS,
ENCO, BSI, Win-OMT, Playout One, NextKast, Myriad, and Wide Orbit use WDM, as do most common audio
applications. When using a WDM driver, the playback and record channels will
appear in the Windows Control Panel under Sound.
ASIO is a driver type developed by Steinberg that connects
the sound card (or virtual WNIP sound card) directly to the application. This
reduces latency because it’s not passing through the Windows Sound system (as a
result, the driver channels will not appear in the Windows Control Panel under
Sound.) If you are using AudioVault automation or a high-end DAW that does not
support WDM, you will use the ASIO driver. (Note that Adobe Audition will use
either WDM or ASIO depending upon which media type you choose in Audition’s
hardware settings.)
You will need to choose which type to install; you cannot
use both at the same time.