How to use this manual Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Creative Audio Software Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd.
Contents Introduction High Definition Digital Audio Entertainment....................................... viii What is EAX ADVANCED HD? ............................................................ ix Package Contents ............................................................................. x System Requirements ...................................................................... x Sound Blaster Audigy card.........................................................
Installing Drivers and Applications............................................................ 2-1 Uninstalling Applications ........................................................................ 2-1 Reinstalling Applications.......................................................................... 2-2 Updating Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2) ................................................. 2-3 3 Sound Blaster Audigy Applications Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Applications.................................
Creating non- General-MIDI- compliant files .................................... 4-2 Digital Entertainment.............................................................................. 4-2 Watching surround movies............................................................. 4-2 Compiling personal albums ............................................................ 4-3 Content Creation.................................................................................... 4-3 Applying voice effects...............
Audigy Processor ...................................................................A-1 High Quality Audio Path..........................................................A-1 Professional Digital Audio Processing........................................A-2 Flexible Mixer Control.............................................................A-2 Dolby Digital (AC-3) Decoding.................................................A-2 Creative Multi Speaker SurroundTM (CMSSTM) .........................
Problems with DV driver for Windows 98 SE/2000/Me .............................. B-11 Problems with File Transfers on Some VIA Chipset Motherboards............... B-12 Problems in Windows XP .......................................................................
Introduction
Introduction High Definition Digital Audio Entertainment Thank you for purchasing Sound Blaster Audigy. It is the most complete highdefinition digital audio entertainment solution that you will ever come across. Two models are covered in this manual: Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394), with SB1394 connectivity, and Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394), without SB1394 support. SB1394 applications are only applicable for the Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) model.
What is EAX ADVANCED HD? EAX ADVANCED HD brings a new level of performance, power and flexibility to PC audio. Taking advantage of the increased processing capabilities of the Sound Blaster Audigy Processor, EAX ADVANCED HD delivers a host of new high definition audio features for gaming and music enhancement. The all-new EAX ADVANCED HD Game Audio Library takes in-game audio acoustics to a whole new level. New Multi-EnvironmentTM technology renders up to 4 simultaneous audio environments in real time.
Package Contents The following items are included in your package: ❑ Sound Blaster Audigy card ❑ Joystick/MIDI bracket for Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card ❑ Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD System Requirements Sound Blaster Audigy card ❑ Genuine Intel® Pentium® II 350 MHz, AMD® K6 450 MHz or faster class processor ❑ Intel, AMD or 100%-Intel compatible motherboard chipset ❑ Windows® 98 Second Edition (SE), Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows NT 4.
❑ Second generation or later DVD-ROM drive with these recommended soft-DVD players: InterVideo’s Win DVD 2000 or CyberLink’s PowerDVD 3.0 or later Other applications may have higher system requirements or may require a microphone. Refer to the application’s online Help documentation for details. Getting More Information Refer to the Sound Blaster Audigy Online Quick Start and the various online Help files for detailed information on Creative applications.
Document Conventions The following typographical conventions are used throughout this manual: The notepad icon indicates information that is of particular importance and should be considered before continuing. The alarm clock designates a caution or warning that can help you avoid situations involving risk. The warning sign indicates that failure to adhere to directions may result in bodily harm or life-threatening situations.
1 Installing Hardware This chapter tells you how to install the Sound Blaster Audigy hardware.
Installing Hardware What You Need Before you begin installation, be sure that you have these: Audio Extension (Digital I/O) Connector * In addition, you will also need an available PCI slot and another adjacent available slot on your computer. OR Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) card Phillips-head screwdriver (not included) Joystick/MIDI bracket** * Available only on some models for connection to the Sound Blaster Audigy Drive or Optical-Digital I/O card.
Your Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) Card Refer to the User Guide, “Hardware Information”, for connector pin assignments. Your Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card has these connectors that allow you to attach other devices: CD Audio connector (CD_IN) Connects to the Analog Audio output on a CD-ROM or DVDROM drive using a CD audio cable. Telephone Answering Device connector (TAD) Provides a mono connection from a standard voice modem, and transmits microphone signals to the modem.
Your Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) Card Your Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) card has these connectors that allow you to attach other devices: CD Audio connector (CD_IN) Connects to the Analog Audio output on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive using a CD audio cable. Telephone Answering Device connector (TAD) Provides a mono connection from a standard voice modem, and transmits microphone signals to the modem.
Your Joystick/ MIDI Bracket: For Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) Your Joystick/MIDI bracket has this connector that can be attached to other devices: This bracket is bundled with some models of Sound Blaster Audigy card. Joystick/MIDI connector Connects to a joystick or a MIDI device. You can buy an optional MIDI kit that allows you to plug in a joystick and MIDI device simultaneously. Rear view of connector bracket Figure 1-3: Connector on the Joystick/MIDI bracket.
Installation Steps Step 1: Prepare your computer Turn off the main power supply and disconnect your computer’s power cord. Systems using an ATX power supply unit with soft power off may still be powering the PCI slot. This can damage your audio card when it is inserted into the slot. 1. Turn off your computer and all peripheral devices. 2. Touch a metal plate on your computer to ground yourself and to discharge any static electricity, and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. 3.
Step 2: Install the Sound Blaster Audigy card Do not force the audio card into the slot. Make sure that the gold finger PCI connector on the Sound Blaster Audigy card is aligned with the PCI bus connector on the motherboard before you insert the card into the PCI expansion slot. If it does not fit properly, gently remove it and try again. 1. Align the Sound Blaster Audigy card with the PCI slot and press the card gently but firmly into the slot as shown in Figure 1-5.
Step 3: Connect to audio cable (Optional step for Analog or Digital CD audio cable connection) For analog CD audio output: connect the Analog CD audio cable from the Analog Audio connector on your CDROM/DVD-ROM drive to the CD_IN connector on the Sound Blaster Audigy card as shown in Figure 1-6. For digital CD audio output: connect the Digital CD audio cable from the Digital Audio connector on your CDROM/DVD-ROM drive to the CD_SPDIF connector on the Sound Blaster Audigy card as shown in Figure 1-6.
Step 4: Connect to power supply 1. Replace the computer cover. 2. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet, and turn on the computer. To connect your Sound Blaster Audigy card to other devices, see “Connecting Related Peripherals” on page 1-9. To install drivers and software, refer to “Installing Drivers and Applications” on page 2-1.
Connecting Related Peripherals Sound Blaster Audigy will give you endless hours of listening pleasure. Figure 1-7 shows you how to connect related peripherals to your Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) and Figure 1-8 shows you how to connect related peripherals to your Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) to optimize your enjoyment. Analog/Digital Out connector Analog Mode (default): Connects to Center and Subwoofer channels.
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive Analog/Digital Out connector Analog Mode (default): Connects to Center and Subwoofer channels. Digital Mode: Connects to digital speakers* (via the miniplug-to-DIN cable, which is included with your speakers), MiniDisc or DAT. MPC-to-MPC (4-pin) Analog CD audio cable For instructions on how to switch between digital and analog modes, refer to topic “Digital Output Only” of the Creative Surround Mixer online Help. Cassette and CD player, Synthesizer, etc.
Connecting Speaker Systems If you are playing games in Windows 98 SE MS-DOS mode (pure DOS mode), you must: • Make sure the CD Audio connector on the Sound Blaster Audigy card and the Analog Audio connector on the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive are connected. • In addition, if you get distorted sound, do not connect the CD SPDIF connector on the Sound Blaster Audigy card to the Digital Audio connector on the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
If you are connecting Sound Blaster Audigy to Cambridge SoundWorks DTT2500 or Cambridge SoundWorks PlayWorks 2500 speaker systems via the miniplug-toDIN cable connection, you may achieve 5.1 channels by selecting the music or movie mode on your decoder Playing Games and Music, and Watching Movies with a 4.1 or 5.
Connecting External Consumer Devices Dolby Digital Decoder/ Amplifier Analog/Digital Out connector 3.5 mm (mono)to-RCA cable Line Out Dolby Digital (AC-3) SPDIF In Rear Out Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card Tip : Left / Center channel Discrete 6-channel Amplifier Ring : Right / Subwoofer channel 3.5mm (stereo)-toRCA cable Analog Front, Rear and Center/ Sub Inputs Additional information: For connection to Center and Subwoofer channels using a 3.
Dolby Digital Decoder/ Amplifier Analog/Digital Out connector 3.5 mm (mono)to-RCA cable Dolby Digital (AC-3) SPDIF In Line Out Rear Out Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) card Discrete 6-channel Amplifier 3.5mm (stereo)to-RCA cable Analog Front, Rear and Center/ Sub Inputs Tip : Left / Center channel Ring : Right / Subwoofer channel Additional information: For connection to Center and Subwoofer channels using a 3.
Positioning Your Speakers If you are using four speakers, place them so that they form the corners of a square with you exactly in the center (as in Figure 1-13) and that they are angled toward you. Make sure that the computer monitor is not blocking the path of your front speakers. You may want to adjust the relative positions of the speakers until you get the audio experience you like best. If you have a subwoofer, place the unit in a corner of the room for the best bass experience.
2 Installing Software This chapter tells you how to install the Sound Blaster Audigy software.
Installing Software Installing Drivers and Applications During the installation process, Windows 98SE users will be prompted to insert the Windows 98SE installation CD into the CD-ROM drive. Insert the installation CD into the CD-ROM drive and then click the OK button. If your system was not provided with a Windows 98 SE CD, but rather a Recovery CD; or if you installed the Windows 98SE cabinet files onto your system during installation, click the Browse button to locate the file in C:\Windows\Options\Cabs.
1. Insert the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. The disc supports Windows AutoPlay mode and starts running automatically. If not, see “Problems Installing Software” on page B-1. 2. Close all audio card applications. Applications that are still running during the uninstallation will not be removed. 3. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. 4. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. 5. Click the Install/Uninstall tab and select Sound Blaster Audigy.
Updating Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2) Windows 2000 now provides better support for AC-3 SPDIF output (non-PCM through waveOut) for software DVD viewing. Click the website address below to go to Microsoft’s Windows 2000 web site to download the Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 to enjoy this support and to fix other issues in the Windows 2000 OS. http://microsoft.com/windows2000/default.
3 Sound Blaster Audigy Applications This chapter tells you how to get the most out of your Sound Blaster Audigy.
Sound Blaster Audigy Applications Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Applications The applications included with Sound Blaster Audigy may differ from the ones described here. Sound Blaster Audigy is supported by a full range of applications to help you get the most from your audio card.
Creative Taskbar Creative Taskbar is an application that allows you to perform tasks with your audio card easily and quickly. Just select a task and everything is done for you — the necessary applications are started and your mixer and effects settings are configured automatically. Creative Taskbar also comes with Creative TaskGuide, which provides tips and useful links related to the selected task. For more information and usage details on Creative Taskbar, refer to its online Help.
EAX ADVANCED HD Gold Mine Experience Run this demonstration, which is set in a gold mine, and experience EAX ADVANCED HD technologies such as Environment Panning, Environment Reflection and Environment Morphing. Compare the scenes with and without EAX ADVANCED HD, and understand why more game developers are using EAX ADVANCED HD technologies for the best gaming experience.
For more information and usage details on Creative Surround Mixer, refer to its online Help. Creative AudioHQ AudioHQ is Creative's audio software control center. The AudioHQ interface has the standard look and feel of the Windows Control Panel. It contains several control applets that allow you to view, audition or set up the audio properties of one or more audio devices on your computer.
Creative Keyboard Creative Keyboard is a virtual keyboard that allows you to audition or play musical notes produced through MIDI devices. To edit the sound, use Vienna SoundFont Studio or another sound editor. MIDI Input You can use external MIDI input devices to audition your MIDI banks and instruments. First, connect a MIDI input device to your audio card and then select that device in Creative Keyboard.
❑ For more information and usage details on Creative WaveStudio, refer to its online Help. Creative PlayCenter Creative PlayCenter is a revolutionary audio CD and digital audio (such as MP3 or WMA) player. Besides managing your favorite digital audio files on your computer, it is also an integrated MP3/WMA encoder for ripping audio CD tracks into compressed digital audio files. It can encode tracks many times faster than normal play speed and up to 320 kbps (for MP3).
Creative Restore Defaults Creative Restore Defaults allows you to restore all your audio settings to the default settings.
4 Using Applications This chapter tells you which applications to use for content creation, gaming and entertainment purposes.
Using Applications Sound Blaster Audigy offers you high-quality multimedia playback, digital entertainment, content creation capability, Internet entertainment and gaming. The following pages tell you which applications would best suit your needs. Multimedia Playback Watching DVDs Some software DVD player versions may not decode 5.1 output, but can pass the S/PDIF output to an external device.
Playing MP3 or WMA files Creative PlayCenter supports and plays MP3 and WMA files. Playing back Wave and CD Audio files Use Creative PlayCenter to play back both Wave and CD Audio files. WAV is the format for digital audio files on the Windows operating platform. CD Audio refers to audio compact discs that can be played on your CD-ROM drive. Playing MIDI files MIDI (*.MID) is a music format that uses an internal synthesizer for playback.
Compiling personal albums You can compile albums containing CD Audio, WAV or MIDI files using Creative PlayCenter. Content Creation Applying voice effects When singing and recording your own songs, you can enhance your voice, or even add special effects. You can do this with EAX Control, which can be accessed from Creative Surround Mixer. Recording sound and effects Creative Recorder is an easy way of recording any audio source without worrying about mixer settings.
support allows you to create all these with amazingly low latency (solving multitrack sync up issues). Creating music You can create desktop music on your Sound Blaster Audigy using Cubasis VST. Hook up a MIDI controller keyboard to the MIDI/Joystick port and you instantly have a high quality synthesizer with this software. The sequencing software provided also lets you compose your own music compositions and arrangements.
Internet Entertainment Encoding CD songs to MP3 format With Creative PlayCenter, you can encode and record all your favorite CD songs into your computer’s hard drive, so that you have a database of customized song lists. Downloading and playing MP3 songs With Creative PlayCenter, you can add current songs to your database by downloading them from various sites on the Internet.
Enjoying DirectSound3D support DirectSound3D (DS3D) games are supported on your Sound Blaster Audigy. You can hear sounds positioned in 3D space that enhance your game experience. Enjoying A3D 1.0 support Your card translates A3D calls into DirectSound3D, meaning that you can enjoy A3D games. Customizing environments for non-3D games You can create customized environments for your non-EAX ADVANCED HD games using the EAX Control panel, which can be accessed from Creative Surround Mixer.
A General Specifications This section displays the specifications of your Sound Blaster Audigy card.
General Specifications This section lists the specifications of your Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) or Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) cards, and Joystick/MIDI bracket for Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394). Features PCI Bus Mastering ❑ Half-length PCI Specification Version 2.
Professional Digital Audio Processing ❑ Supports Sony/Philips Digital Interface (SPDIF) format input signal of up to 24bit/96 kHz quality ❑ SPDIF output up to 24-bit resolution at selectable sampling rate of 44.
Creative Multi Speaker SurroundTM (CMSSTM) ❑ Multispeaker technology ❑ Upmixes mono or stereo sources to 5.
❑ Stereo headphone (32-ohm load) support on Front Line-Out SB1394 Interfaces ❑ One 2 x 5 pin Internal SB1394 connector (J6) on card for connection to the Audigy Extension card (with Audigy Drive upgrade option available only on some models) ❑ One 6-pin SB1394 connector/port on rear bracket The 6-pin SB1394 connector/port has a 2 watt maximum power output. Connect only one high power usage device such as the IEEE 1394 hard disk and CDRW drive to this port unless it is self-powered.
❑ TAD line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card ❑ CD_SPDIF digital input via 2-pin Molex connector on card Audio Outputs ❑ ANALOG/DIGITAL OUT via 4-pole 3.
B Troubleshooting This section provides solutions to problems you may encounter during installation or normal use.
Troubleshooting This appendix provides solutions to problems you may encounter during installation or normal use. Problems Installing Software The installation does not start automatically after the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD is inserted. The AutoPlay feature in your Windows system may not be enabled. To start the installation program through the My Computer shortcut menu: 1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your Windows desktop. 2.
Problems with Sound There is unexpected excessive environmental sound or effects when an audio file is played. The last selected preset is an inappropriate environment for the current audio file. To switch to an appropriate environment: 1. Double-click the EAX Control Panel icon in AudioHQ. 2. In the Environment box, click the down arrow to select (No effects) or an appropriate environment. No sound from the headphones. Check the following: ❑ The headphones are connected to the Headphones jack.
Individual analog recording sources cannot be selected in Surround Mixer. Five analog recording sources are combined under the selection Analog Mix (Line/ CD/TAD/Aux/PC). For more information, see “Individual analog recording sources are not displayed in Surround Mixer.” on page B-2. To record an individual analog source: ❑ In the one-column record panel of Surround Mixer, make sure the recording source selected is Analog Mix (Line/CD/TAD/Aux/PC).
❑ The Speaker selection in the Main panel of Surround Mixer corresponds to your speaker or headphone configuration. ❑ The Original Sound sliders in either or both the Master and Source tabbed pages of the EAX Control Panel application are set to 100%. No audio output when playing audio CDs or DOS games that require a CD-ROM. To solve this problem, do one of the following: ❑ Make sure the Analog Audio connector on the CD-ROM drive and the CD In connector on the audio card are connected.
For Windows 2000 and Windows XP Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. In the Control Panel dialog box, double-click the System icon. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab. Click the Device Manager button. Double-click the DVD/CD-ROM drives icon. Your computer drives will appear. 6. Right-click the disk drive icon. A menu will appear. 7. Click Properties. 8.
Insufficient SoundFont Cache There is insufficient memory to load SoundFonts. This may occur when a SoundFont-compatible MIDI file is loaded or played while insufficient memory has been allocated to SoundFonts. To allocate more SoundFont cache: On the Options tabbed page of the SoundFont Control applet, move the SoundFont Cache slider to the right. The trade-off of a smaller SoundFont file is its lower sound quality. The amount of SoundFont cache you can allocate depends on the system RAM available.
• Clear the check box to disable it. If you have a Disable In This Hardware Profile check box: • Make sure that the check box is selected to disable it. 7. Click OK to restart Windows and for the change to take effect. When the Gameport Joystick interface is disabled, the entry in Device Manager has a red cross. The joystick is not working properly in some programs. The program may use the system processor timing to calculate the joystick position.
❑ If your computer detects any other installed audio card, a message box recommending that you completely uninstall and remove the older audio device will appear. Click the Yes button to continue with the installation of the Sound Blaster Audigy card. After the installation of the Sound Blaster Audigy card, completely uninstall the existing card and remove the audio card from your computer. The onboard audio chipset is not working well. To disable an onboard audio chipset, do the following: 1.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon. 3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab. 4. Double-click Sound, Video And Game Controllers, and then select Creative Sound Blaster Live! Series or Creative Sound Blaster PCI512. 5. Click the Properties button. 6. In the Properties dialog box: If you have an Original Configuration (Current) check box: • Clear the check box to disable it.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab. 4. Under the Sound, Video And Game Controllers entry, select the conflicting audio card driver—indicated by an exclamation mark (!)—and click the Properties button. 5. In the Properties dialog box, click the Resources tab. 6. Make sure that the Use automatic settings check box is selected, and click the OK button. 7. Restart your system to allow Windows 98 SE/Me to reassign resources to your audio card and/or the conflicting device.
5. Click the OK button to close the dialog box. The drivers are removed. Problems with Software DVD Player Changing audio configuration (for example, switching from 6-channel mode to SPDIF Output mode or vice versa) while watching a DVD movie does not seem to work, even though all settings in the software DVD player and in Surround Mixer are correct. To solve this problem: Close and restart the software DVD player.
4. Click the Finish button. 5. Turn off and then turn on your DV camcorder. Problems with File Transfers on Some VIA Chipset Motherboards After you install the Audigy card on a VIA chipset motherboard, you may have the slight chance of seeing one of the following: When transferring large amounts of data, the computer stops responding (‘hangs’) or restarts itself, OR Files transferred from another drive are incomplete or corrupted.
❑ Some users have solved the above problems by doing one or both of the following: • downloading the latest VIA 4in1 drivers from http://www.viatech.com*, • obtaining the most current BIOS for your motherboard from the manufacturer’s web site*. • *Content in these web sites is controlled by other companies. Creative bears no responsibility for information or downloads obtained from them. This information is provided only as a convenience to you.
Problems in Windows XP A Hardware Installation error message appears on a Windows XP operating system when non-Creative applications are being installed. At the time of this product's release, Microsoft strongly encouraged companies to submit their hardware solutions for certification. If a hardware device driver is not submitted, or does not qualify, for Microsoft certification, a warning message similar to the one below appears.
Index
A Analog Audio connector 1-7 Analog CD audio cable 1-7 analog/digital out jack 1-2, 1-3 applications AudioHQ 3-4 Creative Diagnostics 3-3 Creative PlayCenter 2 3-6 Creative Recorder 2 3-6 Creative Restore Defaults 3-7 Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Demonstration 3-2, 3-3 Creative Surround Mixer 3-3 Creative Wave Studio 3-5 installing 2-1 uninstalling 2-1 Audigy card 1-2 audio card 1-2 AudioHQ Creative Keyboard 3-5 EAX control 3-5 MIDI input 3-5 AUX connector 1-2, 1-3 C CD Audio connector 1-2, 1-3 CD SPDIF c
multimedia playback 4-1 music with visual animation 4-5 P PCI slot 1-6 Playing games 1-11 positioning speakers 1-15 R rear out jack 1-2, 1-3 reinstalling audio driver 2-2 S SB Audigy card 1-7 SB1394 connector 1-2 T telephone answering device connector 1-2, 1-3 troubleshooting B-1 DV driver B-11 I/O conflicts B-9 installing software B-1 joystick B-6, B-8 software DVD player B-11 sound B-2 SoundFont Cache B-6 Windows NT 4.