Creative Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 User manual

User’s Guide
Model No.: SB1380

Getting Started
Thank you for choosing Creative Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8, the next generation Sound Blaster® that
incorporates the powerful SB-Axx1 sound and voice processor. It is equipped with speaker and
microphone functions for both listening and conferencing capabilities. The SBX 8 (SB1380) model design
provides portability and low power consumption without compromising your audio pleasure.
The Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 comprises both right and left drivers within a single tower structure. This
system is equipped with the following features:
lSmall and highly portable form makes it ideal for laptop usage
lHigh quality audio
lSeamless support for various operating systems including Windows®8, Windows 7, Windows
Vista®and Mac®OS.
lPower efficient and environmentally friendly with its low power amplifier technology
lSpecialized software for different speaker enhancements and configurations
lSound BlasterAxx Pro Studio (SBX Pro Studio™)audio enhancements
lHigh quality built-in microphone with CrystalVoice™ technology
Package Checklist
Your Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 package comes with the following components
lThe Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 tower
lMicroUSB cable
System Requirements
lIntel® Core™2 Duo processor 2.2 GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64x2 Dual Core or equivalent processor
lAny of the following operating systems: Microsoft® Windows 8 64-bit or 32-bit; Windows 7 64-bit or
32-bit; Windows Vista 64-bit or 32-bit; Macintosh OS 10.5 or above
lPowered USB2.0 port
Registering Your Product
Registering your product ensures you receive the most appropriate service and product support
available. You can register your product during installation or at www.creative.com/register. Please
note that your warranty rights are not dependent on registration.
Getting Started -1-

More Help
For the latest news and products for the Sound Blaster, please visit www.soundblaster.com. The site
also includes information on making purchases, technical help and the latest software updates.
Using Creative Software AutoUpdate
Locating, downloading and installing updates for your Creative products is now simpler and faster with
the web-based Creative Software AutoUpdate system.
When you connect to Creative Software AutoUpdate via the Internet, the website will analyze your
computer system to determine your operating system, language and which Creative products are
connected to your system.
When this analysis is completed, you will then be given a list of only the most relevant software updates
for your connected products. The files can then be retrieved and installed.
To learn more about the Creative Software AutoUpdate, please visit www.soundblaster.com/support.
Notes:
First-time users of Creative Software AutoUpdate may be prompted to authorize the download of a
browser component required for system analysis. Check to ensure that this content is signed by
Creative Labs, Inc., then click the Yes button.
Please ensure that all your Creative products are connected and installed on the same computer
running Creative Software AutoUpdate.
Getting Started -2-

Understanding the Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8
The SBX 8 is equipped with a variety of input and output jacks to enable connection to various devices. A
touchscreen interface located at the top of the product gives you basic control over the various
functions. This chapter looks at these features in detail.
Connectivity - Input/Output Jacks
21
3
Jack Description
1 Headphone Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.50mm
(1/8-inch) plug.
2 AUX/ MICIN Connects to line-level sources (such as MP3
players) or microphones with a 3.50mm (1/8-inch)
plug.
Note: You can manually switch between AUX and
MIC inputs via the "Control Panel >Sound"
interface.
3 MicroUSB Connects to USB ports of PC/Mac for audio output.
Note: SBX 8 must be connected to either one of
the following via USB for power:
la computer
lan external USB battery pack (available
separately)
la USB power adapter* (available separately)
*USB power adapter available separately: DC 5V, 1A
Understanding the Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 -3-

TouchScreenControls
1
2
3
5
4
Toggle/Slider Description
1 Master Volume 7 segment slider indicates the speaker volume.
Slide upwards to increase the volume or slide
downwards to decrease the volume.
The master volume slider also acts as an
indication of power. SBX 8 is on if the master
volume slider is lighted and off otherwise. The
product is automatically powered on when
connected to the computervia USB.
2 SBX Toggles Sound BlasterAxx Pro Studio audio
enhancements ON/OFF. SBX Pro Studio is ON
when the LED is lighted and dimmed otherwise.
Note: Toggling SBX Pro Studio OFF will not
affect the status of Noise Reduction. Toggling
SBX Pro Studio ON will turn on Noise Reduction
only if it is selected in the SBX Pro Studio
settings exported to your device (via software).
3 Speaker Mute Indicates whether the speaker is muted.
4 Microphone Mute Indicates whether the inbuilt microphone is
muted.
5 Noise Reduction Toggles the NoiseReduction function ON/OFF.
Noise Reduction is ON when the LED is lighted
and dimmed otherwise.
Understanding the Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 -4-

Using Your Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8
Whether you wish to listen to your favorite tracks from MP3 players, experience realistic audio while
playing games on your PC and game consoles or receive clear voice and audio outputs during
video/audio conferencing without the hassle of an additional microphone or headset, your SBX 8 is the
ideal solution.
Various scenarios where the SBX 8 can be used include:
lConnecting the SBX 8 for Audio & Gaming Entertainment
Connect your product to your computer via USB or to other portable entertainment devices including
MP3 players, mobile phones etc. via the AUXIN jack and enjoy clear audio quality.
lConnecting the SBX 8 for Video/Audio Conferencing or Karaoke
The built-in microphone along with CrystalVoice technology provides a truly hands-free solution to
video/audio conferencing via the web. The "What You Hear" application further allows you to mix
the microphone input and the currently playing track or video with instant playback, creating a
Karaoke-type system on your computer.
lConnecting Headphones / Headsets
If required, headphones and headsets can be connected to the product's headphone jack.
Using Your Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 -5-

Connecting the SBX 8 for Audio & Gaming Entertainment
The SBX 8 is equipped with a MicroUSB jack and a AUX IN jack for connection to a wide array of
devices. This section illustrates the various connections.
PC / Mac
USB
MP3 Players and Other Portable Entertainment Devices
You can connect your SBX 8 to portable entertainment devices such as MP3 players via the Aux / Mic In
jack. Please note that the SBX 8 must either be connected to a computer, a wall socket using a USB
power adapter* (not included) or an external USB battery pack (not included) for power.
*USB power adapter available separately: DC 5V, 1A
Using Your Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 -6-

Connecting the SBX 8 for Video/Audio Conferencing or Karaoke
Video / Audio conferencing via the various messaging applications available in the market is made
simpler with the SBX 8's built-in high quality microphone. Equipped with configurable CrystalVoice
technology, the SBX 8, coupled with its microphone, delivers crystal clear voice and audio reception
during conferencing.
The product is also equipped with a "What You Hear" feature, allowing you to turn your computer into a
Karaoke station. Simply speak/sing into the product to mix your voice input with music tracks, hearing
the playback while recording.
You can also record voice conversations held over instant messaging tools such as Google Talk, Skype
etc. using the "Wave/Aux/Mic Mix" feature installed via the Creative driver.
Notes:
This feature is only available in the Windows environment.
To use this feature, simply follow the steps below:
1. Install the Creative Driver included in the software bundle for your product. Please refer to Using
the Software for installation instructions.
2. From the "Start" menu, navigate to the Windows "Control Panel" and view "Sound" settings.
3. In the "Sound" dialog window, select the "Recording " tab. From the list of devices connected to
your PC, right-click the "Wave/Aux/Mic Mix" device and select "Set as default device".
4. Activate your IM voice conversation.
5. Launch a third-party sound recording tool of your choice and start recording the conversation.
Using Your Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 -7-

Connecting Headphones / Headsets
Headphones and headsets can be connected to the product via the Headphone and MIC IN jack. Please
note that the speaker will be automatically muted when a headphone / headset is connected.
AUX/MIC IN
Using Your Sound BlasterAxx SBX 8 -8-

Using the Software
A specialized software for the SBX 8 is developed to provide additional enhancements to the audio and
voice inputs and outputs of the product. The software bundle supports a range of operating systems
including:
lWindows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista
lMac
To take full advantage of your SBX 8, we recommend downloading and installing this software into your
computer.
Notes:
Some applications are available only for certain operating systems. To learn more about each
application, please consult its respective Online Help.
Depending on your model and software version, the color theme of the user interface may differ.
Installation and Uninstallation - Windows
For Windows OS, the following applications are included in the software bundle:
lSound BlasterAxx Control Panel
lCreative SoftwareAutoUpdate
lCreative System Information
lProduct Registration
lCreative ALchemy
lHost OpenAL
lCreative Driver
You can also download the following bonus applications from www.creative.com/support.
lWavestudio
lMedia Toolbox (trial version)
Installing
Notes:
Please ensure that your product is connected to the computer running the installation.
1. Using a standard web browser, visit www.creative.com/support and locate the software package for
the Windows operating system.
2. Download this package into your local hard disk.
3. Locate and launch the software package.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5. When prompted, restart your computer.
Using the Software -9-