Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FXSB1570 User manual

User’s Guide
Model No.: SB1570

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Creative's latest audio revolution, Sound Blaster Audigy Fx! With
cutting edge technology from the leaders in PC audio, Sound Blaster Audigy Fx will give you years of
reliable entertainment on your PCIExpress(PCIe®) enabled personal computer.
This User Guide contains software installation and usage information for your audio card.
System Requirements
Minimum Requirements
lIntel®Core™2 Duo or AMD®processor equivalent (Core™2 2.0 GHz, AMD processor equivalent or
faster recommended)
lIntel or AMD compatible motherboard
lMicrosoft®Windows®8 32-bit or 64-bit; Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit; Windows Vista 32-bit or 64-bit
l1 GB RAM
l>600 MB of free hard disk space
lAvailable PCI Express slot*
lCD or DVD drive for software installation
lHigh quality headphones or powered amplified speakers (available separately)
Additional Requirements (where applicable)
DVD-Video
l6x or faster DVD drive
lDVD player software such as InterVideo®WinDVD®or CyberLink®PowerDVD®(latest version
recommended) installed.
l5.1 speakers for optimal listening experience
Note
l*Some motherboards reserve the PCI Express x16 slots for video cards only. Use a x1 or x4 slot
instead. For more information, consult the documentation of your motherboard.
lOther applications may have higher system requirements. For more information, consult the
documentation of your application.
Introduction 1

More Help
For the latest news and products for Sound Blaster, visit www.soundblaster.com. The site also includes
information on making purchases, technical help, and the latest driver 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 web site will analyze your
computer system to determine what operating system (OS), language, and Creative products are
installed in your system.
After the online analysis, you will be able to select from a list of only the most relevant software and
driver updates. The files will then be retrieved and installed on your system for you.
To learn more about Creative Software AutoUpdate, visit www.soundblaster.com/support.
Note
lFirst-time users of Creative Software AutoUpdate may be prompted to authorize the download of a
browser component required for system inspection. Ensure that the content is signed by Creative
Labs, Inc., then click the Yes button.
lEnsure that all your Creative products are connected and installed on the same computer running
Creative Software AutoUpdate.
Introduction 2

About Your Hardware
For instructions on installing your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx audio card, consult the Quick Start leaflet.
To learn more about your product, consult the following section:
Note
Actual products may differ slightly from those shown in this chapter.
Your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Audio card
Your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx audio card has the jacks and connectors below to enable the attachment
of a wide variety of devices.
Model No.: SB1570
1
6
2
3
4
5
Jack or Connector Description
1. Line In jack Connects to line-level sources(for example, MP3
players).
2. Microphone In jack Connects to microphones with a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
plug.
3. Headphone / Line Out 1
(Front L/R) jack
Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.5mm (1/8-
inch) plug or Front Left and Front Right inputs on
powered analog speakers or an A/V receiver.
4. Line Out 2 jack
(Rear L/R)
Connects to theRear Left and Rear Right inputs on
powered analog speakers or an A/V receiver.
5. Line Out 3 jack
(Center/Subwoofer)
Connects to theFront Center andSubwoofer inputs
on powered analog speakers or an A/V receiver.
6. Front Panel Header
Audio connector
Connects to one end of the Intel Front PanelAudio
cable (available separately). See Front Panel Header
Audio Connector for specifications.
About Your Hardware 3

Connecting Speakers and Headphones
The connectors and associated components shown here may be different from that of your speaker
system. Consult the documentation of your speaker system to identify similar input connectors. You can
upmix your stereo sources (for example, CDAudio, MP3, WMA, MIDI and Wave) to enjoy multi-channel
sound on your speakers or headphones.
To learn how to connect different types of speaker systems to your audio card, consult the following
sections:
lConnecting Analog Speaker Systems
lConnecting Home Theater Systems
lConnecting Headphones and Headsets
For tips on how to arrange your speakers, consult Positioning Your Speakers.
For a list of supported Creative speaker systems or interactive help on speaker connectivity, visit
www.soundblaster.com.
Note
lActual products may differ slightly from those shown in this chapter.
lSelect the correct speaker setup or headphone option in the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel
to get the best experience. For more information, refer to their respective Online Help.
lThe cables shown in this chapter may be bundled with your peripheral or are available separately
from www.creative.com.
lFor more information on the Creative peripherals mentioned in this chapter, visit
www.creative.com.
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 4

Positioning Your Speakers
Good speaker placement is crucial to getting optimal performance from your audio system and
achieving an enhanced listening experience. Below are our recommendation for 5.1 channel speakers.
For detailed speaker placement tips, consult the documentation of your speaker system.
For 5.1 channel speakers:
1
56
2 4
3
Speaker Component
1. Subwoofer
2. Front left
3. Front Center
4. Front Right
5. Rear Right
6. Rear Left
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 5

Connecting Analog Speaker Systems
Your audio card supports analog speaker systems of up to 5.1 channels. To learn more about connecting
different channel speaker systems, consult the following sections:
l2.1 channel analog speakers
l5.1 channel analog speakers
2.1 channel analog speakers
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
audio
inputs
speakers
audio
inputs
1
2
3
Jack, Connector or Cable
1. Headphone / Line Out 1 jack (Front L/R)
2. 2 channel audio cable (available separately)
3. Audio Input jack
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 6

5.1 channel analog speakers
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
front rear center/
subwoofer
audio
inputs
center
speaker
front
speakers
rear
speakers
front rear center/
subwoofer
audio
inputs
2
3
1
4
756
Jack, Connector or Cable
1. Headphone / Line Out 1 jack (Front L/R)
2. Line Out 2 jack (Rear L/R)
3. Line Out 3 jack (Center/Subwoofer)
4. 5.1 channel audio cable (available separately)
5. Front (Audio Input) jack
6. Rear (Audio Input) jack
7. Center/Subwoofer (Audio Input) jack
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 7

Connecting Home Theater Systems
Most home theater systems connect the audio card to an A/V receiver. For more information on your
A/V receiver's speaker connections, consult the documentation of your A/V receiver.
If your A/V receiver supports multi-channel line-level inputs, you can connect them directly to your
audio card's Line Out jacks as shown below.
Connect to Headphone / Line Out 1 (Front L/R)
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
2
1
3
4
Jack, Connector or Cable Description
1. Headphone / Line Out 1 jack (Front
L/R)
Connects to the Front left and Front Right
jacks on your A/V receiver, using a 3.5mm
(1/8-inch) stereo-to-RCA cable (available
separately).
2. 3.5mm (1/8-inch) stereo-to-
RCAcable (available separately)
Connects your audio card and A/V receiver.
3. Front Left jack Connects to the Line Out 1 jack on your
audio card, using a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
stereo-to-RCA cable (available separately).
4. Front Right jack Connects to the Line Out 1 jack on your
audio card, using a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
stereo-to-RCA cable (available separately).
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 8

Connect Line Out 2 (Rear L/R)
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
1
2
3
4
Jack, Connector or Cable Description
1. Line Out 2 jack (Rear L/R) Connects to the Rear Left and Rear Right
jacks on your A/V receiver, using a 3.5mm
(1/8-inch) stereo-to-RCA cable (available
separately
2. 3.5mm (1/8-inch) stereo-to-
RCAcable (available separately)
Connects your audio card and A/V receiver.
3. Rear Left jack Connects to the Line Out 2 jack on your
audio card, using a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
stereo-to-RCA cable (available separately).
4. Rear Right jack Connects to the Line Out 2 jack on your
audio card, using a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
stereo-to-RCA cable (available separately).
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 9

Connect Line Out 3 (Center/Subwoofer)
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
1
2
3
4
Jack, Connector or Cable Description
1. Line Out 3 jack (Center/Subwoofer) Connects to the Center and Subwoofer
jacks on your A/V receiver, using a 3.5mm
(1/8-inch) stereo-to-RCA cable (available
separately
2. 3.5mm (1/8-inch) stereo-to-
RCAcable (available separately)
Connects your audio card and A/V receiver.
3. Center jack Connects to the Line Out 3 jack on your
audio card, using a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
stereo-to-RCA cable (available separately).
4. Subwoofer jack Connects to the Line Out 3 jack on your
audio card, using a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
stereo-to-RCA cable (available separately).
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 10

Connecting Headphones and Headsets
Do not listen to audio on your headphones or headsets at high volumes for prolonged
periods of time as hearing loss may result.
Connecting your headphones and headsets to theSound Blaster Audigy Fx
For headphones:
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
1
Jack, Connector or Cable Description
1. Headphone / Line Out 1 jack (Front
L/R)
Connects to stereo headphones with a
3.5mm (1/8-inch) plug.
For headsets:
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
1
2
Jack, Connector or Cable Description
1. Microphone In jack Connects to microphones with a 3.5mm
(1/8-inch) plug.
2. Headphone / Line Out 1 jack (Front
L/R)
Connects to stereo headphones with a
3.5mm (1/8-inch) plug or Front Left and
Front Right inputs on powered analog
speakers.
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 11

Installing and Uninstalling Software
To take full advantage of your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx audio card, you need to install device drivers
and applications. At times, you may also need to uninstall some or all of the device drivers and
applications to correct problems, change configurations, or upgrade outdated drivers or applications. To
learn how to do so in all supported Windows operating systems, consult the following sections:
lInstalling Drivers and Applications
lUninstalling Drivers and Applications
Installing Drivers and Applications
Ensure that your audio card is installed before proceeding. For instructions on
installing your audio card, consult your Quick Start leaflet.
After you have installed your audio card, turn on your computer. Windows automatically detects your
audio card and searches for device drivers.
For Windows Vista / Windows 7:
1. Insert the Installation CD into your CDor DVD drive.
Your CDshould start automatically. If it does not, follow the steps below:
i. Click Start >Computer.
ii. Right-click the CD or DVD drive icon, and then click Open AutoPlay.
2. To complete the installation, follow the instructions on the screen.
3. When prompted, restart your computer.
For Windows 8:
1. Insert the Installation CD into your CD or DVD drive.
2. In a short while, a drive icon will be displayed. Click on the icon, and then choose Run setup.exe.
If you do not see the drive icon, follow the steps below:
i. Right-click on the background of the Windows start screen, and then click All apps.
ii. Click Computer.
iii. Right-click the CD or DVD drive icon, and then click Open AutoPlay.
3. To complete the installation, follow the instructions on the screen.
4. When prompted, restart your computer.
Uninstalling Drivers and Applications
Before you begin, close all running audio applications. Applications that are still
running during uninstallation will not be removed.
1. From the Control Panel, click Uninstall a program.
2. Select the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx entry.
3. Click the Uninstall button or option.
If the User Account Control dialog box appears, click the Continue button.
4. Click the Yes button.
5. When prompted, restart your computer.
After you have completed the steps above, you can install the original or updated device drivers and
applications for Sound Blaster Audigy Fx. For instructions on installing the software, consult Installing
and Uninstalling Software.
Installing and Uninstalling Software 12

Using Your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx
Your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx works seamlessly with many external devices to perform different tasks.
To learn more about these tasks and how to connect additional devices, consult the following sections:
lPlaying Games
lWatching DVDs
lCreating Music
Note
lActual products may differ slightly from those shown in this chapter.
lThe cables shown in this chapter may be bundled with your peripheral or are available separately
from www.creative.com.
lFor more information on the Creative peripherals mentioned in this chapter, visit
www.creative.com.
Playing Games
Your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx is specially designed to enhance audio in games using Creative's cutting
edge audio technologies. Playing games will be more exhilarating than ever before!
To learn more about the following audio technologies, visit www.soundblaster.com.
EAXADVANCEDHD
Make your games come alive with EAX®ADVANCEDHD™ and immerse yourself in worlds that their
creators envisioned!
Hear multiple audio effects being played simultaneously, and precise environment settings applied to
them to create a life-like environment and heighten the sense of realism.
Each effect is also accurately positioned in its 3D environment, allowing you to tell where it is coming
from relative to your location, and you will be able to discern where your teammates and enemies are
using only these audio cues.
EAXADVANCEDHDis a weapon that will give you the competitive edge, especially in multiplayer
games.
Creative ALchemy
Creative ALchemy is a powerful tool that restores the audio for a DirectSound®3D game running on
Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 to its former glory - in full surround sound with hardware
accelerated audio mixing, sampling rate conversion and EAX effects.
To learn how to connect your A/V receiver to your audio card, consult Connecting Home Theater
Systems.
Watching DVDs
Your DVDs are encoded with Dolby Digital audio technologies, which have to be decoded to enjoy multi-
channel audio on your 5.1 speaker systems.
You can use a software DVD player to decode Dolby Digital or DTSencoded signals from your DVDs, and
output multi-channel audio through your audio card to your speakers.
To do so, you need to install a software DVD player such as PowerDVD or WinDVD (latest version
recommended).
Using Your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx 13

Creating Music
You can set up a home music studio using your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx.
Put together your own productions consisting of multiple music tracks from a MIDI synthesizer or an
electric guitar. Alternatively, connect your electric guitar using a pre-amp box to the Line In jack. Use a
converter if your pre-amp box comes with a larger (for example, a 6.35mm (1/4-inch)) connector.
You can also connect a microphone to your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx.
LINE IN
MIC IN
FRONT
REAR
C/SUB
2
1
Jack, Connector or Cable Description
1. Line In jack Connects to line-level sources (for
example, electric guitar).
2. Microphone In jack Connects to microphones with a
3.5mm (1/8-inch) plug.
Using Your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx 14

Using the Creative Software Suite
The following software is designed for you to access the basic as well as the advanced features of your
audio card. We recommended that you familiarize yourself with their functions in order to make full use
of the rich features of your audio card.
To learn more about each application, consult its Online Help. Depending on the application, you can do
this by clicking on the toolbar of the application, or selecting Help Topics from the Help menu.
Applications
lSound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel
lCreative ALchemy
lCreative Software AutoUpdate
lCreative Host OpenAL / EAX5.0 HD
lCreative Product Registration
lCreative Diagnostics
Various other bonus Creative applications are also compatible for your audio card. Visit
www.creative.com/support and navigate to the relevant product page to view and download these
applications.
Note
lThe applications included with your audio card may differ from those described here. Your audio
card may also come with third party applications.
lSome applications are available for certain operating systems or certain card models only.
lThe color of Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel may differ for different sound cards.
Using the Creative Software Suite 15

Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel
Managing Your Profiles
Click the button to display the Profiles pane.
Activate a profile by clicking the and selecting it from the list.
Click to save all settings to the current profile or create a new
profile. Click to delete the active profile.
Sharing Profiles
You can export your custom settings and share them with others, or import other gamers' custom
settings.
Customizing Your Avatar
You can customize the avatar for each profile. Double-click the current avatar to open the selection
window. You can either select an avatar from the list or click to select your own image file to
be used as the avatar.
Using the Creative Software Suite 16

Adjusting Your Master Volume Settings
Drag the master volume slider to adjust the volume level. You can
mute/unmute the volume by clicking the speaker icon.
Configuring Your Software Settings
Click each feature to access its settings page. More information on each
feature can be found in their respective sections in this manual.
Configuring Your General Settings
Click and configure various options from the list that displays including:
lSelect whether the Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel is activated when
Windows starts.
lRestore default settings.
lSelect the audio playback device
lSelect the supported software languages available for your system.
lGeneral information regarding your Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Control Panel software.
Using the Creative Software Suite 17

SBX Pro Studio Settings
1. SBXPro Studio enhancements
Select to turn on or turn off each enhancement. You can hover your mouse cursor over each
enhancement to display a brief explanation.
2. Enhancement Level sliders
Adjust the amount of enhancement to apply.
3. Audio Test controls
Play/Pause or Stop the demo video.
Enhancing Your Listening Experience
You can adjust the amount to apply for each enhancement by dragging its slider left to decrease or right
to increase. To test the effects of the audio enhancements, click and listen to the demo video.
lSBXPro Studio Surround provides immersion control of sounds not just around you, but also
above and below for a full 3D audio experience. Hear the natural sense of audio depth, spaciousness
and stunning 3D surround effects from your audio content. Enjoy an unbelievably true-to-life audio
experience, whether it's over stereo speakers or headphones.
Alternatively, you can switch to the Stereo option which will provide a more basic surround
experience, whereby the front L/R speaker channels' stereo audio content are duplicated to all the
surround speakers. Note that the Stereo option is only available in 5.1 speaker configuration.
lSBXPro Studio Crystalizer restores the dynamic range that is lost when iTunes and MP3 music
gets compressed. This makes the music sound as good as the artist originally intended, and adds an
enhanced level of realism for movies and games.
lSBX Pro Studio Bass fills in the low frequency tones and gives the extra impact for a better
entertainment experience. It dramatically improves the sound experience without a subwoofer.
lSBXPro Studio Smart Volume addresses the problem of abrupt volume level changes during
playback and between songs by automatically and continously measuring volume, and intelligently
applying gain and attenuation to compensate for those changes.
lSBXPro Studio Dialog Plus enhances the voices in movies for clearer dialog, allowing the
listener to hear the dialog over the rest of the soundtrack and over ambient noise in the listening
environment.
Using the Creative Software Suite 18

Speakers/Headphones Settings
1. Speakers / Headphones Configuration
Select your current physical speaker or headphone configuration.
Note
At 5.1 speaker configuration, the maximum supported sampling rate is 96 kHz.
Testing Your Audio Playback
Select the appropriate configuration based on your setup, then click to hear a sample audio
clip being played back through your setup.
Using the Creative Software Suite 19