Creative SB1500 User manual

User’s Guide
SB1500 / SB1502 SB1506

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Creative's latest audio revolution, Sound Blaster Z-Series! With
cutting edge technology from the leaders in PC audio, Sound Blaster Z-Series 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
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
Notes
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.
Notes
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 Z-Series, and any additional accessories, consult the
Quick Start leaflet.
To learn more about your product, consult the following sections:
lYour Sound Blaster Z-Series Audio card
lAudio Control Module
Notes
Actual products may differ slightly from those shown in this chapter.
Your Sound Blaster Z-Series Audio card
Your Sound Blaster Z-Series audio card has the jacks and connectors below to enable the attachment of
a wide variety of devices.
SB1502
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
SB1500 / SB1506
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
About Your Hardware 3

Jack or Connector Description
1. Line In/Microphone In
jack
Connects to line-level sources(for example, MP3
players) or microphones with a 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
plug.
2. Headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.5mm (1/8-
inch) plug.
3. Line Out 1 jack
(Front L/R)
Connects to the 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. Optical S/PDIFOut jack Connects to recording devices with optical
connectors (for example, Digital Audio Tape
recorders, MiniDisc recorders or external hard disk
recorders).
7. Optical S/PDIF In jack Connects to playback devices with optical
connectors (for example, Digital Audio Tape players,
MiniDisc players or DVD players).
8. 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.
Note:
Toggle to select the appropriate input device (for example, Microphone or Line-In) from the Sound
Blaster Z-Series Control Panel. Refer to Sound Blaster Z-Series Control Panel Mixer Settings for more
information.
About Your Hardware 4

Audio Control Module
An external ACM(Audio Control Module) provides a built-in beamforming microphone and
microphone/headphone I/Oconnections.
Note:
The ACM accessory is bundled with Sound Blaster Zx only.
1
3
4
5
2
6
Jack, Connector or Component Description
1. Volume Control Knob Controls the playback volume of the
sound card.
2. Beamforming Microphone Built-in Sound Blaster Beamforming
Microphone
3. 6.3mm Microphone In jack Connects to line-level sources(for
example, MP3 players) or
microphones with a 6.3mm plug.
4. 6.3mm Headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones or head-
sets with a 6.3mm plug.
5. 3.5mm Microphone In jack Connects to line-level sources(for exam-
ple, MP3 players) or microphones with a
3.5mm (1/8-inch) plug.
6. 3.5mm Headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones or head-
sets with a 3.5mm (1/8-inch) plug.
Note:
The 6.3mm Microphone In jack takes priority over the 3.5mm Microphone In jack.
When connected to the Sound Blaster Z-Series, the built-in beamforming microphone features
CrystalVoice technologies which is designed to deliver crystal clear vocal fidelity in multiplayer games,
online chats and video conferencing. It also enhances voice communications for popular VoIP solutions.
Voice effects can be controlled using the Sound Blaster Z-Series Control Panel. Simply toggle between
your headphone and speakers system with a flip of a switch in the control panel.
The options of 3.5mm and 6.3mm Microphone and Headphone jacks let you have choices of your own on
which headset or microphone to be used for recording, and audiophile grade connection through the
gold-plated jacks on the ACM and Sound Blaster Zx.
About Your Hardware 5

The Volume Control knob on the ACM controls the volume output to your headphones, giving you quick
control over the audio level from your games or music.
Note:
The ACM Volume Control Knob allows you to adjust headphone levels conveniently based on the
maximum level set by your computer's master volume control. We recommend that you determine
the desired maximum volume on your computer before using the ACM.
About Your Hardware 6

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 Digital Speaker Systems
lConnecting Home Theater Systems
lConnecting Headphones and Headsets
lConnecting Audio Control Module
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 Z-Series 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 7

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 8

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
audio
inputs
speakers
audio
inputs
1
2
3
Jack, Connector or Cable
1. Line Out 1 jack (Front L/R)
2. 2 channel audio cable (available separately)
3. Audio Input jack
Connecting Speakers and Headphones 9