Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX User manual

How to use this manual
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Important: This User Manual (On CD) has been designed to provide you with complete product knowledge.
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issues are also found in the same folder.

Contents

iii
Contents
Introduction
High Definition Digital Audio Entertainment.............................ix
What is EAX ADVANCED HD? ................................................ x
Package Contents ................................................................xi
System Requirements ..........................................................xi
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card .........................................xi
SB1394/FireWire applications, games or DVD viewing..... xii
Internet Multimedia and Entertainment ......................... xii
Getting More Information..................................................... xii
More Help .......................................................................... xii
Technical Support ............................................................... xii
Document Conventions....................................................... xiii
1 Installing Hardware
What You Need ......................................................................... 1-1
Your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Card............................................... 1-2
Your Joystick/MIDI Bracket ........................................................ 1-5
Installation Steps ...................................................................... 1-6
Step 1: Prepare your computer .......................................... 1-6
Step 2: Install the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card.................... 1-7
Step 3: Install the Joystick/MIDI bracket ............................. 1-8
Step 4: Connect cables to Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card......... 1-9
Step 5: Connect to power outlet ........................................1-10
Connecting Related Peripherals................................................. 1-11
Connecting Speaker Systems ................................................... 1-14
Connecting External Consumer Devices ..................................... 1-15
Positioning Your Speakers .........................................................1-17
2 Installing Software
Installing Drivers and Applications............................................... 2-1

iv
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demo.......................... 2-2
Uninstalling and Reinstalling the Applications and Device Drivers .... 2-2
Reinstalling all Audio Drivers and Applications ...................... 2-2
Uninstalling all Audio Drivers and Applications ...................... 2-3
Installing/Uninstalling selected Audio Drivers or Applications.. 2-4
Updating Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2) .................................... 2-5
Updating Windows 98 SE ........................................................... 2-5
Installing Digital Video Update............................................ 2-5
3 Using Audigy 2 Software
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Applications ............................... 3-1
Demos..................................................................................... 3-2
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Getting Started Demo ................. 3-2
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demo.............. 3-2
SoundFont Showcase ........................................................ 3-3
Introduction to the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 software suite ............. 3-3
Creative MediaSource Go! ............................................. 3-3
Creative MediaSource Go! Launcher.................................... 3-4
Creative MediaSource Player.......................................... 3-4
“What-You-Hear” multichannel recording......................3-5
Creative MediaSource Organizer..................................... 3-5
Finding and organizing songs ......................................3-5
Keep your music database up to date ..........................3-5
Transferring songs .....................................................3-6
Automatically playing multimedia content.....................3-6
Extracting and converting songs..................................3-6
Storing music on recordable CD ..................................3-6
Creative MediaSource DVD-Audio Player.............................. 3-7
Creative EAX Console ........................................................ 3-7
Audio Effects: Environmental Sound Processing ............3-7
CMSS 3D: Simulating Surround Sound.........................3-8
Audio Clean-up: Removing noise and distortion.............3-8

v
Time Scaling: Varying the speed of playback ................3-9
Creative Surround Mixer ............................................... 3-9
Creative Speaker Settings ............................................. 3-9
Creative Speaker Calibrator ..........................................3-10
Creative MiniDisc Center...................................................3-10
Creative SoundFont Bank Manager ....................................3-10
Creative Audio Stream Recorder 2.................................3-11
Creative Wave Studio ..................................................3-11
Diagnostic and troubleshooting utilities.......................................3-12
Creative Diagnostics ....................................................3-12
Creative Speaker Settings ............................................3-12

vi
Appendixes
A General Specifications
Features .................................................................................. A-1
PCI Bus Mastering .................................................... A-1
Audigy 2 Processor ................................................... A-1
High Quality Audio Path............................................. A-1
Professional Digital Audio Processing........................... A-2
Flexible Mixer Control................................................ A-2
THX Certification ...................................................... A-3
Dolby Digital (AC-3) Decoding.................................... A-3
Creative Multi Speaker Surround (CMSS) .................... A-3
SB1394/FireWire Compatibility................................... A-3
Connectivity ............................................................................. A-4
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card .............................................. A-4
Audio Inputs ............................................................ A-4
Audio Outputs .......................................................... A-4
SB1394/FireWire Interfaces ....................................... A-4
Interfaces ................................................................ A-5
B Troubleshooting and FAQs
Problems Installing Software ...................................................... B-1
Problems with Sound................................................................. B-2
Problems with File Transfers on Some VIA Chipset Motherboards .... B-6
Insufficient SoundFont Cache ..................................................... B-7
Problems with Joystick............................................................... B-8
Problems with Multiple Audio Devices .......................................... B-9
Problems with Sound Blaster Live! Series or Sound Blaster
PCI512 card.......................................................................... B-10
Resolving I/O Conflicts............................................................. B-11
Problems with Encore DVD Player ............................................. B-12
Problems with Software DVD Player .......................................... B-12

vii
Problems with DV driver for Windows 98 SE/2000/Me/XP ............ B-13
Problems in Windows XP .......................................................... B-14
Problems with Digital Audio Devices .......................................... B-15

Introduction

Introduction ix
Introduction
High Definition
Digital Audio
Entertainment
Thank you for purchasing Sound Blaster Audigy 2, the next generation Creative
audio product with exciting new features and enhanced audio processing
architecture.
This User Manual (on CD) guides you through the installation and usage of Sound
Blaster Audigy 2, which consists of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card and Joystick/
MIDI bracket*.
Featuring 24-bit/192 kHz audio playback, Sound Blaster Audigy 2 delivers high-
definition sound of astounding quality and 24-bit/96 kHz audio recording capability
from all Line Ins and SPDIF In. Sound Blaster Audigy 2 supports surround sound
audio on your computer and has output capabilities for 6.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX.
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 has received the prestigious THX®Multimedia Certification
award, making it the perfect choice for PC audiophiles seeking the very best music
and movie experiences.
The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card, with its Audigy 2 processor, enables awesome EAX®
ADVANCED HDTM technologies for your gaming and music listening experience. The
SB1394TM/FireWire®port provides easy high-speed connectivity to NOMAD®
portable digital audio players, external CD-RW drives, and other IEEE 1394
compatible devices like DV camcorders, printers, scanners, and digital still cameras.
Combine Sound Blaster Audigy 2 with our rich software package for hours of endless
fun. Included in your Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Installation and Applications CD are
the latest generation drivers and software for you to enjoy DVD-Audio
entertainment with native MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing) support, and to create
EAX-enhanced MP3 songs, which you can share with your friends over the Internet.
*Available with some models
of the Sound Blaster Audigy
2 card.
MLP (Meridian Lossless
Packing), the method of
audio data compression used
in DVD-Audio, reduces file
size without removing any of
the information that was
contained in the original
recording. The listening
audience will hear the audio
as it was intended in the
original recording. Other
packing methodologies that
remove data as part of the
compression are referred to
as 'Lossy Compression'.

Introduction x
What is EAX
ADVANCED HD?
EAX ADVANCED HD brings a new level of performance, power, and flexibility to PC
audio. Taking advantage of the enhanced processing capabilities of the Sound
Blaster Audigy 2 processor, EAX ADVANCED HD delivers a host of new features that
achieve high definition audio for gaming and music enhancement.
The all-new EAX ADVANCED HD Game Audio Library takes in-game audio and
acoustic simulation to a whole new level. These innovative technologies bring
tremendous realism and total audio immersion for PC gaming:
❑New Multi-EnvironmentTM technology renders multiple environment audio
effects in real time.
❑Environment PanningTM makes it easy for gamers to track with three-
dimensional precision, the location and movement of sounds that usually
represent enemies or team mates. This gives Sound Blaster Audigy 2 gamers a
better advantage as they are more "attuned" to the game scenario.
❑Environment ReflectionsTM offers localization of early reflections and echoes.
❑Environment FilteringTM accurately simulates the propagation of sound in both
open and closed environments.
❑Environment MorphingTM allows for seamless transition from one environment
to the next.
EAX ADVANCED HD Music Technologies also assures sonic superiority.
❑Audio Clean-Up enables the removal of unwanted noise in a digital audio file.
❑Time Scaling speeds up and slows down music with no distortion.
❑EAX ADVANCED HD music effects, developed especially for music listening,
further enhance playback of songs.
EAX ADVANCED HD offers dramatically increased 3D audio performance and
functionality. Delivering superior audio fidelity and sophisticated reverb effects, this
unsurpassed digital entertainment experience is available only from the Sound
Blaster Audigy 2 family of products.

Introduction xi
Package Contents The following items are included with the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 package:
❑Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card
❑Joystick/MIDI bracket*
❑Digital CD audio cable*
❑Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Installation and Applications CD
❑Quick Start Guide leaflet*
❑User Manual (on CD)*
❑Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demo CD*
❑Creative DVD-Audio Sampler disc*
❑Warranty (printed or on CD)*
❑Technical Support (printed or on CD)*
System
Requirements
Sound Blaster Audigy 2
card
❑Genuine Intel®Pentium®II 350 MHz, AMD®K6 450 MHz or faster processor
❑Intel, AMD or 100%-Intel compatible motherboard chipset
❑Windows®98 Second Edition (SE), Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows
2000 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows XP
❑64 MB RAM for Windows 98 SE and Windows Me
128 MB RAM for Windows 2000 SP2 and Windows XP
❑600 MB of free hard disk space
❑Available PCI 2.1 compliant slot for the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card
❑Available adjacent slot for the Joystick/MIDI bracket*
❑Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately)
❑CD-ROM drive installed
*Available with some
models of the Sound Blaster
Audigy 2 card.

Introduction xii
SB1394/FireWire applica-
tions, games or DVD
viewing
❑Genuine Intel Pentium III 500 MHz or AMD 700 MHz processor for SB1394/
FireWire applications or games
❑SB1394/FireWire: Minimum 128 MB RAM for digital video (DV) capture and
editing recommended, Ultra DMA hard disk with 1 GB workspace (ATA-100, 7,200
rpm type and 6 GB recommended) for DV applications
❑Games: At least 128 MB RAM recommended, 3D graphics accelerator with at
least 8 MB of texture RAM, available 300–500 MB of free hard disk space
❑DVD: At least second generation DVD-ROM drive with these recommended soft-
DVD players: InterVideo’s WinDVD 2000 or CyberLink’s PowerDVD 3.0 or later
❑DVD-Audio: Requires genuine Intel Pentium III or AMD AthlonTM 1 GHz or faster,
256 MB for Windows 2000 SP3 and Windows XP SP1, and a second generation
DVD-ROM drive 6X or higher
Internet Multimedia and
Entertainment
Internet Radio: Requires at least a 56 kbps modem and an active Internet
connection to run the application.
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 2 Getting Started Demo and the various online
Help files for detailed information on Creative applications. The Sound Blaster
Audigy 2 Feature Showcase Demo gives you an interactive introduction to Sound
Blaster Audigy 2 and demonstrates the card’s capabilities.
More Help View the contents of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Installation and Applications CD for
additional libraries and other software. Visit the www.soundblaster.com site for the
latest Sound Blaster news and products. The site also includes information on
making purchases, technical help, and the latest driver updates.
Technical Support Visit www.soundblaster.com/support/faq for general help.
Minimum 256 MB RAM
recommended for Windows
2000 SP3 and Windows XP
SP1 users for games and DV
capture and editing.

Introduction xiii
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.

1Installing Hardware
This chapter tells you how to install the Sound Blaster Audigy 2
hardware.

Installing Hardware 1-1
Installing Hardware
What You Need Before you begin installation, be sure that you have these:
In addition, you will also need
an available PCI slot and
another adjacent available
slot on your computer.
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card
Joystick/MIDI
bracket*
Phillips-head screwdriver
(not included)
Digital CD audio cable*
*Available on some models of the
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card.

Installing Hardware 1-2
Your Sound
Blaster Audigy 2
Card
Your audio card has these jacks and connectors to enable the attachment of a wide
variety of devices:
In Analog mode, the Line Out,
Rear Out and Rear Center Out
j
acks are used simultaneously
for 6.1 channel speaker
systems.
Click any circled number in
the diagram for a description
of the item.
Figure 1-1: Jacks, connectors and ports on the
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 card.
10
9
8
7
1
11
12
14
3
4
5
2
13
6

Installing Hardware 1-3
Table 1: Description of Jacks, Connectors and Ports.
Number Description
1SB1394/FireWire port (SB1394)
Connects to an IEEE 1394 compatible external device (such as a
digital video camcorder, digital still camera, printer or scanner).
2Line Out 3 jack (LIN_OUT3)
Connects to Center, Subwoofer and Rear Center Out of powered
analog speakers or an external amplifier for audio output.
3Line Out 2 jack (LIN_OUT2)
Connects to Rear Left/Right Out of powered analog speakers or an
external amplifier for audio output.
4Line Out 1 jack (LIN_OUT1)
Connects to Front Left/Right Out of powered analog speakers or
an external amplifier for audio output. Also supports headphones.
5Microphone In jack (MIC_IN)
Connects to an external microphone for voice input.
6Line In jack (LIN_IN)
Connects to an external device
(such as a cassette, DAT or MiniDisc player).
7Digital Out jack
6-channel or compressed AC-3 SPDIF output for connection to
external digital devices or digital speaker systems.
Click here or on any
description in the table to
return to the main diagram.

Installing Hardware 1-4
8Telephone Answering Device connector (TAD)
Provides a monaural connection from a standard voice modem,
and transmits microphone signals to the modem.
9CD Audio connector (CD_IN)
Connects to the Analog Audio output on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive using a CD audio cable.
10 AUX In connector (AUX_IN)
Connects to internal audio sources such as TV Tuner, MPEG, or
other similar cards.
11 Internal SB1394/FireWire port*
Connects to the SB1394/FireWire connector on the Audigy 2
Drive.
12 CD SPDIF connector (CD_SPDIF)
Connects to the SPDIF (Digital Audio) output (where available) on
a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive using the Digital CD audio cable
provided.
13 Joystick/MIDI connector (JOYSTICK)*
Connects to the Joystick/MIDI cable.
14 Audio Extension connector (AD_EXT)
Connects to the internal Audigy 2 Drive (upgrade option).
Table 1: Description of Jacks, Connectors and Ports.
Number Description
Click here or on any
description in the table to
return to the main diagram.
*Available with some models
of the Sound Blaster Audigy 2
card.

Installing Hardware 1-5
Your Joystick/
MIDI Bracket
The Joystick/MIDI bracket* is used to attach a joystick or MIDI device:
*Available with some
models of the Sound Blaster
Audigy 2 card.
Figure 1-2: Connector on the Joystick/MIDI bracket.
Joystick/MIDI
connector
Connects to a joystick
or a MIDI device.
Rear view of
connector bracket