Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SB1394 User manual

How to use this manual
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy
Creative Audio Software
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issues are also found in the same folder.

ii
Contents
Introduction
High Definition Digital Audio Entertainment....................................... viii
What is EAX ADVANCED HD? ............................................................ ix
Package Contents ............................................................................. x
System Requirements ...................................................................... x
Sound Blaster Audigy card......................................................... x
SB1394 applications, games and DVD viewing ............................. x
Getting More Information................................................................. xi
More Help ...................................................................................... xi
Technical Support ........................................................................... xi
Document Conventions.....................................................................xii
1 Installing Hardware
What You Need...................................................................................... 1-1
Your Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) Card................................................ 1-2
Your Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) Card ......................................... 1-3
Your Joystick/MIDI Bracket: For Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394)........ 1-4
Installation Steps ................................................................................... 1-5
Step 1: Prepare your computer ...................................................... 1-5
Step 2: Install the Sound Blaster Audigy card .................................. 1-6
Step 3: Connect to audio cable (Optional step for Analog or Digital CD audio
cable connection) ......................................................................... 1-7
Step 4: Connect to power supply ............................................................. 1-8
Connecting Related Peripherals................................................................ 1-9
Connecting Speaker Systems ................................................................ 1-11
Connecting External Consumer Devices .................................................. 1-13
Positioning Your Speakers ..................................................................... 1-15
.......................................................................................................... 1-15
2 Installing Software

iii
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............................................... 3-1
Creative Taskbar.................................................................................... 3-2
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Online Quick Start ...................................... 3-2
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Experience ................................................ 3-2
EAX ADVANCED HD Gold Mine Experience ................................................ 3-3
Creative Diagnostics............................................................................... 3-3
Creative Surround Mixer ......................................................................... 3-3
Creative AudioHQ................................................................................... 3-4
SoundFont Control ........................................................................ 3-4
Device Controls ............................................................................ 3-4
Creative Keyboard ........................................................................ 3-5
MIDI Input............................................................................ 3-5
EAX Control.................................................................................. 3-5
Creative WaveStudio .............................................................................. 3-5
Creative PlayCenter................................................................................ 3-6
Creative Recorder .................................................................................. 3-6
Creative MiniDisc Center ......................................................................... 3-6
Creative Restore Defaults........................................................................ 3-7
4 Using Applications
Multimedia Playback ............................................................................... 4-1
Watching DVDs ............................................................................ 4-1
Playing MP3 or WMA files............................................................... 4-2
Playing back Wave and CD Audio files ............................................. 4-2
Playing MIDI files.......................................................................... 4-2

iv
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.................................................................... 4-3
Recording sound and effects .......................................................... 4-3
Capturing and editing videos .......................................................... 4-3
Advanced Content Creation ..................................................................... 4-3
Recording multi-tracks with ASIO ................................................... 4-3
Creating music ............................................................................. 4-4
Recording and transcribing music ................................................... 4-4
Recording and editing musical instruments ...................................... 4-4
Recording digital audio .................................................................. 4-4
Creating multiple effects ................................................................ 4-4
Creating and playing back SoundFonts ............................................ 4-4
Internet Entertainment ........................................................................... 4-5
Encoding CD songs to MP3 format .................................................. 4-5
Downloading and playing MP3 songs ............................................... 4-5
Playing MP3 songs with EAX ADVANCED HD..................................... 4-5
Gaming Reference.................................................................................. 4-5
Enjoying EAX ADVANCED HD support.............................................. 4-5
Enjoying DirectSound3D support .................................................... 4-6
Enjoying A3D 1.0 support .............................................................. 4-6
Customizing environments for non-3D games .................................. 4-6
Appendixes
A General Specifications
Features ...............................................................................................A-1
PCI Bus Mastering .................................................................A-1

v
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) .........................A-3
Compatibility: For Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394TM) only .........A-3
Connectivity ..........................................................................................A-3
Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card .............................................. A-3
Audio Inputs .........................................................................A-3
Audio Outputs .......................................................................A-3
SB1394 Interfaces .................................................................A-4
Interfaces .............................................................................A-4
Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) card ........................................ A-4
Audio Inputs .........................................................................A-4
Audio Outputs .............................................................................. A-5
Interfaces .............................................................................A-5
B Troubleshooting
Problems Installing Software ...................................................................B-1
Problems with Sound..............................................................................B-2
For Windows 98 SE ....................................................................... B-4
For Windows Me ........................................................................... B-4
For Windows 2000 and Windows XP................................................ B-5
Insufficient SoundFont Cache ..................................................................B-6
Problems With Joystick ...........................................................................B-6
Problems with Multiple Audio Devices .......................................................B-7
Problems with Sound Blaster Live! Series or Sound Blaster PCI512 card .......B-8
Resolving I/O Conflicts............................................................................B-9
Problems in Windows NT 4.0 ................................................................. B-10
Problems with Software DVD Player ....................................................... B-11

vi
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 ....................................................................... B-14
Index

Introduction

Introduction vii
Introduction
High Definition
Digital Audio
Entertainment
Thank you for purchasing Sound Blaster Audigy. It is the most complete high-
definition 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.
With the onboard 24-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog
Converter (DAC), Sound Blaster Audigy delivers high-definition sound of astounding
quality with 96 kHz SPDIF support. The Sound Blaster Audigy card, with its Audigy
processor, is four times as powerful as its nearest competitor. This enables awesome
EAX ADVANCED HDTM technologies for your games and music listening experience.
The SB1394 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 with a rich software bundle and you get endless
hours of fun. Included in your Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD are exciting
applications that allow you to create EAX-enhanced MP3 songs, and instant
interactive Oozic music videos, which you can share with your friends over the
Internet.

Introduction viii
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. Environment PanningTM makes
spatializing and localizing environments in 3D possible. Environment ReflectionsTM
offers localization of early reflections and echoes. Environment FilteringTM
accurately simulates the propagation of sound in both open and closed
environments. Finally, Environment MorphingTM allows for seamless transition from
one environment to the next. These innovative technologies bring tremendous
realism and immersiveness to gaming.
Sonic superiority is also assured with EAX ADVANCED HD Music Technologies. Audio
Clean-Up enables the removal of unwanted noise in a digital audio file. DREAMTM
creates an enhanced, "disco-like" surround sound for any stereo music. Time Scaling
speeds up and slows down music with no distortion. Music playback is further
enhanced with the specially developed EAX ADVANCED HD music effects.
EAX ADVANCED HD offers dramatically increased 3D audio performance and
functionality, delivering superior audio fidelity and sophisticated reverb effects for
an unsurpassed digital entertainment experience that is only available from the
Sound Blaster Audigy family of products.

Introduction ix
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 4.0, Windows 2000 or Windows XP
❑64 MB RAM for Windows 98 SE/Me
128 MB RAM for Windows 2000/XP
❑600 MB of free hard disk space
❑Available PCI 2.1 compliant slot for the Sound Blaster Audigy card
❑Available adjacent slot for the Joystick/MIDI bracket (optional)
❑Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately)
❑CD-ROM drive installed
SB1394 applications,
games and DVD
viewing
❑Genuine Intel Pentium II 350 MHz, MMX or AMD 450 MHz processor/3Dnow!
❑Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 or Windows XP
❑3D graphics accelerator with at least 8 MB of texture RAM for games
❑128 MB RAM recommended for digital video (DV) capture and editing
❑Ultra DMA type hard disk with 1 GB workspace (ATA-100, 7,200 rpm type and 6
GB recommended) for DV applications (300–500 MB of free hard disk space for
games)

Introduction x
❑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. The Sound Blaster Audigy
Experience, an online demo, gives you an interactive introduction to Sound Blaster
Audigy and demonstrates the card’s capabilities.
More Help View the contents of the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD for additional
demonstrations, 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 CreativeWare updates.
Technical Support Visit www.soundblaster.com/support/faq for general help.

Introduction xi
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
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
(SB1394) card
Joystick/MIDI
bracket**
Phillips-head screwdriver
(not included)
* Available only on some models for
connection to the Sound Blaster
Audigy Drive or Optical-Digital I/O
card.
**Bundled with some models of Sound
Blaster Audigy card.
Sound Blaster Audigy
(non-SB1394) card
OR
Audio Extension
(Digital I/O)
Connector *

Installing Hardware 1-2
Your Sound
Blaster Audigy
(SB1394) Card
Your Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card has these connectors that allow you to
attach other devices:
Refer to the User Guide,
“
Hardware Information”, for
connector pin assignments.
CD Audio connector (CD_IN)
Connects to the Analog Audio output on a CD-ROM or DVD-
ROM drive using a CD audio cable.
SB1394 connector (SB1394)
Connects to an IEEE 1394 compatible
external device (such as a digital video
camcorder, digital still camera, printer
or scanner).
Line In connector (LIN_IN)
Connects to an external device
(such as a cassette, DAT or MiniDisc
player).
Microphone In connector (MIC_IN)
Connects to an external microphone for
voice input.
Figure 1-1: Connectors and ports on the Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card.
Rear Out connector (LIN_OUT2)
Connects to powered speakers or an external
amplifier for audio output.
Can be used simultaneously with the Line Out
connecter for 4.1 channel speaker systems.
Line Out connector (LIN_OUT1)
Connects to powered speakers or an external
amplifier for audio output. Also supports
headphones.
Can be used simultaneously with the Rear
Out connecter for 4.1 channel speaker
systems.
Telephone Answering Device connector
(TAD)
Provides a mono connection from a standard
voice modem, and transmits microphone
signals to the modem.
AUX connector (AUX_IN)
Connects to internal audio sources such
as TV Tuner, MPEG, or other similar
cards.
CD SPDIF connector
(CD_SPDIF)
Connects to the SPDIF (Digital
Audio) output (where available)
on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive.
Analog/Digital Out connector
6-channel or compressed AC-3 SPDIF
output for connection to external digital
devices or digital speaker systems.
Also supports Center and Subwoofer
analog channels for connection to 5.1
analog speaker systems.
Internal SB1394 connector
(Optional)
Connects to J5 on the Audigy Drive.
Joystick/MIDI
connector
(Optional)
Connects to the
Joystick/MIDI
bracket
For Creative’s proprietary use only For Creative’s proprietary use only

Installing Hardware 1-3
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.
Joystick/MIDI connector
Connects to a joystick or a MIDI device.
You can buy an optional MIDI kit that
allows you to plug in the joystick and
MIDI device simultaneously.
Line In connector (LIN_IN)
Connects to an external device
(such as a cassette, DAT or
MiniDisc player).
Microphone In connector
(MIC_IN)
Connects to an external microphone
for voice input.
Figure 1-2: Connectors and ports on the Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394) card.
Rear Out connector (LIN_OUT2)
Connects to powered speakers or an
external amplifier for audio output.
Line Out connector (LIN_OUT1)
Connects to powered speakers or an
external amplifier for audio output.
Also supports headphones.
Telephone Answering
Device connector (TAD)
Provides a mono connection
from a standard voice modem,
and transmits microphone
signals to the modem.
AUX connector (AUX_IN)
Connects to internal audio sources
such as TV Tuner, MPEG, or other
similar cards.
CD SPDIF connector
(CD_SPDIF)
Connects to the SPDIF (Digital
Audio) output (where available) on
a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
Analog/Digital Out connector
6-channel or compressed AC-3
SPDIF output for connection to
external digital devices or digital
speaker systems.
Also supports Center and
Subwoofer analog channels for
connection to 5.1 analog speaker
systems.

Installing Hardware 1-4
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.
Rear view of connector bracket
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.
Figure 1-3: Connector on the Joystick/MIDI bracket.

Installing Hardware 1-5
Installation Steps
Step 1: Prepare your
computer
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. Remove the computer cover.
4. Remove the appropriate number of metal brackets from unused PCI slots as
shown in Figure 1-4. Put the screws aside for use later.
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.
Remove any existing audio
card or disable the onboard
audio chipset. For more
information, see “Problems
with Multiple Audio Devices”
on page B-7.
PCI slots
Figure 1-4: Removing metal bracket
ISA slots
metal
bracket
PCI slots
ISA slots
metal
brackets
Sound Blaster
Audigy (SB1394) Sound Blaster
Audigy (non-
SB1394)
Remove two adjacent
metal brackets
Remove a
metal bracket
Remove two adjacent
metal brackets

Installing Hardware 1-6
Step 2: Install the
Sound Blaster
Audigy card
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.
2. Secure the card with the screw you had placed aside earlier.
3. For Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card users, secure the Joystick/MIDI bracket
to the slot next to the Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card with the second
screw.
Connect the Joystick/MIDI cable to the Joystick/MIDI connector on the Sound
Blaster Audigy (SB1394) card as shown in Figure 1-5.
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.
Unused
brackets
Joystick/MIDI
bracket
Figure 1-5: Securing the audio card to the expansion slot.
Fasten the
card and
bracket with
screws. Unused
brackets
Fasten the
card with a
screw.
Sound Blaster
Audigy (SB1394)
Sound Blaster
Audigy (non-
SB1394)

Installing Hardware 1-7
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 CD-
ROM/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 CD-
ROM/DVD-ROM drive to the CD_SPDIF connector on the Sound Blaster Audigy
card as shown in Figure 1-6.
• The MPC-to-MPC (4-pin)
Analog CD audio cable
and the MPC-to-MPC (2-
pin) Digital CD audio
cable are not included
with your audio card.
• If the Sound Blaster
Audigy card is connected
to both the CD SPDIF and
CD Audio connectors on a
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive, do not enable the
CD Audio and CD Digital
options at the same time
in Surround Mixer.
Figure 1-6: Connecting the drives.
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive
OR
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive
OR
Sound Blaster Audigy (SB1394) Sound Blaster Audigy (non-SB1394)