Creative SOUND BLASTER RECON3D FATAL1TY CHAMPION - User manual

Introduction 1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Creative’s latest audio revolution, Sound Blaster®Recon3D
PCIe! With cutting edge technology from the leaders in PC audio, Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe will
give you years of reliable entertainment on your PCI Express (PCIe®) enabled personal computer.
This User's Guide contains software installation and usage information for your audio card.
System Requirements
Minimum Requirements
❑Intel®CoreTM2 Duo or AMD®processor equivalent (CoreTM2 2.0 GHz, AMD processor equivalent
or faster recommended)
❑Intel or AMD compatible motherboard
❑Microsoft®Windows®7 64-bit, Windows 7 32-bit
❑1 GB RAM
❑>600 MB of free hard disk space
❑Available PCI Express slot*
❑CD or DVD drive for software installation
❑High quality headphones or powered amplified speakers (available separately)
Additional Requirements (where applicable)
DVD-Video
❑6x or faster DVD drive
❑DVD player software such as InterVideo®WinDVD®or CyberLink®PowerDVD®(latest version
recommended) installed
❑5.1 speakers for optimal listening experience
Notes
• *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.
• Other applications may have higher system requirements. For more information, consult the
documentation of your application.

Introduction 2
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
• First-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.
• Ensure that all your Creative products are connected and installed on the same computer running
Creative Software AutoUpdate.

About Your Hardware 3
About Your Hardware
For instructions on installing your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe, and any additional accessories,
consult the Quick Start leaflet.
To learn more about your product, consult the following sections:
❑Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe Audio Card
❑Your Sound Blaster I/O Drive*
Notes
• *Available for selected models of your audio device in some regions.
• Actual products may differ slightly from those shown in this chapter.
Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe Audio Card
Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe audio card has the jacks and connectors below to enable the
attachment of a wide variety of devices.

About Your Hardware 4
SB1350:
SB1354
SB1356:
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8

About Your Hardware 5
SB1358:
Jack or Connector Description
1. Optical S/PDIF In jack Connects to playback devices with optical connectors (for example, Digital Audio Tape players, MiniDisc
players or DVD players).
2. 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).
3. Line Out 3 jack Connects to the Front Center and Subwoofer inputs
on powered analog speakers or an A/V receiver.
4. Line Out 2 jack Connects to the Rear Left and Rear Right inputs on
powered analog speakers or an A/V receiver.
5. Line Out 1 jack Connects to the Front Left and Front Right inputs on
powered analog speakers or an A/V receiver.
6. Headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.50 mm (1/
8-inch) plug.
7. Line In/Microphone In
jack
Connects to line-level sources (for example, MP3
players) or microphones with a 3.50 mm (1/8-inch)
plug.
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.
9. Creative proprietary
AND_EXT connector
Connects to one end of the analog cable. Connect
the other end to the AND_EXT connector
on the Sound Blaster I/O Drive.
10. Creative proprietary
DID_EXT connector
Connects to one end of the digital cable. Connect the
other end to the DID_EXT connector on
the Sound Blaster I/O Drive.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
8

About Your Hardware 6
Your Sound Blaster I/O Drive*
Your Sound Blaster I/O Drive connects with your Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion audio
card, and provides additional connectivity for a number of other devices.
Front:
Back:
5 6 7 8432
1
11109

About Your Hardware 7
Notes
• *Available for selected models of your audio device in some regions.
• Your Sound Blaster I/O Drive comes attached to a 5¼-inch drive bay adapter. For instructions on
removing the drive bay adapter and installing into a 3½-inch drive bay, consult your Quick Start
leaflet.
• Not compatible with the PCI Sound Blaster series of audio cards.
Jack, Connector,
Knob or Button Description
1. Auxiliary Line In jacks Connects to playback devices using an RCA
cable.
2. THX Trustudio Pro LED
button Indicates the current mode THX Trustudio mode.
3. Headphones button Turns on the headphone as output device.
4. Speakers button Turns on the speakers as output device.
5. Master Volume knob
Controls the volume output on your headphone
or headset. Turn the knob clockwise to increase
the volume and anti-clockwise to decrease the
volume.
6. Headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) plug or the headphone plug of your
headset.
7. Microphone In jack Connects to microphones with a 3.50 mm (1/8- inch) plug or the microphone plug of your
headset.
8. Microphone Volume knob Controls the microphone gain. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the microphone gain and
anti-clockwise to decrease the microphone gain.
9. Creative proprietary
AND_EXT connector
Connects to one end of the analog cable.
Connect the other end to the AND_EXT
connector on the Sound Blaster
Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion
audio card.
10. Creative proprietary
AUX_EXT connector Connects to the auxiliary cable on the 5¼-inch
drive bay adapter.
11. Creative proprietary
DID_EXT connector
Connects to one end of the digital cable.
Connect the other end to the DID_EXT
connector on the Sound Blaster
Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion
audio card.

Installing and Uninstalling Software 7
Installing and Uninstalling Software
To take full advantage of your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe 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 to upgrade outdated drivers or
applications. To learn how to do so in all supported Windows operating systems, consult the
following sections:
❑Installing Drivers and Applications
❑Uninstalling 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 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.
Uninstalling Drivers and Applications
Before you begin, close all running audio applications. Applications that are still
running during uninstallation will not be removed.
For Windows 7
1. Click Start Control Panel Uninstall a program.
2. Select the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe entry.
3. Click the Uninstall button.
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 Recon3D PCIe. For instructions on installing the software, consult
Installing Drivers and Applications.

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 8
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
multichannel sound on your speakers or headphones.
To learn how to connect different types of speaker systems to your audio card, consult the following
sections:
❑Connecting Analog Speaker Systems
❑Connecting Digital Speaker Systems
❑Connecting Home Theater Systems
❑Connecting 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.
Notes
• Actual products may differ slightly from those shown in this chapter.
• Select the correct speaker setup or headphone option in Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe Control
Panel, to get the best experience. For more information, refer to their respective online Help.
• The cables shown in this chapter may be bundled with your peripheral or are available separately
from www.creative.com.
• For more information on the Creative peripherals mentioned in this chapter, visit
www.creative.com.

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 9
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:
Speaker component
1. Subwoofer
2. Front Left
3. Front Center
4. Front Right
5. Rear Right
6. Rear Left
1
56
2 4
3

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 10
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:
❑2.1 channel analog speakers
❑5.1 channel analog speakers
2.1 channel analog speakers
Jack, Connector or Cable
1. Line Out 1 jack
2. 2 channel audio cable (available separately)
3. Audio Input jack
audio
inputs
speakers
2
audio
inputs
3
1

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 11
5.1 channel analog speakers
Jack, Connector or Cable
1. Line Out 3 jack
2. Line Out 2 jack
3. Line Out 1 jack
4. 5.1 channel audio cable (available separately)
5. Center/Subwoofer (Audio Input) jack
6. Front (Audio Input) jack
7. Rear (Audio Input) jack
front rear center/
subwoofer
audio
inputs
center
speaker
front
speakers
rear
speakers
front rear center/
subwoofer
audio
inputs
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2
1
3
4

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 12
Connecting Digital Speaker Systems
Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe comes with an Optical S/PDIF Out jack which allows you to
connect your digital speaker system. Most digital speakers systems connect the audio card to the
subwoofer or an external unit.
For more information on your digital speaker connections, consult the documentation of your digital
speaker system.
Connecting your digital speakers to the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe
Jack, Connector or Cable
1. Optical S/PDIF Out jack
2. Optical cable (available separately)
3. Optical S/PDIF In jack
OPTICAL
COAXIAL
REAR
16V AC IN
~
FRONT
CENTRE/
SUBWOOFER/
REAR CENTER
AUDIO
OUTPUTS
AUDIO INPUTS
ANALOG
LEFT RIGHT
1
2
3
1
2
3
SPEAKER
CONFIGURATION
-- 6.1/7.1
-- 5.1
MASTER CENTER SIDE REAR SUB TREBLE 5.1 6.17.17.1
UPMIX
MIN MAX
M-PORT
STANDBY/
POWER VOLUME
SELECT UPMIX
ST
ANDBY/
POWER
CENTER
REAR
TREBLESUB
SIDE
MUTE
UPMIX
VOL
32
1

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 13
Connecting Home Theater Systems
Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe comes with an Optical S/PDIF Out jack which allows you to
connect your home theater system. 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.
Connecting your A/V receiver to the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe
Jack, Connector or Cable
1. Optical S/PDIF Out jack
2. Optical cable (available separately)
3. Optical S/PDIF In jack
BASS TREBLE BALANCE
VOL
POWER
INPUTMODE PROGRAM
INPUTSELECTOR
VIDEO L R
EFFECT
PHONE
3
2
1

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 14
Connecting your A/V Receiver using Line level inputs
If your A/V receiver supports multichannel line-level inputs, you can connect them directly to your
audio card’s Line Out jacks instead of the Optical S/PDIF Out jack as shown below.
Jack, Connector or
Cable Description
1. Line Out 1 jack
Connects to the Front Left and Front Right
jacks on your A/V receiver, using a 3.50 mm
(1/8-inch) stereo-to-RCA cable (available
separately)
2. 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) surround-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 3.50 mm (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 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) stereo-to-
RCA cable (available separately).
1
3
4
2

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 15
Jack, Connector or
Cable Description
1. Line Out 2 jack
Connects to the Rear Left and Rear Right jacks
on your A/V receiver, using a 3.50 mm (1/8-
inch) stereo-to-RCA cable (available
separately)
2. 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) surround-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 3.50 mm (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 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) stereo-to-
RCA cable (available separately).
1
3
4
2

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 16
Jack, Connector or
Cable Description
1. Line Out 3 jack
Connects to the Center and Subwoofer jacks
on your A/V receiver, using a 3.50 mm (1/8-
inch) stereo-to-RCA cable (available
separately)
2. 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) surround-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 3.50 mm (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 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) stereo-to-
RCA cable (available separately).
1
3
4
2

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 17
Connecting Headphones and Headsets
Alternatively, you can also connect your headphones and headsets to the Sound Blaster I/O Drive*.
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 Recon3D PCIe
For headphones:
For headsets:
Jack or Connector Description
1. Headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.50
mm (1/8-inch) plug.
Jack or Connector Description
1. Headphone jack Connects to the 3.50 mm (1/8-inch)
headphone plug of your headset.
2. Line In/Microphone In jack Connects to the 3.50mm (1/8-inch)
microphone plug of your headset.
1
1
2

Connecting Speakers and Headphones 18
Connecting your headphones and headsets to the Sound Blaster I/O Drive*
For headphones:
For headsets:
Notes
• * Available as an upgrade accessory for selected models of your audio device in some regions.
• Use an adapter if the plug comes in different size.
Jack or Connector Description
1. Headphone jack Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.50
mm (1/8-inch) plug.
Jack or Connector Description
1. Headphone jack Connects to the 3.50 mm (1/8-inch)
headphone plug of your headset.
2. Microphone In jack Connects to the 3.50mm (1/8-inch)
microphone plug of your headset.
1
2
1

Using Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe 20
Using Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe
Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe 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:
❑Playing Games
❑Watching DVDs
❑Playing/Recording Music
❑Creating Music
❑Chatting / Gaming
Notes
• Actual products may differ slightly from those shown in this chapter.
• The cables shown in this chapter may be bundled with your peripheral or are available separately
from www.creative.com.
• For more information on the Creative peripherals mentioned in this chapter, visit
www.creative.com.
Playing Games
Your Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIe 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 HDTM 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 7 to its former glory - in full surround sound with hardware accelerated audio mixing,
sampling rate conversion and EAX effects.
Dolby Digital Live
Dolby Digital Live is a real-time encoding technology from Dolby Laboratories that converts any
audio signal into a Dolby Digital bitstream for transport and playback through your home theater or
digital speaker system.
Transform your gameplay into an exciting and realistic experience using Dolby Digital Live. Audio
cues and effects that follow the onscreen action are reproduced, immersing you in 5.1 channel
surround sound that puts you at the center of the action.
To learn more about Dolby Digital Live, visit www.dolby.com.