Creative Sound BlasterX G5 SB1700 User manual

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Sound BlasterX®G5! This portable sound card and headphone
amplifier features true 7.1 HD surround sound, 120dB USB DAC (Digital-to- Analog Converter) that
delivers up to 24-bit/192kHz for realistic virtualization of gaming effects and audio cues with perfect
accuracy and positioning. The built-in powerful SB-Axx1™ sound and voice processor works with the
BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro for personalized gaming audio enhancements. Enjoy the ultimate gaming
experience on studio-grade headsets and in-ear monitors.
Package Checklist
Your Sound BlasterX G5 package comes with the following:
lThe Sound BlasterX G5
lMicro-USB 2.0 cable
l3.5 mm (1/8") Mini-TOSLINK cable
lQuick Start leaflet
Minimum System Requirements
For Windows®OS
lIntel®Core™2 Duo or AMD equivalent processor, 2.8 GHz or faster recommended
lIntel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard
lMicrosoft®Windows 10 32-bit or 64-bit,Windows 8.1 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows 8 32-bit or 64-bit,
Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows Vista®32-bit or 64-bit (Service Pack 1 or higher)
l1 GB RAM
l>600 MB of free hard disk space
lAvailable USB 2.0/3.0 port
For Mac®OS
lMac OSX®10.6.8 or higher
l1 GB RAM
l>600 MB of free hard disk space
lAvailable USB 2.0/3.0 port
Registering Your Product
Registering your product ensures you receive the most appropriate service and product support
available. You can register your product during installation or at register.creative.com.
Please note that your warranty rights are not dependent on registration.
More Help
For the latest news and products, please visit www.creative.com. The site also includes information on
making purchases, technical help and the latest software updates.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Introduction 2

About Your Hardware
The Sound BlasterX G5 has input and output jacks to enable connection to various devices while controls
on the side give you basic control over your audio device.
CAUTION:
Do not store the device in high temperatures or leave the device in a car exposed
to direct sunlight for a long period of time. High temperatures may damage the
device.
Controls & Indicators
1
Control /
Indicator
Description
1 Power indicator Lights up when Sound BlasterX G5 is connected to a
power source.
Sound BlasterX G5 – About Your Hardware 3

2 3 4 5
Control /
Indicator
Description
2 Scout Mode button
/ indicator
Scout Mode button
lToggles ScoutMode ON/OFF.
Indicator
lWhite: Scout Mode ON
lOff: Scout Mode OFF
3 Profile button Profile button
lPress once to select a profile.
lPress again to select the next profile.
lPress and hold to turn off profiles.
Indicator
lWhite: Profile ON
lOff: Profile OFF
Note:
Scout Mode will be disabled when a profile is selected.
To set the profiles, see Using the Creative
Software Suite –Profile.
4 Headphone Gain
switch
(Low / High)
Switches the headphones gain level.
lLow:
For headphones with low impedance (32 ~ 150 ohms).
Gain: up to 5 dB.
lHigh:
For headphones with high impedance (150 ~ 600
ohms). Gain: up to 15 dB.
5 Profile indicator The three white LEDs show the gaming audio profile
selected.
lProfile 1:
lProfile 2:
lProfile 3:
lOff:
Sound BlasterX G5 – About Your Hardware 4

Input / Output Jacks
5 8
6 7
Jack / Control Description
5Headset jack Connects to stereo headphones (3-pole) or headsets with
mic (4-pole) with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) plug.
6 Volume control
knob
Adjusts the audio output volume.
Increase volume: Turn clockwise
Decrease volume: Turn anti-clockwise
Mute or unmute the volume: Press once
7 Volume indicator Brightens according to the volume level.
8Mic In jack Connects to microphones with a 3.5 mm (1/8- inch) plug.
Sound BlasterX G5 – About Your Hardware 5

9 10 11 12
Jack / Control Description
9Line / Optical In jack Connects to line-level sources (smartphones, tablets,
MP3 players) with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) plug.
OR
Connects to optical digital sources (video game consoles,
Blu-ray players, AV receivers) with a Mini-TOSLINK
cable.
10 Line / Optical Out
jack Connects to powered analog speakers with a 3.5 mm
(1/8-inch) plug.
OR
Connects to optical digital devices (amplifiers) with a 3.5
mm (1/8-inch) Mini-TOSLINK cable.
11 USB-Device port Connects to USB peripherals (keyboard, mouse, USB
flash drive).
Note:
USB-Device port supports devices up to 100mA.
12 USB-PC port Connects to USB ports of PC/Mac for audio playback or
recording.
OR
Connects to the USB port on the PS4™ console for
gaming.
OR
Alternatively, you may connect it to the power socket via
a USB power adapter (DC 5V, 1A).
Sound BlasterX G5 – About Your Hardware 6

Setting Up Your Audio Device
Step 1: Turning on Sound BlasterX G5
Connect your Sound BlasterX G5 directly to a USB port on your computer or PS4.
You can also connect to a wall outlet using USB power adapter* (not included).
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(a) Micro-USB cable
(b) Computer
(c) PS4
(d) Wall outlet using USB power adapter*
* DC 5V, 1 A
Note:
Connecting the Sound BlasterX G5 to a USB hub is not recommended.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 7

Setting the Sound BlasterX G5 as the default audio device
For Windows
1. Go to Control Panel and click Sound.
2. Click the Playback tab, select Sound BlasterX G5, then click the Set Default button.
3. Click the Recording tab, select the required Sound BlasterX G5 recording device, then click the
SetDefault button.
For Mac
1. Go to Applications >Utilities >Audio MIDI Setup.
2. Click the Sound BlasterX G5 tab, then set the Clock source to DSP Clock*.
3. Go to System Preferences and click Sound.
4. Click the Output tab, then select Sound BlasterX G5.
5. Click the Input tab, then select the required Sound BlasterX G5 recording device.
Note:
* For direct playback to stereo speaker channel at 192kHz (Direct Mode), select Stereo Direct.
Only Line In is available with Stereo Direct.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 8

Step 2: Connecting to line-in sources (e.g. mobile device, portable
media player)
(a)
(b) (c)
(a) 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo analog cable
(available separately)
(b) Mobile device
(c) Portable media player
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 9

Step 3: Connecting to optical-in sources (e.g. Xbox, Blu-ray
player, TV set)
(a) (b)
(c)
(d)
(a) Mini-TOSLINK cable
(b) Xbox
(c) Blu-ray player
(d) TV set
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 10

Step 4: Connecting to Headsets / Microphones / Speakers
Connecting to headsets
CAUTION:
Set the appropriate gain level (L or H) before connecting your headset to the Headset jack to prevent
damaging your headset.
Low: For headset with low impedance (32 ~ 150 ohms). Gain: up to 5 dB.
High: For headset with high impedance (150 ~ 600 ohms). Gain: up to 15 dB.
OR
Note:
* Voice input from a headset with 4-pole plug is disabled if an external microphone is connected
to the Mic In jack.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 11

Connecting to microphones
For Windows
1. Go to Control Panel and click Sound.
2. Click the Recording tab, select Sound BlasterX G5 (External Mic), then click the SetDefault
button.
For Mac
1. Go to Applications >Utilities >Audio MIDI Setup.
2. Click the Sound BlasterX G5 tab, then set the Clock source to DSP Clock.
3. Go to System Preferences and click Sound.
4. Click the Input tab, then select Sound BlasterX G5 (External Mic).
Note:
You can only use one external microphone at a time.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 12

Connecting to speakers
BASS TREBLE
OFF
AUXIN
MAX
VOLUME
(a)
(b)
(c)
(e)
(d)
(a) 3.5 mm 2-channel audio cable
(available separately)
(b) Analog speakers
(c) Mini-TOSLINK cable
(d) Digital speakers
(e) Amplifier
Note:
Line Out audio is muted if a device is connected to the Headset jack.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 13

Step 5: Connecting to USB Peripherals
A USB-Device port on your Sound BlasterX G5 lets you connect a USB peripheral to the host computer
easily.
(a) (b) (c)
(a) Keyboard
(b) Mouse
(c) USB flash drive
Note:
USB-Device port supports devices up to 100mA.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 14

Installing and Uninstalling Software
(For Windows Only)
To take full advantage of your Sound BlasterX G5 audio device, 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.
Installing Drivers and Applications
Ensure that your audio device is connected before proceeding. For instructions on
connecting your audio device, consult your Quick Start leaflet.
After you have connected your audio device, turn on your computer. Windows automatically detects
your audio device and searches for device drivers.
1. Using a standard web browser, visit www.creative.com/support/BlasterXG5.
2. Locate Sound BlasterX G5 and the software package for your Windows operating system.
3. Download this package into your local hard disk.
4. Locate and launch the software package.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
6. When prompted, restart your computer.
7. Launch the application by locating and clicking BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro.
Uninstalling Drivers and Applications
In the event that an uninstallation is required (such as for upgrades), please follow the following
procedure.
Before you begin, close all running audio applications. Applications that are still running
during uninstallation may not be removed.
1. From the Control Panel, click Uninstall a program.
2. Select Sound BlasterX G5.
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.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Installing and Uninstalling Software 15

Using Your Audio Device
Step 1: Adjusting the volume
WARNING:
lSet the volume control at minimum level before connecting headphones or
speakers.
lDo not listen to audio at high volumes for prolonged periods of time to avoid
impairing your hearing.
Adjust the volume to a comfortable level using the volume control.
You can also adjust or mute the volume using:
lYour connected device
lBlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro
Note:
If you mute the volume on your connected device or in the software applications, you will not hear
any sound output even if the volume control is set to the maximum.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Using Your Audio Device 16

Step 2: Using your Sound BlasterX G5
Your Sound BlasterX G5 works seamlessly with many external devices to perform different tasks:
lPlaying audio
lRecording audio
lAnswering calls
Note:
Line Out audio is muted if a device is connected to the Headset jack.
Playing audio from a computer/PS4 via USB
OR
BASS TREBLE
OFF
AUXIN
MAX
VOLUME
Note:
Enhance audio playback with BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro enhancements such as immersion control,
dynamic range restoration, low-frequency boost, dialog boost, and automatic volume levelling. See
Using the Creative Software Suite –BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Using Your Audio Device 17

Playing audio from a line-in/optical-in device
OR
BASS TREBLE
OFF
AUXIN
MAX
VOLUME
Sound BlasterX G5 – Using Your Audio Device 18

Recording audio to a computer
Easily record audio on your computer with an external microphone connected to the Sound BlasterX G5.
Use a voice recording application on your computer to record audio.
Note:
You can only use one external microphone at a time.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Using Your Audio Device 19

Recording line-level audio to a computer
You can record audio from a line-in source (game console, DVD player, TV set) and store them in your
computer via the Sound BlasterX G5.
Note:
Signal levels can be adjusted using the BlasterX Acoustic Engine Pro. See Using the Creative
Software Suite –Mixer Settings.
Recording "What U Hear"
(For Windows OS)
The Sound BlasterX G5 is equipped with What U Hear feature that allows you to record what is being
played on the speakers/headphones as it is.
Thus, you can also record voice conversations held over instant messaging tools such as Google Talk,
Skype etc.
1. Go to Control Panel and click Sound.
2. Click the Recording tab, select Sound BlasterX G5 (What U Hear), then click the SetDefault
button.
3. Play music on your connected device or activate your voice conversation.
4. Launch a third-party sound recording tool of your choice and start recording.
Sound BlasterX G5 – Using Your Audio Device 20