Is there any way to split the output on a 5.1 soundcard

illuminatus1984

Is there any way to split the front/back output on a 5.1 c-media soundcard on an XP home system, so that programs that i choose only use certain channels like, games on front and center speakers, music on back speakers?? thanx any help that can be provided will be appreciated.

jiiteepee

Software wise, maybe not the way you described it with that c-media sound system.

Games does not allow to choose output channels freely, or do they?

You should have a player for audio that supports channel selection to get output routed to rear channels (like Native Instruments TRAKTOR BeatPort Player). These players allow you to set the output to any available combination (you perhaps need to set the c-media output to multichannel).





And ofcourse, if you're using Winamp (or Foobar2k) for audio, then you may get the audio signal routed to rear outputs with using VST Host DSP for Winamp and energyXTE -plugin (this all depends on which capabilities c-media card/software has).

Both of these methods would allow you to use front L/R for games (normal stereo output settings for 2/2.1) and rear R/L for audio (BeatPort Player/WinAmp/Foobar set to output to rear L/R) simultaenously.

Just DL and install both mentioned software, load the energyXTE plugin into Winamp VST Host DSP (winamp options-->properties-->DSP/Effects). On energyXTE, set the Master outputs (2 or 3), connect the Master input to those Master output channels you want to use.




(On my example, I have some effects on audio chain too, but in generally there, the out put is set to rear stereo channel)


Also you can use Asio4All drivers with BeatPort Player and/or Winamp (to get the asio output working on winamp, it needs out_asio(dll).dll for Winamp plugin to be installed too) to get best quality out from that onboard thingy.


There is also this MatrixMixer thingy (which of I do not know much about; what all you can do with it?). "MatrixMixer - is a DirectShow filter to upmix any stereo source to multiple speakers. Designed mainly for playback movies with stereo audio track on 5.1 audio systems."
Main features:

• Matrix mixer with ability to change the matrix.
• Conversion from any input format to any output format. Supports channel configurations from mono to 5.1 and sample formats 16bit / 24bit / 32bit / float.
• Input/output levels indication.
• Automatic gain control.
• Dynamic range compression.
• Individual gain control for each input/output channel.
• Delays for each output channel.

jiitee