SB Live! 5.1 - 6ch out AdvancedEQ issues.

AdmiralNemo · Nov 13, 2006, 07:12 PM

Hi. I'm new here.

I did a search for this issue and couldn't find one. I apologize if I missed a post about this.

I have sort of a complicated situation. I have a machine in my livingroom. It uses my 57" HDTV for a monitor and my Kenwood Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 receiver and surround speakers for audio. The machine uses a SoundBlaster Live! 5.1. I use the analog 6 channel output to the receiver.

The SB Mixer speaker test works fine...all speakers sound off as they are supposed to. For some reason, in order to get proper bass, I have to use both Bass Redirection and apply "Drum and Bass" Advanced EQ. This sounds great...in stereo. The moment I activate a 5.1 mode (game, DVD, AC3-encoded avi file, etc), the audio goes silent. If I deactivate the "Drum and Bass", 5.1 works. Positional audio seems to function properly, but there is hardly any bass. I have tried adjusting the Bass slider in the mixer, toggling and adjusting the Bass Redirection option, to no avail.

I can't find any mention of the Advanced EQ not working in 5.1 modes at all. Is this a driver issue? I'm using the latest drivers from Creative. Is there a way around this? Perhaps a mixer that will allow more than a generic Bass and Treble adjustment?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

ROBSCIX · Nov 19, 2006, 10:10 PM

Hmm, Are you sure you have the card configured properly for 5.1? I mean setting the card for the # of speakers? I have never heard of anything like this and I used your exact card for along time. Have you considered using KX drivers? these would give you much, much better sound but are a bit harder to learn but the sound so much better. Something to think about. You are using the latest drivers for the SB live correct?
another thing is verify your Cnter/SUb cable has pplugged into correct jacks on receiver it's easy to get them mixed up and hard to tell they are....

AdmiralNemo · Nov 20, 2006, 04:09 PM

Yes, both the SB Mixer and Windows are set to 5.1 surround speakers. Also, 5.1 works just fine if I set the EQ to "None". When I do this, there is hardly any bass though. My subwoofer is almost idle. When a source is in stereo, the sub hits just fine (with Drum and Bass enabled), so the sub is receiving a signal from the card.

KX drivers? I've heard of YouP PAX drivers, but not KX. I may have to look into that.

ROBSCIX · Nov 20, 2006, 04:42 PM

Try Bass redirection...that sounds like your issue...

primetime · Nov 20, 2006, 05:19 PM

actually my audigy 2zs has weak bass using the analog hook ups, but using the digital solves the problem. unfortunatly that means i have weak bass when playing games in 5.1 on my reciever. On my medussa head set i dont notice it so bad, but it ties in before the reciever.

Since i toggle between analog and digital depending on wether im gameing or watching a dvd ive learned to live with the issue as it seems the only fix is to use a non creative card for hooking up to external recivers properly.

ROBSCIX · Nov 24, 2006, 02:56 AM

Very strange as my SB Live! always had good bass...
You did make sure that you didn't have the Center and Sub swapped by mistake? also is your receiver set to accept the Dolby Digital input? I guess you found some info knowing abou this, so I am not sure if there is anything more to do..good luck

AdmiralNemo · Nov 28, 2006, 10:19 PM

Yeah, the Center and Sub must be correct since the Center sounds off properly in the SB Mixer speaker test. Positional audio seems to work when no EQ effects are applied. 5.1 is fine when EQ is off. Oh, I can't apply any EAX effects either, or 5.1 sources are silent. I think I can apply Envirnments such as Auditorium though. Stereo works wether an EQ or EAX effect is applied or not, 5.1 only works if NO EQ or EAX effect is applied.

Also some games that aren't in 5.1, but use some sort of Hardware 3D audio are missing sound effects when an EQ or EAX effect is applied. For Example:

UT2004 - Weapons are silent, explosions ocurring in center of screen are silent.
Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion - Attack sounds are not audible (player grunting).

ROBSCIX · Nov 29, 2006, 01:15 AM

I had actually stillhave my original SB LIve! DE and it never did anything like that. I listened to 5.1 movies all the time and added some reverb etc. EQ shouldn't knock out your sound. FOr whatever reason I don not think that is right. SO I am not sure what to give you for advice. I had one of those cards and it never did anything like that so take that as advice...somethig is wrong with your card. UNsless it's something your Reciever is doing? is that a possibility?

AdmiralNemo · Dec 5, 2006, 06:10 PM

I think I may have another SB live card hiding in a computer parts box somewhere. I'll see if the issue repeats with that card...once I find it.

Nov 13, 2006, 07:12 PM	#1
AdmiralNemo DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	SB Live! 5.1 - 6ch out AdvancedEQ issues. Hi. I'm new here. I did a search for this issue and couldn't find one. I apologize if I missed a post about this. I have sort of a complicated situation. I have a machine in my livingroom. It uses my 57" HDTV for a monitor and my Kenwood Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 receiver and surround speakers for audio. The machine uses a SoundBlaster Live! 5.1. I use the analog 6 channel output to the receiver. The SB Mixer speaker test works fine...all speakers sound off as they are supposed to. For some reason, in order to get proper bass, I have to use both Bass Redirection and apply "Drum and Bass" Advanced EQ. This sounds great...in stereo. The moment I activate a 5.1 mode (game, DVD, AC3-encoded avi file, etc), the audio goes silent. If I deactivate the "Drum and Bass", 5.1 works. Positional audio seems to function properly, but there is hardly any bass. I have tried adjusting the Bass slider in the mixer, toggling and adjusting the Bass Redirection option, to no avail. I can't find any mention of the Advanced EQ not working in 5.1 modes at all. Is this a driver issue? I'm using the latest drivers from Creative. Is there a way around this? Perhaps a mixer that will allow more than a generic Bass and Treble adjustment? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nov 19, 2006, 10:10 PM	#2
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	Hmm, Are you sure you have the card configured properly for 5.1? I mean setting the card for the # of speakers? I have never heard of anything like this and I used your exact card for along time. Have you considered using KX drivers? these would give you much, much better sound but are a bit harder to learn but the sound so much better. Something to think about. You are using the latest drivers for the SB live correct? another thing is verify your Cnter/SUb cable has pplugged into correct jacks on receiver it's easy to get them mixed up and hard to tell they are....

Nov 20, 2006, 04:09 PM	Thread Starter #3
AdmiralNemo DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Yes, both the SB Mixer and Windows are set to 5.1 surround speakers. Also, 5.1 works just fine if I set the EQ to "None". When I do this, there is hardly any bass though. My subwoofer is almost idle. When a source is in stereo, the sub hits just fine (with Drum and Bass enabled), so the sub is receiving a signal from the card. KX drivers? I've heard of YouP PAX drivers, but not KX. I may have to look into that.

Nov 20, 2006, 04:42 PM	#4
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	Try Bass redirection...that sounds like your issue...

Nov 20, 2006, 05:19 PM	#5
primetime DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19 Rep Power: 0	actually my audigy 2zs has weak bass using the analog hook ups, but using the digital solves the problem. unfortunatly that means i have weak bass when playing games in 5.1 on my reciever. On my medussa head set i dont notice it so bad, but it ties in before the reciever. Since i toggle between analog and digital depending on wether im gameing or watching a dvd ive learned to live with the issue as it seems the only fix is to use a non creative card for hooking up to external recivers properly.

Nov 24, 2006, 02:56 AM	#6
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	Very strange as my SB Live! always had good bass... You did make sure that you didn't have the Center and Sub swapped by mistake? also is your receiver set to accept the Dolby Digital input? I guess you found some info knowing abou this, so I am not sure if there is anything more to do..good luck

Nov 28, 2006, 10:19 PM	Thread Starter #7
AdmiralNemo DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Yeah, the Center and Sub must be correct since the Center sounds off properly in the SB Mixer speaker test. Positional audio seems to work when no EQ effects are applied. 5.1 is fine when EQ is off. Oh, I can't apply any EAX effects either, or 5.1 sources are silent. I think I can apply Envirnments such as Auditorium though. Stereo works wether an EQ or EAX effect is applied or not, 5.1 only works if NO EQ or EAX effect is applied. Also some games that aren't in 5.1, but use some sort of Hardware 3D audio are missing sound effects when an EQ or EAX effect is applied. For Example: UT2004 - Weapons are silent, explosions ocurring in center of screen are silent. Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion - Attack sounds are not audible (player grunting).

Nov 29, 2006, 01:15 AM	#8
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	I had actually stillhave my original SB LIve! DE and it never did anything like that. I listened to 5.1 movies all the time and added some reverb etc. EQ shouldn't knock out your sound. FOr whatever reason I don not think that is right. SO I am not sure what to give you for advice. I had one of those cards and it never did anything like that so take that as advice...somethig is wrong with your card. UNsless it's something your Reciever is doing? is that a possibility?

Dec 5, 2006, 06:10 PM	Thread Starter #9
AdmiralNemo DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	I think I may have another SB live card hiding in a computer parts box somewhere. I'll see if the issue repeats with that card...once I find it.