zs notebook (3 problems)

dungle · Mar 30, 2006, 09:47 AM

hi,

The problems I had when trying ZS notebook:
- soundfonts becoming crackly (like a gieger counter) after a few seconds of notes, then the crackling persists.
-no line input available through any signal path.
-DSP effects work except for those relying on XTRAM (reverb, delay etc) which produce a kind of whining sound with barely any signal discernable (the 'dry' portion of the signal is perfect).

My notebook:
hp/compaq nx6128
(AMD Turion, TI PCIxx21 cardbus controller)

I really hope these problems can get ironed out. The latest Creative drivers are so lame! They have SW soundfonts, and (even more) dumbed down effects capability.
thanks

**Eugene Gavrilov** · May 22, 2006, 02:49 AM

I observe all the three issues and it seems there's no fix for them at the moment
1. soundfonts: this can be solved by unloading kxmixer, disabling and re-enabling the driver in the device manager
2. line-in: no information is available. s/pdif in is o.k., but cannot be recorded except in ASIO mode
3. is probably related to bug #1. I noticed XTRAM-based effects sometimes produce some strange results, but after (1) workaround sound quality usually improves
--
sometimes it might be easier to perform the following steps:
- close (stop/pause) all audio applications
- execute: 'kxctrl -rv' to reset audio engine
- playback any MIDI file for 5-10 seconds to ensure all 64 voices were used at least once

this usually fixes audio distortion problems

E.

cressjl · Oct 26, 2006, 08:58 PM

I've also experienced this problem using version kxdrv3538l-full.exe. I can play an MP3 just fine. Then when playing a MIDI file, the grshzzz distortion begins, even after stopping the MIDI and playing MP3 or other audio file. Thanks, Eugene, for the workaround...I hope that it works.

I agree that the KX driver would be absolutely essential to make the A2 ZS NB card even work...the Creative softsynth 32-voice polyphony is deplorable.

ivanlaszik · Oct 31, 2006, 01:33 PM

beside these 3 problems with this card.... i want know how good the kx drv is handling this soundcard... cause i realy need a laptop on which to use kx...all i want to know is , if all 6 channels (front l/r , rear l/r , center , sub) work perfectly,I mean do the routings in the DSP work?Secondly i would like to know if the ASIO works,and thirdly which is the exact model of the ZS i should look for, so the KX should work?

Mar 30, 2006, 09:47 AM	#1
dungle DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 120 Rep Power: 0	zs notebook (3 problems) hi, The problems I had when trying ZS notebook: - soundfonts becoming crackly (like a gieger counter) after a few seconds of notes, then the crackling persists. -no line input available through any signal path. -DSP effects work except for those relying on XTRAM (reverb, delay etc) which produce a kind of whining sound with barely any signal discernable (the 'dry' portion of the signal is perfect). My notebook: hp/compaq nx6128 (AMD Turion, TI PCIxx21 cardbus controller) I really hope these problems can get ironed out. The latest Creative drivers are so lame! They have SW soundfonts, and (even more) dumbed down effects capability. thanks

May 22, 2006, 02:49 AM	#2
Eugene Gavrilov kX Project Lead Programmer and Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,119 Rep Power: 75	I observe all the three issues and it seems there's no fix for them at the moment 1. soundfonts: this can be solved by unloading kxmixer, disabling and re-enabling the driver in the device manager 2. line-in: no information is available. s/pdif in is o.k., but cannot be recorded except in ASIO mode 3. is probably related to bug #1. I noticed XTRAM-based effects sometimes produce some strange results, but after (1) workaround sound quality usually improves -- sometimes it might be easier to perform the following steps: - close (stop/pause) all audio applications - execute: 'kxctrl -rv' to reset audio engine - playback any MIDI file for 5-10 seconds to ensure all 64 voices were used at least once this usually fixes audio distortion problems E.

Oct 26, 2006, 08:58 PM	#3
cressjl DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	I've also experienced this problem using version kxdrv3538l-full.exe. I can play an MP3 just fine. Then when playing a MIDI file, the grshzzz distortion begins, even after stopping the MIDI and playing MP3 or other audio file. Thanks, Eugene, for the workaround...I hope that it works. I agree that the KX driver would be absolutely essential to make the A2 ZS NB card even work...the Creative softsynth 32-voice polyphony is deplorable.

Oct 31, 2006, 01:33 PM	#4
ivanlaszik HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Timisoara, Romania Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	beside these 3 problems with this card.... i want know how good the kx drv is handling this soundcard... cause i realy need a laptop on which to use kx...all i want to know is , if all 6 channels (front l/r , rear l/r , center , sub) work perfectly,I mean do the routings in the DSP work?Secondly i would like to know if the ASIO works,and thirdly which is the exact model of the ZS i should look for, so the KX should work?