front rear, then front again...i go crazy !

zyrlex · Feb 22, 2003, 11:17 PM

Hello. I'm kinda new here, so maybe you guys can help me.

I have the SB live 5.1 digital [model SB0060]
I have normal table-speakers and a Yamaha subwoofer with it's own powercord.

I have the problem of my KX module, when switching between my mp3 playback, and an AUDIO-cd in my CD-rom drive.

1) when I use mp3, i use "swap front-rear mode on" and everything works fine....i get good sound fom my speakers and a decent subwoofer level

2) I put in an audio CD, and

then everything changes.....all sound go to the subwoofer...(very loud !!!), and i can only hear the "normal" sound by turning up the AC97 slider.....

Can anyone help me.......how about the DSP router...can I do something permanent to avoid this mess?

Mata Hari · Feb 24, 2003, 02:26 AM

how are your speakers connected to your soundcard?

My guess is that you have 2 speakers and a sub, and the 2 speakers are in the front out (green) and the sub is plugged in rear (back)... or something like this?

if your cdplayer is connected with the analog cd-in connector on the live, then it's nececary to use the ac97 slider to listen to cd's, cause the analog cd connector is part of the ac97 codec

can you give us a littlebit more info on your setup? and what other setting you changed?

zyrlex · Feb 24, 2003, 08:19 PM

Hello Mata Hari

Thanx for replying on my mail....

You guessed correct on my speakers, and they are setup as follow

Black = Front speakers
Green = Subwoofer
Pink = Microphone IN
Blue = Not used (line IN)
Yellow = Not used (digital out)

Master = 100%
Wave/PCM = 75%

Digital out = not on
Swap fr/rear = ON
SPDIF bypass = not on

AC97 source = CD

AC97 IN = 50% (muted when playing mp3 files)

I have muted all "recording" inputs.

All other setting are as default, even the DSP and the router.

I think that my motherboard has a AC97 codec, but i can't find out, or can I

Hope you got enough info now...

Max M. · Feb 24, 2003, 08:41 PM

>Green = Subwoofer

well, it is not good idea to plug sub into ac97 output ("green").

that's why following thing happens:

"2) I put in an audio CD, and then everything changes.....all sound go to the subwoofer...(very loud !!!), and i can only hear the "normal" sound by turning up the AC97 slider....."

see http://www.hardwareheaven.com/showthre...threadid=11605 for some details on ac97 inputs/outputs issues.

if you can't use digital/ide cable for cd for some reason, use at least "ac97-source"/"ac97-ins&outs" controls - not "cd" at ac97 page...

zyrlex · Feb 24, 2003, 09:16 PM

Hello Max

At first I put the Sub at green, because of the KX help file. It states that the best sound quality is achieved by putting your front speakers at the "rear = black" port and then use the swap front and rear, since the "rear" output uses another chip for sound, that has a better S/N - ratio than AC97.......so that's why.

I have not tried to play a normal .wav CD without the analog cable to my SB-card, but you say that the sound will go through the IDE channel if the cable is not present ?

On the AC97 page, there's not an option to choose between:

use at least "ac97-source"/"ac97-ins&outs" controls - not "cd" at ac97 page...

Also, the AC97 is distorting my signal when i go above 75% volume ?

maybe because i don't use latest driver 3229 ?

Max M. · Feb 25, 2003, 02:55 AM

>At first I put the Sub at green, because of the KX help file. It states that the best sound quality is achieved by putting your front speakers at the "rear = black" port and then use the swap front and rear, since the "rear" output uses another chip for sound,

Right but help file do not mention that you should plug sub into "front"

more over neither "front" nor "rear" outputs meant to be used as direct output to subwoofer...
So well... ok, so now i can say that the best output sub may be connected to is... yes, "subwoofer" output of the "yellow"
(because on SB0060 and later models (sb100, sb200, audigies)) it is not "digital output" only but shared multichannel analog/digital out... well... wait for next (30) version of the driver, i think it would have "bass redirection" option so getting subwoofer output will be very userfriendly as never before...
(duh, i'm speaking just like creative advertisment, hehe

)

ok, then..

>On the AC97 page, there's not an option to choose between:

i mean:
"AC97 source = CD
AC97 IN = 50% (muted when playing mp3 files)"
- that's correct..., i just mentioned that as the only way of listening to "analog CD-in" through black out.

>Also, the AC97 is distorting my signal when i go above 75% volume ?

Which fader is at 75%?
------------------------------------------

btw:
>Wave/PCM = 75%

Recommended setting for Wave/PCM is 100%, This value means that no changes is applied to wave and that allows you to achive the best possible bit resolution / signal-to-noise ratio of ADC
(well, not only ADC, this is the best setting for any output target including digital ones)... and that is why default setup is Master=100%, Wave=100%... (100% is 0dB for these controls)...

zyrlex · Mar 1, 2003, 03:16 PM

Well....thanx for all the help so far.

Now I have tried some different configurations, and since my subwoofer is not digital, nor a part of a surround system with redirection, i guess it's still better to plug it in to the "front" channel (green), and the normal speakers in the "back" channel (black), and use the "switch front and rear mode" = ON.

I look forward to a new KX driver that utilizes the yellow output channel

I am running a windows 2000, and use Reason (for some reason

), and the only module that gives me crackle-free performance is the KX.
Can anyone tell me, if this is true with the most recent drivers also ?

I have the following version:

Version: 5, 10, 00, 3515 - debug
Compiled: Mar 10 2002 02:43:21

BTW: ( in reply to Max M.)

>Also, the AC97 is distorting my signal when i go above 75% volume ?

Which fader is at 75%?

The fader is the AC97 fader.....when I turn it up over 75% some distortion starts ....

Hope to get some answers....

LoyC · Mar 2, 2003, 04:17 AM

hey zyrlex, u're using quite an old driver that is version 3315 since march 2002, when u can get the latest stable release drivers which are 3329 complied in december 2002. u should definitely update them by having a clean uninstall and take the effort to install the newer ones.

if i'm not wrong some volume sliders that are analog like AC97 and the main sliders will cause noise distortion if set too high...it's best to keep them at 75% maximum, while others can feedback if this is the right way. (thanks =)

Feb 22, 2003, 11:17 PM	#1
zyrlex DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	front rear, then front again...i go crazy ! Hello. I'm kinda new here, so maybe you guys can help me. I have the SB live 5.1 digital [model SB0060] I have normal table-speakers and a Yamaha subwoofer with it's own powercord. I have the problem of my KX module, when switching between my mp3 playback, and an AUDIO-cd in my CD-rom drive. 1) when I use mp3, i use "swap front-rear mode on" and everything works fine....i get good sound fom my speakers and a decent subwoofer level 2) I put in an audio CD, and then everything changes.....all sound go to the subwoofer...(very loud !!!), and i can only hear the "normal" sound by turning up the AC97 slider..... Can anyone help me.......how about the DSP router...can I do something permanent to avoid this mess? __________________

Feb 24, 2003, 08:19 PM	Thread Starter #3
zyrlex DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	more info Hello Mata Hari Thanx for replying on my mail.... You guessed correct on my speakers, and they are setup as follow Black = Front speakers Green = Subwoofer Pink = Microphone IN Blue = Not used (line IN) Yellow = Not used (digital out) Master = 100% Wave/PCM = 75% Digital out = not on Swap fr/rear = ON SPDIF bypass = not on AC97 source = CD AC97 IN = 50% (muted when playing mp3 files) I have muted all "recording" inputs. All other setting are as default, even the DSP and the router. I think that my motherboard has a AC97 codec, but i can't find out, or can I Hope you got enough info now... __________________

Feb 24, 2003, 08:41 PM	#4
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,606 Rep Power: 66	>Green = Subwoofer well, it is not good idea to plug sub into ac97 output ("green"). that's why following thing happens: "2) I put in an audio CD, and then everything changes.....all sound go to the subwoofer...(very loud !!!), and i can only hear the "normal" sound by turning up the AC97 slider....." see http://www.hardwareheaven.com/showthre...threadid=11605 for some details on ac97 inputs/outputs issues. if you can't use digital/ide cable for cd for some reason, use at least "ac97-source"/"ac97-ins&outs" controls - not "cd" at ac97 page... __________________

Feb 24, 2003, 09:16 PM	Thread Starter #5
zyrlex DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Hello Max At first I put the Sub at green, because of the KX help file. It states that the best sound quality is achieved by putting your front speakers at the "rear = black" port and then use the swap front and rear, since the "rear" output uses another chip for sound, that has a better S/N - ratio than AC97.......so that's why. I have not tried to play a normal .wav CD without the analog cable to my SB-card, but you say that the sound will go through the IDE channel if the cable is not present ? On the AC97 page, there's not an option to choose between: use at least "ac97-source"/"ac97-ins&outs" controls - not "cd" at ac97 page... Also, the AC97 is distorting my signal when i go above 75% volume ? maybe because i don't use latest driver 3229 ? __________________

Feb 25, 2003, 02:55 AM	#6
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,606 Rep Power: 66	>At first I put the Sub at green, because of the KX help file. It states that the best sound quality is achieved by putting your front speakers at the "rear = black" port and then use the swap front and rear, since the "rear" output uses another chip for sound, Right but help file do not mention that you should plug sub into "front" more over neither "front" nor "rear" outputs meant to be used as direct output to subwoofer... So well... ok, so now i can say that the best output sub may be connected to is... yes, "subwoofer" output of the "yellow" (because on SB0060 and later models (sb100, sb200, audigies)) it is not "digital output" only but shared multichannel analog/digital out... well... wait for next (30) version of the driver, i think it would have "bass redirection" option so getting subwoofer output will be very userfriendly as never before... (duh, i'm speaking just like creative advertisment, hehe ) ok, then.. >On the AC97 page, there's not an option to choose between: i mean: "AC97 source = CD AC97 IN = 50% (muted when playing mp3 files)" - that's correct..., i just mentioned that as the only way of listening to "analog CD-in" through black out. >Also, the AC97 is distorting my signal when i go above 75% volume ? Which fader is at 75%? ------------------------------------------ btw: >Wave/PCM = 75% Recommended setting for Wave/PCM is 100%, This value means that no changes is applied to wave and that allows you to achive the best possible bit resolution / signal-to-noise ratio of ADC (well, not only ADC, this is the best setting for any output target including digital ones)... and that is why default setup is Master=100%, Wave=100%... (100% is 0dB for these controls)... __________________

Feb 24, 2003, 02:26 AM	#2
Mata Hari HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 213 Rep Power: 0	how are your speakers connected to your soundcard? My guess is that you have 2 speakers and a sub, and the 2 speakers are in the front out (green) and the sub is plugged in rear (back)... or something like this? if your cdplayer is connected with the analog cd-in connector on the live, then it's nececary to use the ac97 slider to listen to cd's, cause the analog cd connector is part of the ac97 codec can you give us a littlebit more info on your setup? and what other setting you changed?

Mar 1, 2003, 03:16 PM	Thread Starter #7
zyrlex DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	thanx for advice Well....thanx for all the help so far. Now I have tried some different configurations, and since my subwoofer is not digital, nor a part of a surround system with redirection, i guess it's still better to plug it in to the "front" channel (green), and the normal speakers in the "back" channel (black), and use the "switch front and rear mode" = ON. I look forward to a new KX driver that utilizes the yellow output channel I am running a windows 2000, and use Reason (for some reason ), and the only module that gives me crackle-free performance is the KX. Can anyone tell me, if this is true with the most recent drivers also ? I have the following version: Version: 5, 10, 00, 3515 - debug Compiled: Mar 10 2002 02:43:21 BTW: ( in reply to Max M.) >Also, the AC97 is distorting my signal when i go above 75% volume ? Which fader is at 75%? The fader is the AC97 fader.....when I turn it up over 75% some distortion starts .... Hope to get some answers.... __________________

Mar 2, 2003, 04:17 AM	#8
LoyC DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	hey zyrlex, u're using quite an old driver that is version 3315 since march 2002, when u can get the latest stable release drivers which are 3329 complied in december 2002. u should definitely update them by having a clean uninstall and take the effort to install the newer ones. if i'm not wrong some volume sliders that are analog like AC97 and the main sliders will cause noise distortion if set too high...it's best to keep them at 75% maximum, while others can feedback if this is the right way. (thanks =)