MIC Volume (maybe my fault) A2 ZS NB

GeniusAction · Aug 1, 2008, 06:40 PM

Thank you Eugene Gavrilov for your wonderful work and KX DRIVER.

I'm on a notebook from DELL M6300, with EXPRESS CARD Slot, I've a Creative Audigy 2 ZS Notebook, I've succedeed in using it buying an Express Card to PCMCIA adapter. Everything it's ok!!!
I use a Zalmann 5.1 Speakers and I like so much play with games and listen music.
What about my MIC. I've a not preamplified mic a TRUST one cheapest one. With original Creative driver I can use without volume issue activating +20DB and setting volume at HIGH Level.

If I try same settings with KX Driver I've in Master Panel Microphone activated under Analog Source and in Recording panel LINE/2 Slider set to maximum (value is 12). Recording is ok but volume is low not same creative one.

Trying it with a Game like Counter Strike Source people cannot listen to me very clear because volume is low.
Can I do something?

P.S.
Thank you and everyone involved in this special and wonderful project.
Contact me if you need special beta testing with my configuration.

Express Card to PCMCIA ----> Adapter ----> Audigy 2 ZS Notebook SB0530

peate · Aug 1, 2008, 08:31 PM

Does this card use AC97 for the mike? I'm not familiar with notebook cards at all.
There is a gain setting on that page, otherwise, you might need to boost the input using a gain plug-in in the DSP.

Someone with knowledge on the ZS NB should reply.

Russ · Aug 1, 2008, 11:12 PM

BTW: Eugene was asking about such adapters:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Gavrilov

btw, do you know of any of such adapters available and working?
I'm considering to adding support for E-mu 1616m notebook, but will need an adapter (to plug-in PCMCIA E-mu to PCIe laptop...)
this will also be a milestone for OSX support for MacBook/MacBookPro... : )

E.

I am not sure if he is still looking for such info, but you may want to post the info about the adapter that you used in the following thread:
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/general-...ml#post1141015

GeniusAction · Aug 2, 2008, 10:10 AM

Sure I'll do it immediately.

GeniusAction · Aug 2, 2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peate

Does this card use AC97 for the mike? I'm not familiar with notebook cards at all.
There is a gain setting on that page, otherwise, you might need to boost the input using a gain plug-in in the DSP.

It doesn't use AC97 for mike, in Record Panel I've only Line 2 with a mike picture below and the slide from -95 to 0 till 12 value.

Explain please how to add gain plugin for mike.

Russ · Aug 2, 2008, 08:32 PM

Is the Master Recording level at 100%?

To add gain in the DSP, you would have to do something like the following (I do not have an a2zsnb, so this may not be completely accurate):

In kxmixer:
Mute the Line2 slider on the Recording page.
Unmute the Line2 slider on the Ins and Outs page (and set volume to desired level).

In kX DSP Window:
Find Line2/Mic2 pins on 'prolog' (probably pins 10/11).
Trace connection from above pins to 'xrouting' and disconnect at xrouting end.
Load GainHQ plugin.
Connect the above two pins to GainHQ inputs.
Connect GainHQ outputs to RecL/RecR (pins 15/16) on 'epilog'.
Open the tweak window for GainHQ and adjust gain as necessary.

GeniusAction · Aug 3, 2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

Is the Master Recording level at 100%?

To add gain in the DSP, you would have to do something like the following (I do not have an a2zsnb, so this may not be completely accurate):

In kxmixer:
Mute the Line2 slider on the Recording page.
Unmute the Line2 slider on the Ins and Outs page (and set volume to desired level).

In kX DSP Window:
Find Line2/Mic2 pins on 'prolog' (probably pins 10/11).
Trace connection from above pins to 'xrouting' and disconnect at xrouting end.
Load GainHQ plugin.
Connect the above two pins to GainHQ inputs.
Connect GainHQ outputs to RecL/RecR (pins 15/16) on 'epilog'.
Open the tweak window for GainHQ and adjust gain as necessary.

You are the man!!! Could you please explain me, why this way is perfect?
My source start from Line2/Mic2 Left and right, then goes in plugin then in epilog RecL and RecR that where free. It's strange also that I must use volume Ins and Outs volume no more Line2 slider on the Recording page.

Original DSP Settings low volume and settings from Recording Panel:

http://www.fileshack.us/get_file.php...low_volume.jpg

Perfect way DSP Modified and settings from Ins and Outs Panel:

http://www.fileshack.us/get_file.php...ed_Working.jpg

P.S.
Thanks a lots

Russ · Aug 3, 2008, 01:32 AM

I am not sure why the volume is not loud enough using the default config... It is possible that is an issue that Eugene needs to look into? Do you not have the +20 dB boost option at all with kX?

In any case, you cannot add a gain plugin to the path that the Recording page uses because it is all done inside of epilog, so the modified config (used as a workaround) uses the Ins and Outs page instead (it is same exact signal, it is just that one is normally routed only to recording (fixed path), and the other is normally routed only to the speakers (but can be changed)... we took the signal that normally goes to the speakers, added gain, and routed it to recording).

BTW: You would want to use this same type of config if you wanted to add any DSP effects to the MIC signal.

GeniusAction · Aug 3, 2008, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

I am not sure why the volume is not loud enough using the default config... It is possible that is an issue that Eugene needs to look into? Do you not have the +20 dB boost option at all with kX?

I've no +20db boost option. Now everything is ok, your information are very good and clear. (I were put gain plugin before xrouting in between prolog and xrouting itself)

Your workaround is beautiful, yes I think I'll use some DSP effect to MIC signal.

P.S.
Again RUSS thanks a lots

Aug 1, 2008, 06:40 PM	#1
GeniusAction HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	MIC Volume (maybe my fault) A2 ZS NB Thank you Eugene Gavrilov for your wonderful work and KX DRIVER. I'm on a notebook from DELL M6300, with EXPRESS CARD Slot, I've a Creative Audigy 2 ZS Notebook, I've succedeed in using it buying an Express Card to PCMCIA adapter. Everything it's ok!!! I use a Zalmann 5.1 Speakers and I like so much play with games and listen music. What about my MIC. I've a not preamplified mic a TRUST one cheapest one. With original Creative driver I can use without volume issue activating +20DB and setting volume at HIGH Level. If I try same settings with KX Driver I've in Master Panel Microphone activated under Analog Source and in Recording panel LINE/2 Slider set to maximum (value is 12). Recording is ok but volume is low not same creative one. Trying it with a Game like Counter Strike Source people cannot listen to me very clear because volume is low. Can I do something? P.S. Thank you and everyone involved in this special and wonderful project. Contact me if you need special beta testing with my configuration. Express Card to PCMCIA ----> Adapter ----> Audigy 2 ZS Notebook SB0530

Aug 2, 2008, 10:10 AM	Thread Starter #4
GeniusAction HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Sure I'll do it immediately. Sure I'll do it immediately.

Aug 2, 2008, 08:32 PM	#6
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,507 Rep Power: 61	Is the Master Recording level at 100%? To add gain in the DSP, you would have to do something like the following (I do not have an a2zsnb, so this may not be completely accurate): In kxmixer: Mute the Line2 slider on the Recording page. Unmute the Line2 slider on the Ins and Outs page (and set volume to desired level). In kX DSP Window: Find Line2/Mic2 pins on 'prolog' (probably pins 10/11). Trace connection from above pins to 'xrouting' and disconnect at xrouting end. Load GainHQ plugin. Connect the above two pins to GainHQ inputs. Connect GainHQ outputs to RecL/RecR (pins 15/16) on 'epilog'. Open the tweak window for GainHQ and adjust gain as necessary. Last edited by Russ; Aug 2, 2008 at 09:20 PM. Reason: correction

Aug 3, 2008, 01:32 AM	#8
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,507 Rep Power: 61	I am not sure why the volume is not loud enough using the default config... It is possible that is an issue that Eugene needs to look into? Do you not have the +20 dB boost option at all with kX? In any case, you cannot add a gain plugin to the path that the Recording page uses because it is all done inside of epilog, so the modified config (used as a workaround) uses the Ins and Outs page instead (it is same exact signal, it is just that one is normally routed only to recording (fixed path), and the other is normally routed only to the speakers (but can be changed)... we took the signal that normally goes to the speakers, added gain, and routed it to recording). BTW: You would want to use this same type of config if you wanted to add any DSP effects to the MIC signal. Last edited by Russ; Aug 3, 2008 at 07:04 PM. Reason: typo

Aug 1, 2008, 08:31 PM	#2
peate HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 389 Rep Power: 55	Does this card use AC97 for the mike? I'm not familiar with notebook cards at all. There is a gain setting on that page, otherwise, you might need to boost the input using a gain plug-in in the DSP. Someone with knowledge on the ZS NB should reply.