my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound?

Jake81 · Jul 4, 2011, 06:18 AM

hi guys, I have only recently found out about kx Mixer. I have a Sound Blaster Live 4830. And I cant seem to get the rear (black) out puts to work properly to deliver 4.1 surround sound. When I test them in the Kx mixer all the speakers respond / work fine(front, rear,sub), But as soon as I play a something using MPC it only plays in 2.1. Only 2 Speakers and the Sub work (either the front or the rear - I have played around with the software and have also taken notice of the "front and Rear Swap".)

I have done everything according to the instructions, after installing Kx mixer I went into settings speaker setup and selected 4.1. And they even seem to work inside the mixer but as soon as I play something the rear speakers get disabled.

No matter what settings I use in the control panels, I cannot get the speakers to actually play sound out of all four speakers when playing any music or movies.

Really need some help

Russ · Jul 4, 2011, 02:27 PM

Make sure that "Surround" is "On" in kX's Speaker setup, and make sure that kX Wave 0/1 is the device being used for playback in MPC (and the Windows Control Panel).

Jake81 · Jul 4, 2011, 05:13 PM

Hi Russ, I have made sure of that, everything in the control panel is using kX Wave 0/1. and the surround is "on". But how do i select the preferred device eg. kX Wave 0/1 in MPC ?

(PS: I am using k-Lite codec pack)

Russ · Jul 4, 2011, 05:25 PM

In MPC, under Options -> Playback -> Output, you should have an option to set which device to use for DirectShow Audio. Choose kX Wave 0/1, or DirectSound kX Wave 0/1, etc.

Be careful with codec packs, etc, as the can modify the audio in ways that may not be immediately apparent (e.g. remap channels, etc).

Jake81 · Jul 4, 2011, 05:27 PM

UPDATE

So, I just found that option in MPC and I can hear all 4 speakers now, thanks Russ.

But now I don't think the subwofer is working anymore. I cant really hear the subwofer in action. I am using an old set of cambridge soundworks 4.1 / FPS 1600. What should I do?

Russ · Jul 4, 2011, 05:35 PM

That card does not have a subwoofer output, so any subwoofer output would be done by your speaker system. Make sure the Use Subwoofer output option is not enabled (in kX's Speaker Setup), and make sure kX's Swap Front and Rear option matches how your speakers are connected.

Jake81 · Jul 4, 2011, 06:00 PM

thanks Russ, I have made sure not to use the subwoofer output option, my FPS 1600 actually doesn't have a special subwoofer connector cable. It only has a Green(front) and a bBack(rear) connector. I have used it in other systems and had great subwoofer output. and the sub seems to work better when using it as a 2.1 setup Is there any other settings that I might to work on to improve the sub?

Is the Swap Front and Rear option that important? can I untick it and have good / the same sound?

Oh, and one more question, I have selected "Surround Sound Speakers" option in the "Advanced Audio Properties" thats In my windows Xp under Sound's and Audio Devices
I am using a 4.1 Set so 4 speakers and 1 Subwoofer. Is that the right setting or do I have to select Quadrophonic or 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers?

Thanks a lot, the Kx mixed project has been really helpful, wish I had found it earlier.

Russ · Jul 4, 2011, 06:13 PM

In general (IIRC), you should leave it set to 5.1 in the Windows Control Panel.

The swap front and rear option will depend on how your speakers are connected and arranged in your room. If your front speakers are connected to the green jack, then that option should not be enabled. (though with that card, it would probably be recommended to swap the connections and enable that option (as the codec used for the rear, may be of better quality)).

As for the bass problem, try this:
kX Project: Knowledgebase: kX Getting Started Guide - Fixing the Bass problem in 4.1 Setup

Jake81 · Jul 4, 2011, 09:05 PM

Thank you Russ! my sub / bass seems to have improved a lot. if there isn't anything more you might want to tell me then I guess that should be all I need.

This was really helpful.
now I just need a way to connect the front jacks to my sound card or something like that, I will start a new thread.

My kind regards to you and the developer for such a great piece of work. I wish Creative support was as good as you guys.

Jul 4, 2011, 06:18 AM	#1
Jake81 HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? hi guys, I have only recently found out about kx Mixer. I have a Sound Blaster Live 4830. And I cant seem to get the rear (black) out puts to work properly to deliver 4.1 surround sound. When I test them in the Kx mixer all the speakers respond / work fine(front, rear,sub), But as soon as I play a something using MPC it only plays in 2.1. Only 2 Speakers and the Sub work (either the front or the rear - I have played around with the software and have also taken notice of the "front and Rear Swap".) I have done everything according to the instructions, after installing Kx mixer I went into settings speaker setup and selected 4.1. And they even seem to work inside the mixer but as soon as I play something the rear speakers get disabled. No matter what settings I use in the control panels, I cannot get the speakers to actually play sound out of all four speakers when playing any music or movies. Really need some help Last edited by Jake81; Jul 4, 2011 at 06:29 AM.

Jul 4, 2011, 02:27 PM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? Make sure that "Surround" is "On" in kX's Speaker setup, and make sure that kX Wave 0/1 is the device being used for playback in MPC (and the Windows Control Panel).

Jul 4, 2011, 05:13 PM	Thread Starter #3
Jake81 HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? Hi Russ, I have made sure of that, everything in the control panel is using kX Wave 0/1. and the surround is "on". But how do i select the preferred device eg. kX Wave 0/1 in MPC ? (PS: I am using k-Lite codec pack) Last edited by Jake81; Jul 4, 2011 at 05:26 PM.

Jul 4, 2011, 05:25 PM	#4
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? In MPC, under Options -> Playback -> Output, you should have an option to set which device to use for DirectShow Audio. Choose kX Wave 0/1, or DirectSound kX Wave 0/1, etc. Be careful with codec packs, etc, as the can modify the audio in ways that may not be immediately apparent (e.g. remap channels, etc).

Jul 4, 2011, 05:27 PM	Thread Starter #5
Jake81 HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? UPDATE So, I just found that option in MPC and I can hear all 4 speakers now, thanks Russ. But now I don't think the subwofer is working anymore. I cant really hear the subwofer in action. I am using an old set of cambridge soundworks 4.1 / FPS 1600. What should I do?

Jul 4, 2011, 05:35 PM	#6
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? That card does not have a subwoofer output, so any subwoofer output would be done by your speaker system. Make sure the Use Subwoofer output option is not enabled (in kX's Speaker Setup), and make sure kX's Swap Front and Rear option matches how your speakers are connected. Last edited by Russ; Jul 4, 2011 at 05:46 PM.

Jul 4, 2011, 06:00 PM	Thread Starter #7
Jake81 HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? thanks Russ, I have made sure not to use the subwoofer output option, my FPS 1600 actually doesn't have a special subwoofer connector cable. It only has a Green(front) and a bBack(rear) connector. I have used it in other systems and had great subwoofer output. and the sub seems to work better when using it as a 2.1 setup Is there any other settings that I might to work on to improve the sub? Is the Swap Front and Rear option that important? can I untick it and have good / the same sound? Oh, and one more question, I have selected "Surround Sound Speakers" option in the "Advanced Audio Properties" thats In my windows Xp under Sound's and Audio Devices I am using a 4.1 Set so 4 speakers and 1 Subwoofer. Is that the right setting or do I have to select Quadrophonic or 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers? Thanks a lot, the Kx mixed project has been really helpful, wish I had found it earlier.

Jul 4, 2011, 06:13 PM	#8
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? In general (IIRC), you should leave it set to 5.1 in the Windows Control Panel. The swap front and rear option will depend on how your speakers are connected and arranged in your room. If your front speakers are connected to the green jack, then that option should not be enabled. (though with that card, it would probably be recommended to swap the connections and enable that option (as the codec used for the rear, may be of better quality)). As for the bass problem, try this: kX Project: Knowledgebase: kX Getting Started Guide - Fixing the Bass problem in 4.1 Setup Last edited by Russ; Jul 4, 2011 at 06:20 PM.

Jul 4, 2011, 09:05 PM	Thread Starter #9
Jake81 HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Re: my SB Live 4830 has No rear output or sound? Thank you Russ! my sub / bass seems to have improved a lot. if there isn't anything more you might want to tell me then I guess that should be all I need. This was really helpful. now I just need a way to connect the front jacks to my sound card or something like that, I will start a new thread. My kind regards to you and the developer for such a great piece of work. I wish Creative support was as good as you guys.