SoundMax4

Rox271 · Dec 23, 2003, 07:16 PM

I've been using a SB Live and the kx drivers for more than one year. I've been facing many issues (see the thread on the beep issue). Recently I changed my PC motherboard for an Asus P4P800 with a hyperthreading P4 2.4GHz. I had BSOD in kx.sys (though I disabled HT). I removed the kx drivers and simply used the standard Windows drivers. The PC was no more crashing but I noticed ugly scratch and blanks. I suspect my SBLive may be half dead.

I was thinking about moving to Audigy 2 ZS delivered with ASIO drivers.

Before that, I decided to play with the onboard SounMax4 card and I've been very surprised to see that I could have a 10ms lattency (even 5ms with some crackling) in Reason when using the SoundMax DX drivers. No need for ASIO!!! The sound is quite decent.
Now I confess I'm puzzled. I always thought that onboard hardware was crap but it looks like things are changing.
I would be interested in sharing other user's opinion.

eyagos · Dec 23, 2003, 08:04 PM

Use 3534 version.

Rox271 · Dec 27, 2003, 01:12 PM

Thanks for the hint.
But actually, I was just wondering if it was worth having a SB today regarding the onboard sound module performance.
I understand that without the SB I do not have any DSP but since I only use softsynths I just need a fast sound stream.
I've been quite surprised by the onboard Soundmax which offers a decent 10ms latency.
So is it worth buying a Audigy 2 ZS?

Dec 23, 2003, 07:16 PM	#1
Rox271 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Here Posts: 251 Rep Power: 0	SoundMax4 I've been using a SB Live and the kx drivers for more than one year. I've been facing many issues (see the thread on the beep issue). Recently I changed my PC motherboard for an Asus P4P800 with a hyperthreading P4 2.4GHz. I had BSOD in kx.sys (though I disabled HT). I removed the kx drivers and simply used the standard Windows drivers. The PC was no more crashing but I noticed ugly scratch and blanks. I suspect my SBLive may be half dead. I was thinking about moving to Audigy 2 ZS delivered with ASIO drivers. Before that, I decided to play with the onboard SounMax4 card and I've been very surprised to see that I could have a 10ms lattency (even 5ms with some crackling) in Reason when using the SoundMax DX drivers. No need for ASIO!!! The sound is quite decent. Now I confess I'm puzzled. I always thought that onboard hardware was crap but it looks like things are changing. I would be interested in sharing other user's opinion.

Dec 23, 2003, 08:04 PM	#2
eyagos DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 259 Rep Power: 0	Use 3534 version.

Dec 27, 2003, 01:12 PM	Thread Starter #3
Rox271 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Here Posts: 251 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the hint. But actually, I was just wondering if it was worth having a SB today regarding the onboard sound module performance. I understand that without the SB I do not have any DSP but since I only use softsynths I just need a fast sound stream. I've been quite surprised by the onboard Soundmax which offers a decent 10ms latency. So is it worth buying a Audigy 2 ZS?