Sound Blaster Live 6.1 Question

soundguy_99 · Jan 2, 2006, 08:24 PM

Hey guys,
I have am working on a friends computer, which has a Soundblaster Live Card. Now hes got 6 speakers, with a sub, which for some time now, hes only been able to get 5 working. The amp itself has Front Left and Right, Rear Left and Right, as well as 2 Center channel outputs.
Unfornetly hes got no documentation on the card, and even the software that I got from Creative only gave him access to 5.1 surround. So I installed the KX project software, hoping to use the KX DSP to see exactly whats going on and hopfully get something on all six speakers. Now the speaker checks out, so its either the jack itself (highly unlikley) or a software issue. Both windows control pannel as well as the tweak on the surround in KX project only has options for 5.1 not 6.1. Also when I check the KX DSP I am not sure where on the epilog I should be connecting the 2nd center to, to verify that the second output is even working.
Any help is really apreciated,
Thanks,
soundguy_99

Russ · Jan 2, 2006, 08:43 PM

I do not know a lot about it as my card is only 5.1, but what version of kX are you using? I think you need to use 3538 for 6.1/7.1 Support ('Surrounder+' in 3538 versions have presets for 6.1 and 7.1. As for which connections on epilog to use, I would think that the default kx config should use the correct connections. Also, I think that you need to set Windows (as well as Surrounder+) to 6.1 (I read that in another post, so I cannot be sure it is correct).

Hopefully that will give some things to look into until someone that is currently using a 6.1 card with kX, can provide more info.

soundguy_99 · Jan 2, 2006, 09:15 PM

Hey Russ
I have version 3537, which is the only version listed on the KX project download page. The control panel shows up to 5.1 and skips 6.1 and then continies on listsing for 7.1 surround. Now I have looked at the surround+ that you mentioned, but I can tweak it, it just opens up the window with the reset and mute switch. If I could at least get the epilog figured out so that I can get that 6th jack working I don`t even need to worry about true 6.1, I could just as easily "Y" the center to both ouputs and get all 6 speakers working that way.
There is a switch on the amp/sub itself that has something to 5.1-6.1 but it doesn`t seem to make a difference on anything, including that other center channel.
The only way I can see getting all six working right now without software assistance is to buy an RCA "Y" cable and drive both speakers off of the same output, not the greatest way or doing it but it would work.
Thanks again,
soundguy_99

Russ · Jan 2, 2006, 09:50 PM

The 3538 releases are betas, and thus are not on the official KX website as of yet.
You would want either 3538h or 3538i.
3538i can be downloaded here: http://www.driverheavendownloads.net/kXmain.htm
3538h can be downloaded here: http://home.comcast.net/~garberr/
(note that 3538h is not a full installation, search the forum for the 3538h release thread for info on installing 3538h).

You may also want to read the bug reports threads to see if there are any issues with those versions that might effect your specific card model or how you want to use the card, before deciding which version to use.

**dj_stick** · Jan 2, 2006, 10:31 PM

true soundblaster live cards are only 5.1, there is no 6.1 or 7.1 model that is supported by kX

Russ · Jan 2, 2006, 11:08 PM

True, I figured that he was talking about one of the Audigy 2's, but he did say Soundblaster Live.

soundguy_99 · Jan 3, 2006, 12:00 AM

Hey dj_stick,
Thats the part I don`t understand,The speaker system they have is 6.1 with all the proper hoockups, however the Audigy 2's drivers won`t install cause it says it find any Audigy 2 hardware installed. The only thing that works is the Soundblaster live drivers, yet on the amp itself it has the 3 inputs attached, so I am guessing front left/right on one cable,Rear left/right on the other, and a Ceneter/subwoofer on the other. But if thats true that would mean that those 2 center outputs would be tied togeather, prouducing 5.1, using 6 speakers, however I am not getting anything on the other center output, just the front center,. If on the amp their tied togeather then I should get signal on both outputs, if not then in the creative software for it there should be an option for it, which means when I install KX and it took over the operation of the card, I should be able to see that output on the epilog of where that option would have "Y'ed" those 2 ceneter channels too.
Thats why I installed KX in the first place, I figured I could use the DSP to see whats going on, and route my inputs and outputs accordingly.
And Russ Thanks for the links, I will at least look into that.
Thanks again,
soundguy_99

**dj_stick** · Jan 3, 2006, 12:10 AM

there are 6 channels yes

front left, front right, rear left, rear right, centre, lfe

with the soundblaster live! card you will never get anything more than 5.1 with out hardware modding

Russ · Jan 3, 2006, 12:19 AM

Why not take a look at kX's 'About" window, and see what kX says the card is?

soundguy_99 · Jan 3, 2006, 12:21 AM

When you say lfe, you refferring to the sub, Low Frequency right, or is it something different. I thought the .1 was the sub so 6.1 is 6 speakers and 1 sub. The weir part is, is he bought it as a package a long time ago, and there is only the 3 inputs. I could understand it if there was a mini jack on the amp, carring both centers togeather, he couldn`t plug it in, because he would be missing an ouput from the back of his soundcard, because he bought a 6.1 speaker system with a 5.1 soundcard but thats not the case here. There is 2 ceneter outputs, on the back of the amp, so I am jus trying to figure out how to get all 6 jacks working, after that I can work on routing things later. Right now I can only 5 plus the sub working, with that other center jack doing nothing.
Thanks Again,
soundguy_99

**dj_stick** · Jan 3, 2006, 12:39 AM

you have a soundblaster live! 5.1, you CANNOT get 6.1

soundguy_99 · Jan 3, 2006, 01:06 AM

Hey dj_stick,
Sorry about the confusion, I looked up some info on creative's wepage, and ya it is a soundblaster Live card, and appears he has the Creative Inspire 6.1 speaker system. Now according to the pdf, you can get 6.1 out of a 5.1 soundcard, by using that toggle switch on the amp, although they haven`t been able to get it going yet. On the back of the amp theirs a 5.1/6.1 or 5.1 - 6.1 upmix switch on the back of the amp, to work with Live 5.1 cards. Also Aparently the cable containing the Sub Input, also contains both fron and rear centers all on the same cable. If that switch is to the Up mix I would think that, that would tie the 2 centers togeatherm, and activate both center speakers, which hasen`t been happening.
Thanks for you patience and help,
soundguy_99

**dj_stick** · Jan 3, 2006, 05:49 AM

ok the upmix should work, but the output from the card is such:
green jack: front left, front right
black jack: rear left, rear right
orange jack: centre, lfe

(note kX automatically swaps front and rear so the black jack would be front and the green rear if the option is enabled)

Jan 2, 2006, 08:24 PM	#1
soundguy_99 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Sound Blaster Live 6.1 Question Hey guys, I have am working on a friends computer, which has a Soundblaster Live Card. Now hes got 6 speakers, with a sub, which for some time now, hes only been able to get 5 working. The amp itself has Front Left and Right, Rear Left and Right, as well as 2 Center channel outputs. Unfornetly hes got no documentation on the card, and even the software that I got from Creative only gave him access to 5.1 surround. So I installed the KX project software, hoping to use the KX DSP to see exactly whats going on and hopfully get something on all six speakers. Now the speaker checks out, so its either the jack itself (highly unlikley) or a software issue. Both windows control pannel as well as the tweak on the surround in KX project only has options for 5.1 not 6.1. Also when I check the KX DSP I am not sure where on the epilog I should be connecting the 2nd center to, to verify that the second output is even working. Any help is really apreciated, Thanks, soundguy_99

Jan 2, 2006, 08:43 PM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	I do not know a lot about it as my card is only 5.1, but what version of kX are you using? I think you need to use 3538 for 6.1/7.1 Support ('Surrounder+' in 3538 versions have presets for 6.1 and 7.1. As for which connections on epilog to use, I would think that the default kx config should use the correct connections. Also, I think that you need to set Windows (as well as Surrounder+) to 6.1 (I read that in another post, so I cannot be sure it is correct). Hopefully that will give some things to look into until someone that is currently using a 6.1 card with kX, can provide more info.

Jan 2, 2006, 09:15 PM	Thread Starter #3
soundguy_99 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Hey Russ I have version 3537, which is the only version listed on the KX project download page. The control panel shows up to 5.1 and skips 6.1 and then continies on listsing for 7.1 surround. Now I have looked at the surround+ that you mentioned, but I can tweak it, it just opens up the window with the reset and mute switch. If I could at least get the epilog figured out so that I can get that 6th jack working I don`t even need to worry about true 6.1, I could just as easily "Y" the center to both ouputs and get all 6 speakers working that way. There is a switch on the amp/sub itself that has something to 5.1-6.1 but it doesn`t seem to make a difference on anything, including that other center channel. The only way I can see getting all six working right now without software assistance is to buy an RCA "Y" cable and drive both speakers off of the same output, not the greatest way or doing it but it would work. Thanks again, soundguy_99

Jan 2, 2006, 09:50 PM	#4
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	The 3538 releases are betas, and thus are not on the official KX website as of yet. You would want either 3538h or 3538i. 3538i can be downloaded here: http://www.driverheavendownloads.net/kXmain.htm 3538h can be downloaded here: http://home.comcast.net/~garberr/ (note that 3538h is not a full installation, search the forum for the 3538h release thread for info on installing 3538h). You may also want to read the bug reports threads to see if there are any issues with those versions that might effect your specific card model or how you want to use the card, before deciding which version to use.

Jan 2, 2006, 11:08 PM	#6
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	True, I figured that he was talking about one of the Audigy 2's, but he did say Soundblaster Live.

Jan 3, 2006, 12:00 AM	Thread Starter #7
soundguy_99 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Hey dj_stick, Thats the part I don`t understand,The speaker system they have is 6.1 with all the proper hoockups, however the Audigy 2's drivers won`t install cause it says it find any Audigy 2 hardware installed. The only thing that works is the Soundblaster live drivers, yet on the amp itself it has the 3 inputs attached, so I am guessing front left/right on one cable,Rear left/right on the other, and a Ceneter/subwoofer on the other. But if thats true that would mean that those 2 center outputs would be tied togeather, prouducing 5.1, using 6 speakers, however I am not getting anything on the other center output, just the front center,. If on the amp their tied togeather then I should get signal on both outputs, if not then in the creative software for it there should be an option for it, which means when I install KX and it took over the operation of the card, I should be able to see that output on the epilog of where that option would have "Y'ed" those 2 ceneter channels too. Thats why I installed KX in the first place, I figured I could use the DSP to see whats going on, and route my inputs and outputs accordingly. And Russ Thanks for the links, I will at least look into that. Thanks again, soundguy_99

Jan 3, 2006, 12:19 AM	#9
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Why not take a look at kX's 'About" window, and see what kX says the card is?

Jan 3, 2006, 12:21 AM	Thread Starter #10
soundguy_99 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	When you say lfe, you refferring to the sub, Low Frequency right, or is it something different. I thought the .1 was the sub so 6.1 is 6 speakers and 1 sub. The weir part is, is he bought it as a package a long time ago, and there is only the 3 inputs. I could understand it if there was a mini jack on the amp, carring both centers togeather, he couldn`t plug it in, because he would be missing an ouput from the back of his soundcard, because he bought a 6.1 speaker system with a 5.1 soundcard but thats not the case here. There is 2 ceneter outputs, on the back of the amp, so I am jus trying to figure out how to get all 6 jacks working, after that I can work on routing things later. Right now I can only 5 plus the sub working, with that other center jack doing nothing. Thanks Again, soundguy_99

Jan 3, 2006, 01:06 AM	Thread Starter #12
soundguy_99 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	Hey dj_stick, Sorry about the confusion, I looked up some info on creative's wepage, and ya it is a soundblaster Live card, and appears he has the Creative Inspire 6.1 speaker system. Now according to the pdf, you can get 6.1 out of a 5.1 soundcard, by using that toggle switch on the amp, although they haven`t been able to get it going yet. On the back of the amp theirs a 5.1/6.1 or 5.1 - 6.1 upmix switch on the back of the amp, to work with Live 5.1 cards. Also Aparently the cable containing the Sub Input, also contains both fron and rear centers all on the same cable. If that switch is to the Up mix I would think that, that would tie the 2 centers togeatherm, and activate both center speakers, which hasen`t been happening. Thanks for you patience and help, soundguy_99