center channel and sub controls wont show up

jaygeorge1979 · Jan 27, 2006, 09:12 PM

Hello everyone,

This is my first post; i was recommended by some people over at diyaudio.com's forums. I have a CT4780 10k1 [c800] soundcard, which i was told is a creative soundblaster live! digital 5.1 soundcard, but i got it on ebay so who knows... However, while using kxproject, I cannot find subwoofer/center channel controls. I used the help function and realized that they do exist, and they should be on the ins and outs page of the kxmixer, right next to the front and rear gain/volume controls, also near some SPDIF controls and headphone adjustor thing....anyway, on the top row of the ins and outs page, the 3rd and 4th columns are missing, and i think this is where the center/sub controls should be....is there some way to turn them on so i can use them? or is this a problem with my sound card? is it not really 5.1? i have hooked a sub up to the sub output and cant get sound to come out to save my life...

all suggestions appreciated, thanks guys!

PS before i used kxproject i tried using the software that came with the eBay, and it ALSO did not allow any kind of 5.1 sound options....it had three speaker options: 2 speaker, 4 speaker, and headphones...this is why i dont think it is a kxproject problem, but instead maybe a busted soundcard?

Russ · Jan 27, 2006, 09:36 PM

I think that model is only 4 channels.

jaygeorge1979 · Jan 27, 2006, 10:16 PM

really? aww man, can i get a second opinion?

there are 5 output jacks total...two for input, one for front outs, one for rear outs, and one for analog/digital out....in the software help, it says that last out jack can be used with a center/subwoofer to create 5.1 surround sound...are u saying my last port is JUST an analog/digital out? no way i can make sound come out of there?

Russ · Jan 27, 2006, 10:25 PM

I think on that model that the Digital Out jack, is digital only. On the 5.1 models, it is both Analog Center/LFE and Digital Out, but I do not think that is the case with your card (CT4780 is a 'Live! Value' or 'Sound Blaster Live! Value Dell OEM'). Most 5.1 models have 5.1 in the name (i.e. 'Sound Blaster Live! 5.1').

Maddogg6 · Jan 27, 2006, 10:35 PM

Russ is pretty knowledgable - so I'll (based on his post) agree with him.
Sounds like ebay sale was not 100% honest/accurate.

The fact that they are missing from the mixer 2nds Russ' information.

Maddogg6 · Jan 27, 2006, 10:37 PM

To clarify... the sliders in the KX MIXER would show up - no matter id spaekers are plugged into the jack or now - so, the driver has sensed what card you have a removed the sliders because they're not available on your card.

Russ · Jan 27, 2006, 10:58 PM

Here is an article that you might find interesting:
Live! to Live! 5.1 Hardware Upgrade

I cannot verify anything in that article, I just think that it is interesting. Use that information at your own risk.

jaygeorge1979 · Jan 28, 2006, 12:00 AM

thanks for the posts guys...i guess i got owned by ebay...i cant beleive it! and it was long enough ago so good feedback has been posted,and i doubt there is anything i can do...

russ, i checked out the link....not only am i not qualified to do that kinda electrical work, i doubt the time it would take would support the cause...thank you for your help...

Russ · Jan 28, 2006, 12:15 AM

Sorry to hear that. It is a shame considering Live! 5.1 models are fairly cheap these days (I paid less then $30 (retail) brand new for mine over a year ago). You should be able to find a used one very cheap. Next time (if there is a next time), try to verify the model number before buying, and look it up on the the Creative website (the link I posted above). Also, I would stay away from OEM models.

jaygeorge1979 · Jan 28, 2006, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

Sorry to hear that. It is a shame considering Live! 5.1 models are fairly cheap these days (I paid less then $30 (retail) brand new for mine over a year ago). You should be able to find a used one very cheap. Next time (if there is a next time), try to verify the model number before buying, and look it up on the the Creative website (the link I posted above). Also, I would stay away from OEM models.

TRUST ME....if there is a next time....i will be making sure all model numbers match up...i didnt do it this time cuz i saw 5 ports and figured that since the 5.1 online had 5 ports then its probably it....aye...stupid mistakes....

you said to stay away from oem models...what is OEM?

Maddogg6 · Jan 28, 2006, 03:09 AM

An OEM - is one that companies like DELL or COMPAQ that offered a 'SB LIVE' - but they often are different from ones that are sold in a box at a store (RETAIL)

The DELL OEM model is known to have a problem (or more??)

Russ · Jan 28, 2006, 03:10 AM

OEM models are (generally) one's that come pre-installed in a computer. They are models that are sent to OEM's (like Dell, Gateway, Compaq, HP, etc), and the OEM may modify them, and as such they may differ from the retail versions. For compatibility reasons I would avoid them if possible.

i.e.
'Sound Blaster Live! Value Dell OEM' would be an OEM model.
Unfortunately you can not always tell from the model number printed on the card (but it can be a good indicator), and you may have to refer to the serial number.

<edit>
@Maddogg6, we both responded at the same time...

jaygeorge1979 · Jan 28, 2006, 04:27 AM

thanks to all replies...ill post my solution to this lil problem whenever i come up with it

Maddogg6 · Jan 28, 2006, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

@Maddogg6, we both responded at the same time...

I noticed this too -hehe.

I think the OP got a 'two-fer' on this one.

Jan 27, 2006, 09:12 PM	#1
jaygeorge1979 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	center channel and sub controls wont show up Hello everyone, This is my first post; i was recommended by some people over at diyaudio.com's forums. I have a CT4780 10k1 [c800] soundcard, which i was told is a creative soundblaster live! digital 5.1 soundcard, but i got it on ebay so who knows... However, while using kxproject, I cannot find subwoofer/center channel controls. I used the help function and realized that they do exist, and they should be on the ins and outs page of the kxmixer, right next to the front and rear gain/volume controls, also near some SPDIF controls and headphone adjustor thing....anyway, on the top row of the ins and outs page, the 3rd and 4th columns are missing, and i think this is where the center/sub controls should be....is there some way to turn them on so i can use them? or is this a problem with my sound card? is it not really 5.1? i have hooked a sub up to the sub output and cant get sound to come out to save my life... all suggestions appreciated, thanks guys! PS before i used kxproject i tried using the software that came with the eBay, and it ALSO did not allow any kind of 5.1 sound options....it had three speaker options: 2 speaker, 4 speaker, and headphones...this is why i dont think it is a kxproject problem, but instead maybe a busted soundcard?

Jan 27, 2006, 09:36 PM	#2
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	I think that model is only 4 channels.

Jan 27, 2006, 10:16 PM	Thread Starter #3
jaygeorge1979 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	really? aww man, can i get a second opinion? there are 5 output jacks total...two for input, one for front outs, one for rear outs, and one for analog/digital out....in the software help, it says that last out jack can be used with a center/subwoofer to create 5.1 surround sound...are u saying my last port is JUST an analog/digital out? no way i can make sound come out of there?

Jan 27, 2006, 10:25 PM	#4
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	I think on that model that the Digital Out jack, is digital only. On the 5.1 models, it is both Analog Center/LFE and Digital Out, but I do not think that is the case with your card (CT4780 is a 'Live! Value' or 'Sound Blaster Live! Value Dell OEM'). Most 5.1 models have 5.1 in the name (i.e. 'Sound Blaster Live! 5.1').

Jan 27, 2006, 10:35 PM	#5
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Russ is pretty knowledgable - so I'll (based on his post) agree with him. Sounds like ebay sale was not 100% honest/accurate. The fact that they are missing from the mixer 2nds Russ' information.

Jan 27, 2006, 10:37 PM	#6
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	To clarify... the sliders in the KX MIXER would show up - no matter id spaekers are plugged into the jack or now - so, the driver has sensed what card you have a removed the sliders because they're not available on your card.

Jan 27, 2006, 10:58 PM	#7
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Here is an article that you might find interesting: Live! to Live! 5.1 Hardware Upgrade I cannot verify anything in that article, I just think that it is interesting. Use that information at your own risk.

Jan 28, 2006, 12:00 AM	Thread Starter #8
jaygeorge1979 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	thanks for the posts guys...i guess i got owned by ebay...i cant beleive it! and it was long enough ago so good feedback has been posted,and i doubt there is anything i can do... russ, i checked out the link....not only am i not qualified to do that kinda electrical work, i doubt the time it would take would support the cause...thank you for your help...

Jan 28, 2006, 12:15 AM	#9
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	Sorry to hear that. It is a shame considering Live! 5.1 models are fairly cheap these days (I paid less then $30 (retail) brand new for mine over a year ago). You should be able to find a used one very cheap. Next time (if there is a next time), try to verify the model number before buying, and look it up on the the Creative website (the link I posted above). Also, I would stay away from OEM models.

Jan 28, 2006, 03:09 AM	#11
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	An OEM - is one that companies like DELL or COMPAQ that offered a 'SB LIVE' - but they often are different from ones that are sold in a box at a store (RETAIL) The DELL OEM model is known to have a problem (or more??)

Jan 28, 2006, 03:10 AM	#12
Russ HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,563 Rep Power: 62	OEM models are (generally) one's that come pre-installed in a computer. They are models that are sent to OEM's (like Dell, Gateway, Compaq, HP, etc), and the OEM may modify them, and as such they may differ from the retail versions. For compatibility reasons I would avoid them if possible. i.e. 'Sound Blaster Live! Value Dell OEM' would be an OEM model. Unfortunately you can not always tell from the model number printed on the card (but it can be a good indicator), and you may have to refer to the serial number. <edit> @Maddogg6, we both responded at the same time...

Jan 28, 2006, 04:27 AM	Thread Starter #13
jaygeorge1979 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	thanks to all replies...ill post my solution to this lil problem whenever i come up with it