Creative SB0090 User Manual

How to use this manual

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy

Creative Audio Software

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative
Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd. The software
described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of
the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any other medium except as specifically allowed in the license
agreement. The licensee may make one copy of the software for backup purposes only.

The Software License Agreement is found in a separate folder on this installation CD. The copyright and disclaimer, including trademark
issues are also found in the same folder.

Important:

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This PDF file has been designed to provide you with complete product knowledge. The following

To access the applications and Help files, you must first install the manual and the applications in your computer.

Contents

Introduction

High Definition Digital Audio Entertainment........................................ ix

What is EAX ADVANCED HD? ............................................................. x

CreativeWare .................................................................................. xi

In Your Package ............................................................................. xi

System Requirements ..................................................................... xi

Sound Blaster Audigy card........................................................ xi

SB1394 applications, games and DVD viewing ............................xii

Getting More Information................................................................. xii

More Help ...................................................................................... xii

Technical Support ........................................................................... xii

Document Conventions....................................................................xiii

1 Installing Hardware

What You Need...................................................................................... 1-1

Your Sound Blaster Audigy Card ..............................................................1-2

Your Joystick/MIDI Bracket ..................................................................... 1-3

Installation Steps ................................................................................... 1-4

Step 1: Prepare your computer ...................................................... 1-4

Step 2: Install the Sound Blaster Audigy card .................................. 1-5

Step 3: Install the Joystick/MIDI bracket (optional) .......................... 1-5

Step 4: Connect to power supply .................................................... 1-6

Connecting Related Peripherals................................................................ 1-7

Connecting Speaker Systems .................................................................. 1-8

Connecting External Consumer Devices .................................................... 1-9

Positioning Your Speakers ..................................................................... 1-10

2 Installing Software

Installing Drivers and Applications............................................................ 2-1

Installing Ulead VideoStudio Application .......................................... 2-1

ii

Windows 98 Second Edition .................................................... 2-2

Windows Me .........................................................................2-2

Windows 2000 ......................................................................2-2

Uninstalling the Applications and Device Drivers ........................................ 2-3

Reinstalling the Device Drivers ................................................................2-3

Updating Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2) .................................................2-4

Updating Windows 98 SE ........................................................................ 2-4

AC-3 SPDIF output........................................................................ 2-4

1394 storage supplement .............................................................. 2-4

Installing Digital Video Update ................................................................. 2-5

3 Sound Blaster Audigy Applications

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Applications............................................... 3-1

Third Party Sound Blaster Audigy Applications ........................................... 3-2

Creative Taskbar.................................................................................... 3-2

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Online Quick Start ...................................... 3-3

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Experience ................................................ 3-3

EAX ADVANCED HD Gold Mine Experience ................................................3-3

Creative Diagnostics............................................................................... 3-3

Creative Surround Mixer ......................................................................... 3-4

Creative AudioHQ................................................................................... 3-4

SoundFont Control ........................................................................ 3-5

Device Controls ............................................................................ 3-5

Creative Keyboard ........................................................................ 3-5

MIDI Input............................................................................ 3-5

EAX Control.................................................................................. 3-5

Creative WaveStudio .............................................................................. 3-6

Creative PlayCenter................................................................................ 3-6

Creative Recorder .................................................................................. 3-7

Creative Oozic Player.............................................................................. 3-7

Vienna SoundFont Studio........................................................................ 3-7

iii

Creative MiniDisc Center ......................................................................... 3-8

Creative RemoteCenter........................................................................... 3-8

SoundFont Showcase .............................................................................3-8

Creative Restore Defaults........................................................................ 3-9

Steinberg’s Audio Applications ................................................................. 3-9

Cubasis VST (for Creative)............................................................. 3-9

WaveLab Lite ............................................................................... 3-9

ReCycle Lite ................................................................................. 3-9

MixMeister........................................................................................... 3-10

Ulead VideoStudio Version 4.0 SE Basic .................................................. 3-10

FireNet ............................................................................................... 3-10

4 Using Applications

Multimedia Playback............................................................................... 4-1

Watching DVDs ............................................................................ 4-1

Playing MP3 or WMA files............................................................... 4-1

Playing back Wave and CD Audio files ............................................. 4-2

Playing MIDI files.......................................................................... 4-2

Creating non- General-MIDI- compliant files .................................... 4-2

Digital Entertainment.............................................................................. 4-2

Watching surround movies............................................................. 4-2

Compiling personal albums ............................................................ 4-2

Content Creation.................................................................................... 4-3

Organizing SoundFont banks.......................................................... 4-3

Applying voice effects.................................................................... 4-3

Recording sound and effects .......................................................... 4-3

Capturing and editing videos .......................................................... 4-3

Advanced Content Creation ..................................................................... 4-3

Recording multi-tracks with ASIO ................................................... 4-3

Creating music ............................................................................. 4-4

Recording and transcribing music ................................................... 4-4

iv

Recording and editing musical instruments ...................................... 4-4

Recording digital audio .................................................................. 4-4

Creating multiple effects ................................................................ 4-4

Creating and playing back SoundFonts ............................................ 4-4

Internet Entertainment ........................................................................... 4-5

Experiencing music with visual entertainment .................................. 4-5

Encoding CD songs to MP3 format .................................................. 4-5

Downloading and playing MP3 songs ............................................... 4-5

Playing MP3 songs with EAX ADVANCED HD..................................... 4-5

Mixing MP3 songs ......................................................................... 4-5

Gaming Reference.................................................................................. 4-6

Enjoying EAX ADVANCED HD support.............................................. 4-6

Enjoying DirectSound3D support .................................................... 4-6

Enjoying A3D 1.0 support .............................................................. 4-6

Enjoying DOS games..................................................................... 4-6

Enjoying audio presets in games .................................................... 4-6

Customizing environments for non-3D games .................................. 4-7

Appendixes

A General Specifications

Features ...............................................................................................A-1

PCI Bus Mastering .................................................................A-1

Audigy Processor ................................................................... A-1

High Quality Audio Path.......................................................... A-1

Professional Digital Audio Processing........................................A-2

Flexible Mixer Control............................................................. A-2

Dolby Digital (AC-3) Decoding................................................. A-2

Creative Multi Speaker SurroundTM (CMSSTM) .........................A-3

SB1394TM Compatibility.........................................................A-3

Connectivity .......................................................................................... A-3

v

Sound Blaster Audigy card ............................................................. A-3

Audio Inputs ......................................................................... A-3

Audio Outputs .......................................................................A-3

SB1394 Interfaces ................................................................. A-4

Interfaces ............................................................................. A-4

B SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE

Background...........................................................................................B-1

Installing MS-DOS Drivers....................................................................... B-1

Opening MS-DOS ................................................................................... B-1

Understanding the Installation Program .................................................... B-2

AUTOEXEC.BAT File Settings .......................................................... B-2

CONFIG.SYS File Settings .............................................................. B-3

System Resource Settings.......................................................................B-3

Input/Output (I/O) Addresses ........................................................ B-4

Interrupt Request (IRQ) Line.......................................................... B-4

Direct Memory Access (DMA) Channel............................................. B-5

Environment Variables............................................................................B-5

CTSYN Environment Variable.......................................................... B-5

BLASTER Environment Variable ...................................................... B-5

Determining Resources...........................................................................B-6

Selecting the Best Audio Options in a Game ..............................................B-7

Music Options............................................................................... B-8

Digital Audio Options..................................................................... B-8

MS-DOS Mode Utilities............................................................................B-8

SBECFG.EXE ................................................................................ B-8

SBEMIXER.EXE ............................................................................. B-9

SBESET.EXE............................................................................... B-10

SBEGO.EXE................................................................................ B-11

C Troubleshooting

vi

Problems Installing Software ...................................................................C-1

Problems with Sound..............................................................................C-2

Insufficient SoundFont Cache ..................................................................C-5

Problems With Joystick ........................................................................... C-5

Problems with Multiple Audio Devices .......................................................C-6

Problems with Sound Blaster Live! Series or Sound Blaster PCI512 card ....... C-7

Resolving I/O Conflicts............................................................................C-8

Problems in Windows NT 4.0 ................................................................... C-9

Problems with Encore DVD Player .......................................................... C-10

Problems with Software DVD Player ....................................................... C-10

Problems with DV driver for Windows 98 SE/2000/Me .............................. C-11

Index

vii

Introduction

Introduction

High Definition Digital Audio Entertainment

Thank you for purchasing Sound Blaster Audigy, which consists of the Sound Blaster
Audigy card and Joystick/MIDI bracket. It is the most complete high-definition
digital audio entertainment solution that you will ever come across.

With the onboard 24-bit Analog-to-Digital Convertor (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog
Converter (DAC), Sound Blaster Audigy delivers high-definition sound of astounding
quality with 96 kHz SPDIF support. The Sound Blaster Audigy card, with its Audigy
processor, is four times as powerful as its nearest competitor. This enables awesome
EAX

ADVANCED HDTM technologies for your games and music listening experience.

The SB1394 port provides easy high-speed connectivity to NOMAD portable digital
audio players, external CD-RW drives and other IEEE 1394 compatible devices like
DV Camcorders, printers, scanners and digital still cameras.

Combine Sound Blaster Audigy with a rich software bundle and you get endless
hours of fun. Included in your Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD are exciting
applications that allow you to create EAX-enhanced MP3 songs, and instant
interactive Oozic music videos, which you can share with your friends over the
Internet.

Introduction ix

What is EAX ADVANCED HD?

EAX ADVANCED HD brings a new level of performance, power and flexibility to PC
audio. Taking advantage of the increased processing capabilities of the Sound
Blaster Audigy HDA Processor, EAX ADVANCED HD delivers a host of new high
definition audio features for gaming and music enhancement.

The all-new EAX ADVANCED HD Game Audio Library takes in-game audio acoustics
to a whole new level. New Multi-Environment
simultaneous audio environments in real time. Environment Panning
spatializing and localizing environments in 3D possible. Environment Reflections
offers localization of early reflections and echoes. Environment Filtering
accurately simulates the propagation of sound in both open and closed
environments. Finally, Environment Morphing

TM

technology renders up to 4

TM

allows for seamless transition from

TM

makes

TM

TM

one environment to the next. These innovative technologies bring tremendous
realism and immersiveness to gaming.

Sonic superiority is also assured with EAX ADVANCED HD Music Technologies. Audio
Clean-Up enables the removal of unwanted noise in a digital audio file. DREAM

TM

creates an enhanced, "disco-like" surround sound for any stereo music. Time Scaling
speeds up and slows down music with no distortion. Music playback is further
enhanced with the specially developed EAX ADVANCED HD music effects.

EAX ADVANCED HD offers dramatically increased 3D audio performance and
functionality, delivering superior audio fidelity and sophisticated reverb effects for
an unsurpassed digital entertainment experience that is only available from the
Sound Blaster Audigy family of products.

Introduction x

CreativeWare

CreativeWare is a post-purchase program that adds new features, enhancements
and additional functionality to Creative’s upgradeable products. With CreativeWare,
you can always be sure of having the best digital entertainment experience because:

— You can easily upgrade your Sound Blaster Audigy card with the latest features,
device drivers, and applications.

— You can personalize the functions on your Sound Blaster Audigy card.

In Your Package

System Requirements

Sound Blaster Audigy card

The following items are included in your package:

❑

Sound Blaster Audigy card

❑

Joystick/MIDI bracket

❑

Analog CD audio cable

❑

Digital CD audio cable

❑

Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD

❑

Quick Start leaflet

❑

Application and game CDs

❑

Warranty card

❑

Technical Support leaflet

❑

Genuine Intel

❑

Intel, AMD or 100%-Intel compatible motherboard chipset

❑

Windows
NT 4.0 or Windows 2000

❑

64 MB RAM

❑

600 MB of free hard disk space

❑

Available PCI 2.1 compliant slot for the Sound Blaster Audigy card

®

Pentium® 266 MHz, AMD® K6 300 MHz or faster class processor

®

98 Second Edition (SE), Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows

Introduction xi

❑

Available adjacent slot for the Joystick/MIDI bracket (optional)

❑

Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately)

❑

CD-ROM drive installed

SB1394 applications, games and DVD viewing

Getting More Information

More Help

Technical Support

❑

Genuine Intel Pentium II 350 MHz, MMX or AMD 450 MHz processor/3Dnow!

❑

Windows 98 SE, Windows Me or Windows 2000 (Creative PlayCenter on Windows
NT 4.0 requires Service Pack 6 with Internet Explorer 4.0)

❑

3D graphics accelerator with at least 8 MB of texture RAM for games

❑

128 MB RAM recommended for digital video (DV) capture and editing

❑

Ultra DMA type hard disk with 1 GB workspace (ATA-100, 7,200 rpm type and 6
GB recommended) for DV applications (300–500 MB of free hard disk space for
games)

❑

At least second generation DVD-ROM drive with these recommended soft-DVD
players: InterVideo’s Win DVD 2000 or CyberLink’s PowerDVD 3.0 and above

Other applications may have higher system requirements or may require a
microphone. Refer to the application’s online Help documentation for details.

Refer to the Sound Blaster Audigy Online Quick Start and the various online Help
files for detailed information on Creative applications. The Sound Blaster Audigy

Experience, an online demo, gives you an interactive introduction to Sound Blaster

Audigy and demonstrates the card’s capabilities.

View the contents of the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD for additional
demonstrations, libraries and other software. Visit the www.soundblaster.com site
for the latest Sound Blaster news and products. The site also includes information
on making purchases, technical help, and CreativeWare updates.

Visit www.soundblaster.com/support/faq for general help.

Introduction xii

Document

The following typographical conventions are used throughout this manual:

Conventions

The notepad icon indicates information that is of particular
importance and should be considered before continuing.

The alarm clock designates a caution or warning that can help
you avoid situations involving risk.

The warning sign indicates that failure to adhere to directions
may result in bodily harm or life-threatening situations.

Introduction xiii

1

Installing Hardware

This chapter tells you how to install the Sound Blaster Audigy
hardware.

Installing Hardware

What You Need

In addition, you will also need
an available PCI slot and
another adjacent available
slot on your computer.

Before you begin installation, be sure that you have these:

Joystick/MIDI

Sound Blaster Audigy
card

Phillips-head screwdriver
(not included)

bracket

Analog CD audio cable

Digital CD audio cable

Installing Hardware 1-1

Your Sound

“

A

A

Blaster Audigy
Card

A jack is a one-hole
connecting interface whilst a
connector consists of many
pins. Refer to the User Guide,

Hardware Information”, for

connector pin assignments.

In Analog mode, Line Out and
Rear Out jacks can be used
simultaneously for 4.1
channel speaker systems. The
Analog/Digital Out jack can be
used for the Center and
Subwoofer (LFE) channels for

5.1 speaker systems.

Your audio card has these jacks and connectors which allow you to attach other
devices:

CD Audio connector (CD_IN)

Connects to the Analog Audio output on a
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive using a CD
audio cable.

Telephone Answering
Device connector (TAD)

Provides a mono connection
from a standard voice modem,
and transmits microphone
signals to the modem.

nalog/Digital Out jack

6-channel or compressed AC-3
SPDIF output for connection to
external digital devices or digital
speaker systems.

lso supports Center and
Subwoofer analog channels for
connection to 5.1 analog speaker
systems.

Line In jack (LIN_IN)

Connects to an external device
(such as a cassette, DAT or
MiniDisc player).

Microphone In jack (MIC_IN)

Connects to an external
microphone for voice input.

Line Out jack (LIN_OUT)1

Connects to powered speakers
or an external amplifier for
audio output. Also supports
headphones.

Rear Out jack (LIN_IN2)

Connects to powered speakers
or an external amplifier for
audio output.

SB1394 port (SB1394)

Connects to an IEEE 1394 compatible
external device (such as a digital video
camcorder, digital still camera, printer
or scanner).

AUX connector (AUX_IN)

Connects to internal audio sources
such as TV Tuner, MPEG, or other
similar cards.

Internal SB1394 port
(Optional)

Connects to J5 on the
Audigy Drive.

CD SPDIF connector
(CD_SPDIF)

Connects to the SPDIF (Digital
Audio) output (where available)
on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.

Joystick/MIDI
connector
(Optional)

Connects to the
Joystick/MIDI
bracket

Audio Extension
(Digital I/O)
connector
(Optional)

Connects to the
Audigy Drive or Digital
I/O card.
Warning: This is not
an IDE interface. Do
not connect it to your
IDE devices.

Figure 1-1: Jacks, connectors and port on the Sound Blaster Audigy card.

Installing Hardware 1-2

Your Joystick/ MIDI Bracket

Your Joystick/MIDI bracket has this connector that can be attached to other
devices:

Joystick/MIDI connector

Connects to a joystick or a MIDI device. You
can buy an optional MIDI kit that allows you
to plug in a joystick and MIDI device
simultaneously.

Rear view of connector bracket

Figure 1-2: Connector on the Joystick/MIDI bracket.

Installing Hardware 1-3

Installation Steps

Step 1: Prepare your computer

Turn off the main power
supply and disconnect your
computer’s power cord.
Systems using an ATX power
supply unit with soft power
off may still be powering the
PCI slot. This can damage
your audio card when it is
inserted into the slot.

Remove any existing audio
card or disable the onboard
audio chipset. For more
information, see “Problems
with Multiple Audio Devices”
on page C-6.

1. Turn off your computer and all peripheral
devices.

2. Touch a metal plate on your computer to
ground yourself and to discharge any static
electricity, and then unplug the power cord
from the wall outlet.

3. Remove the computer cover.

4. Remove the metal brackets from two adjacent
unused PCI slots as shown in Figure 1-3. Put
the screws aside for use later.

metal
brackets

ISA slots

Figure 1-3: Removing metal

plates

PCI slots

Installing Hardware 1-4

Step 2: Install the Sound Blaster Audigy card

1. Align the Sound Blaster Audigy card with the
PCI slot and press the card gently but firmly
into the slot as shown in Figure 1-4.

2. Secure the card with one of the screws you had
placed aside earlier.

Fasten the
card and
bracket with
screws.

Unused
brackets

Do not force the audio card
into the slot. Make sure that
the gold finger PCI connector
on the Sound Blaster Audigy
card is aligned with the PCI
bus connector on the
motherboard before you
insert the card into the PCI
expansion slot.
If it does not fit properly,
gently remove it and try

.

again

Step 3: Install the Joystick/MIDI bracket (optional)

Joystick/MIDI
bracket

Figure 1-4: Securing the audio card

to the expansion slot.

1. If you are installing a joystick or MIDI device, secure the Joystick/MIDI bracket
to the slot next to the Sound Blaster Audigy card with the second screw.

2. Connect the Joystick/MIDI cable to the Joystick/MIDI connector on the Sound
Blaster Audigy card as shown in Figure 1-4.

Installing Hardware 1-5

If the Sound Blaster Audigy
card is connected to both
the CD SPDIF and CD Audio
connectors on a CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM drive, do not
enable the CD Audio and CD
Digital options at the same
time in Surround Mixer.

For analog CD audio output:

connect the Analog CD audio cable from the Analog
Audio connector on your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive to
the CD_IN connector on the Sound Blaster Audigy
card as shown in Figure 1-5.

For digital CD audio output:

connect the Digital CD audio cable from the Digital
Audio connector on your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive to
the CD_SPDIF connector on the Sound Blaster
Audigy card as shown in Figure 1-5.

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive

OR

Figure 1-5: Connecting the

drives.

Step 4: Connect to power supply

1. Replace the computer cover.

2. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet, and turn on the computer.

To connect your Sound Blaster Audigy card to other devices, see “Connecting
Related Peripherals” on page 1-7.

To install drivers and software, refer to “Installing Drivers and Applications” on
page 2-1.

Installing Hardware 1-6

Connecting Related Peripherals

Sound Blaster Audigy will most undoubtedly give you endless hours of listening
pleasure. Figure 1-6 shows you how to connect related peripherals to your Sound
Blaster Audigy to optimize your enjoyment.

Analog/Digital Out jack
Analog Mode (default): Connects to

Center and Subwoofer channels.
Digital Mode: Connects to digital
speakers*, MiniDisc or DAT via minijack-to­DIN cable.

For instructions on how to switch
between digital and analog modes, refer
to topic “Digital Output Only” of the
Creative Surround Mixer online Help.

Cassette and
CD player,
Synthesizer,
etc.

Microphone

Connects to analog
front and rear inputs
of 4-channel
speakers**

Connects to Creative IEEE 1394
compatible devices such as the IEEE
1394 Creative digital audio player, DV
camcorder, WebCam and digital
camera.

Line-out

Game pad

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive

MPC-to-MPC (4­pin) audio cable

Line In
Mic In
Line Out
Rear Out

SB1394 port

Sound Blaster
Audigy card

Joystick/MIDI bracket

Figure 1-6: Connecting other devices

MPC-to-MPC (2­pin) audio cable

Connects to
Audigy
Drive
(optional).

* For example, Creative
Inspire
Speakers
** For example, 4­channel Creative or
Cambridge SoundWorks
analog speaker systems

TM

5.1 Digital

Installing Hardware 1-7

Connecting Speaker Systems

f you are playing games in

indows 98 SE MS-DOS mode

pure DOS mode), you must:

Make sure the CD Audio
connector on the Sound
Blaster Audigy card and the
Analog Audio connector on
the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive are connected.
In addition, if you get
distorted sound, do not
connect the CD SPDIF
connector on the Sound
Blaster Audigy card to the
Digital Audio connector on
the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive.

For instructions on how to switch between digital and analog modes, refer to topic
“Digital Output Only” of the Creative Surround Mixer online Help.

If you have a 5.1 channel speaker system, you can upmix your stereo sources (such
as CD Audio, MP3, WMA, MIDI and Wave) to 5.1 channels by using the Creative Multi
Speaker Surround (CMSS) technology. To upmix, you need to enable the CMSS
feature in PlayCenter (Player view). Refer to the PlayCenter online Help.

Playing Games and
Music, and Watching
Movies

with a 4.1 or 5.1 Digital
Speaker System of Creative
or Cambridge SoundWorks

Analog Line
and Rear
Inputs

Playing Games and Music, and
Watching Movies

with an Analog 5.1 channel speaker
system*

Minijack-to-DIN
cable

Digital
DIN

Triple stereo
audio cable

Analog/Digital
Out jack

Line Out

Rear Out

Sound Blaster Audigy card

Connects to
Audigy Drive
(optional).

Analog
Front, Rear
and Center/
Sub Inputs

* For example, Creative
Inspire 5.1 Analog
Speakers

Figure 1-7: Connecting Sound Blaster Audigy card to speaker systems.

Installing Hardware 1-8

Connecting External Consumer Devices

Dolby Digital Decoder/
Amplifier

3.5 mm (mono)­to-RCA cable

Dolby Digital (AC-3)
SPDIF In

Analog/Digital
Out jack

Line Out

Rear Out

Sound Blaster Audigy card

Connects to
Audigy Drive
(optional).

Discrete 6-channel
Amplifier

3.5mm (stereo)­to-RCA cable

Analog Front,
Rear and
Center/ Sub
Inputs

Figure 1-8: Connecting external consumer devices to the Sound Blaster Audigy card.

Tip : Left / Center channel

Ring : Right / Subwoofer channel

Additional information for
advanced users:

For connection to Center and
Subwoofer channels using a 3.5mm
(stereo)-to-RCA cable, connect the
white RCA jack to the Center input
and the red RCA jack to the
Subwoofer input of the amplifier.

Installing Hardware 1-9

Positioning Your Speakers

If you are using four speakers, place them so that
they form the corners of a square with you exactly
in the center (as in Figure 1-9) and that they are
angled toward you. Make sure that the computer
monitor is not blocking the path of your front
speakers. You may want to adjust the relative
positions of the speakers until you get the audio
experience you like best. If you have a subwoofer,
place the unit in a corner of the room for the best
bass experience.

Sub­woofer

Front-left
speaker

Rear-left
speaker

Figure 1-9: Recommended speaker

positions.

You

Rear-right
speaker

Center
speaker

Front-right
speaker

Installing Hardware 1-10

2

Installing Software

This chapter tells you how to install the Sound Blaster Audigy
software.

Installing Software

Installing Drivers and Applications

During the installation
process, Windows 98 SE
users will be prompted to
insert the Windows 98 SE
installation CD into the CD­ROM drive. Insert the
installation CD into the CD­ROM drive and then click the
OK button.

Installing Ulead VideoStudio Application

You need to install device drivers and applications to use Sound Blaster Audigy. To
install these drivers and the bundled applications, use the following instructions.
The instructions are applicable to all supported Windows operating systems.

1. After you have installed the Sound Blaster Audigy card and Joystick/MIDI bracket
(optional), turn on your computer. Windows automatically detects the audio card
and device drivers.

2. When prompted for the audio drivers, click the

3. Insert the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.
The disc supports Windows AutoPlay mode and starts running automatically. If
not, you need to enable your CD-ROM drive’s auto-insert notification feature. For
more details, see “Problems Installing Software” on page C-1.

4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

5. When prompted, restart your system.

Refer to the section which applies to your Windows operating system.

Cancel

button.

Installing Software 2-1

Windows 98 Second Edition

In Windows 98 SE, Windows
Me and Windows 2000, to
verify that the driver was
installed successfully, click

->

Start
Control Panel

Double-click the
icon. Click the

Manager

click

game controllers

should see a list of Creative
devices.

Settings

tab and double-

Sound, video and

->

.

System

Device

. You

1. Connect your digital video (DV) camcorder to the Sound Blaster Audigy card and
turn it on.

2. If prompted, insert the Windows 98 SE CD into the CD-ROM drive and click the

OK

button.

3. If a

Version Conflict

message appears, click the

Yes

button to continue the

installation.

4. Insert the Ulead VideoStudio installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

6. If prompted, click the

Yes

button to let the setup program detect the MS DV

drivers.

7. If prompted to install the
click the

Yes

button.

Windows 98/98 Second Edition Qxxxxxx Update

8. When prompted, restart your system.

,

Windows Me

Windows 2000

1. Connect your digital video (DV) camcorder to the Sound Blaster Audigy card and
turn it on.

2. If prompted, insert the Windows Me CD into the CD-ROM drive and click the OK
button.

3. Insert the Ulead VideoStudio installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.

4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

5. If prompted, click the

Yes

button to let the setup program detect the MS DV

drivers.

6. When prompted, restart your system.

1. Connect your digital video (DV) camcorder to the Sound Blaster Audigy card and
turn it on.

2. Insert the Ulead VideoStudio installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.

Installing Software 2-2

3. If prompted, click the
drivers.

4. When prompted, restart the system.

Yes

button to let the setup program detect the MS DV

Uninstalling the Applications and Device Drivers

Reinstalling the Device Drivers

You may at times need to uninstall and then reinstall the applications to correct
problems, change configurations, or make version upgrades. The following
instructions tell you how to uninstall the applications in all Windows operating
systems.

1. Close all audio card applications. This includes Creative Taskbar. Applications that
are still running during the uninstallation will not be removed.

2. Click

3. Double-click the

4. Click the

5. When the

6. Click the OK button.

7. If prompted, restart your computer.

You may want to reinstall only the device drivers because of driver corruption.

1. Insert the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2. Follow the instructions on the screen until the

3. Click the

Start

Click the

items you want to delete and click the
The selected applications will be uninstalled.

The disc supports Windows AutoPlay mode and starts running automatically. If
not, see “Problems Installing Software” on page C-1.

appears.

Settings

->

Add/Remove Programs

Install/Uninstall
Add/Remove

Creative Uninstaller

Drivers only

Control Panel

->

tab and select

button.

button.

.
icon.

Sound Blaster Audigy

dialog box appears, click the check boxes of the

Next

button.

Setup Options

.

dialog box

Installing Software 2-3

4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation of the device
drivers.

Updating Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2)

Updating Windows 98 SE

AC-3 SPDIF output

1394 storage supplement

Windows 2000 now provides better support for AC-3 SPDIF output (non-PCM
through waveOut) for software DVD viewing. Click the website address below to go
to Microsoft’s Windows 2000 web site to download the Windows 2000 Service Pack
2 to enjoy this support and to fix other issues in the Windows 2000 OS.

http://microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/sp2.asp

AC-3 SPDIF output (Non-PCM through waveOut) support is also available to
Windows 98 SE users. Click the address below to go to the Microsoft Product
Support Services, where you can request the update package (269601USA8.EXE).

http://www.microsoft.com/HWDEV/audio/Non-PCM.htm

A Safe Removal utility that allows you to safely stop a plug-and-play storage device
before disconnecting the device, and to provide an update for 1394 drivers related
to surprise removal of peripheral device is available form the web site below. If you
disconnect a 1394 storage device from your computer immediately after it is
disabled, you may do some damage to it.

With these storage device drivers, expect large performance improvements of
nearly 300%, as well as protect your investment.

www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WURecommended/
S_WUFeatured/1394/Default.asp

Installing Software 2-4

Installing Digital Video Update

If you have installed DirectX 8.0 or 8.0a run time, install the latest update for this
application. This update provides 1394 Digital Video equipment users PAL support
and improved device support. This is applicable for Windows 98 SE and Windows
2000 users. This update provides minor improvement to the Windows Me OS. To do
this, go to the web site below.

www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=28377

Installing Software 2-5

3

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications

This chapter tells you how to get the most out of your Sound Blaster
Audigy.

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Applications

Sound Blaster Audigy is supported by a full range of applications to help you get
the most from your audio card. The following software is most important to the
operation of your audio card:

❑

Creative Taskbar

❑

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Online Quick Start

❑

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Experience

❑

EAX ADVANCED HD Gold Mine Experience

❑

Creative Diagnostics

❑

Creative Surround Mixer

❑

Creative AudioHQ

❑

Creative WaveStudio

❑

Creative PlayCenter

❑

Creative Recorder

❑

Creative Oozic Player

❑

Vienna SoundFont Studio

❑

Creative MiniDisc Center

❑

Creative RemoteCenter

❑

SoundFont Showcase

❑

Creative Restore Defaults

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-1

Third Party Sound Blaster Audigy Applications

The applications included with
Sound Blaster Audigy may
differ from the ones described
here.

Sound Blaster Audigy can best be appreciated through some of the advanced
software that makes maximum use of the audio card’s features. To assist you in
exploring the limitless potential of Sound Blaster Audigy, Creative has included an
assortment of applications and games:

❑

Steinberg’s Audio Applications — MIDI sequencer and digital audio tools

❑

MixMeister — digital music/DJ tool

❑

Ulead VideoStudio Version 4.0 SE Basic — video editing application

❑

FireNet — IEEE 1394 network connectivity application

❑

Latest EAX ADVANCED HD Games

Creative Taskbar

Creative Taskbar is an application that allows you to perform tasks with your audio
card easily and quickly. Just select a task and everything is done for you — the
necessary applications are started and your mixer and effects settings are
configured automatically.

Creative Taskbar also comes with Creative TaskGuide, which provides tips and
useful links related to the selected task.

For more information and usage details on Creative Taskbar, refer to its online

Help.

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-2

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Online Quick Start

This is a good starting point from which you can learn about Sound Blaster Audigy.
The online Quick Start consists of several interactive and informative demos that
feature different aspects of Sound Blaster Audigy, like experiencing digital music and
digital gaming, watching movies, connecting speakers and performing tasks.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Experience

EAX ADVANCED HD Gold Mine Experience

Creative Diagnostics

Use the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Experience to feel Sound Blaster Audigy’s
awesome gaming, music listening and home studio capabilities. You will experience
the advantage of multi-environment audio processing, dynamic EAX ADVANCED HD
effects, high-quality surround output and EAX-enhanced home theater quality
audio.

Note: This application does not work in Windows NT 4.0.

Run this demonstration, which is set in a gold mine, and experience EAX
ADVANCED HD technologies such as Environment Panning, Environment Reflection
and Environment Morphing. Compare the scenes with and without EAX ADVANCED
HD, and understand why more game developers are using EAX ADVANCED HD
technologies for the best gaming experience.

Use Creative Diagnostics to quickly test your audio card’s Wave, MIDI or CD Audio
playback capability, recording function and speaker output. For more information
and usage details on Creative Diagnostics, refer to its online Help.

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-3

Creative Surround Mixer

Creative Surround Mixer is the main application to use for the following tasks:

❑

Tes t i n g s pe a ke r s

❑

Applying EAX-enabled audio effects

❑

Mixing sounds from various audio input sources

❑

Setting audio effects

To restore Surround Mixer to its
original settings, click Start ->

Programs -> Creative ->
Sound Blaster Audigy ->
Creative Restore Defaults.

Creative AudioHQ

Surround Mixer has two modes. Click the
to switch between the two modes:

In basic mode, the Mixer panel is displayed. You can:

❑

mix sounds from various audio input sources when playing or recording

❑

control volume, bass, treble, balance and fade

In advanced mode, the Surround Mixer and Mixer panels are displayed. In Surround
Mixer, you can:

❑

select audio effects

❑

specify the speaker output

❑

perform a speaker test

For more information and usage details on Creative Surround Mixer, refer to its

online Help.

AudioHQ is Creative's audio software control center.

The AudioHQ interface has the standard look and feel of the Windows Control
Panel. It contains several control applets that allow you to view, audition or set up
the audio properties of one or more audio devices on your computer.

As in Control Panel, you can view AudioHQ's control applets in the main window as
large icons, small icons, list items or detailed list items. You can also select all or
invert the selection when you are in the Applet view. The number of items in the
main window, however, varies with the control applet or device selected. The By
Audio Device view shows only the control applets supported by the selected device.

Basic Mode

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-4

Advanced Mode

or

button

The Applet view shows only the audio devices that support the selected applet.

For more information and usage details on Creative AudioHQ, refer to its online Help.

SoundFont Control

Device Controls

Creative Keyboard

MIDI Input

EAX Control

SoundFont Control allows you to configure MIDI banks with SoundFont, DLS and
Wave files and instruments, as well as set the caching algorithm and space.

For more information and usage details on SoundFont Control, refer to its online

Help.

Device Controls lets you configure devices to allow multiple simultaneous Wave
playback. For example, you can play five Wave tracks at the same time. Device
Controls also allows you to enable the SPDIF Bypass feature for your digital inputs
and outputs, and mute your speakers when you plug your headphones into Audigy
Drive.

For more information and usage details on Device Controls, refer to its online Help.

Creative Keyboard is a virtual keyboard that allows you to audition or play musical
notes produced through MIDI devices. To edit the sound, use Vienna SoundFont
Studio or another sound editor.

You can use external MIDI input devices to audition your MIDI banks and
instruments. First, connect a MIDI input device to your audio card and then select
that device in Creative Keyboard.

EAX Control allows you to configure the Sound Blaster Audigy chip's effects engine.

It allows you to specify to a low level the components that make up the audio
elements that in turn make up an audio effect.

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-5

It promises to deliver sounds that are so life-like, you can almost see them! It is the
computer industry's first system to recreate and deliver real-world, interactive audio
experiences in games, music, and other audio applications. These audio effects take
your computer beyond home-theater quality, immersing you in sound so vivid your
imagination can almost "see it". The effects go beyond today's surround-sound and
3D positional audio and actually model an environment by taking into account room
size, acoustic properties, reverb, echo and many other effects that create a real­world experience.

For more information and usage details on EAX Control, refer to its online Help.

Creative WaveStudio

Creative PlayCenter

Creative WaveStudio allows you to perform the following sound editing functions
easily:

❑

Play, edit, and record 8-bit (tape quality) and 16-bit (CD quality) wave data

❑

Enhance wave data or create unique sounds with various special effects and
editing operations such as reverse, echo, mute, pan, cut, copy, and paste

❑

Open and edit several audio files at the same time

❑

Open Raw (.RAW) and MP3 (.MP3) data files

❑

For more information and usage details on Creative WaveStudio, refer to its

online Help.

Creative PlayCenter is a revolutionary audio CD and digital audio (such as MP3 or
WMA) player. Besides managing your favorite digital audio files on your computer,
it is also an integrated MP3/WMA encoder for ripping audio CD tracks into
compressed digital audio files. It can encode tracks many times faster than normal
play speed and up to 320 kbps (for MP3).

Note:

Help

For more information and usage details on Creative PlayCenter, refer to its

.

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-6

online

Creative Recorder

Recorder allows you to record sounds or music from various input sources like the
microphone or Audio CD, and save them as Wave (.WAV) files. For more
information and usage details on Creative Recorder, refer to its online Help.

Creative Oozic Player

Vienna SoundFont Studio

An advanced software developed at the prestigious Creative-EMU Technology
Center, Oozic
accompany your music files. It combines textures, images and colors to create
mesmerizing forms that dance and groove — all in a matter of seconds. Oozic videos
are relatively compact and may be sent easily through the Internet.

Oozic Player requires a 3D graphics card.

For more information and usage details on Creative Oozic Player, refer to its online

Help.

If you are new to desktop music, Vienna SoundFont Studio is just what you need to
produce your first masterpiece. This is a professional sampler that allows you to
create sounds (saved as SoundFont banks), and edit them in any way you wish! If
you are already familiar with Vienna SoundFont Studio, you will be glad to know that
this latest version (Version 2.3) makes creating SoundFont banks easier than ever.
Now, you can

❑

Double-click a sample and the assigned Wave editor will automatically be started.

❑

Assign up to four MIDI controller bars to send real time controller messages to
your MIDI synthesizer.

If you are a beginner, start by plugging a microphone into your Sound Blaster Audigy
card, and sampling your voice. Vienna SoundFont Studio will help you to create an
instrument and place the sample to allow you to pitch-shift your voice up and down
the keyboard. Next, you can try to apply an articulation effect like Filter, to change
your voice. Once you discover the power of SoundFont technology, you will be
amazed at the sound design possibilities available.

™

Player lets you create and play stunning animated 3D videos to

For more information and usage details on Vienna SoundFont Studio, refer to its

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-7

online Help.

Creative MiniDisc Center

Creative RemoteCenter

SoundFont Showcase

Creative MiniDisc Center allows you to play back known audio format or compact
discs for recording to digital recorders such as DAT players, especially for MiniDisc
(MD) recorders.

With MiniDisc Center, you can:

❑

create an album of your favorite songs, each of which may be in a different audio
format

❑

insert a preset period of silence automatically between each track

❑

play back your personal album and record it to your MD recorder

❑

For more information and usage details on Creative MiniDisc Center, refer to its

online Help.

Creative RemoteCenter converts your computer into an entertainment system,
which you can control from the comfort of your bed or sofa. With the remote
control and RemoteCenter Player, a simple but powerful multimedia player, you can
play audio and video CDs on your computer from a distance. You no longer need to
be directly in front of your computer to select or change tracks because the remote
center system comes with On-Screen Display (OSD), which makes the commands
or functions available, viewable from a distance of 4 meters. RemoteCenter also
allows you to start and control your favorite Windows applications.

For more information on Creative RemoteCenter, refer to its online Help.

SoundFont Showcase contains a wide and comprehensive range of downloadable
SoundFont demos from companies like Sonic Implants and Voice Crystal. You can
also learn how to create and manage your own SoundFont banks in here.

For more information and usage details on SoundFont Showcase, refer to its online

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-8

Help.

Creative Restore Defaults

Steinberg’s Audio Applications

Cubasis VST (for Creative)

WaveLab Lite

Creative Restore Defaults allows you to restore all your audio settings to the
default settings.

Cubasis VST is an application that transforms your PC into a complete recording
studio for audio and MIDI recording. You can record from MIDI instruments or from
any audio source such as a microphone or an electric guitar. It allows you to do
multi-track recording and play back up to 16 audio channels and 64 MIDI tracks.
After recording, you can use the simple tools available to edit and mix recordings
for your own compositions. You can also apply real-time audio effects to your
recordings and print out professional quality scores complete with automatic
layout.

If you just want to do some fast and simple recording or editing, then WaveLab Lite
is the application for you. Although simple and small, WaveLab Lite packs a punch
with its features. It is capable of sample rate conversion, stereo editing through
drag-and-drop operation, mono and stereo conversion, and simple wave processing
such as phase inversion, normalization and more.

ReCycle Lite

ReCycle Lite is an audio processing tool to help you get the right tempo for your
drum loops and grooves. ReCycle Lite can analyze your drum loop, slice it, create
the necessary audio elements and export it as a SoundFont format.

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-9

MixMeister

If you like parties and MP3s, then you will definitely love MixMeister, a
revolutionary software that creates “killer mixes” of MP3 music files. With just a
few clicks, you can easily mix your music, just like a radio DJ, and produce results
that you will be amazed with. MixMeister automatically determines when to fade
between songs and shows you how the music fits together in the mix, without you
having to worry about details. Now you can produce the ultimate DJ mix for
parties, web casts and CD-Recordables.

Ulead VideoStudio Version 4.0 SE Basic

FireNet

The fastest way to create great videos, Ulead VideoStudio 4.0 SE Basic takes full
advantage of the most advanced digital video technology to put digital video
excitement within the reach of anyone with a digital video camcorder and a
computer.

Firenet is an Ethernet emulator that supports all standard Ethernet protocols,
including IPX/SPX, NetBEUI and TCP/IP. It provides high network speed at low cost,
supports broadband and is easy to use. FireNet is able to coexist with existing
Ethernet infrastructures and is capable of transferring vast amount of data, up to 4
times the equivalent of a 100 Mbps Ethernet network.

Sound Blaster Audigy Applications 3-10

Using Applications

This chapter tells you which applications to use for content

4

creation, gaming and entertainment purposes.

Using Applications

Sound Blaster Audigy offers you high-quality multimedia playback, digital
entertainment, content creation capability, Internet entertainment and gaming.
The following pages tell you which applications would best suit your needs.

Multimedia Playback

Watching DVDs

Some software DVD
decoders/players cannot
decode up to 5.1 channels,
but can support SPDIF
output. In such cases,
enable the SPDIF output
function to allow Sound
Blaster Audigy to decode the
Dolby Digital signal.

Playing MP3 or WMA files

If you have an external Dolby Digital (AC-3) decoder, you can enjoy Dolby Digital
audio content from your DVD movies.

However, if you do not have an external Dolby Digital (AC-3) decoder, you must
first have a DVD-compatible drive and a set of speakers that supports up to six
channels such as Creative Inspire 5.1 Analog Speakers. Next, you must have a
software DVD player capable of sending a compressed AC-3 SPDIF signal to your
Sound Blaster Audigy card for decoding, such as InterVideo WinDVD 2000 or
Cyberlink PowerDVD 3.0.

In Creative Surround Mixer, enable the Dolby Digital (AC-3) Decode feature. For
more information, refer to the Creative Surround Mixer online Help.

In your software DVD decoder/player, enable the SPDIF output or a similar
function.

Creative PlayCenter supports and plays MP3 and WMA files.

Using Applications 4-1

Playing back Wave and CD Audio files

Use Creative PlayCenter to play back both Wave and CD Audio files. WAV is the
format for digital audio files on the Windows operating platform. CD Audio refers to
audio compact discs that can be played on your CD-ROM drive.

Playing MIDI files

Creating non­General-MIDI­compliant files

Digital Entertainment

Watching surround movies

Compiling personal albums

MIDI (*.MID) is a music format that uses an internal synthesizer for playback. Use
Creative PlayCenter or the MIDI sequencer in the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation
CD for playing MIDI files. To achieve the best quality, load the 8MB GM bank in the
SoundFont applet found in the AudioHQ group.

Many musicians have created music files that use exotic or non-regular instrument
(non General MIDI compliant) using Vienna Soundfont Studio. These instruments
are stored in SoundFont banks. Such MIDI files can be played back using Creative
PlayCenter. The Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD contains many MIDI demos
that use high quality SoundFont banks.

If you want to enjoy high quality movie entertainment, ensure you have good
speakers. If you have a 4- or 5-speaker system connected to your Sound Blaster
Audigy, configure your speaker setup in Creative Surround Mixer. For DVD movies,
it is recommended that you purchase Creative PC-DVD Encore, a digital home
entertainment system, as well as Creative Inspire 5.1 Digital Speakers.

You can compile albums containing CD Audio, WAV or MIDI files using Creative
PlayCenter.

Using Applications 4-2

Content Creation

Organizing SoundFont banks

Applying voice effects

Recording sound and effects

Capturing and editing videos

Advanced Content Creation

Recording multi­tracks with ASIO

Sound Blaster Audigy bundles many SoundFont banks that contain instrument
sounds you can use. Use Vienna SoundFont Studio to organize and customize the
instruments.

When singing and recording you own songs, you can enhance your voice, or even
add special effects. You can do this with EAX Control, which can be accessed from
Creative Surround Mixer.

Creative Recorder is an easy way of recording any audio source without worrying
about mixer settings. You can also record any audio effects.

Ulead VideoStudio is the fastest way to create great videos. Ulead VideoStudio
allows you to capture and edit your videos, then output them to popular formats
like AVI, QT, MOV or MPEG.

You can create a home music studio using Cubasis VST. It lets you put together
your own productions consisting of multiple music tracks from a MIDI Synthesizer
(internal or external), your guitar or external musical instrument (Line-In), a digital
device (SPDIF), or a microphone. ASIO support allows you to create all these with

Using Applications 4-3

amazingly low latency (solving multi-track sync up issues).

Creating music

Recording and transcribing music

Recording and editing musical instruments

Recording digital audio

Creating multiple effects

You can create desktop music on your Sound Blaster Audigy using Cubasis VST.
Hook up a MIDI controller keyboard to the MIDI/Joystick port and you instantly
have a high quality (up to 8 MB GM) synthesizer with this software. The sequencing
software provided also lets you compose your own music compositions and
arrangements.

Using Cubasis VST, you can record your own music and do musical notation
transcriptions. You can even print your own music score.

You can record any sound effects or sample loops and then use them as a MIDI
instrument — all using Vienna SoundFont Studio. You can also edit existing
SoundFont banks.

You can do digital recording and editing (16-bit, 48 kHz) on your computer with
Sound Blaster Audigy using Creative Wave Studio and WaveLab Lite. Connect any
SPDIF compatible device such as a DAT deck and select CD Digital in Creative
Surround Mixer.

Sound Blaster Audigy comes with a variety of effects that are programmable. You
can literally create thousands of reverb and other special effects in EAX Control,
which can be accessed from Creative Surround Mixer.

Creating and playing back SoundFonts

With Creative's SoundFont technology, you have limitless sound creation
possibilities for use with your own music. Create your own SoundFont banks in
Vienna SF Studio or use ReCycle Lite to convert drum loops to Soundfont banks,

Using Applications 4-4

Internet Entertainment

and then use them in your bundled MIDI sequencer.

Experiencing music with visual entertainment

Encoding CD songs to MP3 format

Downloading and playing MP3 songs

Playing MP3 songs with EAX ADVANCED HD

Mixing MP3 songs

With Creative Oozic Player, your MP3 songs can now be associated with a customized
“music video” (called MV3) containing high quality 3D animation, giving dynamic
visual expression to your songs. Distribute the music video over the Internet and
watch the animation dance to the beat of your music!

To enjoy the Oozic experience, you will also need a 3D accelerated graphics card.

With Creative PlayCenter, you can encode and record all your favorite CD songs
into your computer’s hard drive, so that you have a database of customized song
lists.

With Creative PlayCenter, you can add current songs to your database by
downloading them from various sites on the Internet.

Use Creative PlayCenter to create MP3 renditions with multi-dimensional and multi­textured realism by adding environments such as “concert hall” or “bathroom”! You
can share these enhanced MP3 songs, even with someone who does not own a
Sound Blaster Audigy card.

Download MP3 songs and then use MixMeister to create party mixes like a DJ.
MixMeister takes care of the details while you dance all night, and allows you to
fine-tune your mixes whenever you want.

Using Applications 4-5

Gaming Reference

Enjoying EAX ADVANCED HD support

Enjoying DirectSound3D support

Enjoying A3D 1.0 support

Enjoying DOS games

Enjoying audio presets in games

Enjoy the many EAX ADVANCED HD titles designed by top game developers, which
immerse you in realistic environments. Visit http://www.eax.creative.com for a full
list of compatible titles.

DirectSound3D (DS3D) games are supported on your Sound Blaster Audigy. You
can hear sounds positioned in 3D space that enhance your game experience.

Your card translates A3D calls into DirectSound3D, meaning that you can enjoy A3D
games.

Your card provides you with exceptional Sound Blaster compatibility so that you
can continue to play the thousands of popular DOS games already in the market.

For more information and usage details, see “SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98
SE” on page B-1.

You can enjoy audio effects even if your game does not have EAX ADVANCED HD
support. Your card is bundled with a good selection of presets for use with games.
These can be accessed through Creative Taskbar.

Using Applications 4-6

Customizing environments for non-3D games

You can create customized environments for your non-EAX ADVANCED HD games
using the EAX Control panel, which can be accessed from Creative Surround Mixer.

Using Applications 4-7

A

General Specifications

This section displays the specifications of your
Sound Blaster Audigy card and Joystick/MIDI bracket.

General Specifications

This section lists the specifications of your Sound Blaster Audigy card and Joystick/
MIDI bracket.

Features

PCI Bus Mastering

Audigy Processor

High Quality Audio Path

❑

PCI Specification Version 2.1 compliant

❑

Bus mastering reduces latency and speeds up system performance

❑

Advanced hardware accelerated digital effects processing

❑

32-bit digital processing, which maintains a 192 dB dynamic range

❑

Patented 8-point interpolation that reduces distortion to inaudible levels

❑

64-voice hardware wavetable synthesizer

❑

Professional quality digital mixing and equalization

❑

Unlimited size of SoundFont bank can be mapped to host memory (limited by
available system memory)

❑

Mixes analog sources such as CD Audio, Line in, Auxiliary, TAD and PC speaker,
Microphone in via AC’97 Codec with internal digital sources

❑

Playback of 64 audio channels, each at an arbitrary sample rate

❑

32-bit mixing of all digital sources within Audigy’s Digital Mixer

❑

24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 48 kHz sample rate

❑

24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources at 48 kHz to analog 5.1
speaker output

❑

16-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz

General Specifications A-1

Professional Digital Audio Processing

❑ Supports Sony/Philips Digital Interface (SPDIF) format input signal of up to 24-

bit/96 kHz quality

❑ SPDIF output up to 24-bit resolution at selectable sampling rate of 44.1, 48 or 96

kHz

Note: SPDIF output not available during playback of protected digital audio contents
authored with DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology

❑ Selectable 6-channel SPDIF output to external amplifier/digital speaker systems
❑ Software switching of SPDIF Input-to-Output (bypass) to minimize cable

connection hassle

❑ Low latency multitrack recording with ASIO support

Flexible Mixer Control

Dolby Digital (AC-3) Decoding

❑ Software playback control of CD Audio, Line In, Auxiliary, TAD, PC speaker,

Microphone In, Wave/DirectSound device, MIDI device and CD Digital (CD SPDIF)

❑ Software recording control of Analog Mix (sum of CD Audio, Line In, Auxiliary,

TAD, PC speaker) Microphone In, Wave/DirectSound device, MIDI device and CD
Digital (CD SPDIF)

❑ Selectable input source or mixing of various audio sources for recording
❑ Adjustable master volume control
❑ Separate bass and treble control
❑ Front and rear balance control
❑ Muting and panning control for mixer sources

❑ Decodes Dolby Digital (AC-3) to 5.1 channels or pass-through compressed Dolby

Digital (AC-3) PCM SPDIF stream to external decoder

❑ Bass redirection: enhances bass output to subwoofer for small satellite speaker

systems

❑ Crossover bass frequency (10–200 Hz): adjustable to standalone subwoofer units

for desired bass level

❑ Adjustable Center and LFE level control

General Specifications A-2

Creative Multi Speaker
Surround

TM

(CMSSTM)

❑

Multispeaker technology

❑

Upmixes mono or stereo sources to 5.1 channels

❑

Professional-quality panning and mixing algorithm

SB1394TM Compatibility

Connectivity

Sound Blaster Audigy card

Audio Inputs

Audio Outputs

❑

Compliant to IEEE 1394a specification

❑

Supports data rates of 100, 200, and 400 Mbps

❑

Supports up to 63 IEEE 1394 compatible devices in a daisy-chain configuration

❑

One line-level analog Line input via stereo jack on rear bracket

❑

One mono Microphone analog input via stereo jack on rear bracket

❑

CD_IN line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card

❑

AUX_IN line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card

❑

TAD line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card

❑

CD_SPDIF digital input via 2-pin Molex connector on card

❑

ANALOG/DIGITAL OUT via 4-pole 3.5 mm minijack on rear bracket

• ANALOG OUT: Center and Subwoofer channels

• DIGITAL OUT: Front, Rear, Center and Subwoofer SPDIF digital outputs

❑

Two line-level analog outputs via stereo jacks on rear bracket, Front and rear
Line-Outs 1 and 2

❑

Stereo headphone (32-ohm load) support on Front Line-Out

General Specifications A-3

SB1394 Interfaces

The 6-pin SB1394
connector/port has a 2 watt
maximum power output.
Connect only one high power
usage device such as the
IEEE 1394 hard disk and CD­RW drive to this port unless
it is self-powered.

❑

One 2 x 5 pin Internal SB1394 connector (J6) on card for connection to the Audigy
Extension card

❑

One 6-pin SB1394 connector/port on rear bracket

Interfaces

❑

VOL_CTRL 1 x 4 pin header

❑

PC_SPK (PC speaker) 1 x 2 pin header

❑

AUD_EXT 2 x 20 pin header for connection to Audigy Drive

❑

JOYSTICK 2 x 8 pin header for connection to the Joystick/MIDI connector (metal
bracket attachment provided but optional)

General Specifications A-4

B

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 98 SE

This section tells you how to use your Sound Blaster Audigy
card to play MS-DOS games.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE

Background

Installing MS­DOS Drivers

Opening MS­DOS

Legacy games in the market were designed for use in MS-DOS mode and they
require MS-DOS drivers in order to run. However, MS-DOS drivers are not installed
together with other Sound Blaster Audigy devices and applications. If you want to
to install these drives and play MS-DOS games, read this chapter. Sound Blaster
Audigy supports MS-DOS games.

To install MS-DOS drivers, do the following:

1. Insert the Sound Blaster Audigy installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2. Click

3. In the

4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

There are two ways to play MS-DOS games:

❑ From the MS-DOS box in Windows 98 SE (recommended)

❑ In MS-DOS mode

Start

Run

represents your CD-ROM drive and Language represents the file’s language).

Start

Click

There may be times when you do not want to or cannot run a game from the MS­DOS box. The legacy game may be incompatible with Windows 98 SE, or there
are insufficient system resources to play the game with Windows 98 SE loaded.
In such cases, use MS-DOS mode.

To restart the system in MS-DOS mode when you are already in Windows 98 SE:

Run

->
dialog box, click

Programs

->

.

D:\DOSDRV\LANGUAGE\SETUP.EXE

MS-DOS Prompt

->

.

(where D:

1. Click

Start

Shut Down

->

.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-1

2. Click the

OK

To start the system in MS-DOS mode at system startup:

1. At startup, as Windows 98 SE is loading, press and hold the F8 key.

2. At the startup menu, choose the
press <Enter>.

Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode

button.

Command Prompt Only

option, and then click the

option, and then

Understanding the Installation Program

AUTOEXEC.BAT File Settings

When you install the MS-DOS drivers, the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files in
your system are changed.

The installation program adds the following statements to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

SET CTSYN=C:\WINDOWS
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6
C:\PROGRA~1\CREATIVE\DOSDRV\SBEINIT.COM

The first two statements set up the environment variables for your audio card. For
an explanation of the variables, see “Environment Variables” on page B-5.

The third statement runs SBEINIT.COM, which is the Sound Blaster Audigy MS-DOS
driver. It is required for the Sound Blaster Audigy card to function properly in MS­DOS mode.

SBEINIT.COM requires the HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE files to be loaded. If
needed, the installation program adds the necessary HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE
lines to your CONFIG.SYS file, creating the file if it is not present.

On the rare occasion a program does not work with expanded memory, simply add
the NOEMS parameter to your memory manager. For example:

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-2

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS

You may load this driver into high memory in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, even though
the default is not. For example:

LOADHIGH=C:\PROGRA~1\CREATIVE\DOSDRV\SBEINIT.COM

Do not remove the memory manager altogether. Do not attempt to load
SBEINIT.COM into high memory when using the NOEMS option if SBEINIT.COM fails
to run SBELOAD.EXE or SBECFG.EXE. In the rare case that an MS-DOS game will
not work with a memory manager, you will not be able to use the Sound Blaster
Audigy card with the game.

CONFIG.SYS File Settings

System Resource Settings

In the following tables, the
preferred values are in bold.

The installation program adds the following statements to the CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE

This section explains the following software SB emulation resources—not hardware
resources—of your card:

❑

Input/Output (I/O) Addresses

❑

Interrupt Request (IRQ) Line

❑

Direct Memory Access (DMA) Channel

If your card encounters a conflict with a peripheral device, you may need to change
its resource settings. For details, see “Resolving I/O Conflicts” on page C-8.
When any resource setting is changed, make sure that the environment variables
(see “Environment Variables” on page B-5) reflect the changes as well. You can view
your system environment by typing

SET

at the DOS prompt.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-3

Input/Output (I/O) Addresses

I/O addresses are communication areas used by your computer’s central processor
to distinguish among various peripheral devices connected to your system when
sending or receiving data.

Table B-1:Possible default input/output (I/O) addresses.

Device Default I/O Address

Range

Interrupt Request (IRQ) Line

SB interface

MPU-401 UART MIDI
interface

Stereo music synthesizer 388H to 38BH

An IRQ line is a signal line that a device uses to notify your computer’s central
processor that it wants to send or receive data for processing.

Table B-2:Possible default interrupt request (IRQ) line assignment.

Device Default IRQ Line

SB interface5, 7, 9, 10

220H to 22FH

240H to 24FH
260H to 26FH
280H to 28FH

300H to 301H
310H to 311H
320H to 321H

330H to 331H

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-4

Direct Memory Access (DMA) Channel

A DMA channel is a data channel that a device uses to transfer data directly to and
from the system memory.

Table B-3:Possible default direct memory access (DMA) channel assignment.

Usage Default DMA Channel

First DMA channel 0, 1, 3

Second DMA channel5, 6, 7

Environment Variables

CTSYN Environment Variable

BLASTER Environment Variable

Environment variables are used to pass hardware configuration information to the
software in your system. For MS-DOS, your audio card includes the following:

❑

CTSYN Environment Variable

❑

BLASTER Environment Variable

The CTSYN environment variable points to the location of the CTSYN.INI file, which
usually resides in the Windows directory. The syntax for this variable is as follows:

CTSYN=path

where “path” is the location of the CTSYN.INI file.

The BLASTER environment specifies the base I/O address, IRQ line, and DMA
channels of the SB interface. Its syntax is:

BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6

The parameters in the command are as follows:

This
Parameter Specifies

Axxx SB interface’s base I/O address.
I

x

IRQ line used by the audio interface.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-5

Dx First DMA channel used by the audio interface.
H

x

Pxxx MPU-401 UART interface’s base I/O address.
T

x

Second DMA channel used by the audio interface.

Card type. x must be 6.

Determining Resources

The MS-DOS driver
SBEINIT.COM must be running
for SBECFG.EXE to work

properly

.

To find the current Sound Blaster Audigy SB16 Emulation resources in Windows 98 SE:

1. Click

2. In the

3. In the

Start

Control Panel
System Properties

4. Double-click

Creative EMU10Kx SB16 Emulation

5. Click the

->

Settings

Control Panel

->

.

window, double-click the

dialog box, click the

Sound, Video and Game Controllers

.

Resources

tab.

System

icon.

Device Manager

, and then double-click

tab.

You can use the information in the resource list to help you configure MS-DOS games
for use with the Sound Blaster Audigy card.

The resource list may show three entries of “Input/Output Range” and two entries
of “Direct Memory Access”. They correspond to the sequence of entries in Table B-1
and Table B-3. If the number of entries do not match, a good estimate of the identity
of the device is its I/O address or DMA channel.

To find the current Creative EMU10Kx SB16 Emulation resources in MS-DOS mode:

1. Switch to your Sound Blaster Audigy DOS driver directory, that is:

C:\PROGRA~1\CREATIVE\DOSDRV

2. Type

SBECFG

and then press <Enter>.

Some older games may have difficulty detecting the Sound Blaster Audigy card at
certain resource settings. Typically, these games expect the card to be at a fixed
set of resources and would fail to load if those resources are not detected. If you
have older MS-DOS games that do not work properly, try changing the Sound
Blaster Audigy SB16 Emulation configuration. Use the following as a guide:

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-6

Problem:

Solution:

1, use SB interface port 220.

Problem:

Solution:

Sound Blaster emulation is not recognized.

Try switching the SB Emulation IRQ between 5 and 7, use DMA channel

The MPU-401 emulation is not recognized.

Try using Port address 330.

Selecting the Best Audio Options in a Game

Most MS-DOS–based games that provide sound have some procedure for audio
setup. These procedures generally allow you to choose from a list of popular audio
cards or audio devices.

Games may present audio options differently. Some may present a single choice that
corresponds to a particular audio device; for example, Sound Blaster 16, Roland
Sound Canvas, etc. Others provide an option for music and digital audio separately;
for example, General MIDI music with Sound Blaster digital audio. In such a case,
there are often two separate menus to configure.

Some games allow you to set the MIDI port address and IRQ for music and sound.
Make sure that these settings correspond to the values displayed by SBECFG.EXE or

Resources

the

Properties

There are games that offer MPU-401/Roland (General MIDI or MT-32/LAPC-1) as an
option. Often these games allow you to set the MIDI port address. Make sure that
they match the MIDI address in the Resources list on the
of the
values can be found under “MPU-401 (General MIDI, Roland MT-32/LAPC-1)
Emulation”, displayed by SBECFG.EXE in MS-DOS mode. Remember to enable the
MT-32 MIDI patch with the SBEMIXER program if you select Roland MT-32 or LAPC­1 for music.

Creative EMU10Kx SB16 Emulation Properties

tabbed page of the

dialog box.

Creative EMU10Kx SB16 Emulation

Resources

dialog box. The same

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-7

tabbed page

Music Options

Most MS-DOS games offer a menu choice for sound when they start up. If you have
a choice between General MIDI and MT-32, always choose General MIDI, since it will
provide you with the best sound quality. If you need to use MT-32, you must first
switch from the General MIDI instrument set (the default) to the MT-32 instrument
set using SBEMIXER. Be sure to switch back to the General MIDI set when you are
finished using the MT-32 instrument set.

Digital Audio Options

MS-DOS Mode Utilities

SBECFG.EXE

Sound Blaster Audigy supports Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16,
and Adlib digital audio emulation. If an application provides all these as options,
specify the choices in this order:

1. Sound Blaster 16

2. Sound Blaster Pro

3. Sound Blaster

4. Adlib

The Sound Blaster Audigy card includes a few MS-DOS utilities. These utilities
require the Sound Blaster Audigy DOS driver SBEINIT.COM to be loaded.

Use the SBECFG.EXE utility to obtain the hardware settings and the status of the
Sound Blaster Audigy card. Typing
the following hardware settings:

❑

PCI Hardware Settings: Port, IRQ

❑

Sound Blaster Emulation: Port, IRQ, DMA

❑

MPU-401 Emulation (GM, Roland MT-32/LAPC-1) Emulation: Port

❑

Adlib Emulation: Port

The emulation settings appear only if they are enabled.

SBECFG.EXE

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-8

at the command prompt displays

SBEMIXER.EXE

Use SBEMIXER.EXE to change the volume levels of the MPU-401 instrument set
used on the Sound Blaster Audigy card. You can use SBEMIXER.EXE from the
command line—useful for advanced users who want to set up batch files with
particular volume levels—or within the SBEMIXER screen. The settings for
SBEMIXER.EXE are independent of the Creative Mixer settings in Windows 98 SE.

To set SBEMIXER values in the command line:

At the DOS prompt, type the SBEMIXER command in a single line. Its syntax is

SBEMIXER [/S:x] [/W:x] [/C:x] [/M:x] [/?]

where square brackets [ ] denote optional parameters, and

This
Parameter Specifies

/S:x Synth volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/W:

x

/C:x CD audio volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/M:

x

/? View a short description of the parameters.

Wave volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.

Synth MT-32/LAPC-1 mode. For x, 0 is Off, 1 is On.

An example of an

SBEMIXER /S:64 /W:120 /C:50 /M:0

SBEMIXER

command is

which corresponds to “set the synth volume to 64, the Wave volume to 120, the CD
audio volume to 50, and turn off the Synth MT-32/LAPC-1 mode”.

Note:

volume will be affected.

To set SBEMIXER values within the Mixer screen:

At the DOS prompt, type

In Windows MS-DOS box, if you adjust the Wave/Master Volume, the emulation

SBEMIXER

.

The interactive editor mode allows you to change the mixer settings with the mouse,
<Tab>, <PgUp>, <PgDn>, or arrow keys.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-9

Use the Save button to save the settings for the next session.

SBESET.EXE

See “System Resource
Settings” on page B-3 for a list
of the possible values.

Use SBESET.EXE to manually configure SB resources or disable SB Emulation. By
default, SB Emulation in DOS follows the Windows settings. For example, if you
disable SB Emulation in Windows, in the next boot to DOS, SB Emulation in DOS
disabled. Under rare circumstances you may need to manually reconfigure DOS SB
Emulation, for example, if there is conflict in DOS before it can boot to Windows.
SBESET.EXE is run from the command line.

To set SBESET values in the command line:

At the DOS prompt, type the

SBESET [-Axxx] [-Ix] [-Dx] [-Hx] [-Pxxx] [-dx] [-wx]

SBESET

command in a single line. Its syntax is

where square brackets [ ] denote optional parameters, and

This
Parameter Specifies

-A

xxx

-I

x

-D

x

-H

x

-Pxxx MPU-401 UART interface’s base I/O address.

-dx SB Emulation mode. For x, 1 is Off, 0 is On.

-wx Set x to 1 to use the Windows-assigned resource configuration.

SB interface’s base I/O address.
IRQ line used by the audio interface.
First DMA channel used by the audio interface.
Second DMA channel used by the audio interface.

Set x to 0 to use (your) user-assigned resource configuration.

An example of an SBESET command is

SBESET -A240 -I5 -D3 -w0

which corresponds to “set the SB interface’s base I/O address to 240, the IRQ line
used by the audio interface to 5, the First DMA channel used by the audio interface
to 3, and use the Windows-assigned resource configuration”.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-10

SBEGO.EXE

Use this to confirm whether SB16 Emulation is properly installed and working.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/Windows 98 SE B-11

C

Troubleshooting

This section provides solutions to problems you may
encounter during installation or normal use.

Troubleshooting

This appendix provides solutions to problems you may encounter during installation
or normal use.

Problems Installing Software

The installation does not start automatically after the Sound Blaster Audigy
Installation CD is inserted.

The AutoPlay feature in your Windows system may not be enabled.

To start the installation program through the My Computer shortcut menu:

1. Double-click the

2. In the

3. On the shortcut menu, click

To enable AutoPlay through Auto Insert Notification:

1. Click

2. In the

3. In the
your CD-ROM drive.

4. Click the

5. In the

Notification

6. Click the OK button to exit from the dialog box.

My Computer

Start

Control Panel

System Properties

Properties

Properties

My Computer

Settings

->

.

icon on your Windows desktop.

window, right-click the CD-ROM drive icon.

AutoPlay

Control Panel

->

window, double-click the

dialog box, click the

button.

dialog box, click the

and follow the instructions on the screen.

.

Settings

System

Device Manager

tab and select

icon.

tab and select

Auto Insert

Troubleshooting C-1

Problems with Sound

There is unexpected excessive environmental sound or effects when an audio file is
played.

The last selected preset is an inappropriate environment for the current audio file.

To switch to an appropriate environment:

1. Double-click the

2. In the
appropriate environment.

No sound from the headphones.

Check the following:

❑

The headphones are connected to the Headphones jack.

❑

In the

Headphones

❑

In the Mixer panel of Surround Mixer, the recording source selected is

Hear”

Individual analog recording sources are not displayed in Surround Mixer.

The following analog recording sources are combined in one recording control called

Analog Mix (Line/CD/TAD/Aux/PC)

panel:

❑

Line-In

❑

CD Audio

❑

Auxiliary

❑

TAD -In

❑

PC Speaker

Environment

Speakers

.

EAX Control Panel

box, click the down arrow to select

tabbed page of the Main panel of Surround Mixer, the

option is selected in the

icon in AudioHQ.

(No effects)

Speaker

, which is found in the one-column record

box.

or an

“What U

Troubleshooting C-2

Individual analog recording sources cannot be selected in Surround Mixer.

Five analog recording sources are combined under the selection

CD/TAD/Aux/PC)

. For more information, see “Individual analog recording sources

Analog Mix (Line/

are not displayed in Surround Mixer.” on page C-2.

To record an individual analog source:

❑

In the one-column record panel of Surround Mixer, make sure the recording
source selected is

❑

In the six-column panel, mute the analog sources that you do not want to record
by clicking the

No sound from the speakers.

Check the following:

❑

You have connected your speakers to your card's output.

❑

You have selected the correct source in the Mixer panel.

❑

If both the above conditions have been met and you still do not get any sound,
click the

red plus sign

Output Only

Analog Mix (Line/CD/TAD/Aux/PC)

Mute

check box to select it.

above the

VOL

control and check whether the

.

Digital

check box is selected. If it is, you are in the Digital Output Only
mode and so must connect to digital speakers to hear the sound from your audio
card. See the section on Digital Output Only in Surround Mixer’s online Help for
more information.

No audio output when playing digital files such as .WAV, MIDI files or AVI clips.

Check the following:

❑

The speakers’ volume control knob, if any, is set at mid-range. Use Creative Mixer
to adjust the volume, if necessary.

❑

The powered speakers or external amplifier are connected to the card’s Line Out
or Rear Out jack.

❑

There is no hardware conflict between the card and a peripheral device. See
“Resolving I/O Conflicts” on page C-8.

Troubleshooting C-3

❑

The Speaker selection in the Main panel of Surround Mixer corresponds to your
speaker or headphone configuration.

❑

No audio output when playing audio CDs or DOS games that require a CD-ROM.

To solve this problem:

Original Sound

The
pages of the

sliders in either or both the

EAX Control Panel

Master

and

application are set to 100%.

Source

tabbed

Make sure the Analog Audio connector on the CD-ROM drive and the CD In connector
on the audio card are connected.

Panning a source sometimes turns off its sound.

This occurs when you are in the Digital Output Only mode and the source’s left-right
balance in a software mixer application other than Surround Mixer (for example, the
Windows Volume Control application) is at the opposite end compared to the
position to which you have panned the source in the Main panel of Surround Mixer.
For example, the CD Audio balance in Windows Volume Control is on the left but in
Surround Mixer you have panned the CD Audio to the right.

To solve this problem:

Open that other mixer, and center the balances for all the audio input sources.
This ensures that your analog sources will not turn silent when you pan them in
Surround Mixer.

Troubleshooting C-4

Insufficient SoundFont Cache

The trade-off of a smaller
SoundFont file is its lower
sound quality.

There is insufficient memory to load SoundFonts.

This may occur when a SoundFont-compatible MIDI file is loaded or played while
insufficient memory has been allocated to SoundFonts.

To allocate more SoundFont cache:

On the
Cache slider to the right.

The amount of SoundFont cache you can allocate depends on the system RAM
available.

If there is still insufficient system RAM available:

Do one of the following:

❑

❑

Options

On the
smaller SoundFont bank, if available, from the
Increase the system RAM on your computer.

tabbed page of the SoundFont Control applet, move the SoundFont

Configure Banks

tabbed page of the SoundFont Control applet, select a

Select Bank

box.

Problems With Joystick

The joystick port is not working.

The audio card’s joystick port may be conflicting with the system’s joystick port.

To solve this problem:

Disable the audio card’s joystick port and use the system port instead. Do the
following:

1. Click

2. In the

3. In the

4. Double-click

5. Click the

6. In the Properties dialog box:

Start

Control Panel
System Properties

Audigy Gameport (Creative Game Port

If you have an

Settings

->
window, double-click the

Sound, Video And Game Controllers

Properties

button.

Original Configuration (Current)

Control Panel

->

dialog box, click the

.

for Windows 2000).

System

Device Manager

icon.

, and then select

check box:

Troubleshooting C-5

tab.

Creative

Do not attempt to make
changes to the BIOS unless
you have experience with
system software.

• Clear the check box to disable it.
If you have a

• Make sure that the check box is selected to disable it.

7. Click OK to restart Windows and for the change to take effect.

When the Gameport Joystick interface is disabled, the entry in Device Manager has
a red cross.

The joystick is not working properly in some programs.

The program may use the system processor timing to calculate the joystick position.
When the processor is fast, the program may determine the position of the joystick
incorrectly, assuming that the position is out of range.

To solve this problem:

Increase your system’s 8 bit I/O recovery time of the BIOS setting, usually under
the Chipset Feature Settings section. Or, if available, you may adjust the AT Bus
speed to a slower clock. If the problem persists, try a different joystick.

Disable In This Hardware Profile

check box:

Problems with Multiple Audio Devices

The other installed audio card is not working well.

You may have an existing audio device installed in your computer. The audio device
may be an audio card or an onboard audio chipset. Before you install your Sound
Blaster Audigy card, you are advised to completely uninstall and remove your
existing audio device. Operating multiple audio devices in your computer may
introduce usability issues.

Alternatively, during the installation of your Sound Blaster Audigy card, do the following:

❑

If your computer detects an installed Sound Blaster Live! Series or Sound Blaster
PCI512 audio card, a message box recommending that you completely uninstall
and remove the older audio device will appear. Click the
the instructions on the screen to complete the removal of the old audio device.
Remove the old audio card from your computer.

Yes

button and follow

Troubleshooting C-6

❑

If your computer detects any other installed audio card, a message box
recommending that you completely uninstall and remove the older audio device
will appear. Click the
Blaster Audigy card.
After the installation of the Sound Blaster Audigy card, completely uninstall the
existing card and remove the audio card from your computer.

The onboard audio chipset is not working well.

To disable an onboard audio chipset, do the following:

1. Restart your system.

2. During the memory check, press <F2> or <Delete>, depending on your
motherboard.
The BIOS setup menu appears.

3. Select

4. Select
chipset.

5. Press <Esc> to return to the BIOS setup menu.

6. Select

7. Press <Y> and then press <Enter>

Chipset Features Setup

Onboard Legacy Audio

Save & Exit Setup

Yes

button to continue with the installation of the Sound

and press <Enter>.

and press <Enter> to disable your onboard audio

, and then press <Enter>.

Problems with Sound Blaster Live! Series or Sound Blaster PCI512 card

Sound Blaster Live! or Sound Blaster PCI512 applications are not working.

Other than normal playback and recording function, older audio devices may not
work well when Sound Blaster Audigy is installed.

To solve this problem:

Uninstall and remove the older card from the computer. Otherwise, you can choose
to disable the Sound Blaster Live! or Surround Blaster PC512 card:

1. Click

Start

->

Settings

Control Panel

->

.

Troubleshooting C-7

2. In the

3. In the

4. Double-click

Sound Blaster Live! Series

5. Click the

6. In the Properties dialog box:
If you have an

• Clear the check box to disable it.
If you have a

• Make sure that the check box is selected to disable it.

7. Click OK to restart Windows and for the change to take effect.

When the Sound Blaster Live! series is disabled, the entry in Device Manager has a
red cross.

Control Panel
System Properties

Sound, Video And Game Controllers

Properties

Original Configuration (Current)

Disable In This Hardware Profile

window, double-click the

button.

dialog box, click the

Creative Sound Blaster PCI512

or

System

Device Manager

icon.

, and then select

check box:

check box:

tab.

Creative

.

Resolving I/O Conflicts

You can also refer to the
Troubleshooting section in the
online Help of Windows 98 SE/
Me.

Conflicts between your audio card and another peripheral device may occur if your
card and the other device are set to use the same I/O address.

To resolve I/O conflicts, change the resource settings of your audio card or the
conflicting peripheral device in your system using Device Manager in Windows 98
SE/Me.

If you still do not know which card is causing the conflict, remove all cards except
the audio card and other essential cards (for example, disk controller and graphics
cards). Add each card back until Device Manager indicates that a conflict has
occurred.

To resolve hardware conflicts in Windows 98 SE/Me:

1. Click

2. In the

Start

Control Panel

->

Settings

window, double-click the

Control Panel

->

.

System

icon.

Troubleshooting C-8

3. In the

4. Under the Sound, Video And Game Controllers entry, select the conflicting audio
card driver—indicated by an exclamation mark (!)—and click the
button.

5. In the Properties dialog box, click the

6. Make sure that the

OK

7. Restart your system to allow Windows 98 SE/Me to reassign resources to your
audio card and/or the conflicting device.

System Properties

button.

dialog box, click the

Resources

Use automatic settings

Device Manager

tab.

check box is selected, and click the

tab.

Properties

Problems in
Windows NT

4.0

A Service Control Manager error message appears with one or more other error
messages at system restart.

This occurs after you remove an audio card from your computer after you have
successfully installed the Sound Blaster Audigy card. Windows is trying to match the
drivers to the removed audio card.

To solve this problem:

1. Log on to your computer as Administrator.

2. Click

3. Double-click the

4. In the list, remove from under these entries

Start

• Audio Devices

• MIDI Devices And Instruments
the items other than

• Audio for Creative Sound Blaster Audigy

• MIDI for Creative Sound Blaster Audigy

• MIDI for Creative S/W Synth

->

Settings

->

Multimedia

Control Panel

icon, and then click the

.

Devices

tab.

Troubleshooting C-9

5. Click the OK button to close the dialog box.
The drivers are removed.

Problems with Encore DVD Player

Problems with Software DVD Player

The Encore DVD Player is not launched when a DVD disc is inserted into the drive.

To solve this problem:

1. In the Windows system tray, right-click the Disc Detector icon, and then click

Properties

2. On the
sure that

3. Click the

4. Select the DVD Disc entry and then click the

5. In the

6. Browse to C:\Program Files\Creative\PC- DVD Encore
and double-click the entry
The Name box now displays the entry

7. Click the OK button twice.

Now when you double-click the Disc Detector icon, the Encore DVD Player is
launched.

Changing audio configuration (for example, switching from 6-channel mode to
SPDIF Output mode or vice versa) while watching a DVD movie does not seem to
work, even though all settings in the software DVD player and in Surround Mixer are
correct.

To solve this problem:

Close and restart the software DVD player.

.

General

Enable Disc Detector

Players

Players Properties

tabbed page of the

tab.

Creative Disc Detector

check box is selected.

Select Player

dialog box, click the

ctdvdply

ctdvdply

Browse

.

dialog box, make

button.

button.

Troubleshooting C-10

Problems with DV driver for Windows 98 SE/ 2000/Me

The DV camcorder is not working properly.

The MSDV camcorder driver may not be the latest version (v4.10.2226).

To solve this problem:

1. Visit the Microsoft web site and download the Digital Video update for DirectX 8.0
file (dx80bda.exe).

2. Install the above file into your computer.

Note:You need to install DirectX 8.0 or 8.0a run time first.

If the problem still persists, the MSDV camcorder driver may not be fully optimized
for your DV camcorder.

To solve this problem:

1. Turn on your DV camcorder.

2. Insert the Sound Blaster Audigy Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.
Exit from the welcome screen.

3. Using Windows Explorer, locate the
DVConnect 240.exe file. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the
setup.
If you are in Windows 98 SE, you may be prompted to insert the Windows 98 SE
CD-ROM first. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete this setup.

4. Click the

5. Turn off and then turn on your DV camcorder.

Finish

button.

1394

folder in the CD-ROM, and run the

Troubleshooting C-11

Index

A

1-6

3-7

1-6

1-2

3-3

3-2

3-5

3-3

3-6

3-7

3-6

3-8

Analog Audio connector
Analog CD audio cable
analog/digital out jack
applications

3-4

AudioHQ
Creative Diagnostics
Creative MiniDisc Center
Creative Oozic
Creative PlayCenter 2
Creative Recorder 2
Creative RemoteCenter
Creative Restore Defaults
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy

Creative Surround Mixer
Creative Taskbar
Creative Wave Studio
installing
SoundFont Showcase
uninstalling

Vienna SoundFont Studio
Audigy card
audio card
audio extension (Digital I/O)

connector

AudioHQ

Creative Keyboard

EAX control

MIDI input

Demonstration

2-1

2-3

1-2

1-2

1-2

3-5

3-5

3-8

3-8

3-9

3-4

3-7

AUX connector

1-2

C

1-2

CD Audio connector
CD SPDIF connector
Connecting high power usage

A-4

devices
connecting related peripherals
Creative AudioHQ

CreativeWare

SoundFont Control

1-2

3-5

xi

D

digital entertainment
direct memory access

B-5

DMA
Dos Driver

B-1

4-2

B-5

E

EAX ADVANCED HD
EAX Control
environment variable

BLASTER
CTSYN

3-5

B-5

B-5

x

B-5

1-7

F

A-1

features

1394a Compliant Physical Layer

A-3

A-1

A-1

A-1

Controller
Audigy Processor
Dolby digital (AC-3) decoding

A-2

high quality audio delivery

process
multi speaker surround
PCI bus mastering

G

Games

audio option
digital audio option
music option

general specifications

audio inputs
audio outputs
connectivity
interfaces

B-7

B-8

B-8

A-1

A-3

A-3

A-3

A-4

I

I/O addresses
input/output address
installation CD

B-4

B-4

2-1

A-3

Index 1

installing hardware
Internal SB1394 port
Internet entertainment
interrupt request line

B-4

IRQ

1-4

1-2

4-5

B-4

J

1-3

Joystick/MIDI bracket
Joystick/MIDI connector

1-2

L

line in jack
line out jack

1-2

1-2

M

microphone in jack
multimedia playback
music with visual animation

1-2

4-1

P

PCI slot

1-5

4-5

Playing games
Playing MS-DOS games
positioning speakers

1-8

1-10

R

1-2

rear out jack
reinstalling audio driver

S

SB Audigy card
SB Emulation

AUTOEXEC.BAT file settings

2

background
CONFIG.SYS file settings
in Windows 98 SE
in Windows Me
Legacy games
understanding installation

program
SB1394 port
SBECFG.EXE
SBEGO.EXE

1-6

B-1

B-1

B-1

B-1

B-1

B-2

1-2

B-8

B-11

B-1

2-3

B-

B-3

SBEINIT.COM
SBEMIXER.EXE
SBESET.EXE
system resource

B-2

B-9

B-10

B-3

T

telephone answering device

1-2

connector

troubleshooting

DV driver
Encore DVD Player
I/O conflicts
installing software
joystick
software DVD player
sound
SoundFont Cache
Windows NT 4.0

Turning off main power supply

C-1

C-11

C-8

C-5, C-7

C-2

C-1

C-5

C-9

C-10

C-10

W

Windows AutoPlay mode

2-1

1-4

Index 2