Creative SB1610 User Manual

User’s Guide

Model No: SB1610

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of Sound Blaster®E3! Featuring SBX®Pro Studio™ technology, this portable USB DAC(Digital- to-Analog Converter) headphone amplifier will give you an immensely powerful audio playback experience when used with your smart devices, PC or Mac. The Sound Blaster E3 provides support for high performance headphones for a studio-grade listening experience and it also comes with dual headphone jacks for easy music sharing. It also boasts NFC for one-touch Bluetooth pairing.

Package Checklist

Your Sound Blaster E3 package comes with the following:

l The Sound Blaster E3 l Micro-USB 2.0 cable l 4-pole analog cable l On-The-Go cable l Quick Start leaflet

Minimum System Requirements

For Windows®OS

l Intel l Microsoft

Core™2 Duo or AMD equivalent processor, 2.8 GHz or faster recommended

Windows 8.1 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows 8 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit,

Windows Vista®32-bit or 64-bit

l 1 GB RAM l 600 MB of free hard disk space l Powered USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

For Mac®OS

l Intel l Mac OSX l 1 GB RAM l 600 MB of free hard disk space l Powered USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 port

Core™2 Duo, 2.8 GHz or faster recommended

10.6.8 or higher

For iOS device

l iPhone l iPhone / iPad running iOS 7.0 or higher for USB Host Audio Streaming via Lightning port

/ iPad®running iOS 5.0 or higher for Bluetooth

For Android™ device

l Phone / tablet running Android 2.3 or higher for Bluetooth

Registering Your Product

Registering your product ensures you receive the most appropriate service and product support available. You can register your product during installation or at www.creative.com/register. Please note that your warranty rights are not dependent on registration.

Sound Blaster E3 – Introduction 1

More Help

For the latest news and products for the Sound Blaster, please visit www.soundblaster.com. The site also includes information on making purchases, technical help and the latest software updates.

Using Creative Software AutoUpdate

Locating, downloading and installing updates for your Creative products is now simpler and faster with the web-based Creative Software AutoUpdate system.

When you connect to Creative Software AutoUpdate via the Internet, the website will analyze your computer system to determine your operating system, language and which Creative products are connected to your system.

When this analysis is completed, you will then be given a list of only the most relevant software updates for your connected products. The files can then be retrieved and installed.

To learn more about the Creative Software AutoUpdate, please visit www.soundblaster.com/support.

Note:

First-time users of Creative Software AutoUpdate may be prompted to authorize the download of a browser component required for system analysis. Check to ensure that this content is signed by Creative Labs, Inc., then click the Yes button.

Please ensure that all your Creative products are connected and installed on the same computer running Creative Software AutoUpdate.

Sound Blaster E3 – Introduction 2

About Your Hardware

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(c)

(b)

(a)

(i)

(j)

(l)

(m)

(k)

(h)

The Sound Blaster E3 has input and output jacks to enable connection to various devices while controls on the side give you basic control over your audio device.

Jack / Control Description

(a)

(b) Volume control Adjusts the audio output volume.

(d) Forward/Next

(e)

Headphone / Line Out jack

Track

Line In jack

Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) plug.

OR Connects to powered analog speakers with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) plug.

Rewind Track

Press and hold to rewind.

Previous Track

Press once to go to the previous track.

Forward Track

Press and hold to forward.

Next Track

Press once to go to the previous track.

Connects to line-level sources (smartphones, tablets, MP3 players).

Sound Blaster E3 – About Your Hardware 3

Jack / Control Description

(f)

(g)

USB port

NFC

(h) Power / Bluetooth

button

(i)

(j)

Status LED indicator

Multifunction button

Connects to USB ports of PC / laptop for audio output and input via a Micro-USB connector.

Tap your NFC-enabled device on the Sound Blaster E3 to instantly pair and connect.

l Power On – Press and hold 1 sec l Bluetooth pairing – Press and hold 2 sec l Power Off – Press and hold 4 sec

Indicates the battery status and condition of the Sound Blaster E3.

White: Power ON / Battery full Red (blinking): Battery low Red: Battery charging Blue (blinking): Bluetooth pairing Blue: Bluetooth connected Off: Power OFF

Audio playback on device

Press to play/pause a track.

(k)

(l)

(m)

Clip

Microphone

Headphone / Mic In jack

Answer/End calls on device

Press once to answer an incoming call. Press again to end a call.

Note:

The use of the Multifunction button to answer/end calls is not supported when connected to a computer.

Clips on to your clothing or bag for convenient access.

Receives voice input during calls.

Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) plug.

OR Connects to the Front Left and Front Right inputs on powered analog speakers with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) plug.

OR Connects to microphones with a 3.5 mm (1/8-inch) plug.

Note:

An external microphone can only be used when the Sound Blaster E3 is connected to a computer via USB connection. See Setting Up Your Audio Device –

Connecting to Headphones / Speakers / Microphone.

Sound Blaster E3 – About Your Hardware 4

Setting Up Your Audio Device

Step 1: Charging your Sound Blaster E3

Connect your Sound Blaster E3 directly to a USB port on your computer.

Charge your Sound Blaster E3 for approximately 3 to 4 hours.

It is recommended that you charge it for at least 8 hours before it is used for the first time.

Note:

Lithium polymer battery life may suffer when it is constantly fully depleted or overexerted at low voltage. It is a good practice to keep the battery well charged.

Step 2: Turning On Sound Blaster E3

Press and hold the Power / Bluetooth button for 1 second to turn on Sound Blaster E3.

l Power On – Press and hold 1 sec l Bluetooth pairing – Press and hold 2 sec l Power Off – Press and hold 4 sec

Sound Blaster E3 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 5

Step 3: Connecting Peripherals

One-touch pairing with NFC

You may pair your NFC-enabled devices with the Sound Blaster E3 with a single tap using NFC technology. Simply follow these steps to connect them.

Action LED Status Device Status

1 Turn ON the NFC feature on your

device. And touch your device on the NFC logo on Sound Blaster E3. If prompted "Are you sure you want to pair the Bluetooth device?", tap "Yes".

Note:

Be sure that your phone is NFC-enabled and find out where the NFC sensor is located on your phone. For more information, refer to the User Guide of your phone.

To disconnect, tap your device with the Sound Blaster E3 again.

Blue Device paired automatically.

Ready to stream music.

Sound Blaster E3 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 6

Manual Bluetooth pairing

To enjoy your favorite music from your Bluetooth devices, simply follow these steps to connect them.

Action LED Status Status

1 Press and hold Power /

Bluetooth button for 2seconds.

2 Turn ON the Bluetooth feature on

your device. Search and select "Sound Blaster E3". If password is required, enter 0000 and connect to it.

Note:

If no device is paired within 1 minute, it will exit from pairing mode.

Bluetooth pairing between these devices may vary depending upon the model type. Consult your device’s manual on how to pair.

The Sound Blaster E3 supports dual connections, which means you can connect it to two Bluetooth devices at the same time. If you wish to connect it with a third device, you should disconnect the existing two devices first before connecting it to the other device.

Blue (blinking) Pairing mode.

Ready to be paired with new device.

Blue Ready to stream music.

Delete all Bluetooth pairing information To delete all Bluetooth pairing information, see Restore Factory Default Settings.

Sound Blaster E3 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 7

USB Connection

(c)

(d)

(a)

(e)

(b)

(c)

(f)

(a)

Connect your Sound Blaster E3 to a computer using the Micro-USB to USB cable provided.

To connect a mobile device via USB, use the On-The-Go cable* provided.

(a) Micro-USB cable

(b) PC/Mac

(d) USB cable

(not included)

(e) iPad/iPhone**

(f) Android Tablet/Smartphone**

Note:

* On-The-Go cable lets you connect your device to the Sound Blaster E3 using the USB cable that

came with your device.

** Refer to www.creative.com for the list of compatible models.

Connecting the Sound Blaster E3 to a USB hub is not recommended.

Sound Blaster E3 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 8

Setting the Sound Blaster E3 as the default audio device

For Windows

1. Go to Control Panel and click Sound.

2. Click the Playback tab, select the desired Sound Blaster E3 playback device, then click the Set Default button.

3. Click the Recording tab, select the desired Sound Blaster E3 recording device, then click the

SetDefault button.

For Mac

1. Go to System Preferences and click Sound.

2. Click the Output tab, then select Sound Blaster E3.

3. Click the Input tab, then select Sound Blaster E3.

Sound Blaster E3 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 9

Analog connection

(a)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(b)

The Sound Blaster E3 also lets you connect devices using the 4-pole analog cable.

(a) 4-pole analog cable

(b) PC/Mac

(d) Portable media player

(e) DAT/CD players

Sound Blaster E3 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 10

Connecting to Headphones / Speakers / Microphone

BASS

TR E

B LE

O FF

AUXIN

MAX

VOL

UME

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d) (e)

(f)

(a) Headphone / Mic In jack*

(b) Headphone / Line Out jack

(d) Headset

(e) Headphones

(f) Speakers

Note:

* An external microphone can only be used when the Sound Blaster E3 is connected to a computer via

USB connection. By default, the jack functions as a headphone jack. You can launch the Sound Blaster E3 Control Panel to configure the jack to function as an external microphone jack. When Sound Blaster E3 is disconnected from computer, the jack will always function as a headphone jack. See Using the Creative Software Suite – Advanced Features.

Hold your audio device firmly when plugging / unplugging peripherals such as speakers or headphones.

The cables shown here are available separately.

For more information, refer to Using Your Audio Device.

Sound Blaster E3 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 11

Installing and Uninstalling Software

To take full advantage of your Sound Blaster E3 audio device, you need to install device drivers and applications. At times, you may also need to uninstall some or all of the device drivers and applications to correct problems, change configurations, or upgrade outdated drivers or applications. To learn how to do so in all supported Windows and Mac operating systems, consult the following sections:

l Installing Drivers and Applications l Uninstalling Drivers and Applications

Installing Drivers and Applications

Ensure that your audio device is connected before proceeding. For instructions on connecting your audio device, consult your Quick Start leaflet.

After you have connected your audio device, turn on your computer. Windows automatically detects your audio device and searches for device drivers.

For Windows OS

1. Using a standard web browser, visit www.creative.com/support.

2. Locate Sound Blaster E3 and the software package for your Windows operating system.

3. Download this package into your local hard disk.

4. Locate and launch the software package.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

6. When prompted, restart your computer.

7. Launch the application by locating and clicking Sound Blaster E-Series Control Panel.

For Mac OS

1. Using a standard web browser, visit www.creative.com/support.

2. Locate Sound Blaster E3 and the software package for your Mac OS.

3. Download this package into your local hard disk.

4. Double-click the downloaded file to uncompress it.

5. Double-click the uncompressed DMG file.

6. Double-click the Install icon and follow the subsequent on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

7. Launch the Sound Blaster E-Series Control Panel from the Applications > Creative folder.

Note:

Depending on your operating system, model and software version, the user interface or color theme may differ.

Sound Blaster E3 – Installing and Uninstalling Software 12

Uninstalling Drivers and Applications

In the event that an uninstallation is required (such as for upgrades), please follow the following procedure.

Before you begin, close all running audio applications. Applications that are still running during uninstallation will not be removed.

For Windows OS

1. From the Control Panel, click Uninstall a program.

2. Select your audio device's entry.

3. Click the Uninstall button or option. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, click the Continue button.

4. Click the Yes button.

5. When prompted, restart your computer.

For Mac OS

1. Click Applications > Creative > Creative Uninstaller.

2. Select the Creative product to be uninstalled.

3. Click the Uninstall button.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Sound Blaster E3 – Installing and Uninstalling Software 13

Using Your Audio Device

Step 1: Adjusting the volume

WARNING:

l Set the volume control at minimum level before connecting headphones or

speakers.

l Do not listen to audio at high volumes for prolonged periods of time to avoid

impairing your hearing.

Adjust the volume to a comfortable level using the volume control.

You can also adjust or mute the volume using:

l Your connected device l Sound Blaster E-Series Control Panel

Note:

If you mute the volume on your connected device or in the software applications, you will not hear any sound output even if the volume control is set to the maximum.

Sound Blaster E3 – Using Your Audio Device 14

Step 2: Using your Sound Blaster E3

BASS

TR E

B LE

O FF

AUX I

MAX

VO L

UME

Your Sound Blaster E3 works seamlessly with many external devices to perform different tasks:

l Playing music l Answering and ending calls l Recording audio

Note:

Once connected, the microphone functions of your device are transferred to the Sound Blaster E3.

The microphone function of headsets is not supported when the Sound Blaster E3 is connected to a mobile device.

Playing music from a Bluetooth device

Note:

Bluetooth audio is muted if an audio cable is connected to the Line In jack.

Sound Blaster E3 – Using Your Audio Device 15

Playing music from a computer/mobile device via USB

BASS

TREBLE

OF F

AUX IN

M A X

V OL UME

Note:

USB audio from your computer/mobile device is muted if an audio cable is connected to the Line In jack.

Enhance audio playback with SBX Pro Studio enhancements such as immersion control, dynamic range restoration, low-frequency boost, dialog boost, and automatic volume levelling. See Using the Creative Software Suite – SBX Pro Studio Settings.

Sound Blaster E3 – Using Your Audio Device 16

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