Creative Labs AVPSB1590 Users Manual

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of Sound Blaster®R5/E5! This portable audio recording hub and DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) features powerful noise reduction microphones that record clean, high quality audio directly to smart devices or PCs and Macs. The built-in powerful SoundCore3DTMsound and voice processor with SBX®Pro Studio™ technology was designed to perfectly deliver our legendary microphone reverb engine and produce an amazing cinematic audio playback experience. The Sound Blaster R5/E5 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 R5/E5 package comes with the following:

l The Sound Blaster R5/E5 l Micro-USB 2.0 cable l 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo analog cable l 3.5 mm (1/8") clip microphone l Two elastic bands l Desk stand l Quick Start leaflet

Minimum System Requirements

For Windows®OS

l Intel l Intel, AMD or 100% compatible motherboard l Microsoft

l 1 GB RAM l >600 MB of free hard disk space l Available USB 2.0 port (High Speed requires driver)

For Mac®OS

l Intel l Mac OSX l 1 GB RAM l >600 MB of free hard disk space l Available USB 2.0 port

For mobile device

l iPhone l Android™ phone / tablet running Android 2.3 or higher for Bluetooth l Android phone / tablet running Android 4.1 or higher for USB Host Audio Streaming*

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 (Service Pack 1 or higher)

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

10.6.8 or higher

/ iPad®running iOS 5.1.1 or higher

* These devices' firmware must implement AOA2 protocol so as to support USB Host Audio Streaming

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Introduction 1

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.

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 R5/E5 – Introduction 2

About Your Hardware

The Sound Blaster R5/E5 has input and output jacks to enable connection to various devices while controls on the side give you basic control over your audio device.

Sound Blaster R5/E5

Control / Indicator

Microphones

NFC receptor

Description

Built-in stereo microphones with horizontal or vertical orientation sensor.

Note:

Only one pair of microphones will be enabled at a time, depending on the orientation of the device.

Tap your NFC-enabled device on the Sound Blaster R5/E5 to instantly pair and connect.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – About Your Hardware 3

Controls & Indicators

Control / Indicator

3 Power / Bluetooth

button and indicator

4 SBX / Call button

and indicator

Description

Power / Bluetoothbutton

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

Indicator

l White: Power ON l Blue (blinking): Bluetooth discovery/pairing mode l Blue: Bluetooth connected l Off: Power OFF

SBX button

l Toggles SBX Pro Studio audio enhancements ON/OFF.

During an incoming call

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

Indicator

l White: SBXPro Studio ON l White (blinking): Call in progress l Off: SBXPro Studio OFF

5 Gain switch

(Low / High)

Switches the headphones gain level.

l Low: For headphones with low impedance or high

sensitivity (33 ~ 300 ohms).

l High: For headphones with high impedance or low

sensitivity (300 ~ 600 ohms).

Power / Battery

indicator

The three white LEDs show the power status (ON or OFF) of the Sound Blaster R5/E5 and its battery level.

l Lighted: Power ON. The lighted LEDs show the

current battery level.

l Flashing: Battery is charging. The flashing LED shows

the charge level.

l Off: Power OFF.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – About Your Hardware 4

Input / Output Jacks

Top Bottom

Jack / Control Description

Headphone jacks

Connects to stereo headphones with a 3.50 mm (1/8inch) plug.

8 Volume control

knob

Line / Mic / Optical In

jack

Line / Optical Out

jack

USB Host port

Adjusts the audio output volume.

Turn clockwise: Increase volume Turn anti-clockwise: Decrease volume Press once: Mute or unmute the volume

Connects to line-level sources (smartphones, tablets, MP3 players) with a 3.50 mm (1/8-inch plug.

OR Connects to microphones with a 3.50 mm (1/8- inch) plug.

OR Connects to optical digital sources (video game consoles, DVD players, AV receivers) with a Mini-TOSLINK plug.

Connects to powered analog speakers with a 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) plug.

OR Connects to optical digital devices (video game consoles, DVD players, AV receivers) with a 3.50 mm (1/8-inch) Mini-TOSLINK plug.

Connects to an iPhone/iPad for audio playback or recording.

OR Connects to an Android phone/tablet for audio playback.

OR Connects to a USB microphone (Sound Blaster R1).

OR For charging external device, e.g. phone, MP3 player, etc.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – About Your Hardware 5

Jack / Control Description

USB port

Connects to USB ports of PC/Mac for audio playback or recording.

Connects to an Android phone/tablet via an OTG cable for audio recording.

Alternatively, you may connect it to the power socket via a USB power adapter to charge it.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – About Your Hardware 6

Setting Up Your Audio Device

Step 1: Charging your Sound Blaster R5/E5

Connect your Sound Blaster R5/E5 directly to a USB port on your computer.

You can also connect to a wall outlet using USB power adapter* (not included). * DC 5V, 1 A

Charge your Sound Blaster R5/E5 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-ion 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.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 can be charged even when it is powered off. If a power source is present, it will go into charging mode 3 seconds after it is powered off.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 7

Step 2: Turning On Sound Blaster R5/E5

Press the Power / Bluetooth button to turn on Sound Blaster R5/E5.

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

Battery level indication

In On mode, the three white LEDs light up according to the battery level of your Sound Blaster R5/E5.

Low Full

When charging during Off mode, the LEDs will light up according to the battery level, and the flashing LED shows the charge level. All LEDs will turn off when fully charged.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 8

Step 3: Connecting to an Audio Source

One-touch pairing with NFC

You may pair your NFC-enabled devices with the Sound Blaster R5/E5 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 R5/E5.

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 R5/E5 again.

Bluetooth indicator lights

up in blue.

Device paired automatically. Ready to stream music.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 9

Manual Bluetooth pairing

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

Action LED Status Device 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 R5/E5". If password is required, enter 0000 and connect to it.

Note:

If no pairing is done within 60 seconds, Bluetooth pairing mode will be deactivated.

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

You can only connect one Bluetooth device at a time.

Bluetooth indicator blinks

in blue.

Bluetooth indicator lights up in blue.

Pairing mode. Ready to be paired with new device.

Ready to stream music.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 10

Connecting to a computer via USB

(a) Micro-USB cable

(b) Desktop

Note:

Connecting the Sound Blaster R5/E5 to a USB hub is not recommended.

Setting the Sound Blaster R5/E5 as the default audio device

For Windows

1. Go to Control Panel and click Sound.

2. Click the Playback tab, select Sound Blaster R5/E5, then click the Set Default button.

3. Click the Recording tab, select the required Sound Blaster R5/E5 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 R5/E5.

3. Click the Input tab, then select the required Sound Blaster R5/E5 recording device.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 11

Connecting to an Android device via USB

To connect an Android device via USB, use an On-The-Go cable*.

(a) On-The-Go cable*

(b) USB cable

(d) Android tablet

Note:

* The On-The-Go cable is available separately. On-The-Go cable lets you connect your device to the Sound Blaster R5/E5 using the USB cable that came with your device.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 12

Connecting to a mobile device via USB Host

(a) USB cable

(b) Smartphone

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 13

Connecting to line-in sources (e.g. MP3 player, CD player)

(a) 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo analog cable

(b) PC/Mac

(d) Portable media player

(e) External recording devices

(DAT players, CD players, etc.)

(f) Game console

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 14

Connecting to Optical-In Sources (e.g. DVD player, TV set)

(a) Mini-TOSLINK cable

(not included)

(b) DVD player

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 15

Step 4: Connecting to Headphones / Speakers / Microphone

Connecting to headphones

CAUTION:

Set the appropriate gain level (L or H) before connecting your headphones to the Headphone jack to prevent damaging your headphones.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 16

Connecting to speakers

(a) 3.5 mm 2-channel audio cable

(available separately)

(b) Analog speakers

(not included)

(d) Digital speakers

Note:

The Line/Optical Out jack is disabled if a device is connected to the Headphone jacks.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 17

Connecting to microphones

(a) Microphone

(b) Headset

(available separately)

To use an external microphone

For Windows

1. Go to Control Panel and click Sound.

2. Click the Recording tab, select Sound Blaster R5/E5 (External Mic) or Sound Blaster R1, then click the SetDefault button.

For Mac

1. Go to System Preferences and click Sound.

2. Click the Input tab, then select Sound Blaster R5/E5 (External Mic) or Sound Blaster R1.

Note:

You can only use one microphone at a time.

The Sound Blaster R1 is available separately.

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Setting Up Your Audio Device 18

Installing and Uninstalling Software

To take full advantage of your Sound Blaster R5/E5 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 l Installing the Mobile App

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 R5/E5 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 R5/E5 Control Panel.

For Mac OS

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

2. Locate Sound Blaster R5/E5 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 R5/E5 Control Panel from the Applications > Creative > Sound

Blaster E-Series folder.

Note:

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

Sound Blaster R5/E5 – Installing and Uninstalling Software 19

+ 44 hidden pages