Creative Labs CT4670 User guide

Sound Blaster Live! Value

User Guide

On-line Version

Getting Started

Creative Sound Blaster Live! Value

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.

Version 1.2 (CLI)

October 1998

Sound Blaster and Blaster are registered trademarks, and the Sound Blaster Live! logo, the Sound Blaster PCI logo, EMU10K1, E-mu Environmental

Modeling, Environmental Audio, Creative Multi Speaker Surround, and DynaRAM are trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or

other countries. E-Mu and SoundFont are registered trademarks of E-mu Systems, Inc. PCWorks and FourPointSurround are trademarks of Cambridge SoundWorks, Inc. Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All oth er p roduc ts a re tra demarks or

registered trademarks of their respective owners.

This product is covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents:

4,506,579; 4,699,038; 4,987,600; 5,013,105; 5,072,645; 5,111,727; 5,144,676; 5,170,369; 5,248,845; 5,298,671; 5,303,309; 5,317,104;

5,342,990; 5,430,244; 5,524,074; 5,698,803; 5,698,807; 5,748,747; 5,763,800.

Creative End-User Software License Agreement

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFUL LY BEFORE USING THE SOFTWARE. BY USING THE SOFTWARE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, DO NOT OPEN THE SEALED DISK PACKAGE, INSTALL OR USE THE SOFTWARE. PROMPTLY RETURN, WITHIN 15 DAYS, THE SOFTWARE, ALL RELATED DOCUMENTATION AND ACCOMPANYING ITEMS TO THE PLACE OF ACQUISITION FOR A FULL REFUND.

This is a legal agreement between you and Creative Technology Ltd. and its subsidiaries (“Creative”). This Agreement states the terms and conditions upon which C reative offers to license the software sealed in the di sk package together with all related documentation and accompanying i tems including, but not limited to, the e xecutable programs, drivers, libraries and data files associated with such programs (collectively, the “Software”).

LICENSE

1. Grant of License The Software is licensed, not sold, to you for use only under the terms of this Agreement. You own the disk or other media on which the Software is originally or subsequently recorded or fixed; but, as between you and Creative (and, to the extent applicable, its licensors), Creative retains all title to and ownership of the Software and reserves all rights not expressly granted to you.

2. For Use on a Single Computer The Software may be used only on a single computer by a single user at any time. You may transfer the machine-readable portion of the Software from one computer to another computer, provided that (a) the Software (including any portion or copy thereof) is erased from the first computer and (b) there is no possibility that the Software will be used on more than one computer at a time.

3. Stand-Alone Basis You may use the Software only on a stand-alone basis, such that the Software and the functions it provides are accessible only to persons who are physically present at the location of the computer on which the Software is loaded. You may not allow the Software or its functions to be accessed remotely, or transmit all or any portion of the Software through any network or communication line.

4. Copyright The Software is owned by Creative and/or its licensees and is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions. You may not remove the copyright notice from any copy of the Software or any copy of the written materials, if any, accompanying the Software.

5. One Archival Copy You may make one (1) archival copy of the machine-readable portion of the Software for backup purposes only in support of your use of the Software on a single computer, provided that you reproduce on the copy all copyright and other proprietary rights notices included on the originals of the Software.

6. No Merger or Integration You may not merge any portion of the Software into, or integrate any portion of the Software with, any other program, except to the extent expressly permitted by the laws of the jurisdiction where you are located. Any portion of the Software merged into or integrated with another program, if any, will continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and you must reproduce on the merged or integrated portion all copyright and other proprietary rights notices included in the originals of the Software.

Version 2.0, June 1998

7. Network Version If you have purchased a “network” version of the Software, this Agreement applies to the installation of the Software on a single “file server”. It may not be copied onto multiple systems. Each “node” connected to the “file server” must also have its own license of a “node copy” of the Software, which becomes a license only for that spe cific “node”.

8. Transfer of License You may transfer your license of the Software, provided that (a) you transfer all portions of the Software or copies thereof, (b) you do not retain any portion of the Software or any copy thereof, a nd (c) the transferee reads and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

9. Limitations on Using, Copying, and Modifying the Software Except to the extent expressly permitted by this Agreement or by the laws of the jurisdiction where you acquired the Software, you may not use, copy or modify the Software. Nor may you sub-license any of your rights under this Agreement.

10.Decompiling, Disassembling, or Reverse Engineering You acknowledge that the Software contains trade secrets and other proprietary information of Creative and its licensors. Except to the e xtent expressly permitted by this Agreement or by the laws of the jurisdiction where you are located, you may not decompile, disassemble or otherwise reverse engineer the Software, or engage in any other activities to obtain underlying information that is not visible to the us er in connection with normal use of the Software.

In particular, you agree not for any purpose to transmit the Software or display the Software's object code on any computer screen or to make any hardcopy memory dumps of the Software's object code. If you be lieve you require information related to the interoperability of the Software with other programs, you shall not decompile or disassemble the Software to obtain such information, and you agree to request such information from Creative at the address listed below. Upon receiving such a request, Creative shall determine whether you require such information for a legitimate purpose and, if so, Creative will provide such information to you within a reasonable time and on reasonable conditions. In any event, you will notify Creative of any information derived from reverse engineering or such other activities, and the results thereof will constitute the confidential information of Creative that may be used only in connection with the Software.

TERMINATION

The license granted to you is effective until terminated. You may terminate it at any time by returning the Software (including any portions or copies thereof) to Creative. The license will also terminate automatically without any notice from Creative if you fail to comply with any term or condition of this Agreement. You agree upon such termination to return the Software (including any portions or copies thereof) to Creative. Upon termination, Creative may also enforce any rights provided by law. The provisions of this Agreement that protect the proprietary rights of Creative will continue in force after termination.

LIMITED WARRANTY

Creative warrants, as the sole warranty, that the disks on which the Software is furnished will be free of defects, as set forth in the Warranty Card or printed manual included with the Software. No distributor, dealer or any other entity or person is authorized to expand or alter this warranty or a ny other provisions of this Agreement. Any representation, other than the warranties set forth in this Agreement, will not bind Creative.

Creative does not warrant that the functions contained in the Softwar e will meet your requirements or that the operation of the Software will be uninterrupted, error-free or free from malicious code. For purposes of this paragraph, “malicious code” means any program code designed to contaminate other computer programs or computer data, consume computer resources, modify, destroy, record, or transmit data, or in some other fashion usurp the normal operation of the computer, computer system, or computer network, including viruses, Trojan horses, droppers, worms, logic bombs, and the like. EXCEPT AS STATED ABOVE IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED

AS-IS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CREATIVE IS NOT OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE ANY UPDATES, UPGRADES OR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE SOFTWARE.

Further, Creative shall not be liable for the accuracy of any information provided by Creative or third party technical support personnel, or any damages caused, either directly or indirectly, by acts taken or omissions made by you as a result of such technical support.

Safety Information

CAUTION: This device is intended to be installed by the user in a CSA/TUV/UL certified/listed IBM AT or compatible personal computers in the manufacturer’s defined operator access area. Check the equipment operating/installation manual and/or with the equipment manufacturer to verify/confirm if your equipment is suitable for user-installed application cards.

ATTENTION: Ce carte est destiné à être installé par l’utilisateur, dans un ordinateur compatible certifié CSA/TUV/UL ou listé IBM AT, à l’intérieur de la zone définie par le fabricant. Consulter le mode d’emploi ou le fabricant de l’appareil pour vérifier ou confirmer si l’utilisateur peut y installer lui-même des cartes périphériques.

Notice for the USA

FCC Part 15: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, this notice is not a guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try one or more of the following measures:

q Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

q Increase the distance between the equipment and receiver.

q Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

q Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.

CAUTION: To comply with the limits for the Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules, this device must be installed in computer equipment certified to comply with the Class B limits.

All cables used to connect the computer and peripherals must be shielded and grounded. Operation with non-certified computers or non-shielded cables may result in interference to radio or television reception.

Modifications

Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee of this device could void the user’s authority to operate the device.

Notice for Canada

This apparatus complies with the Class “B” limits for radio interference as specified in the Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations.

Cet appareil est conforme aux normes de CLASSE “B” d’interference radio tel que spe’cifie’ par le Ministère Canadien des C ommunications dans les règlements d’interfe’rence radio.

Compliance

This product conforms to the following Council Directive:

q Directive 89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC (EMC)

Declaration of Conformity

According to the FCC96 208 and ET95-19

Name: Creative Labs Inc.

Address: 1901 McCarthy Boulevard

declares under its sole responsibility that the product

Trade Name: Creative Labs

Model Number: CT4670

has been tested according to the FCC / CISPR22/85 requirement for Class B devices and found compliant with the following standards:

EMI/EMC: ANSI C63.4 1992, FCC Part 15 Subpart B

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesirable operation.

Ce matériel est conforme à la section 15 des régles FCC. Son Fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes:

1. Le matériel ne peut étre source D’interférences et

2. Doit accepter toutes les interférences reques, Y compris celles pouvant provoquer un fonctionnement indésirable.

Milpitas, CA. 95035 United States Tel: (408) 428-6600

Compliance Manager

Creative Labs, Inc.

April 28, 1998

Contents

Introduction ......................................................................................... xi

System Requirements ............................................................................................................................... xii

Before You Begin ......................................................................................................................... xii

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

Document Conventions................................................................................................................ xii

1 Installing Sound Blaster Live! Value.......................................................1

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

Installing the Audio Card.............................................................................................................................2

Configuring the Speakers ............................................................................................................................5

Creative’s Cambridge SoundWorks PCWorks FourPointSurround..............................................5

Creative PC-DVD and FourPointSurround....................................................................................6

Two Speakers or Headphones.........................................................................................................7

Installing the Creative Software ..................................................................................................................9

Windows 95 .....................................................................................................................................9

Windows 98 ...................................................................................................................................13

Windows NT..................................................................................................................................13

Testing the Installation ...............................................................................................................................14

2 Using Sound Blaster Live! Value..........................................................15

SB Live! Tour.............................................................................................................................................15

Creative Launcher ......................................................................................................................................16

Options ...........................................................................................................................................16

Groups ............................................................................................................................................16

AudioHQ ....................................................................................................................................................17

SoundFonts ....................................................................................................................................18

Configure a MIDI Bank....................................................................................................18

Configure an Instrument ...................................................................................................19

Contents v

SoundFont Caching...........................................................................................................20

SoundFont Device.............................................................................................................20

Device Controls .............................................................................................................................20

Playback Sessions .............................................................................................................20

Wave Blaster Emulation ...................................................................................................21

Sound Device ....................................................................................................................21

Creative Keyboard......................................................................................................................... 22

MIDI Input.........................................................................................................................22

Test an Instrument .............................................................................................................22

Sound Graph ..................................................................................................................................23

Creative Mixer ...............................................................................................................................24

Mixer Menu.......................................................................................................................24

Customizing the Mixer .....................................................................................................24

Playback.............................................................................................................................25

Balance Sliders .................................................................................................................. 25

Volume Control .................................................................................................................25

Recording...........................................................................................................................25

Speaker...........................................................................................................................................27

Environmental Audio ....................................................................................................................28

Soundo’LE .................................................................................................................................................31

Embedding a Wave File.................................................................................................... 32

Linking...............................................................................................................................32

Toolbar...............................................................................................................................32

Wave Studio ...............................................................................................................................................33

Working with Wave Files..............................................................................................................33

Playback.........................................................................................................................................34

Mixing............................................................................................................................................ 34

Recording.......................................................................................................................................35

Special Effects ...............................................................................................................................36

Using Volume Meter .....................................................................................................................37

Customizing Settings.....................................................................................................................37

Creative PlayCenter ...................................................................................................................................38

Configuring....................................................................................................................................39

vi Contents

3 Troubleshooting ..................................................................................41

Installing Software .....................................................................................................................................41

Sound..........................................................................................................................................................41

SoundFonts.................................................................................................................................................43

Joystick .......................................................................................................................................................43

I/O Conflicts ...............................................................................................................................................44

Windows NT 4.0........................................................................................................................................44

Creative PlayCenter ...................................................................................................................................45

Contents vii

Introduction

Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of Sound Blaster™ Live!™ Value—the ultimate platform for the Environmental Audio experience. At the heart of Sound Blaster Live! Value is EMU10K1™, a new processor from E-mu Systems based on E-mu’s highly acclaimed Emulator IV sound module and Darwin hard disk recorder. The EMU10K1’s more than 2 million transistors and 1,000 MIPS of audio processing power are capable of delivering intensive digital mixing and effects processing for an immersive Environmental Audio experience. The EMU10K1 is endowed with other powerful features:

❐ Advanced hardware-accelerated digital effects processing ❐ 32-bit digital processing while maintaining a 192 dB dynamic range ❐ Patented 8-point interpolation that reduces noise/distortion to inaudible levels ❐ 64-voice hardware wavetable synthesizer ❐ Professional-quality digital mixing and equalization

To support the EMU10K1 audio processor, additional audio technology is necessary to achieve Environmental Audio:

❐ E-mu Environmental Modeling

accurately positions audio objects in space, calculates audio

reflections, and ultimately renders the 3D environmental audio model.

❐ DynaRAM

technology makes the downloading of sound samples more robust by dynamically

allocating memory for storing and processing samples—no need for onboard audio card memory!

❐ SoundFont

banks, software libraries of sampled musical instrument sounds, can be easily downloaded onto host memory as needed. Less constrained by memory size, SoundFonts can “capture” the full expressiveness, tone and color of sounds to deliver the realism necessary for Environmental Audio.

❐ Creative Multi Speaker Surround

(CMSSTM), multi-speaker technology from Creative, allows Sound Blaster Live! Value to support 4 to 8 speakers. With professional-quality panning and mixing, multiple sounds can be moved and placed seamlessly around you. When combined with the Environmental Audio effects of E-mu Environmental Modeling technology on the EMU10K1, you are presented with a totally immersive audio experience so real that it sounds Live!

Introduction xi

System Requirements

For Creative software, your cards require at least:

❐ Pentium ❐ Windows 95, 98 or Windows NT 4.0 ❐ 16 MB RAM for Windows 95/98 (32 MB RAM recommended),

32 MB RAM for Windows NT 4.0

❐ 72 MB of free hard disk space for Windows 95/98;

55 MB for Windows NT 4.0

❐ Free PCI bus slot for the audio card ❐ Powered speakers or external amplifier (recommended: Cambridge SoundWorks speakers)

Sound Blaster Live! Value gives you an estimate of the hard disk space required when you select it on the installation screen. Some applications may require a system configuration greater than that listed above. Refer to online documentation (README or HLP files) or specifications on the outer box for details.

class 133 MHz or equivalent processor

Before You Begin The README file on the installation CD-ROM contains information and changes not available at the

time of printing. Read the file before you continue.

Getting More Information

Document Conventions

See the online User’s Guide for MIDI specifications and connector pin assignments, as well as instructions on using the various applications included with Sound Blaster Live! Value.

The following typographical conventions are used throughout this document:

bold Bold face type identifies words and phrases that are to be entered exactly as shown. For example:

D:\AUDIO\ENGLISH\WIN95DRV

italic Italic type identifies word and phrases that are to be replaced by you. For example:

DEVICE=C:\SBCD\DRV\SBIDE.SYS /D:MSCD001 /P:xxx,yy

In the example, you must supply a value for xxx,yy. Italic in the text may emphasize or identify a word or phrase that is being defined.

ALL CAPS A word in all capital letters identifies a key you are to press. For example, “Press the ENTER key.”

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.

Introduction xii

Installing Sound Blaster Live! Value

What You Need

Installing your audio card requires you to perform the following steps:

• Install the audio card

• Install the Creative audio software

• Test the installation.

Refer to the colored insert for specific information about the audio card.

Most of the items you need for installation are included. The following illustration shows the basic components necessary for a complete installation.

CD Digital Cable

Creative Audio Software

Phillips Screwdriver (not included)

Audio Card

CD Audio Cable

Installing Sound Blaster Live! Value 1

Installing the Audio Card

Before you remove the computer cover, touch a grounded metal surface to discharge static electricity.

Remove or disable any existing audio card and its driver from your computer. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation for details.

To install the audio card:

1. Turn off your computer, and disconnect the power cable.

2. Disconnect the monitor and other devices that are connected to the computer.

3. Remove the computer cover.

4. Locate a PCI slot for the audio card.

Remove the slot cover from the slot—save the screw to secure the audio card.

PCI slot for

Installing Sound Blaster Live! Value 2

audio card

5. Align the gold-striped tabs on the bottom of the audio card with the PCI slot, and firmly press the card into place until it fits snugly.

6. Use the screw from the slot cover to secure the audio card to the frame of the computer—securing the card with the screw assures proper grounding.

You may want to connect the data cable to the audio card before inserting it.

7. Connect the CD audio cable from your CD-ROM drive to the audio card’s CD audio connector. Or, connect the CD digital (SPDIF) cable from your CD-ROM to the audio card’s CD SPDIF connector.

Audio Card

CD audio connector

SPDIF CD audio connector

Installing Sound Blaster Live! Value 3

8. Connect your speakers, headphones, microphone, joystick, MIDI devices, or other devices to the back panel of the audio card.

Stereo, CD player, tape deck, etc.

If you are connecting a single pair of powered speakers (or headphones), you must use the third jack. Use the fourth jack if you are connecting an additional pair of powered speakers.

See the next section, “Configuring the Speakers,” for detailed information.

Joystick

Powered speakers (front),

MIDI device

Powered speakers (rear) or amplifier

headphones, or amplifier

9. Replace the computer cover.

10. Reconnect the power cable, monitor, and other devices.

Microphone

Installing Sound Blaster Live! Value 4

Configuring the Speakers

The best speaker configuration for Sound Blaster Live! Value depends on the type and number of speakers you have connected to the audio card. For the best audio, Creative’s Cambridge SoundWorks PCWorks FourPointSurround speaker system is an excellent complement to Sound Blaster Live! Value

After installing the Creative Software, open the Speaker utility from the AudioHQ to select the speaker configuration. See “Speaker” on page 27 for more information.

Creative’s Cambridge SoundWorks PCWorks FourPointSurround

After you have installed your FourPointSurround speaker system, open AudioHQ and select the 4 Speakers option in Speaker Configuration Output.

PCWorks FourPointSurround

Sound Blaster Live! Value

Installing Sound Blaster Live! Value 5

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