5.1 sound system setup

Hi, I've just plugged in a Creative Inspire 5.1 speaker system, but only the 2.0 speakers seem to be working. I configured the speakers in playback devices window as 5.1 and have tested them within that windows test feature, they all work.

I've tried playback in winamp and a dvd (old dvd, played in vlc), but only the front 2 speakers are playing.

I am using the Supreme FX X-FI Audio Card that came with my Asus Crosshair III Formula motherboard.

Thank you

Hi,

Normal music is only recorded in stereo (2 channels), so if you want to hear it on 5 speakers you have to set some sort of effect/emulation like virtual surround or 5 channel stereo in your audio configuration panel.

If that's not available you could download and install a surround sound plug-in for Winamp, there are several on the Winamp site in the plug-in section.

If you try a dvd be sure it has 5.1 surround sound or you have to do the same procedure as I described for stereo music.

MK2

I don't appear to have an audio control panel, just the windows built-in stuff which is already set for 5.1, read a guide on winamp, besides a plugin it appears to be setup for 5.1 already.

I have audio drivers installed, tho not control options with them.

Since I installed Windows 7 a year ago I've had problems with my cheap SB Audigy.

What I've had to do is go into the Creative Soundblaster Tab and enable CMSS; then I pull the sliders down towards the rear speakers until I like it.
Click the speaker icon (Volume Control) in the System Tray
Click the speaker Icon at the top of the volume adjustment window that pops up
If you have installed the SB drivers, there should be a Soundblaster Tab; click that and do the CMSS thing.

Note: Even though I only have 4 speakers plus a woofer, my system is set up as a 7.1 speaker system.
Windows doesn't seem to care and it all works.

Another problem I had for quite a while was that I wasn't getting any voices from DVD's and some games.
My solution was to install FFDShow (part of the K-Lite Codec Pack) and redirect the output for the center speaker.
I don't have a center speaker and that is where many voice tracks are sent.

Is it the player itself?

WMP should support DVD & 5.1 out of the box.
Try playing a DVD throught WMP.
If it has a 5.1 AC3 track, you should get 5.1 sound.

If you, you may need to look through option in VLC and set it appropriatly. It could just be set to output stero. if this is the case, all playback will be in stereo regardless what the system setup is.
Im not that familiar with VLC, but many playback software works similar.


As far as Music goes, since it is Stereo Sound, it will playback as stereo.
If you want to emulate a "surround" type atmosphere, open your control panel.
Click on the 3D Section and click the Surround button.

You will have 2 Choices of a stereo effect.
Stereo Surround and Stereo Expand. On the Right you can adjust the intesity or value of that effect.

Xpand makes the stereo signal sound wider.
Surround expands the Stereo to the rear speakers.
Ultimatley, its totally your preference as to what sounds better.

Which control panel do you mean, doesn't seem to buy an option for "3d" in windows control panel???

Anyone familiar with this?

Solution: SupremeFX X-Fi Software - XtremeSystems Forums

I am using the Supreme FX X-FI Audio Card that came with my Asus Crosshair III Formula motherboard.

Click to expand...

That right there more than anything. If you haven't installed the driver for it yet go here,

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

in Downloads (select your OS), then under Audio download the SoundMAX Audio Driver V5.10.1.6605. Next under Utilities download "Sound Blaster X-Fi Utility V1.0(R19)". Once the driver and the X-Fi software is installed (and no you do not have a X-Fi, you have onboard Soundmax that uses some of the X-Fi software), you should then have one, the other or both of these,



and have the CMSS3D setting.

Testing with a DVD supporting 5.1 now, the rear speakers seem very quiet so far, but do appear to be working.

Are there music formats that support surroad sound natively without me having to mod my app's to get them to work?

stormy13 said:

(and no you do not have a X-Fi, you have onboard Soundmax that uses some of the X-Fi software)

Click to expand...

The motherboard manual say's I do, the the rise card is labeled as such.

Why yes it does,



Doesn't change the fact that it is not a X-Fi in any way, shape or form. It is nothing more than a riser card (you got that part correct) for the onboard audio, in place of having the audio chip on the motherboard. It is nothing more than a Soundmax based "card" that uses some of the X-Fi software (also known as "X-Fi MB). It does not and will not work with any drivers or software from Creative, they leave support for it up to whoever it was that sold/included it with thie product (in this case Asus).

Still going to need the driver and X-Fi software for it to work properly.

Its working now, that audio software did it, thanks.