Cant change Balance L/R Speakers Sound Blaster Omni 5.1 USB w/ 2.1spkr

dinglesniff · 23 Nov 2014

2 Issues 1. I cant change the balance of my speakers with my USB soundcard, 2. Random crackles.[/B]

So It seems that when I open the Omni control Panel click Mixer, The Balance bar only works for the Line-In/Mic-in/array, it does not work for the speaker, instead it just controls the volume. My theory is that Creative for some odd reason even thought it shows as 2.1 speakers the system views it as 1 speaker.

I tried the following programs to control the balance externally:

NirCmd: only controlled volume

Volumouse: acts like it is going to work, but after spending hours trying to get various configurations to work it might sporadically function, still pops full screen games. Scroll wheel still is sent to the application in focus, not the audio control.

Sound Control: Only controls volume

Volume2: only controlled volume, when you edit balance it brings the volume to 0

IndieVolume: not tested, but many users on the web say it does not work with 64bit , that may have changed.

This is what I see:

Ironically... Winamp seems to control the balance without any problem whats so ever. But I use spotify mainly now and it its a pain to not be able to control the volume levels.

Would appreciate the help.

fireberd · 24 Nov 2014

One thing I notice in your Sound Playback panel. RealTek and SoundBlaster are both listed. Even though you have SoundBlaster selected, the fact that the RealTek is not disabled COULD cause conflicts. When using a separate sound card, disable the on-board (RealTek in this case) in the BIOS.

Playback controls such as Balance are separate from recording controls.

If you have a 2.1 speaker system, its considered a "stereo" system and only one stereo connection to the sound card. Only when you get into 5.1/7.1 systems are there separate connections to the sound card for the speaker system.

Whether the RealTek is affecting anything or not, disable it and then see what you can control.