Audacity will not record what-u-hear SB X-Fi

[Raargh]

Hi All;

I know that this is partially addressed in other threads, but I've not found a solution to my specific problem.

I have a Dell T3400 with Creative SB X-Fi Model SB0770.
View attachment SB077x.pdf
Everything works fine in XP on the same dual-boot box. It is a new Vista-ready system and I was able to use the supplied Creative CD to install the Creative software. after installing from the CD Win7 offered to go to the 'net and update the Creative drivers, and I let it. Sound works great, all the Creative applications appear to work OK, except for recording from what-u-hear. I can see the required devices in both Windows Sound Control panel and in Audacity ® 1.3.9 (Unicode). The device is enabled, and everything looks OK. No newer drivers for the SB0770 are listed on the soundblaster site, and Win7 thinks the drivers are the newest available. Here are some screenshots:











The Creative Recorder also sees no input (Following taken while plenty of sound coming out of speakers):



Audacity reports this:
Device ID: 1
Device name: MME: "What U Hear" (Creative SB X-Fi
Input channels: 2

Device ID: 6
Device name: Windows DirectSound: "What U Hear" (Creative SB X-Fi)
Input channels: 2

This is really driving me nuts! I'm not going to resort to looping the analog out back in.

Help! Save Me! Please...

 

[fireberd]

I do a lot of support on the Dell users forum. Have you tried the Windows 7 Beta drivers on the Creative (SoundBlaster) downloads for the Xfi? Other users on the Dell users forum have found they work better with Win 7. I'm not sure about the "What You Hear" though and that is primarily what you are after.

One other item, if you doubleclick on the What you hear icon in the Sound/Recording Panel, another panel will come up with Options. There is a "Levels" panel and make sure the levels are set at 100 and that the speaker is not muted (there will be a red dot if it's muted). On the Advanced Tab make sure it's set for "Default". I don't have a SoundBlaster, I have an HT Omega Striker 7.1 sound card that has the "System Mixer" (the same thing as "What You Hear" - Soundblaster's name for the system mixer).

 

[Raargh]

@firebird;

Thanks for the reply! It's lonely in here. I really appreciate your suggestions. Alas, I had already tried the levels thing. In the following screen shots, notice how the level meters for playback show activity, but nothing on recording:







I just spent an unpleasant hour on the phone with Dell Precision Workstation support. They had nothing to offer. He at first told me I should get the updated drivers from Creative. I explained that the SB0770 is not listed, and the drivers I downloaded for the board described as Soundblaster PCI X-Fi Extreme (XFXA_PCDRV_LB_1_04_0090.exe) would not install on my system (When I run it the installer says the hardware is incompatible). The Dell tech also claimed that even though they are shipping the SB0770 Creative SB X-Fi with new T3400's pre-loaded with Win7 64-bit, they can't guarantee the what-u-hear will work! Creative support tells me that the SB0770 is an OEM model, and there are no drivers available for download on the creative site - I have to get them, and all tech support, from Dell. A classic case of finger-pointing.

I would love to try a beta driver - just not sure which one will work. This PDF View attachment SB077x.pdf shows a picture that looks exactly like my card, but on the Creative site none of the pictures match, nor do the model numbers.

Again, I really appreciate your taking the time to reply. I'm about to open a Dell support chat session - apparently that is the only way one can establish email communications with Dell tech support.

Raargh

 

[fireberd]

According to the Dell downloads listing that is a "PCI Express SoundBlaster Xfi Titanium".

Here is the Beta version that many on the Dell forum have reported work OK on XPS desktop models. It's worth a try.
Creative Worldwide Support

 

[Raargh]

@fireberd

Have a look at this image from the sb077x.pdf datasheet and you can see the card is a PCI, not a PCI-express. I pulled my card out to verify it was PCI. It's definitely not the Titanium. My card matches the picture in every way, including the model number.



Now, with that in mind, r u saying that the drivers for the Titanium will work with the older SB0770?

Thanks! Please keep the suggestions coming.

Raargh

 

[fireberd]

All I know is that on the Dell Users Forum, Desktop Audio Section, users are reporting that the Beta drivers are working with their Dell supplied Xfi models on Windows 7 (mostly 64 bit). Generally, the SB drivers seem to be "all model" drivers rather than specific for one particular card. Create a System Restore point before trying these Beta Drivers, so if they don't work you can easily fall back.

The Dell downloads only reference the PCIe version of the card, not the older PCI version for your model Dell PC. Additionally, about a year ago a Dell forum moderator made a statement that what Dell was using for sound cards, video cards, etc were retail equivalents, not custom Dell OEM models and that retail drivers will work. All the posts on the Dell users forum in the last year or so have referenced the retail soundblaster drivers. At one time (about 4 or 5 years ago) the Dell optional SoundBlaster cards were special Dell models and not the same as the Retail models as the Dell models included a custom connection to the front panel headphone/mic jacks that the Retail models didn't have at the time and those models did need Dell drivers to work.

 

[Raargh]

@fireberd;

Thanks,

Yeah, my card has that special connector. I've been trying various drivers from the Creative site and none will install - beta or otherwise. Kinda pissed that my brand-new T3400 came with a 2007 card!

I'm hoping someone else with an SB0770 will read this thread. On Monday, if I can't get a straight answer from Dell Tech, I'm going to get the Dell rep for my company (we buy millions of $$ worth of Dell) to intervene. At this point I just want Dell to tell me which Dell-supplied Creative card, that has the functions of my existing card (meaning the ones that work under XP) I can buy and install and have everything work in Win7-64.

In the meantime - it works from XP - part of the reason I dual-boot! <sigh> :huh:

Raargh

 

[fireberd]

If you are going to "buy" a sound card that will do what you want, look at the HT Omega Striker 7.1 sound card. That is what I'm using in Windows 7, 64 bit. It has the "system mixer" so you can record streaming audio. It is 7.1 compatible, has Windows 7 64 bit drivers, etc. I got mine at www.newegg.com
Here is the link to the HT Omega site and the 7.1 HT Omega - Striker7.1

 

[Raargh]

If you are going to "buy" a sound card that will do what you want, look at the HT Omega Striker 7.1 sound card. That is what I'm using in Windows 7, 64 bit. It has the "system mixer" so you can record streaming audio. It is 7.1 compatible, has Windows 7 64 bit drivers, etc. I got mine at www.newegg.com
Here is the link to the HT Omega site and the 7.1 HT Omega - Striker7.1

Hmm.... this is tempting. I've always used SoundBlaster products because that's what came with my Dells - I've been buying Dells for home for over 7 years. But, considering that I just received another stupid non-answer from Dell tech support, perhaps it is time to jump ship.

Questions: Does the 7.1 HT support the equivalent of "what-u-hear"?
Can I connect it to the T3400's front panel jacks?
I've never heard of them - but I'm not really into audio.

Your comments most welcome!

Thanks,

Raargh

 

[fireberd]

The Striker 7.1 has the "system mixer" function (What SoundBlaster calls "what you hear") so it will record streaming audio. The front panel connection on the Striker 7.1 is the standard Intel HD Audio 5 plus 5 pin connection. Whether it will interface with the Dell front panel is iffy - but then ANY aftermarket Sound Card whether a SoundBlaster (even if it's bought from Dell) or whatever is in the same boat. On new Dell PC's that come with an optional SoundBlaster sound card, they have the needed cabling installed. But, if a PC is ordered without the optional sound card (just the basic Integrated - on the motherboard - audio) then the cabling is not included. (I go though this almost every day on the Dell users forum). On some Dell's the front panel headset and microphone jack cable connection is the standard Intel ATX connection so you can use a "Retail" cable. On some others there is a proprietary connection and further in some models the front panel connections are integrated with the one cable that comes from the front panel to the motherboard and this connection is a Dell proprietary and undocumented connection.

I'm not familiar with the T3400 as I primarily work with the Home/Consumer models (e.g. the Inspiron and XPS line desktops).

 

[stormy13]

I explained that the SB0770 is not listed, and the drivers I downloaded for the board described as Soundblaster PCI X-Fi Extreme (XFXA_PCDRV_LB_1_04_0090.exe) would not install on my system (When I run it the installer says the hardware is incompatible). The Dell tech also claimed that even though they are shipping the SB0770 Creative SB X-Fi with new T3400's pre-loaded with Windows 7 64-bit, they can't guarantee the what-u-hear will work! Creative support tells me that the SB0770 is an OEM model, and there are no drivers available for download on the creative site - I have to get them, and all tech support, from Dell.

First the driver that you downloaded is for the Xtreme Audio, which isn't even close to your card. Your card is the Dell branded version of the Xtreme Music and it uses a totally different driver, not surprised in the least that what you download wouldn't install.

Not trying to defend Creative here, but they are right in that it is up to Dell to provide support for the card. I know that the DevID's for those OEM cards is totally different, but who knows what else has been changed on them from the retail cards.
It is up to Dell to get their collective thumbs out and get the updated drivers and software from Creative for the cards that they sell.

Now with that all said if you haven't yet give this a try,

SB X-Fi Series Support Pack 2.0 (05/15/2009) - Creative Labs

as it has been modded to work with all X-Fi's (not the Xtreme Audio version) including the OEM models. It also contains most of the apps and they have been modded to work with Vista and Windows 7. You will have to uninstall everything Creative you can find in Programs and Features, as well as uninstall the driver that is currently installed through Device Manager before trying the above.

 

[fireberd]

To add more "fuel to the fire" back last winter a Dell (users) forum moderator stated that all the Dell supplied cards (e.g. sound and video) are "standard" OEM models - not Dell OEM custom models (there is a difference between an "OEM" model and a Vendor custom "OEM" model). Also, I know for the last year, the XPS system users, with Vista,and the Dell installed Xfi cards have been using the Retail drivers without, as reported on the Dell Desktop Audio section. The SB Win 7 Beta driver seems to be working too (and fixes the 3GB memory limitation issue in 64 bit systems). But, the What You Hear issue is again being raised on the fourm with the new XPS 8000 and 9000 systems both with the Integrated audio and optional SB sound cards.

 

[Raargh]

@fireberd;

Thanks! This is good info. Stand by - still trying to get Dell to fess up about the problem with the card. But, I sense I'll be buying that Striker soon ... if I can find the $$ - pretty broke right now.

Raargh

 

[terryoregon]

I too was unable to get any of my old software to record "what you hear" with my new Dell XPS 9000 (see my system specs). That included Audacity. Like you I tried multiple settings in control panel and device manager.

The only thing I've found so far that works out of the box is Tunebite. I'm currently playing with the free trial version, and it records anything going through my speakers, no matter what the source is.

I'm still debating whether I want to pay for it.

 

[Raargh]

Thanks to everyone for the new info! Stormy, I will try that driver pack tonight.

I've been exchanging emails with both Creative and Dell. Here's the latest.

From Dell:

Hello Raargh,
Thanks for your response.
After reading the forum post and looking over the data sheet for the card, it would appear that the issue is there is not a Windows 7 64 bit driver for this card available that supports the what-u-hear function. In fact, I cannot find any Windows 7 drivers for an expansion audio card, only for the onboard audio.
If you feel you must escalate this to your Dell representative, then you may do so. Here in technical support, we have access to the same driver list on the support site as the public. We do not have any special access to unreleased drivers or anything not posted on the Dell support download page. I also do not know when or if there will be a Windows 7 driver released for this particular card.
I apologize that I cannot be of more help and that the Vista driver does not do the job for you either.

Your Service Request number for this incident is 123456. If you need further assistance please contact us again through email, live chat support, or by phone at 1-877-671-3355 option 1 and ext 7244444. Thank you for being a valued Dell client.

Respectfully,
Mr. X
Dell Rep ID 12345
Technical Support Specialist
Dell Precision Workstation Technical Support

-----

from Creative:

Dear Raargh,

Thank you for contacting Creative Labs.

With regards to your inquiry, the What U Hear recording option is
supported in Windows Vista and Windows 7 for Sound Blaster X-Fi series
(Excluding Extreme Audio series) and Sound Blaster Audigy series
(excluding Sound Blaster Audigy LE, SE, and Audigy Value).

Currently, software applications shipped with Sound Blaster cards
released for Windows XP and Vista do not work with Windows 7 drivers.
Please do not use the original installation cd as this is not compatible
with Windows 7. Creative is working constantly on updates for Windows 7
users who are using Creative products. These updates will be delivered
from time to time on our website.

We appreciate your patience and understanding on this matter.

If you still require assistance, please reply to this email with any
previous correspondence to ensure the quickest and most accurate
service.

Best Regards,

Ms. X
Technical Support
Creative Labs Americas

So, I'm still caught in the finger-pointing cross-fire.

Raargh

 

[Raargh]

Now with that all said if you haven't yet give this a try,

SB X-Fi Series Support Pack 2.0 (05/15/2009) - Creative Labs

@Stormy - when I go to that link I can't find the download link, other than a link to RapidShare, and then I can't download anything unless I become a "premium" user ... I am I doing something wrong?

Thanks,

Raargh

 

[torrentg]

If you guys are trying to record from websites, just use a stream download plugin or software. This way, there will be no further quality loss from "recording" and you won't need the record-what-you-hear for anything. It's basically a useless feature.

With my suggestion, it is possible to capture the exact file that is being served to you while you are listening...instead of streaming to your speakers, it will stream to a file on HDD. And other miscellaneous sounds, like Windows sounds, will not interfere.

 

[stormy13]

Filefront link (is in the sticky too),

Download XFI_SupportPack_2_0.exe

and no you don't have to become a premium member at Rapidshaft, just means they are overloaded and free users have to wait and keep trying to get a download slot.

To add more "fuel to the fire" back last winter a Dell (users) forum moderator stated that all the Dell supplied cards (e.g. sound and video) are "standard" OEM models - not Dell OEM custom models (there is a difference between an "OEM" model and a Vendor custom "OEM" model).

That is a load of bunk. Look at the picture that Raargh posted of what his card looks like and compare it to what a retail or retail oem version of the card looks like,

his,



retail card,



discounting the gold plated jacks (that is an original release Xtreme Music, they all came with the heat sink later), there is quite a bit different between the two.

 

[Raargh]

If you guys are trying to record from websites, just use a stream download plugin or software. This way, there will be no further quality loss from "recording" and you won't need the record-what-you-hear for anything. It's basically a useless feature.

With my suggestion, it is possible to capture the exact file that is being served to you while you are listening...instead of streaming to your speakers, it will stream to a file on HDD. And other miscellaneous sounds, like Windows sounds, will not interfere.

Thanks, but I'm not trying to record from the Web. I just want to be able to record "what I hear" , which is a complex mix of a lot of different sources - internal sounds, I might be playing a CD, mic input, etc.

Raargh

 

[Raargh]

@stormy:

Thanks, I'll keep trying the RapidShare. If the drivers work, it would be well worth $6.00 - just hate to shell out $$ before I know!

Raargh