User Manual
Page 3
... speakers and peripherals 10 5.1 Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater)....... 10 5.2 Connecting stereo headphones 11 5.3 Connecting 2/2.1 channel speakers 12 5.4 Connecting microphone 13 5.5 Connecting Line-In audio sources 14 6. Xonar Audio Center 15 6.1 Xonar Audio Center GUI 15 6.2 Main Setting 17 6.3 Mixer/Volume 25 6.4 Effects 28 6.5 Karaoke 30 6.6 FlexBass 31 6.7 Smart Volume Normalization 33 6.8 DS3D GX and DSP Modes 35 6.9 VocalFX 37 7. Troubleshooting and FAQs 40 [Troubleshooting 40 [FAQ 42 iii Installing the hardware...
... speakers and peripherals 10 5.1 Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater)....... 10 5.2 Connecting stereo headphones 11 5.3 Connecting 2/2.1 channel speakers 12 5.4 Connecting microphone 13 5.5 Connecting Line-In audio sources 14 6. Xonar Audio Center 15 6.1 Xonar Audio Center GUI 15 6.2 Main Setting 17 6.3 Mixer/Volume 25 6.4 Effects 28 6.5 Karaoke 30 6.6 FlexBass 31 6.7 Smart Volume Normalization 33 6.8 DS3D GX and DSP Modes 35 6.9 VocalFX 37 7. Troubleshooting and FAQs 40 [Troubleshooting 40 [FAQ 42 iii Installing the hardware...
User Manual
Page 4
... are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for radio noise emissions from that to which can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in a particular installation. If you require assistance please call ASUS Customer Service 1300 2787 88 or visit us at http://support.asus.com. This equipment has been tested and found to radio...
... are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for radio noise emissions from that to which can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in a particular installation. If you require assistance please call ASUS Customer Service 1300 2787 88 or visit us at http://support.asus.com. This equipment has been tested and found to radio...
User Manual
Page 5
... all cables are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby" and "Dolby Digital Live", "Dolby Pro Logic IIx", "Dolby Virtual Speaker", "Dolby Headphone" are associated. Do not place the product in municipal waste. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that came with which they are trademarks of ASUSTek Computer Inc. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer. Trademarks Xonar and ASUS logo are correctly connected.
... all cables are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby" and "Dolby Digital Live", "Dolby Pro Logic IIx", "Dolby Virtual Speaker", "Dolby Headphone" are associated. Do not place the product in municipal waste. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that came with which they are trademarks of ASUSTek Computer Inc. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer. Trademarks Xonar and ASUS logo are correctly connected.
User Manual
Page 7
Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz rmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz 0.0003% (-110dB) for Front-out 0.001% (-100dB) for Headphone-out 0.0002% (-113dB) for Line-in sponse (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz format):
Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz rmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz 0.0003% (-110dB) for Front-out 0.001% (-100dB) for Headphone-out 0.0002% (-113dB) for Line-in sponse (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz format):
User Manual
Page 8
... very low latency *Specifications are subject to process any native stereo or 5.1-channel audio into a 6.1 channel output, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield. -DS3D GX 2.5 supports EAX gaming sound effects and DirectSound 3D hardware enhanced functions for more games on Windows Vista & XP. (DirectX/DirectSound 3D compatible) -DS3D GX 2.5 adds latest VocalFX voice effects for online gaming or chatting. Dolby Pro-Logic II is the well-known technology to change without notice. ASUS Xonar Essence STX Dolby Pro...
... very low latency *Specifications are subject to process any native stereo or 5.1-channel audio into a 6.1 channel output, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield. -DS3D GX 2.5 supports EAX gaming sound effects and DirectSound 3D hardware enhanced functions for more games on Windows Vista & XP. (DirectX/DirectSound 3D compatible) -DS3D GX 2.5 adds latest VocalFX voice effects for online gaming or chatting. Dolby Pro-Logic II is the well-known technology to change without notice. ASUS Xonar Essence STX Dolby Pro...
User Manual
Page 10
...Out port 6 Front panel audio header 7 Aux Input Header 8 Power connector 9 S/PDIF Out header Connect analog devices like MP3 players, CD players, music synthesizers and other line-level sound sources to this Aux-In, you must enable the "monitor" function for Aux-In in the Xonar Essence STX Audio Center's recording mixer.) Connects to the power cable of your TV tuner card's audio from the graphics card's HDMI port. Connects to the chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module. NOTE: When using Dolby Digital Live on the Xonar Essence STX card, with HDMI output. ASUS Xonar Essence STX...
...Out port 6 Front panel audio header 7 Aux Input Header 8 Power connector 9 S/PDIF Out header Connect analog devices like MP3 players, CD players, music synthesizers and other line-level sound sources to this Aux-In, you must enable the "monitor" function for Aux-In in the Xonar Essence STX Audio Center's recording mixer.) Connects to the power cable of your TV tuner card's audio from the graphics card's HDMI port. Connects to the chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module. NOTE: When using Dolby Digital Live on the Xonar Essence STX card, with HDMI output. ASUS Xonar Essence STX...
User Manual
Page 12
Power ON the computer. Put back the chassis cover. 4. If the power cable is not connected properly, the audio card will not work at all cables. 5. 3.2 Installing the Xonar Essence STX card 1. ASUS Xonar Essence STX The PCI Express high-quality audio card requires additional power from your power supply unit to a power outlet. 6. Connect the 4-pin power cable of the audio card. 3. Reconnect all . Plug the power cord to the computer and to the power connector of your computer. Secure the audio card with screws and the metal bracket. 2.
Power ON the computer. Put back the chassis cover. 4. If the power cable is not connected properly, the audio card will not work at all cables. 5. 3.2 Installing the Xonar Essence STX card 1. ASUS Xonar Essence STX The PCI Express high-quality audio card requires additional power from your power supply unit to a power outlet. 6. Connect the 4-pin power cable of the audio card. 3. Reconnect all . Plug the power cord to the computer and to the power connector of your computer. Secure the audio card with screws and the metal bracket. 2.
User Manual
Page 13
... 7.1 channel surround sound. TV audio on your PC speakers. 2. 3.3 Connecting to the Aux-In header of the Xonar Essence STX card. Connect the audio output header from the TV tuner card to a TV tuner card 1. Select Aux-In as Pro-Logic IIx to expand the stereo TV audio to the audio output. For optimum TV audio quality, Xonar HDAV uses ADC recording to pass this setup, you can even turn on your TV set. ASUS Xonar Essence STX If you have a traditional PCI or PCI Express TV...
... 7.1 channel surround sound. TV audio on your PC speakers. 2. 3.3 Connecting to the Aux-In header of the Xonar Essence STX card. Connect the audio output header from the TV tuner card to a TV tuner card 1. Select Aux-In as Pro-Logic IIx to expand the stereo TV audio to the audio output. For optimum TV audio quality, Xonar HDAV uses ADC recording to pass this setup, you can even turn on your TV set. ASUS Xonar Essence STX If you have a traditional PCI or PCI Express TV...
User Manual
Page 14
... optical drive. If the power cable is enabled in the process and make sure you have installed the VGA card driver before you may occur. 1. Installing software Installing the card driver Ensure that you have installed the Xonar Essence STX card, turn off the computer to the card. After you have connected the additional power cable from your computer. Windows® automatically detects the HDAV card and searches for the drivers, click Cancel. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions...
... optical drive. If the power cable is enabled in the process and make sure you have installed the VGA card driver before you may occur. 1. Installing software Installing the card driver Ensure that you have installed the Xonar Essence STX card, turn off the computer to the card. After you have connected the additional power cable from your computer. Windows® automatically detects the HDAV card and searches for the drivers, click Cancel. 2. Follow the onscreen instructions...
User Manual
Page 15
...any digital speakers or AV Receivers with the TOSLINK optical cable. You can carry high-quality Dolby Digital audio from any audio, including games and music, into the coaxial S/PDIF input on your home theater system possible, creating an immersive and impressive cinema surround sound experience. A single digital cable connection can also use a coaxial cable for a S/PDIF connection. Just plug the coaxial RCA male connector to the optical adapter with Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding capabilities. 1 2 SPDIF Out No Item 1 Optical adapter 2 Optical cable Description Plug the optical TOSLINK...
...any digital speakers or AV Receivers with the TOSLINK optical cable. You can carry high-quality Dolby Digital audio from any audio, including games and music, into the coaxial S/PDIF input on your home theater system possible, creating an immersive and impressive cinema surround sound experience. A single digital cable connection can also use a coaxial cable for a S/PDIF connection. Just plug the coaxial RCA male connector to the optical adapter with Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding capabilities. 1 2 SPDIF Out No Item 1 Optical adapter 2 Optical cable Description Plug the optical TOSLINK...
User Manual
Page 21
... the 10-band signal meter, volume level, and the status of the Dolby/DTS technologies, EQ, and DSP modes. Drag the small circle inside it will lead you to the ASUS official website. It will pop up driver's Information window. Note: this icon will display a blue light when enabled. This rotary knob controls the master playback volume. No Item 1 Support link 2 Display Area 3 Setting Menu Panel 4 Information icon...
... the 10-band signal meter, volume level, and the status of the Dolby/DTS technologies, EQ, and DSP modes. Drag the small circle inside it will lead you to the ASUS official website. It will pop up driver's Information window. Note: this icon will display a blue light when enabled. This rotary knob controls the master playback volume. No Item 1 Support link 2 Display Area 3 Setting Menu Panel 4 Information icon...
User Manual
Page 24
... enable/ disable 2 S/PDIF Output Formats/Functions 3 Dobly Digital Live advanced upmixing option Description Click this check box to 5.1 channel surround with Dolby Pro-Logic II when using Dolby Digital Live output. 6.2.3 SPDIF Out/DDL Xonar Essence STX is capable of the following four formats: -PCM (Pulse Code Modulation, which is ideal for playback through a home theater system, creating an impressive cinema surround sound experience. This is a real-time encoder that transcodes any audio, including games and music...
... enable/ disable 2 S/PDIF Output Formats/Functions 3 Dobly Digital Live advanced upmixing option Description Click this check box to 5.1 channel surround with Dolby Pro-Logic II when using Dolby Digital Live output. 6.2.3 SPDIF Out/DDL Xonar Essence STX is capable of the following four formats: -PCM (Pulse Code Modulation, which is ideal for playback through a home theater system, creating an impressive cinema surround sound experience. This is a real-time encoder that transcodes any audio, including games and music...
User Manual
Page 25
..., VCD, 2D games => 2 channels -DVD-Video with Dolby Digtial or DTS 5.1 => 6 channels -DVD-Video with Vista's system speaker configuration and changing the setting during playback will deliver the audio channels to the audio driver according to restart the program after the change. Vista will cease the audio playback program. It's recommended that this in Windows Vista. Please note that you close all playing programs before you need to set this setting is or how...
..., VCD, 2D games => 2 channels -DVD-Video with Dolby Digtial or DTS 5.1 => 6 channels -DVD-Video with Vista's system speaker configuration and changing the setting during playback will deliver the audio channels to the audio driver according to restart the program after the change. Vista will cease the audio playback program. It's recommended that this in Windows Vista. Please note that you close all playing programs before you need to set this setting is or how...
User Manual
Page 26
... Subwoofer has no directional sounds, and hence can drag each speaker or listener to decrease volume (move speakers closer); Note: The setting will remain when a different Analog Output is the default mode that allows you to adjust the best sound field easily without moving physical speakers and wires 2 3 4 5678 1 No Item 1 Shifter enable/disable 2 Drag speaker or listener 3 Reset 4 Increase/decrease volume 5 Counter-clockwise 6 Clockwise 7 Manual Rotation 8 Manual Drag Mode...
... Subwoofer has no directional sounds, and hence can drag each speaker or listener to decrease volume (move speakers closer); Note: The setting will remain when a different Analog Output is the default mode that allows you to adjust the best sound field easily without moving physical speakers and wires 2 3 4 5678 1 No Item 1 Shifter enable/disable 2 Drag speaker or listener 3 Reset 4 Increase/decrease volume 5 Counter-clockwise 6 Clockwise 7 Manual Rotation 8 Manual Drag Mode...
User Manual
Page 30
... number from the speakers. Reset all playback sound effects such as Dolby and DTS technologies. 6.3.1 Playback Volume 1 6 2 3 4 5 No Item 1 Playback volume tab 2 Left / Right balance 3 Volume slider 4 Mute button 5 Source / path name 6 Reset Description Click this button again to mute the audio channel; control the playback volume of the full scale level. Click this slider down to show the playback volume page. WAVE: All digital audio sources except MIDI files - click this button to decrease the volume; 6.3 Mixer/Volume The mixer...
... number from the speakers. Reset all playback sound effects such as Dolby and DTS technologies. 6.3.1 Playback Volume 1 6 2 3 4 5 No Item 1 Playback volume tab 2 Left / Right balance 3 Volume slider 4 Mute button 5 Source / path name 6 Reset Description Click this button again to mute the audio channel; control the playback volume of the full scale level. Click this slider down to show the playback volume page. WAVE: All digital audio sources except MIDI files - click this button to decrease the volume; 6.3 Mixer/Volume The mixer...
User Manual
Page 32
...: Windows Vista doesn't support WAVE recording.) Click to reset all DSP effects will be mixed into the streams you are playing on PC Aux: recording from Aux-In for typically TV-tuner card audio or other sound sources Line-In: recording from Line-in jack for external audio devices WAVE: recording from digital wave audio you are playing out from your TV audio, CD, MP3, or stereo game console audio from speaker outputs. A typical benefit is to the default settings. NOTE: When the monitoring function is enabled, audio output...
...: Windows Vista doesn't support WAVE recording.) Click to reset all DSP effects will be mixed into the streams you are playing on PC Aux: recording from Aux-In for typically TV-tuner card audio or other sound sources Line-In: recording from Line-in jack for external audio devices WAVE: recording from digital wave audio you are playing out from your TV audio, CD, MP3, or stereo game console audio from speaker outputs. A typical benefit is to the default settings. NOTE: When the monitoring function is enabled, audio output...
User Manual
Page 45
... hardware. 3. Ensure that you have connected speakers properly and have properly plugged the audio card in the system tray, go to the Windows Control Panel and double click the "Xonar Essence STX Audio Center" icon to the basic PCI Express bus power. Remove the card, plug it into another PCI Express slot, and try installing the driver package again. Double-click the icon to complete the setup. After the driver installation is found in the PCI Express...
... hardware. 3. Ensure that you have connected speakers properly and have properly plugged the audio card in the system tray, go to the Windows Control Panel and double click the "Xonar Essence STX Audio Center" icon to the basic PCI Express bus power. Remove the card, plug it into another PCI Express slot, and try installing the driver package again. Double-click the icon to complete the setup. After the driver installation is found in the PCI Express...
User Manual
Page 46
... are using 192KHz PCM output, please make sure your digital speaker system and analog speakers or headphones. For Dolby Digital output, you have enabled S/PDIF output in the Audio Center and select the correct input as the recording source and remember to turn on the digital monitoring button for that you may need to the Aux-In header on the audio card 2. Remember to the decoder's (AV receiver) S/PDIF input jack 3. You may have problem, read the TV tuner card's software user guide...
... are using 192KHz PCM output, please make sure your digital speaker system and analog speakers or headphones. For Dolby Digital output, you have enabled S/PDIF output in the Audio Center and select the correct input as the recording source and remember to turn on the digital monitoring button for that you may need to the Aux-In header on the audio card 2. Remember to the decoder's (AV receiver) S/PDIF input jack 3. You may have problem, read the TV tuner card's software user guide...
User Manual
Page 47
... not take effect either when the playback source is 96KHz or 192KHz sample rate to multi-channel surround sound in Home Theater environments. In addition, Xonar Essence STX supports unique DS3D GX on Windows Vista, which can use some editing software (Ableton Live, Cakewalk, CoolEdit, Soundforge, etc.) to carry Dolby Digtial audio. Q3: Why is also usually the behavior that the frequency meter on Vista for HTPC and multichannel speakers? Xonar Essence STX...
... not take effect either when the playback source is 96KHz or 192KHz sample rate to multi-channel surround sound in Home Theater environments. In addition, Xonar Essence STX supports unique DS3D GX on Windows Vista, which can use some editing software (Ableton Live, Cakewalk, CoolEdit, Soundforge, etc.) to carry Dolby Digtial audio. Q3: Why is also usually the behavior that the frequency meter on Vista for HTPC and multichannel speakers? Xonar Essence STX...
User Manual
Page 48
... even stereo music. So, when a user selects PCM output for musicians? Q7: Will PCM sound output through S/PDIF be just 2 channels even with home theater or TV systems. 2. For attaining 5.1 channel surround sounds, you can only carry 2-channel PCM data or non-PCM AC3/DTS data. Dolby Headphone and Dolby Virtual Speaker are available on Vista? ASIO 2.0: Xonar Essence STX includes an ASIO 2.0 driver for PC games? Answer: The S/PDIF protocol specification (IEC-60958) can select Dolby Digital Live encoding output from...
... even stereo music. So, when a user selects PCM output for musicians? Q7: Will PCM sound output through S/PDIF be just 2 channels even with home theater or TV systems. 2. For attaining 5.1 channel surround sounds, you can only carry 2-channel PCM data or non-PCM AC3/DTS data. Dolby Headphone and Dolby Virtual Speaker are available on Vista? ASIO 2.0: Xonar Essence STX includes an ASIO 2.0 driver for PC games? Answer: The S/PDIF protocol specification (IEC-60958) can select Dolby Digital Live encoding output from...