User Guide
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... and Creative Multi Speaker Surround are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. User's Guide Creative Sound Blaster Information in this document is against the law to change without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd. in accordance with the terms of this manual may make one copy of the software for any other medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. All rights reserved. No part...
... and Creative Multi Speaker Surround are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. User's Guide Creative Sound Blaster Information in this document is against the law to change without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd. in accordance with the terms of this manual may make one copy of the software for any other medium except as specifically allowed in the license agreement. All rights reserved. No part...
User Guide
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... to high-quality digital audio entertainment v Package Contents vi System Requirements vi Getting More Information vi Technical Support and Warranty Information vii Document Conventions vii 1 About Sound Blaster What You Need 1-1 Sound Blaster 1-2 Switching modes 1-4 2 Installing Sound Blaster Installing Hardware 2-1 Installing Software 2-2 In Windows 98 SE/Me/2000/XP 2-2 Verifying the software installation 2-3 In Windows 98 SE/Me 2-3 In Windows 2000/XP 2-3 Attaching Sound Blaster 2-4 Using a clip 2-4 Using velcro strips 2-5 Connecting Microphones 2-6 Connecting Headphones...
... to high-quality digital audio entertainment v Package Contents vi System Requirements vi Getting More Information vi Technical Support and Warranty Information vii Document Conventions vii 1 About Sound Blaster What You Need 1-1 Sound Blaster 1-2 Switching modes 1-4 2 Installing Sound Blaster Installing Hardware 2-1 Installing Software 2-2 In Windows 98 SE/Me/2000/XP 2-2 Verifying the software installation 2-3 In Windows 98 SE/Me 2-3 In Windows 2000/XP 2-3 Attaching Sound Blaster 2-4 Using a clip 2-4 Using velcro strips 2-5 Connecting Microphones 2-6 Connecting Headphones...
User Guide
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... Keep your music database up to date 4-4 Transferring songs 4-4 Automatically playing multimedia content 4-4 Extracting and converting songs 4-4 Storing music on recordable CD 4-5 Creative Device Control 4-5 Creative Diagnostics 4-5 Creative EAX Console 4-6 Audio Effects: Environmental Sound Processing 4-6 CMSS 3D: Simulating Surround Sound 4-6 Audio Clean-up: Removing noise and distortion 4-6 Time Scaling: Varying the speed of playback 4-7 Creative Surround Mixer 4-7 Creative WaveStudio 4-7 Creative Speaker Settings 4-8 Creative MiniDisc Center 4-8 Creative Graphic Equalizer...
... Keep your music database up to date 4-4 Transferring songs 4-4 Automatically playing multimedia content 4-4 Extracting and converting songs 4-4 Storing music on recordable CD 4-5 Creative Device Control 4-5 Creative Diagnostics 4-5 Creative EAX Console 4-6 Audio Effects: Environmental Sound Processing 4-6 CMSS 3D: Simulating Surround Sound 4-6 Audio Clean-up: Removing noise and distortion 4-6 Time Scaling: Varying the speed of playback 4-7 Creative Surround Mixer 4-7 Creative WaveStudio 4-7 Creative Speaker Settings 4-8 Creative MiniDisc Center 4-8 Creative Graphic Equalizer...
User Guide
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...or Dolby Digital 5.1 files 5-1 Playing back Wave and CD Audio files 5-2 Playing MIDI files 5-2 Compiling personal albums 5-2 Content Creation 5-3 Recording digital audio 5-3 Internet Entertainment 5-3 Encoding CD songs to MP3/WMA format 5-3 Downloading and playing MP3/WMA songs 5-3 Playing MP3/WMA songs with EAX 5-3 Gaming Reference 5-4 Enjoying EAX support 5-4 Enjoying DirectSound3D support 5-4 Appendixes A General Specifications Inputs and Outputs A-1 Controls A-1 Display Indicators A-1 B Troubleshooting Problems Installing Software B-1 Problems with Sound B-2 Problems With...
...or Dolby Digital 5.1 files 5-1 Playing back Wave and CD Audio files 5-2 Playing MIDI files 5-2 Compiling personal albums 5-2 Content Creation 5-3 Recording digital audio 5-3 Internet Entertainment 5-3 Encoding CD songs to MP3/WMA format 5-3 Downloading and playing MP3/WMA songs 5-3 Playing MP3/WMA songs with EAX 5-3 Gaming Reference 5-4 Enjoying EAX support 5-4 Enjoying DirectSound3D support 5-4 Appendixes A General Specifications Inputs and Outputs A-1 Controls A-1 Display Indicators A-1 B Troubleshooting Problems Installing Software B-1 Problems with Sound B-2 Problems With...
User Guide
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.... Sound Blaster delivers high quality stereo sound for purchasing Creative's external Sound Blaster® audio solution. Digital music lovers will enhance your listening experience through either headphones or stereo speakers. Introduction x Use the 10-band Creative Graphic Equalizer to enjoy an enriched digital music experience with the bundled Creative MediaSource Player that lets you play, record, organize and burn your own audio CDs easily in Sound Blaster deliver an exemplary 2.1-channel digital audio performance. Thank you can enjoy virtual surround sound...
.... Sound Blaster delivers high quality stereo sound for purchasing Creative's external Sound Blaster® audio solution. Digital music lovers will enhance your listening experience through either headphones or stereo speakers. Introduction x Use the 10-band Creative Graphic Equalizer to enjoy an enriched digital music experience with the bundled Creative MediaSource Player that lets you play, record, organize and burn your own audio CDs easily in Sound Blaster deliver an exemplary 2.1-channel digital audio performance. Thank you can enjoy virtual surround sound...
User Guide
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... contents of free hard disk space ❑ Available USB port ❑ Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately) ❑ CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive installed Other applications may have higher system requirements or may differ in certain countries. Visit the www.soundblaster.com site for details. In Windows XP, Service Pack 1 may be necessary for additional demonstrations, libraries and other software. Package Contents...
... contents of free hard disk space ❑ Available USB port ❑ Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately) ❑ CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive installed Other applications may have higher system requirements or may differ in certain countries. Visit the www.soundblaster.com site for details. In Windows XP, Service Pack 1 may be necessary for additional demonstrations, libraries and other software. Package Contents...
User Guide
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Optical Out jack Connects to powered speakers or an external amplifier for audio output. Rear Panel Optical In jack Connects to digital audio devices such as tape decks and audio players. About Sound Blaster 1-2 Sound Blaster Sound Blaster has these jacks and connectors that allow you to attach other devices: Line In jacks Connects to audio devices such as DAT and MiniDisc players. Line Out jacks Connects to external digital devices or digital speaker systems. Figure 1-2: Jacks, connectors and ports on Sound Blaster.
Optical Out jack Connects to powered speakers or an external amplifier for audio output. Rear Panel Optical In jack Connects to digital audio devices such as tape decks and audio players. About Sound Blaster 1-2 Sound Blaster Sound Blaster has these jacks and connectors that allow you to attach other devices: Line In jacks Connects to audio devices such as DAT and MiniDisc players. Line Out jacks Connects to external digital devices or digital speaker systems. Figure 1-2: Jacks, connectors and ports on Sound Blaster.
User Guide
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... port Connects to an external microphone. Power LED Lights up blue when Sound Blaster is recommended that you connect the headphones to Sound Blaster. Microphone jack Connects to the computer's USB port using a USB cable. Front Panel Side Panel Headphones Volume Control Adjust the headphones volume by turning this dial left or right. Figure 1-3: Jacks, connectors and ports on Sound Blaster About Sound Blaster 1-3 Your speaker output is muted when you close all audio applications before switching between Digital Only and Digital/Analog modes. Digital/Analog switch Switches...
... port Connects to an external microphone. Power LED Lights up blue when Sound Blaster is recommended that you connect the headphones to Sound Blaster. Microphone jack Connects to the computer's USB port using a USB cable. Front Panel Side Panel Headphones Volume Control Adjust the headphones volume by turning this dial left or right. Figure 1-3: Jacks, connectors and ports on Sound Blaster About Sound Blaster 1-3 Your speaker output is muted when you close all audio applications before switching between Digital Only and Digital/Analog modes. Digital/Analog switch Switches...
User Guide
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... kHz About Sound Blaster 1-4 Switching modes It is only available in Digital Only mode. The table below illustrates the different functions between Digital Only and Digital/Analog mode using the Digital/ Analog switch located on the side panel of Sound Blaster. Sometimes, you do not play any audio files before switching between Digital Only and Digital/Analog mode. Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS pass-through is recommended that you may need to close and launch the audio application after switching modes for it...
... kHz About Sound Blaster 1-4 Switching modes It is only available in Digital Only mode. The table below illustrates the different functions between Digital Only and Digital/Analog mode using the Digital/ Analog switch located on the side panel of Sound Blaster. Sometimes, you do not play any audio files before switching between Digital Only and Digital/Analog mode. Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS pass-through is recommended that you may need to close and launch the audio application after switching modes for it...
User Guide
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...are plugged in, speaker output is controlled by using the Headphones Volume Control or Creative Surround Mixer. You can connect personal stereo headphones, usually fitted with a 3.5 mm stereo plug, such as those used for headphones or microphones with a 3.5 mm plug, to Sound Blaster. Connecting Microphones Connecting Headphones You can connect a condenser microphone, usually fitted with ¼ " plugs. Use a ¼ " to 3.5 mm adapter for portable audio players, to Sound Blaster. Using the Headphones Volume control: ❑ Left to decrease the headphones volume. ❑ Right to...
...are plugged in, speaker output is controlled by using the Headphones Volume Control or Creative Surround Mixer. You can connect personal stereo headphones, usually fitted with a 3.5 mm stereo plug, such as those used for headphones or microphones with a 3.5 mm plug, to Sound Blaster. Connecting Microphones Connecting Headphones You can connect a condenser microphone, usually fitted with ¼ " plugs. Use a ¼ " to 3.5 mm adapter for portable audio players, to Sound Blaster. Using the Headphones Volume control: ❑ Left to decrease the headphones volume. ❑ Right to...
User Guide
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Using Sound Blaster Connecting Peripherals Figure 3-1 shows you the various connectivity options for Sound Blaster. Creative digital audio player Portable cassette player Creative 2.1 Analog Speakers MiniDisc recorder Optical cable Headphones Creative Inspire or Cambridge SoundWorks 5.1 Digital Speaker Systems Microphone Figure 3-1: Connectivity options for Sound Blaster. Using Sound Blaster 3-1
Using Sound Blaster Connecting Peripherals Figure 3-1 shows you the various connectivity options for Sound Blaster. Creative digital audio player Portable cassette player Creative 2.1 Analog Speakers MiniDisc recorder Optical cable Headphones Creative Inspire or Cambridge SoundWorks 5.1 Digital Speaker Systems Microphone Figure 3-1: Connectivity options for Sound Blaster. Using Sound Blaster 3-1
User Guide
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...splitter cable Analog 2.1 channel speaker system* Optical In jack Optical Out jack Optical cable Creative Inspire or Cambridge SoundWorks 5.1 Digital Speaker Systems *For example, Creative 2.1 Analog Speakers Figure 3-2: Connecting speaker systems to enjoy true surround sound experience. Alternatively, you can enjoy virtual surround sound with a built-in Digital Only mode. Connecting Speaker Systems You can perform Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS pass-through via SPDIF (Optical Out) to a 5.1 speaker system with Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD movies using a stereo speaker system by enabling...
...splitter cable Analog 2.1 channel speaker system* Optical In jack Optical Out jack Optical cable Creative Inspire or Cambridge SoundWorks 5.1 Digital Speaker Systems *For example, Creative 2.1 Analog Speakers Figure 3-2: Connecting speaker systems to enjoy true surround sound experience. Alternatively, you can enjoy virtual surround sound with a built-in Digital Only mode. Connecting Speaker Systems You can perform Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS pass-through via SPDIF (Optical Out) to a 5.1 speaker system with Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD movies using a stereo speaker system by enabling...
User Guide
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... set of software is supported by a full range of applications to help you get the most important to the operation of Sound Blaster: ❑ Creative MediaSource Go! ❑ Creative MediaSource Go! Launcher ❑ Creative MediaSource Player ❑ Creative MediaSource Organizer ❑ Creative Device Control ❑ Creative Diagnostics ❑ Creative Surround Mixer ❑ Creative EAX Console ❑ Creative WaveStudio ❑ Creative Speaker Settings ❑ Creative MiniDisc Center ❑ Creative Graphic Equalizer Sound Blaster Applications 4-1 Sound Blaster...
... set of software is supported by a full range of applications to help you get the most important to the operation of Sound Blaster: ❑ Creative MediaSource Go! ❑ Creative MediaSource Go! Launcher ❑ Creative MediaSource Player ❑ Creative MediaSource Organizer ❑ Creative Device Control ❑ Creative Diagnostics ❑ Creative Surround Mixer ❑ Creative EAX Console ❑ Creative WaveStudio ❑ Creative Speaker Settings ❑ Creative MiniDisc Center ❑ Creative Graphic Equalizer Sound Blaster Applications 4-1 Sound Blaster...
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... Creative MediaSource Go!, refer to specific programs for changing Sound Blaster's hardware settings. ❑ Product Support contains diagnostic software, product update information, product registration forms, demonstration software as well as helpful documentation such as Getting Started guides. ❑ Companion Products allows viewing of information on Creative MediaSource Go! Launcher consists of the software programs you can drag and drop them into one central location, Creative MediaSource Go!. Sound Blaster...
... Creative MediaSource Go!, refer to specific programs for changing Sound Blaster's hardware settings. ❑ Product Support contains diagnostic software, product update information, product registration forms, demonstration software as well as helpful documentation such as Getting Started guides. ❑ Companion Products allows viewing of information on Creative MediaSource Go! Launcher consists of the software programs you can drag and drop them into one central location, Creative MediaSource Go!. Sound Blaster...
User Guide
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... Sound Blaster's hardware. The following is a list of tasks you can: ❑ play back a list of songs at a similar volume level even if they were originally recorded at different loudness levels ❑ switch between Creative MediaSource Organizer and Creative MediaSource Player with ID3 tags. Creative MediaSource Organizer searches your hard disk or external storage devices. Searching is very fast due to access the power of audio...
... Sound Blaster's hardware. The following is a list of tasks you can: ❑ play back a list of songs at a similar volume level even if they were originally recorded at different loudness levels ❑ switch between Creative MediaSource Organizer and Creative MediaSource Player with ID3 tags. Creative MediaSource Organizer searches your hard disk or external storage devices. Searching is very fast due to access the power of audio...
User Guide
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... insertion or connection of files. Sound Blaster Applications 4-4 Creative MediaSource Organizer's built-in the media will need for you can consume much hard disk space. The Media Sniffer will monitor specified folders on your PCML accordingly. NOMAD users can use Creative MediaSource Organizer to transfer music files to and from audio CDs, then convert them to play different types of CDs, VCDs, and external devices like...
... insertion or connection of files. Sound Blaster Applications 4-4 Creative MediaSource Organizer's built-in the media will need for you can consume much hard disk space. The Media Sniffer will monitor specified folders on your PCML accordingly. NOMAD users can use Creative MediaSource Organizer to transfer music files to and from audio CDs, then convert them to play different types of CDs, VCDs, and external devices like...
User Guide
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...! Launcher to open this applet. If the test detects problems, Creative Diagnostics will check that the audio hardware is detected, the audio drivers are working, and the mixer settings are correct. Creative MediaSource Organizer's Burn CD module lets you have with your audio hardware. Use Creative Diagnostics to help you create your own audio and MP3 CDs from Sound Blaster to the speakers. The Burn CD feature also lets you easily...
...! Launcher to open this applet. If the test detects problems, Creative Diagnostics will check that the audio hardware is detected, the audio drivers are working, and the mixer settings are correct. Creative MediaSource Organizer's Burn CD module lets you have with your audio hardware. Use Creative Diagnostics to help you create your own audio and MP3 CDs from Sound Blaster to the speakers. The Burn CD feature also lets you easily...
User Guide
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...when headphones are not connected to Digital/Analog mode. Use Creative Surround Mixer to adjust the volume, if necessary. ❑ The powered speakers or external amplifier are connected to Sound Blaster's output jacks. ❑ The Speaker selection in the Creative Speaker Console corresponds to your speakers to Sound Blaster's output. ❑ You have a check mark in it. ❑ The Digital/Analog switch is set to Digital/Analog mode. No audio output when playing digital files such as .WAV, MIDI files or AVI clips. No sound from the headphones. Problems with Sound No sound from...
...when headphones are not connected to Digital/Analog mode. Use Creative Surround Mixer to adjust the volume, if necessary. ❑ The powered speakers or external amplifier are connected to Sound Blaster's output jacks. ❑ The Speaker selection in the Creative Speaker Console corresponds to your speakers to Sound Blaster's output. ❑ You have a check mark in it. ❑ The Digital/Analog switch is set to Digital/Analog mode. No audio output when playing digital files such as .WAV, MIDI files or AVI clips. No sound from the headphones. Problems with Sound No sound from...
User Guide
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.... 3. Sound Blaster does not support analog CD audio playback. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. 2. In Windows 2000, Service Pack 3 may be necessary for this CD-ROM device check box to select it . 10.Click the OK button. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. 2. Click the Device Manager button. 5. Your IDE channels will appear. 6. For Windows 2000 and Windows XP users: 1. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab. 4. Click Properties. 8. In the Properties...
.... 3. Sound Blaster does not support analog CD audio playback. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. 2. In Windows 2000, Service Pack 3 may be necessary for this CD-ROM device check box to select it . 10.Click the OK button. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. 2. Click the Device Manager button. 5. Your IDE channels will appear. 6. For Windows 2000 and Windows XP users: 1. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Hardware tab. 4. Click Properties. 8. In the Properties...
User Guide
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... Digital/Analog switch is only available in Digital Only mode. Enable digital CD playback. The Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS pass-through via SPDIF (Optical Out) feature is not available. The Audio Clean-Up or Time-Scale features require Creative MediaSource to the topic, "No audio output when playing audio CDs." EAX and CMSS 3D effects are not working when connecting related peripherals to them. Sound Blaster is not detected or is not functioning properly. on page B-4. Troubleshooting B-6 The Audio...
... Digital/Analog switch is only available in Digital Only mode. Enable digital CD playback. The Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS pass-through via SPDIF (Optical Out) feature is not available. The Audio Clean-Up or Time-Scale features require Creative MediaSource to the topic, "No audio output when playing audio CDs." EAX and CMSS 3D effects are not working when connecting related peripherals to them. Sound Blaster is not detected or is not functioning properly. on page B-4. Troubleshooting B-6 The Audio...