daniel_k’s SB Audigy Series Support Pack 3.5 (10/11/2009)

One of NMGS’s readers noticed daniel_k has released another updated installer for Audigy series. Well done Ostar, good thing somebody’s awake around here…

SB Audigy Series Support Pack 3.5 (10/11/2009)

This software/driver pack is unofficial, not supported by Creative Labs.

Use it at your own risk.

Supports any model of the following Sound Blaster cards (based on Emu10kx DSP):

- Audigy

- Audigy 2

- Audigy 2 ZS

- Audigy 4

For Audigy SE/LS/Value and Live! 24-bit cards, click here for a compatible version.

Operating systems supported: 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7 RTM / Vista SP2 / XP SP3

Included in the pack:

- Audigy series driver 2.18.0011.10 (latest beta)
- ALchemy 1.26.04

- Audio Console 1.32.02
- DDL and DTS Connect License Activation 2.00.03 (*)
- Dolby Digital Live Pack 3.00.03 (*)

- DTS Connect Pack 1.68.75 [modified 1.03.04] (*)
- EAX Console 3.00.56 (Windows XP only)
- Graphic Equalizer 2.00.65
- MediaSource DVD-Audio Player 2.00.78
- SoundFont Bank Manager 3.21.00
- Speaker Settings 2.00.60

- THX Setup Console 2.10.43 (Windows XP only)

(*) Purchase and activation required, more info at http://buy.soundblaster.com.

Does this driver improve sound quality or performance? Are there any tweaks?

No, this driver does not improve sound quality nor increase performance.

No, there are no tweaks.

If someone states that its driver improves sound quality and performance, you are being fooled, cheated.

It is even worse that the so called tweaks come from a person who is not EVEN technically acknowledged, does NOT know anything about Windows internals, software engineering and sound fidelity that all audiophiles always look for.

If you “feel” the sound better, that is the infamous placebo effect and there is no real proof that any tweaks work.

In fact, I have yet to see a driver that states in its release notes that it improves sound quality.

I’ve disassembled about every single .SYS driver, .DLL libraries and .EXE executables and found nothing.

There are some undocumented registry values, but nothing related to sound quality or performance.

Would the so called tweaks even exist, they would be in my Support Packs, you can bet that.

Fixes and improvements:

- DTS Interactive encoder now works on Windows XP without any tricks.

- Fixes a cosmetic issue on Audio Console, encoder status now says DTS Interactive.

- Readds support for 64-bit OpenAL and 64-bit ASIO.

- Fixes Microphone not available on Audigy1 cards on Windows 7 / Vista.

- Enables support for WASAPI exclusive-mode event-driven playback, seems to be working just fine.

- Fixes the enhancements errors in Windows mixer and Windows Media Player.

- Adds Microsoft Audio Home Theather Effects for both Speakers and S/PDIF Out endpoints.

- Includes Encoder Switcher to enable DTS Interactive on Audigy cards.

- Fixes the Audio Console “Internal application error” when enabling the DDL Encoder on localized installs.

- Updates Audio Console to display DTS Interactive in the Encoder tab when Encoder switcher is used.

- Workarounds a bug that unexpectedly resets the speaker configuration.

- Prevents an issue during installation on Windows 7/Vista that may result in low volume when certain enhancements are enabled.

- Implements Hardware CMSS Headphone by using a workaround.

- Updates all InstallShield setup scripts to support Windows 7.

- Fixes installation INI to properly install applications depending on the detected OS.

- Removes COM workaround for Equalizer, fixed by Creative.

- Adds workaround to a memory corruption issue preventing Equalizer from starting on Windows 7/Vista.

- Updates shared modules, responsiveness on certain applications is improved.

- Enables CMSS2 and Stereo Surround.

- Fixes 32-bit ASIO not working on Windows 7 x64.

- Fixes Encoder not available on Windows 7 x64 (related to fix above).

- Sets default speaker setting to 5.1 to properly reset configs to their defaults during install (fixes Bass and Treble leves not set to 50% on Windows 7 / Vista).

Undocumented fixes by Creative (not listed in the release notes):

- Fixes the 6.1 speaker configuration is incorrectly available on Windows 7 64-bit.

- Fixes the Enable Dolby Digital Live checkbox not staying checked when Audio Console is closed.

- Fixes Equalizer Out of Memory error.

- Fixes Equalizer settings being lost on Windows 7 / Vista when speaker configuration is changed.

- Fixes low volume on Windows 7 / Vista when default format is set to anything higher than 16-bit, 48kHz.

- Fixes MIDI instruments in Melodic Pool not playing when speaker setting is higher than 2.1 speakers.

- Restores missing Microphone option in Surround Mixer (documented).

- Fixes Microphone mute, volume and +20db boost controls.

Release Notes:

Windows Security warning during driver installation

When prompted with: “Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software”, choose “Install this driver software anyway”.

OpenAL 2D benchmark in RightMark 3DSound crashes your system

Due to a driver bug, your system will crash if you run the OpenAL 2D benchmark using 63 buffers. No problem With 62 or fewer buffers. OpenAL 3D and OpenAL 3D + EAX benchmarks are not affected.

Details: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0×000000D1) – ctoss2k.sys

System crashes when shutting down or restarting Windows if Encoder is enabled

Due to a driver bug, your system will crash if you try to shutdown or restart Windows with Encoder enabled.

Details: SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION (0×0000003B) – ha10kx2k.sys

There is no DirectSound hardware acceleration on Windows XP 64-bit (x64)

The Audigy driver does not support 64-bit addressing, disabling the DirectSound hardware acceleration and causing multichannel sound to be played only in the stereo channels (front left/right).

Workarounds:

- install the 32-bit (x86) version of Windows XP.

- limit to less than 4GB the amount of RAM available to Windows.

- enable the “Memory Hole” setting in the BIOS Setup, if your motherboard supports it.

Microphone issues on Windows 7/Vista 64-bit (x64) with 4GB of RAM or more

Audigy driver does not support 64-bit addressing, resulting in random issues with the Microphone (static, robotic or distorted voice, white noise).

Workarounds:

- install the 32-bit (x86) version of Windows

- limit the RAM available to Windows to less than 4GB

- enable Memore Hole in BIOS Setup, if your motherboard supports the setting

MediaSource DVD-Audio Player system requirements

- 32-bit edition of Windows 7 / Vista / XP

- any Audigy 2, Audigy 2 ZS or Audigy 4 card

Built-in Decoder on Windows 7 / Vista (requires Service Pack 1)

To use the built-in decoder, make sure it is enabled in Audio Console.

Select “SPDIF Out (Creative SB Audigy (WDM))” as the output device of your player and then configure the AC3/DTS filter to send the stream through SPDIF.

When you restart your computer, the Tone settings (Bass and Treble) are not applied.

Just readjust one of the controls one time per boot.

Advanced EQ and Special FX not available on Windows 7 / Vista

These presets don’t work on Windows 7 / Vista.

There is no sound in games with OpenAL support on Windows XP

Disable Advanced EQ and Special FX selecting “No effect” before running the game or program.

Equalizer settings are lost

When you run a game with OpenAL support or using Creative ALchemy, the Equalizer settings are lost. Just run Equalizer and the saved setting is loaded automatically.

Tone settings are reset when speaker configuration is changed

Bass and treble settings are reset when speaker configuration is changed.

DTS Encoder Switcher

The Encoder Switcher is now part of Audio Console.

A shortcut is created in the Programs -> Creative folder in Start Menu.

For additional info, read thoroughly the ReadMe.txt file included in the \EncSwitcher folder where you extracted the Support Pack.

Hardware CMSS Headphone

To use the hardware CMSS you need to select “Disable all enhancements” in the “Enhancements” tab on:

Playback Devices -> Speaker Properties

Now check the Speaker configuration in “Playback devices”.

If it is Stereo, run Audio Console and change it to 4.1, 5.1 or 7.1 and only after that change it to Headphones.

This procedure ensures that CMSS(1) will work after a Windows restart, otherwise only CMSS2 will work.

Microsoft Audio Home Theater Effects

This driver adds the following audio effects, which are available depending on the current speaker configuration:

- Bass Management
- Speaker Fill
- Room Correction
- Loudness Equalization
- Bass Boost
- Virtual Surround
- Low Frequency Protection

Some effects are also available for the “SPDIF Out” device.

Some Microsoft effects have priority over Creative CMSS effects and will disable the later.

MIDI Device Configuration Utility for Windows 7 / Vista

Use this utility to change the MIDI playback device for 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

Download:

Filename: Audigy_SupportPack_3_5.exe

File size: 60.1 MB

CRC32 hash: 921CA120

SHA-1 hash: 2ACBCEC5B3DC6379F4AAB19A98198A34B5D90402

To verify the file hashes, I recommend HashTab.

Mirrors:

Rapidshare (uploaded by daniel_k)

Sendspace (uploaded by NoMoreGoatSoup)

All files are property of Creative Technology Ltd, unless otherwise noted.

daniel_k’s Vista Support Pack 3.1 + dts Switcher

SB Audigy Series Support Pack 3.1 + DTS Encoder Switcher (08/28/2009)

This software/driver pack is unofficial, not supported by Creative Labs.

Use it at your own risk.

Supports any model of the following Sound Blaster cards (based on Emu10kx DSP):

- Audigy

- Audigy 2

- Audigy 2 ZS

- Audigy 4

For Audigy SE/LS/Value and Live! 24-bit cards, click here for a compatible version.

Operating systems supported: 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7 RTM / Vista SP2 / XP SP3

Included in the pack:

- Audigy series driver 2.18.0011.8 (latest beta)
- ALchemy 1.30.00

- Audio Console 1.32.02
- DDL and DTS Connect License Activation 2.00.03 (*)
- Dolby Digital Live Pack 3.00.03 (*)

- DTS Connect Pack 1.03.04 (*)
- EAX Console 3.00.56 (Windows XP only)
- Graphic Equalizer 2.00.65
- MediaSource DVD-Audio Player 2.00.78
- SoundFont Bank Manager 3.21.00
- Speaker Settings 2.00.60

(*) Purchase and activation required, more info at http://buy.soundblaster.com.

Does this driver improve sound quality or performance? Are there any tweaks?

No, this driver does not improve sound quality nor increase performance.

No, there are no tweaks.

If someone states that its driver improves sound quality and performance, you are being fooled, cheated.

It is even worse that the so called tweaks come from a person who is not EVEN technically acknowledged, does NOT know anything about Windows internals, software engineering and sound fidelity that all audiophiles always look for.

If you “feel” the sound better, that is the infamous placebo effect and there is no real proof that any tweaks work.

In fact, I have yet to see a driver that states in its release notes that it improves sound quality.

I’ve disassembled about every single .SYS driver, .DLL libraries and .EXE executables and found nothing.

There are some undocumented registry values, but nothing related to sound quality or performance.

Would the so called tweaks even exist, they would be in my Support Packs, you can bet that.

Fixes and improvements:

- Enables support for WASAPI exclusive-mode event-driven playback, seems to be working just fine

- Fixes the enhancements errors in Windows mixer and Windows Media Player.

- Adds Microsoft Audio Home Theather Effects for both Speakers and S/PDIF Out endpoints.

- Includes Encoder Switcher to enable DTS Interactive on Audigy cards.

- Fixes the Audio Console “Internal application error” when enabling the DDL Encoder on localized installs.

- Updates Audio Console to display DTS Interactive in the Encoder tab when Encoder switcher is used.

- Workarounds a bug that unexpectedly resets the speaker configuration.

- Prevents an issue during installation on Windows 7/Vista that may result in low volume when certain enhancements are enabled.

- Implements Hardware CMSS Headphone by using a workaround.

- Updates all InstallShield setup scripts to support Windows 7.
- Fixes installation INI to properly install applications depending on the detected OS.
- Removes COM workaround for Equalizer, fixed by Creative.
- Adds workaround to a memory corruption issue preventing Equalizer from starting on Windows 7/Vista.
- Updates shared modules, responsiveness on certain applications is improved.
- Enables CMSS2 and Stereo Surround.
- Fixes 32-bit ASIO not working on Windows 7 x64.
- Fixes Encoder not available on Windows 7 x64 (related to fix above).
- Modifies default format on Windows 7 / Vista to 24-bit, 48kHz.
- Properly adds support for 64-bit OpenAL and 64-bit ASIO.

- Sets default speaker setting to 5.1 to properly reset configs to their defaults during install (fixes Bass and Treble leves not set to 50% on Windows 7 / Vista).

Undocumented fixes by Creative (not listed in the release notes):

- Fixes the Enable Dolby Digital Live checkbox not staying checked when Audio Console is closed.

- Fixes Equalizer Out of Memory error.
- Fixes Equalizer settings being lost on Windows 7 / Vista when speaker configuration is changed.
- Fixes low volume on Windows 7 / Vista when default format is set to anything higher than 16-bit, 48kHz.
- Fixes MIDI instruments in Melodic Pool not playing when speaker setting is higher than 2.1 speakers.
- Restores missing Microphone option in Surround Mixer (documented).
- Fixes Microphone mute, volume and +20db boost controls.

Release Notes:

Windows Security warning during driver installation

When prompted with: “Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software”, choose “Install this driver software anyway”.

OpenAL 2D benchmark in RightMark 3DSound crashes your system

Due to a driver bug, your system will crash if you run the OpenAL 2D benchmark using 63 buffers. No problem With 62 or fewer buffers. OpenAL 3D and OpenAL 3D + EAX benchmarks are not affected.

Details: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0×000000D1) – ctoss2k.sys

Microphone issues on Windows 7/Vista 64-bit (x64) with 4GB of RAM or more

Audigy driver does not support 64-bit addressing, resulting in random issues with the Microphone (static, robotic or distorted voice, white noise).

Workarounds:

- install the 32-bit (x86) version of Windows

- limit the RAM available to Windows to less than 4GB

- enable Memore Hole in BIOS Setup, if your motherboard supports the setting

6.1 Speakers incorrectly available on Windows 7 64-bit (x64)

Due to a version detection bug in the 64-bit drivers, the FilterSpeakerMode registry setting is ignored, exposing the 6.1 speakers setting on Windows 7 x64 edition.

Do not choose that mode as it causes sync issues with Windows mixer.

MediaSource DVD-Audio Player system requirements

- 32-bit edition of Windows 7 / Vista / XP

- any Audigy 2, Audigy 2 ZS or Audigy 4 card

Built-in Decoder on Windows 7 / Vista (requires Service Pack 1)

To use the built-in decoder, make sure it is enabled in Audio Console.

Select “SPDIF Out (Creative SB Audigy (WDM))” as the output device of your player and then configure the AC3/DTS filter to send the stream through SPDIF.

When you restart your computer, the Tone settings (Bass and Treble) are not applied.

Just readjust one of the controls one time per boot.

Advanced EQ and Special FX not available on Windows 7 / Vista

These presets don’t work on Windows 7 / Vista.

There is no sound in games with OpenAL support on Windows XP

Disable Advanced EQ and Special FX selecting “No effect” before running the game or program.

Equalizer settings are lost

When you run a game with OpenAL support or using Creative ALchemy, the Equalizer settings are lost.

Just run Equalizer and the saved setting is loaded automatically.

Tone settings are reset when speaker configuration is changed

Bass and treble settings are reset when speaker configuration is changed.

DTS Encoder Switcher

The Encoder Switcher can be found in the \EncSwitcher folder in the path where you extracted the Support Pack.

Thoroughly read the ReadMe.txt file included before using the provided utilities.

Hardware CMSS Headphone

To use the hardware CMSS you need to select “Disable all enhancements” in the “Enhancements” tab on:

Playback Devices -> Speaker Properties

Now check the Speaker configuration in “Playback devices”.

If it is Stereo, run Audio Console and change it to 4.1, 5.1 or 7.1 and only after that change it to Headphones.

This procedure ensures that CMSS(1) will work after a Windows restart, otherwise only CMSS2 will work.

Microsoft Audio Home Theater Effects

This driver adds the following audio effects, which are available depending on the current speaker configuration:

- Bass Management
- Speaker Fill
- Room Correction
- Loudness Equalization
- Bass Boost
- Virtual Surround
- Low Frequency Protection

Some effects are also available for the “SPDIF Out” device.

Some Microsoft effects have priority over Creative CMSS effects and will disable the later.

Windows MIDI Device Configuration Utility

Use this utility to change the MIDI playback device for 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

Download:

Filename: Audigy_SupportPack_3_1.exe

File size: 48.6 MB

CRC32 hash: 716D2A6D

SHA-1 hash: 69ECD7A8B61F3B384DA6E34C2AACEBDEC063D167

To verify the file hashes, I recommend HashTab.

Mirrors: Rapidshare (by daniel_k) / 4shared – Mediafire (Thx to blunden)

Hotfix for those who installed Support Pack 3.0 ONLY, fixes Speaker Fill not working, no reinstall required (if you’ve got 3.1, ignore this):

Mirror1 – Mirror2 – Mirror3 – Mirror4 – Read the README.TXT file included.

Creative Audio Driver Fix for AMD64 Architecture

Enables 64-bit application support for OpenAL and ASIO.

Read the ReadMe.txt file included before using the provided utility.

Mirror1 – Mirror2 – Mirror3 – Mirror4

All files are property of Creative Technology Ltd, unless otherwise noted.

Robert McClelland wants to steal my hard work

DTS Realtime Digital Encoding For Audigy Series

I’ve been playing about with this little beauty. It’s a far nicer option than the Creative Dolby Digital Live Pack for Audigy. I’ve just used it to switch it to dts. It’s less buggy and very slightly better quality than the DDL encoding I’ve been using. Go Go daniel_k powah!

DDL <-> DTS Encoder Switcher for Audigy Series 1.0 (05/14/2009)

This software pack is unofficial, not supported by Creative Labs.

Use it at your own risk.

DDL <-> DTS Encoder Switcher for Audigy Series by Daniel Kawakami

Supports any model of the following Sound Blaster cards (based on Emu10kx DSP):

- Audigy
- Audigy 2
- Audigy 2 ZS
- Audigy 4

Host-based Audigy SE/LS/Value and Live! 24-bit cards are not supported.

Operating systems supported: 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7  / Vista SP1 & SP2

Installation and use instructions:

1) Install the DDL & DTS Pack for Audigy Series by running Setup.exe.

2) Purchase and activate the software.

If you have already purchased DDL Pack for Audigy, the same activation code may work. If it doesn’t, there is nothing I can do about it.

If you didn’t buy it, purchase the DDL & DTS Pack for X-Fi using the following link:

http://buy.soundblaster.com/_creativelabsstore/cgi-bin/pd.cgi?page=product_detail&category=Software&pid=F2222DDN6Z2H2ADDEZD

3) Update Creative Audio Service:

For Windows 32-bit, open C:\Program Files\Creative\Shared Files.
For Windows 64-bit, open C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Shared Files.

Rename CTAudSvc.exe to CTAudSvc_backup.exe and copy the included CTAudSvc.exe (found in the \EncSwitcher folder where you’ve extracted the DDL/DTS Pack) to the same location.

Reboot.

4) Make sure Audio Console is not running and run AudigyEncSwitcher.exe (found in the \EncSwitcher folder where you’ve extracted the DDL/DTS Pack) to change the encoder to DTS or DDL.

5) Finally, run Audio Console and enable encoding.

KNOWN ISSUES:

DTS Neo: PC cannot be used with Audigy cards. Use CMSS instead.

This is a pre release mod, so although the DTS Interactive encoder is available and works, the Encoder tab still says Dolby Digital Live.

IMPORTANT:

- Always disable the Encoder before you switch to a different one.

- Always close Audio Console before you switch the encoder.

- It is recommended that Speaker mode is already set to 5.1 before enabling the Encoder, because of the bugs in the per channel volume level synchronization.

DOWNLOAD:

Filename: Audigy_DDL_DTS_Pack_LB_1_00_00.exe

File size: 5.60 MB

CRC32 hash: A2152539

MD5 hash: BC23349A8BC3B1583E9AADB1A8757277

SHA-1 hash: 91A74FADAEA6549F2B2A045CC2A028431150DA31

To verify the file hashes, I recommend HashTab.

Mirrors: Rapidshare

Mirrors: Sendspace

All files are property of Creative Technology Ltd, unless otherwise noted.

More information can be found in the original post at the Creative Fun Forum.

daniel_k’s Creative SB Audigy Series Support Pack 2.5

Supports any model of the following Sound Blaster cards (based on Emu10kx DSP):
- Audigy
- Audigy 2
- Audigy 2 ZS
- Audigy 4

Operating systems supported: 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7 RTM / Vista SP2 / XP SP3

Included in the pack:
- Audigy series driver 2.18.0011.6
- ALchemy 1.30.00
- Audio Console 1.31.10
- DDL License Activation 1.00.04 (*)
- Dolby Digital Live Pack 3.00.03 (*)
- EAX Console 3.00.56 (Windows XP only)
- Graphic Equalizer 2.00.65
- MediaSource DVD-Audio Player 2.00.78
- SoundFont Bank Manager 3.21.00
- Speaker Settings 2.00.60

Fixes and improvements:
- Workarounds a bug that unexpectedly resets the speaker configuration.
- Prevents an issue during installation on Windows 7/Vista that may result in low volume when certain enhancements are enabled.
- Really improves CMSS Headphone experience.
- Dolby Digital Live works on Windows 7.
- Updates all InstallShield setup scripts to support Windows 7.
- Fixes installation INI to properly install applications depending on the detected OS.
- Removes COM workaround for Equalizer, fixed by Creative.
- Adds workaround to a memory corruption issue preventing Equalizer from starting on Windows 7/Vista.
- Updates shared modules, responsiveness on certain applications is improved.
- Enables CMSS2 and Stereo Surround.
- Fixes 32-bit ASIO not working on Windows 7 x64.
- Fixes Encoder not available on Windows 7 x64 (related to fix above).
- Modifies default format on Windows 7 / Vista to 24-bit, 48kHz.
- Properly adds support for 64-bit OpenAL and 64-bit ASIO.
- Sets default speaker setting to 5.1 to properly reset configs to their defaults during install (fixes Bass and Treble leves not set to 50% on Windows 7 / Vista).

Undocumented fixes by Creative (not listed in the release notes):
- Fixes Equalizer Out of Memory error.
- Fixes Equalizer settings being lost on Windows 7 / Vista when speaker configuration is changed.
- Fixes low volume on Windows 7 / Vista when default format is set to anything higher than 16-bit, 48kHz.
- Fixes MIDI instruments in Melodic Pool not playing when speaker setting is higher than 2.1 speakers.
- Restores missing Microphone option in Surround Mixer (documented).
- Fixes Microphone mute, volume and 20db boost controls.

Release Notes:
Windows Security warning during driver installation
When prompted with: \”Windows can\’t verify the publisher of this driver software\”, choose \”Install this driver software anyway\”.
OpenAL 2D benchmark in RightMark 3DSound crashes your system
Due to a driver bug, your system will crash if you run the OpenAL 2D benchmark using 63 buffers. No problem With 62 or fewer buffers. OpenAL 3D and OpenAL 3D EAX benchmarks are not affected.
Details: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0×000000D1) – ctoss2k.sys

MediaSource DVD-Audio Player system requirements
- 32-bit edition of Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- any Audigy 2, Audigy 2 ZS or Audigy 4 card

Built-in Decoder on Windows 7 / Vista (requires Service Pack 1)
To use the built-in decoder, make sure it is enabled in Audio Console.

Select \”SPDIF Out (Creative SB Audigy (WDM))\” as the output device of your player and then configure the AC3/DTS filter to send the stream through SPDIF.
When you restart your computer, the Tone settings (Bass and Treble) are not applied.
Just readjust one of the controls one time per boot.
Advanced EQ and Special FX not available on Windows 7 / Vista
These presets don\’t work on Windows 7 / Vista.
There is no sound in games with OpenAL support on Windows XP
Disable Advanced EQ and Special FX selecting \”No effect\” before running the game or program.
Equalizer settings are lost
When you run a game with OpenAL support or using Creative ALchemy, the Equalizer settings are lost.
Just run Equalizer and the saved setting is loaded automatically.

Windows MIDI Device Configuration Utility
Use this utility to change the MIDI playback device for 32-bit and 64-bit applications.

(*) Purchase and activation required, more info at http://buy.soundblaster.com

Download

Mirror 1

Mirror 2

Mirror 3

Mirror 4

New Audigy Drivers 2.18.0011 For XP/Vista/Windows 7

Release date : 13 Jul 09

This download is a driver providing Microsoft® Windows® 7, Windows Vista® and Windows XP support for Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® series of audio devices. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.

File Name : SBAX_PCDRV_LB_2_18_0011.exe

This download is a driver providing Microsoft® Windows® 7, Windows Vista® and Windows XP support for Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® series of audio devices. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.

This download supports the following audio devices only:

• Sound Blaster Audigy including Platinum and Platinum eX series
• Sound Blaster Audigy 2 including Platinum, Platinum eX, and Value series
• Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS including Platinum and Platinum Pro series
• Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro and Sound Blaster Audigy 4
• Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA

Known Issues:

• Applications from the original Sound Blaster Audigy CD will not work with this download on Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Click here to download the latest applications that are available for your product.
• Users are advised to use Audio Console included in this download to change speaker configurations.
• Gameport is not supported in Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
• 6.1 speaker mode is not supported by Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Requirements:

• Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 7 32-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Vista 32-bit with SP1, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) 2005 or Windows XP MCE 2004
• Creative Sound Blaster Audigy audio devices listed above

Notes:

• DO NOT install this driver for Sound Blaster Audigy LS, Sound Blaster Audigy SE, or Sound Blaster Audigy Value.
• To install this driver
  1. Download the SBAX_PCDRV_LB_2_18_0011.exe file onto your local hard disk.
  2. Double-click the downloaded file.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Download: Mirror 1

Street Fighter IV Benchmark

The release of Street Fighter IV is only a couple of weeks away, on 3rd July 2009. I’m so excited about this game FINALLY making it to PC. Thankfully the release is part of the “Games For Windows” range. For anyone in the know, that means your (up to 4) XBOX 360 controller(s) will work beautifully. I have a wireless XBOX 360 controller hooked up to our Windows 7 media rig… so this game is going to be a real bonus in our house.

Anyway, Capcom have released a handy little benchmark tool to see if your PC is fast enough to run it.

Downloads

Street Fighter IV  Benchmark Link 1

Street Fighter IV Benchmark Link 2

Our rig scored Rank A @ 1366×768 – 8xAA – 16x AF details & models at high and soft shadows at highest. Serious eye candy!

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy series Driver 02.18.0010 released!

Creative have released some more official drivers. We’re testing them at the moment, and so far they look pretty incomplete. Anyway, here they are.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy series Driver 02.18.0010
Filesize : 37.91 MB
Release date : 23 Mar 09
File Name : SBAX_PCDRV_LB_2_18_0010.exe

This download is a driver providing Microsoft® Windows Vista® and Windows® XP support for Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® series of audio devices. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.

This download supports the following audio devices only:

* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy including Platinum and Platinum eX series
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 including Platinum, Platinum eX, and Value series
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS including Platinum and Platinum Pro series
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 Pro and Sound Blaster Audigy 4
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA

Added Features or Enhancements:

* Supports Dolby® Digital Live

To get the above mentioned feature you will need to purchase the Dolby Digital Live software pack.

Fixes:

* Restores missing Microphone option in Surround Mixer after installing driver 2.18.0001.

Known Issues:

* Applications from the original Sound Blaster Audigy CD will not work with this download on Windows Vista. Click here to download the latest applications that are available for your product.
* Users are advised to use Audio Console included in this download to change speaker configurations.
* Gameport is not supported in Windows Vista and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
* 6.1 speaker mode is not supported by Windows Vista.

Requirements:

* Windows Vista 64-bit with Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows Vista 32-bit with SP1, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) 2005 or Windows XP MCE 2004
* Creative Sound Blaster Audigy audio devices listed above.

Notes:

* DO NOT install this driver for Sound Blaster Audigy LS, Sound Blaster Audigy SE, or Sound Blaster Audigy Value.
* To install this driver
1. Download the SBAX_PCDRV_LB_2_18_0010.exe file onto your local hard disk.
2. Double-click the downloaded file.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

It’s already been pointed out, there is no 64bit ASIO support for 64bit applications. Who knows what else is missing.

They also install fine for people like me using Windows 7.

Wen Iz New Driver, NoMoreGoatSoup?

OK there’s been quite a few hate mails regarding the lack of driver release around here. For a couple of years now we’ve been tinkering with numerous ways to improve the stability and quality of Audigy drivers. So I thought I’d post an official response to “wen iz the new driver?“.

Well it’s coming soon.

The more knowledgeable among you may remember all the trouble daniel_k got himself in to. Those who don’t, you can get all the shocking details of Creative’s treachery here. Anyway, as a consequence, Creative have added in uber file protection to prevent 3rd party developers from revealing their secrets. That really put a dampener on development, sorry. We’re still experimenting with different things though. I’d have to say the new driver concoction is shaping up quite nicely. As soon as we’re happy with the release, it’ll be posted.

Over the next few weeks you can expect to see some further development in the official Creative drivers too. Creative will soon release Dolby Digital Live support for Audigy. This is great because it won’t work with drivers in their current state. Creative have two options.

• Release the Dolby Digital Live pack without new drivers. This might be the case. A while back Creative tried to sell ALchemy to Audigy users, while the drivers didn’t even except anything above stereo! If this is the way it is, x64 users can forget it due to stupid x32 driver limitations.
• Update the Audigy series drivers.

Creative have been saying now for a while Dolby is coming, and it has been delayed twice already. I’m beginning to feel like the unsupported customer again. They said it would be ready at Christmas, then again in the first Quarter of 2009.

We’ll have to see what happens. I bet they’ve conveniently forgotten about us Audigy owners again, though. Either that or the product won’t work.

I bet they drop Support for Windows 7 too.

Fix Punkbuster On Windows 7 (Restriction: Unknown windows API Function)

Well first off,  it’s been a while. I’ve been really busy over the Christmas/New Year period. I’m sorry for neglecting you all, but I really haven’t had anything to rage about. That was until yesterday… We all like Windows 7, right? I imagine most people do considering it’s the most reliable, speedy operating system that Microsoft have released to date. I’ve been a Microsoft partner for several years, and I was very keen to try both Vista and Windows 7. I liked Vista, but I loved Windows 7.

All my minor software bugs vanished. I’d even go as far as to say Vista drivers work better on Windows 7 than they do on Vista! I mustn’t forget the games. Oh god -the frame rates are so much better due to the streamlined architecture of Windows 7. My Call of Duty games played like crap on Vista. As soon as Vista saw DX9 and DX10 shaders, my PC would heat up like an oven and frame rates would plummet. Then I installed Windows 7.

Oh man this was better. It was faster than both XP and Vista. I don’t think I’m alone in this chain of thought. Many hardcore gamers quickly adopted Windows 7 as the “Gaming OS”. The rock solid stability matched with Vista drivers that had matured quite nicely made it a perfect choice for everyone. I played Call of Duty and man it was good.

Trouble is.. Microsoft have just released a very nasty update. Anyone playing a game with Punk Buster on Windows 7 can expect to get kicked as soon as they join a server. The screen will go black and they will see something like this.

Restriction: Unknown windows API Function [131131]

Wow that sucks. Somehow in the last 24 hours everyone’s online fun has been killed. What’s to blame? Punkbuster? EvenBalance? Microsoft? Here’s what I blame…

Windows Update: KB967062 A software update is available that addresses common application compatibility issues in Windows 7 Beta View products that this article applies to. Beta Information This article discusses a beta release of a Microsoft product. The information in this article is provided as-is and is subject to change without notice. No formal product support is available from Microsoft for this beta product. For information about how to obtain support for a beta release, see the documentation that is included with the beta product files, or check the Web location where you downloaded the release.

Well I’ll be removing this update to confirm it’s the cause -but it looks pretty much certain at this point. Let’s see what the kind people at Punkbuster say, shall we? They can help us!

Anyone posting about Windows beta’s not be supported by Punk Buster will have their thread locked with a link to this post. Even Balance has stated they will not support BETA OS’s period. Were not Even Balance so it’s no use whinnying about this on this forum. Use their ticket system to voice your complaints, pro’s and con’s as to why you think this is wrong.

http://www.evenbalance.com/troubleticket/new_ticket.php

System Restore and removing this update doesn’t restore Punkbuster.

UPDATE

Ok seems you can run PunkBuster on Windows 7 after all. After lots of messing about, I’ve found this works well, but only on Windows 7 build 7000.

* Enable Vista compabitility for PnkBstrA/B.exe in c:\windows\syswow64 and c:\users\your_username\appdata\local\punkbuster.
* Running above files with administrator rights.
* Enable Vista compabitility for C:\Program Files (x86)\Activision\Call of Duty 4 – Modern Warfare\iw3mp.exe
* Run iw3mp.exe (cod4 mp) without administrator rights

Thanks to zaggynl for the fix! I played for an hour on CoD:W@W Punk Buster Server!