Getting Started

Creative Sound Blaster Live!

Creative Audio Software
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this
manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without
the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and may be used or copied
only in accordance with the terms of the license agreement. It is against the law to copy the software on any other medium except as specifically allowed in the
license agreement. The licensee may make one copy of the software for backup purposes.

Copyright © 1998-1999 by Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.

Version 1.00
August 1999

Sound Blaster and Blaster are registered trademarks, and the Sound Blaster Live! logo, the Sound Blaster PCI logo, EMU10K1, Environmental Audio, and
Creative Multi Speaker Surround are trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. E-Mu and SoundFont are registered
trademarks of E-mu Systems, Inc.. SoundWorks is a registered trademark, and MicroWorks, PCWorks and FourPointSurround are trademarks of Cambridge
SoundWorks, Inc.. Microsoft, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other products are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.

This product is covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents:

4,506,579; 4,699,038; 4,987,600; 5,013,105; 5,072,645; 5,111,727; 5,144,676; 5,170,369; 5,248,845; 5,298,671; 5,303,309; 5,317,104; 5,342,990; 5,430,244;
5,524,074; 5,698,803; 5,698,807; 5,748,747; 5,763,800; 5,790,837.

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 Creative End-User Software License Agreement
Version 2.0, J u ne 199 8
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 Further, Creative shall not be liable for the accuracy of any CONTRACTOR/MANUFACTURER DECOMPILATION
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 Safety lnformation
CAUTION: This device is intended to be installed by the user in a
CSA/TUV/UL certified/listed IBM AT or compatible personal
Notice for Canada
computers in the manufacturer’s defined operator access area. Check This apparatus complies with the Class “B” limits for radio Declaration of Conformity
the equipment operating/installation manual and/or with the interference as specified in the Canadian Department of According to the FCC96 208 and ET95-19
equipment manufacturer to verify/confirm if your equipment is Communications Radio Interference Regulations.
Name: Creative Labs Inc.
suitable for user-installed application cards. Cet appareil est conforme aux normes de CLASSE “B” d’interference
Address: 1901 McCarthy Boulevard
ATTENTION: Ce carte est destiné à être installé par l’utilisateur, radio tel que spe’cifie’ par le Ministère Canadien des
Communications dans les règlements d’interfe’rence radio. Milpitas, CA. 95035
dans un ordinateur compatible certifié CSA/TUV/UL ou listé IBM
United States
AT, à l’intérieur de la zone définie par le fabricant. Consulter le mode
Tel: (408) 428-6600
d’emploi ou le fabricant de l’appareil pour vérifier ou confirmer si
l’utilisateur peut y installer lui-même des cartes périphériques.
Compliance declares under its sole responsibility that the product
This product conforms to the following Council Directive:
Trade Name: Creative Labs
Notice for the USA ❑ Directive 89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC (EMC)
Model Number: CT4760
FCC Part 15: This equipment has been tested and found to comply has been tested according to the FCC / CISPR22/85
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the requirement for Class B devices and found compliant with
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable the following standards:
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency EMI/EMC: ANSI C63.4 1992, FCC Part 15 Subpart B
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
communications. However, this notice is not a guarantee that
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
2. This device must accept any interference received,
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television including interference that may cause undesirable
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and operation.
on, the user is encouraged to try one or more of the following
measures: Ce matériel est conforme à la section 15 des régles FCC.
Son Fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes:
❑ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
1. Le matériel ne peut étre source D’interférences et
❑ Increase the distance between the equipment and receiver.
2. Doit accepter toutes les interférences reques, Y compris
❑ Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from celles pouvant provoquer un fonctionnement indésirable.
that to which the receiver is connected.
❑ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician. Compliance Manager
CAUTION: To comply with the limits for the Class B digital device, Creative Labs, Inc.
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules, this device must be installed in March 16, 1999
computer equipment certified to comply with the Class B limits.
All cables used to connect the computer and peripherals must be
shielded and grounded. Operation with non-certified computers or
non-shielded cables may result in interference to radio or television
reception.

Modifications
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the grantee
of this device could void the user’s authority to operate the device.

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 Contents
lntroduction
The #1 Audio Solution for Internet Entertainment and Gaming .............................. ix
System Requirements ................................................................................................. ix
Live!Ware Benefits ............................................................................................................x
Getting More Information ........................................................................................... x
Where To Go From Here ............................................................................................. x
Other Recommendations ............................................................................................ xi
Document Conventions ....................................................................................................xi

Knowing and lnstalling Your Card

Your Audio Card ...................................................................................................................1-2
Installing the Card and Related Peripherals .........................................................................1-3
Positioning Your Speakers ....................................................................................................1-5
Enhancing Your Sound Blaster Live! Experience................................................................1-5
Playing Games and Music ........................................................................................1-5
Watching DVD Movies or Playing DVD Games ....................................................1-5
Recording and Content Authoring ...........................................................................1-8

2 lnstalling Software in Windows 95/98

Setting Up the Audio Drivers .................................................................................................... 2-1
Installing the Applications ....................................................................................................2-4

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 Using Sound Blaster Live! .........................................................................................................2-4
Uninstalling the Applications................................................................................................2-5
Reinstalling the Audio Drivers From the Installation Disc..................................................2-5
Playing Legacy Games ..........................................................................................................2-5

3 lnstalling Software in Windows NT 4.0

Installing the Software.......................................................................................................... 3-1
Setting Up Joystick Drivers in Windows NT 4.0 .................................................................3-1
Using Sound Blaster Live! .........................................................................................................3-2
Reinstalling the Audio Drivers From the Installation Disc..................................................3-2
Uninstalling Sound Blaster Live! ..............................................................................................3-2

4 Using Sound Blaster Live!

Sound Blaster Live! Experience ...........................................................................................4-2
Creative EAX Demo ............................................................................................................ 4-2
Creative Diagnostics ............................................................................................................. 4-2
Creative Launcher................................................................................................................. 4-2
Surround Mixer......................................................................................................................4-3
AudioHQ ...............................................................................................................................4-5
SoundFont Control. ...................................................................................................4-6
Device Controls .........................................................................................................4-8
Creative Keyboard ..........................................................................................................4-9
Environmental Audio Control ............................................................................... 4-10
AutoEA ................................................................................................................... 4-11
Wave Studio ........................................................................................................................ 4-12
Creative PlayCenter ............................................................................................................ 4-12
Creative Recorder ............................................................................................................... 4-12
Creative LAVA!......................................................................................................................................................... 4-13
Creative Keytar ......................................................................................................................... 4-14
Creative Rhythmania. ............................................................................................................... 4-15

vi

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 A General Specifications
Features ................................................................................................................................. A-1
Connectivity ......................................................................................................................... A-3
Sound Blaster Live! card......................................................................................... A-3

B SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98

Background ...........................................................................................................................B-1
Understanding the Installation Program ..............................................................................B-2
The AUTOEXEC.BAT File Settings.......................................................................B-2
The CONFIG.SYS File Settings..............................................................................B-3
System Resource Settings.....................................................................................................B-3
Input/Output (I/O) Addresses...................................................................................B-3
Interrupt Request (IRQ) Line...................................................................................B-4
Direct Memory Access (DMA) Channel ................................................................B-4
Environment Variables..........................................................................................................B-5
CTSYN Environment Variable................................................................................B-5
BLASTER Environment Variable ...........................................................................B-5
Determining Resources.........................................................................................................B-6
Selecting the Best Audio Options in a Game ......................................................................B-7
Music Options...........................................................................................................B-7
Digital Audio Options ..............................................................................................B-7
MS-DOS Mode Utilities.......................................................................................................B-8
SBECFG.EXE ..........................................................................................................B-8
SBEMIXER.EXE.....................................................................................................B-8
SBESET.EXE ...........................................................................................................B-9
SBEGO.EXE ......................................................................................................... B-10

C Changing Audio Card Settings

Enabling/Disabling Gameport Joystick Interface................................................................C-1
Enabling/Disabling Other Features......................................................................................C-2

vii

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 D Troubleshooting
Problems Installing Software. ...................................................................................................D-1
Problems With Sound .......................................................................................................... D-2
Problem with Surround Mixer............................................................................................. D-5
Insufficient SoundFont Cache ............................................................................................. D-5
Problems With Joystick ....................................................................................................... D-6
Resolving I/O Conflicts ....................................................................................................... D-6
Problems in Windows NT 4.0 ............................................................................................. D-7
Problems with Encore DVD Player .................................................................................... D-8

viii

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 lntroduction
The # Audio Solution Sound Blaster Live! is the top audio solution for your games, movies, CDs, MP3 songs and other
for lnternet internet entertainment. With its support for today’s leading audio standard—Environmental
Audio—Sound Blaster Live! creates real-life, multidimensional sound and multi-textured
Entertainment and
acoustical environments for the most realistic 3D audio experience. Its powerful EMU10K1 audio
Gaming processor delivers audio at optimum CPU performance with the highest fidelity and absolute
clarity. Combine it with a four-speaker setup and you’ll experience realistic 3D audio,
Environmental Audio in supported games, and enjoy your movies with true surround sound. The
Live!Ware upgrade program will keep your Sound Blaster Live! card up to date with continual
upgrades supporting future technologies, functionality, and features.
If wish to create your own music or audio content in the future, your Sound Blaster Live! card
also offers you many upgrade options which will allow you to connect multiple digital and analog
devices simultaneously, including keyboards and other music gear, as well as optical connection
to MiniDisc and DAT recorders.

System Requirements For Creative software, your card requires at least:

❑ Genuine Intel® Pentium® class processor:
133 MHz for Windows 95/98, 200 MHz for Windows NT 4.0
❑ Intel or 100% compatible motherboard chipset
❑ Windows 95, 98 or Windows NT 4.0
❑ 16 MB RAM for Windows 95/98 (32 MB RAM recommended),
32 MB RAM for Windows NT 4.0

ix

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 ❑ 65 MB of free hard disk space
❑ Open half-length PCI 2.1 compliant slot
❑ Headphones or amplified speakers (available separately)
❑ CD-ROM drive required for software installation
Sound Blaster Live! Value gives you an estimate of the hard disk space required when you select
it on the installation screen. Included applications may need higher system requirements or
microphone for basic functionalities. Refer to the documentation for individual applications for
details.

Live!Ware Benefits Your Investment Is Protected as you have less of a likelihood of finding your audio card
obsolete shortly after purchasing it. Through Live!Ware, new features and applications are always
made available for you to experience the latest technology and to extend the life of your card.
The Value and Experience Increases Over Time as Live!Ware continues to deliver new
capabilities and enhancements. Each upgrade will “rejuvenate” your audio card, allowing you to
experience new functionality. It is as if your audio card is “reborn”.
Your Card Is Up To Date because the latest Live!Ware upgrades are only a download away.
When new standards and capabilities emerge, your hardware is ready for it—just download the
functions and the card becomes up-to-date!

Getting More lnformation See the online User’s Guide for MIDI specifications and connector pin assignments, as well as
instructions on using the various applications in your audio package.

Where To Go From ❑ Installation instructions: Chapter 1, “Knowing and Installing Your Card”
Here ... ❑ Connectivity reference diagrams: Chapter 1, “Knowing and Installing Your Card”
❑ Learning about the bundled applications:
• Chapter 4, “Using Sound Blaster Live!”
• Refer to the accompanying leaflet for your Sound Blaster Live! package.

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 Other Recommendations ❑ For an overview of the features of your card, launch the Sound Blaster Live! Experience
program.
❑ View the contents of the Demo CD for additional demonstrations, libraries and other software.
❑ Visit the www.sblive.com site for more information, content and Live!Ware updates.

Document Conventions The following typographical conventions are used throughout this document:
bold Text that must be entered exactly as it appears.
italic Title of a book or a placeholder, which represents the information you must
provide.
UPPERCASE Directory name, file name, or acronym.
The notepad icon indicates information that is of particular importance and
should be considered before continuing.
The alarm clock designates a caution or warning that can help you avoid
situations involving risk.

xi

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 Knowing and lnstalling Your Card
1
This chapter is organized as follows:
❑ Your Audio Card
❑ Installing the Card and Related Peripherals
❑ Positioning Your Speakers
❑ Enhancing Your Sound Blaster Live! Experience

Knowing and Installing Your Card 1-1

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 Your Audio Card Your audio card has these jacks and connectors which allow you to attach other devices:

CD Audio connector AUX connector

Connects to the Analog Audio output on a CD-ROM Connects to internal audio sources such as
A jack is a one-hole connecting or DVD-ROM drive using a CD audio cable. TV Tuner, MPEG, or other similar cards.
interface whereas a connector Telephone Answering Device CD SPDIF connector
consists of many pins. Some connector Connects to the SPDIF (Digital
Provides a mono connection from a Audio) output (where available) on
connectors here may not be
standard voice modem, and transmits a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
available on your card. Refer to microphone signals to the modem.
the online User’s Guide,
“Hardware Information”, for
Digital Out jack
details on connector pin
Front and Rear SPDIF output channels
assignments. for connection to external digital
devices, such as a Digital Audio Tape
(DAT) or MiniDisc recorder via a Digital
Output Module (available separately).
Line In jack
Connects to an external device Audio Extension
Line Out and Rear Out jacks can (such as a cassette, DAT, or MiniDisc (Digital I/O) connector
be used simultaneously to power player). Connects to the Digital I/O
4.1 channel speaker systems, Microphone In jack card or Drive Bay (available
Connects to an external microphone separately).
for example,
for voice input.
FourPointSurround™ speaker Line Out jack Warning:.This is not
systems from Cambridge Connects to powered speakers or an
external amplifier for audio output. an IDE interface. Do
SoundWorks.
Also supports headphones. not connect to your
Rear Out jack Joystick/MIDI connector IDE devices.
Connects to powered speakers or an Connects to a joystick or a MIDI device. You can
external amplifier for audio output. buy an optional MIDI kit that allows you to plug in
the joystick and MIDI device simultaneously.

Figure 1-1: Jacks and connectors on the Sound Blaster Live! card.

1-2 Knowing and Installing Your Card

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 lnstalling the Card 1. Switch off your system and all peripheral devices.
2. Touch a metal plate on your system to ground yourself and to discharge any static
and Related electricity, and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
Peripherals 3. Remove the cover from your system.
4. Remove the metal plates from two unused PCI expansion slots in your system and put the
screws aside, to be used later.
5. Align the Sound Blaster Live! card with the vacant PCI expansion slot. Press the card
Do not force the audio card into gently and evenly into the slot as shown in Figure 1-2. Ensure that the card is seated firmly
the slot. If it does not fit properly, inside the PCI expansion slot.
gently remove it and try again .
6. Secure the card to the expansion slot with a ii. Fasten the card
screw. to the slot with a
screw. Unused brackets
7. To learn how to connect to other devices, see i. Gently press the
Figure 1-3. audio card into
the slot.
8. Replace the cover onto your system.
The joystick connector on your 9. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet, and
audio card is identical to that on a switch on the system.
standard PC game control adapter
or the game I/O connector. You PCI slot
can connect any analog joystick ISA slot
with a 15-pin D-shell connector or
any device compatible with the Figure 1-2: Securing the audio card to the
standard PC joystick. To use two PCI expansion slot.
joysticks, you need a Y-cable
splitter.

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 CD-ROM drive PC-DVD drive
Connects to digital speakers*,
MiniDisc or DAT via minijack-to-DIN
cable or Digital Output Module.
See “Enhancing Your Sound Blaster
Live! Experience” on page 1-5 for
❑ If you are playing games in more details. MPC-to-MPC (2-pin)
MPC-to-
Windows 95/98 MS-DOS mode MPC (4-pin) audio cable
audio cable
(pure DOS mode), you must: Cassette and CD player,
Line-out
• Make sure the CD In connector Synthesizer, etc.

and the Analog Audio

connector of the CD-ROM or Line In
Mic In
PC-DVD drive are connected. Microphone Rear Out
• In addition, if you get distorted Line Out
audio, do not connect the CD
SPDIF connector to the Digital Joystick/MIDI
To analog input of
Audio connector of the CD- FourPointSurround
ROM or PC-DVD drive. speakers

❑ If you connect to the Digital Audio Sound Blaster Live! card

Connects to Optical
Digital I/O card or Drive
and Analog Audio connectors of Bay. See “Enhancing
the same CD-ROM or PC-DVD GamePad Your Sound Blaster Live!
Experience” on page 1-5
drive, do not unmute CD Audio for more details.

and CD Digital at the same time in * e.g., FPS2000 Digital

speakers from
Surround Mixer. Cambridge SoundWorks Figure 1-3: Connecting other devices.

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 Positioning Your If you are using four speakers, place them so that they Sub-
form the corners of a square with you exactly in the woofer
Speakers center (as in Figure 1-4) and that they are angled Computer
monitor
toward you. Make sure the computer monitor is not
blocking the path of your front speakers. You may want Front left Front right
speaker
to adjust the relative positions of the speakers until you speaker

get the audio experience you like best. If you have a You
subwoofer, place the unit in a corner of the room for
the best bass experience. Rear left Rear right
speaker speaker

Figure 1-4: Recommended speaker positions

for the 4-speaker configuration.

Enhancing Your The Sound Blaster Live! card alone will most undoubtedly give you endless hours of listening
pleasure. To further enhance your SB Live! experience, there are several upgrade options
Sound Blaster Live! (available separately) depending on your needs. The following provides some information on the
Experience available options to consider. The diagrams on the next two pages show how these options can
be connected to your SB Live! card.

Playing Games and Music ❑ With FourPointSurround or DeskTop Theater 5.1 Digital speaker systems from Cambridge
SoundWorks, you can experience crystal clear gaming sequences or music from the Digital
DIN connection. A minijack-to-DIN cable is bundled with the speaker set for this connection.

Watching DVD Movies or ❑ To watch DVD movies on your PC, why not get Creative’s PC-DVD kit which comes with a
Playing DVD Games PC-DVD drive and Encore MPEG2 decoder card? You can connect your Encore Dxr2, Encore
Dxr3 or MPEG2 decoder card to an external Dolby Digital (AC-3) decoder such as DeskTop
Theater speaker systems and disconnect the Sound Blaster Live! card’s Aux In connector from
the decoder card’s Audio Out connector. However, if an external Dolby Digital (AC-3)
decoder speaker system is not available, this connection is necessary.

* Information continues on page1-8.

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 Digital Out
Playing Games and Music jack
with FourPointSurround or
Digital Speaker System Minijack-to-DIN
cable

FourPointSurround Digital
Digital Speaker DIN Connects to the
System Optical Digital I/O card
or Drive Bay
Sound Blaster (see next page).
Live! card
Analog Line and Rear Inputs

Watching DVD Movies Connect for downmix audio only when

Recording and Content Authoring a Dolby Digital (AC-3) decoder
with Digital Output Module or Playing DVD Games
speaker system is not available.
with Creative PC-DVD
Recording to external and DeskTop Theater 5.1
digital devices supporting Digital Speaker System
Digital device ( e.g., DAT) RCA SPDIF input
SPDIF In (RCA)
Dolby Digital (AC-3)
SPDIF Out jack
Digital
Output MPEG2 decoder card
Module

Dolby Digital Digital

(AC-3) DIN
Digital device with SPDIF In
optical input
DeskTop Theater 5.1 Digital
(e.g., MiniDisc)
Speaker System

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 Recording and Content Authoring Recording and Content Authoring
with Optical Digital I/O card and with Drive Bay
Digital I/O Module

Recording to or from an
To Digital Speaker
SPDIF (RCA) external digital device
Digital device Digital device System*
In Out supporting RCA SPDIF SPDIF (RCA)
( e.g., DAT) In Out ( e.g., DAT)
input/output

AUX input from Digital

SPDIF In (RCA) MiniDisc DIN
an analog source
Digital I/O (e.g., CD player,
Module tape deck)
Metal
MiniDisc bracket
Recorder Optical
Output
Connects
Optical 2nd analog Line In for an to SB Live!
Input additional recording device card

Drive Bay

Line In 2

To Digital Speaker Digital In/Out Connects

System* Digital DIN to SB Live!
card
MIDI In

MIDI Out Headphones Microphone /

Line In
MIDI devices MIDI devices
(e.g., MIDI keyboard) (e.g., MIDI keyboard)
Optical
Digital I/O Note: The Optical and AUX input
card jacks are available only in certain
models of the Drive Bay.

*e.g., FourPointSurround
or DeskTop Theater 5.1 Digital
Speaker Systems*

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 Recording and Content ❑ With the Digital Output Module connected to the Digital Out jack of the Sound Blaster Live!
Authoring card, you get two sets of SPDIF (RCA) and Optical outputs which allow you to connect and
record to external digital devices like MiniDisc or DAT recorders.
❑ If you are a musician with semi-professional requirements, you may want to upgrade your
Sound Blaster Live! card with either the Optical Digital I/O card (plus Digital I/O Module),
or the Drive Bay.
❑ For either options, you will be given:
• A set of SPDIF (RCA) and Optical input/output jacks for recording to and from external
digital devices;
• Standard MIDI input/output connectors for connection to MIDI devices;
• A Digital DIN connector for connection to digital speakers such as the
FourPointSurround or DeskTop Theater 5.1 Digital Speaker Systems;
• A second analog Line In allows you to connect to an additional input device (e.g. a CD
player) for recording.
❑ The Drive Bay fits into the standard 5¼” drive bay of your computer and thus allows you easy
access to these connectors from its front panel. The Headphones and Microphone utilizes ¼”
jacks for high-quality connectivity.

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 lnstalling Software in Windows 95/98
2
This chapter shows you how to install the audio software in Windows 95/98 after installing your
card. It consists of the following sections:
❑ Setting Up the Audio Drivers
❑ Installing the Applications
❑ Using Sound Blaster Live!
❑ Uninstalling the Applications
❑ Reinstalling the Audio Drivers From the Installation Disc
❑ Playing Legacy Games

You need device drivers to control the components on your audio card. After you have installed
Setting Up the the card and switched on your system, Windows 95/98 automatically detects the components,
Audio Drivers and then either installs the drivers automatically or prompts you for the drivers. You may
encounter the following messages, which may not be in the sequence shown.
❑ If a message similar to Figure 2-1 appears, just take
note of it and wait for the next message.

Figure 2-1: Message box indicating the

detection of a device.

Installing Software in Windows 95/98 2-1

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 ❑ If a dialog box similar to Figure 2-2 appears, click
the Driver from disk provided by hardware
manufacturer option, and then click the OK
button.
❑ If the Install From Disk dialog box or a dialog box
similar to Figure 2-3 appears:
1. Insert the installation disc into your CD-ROM
drive and select the drive.
2. If there is a Specify a location check box, make
sure it is selected and clear the other check Figure 2-2: Driver installation dialog box
boxes. where the Windows default
driver option is not available.

3. Click the Browse button and select the folder

AUDIO\Language\WIN9XDRV
where Language is the language of the software
that you want to install.
4. Click the OK button.
The required files are copied to your hard disk.

Figure 2-3: Windows 98 Add New

Hardware Wizard dialog box.

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 ❑ If a dialog box similar to Figure 2-4 appears:
1. Click the Other Locations button.
2. At the Select Other Locations dialog box, click
the Browse button and select the folder
AUDIO\Language\WIN9XDRV
where Language is the language of the software
that you want to install.
3. Click the OK button, and then click the Finish
button.
Some of the required files are copied to your hard Figure 2-4: Update Device Driver Wizard
disk. However, an error message stating that a dialog box when driver cannot
be found.
file (2GMGSMT.SF2 or otherwise) cannot be
found also appears.
4. Click the OK button.
5. At the Copying Files dialog box, click the Browse button and select the folder
AUDIO\Language\WIN9XDRV
where Language is the language of the software that you want to install.
6. Click the Open button, and then click the OK button twice.
The file is copied to your hard disk.

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 ❑ If a dialog box similar to Figure 2-5 appears, click
the Next button, and follow the instructions on the
screen to complete the installation of the driver.
❑ If a Version Conflict message box appears about
VJOYD.VXD and MSJSTICK.DRV, click the Yes
button to keep the files.

Figure 2-5: Update Device Driver Wizard

dialog box at start of installation

lnstalling the 1. If your installation disc is already in your CD-ROM drive, eject the disc and insert it again.
The disc supports Windows AutoPlay mode and starts running automatically. If not, see
Applications “Problems Installing Software” on page D-1.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

Using Sound Blaster Congratulations! You have successfully installed Sound Blaster Live! For more information on
how you can get the most out of your audio card, refer to Chapter 4, “Using Sound Blaster
Live! Live!” .

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 Uninstalling the Use the following steps to cleanly remove applications before you reinstall them to correct
problems, change configurations, or make version upgrades.
Applications
To uninstall the applications:
1. Close the audio card’s applications if they are open. This includes Creative Launcher and
the SB Live! icon on the taskbar. Applications that are still running during the
uninstallation wil not be removed.
2. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
3. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
4. In the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box, select Sound Blaster Live!, and
then click the Add/Remove button.
5. In the Creative Uninstaller dialog box, select the check boxes of the items you want to
delete and then click the Next button.
The selected applications will be uninstalled.
6. Click the OK button to close the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box.
7. Restart the computer if prompted.

Reinstalling the You may want to reinstall only the audio drivers if you think they have been corrupted.

Audio Drivers From 1. Insert the installation disc into your CD-ROM drive.
the lnstallation Disc 2. Run the UPDDRV95.EXE program from the AUDIO\Language\WIN9XDRV folder of
your CD-ROM drive, where Language is the language of the software that you want to
install. The updating process may take a while. When the progress indicator box
disappears, the update is complete.

Playing Legacy For more information, see Appendix B, “SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98”.

Games
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 lnstalling Software in Windows NT 4.0
3
This chapter shows you how to install the audio software in Windows NT 4.0 after installing
your card. It consists of the following sections:
❑ Installing the Software
❑ Setting Up Joystick Drivers in Windows NT 4.0
You cannot install more than one ❑ Using Sound Blaster Live!
Sound Blaster audio card of the ❑ Reinstalling the Audio Drivers From the Installation Disc
same type on your computer. ❑ Uninstalling Sound Blaster Live!

The software installation in NT 4.0 includes the installation of audio drivers.

lnstalling the
Software 1. Insert the installation disc into your CD-ROM drive.
The AutoPlay screen appears.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

1. Log on to your computer as Administrator.

Setting Up Joystick
2. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
Drivers in Windows 3. Double-click the Multimedia icon, click the Devices tab, and then click the Add button.
NT 4.0 4. In the List of Drivers box of the Add dialog box, select Unlisted Or Updated Driver, and
then click the OK button.

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 5. Insert the Windows NT 4.0 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
6. In the Install Driver dialog box, type
E:\DRVLIB\MULTIMED\JOYSTICK\X86
if E:\ is the CD-ROM drive letter, and then click the OK button.
7. In the Add Unlisted Or Updated Driver dialog box, click Analog Joystick Driver, and
then click the OK button.
8. In the Microsoft Joystick Configuration dialog box, click the OK button.
9. Restart your computer when prompted.

Using Sound Blaster Refer to Chapter 4, “Using Sound Blaster Live!” . They also apply in Windows NT 4.0.

Live!

Reinstalling the You may want to reinstall the audio drivers if you think they are corrupted.

Audio Drivers From 1. Insert the installation disc into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Run the UPDPCINT.EXE program from the AUDIO\Language\NT4DRV folder of your
the lnstallation Disc CD-ROM drive, where Language is the language of the software that you want to install.
3. Restart your computer when prompted. You may be prompted to restart more than once.
4. If a Windows NT 4.0 Service Control Manager error message appears,
see “Resolving I/O Conflicts” on page D-6.

Uninstalling Sound To uninstall the Sound Blaster Live! software, follow the steps listed in the section “Uninstalling
the Applications” on page 2-5. They also apply in Windows NT 4.0.
Blaster Live!

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 Using Sound Blaster Live!
4
Sound Blaster Live! is supported by a full range of applications to help you get the absolute most
from the audio card. The software most important to the operation of your audio card is the
Sound Blaster Live! group:
❑ Sound Blaster Live! Experience
❑ Creative EAX Demo
❑ Creative Diagnostics
❑ Creative Launcher
❑ Surround Mixer
❑ AudioHQ
❑ Wave Studio
❑ Creative PlayCenter
❑ Creative Keytar
❑ Creative LAVA!
❑ Creative Keytar
❑ Creative Rhythmania

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 Sound Blaster Live! Sound Blaster Live! Experience presents an interactive introduction to Sound Blaster Live!. It
demonstrates the many wonderful experiences Sound Blaster Live! can give you.
Experience
To run SB Live! Experience, bring your pointer to the top of the screen to display Creative
Launcher, click the Sound Blaster Live! tab, and then click the SB Live! Experience icon. On the
opening screen, click to select the topic that interests you.

Creative EAX Demo Run this EAX demonstration to learn more about Environmental Audio and how it makes
computer games and simulations more realistic by taking into account the accoustic properties
of the surroundings that you are supposed to be in.

Creative Diagnostics Use Creative Diagnostics to quickly test your audio card’s Wave, MIDI or CD Audio playback,
recording function and speaker output.

Creative Launcher Creative Launcher allows you to organize your desktop and open Creative applications quickly.

Creative Launcher resides at the top of your screen. It consists of the system menu icon (the
Creative logo at the top left corner), the website icon, group tabs, and the group items. The
Environmental Audio icon is on the right.
The Live!Task tab in the Launcher offers a "one-touch" setting which you can use to perform a
task easily. An application can be launched with its associated Super-Environment Presets using
the Launcher. The controls are arranged intuitively:
"I want to" [perform a task] "With" [this Super-Environment preset]
The Readme file on that page offers a comprehensive description on how to configure this “one-
touch” setting. Click the right-arrow on the right until you can see the Readme icon; then click it.

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 You can create and save new Super-Environment presets in Creative Surround Mixer and then
configure them in Launcher.
The installation creates a number of group tabs in Launcher that may contain shortcuts to
Creative applications such as PlayCenter and Recorder. It may also contain shortcuts to other
applications for your hardware settings, volume control, help files, or demonstration programs
by Creative.
For details on managing groups and items in Launcher, see its online help.

Surround Mixer Creative Surround Mixer is the nerve center for setting and controlling the various aspects of
your audio card. It consists of two "detachable" decks: the Main deck and the Mixer deck.

Set Super-Environment
presets here

Speaker view
Main
deck

Spectrum view
Mixer
deck

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 Main deck The top area of the Main deck allows you to:
• Select tasks or save, delete, import and export Super-Environment presets. You can save
endless combinations of these settings as Super-Environment presets for the selected
speaker output. A Super-Environment preset, when selected, is your passport to a one-
step automatic configuration of speakers, mixer and effects for whatever you want to do:
play a particular game, record to a particular medium, record or play in a particular
style—each style having its unique set of positions of audio input sources. These presets
can then be configured for use in Creative Launcher's Live!Task.
The three buttons at the left side of the Main deck allows you to switch between three different
views:
• In the Effects view, you can select and create your audio environment and position audio
sources within the speaker configuration space.
• In the Speaker view, you can select your speaker setup and perform a speaker output test.
• In the Spectrum view, you can select and display the spectrum analyzer during playback
or recording.

Mixer deck The Mixer deck allows you to:

• Mix sounds from various audio input sources when playing or recording;
• Adjust the volume level for the audio input sources;
• Adjust the treble and bass level, front/rear or left/right balance.
Tip
❑ If you are not sure what the icons on the Surround Mixer represent, place the pointer over any
icon or area to display the tooltip.
For details on what you can do in Surround Mixer, explore the its online help.

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 AudioHQ AudioHQ contains several control utilities that allow you to view, audition, or set up the audio
properties of one or more audio devices on your computer.

AudioHQ can be accessed using any of the following methods:

• Click the AudioHQ tab in Creative Launcher;
• Click Start -> Programs -> Creative -> Sound Blaster Live! -> AudioHQ;
• Click the AudioHQ icon located at the bottom right corner of your Windows desktop.

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 SoundFont Control Creative SoundFont Control allows you to configure MIDI banks with SoundFont files and
instruments, as well as set the caching algorithm and space.

Configure a MlDl Bank To configure a MIDI bank:

1. In SoundFont dialog box, click the Configure
Bank tab.
2. In the Select Bank list, select the MIDI bank to
configure.
3. Click the Load button and load the SoundFont
file you want to the MIDI bank.
The latest file loaded always appears at the top
of the Bank Stack box.
The top of the stack is indicated by an arrow.
4. To replace a SoundFont file, click the file and
then click the Replace button.
5. To clear a bank from the stack, select the bank
and then click the Clear button.
A variation bank can only be cleared by clearing its main bank.
6. Repeat Steps 3, 4 or 5 as required.
By stacking a SoundFont file instead of replacing one with the other, you may return to the
original sounds or use the new selection.
You can “spot” hide particular instruments by loading one or more SoundFont files on top of the
original.
When you clear a SoundFont file, you remove the latest configuration of the main bank and any
variation banks, including the latest configuration of instruments on the Configure Instrument
tabbed page.

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 Configure an lnstrument To configure an instrument:
1. In the SoundFont dialog box, click the
Configure Instrument tab.
2. In the Select Bank list, select the bank whose
instruments you want to configure. You can
select any bank.
3. In the Select Instrument list, select the
instrument to configure.
In the Instrument Stack, you may see an
instrument entry although you did not load an
instrument on this page. The instrument can be
found in a bank loaded on the Configure Bank
Setting the maximum amount of
tabbed page.
cache memory for SoundFont files
does not mean setting aside or 4. Click the Load button and load a SoundFont or
reserving the space. The space can single-instrument (for example, .WAV) file.
still be used by your computer or The last file loaded always appears at the top of the Instrument Stack with an arrow
other files, if needed. pointing to it.
5. To clear an instrument from the stack, select the instrument and then click the Clear
button.
6. For faster processing of SoundFont files, the files are loaded into memory. You need to set
the maximum amount of cache memory your SoundFont files can occupy, so that your
system performance does not suffer from insufficient memory. You can also set the caching
algorithm for a balanced system performance.

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 SoundFont Options You change the following options on the Options
tabbed page of the SoundFont Control dialog box:
To specify the caching algorithm:
• Select an algorithm from the SoundFont Cache
list.
To set the amount of cache for SoundFont files:
• Drag the SoundFont Cache slider to set the
amount of cache.
To change the SoundFont device
• Select the new device from the SoundFont
Device list.

Device Controls Device Controls allows you to configure for audio playback the audio devices that allow
multiple simultaneous Wave playback sessions. For example, you can play five Wave tracks at
the same time and enjoy the sounds from them all.

Playback Sessions To set maximum simultaneous Wave playback sessions:

• On the Wave tabbed page, drag the Maximum
Simultaneous Wave Playback slider to the right to set a
higher number of Wave playback sessions, or to the left
to set a lower number of simultaneous playback sessions.

Sound Device To select the sound device to configure:

• On the Options tabbed page, click the device you want to
configure from the Sound Device list.
The device is immediately selected.

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 Creative Keyboard Creative Keyboard is a virtual keyboard which allows you to audition or play musical notes
produced through MIDI devices. To edit the sound, use Vienna SoundFont Studio or another
sound editor.

MlDl lnput To select a MIDI input device:

1. In the Select MIDI In box in the Options
dialog box, click the correct MIDI port.
2. Click the OK button.
You can use external MIDI input devices to audition
your MIDI banks and instruments. First, connect a
MIDI input device to your audio card and then select
that device in Creative Keyboard.

Test an lnstrument To test an instrument:

1. In Creative Keyboard, click the bank and the instrument you want.
2. Click the keys on the keyboard to test the sound. If you have an external MIDI input device,
you will probably find it easier to use it instead.

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 Tips
❑ To select multiple notes to play simultaneously, use your right mouse button to click the keys,
which will be marked by black dots.
❑ To release the keys, right-click them one by one, or click the All Notes Off button for
simultaneous release.
❑ To slide across the keyboard, drag the mouse.
❑ If the playback’s sustain is too long, click the All Notes Off button.

Environmental Audio Environmental Audio Control allows you to

Control configure the EMU10K1 effects engine. It allows
you to specify the components that make up the
audio elements that in turn make up an environment.
An environment is the modeling of a real-world
experience. We have provided some entertainment,
gaming and various environments to get you started
with. Environmental Audio Control can be also be
accessed from Creative Surround Mixer.
Learn from the online help how to:
❑ Configure master effects
• Add or remove effects from an environment
• Specify the effect type
• Specify the degree or amount of the effect
• Edit an effect all the way down to its parameters or building blocks
❑ Configure source effects, that is, set the amount of the effects to apply on an audio source.
❑ Configure MIDI playback effects
❑ Export an environment to a file
❑ Import an environment

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 AutoEA AutoEA stands for Automatic Environmental Audio. More precisely, this applet allows you to
specify for any audio application which Super-Environment preset to automatically associate
with the currently active speaker output. For the automatic super-environment to work, AutoEA
must be active or at least minimized.

Associating For each audio application on your computer, you can specify the super-environment that will be
a Super-Environment automatically associated with it, for each speaker output configuration. For example, when
playing a MiniDisc using Creative PlayCenter, you may want to associate different Super-
Environments for the speaker outputs "Live!Surround" and "4 Speakers".
1. In the Application list, select the audio application with which to associate a super-
environment for a particular speaker output. If the application is not in the list, click the
Browse button to browse for and open the application.
2. In the Speaker Output box, click the speaker output to configure.
3. In the Linked Super-Environment box, click the Super-Environment preset you want to
associate with this application/speaker-output combination.
This combination trio are automatically set.
4. If you want AutoEA to monitor this application's activity, clear the Do not monitor this
application check box. If you check it, AutoEA will not configure the Super-Environment
for that application even when the application is started.
For other functions, refer to its online help.

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 Wave Studio Wave Studio allows you to perform the following sound editing functions easily:
❑ Play, edit, and record 8-bit (tape quality) and 16-bit (CD quality) Wave data. Enhance your
Wave data or create unique sounds with various special effects and editing operations such as
rap, reverse, echo, mute, pan, cut, copy, and paste.
❑ Open and edit several Wave files at the same time.
❑ Import and export raw (.RAW) data files.
See its online help for details.

Creative PlayCenter PlayCenter allows you to play

most types of media—multimedia
files (MIDI, Wave, MP3, etc.),
audio CDs, and Video CDs—
using a single player. Just insert or
select your media and PlayCenter
does the rest.
The new SoundFont Association feature allows you to autoload SoundFont banks used by MIDI
files such that you can experience the power of SoundFont technology seamlessly.
PlayCenter launches LAVA! automatically whenever you play an MP3 file. You can also set
LAVA! to launch automatically when playing audio CDs or other multimedia files.

Creative Recorder Recorder allows you to record sounds or music from

various input sources like the microphone or Audio CD,
and save them as Wave (.wav) files.
For details on how to use Recorder, see its online help.

4-12 Using Sound Blaster Live!

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 Creative LAVA! Creative LAVA! (Live! Audio-Visual Animation) gives your music visual expression that
enhances the emotional depth of your music experience.
Through LAVA!, 3D graphical objects interact with the music and intelligently dance to the
sound cues from sources such as CD and MIDI.
Explore the various animation scenarios provided by LAVA! or create your own environments
and scenarios for your animation.

Using Sound Blaster Live! 4-13

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 Creative Keytar With Creative Keytar, an easy-to-use and highly interactive edutainment software for beginners,
you can turn your multimedia computer into a virtual rhythm guitar system immediately. Click a
picture at the top of the screen to choose your favorite guitar. Press a function key (F1, ..., F12)
to activate a chord, and you can start strumming or plucking your favorite tune, all in a matter of
seconds or minutes.

Capo
Properties (transposition) Chord
palette

Musician Basic/
Strumming advanced
area

Reverb and Custom Exit

chorus chord palette
Volume
and tone
C
Standard About
D Keytar
chord palette
EG
A

Just hold the chord with one hand until it is time to change the chord and use the other hand to
strum or pluck the strings according to a tune's rhythmic variation. You don’t need to worry
about notes, all you need is a sense of rhythm and remember your chord keys, no need to worry
about notes. You only need to know and memorize chord fingerings.
Learn how to use Keytar from its online help.

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 Creative Rhythmania Creative Rhythmania lets you create a MIDI file, choosing from a professional set of backup
rhythms and instruments.
Creative Rhythmania allows you to:
❑ Perform with auto-accompaniment
in Rhythm mode:
• Four-part Rhythm section
• Preset backing styles
• Interactive backing
arrangement
• Chord Palette system
• SoundFont support
❑ Choose between two Keyboard
types: PC (QWERTY) keyboard or
MIDI keyboard connected to your
PC.

Rhythmania is essentially pattern-based software:

❑ You play a Pattern to provide auto-accompaniment for your melody playing.
❑ You create or modify a Pattern by building or changing it Section by Section in Rhythm mode.
❑ Then, you combine a Pattern and a melody to create a Sequence in Sequencer mode.
For details on how to use Rhythmania, see its online help.

Using Sound Blaster Live! 4-15

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 General Specifications
A
This section lists the specifications of your card.

Features
PCl Bus Mastering ❑ PCI Specification Version 2.1 compliant
❑ Bus mastering reduces latency and speeds up system performance

EMU 0K ❑ Advanced hardware accelerated digital effects processing

❑ 32-bit digital processing while maintaining a 192 dB dynamic range
❑ Patented 8-point interpolation that achieves the highest quality of audio reproduction
❑ 64-voice hardware wavetable synthesizer
❑ Professional-quality digital mixing and equalization
❑ Up to 32 MB of sound RAM mapped to host memory

Stereo Digitized Voice Channel ❑ True 16-bit Full Duplex operation

❑ 16-bit and 8-bit digitizing in stereo and mono modes
❑ Playback of 64 audio channels, each at an arbitrary sample rate
❑ ADC recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz
❑ Dithering for 8-bit and 16-bit recording

General Specifications A-1

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 AC '97 Codec Mixer ❑ Mixes EMU10K1 audio sources and analog sources such as CD Audio, Line In, Microphone,
Auxiliary and TAD
❑ Selectable input source or mixing of various audio sources for recording
❑ 16-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs at 48 kHz sample rate

Volume Control ❑ Software record and playback control of Master, Digitized Voice, and inputs from MIDI
device, CD Audio, Line, Microphone, Auxiliary, TAD, SPDIF, Wave/DirectSound device,
and CD Digital (CD SPDIF)
❑ Separate bass and treble control
❑ Front and Rear Balance control
❑ Muting and balance control for individual playback sources

Creative Multi Speaker ❑ Multi-speaker technology

SurroundTM (CMSSTM) ❑ Professional-quality panning and mixing algorithm
❑ Independent multiple sounds can be moved and placed around a listener

A-2 General Specifications

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 Connectivity
Sound Blaster Live! card
Audio lnputs ❑ One line-level analog Line input via stereo jack on rear bracket
❑ One mono Microphone analog input via stereo jack on rear bracket
❑ CD_IN line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card
❑ AUX_IN line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card
❑ TAD line-level analog input via 4-pin Molex connector on card
❑ CD_SPDIF digital input via 2-pin Molex connector on card, accepting sampling rates of 32,
44.1 and 48 kHz

Audio Outputs ❑ DIGITAL OUT (Front and Rear SPDIF digital outputs) via 4-pole 3.5mm minijack on rear
bracket
❑ Two line-level analog outputs via stereo jacks on rear bracket, Front and Rear Line-Outs
❑ Stereo headphone (32-ohm load) support on Front Line-Out

lnterfaces ❑ D-Sub MIDI interface for connection to external MIDI devices. Doubles as Joystick port
❑ AUD_EXT 2x20 pin header for connection to Optical Digital I/O card or Drive Bay

General Specifications A-3

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 SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98
B
Background Legacy games in the market have been designed for only MS-DOS. SB Live! supports MS-DOS
games. There are two ways to play MS-DOS games:
❑ From the MS-DOS box in Windows 95/98 (recommended)
To open the box:
• Click Start -> Programs -> MS-DOS Prompt.
❑ In the Windows 95/98 MS-DOS mode
There may be times when you do not want to or cannot run a game from the MS-DOS box.
The game may be incompatible with Windows 95/98, or there are insufficient system
resources to play the game with Windows 95/98 loaded. In such cases, use the MS-DOS
mode, in which only the real-mode portions of Windows 95/98 are loaded.
To restart the system in MS-DOS mode when you are already in Windows 95/98:
1. Click Start -> Shut Down.
2. Click the Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode option button, and then click the OK
button.
To start the system in MS-DOS mode at system startup:
1. At startup as Windows 95/98 is loading, hold the F8 key.
2. At the startup menu, choose the Command Prompt Only option, and then press <Enter>.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98 B-1

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 Understanding the The installation program modifies your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files.

lnstallation Program
The AUTOEXEC.BAT The installation program adds the following statements to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
File Settings SET CTSYN=C:\WINDOWS
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6
C:\PROGRA~1\CREATIVE\SBLIVE\DOSDRV\SBEINIT.COM

The first two statements set up the environment variables for your audio card. For an explanation
of the variables, see “Environment Variables” on page B-5.
The third statement runs SBEINIT.COM which is the SB Live! MS-DOS driver. It is required
for the SB Live! card to function properly under MS-DOS mode.
SBEINIT.COM requires the HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE files to be loaded. If needed, the
installation program adds the necessary HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE lines to your
CONFIG.SYS file, creating the file if it is not present.
On the rare occasion a program does not work with expanded memory, simply add the NOEMS
parameter to your memory manager. For example:
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS

You may load this driver into high memory in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, even though the
default is not. For example:
LOADHIGH=C:\PROGRA~1\CREATIVE\SBLIVE\DOSDRV\SBEINIT.COM

Do not remove the memory manager altogether. Do not attempt to load SBEINIT.COM into
high memory when using the NOEMS option if SBEINIT.COM fails to run SBELOAD.EXE or
SBECFG.EXE. In the rare case that an MS-DOS game will not work with a memory manager,
you will not be able to use the SB Live! card with the game.

B-2 SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98

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 The CONFlG.SYS File The installation program adds the following statements to the CONFIG.SYS file:
Settings DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE

System Resource This section explains the following software SB emulation resources—not hardware resources—
of your card:
Settings ❑ Input/Output (I/O) Addresses
❑ Interrupt Request (IRQ) Line
❑ Direct Memory Access (DMA) Channel
In the following tables, the If your card encounters a conflict with a peripheral device, you may need to change its resource
preferred values are in bold. settings. For details, see “Resolving I/O Conflicts” on page D-6.
When any resource setting is changed, make sure that the environment variables (see
“Environment Variables” on page B-5) reflect the changes as well. You can view your system
environment by typing SET at the DOS prompt.

lnput/Output (l/O) I/O addresses are communication areas used by your computer’s central processor to distinguish
Addresses among various peripheral devices connected to your system when sending or receiving data.
TableB-1: Possibledefault input/output (I/O)addresses.

Device Default I/O Address Range

SB interface 220H to 22FH

240H to 24FH
260H to 26FH
280H to 28FH

MPU-401 UART MIDI interface 300H to 301H

310H to 311H
320H to 321H
330H to 331H

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98 B-3

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 TableB-1: Possibledefault input/output (I/O)addresses.

Device Default I/O Address Range

Stereo music synthesizer 388H to 38BH

lnterrupt Request (lRQ) An IRQ line is a signal line that a device uses to notify your computer’s central processor that it
Line wants to send or receive data for processing.
TableB-2: Possibledefault interrupt request (IRQ) lineassignment.

Device Default IRQ Line

SB interface 5, 7, 9, 10

Direct Memory Access A DMA channel is a data channel that a device uses to transfer data directly to and from the
(DMA) Channel system memory.
TableB-3: Possibledefaultdirectmemory access(DMA)channel assignment.

Usage Default DMA Channel

First DMA channel 0, 1, 3

Second DMA channel 5, 6, 7

B-4 SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98

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 Environment Environment variables are used to pass hardware configuration information to the software in
your system. For MS-DOS, your audio card includes the following:
Variables ❑ CTSYN Environment Variable
❑ BLASTER Environment Variable

CTSYN Environment The CTSYN environment variable points to the location of the CTSYN.INI file, which usually
Variable resides in the Windows directory. The syntax for this variable is as follows:
CTSYN=path
where path is the location of the CTSYN.INI file.

BLASTER Environment The BLASTER environment variable specifies the base I/O address, IRQ line, and DMA
Variable channels of the SB interface. Its syntax is:
BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6
The parameters in the command are as follows.
This
Parameter Specifies
Axxx SB interface’s base I/O address.
Ix IRQ line used by the audio interface.
Dx First DMA channel used by the audio interface.
Hx Second DMA channel used by the audio interface.
Pxxx MPU-401 UART interface’s base I/O address.
Tx Card type. x must be 6.

SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98 B-5

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 Determining To find the current SB Live! SB16 Emulation resources in Windows 95/98:
1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
Resources
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab.
4. Double-click Creative Miscellaneous Devices, and then double-click Creative SB Live!
SB16 Emulation.
5. Click the Resources tab.
You can use the information in the resource list to help you configure MS-DOS games for use
with the SB Live! card.
The resource list may show three entries of “Input/Output Range” and two entries of “Direct
Memory Access”. They correspond to the sequence of entries in Table B-1 and Table B-3. If the
number of entries do not match, a good estimate of the identity of the device is its I/O address or
DMA channel.
To find the current SB Live! SB16 Emulation resources in MS-DOS mode:
1. Switch to your SB Live! DOS driver directory, that is:
C:\PROGRA~1\CREATIVE\SBLIVE\DOSDRV

The MS-DOS driver 2. Type SBECFG and then press <Enter>.

SBEINIT.COM must be running
for SBECFG.EXE to work Some older games may have difficulty detecting the SB Live! card at certain resource settings.
properly. Typically, these games expect the card to be at a fixed set of resources and would fail to load if
those resources are not detected. If you have older MS-DOS games that do not work properly,
try changing the SB Live! SB16 Emulation configuration. Use the following as a guide:
Problem: Sound Blaster emulation is not recognized.
Solution: Try switching the SB Emulation IRQ between 5 and 7, use DMA channel 1, use SB
interface port 220.
Problem: The MPU-401emulation is not recognized.
Solution: Try using Port address 330.
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 Selecting the Best Most MS-DOS–based games that provide sound have some procedure for audio setup. These
procedures generally allow you to choose from a list of popular audio cards or audio devices.
Audio Options in a Games may present audio options differently. Some may present a single choice that corresponds
Game to a particular audio device; for example, Sound Blaster 16, Roland Sound Canvas, etc. Others
provide an option for music and digital audio separately; for example, General MIDI music with
Sound Blaster digital audio. In such a case, there are often two separate menus to configure.
Some games allow you to set the MIDI port address and IRQ for music and sound. Make sure that
these settings correspond to the values displayed by SBECFG.EXE or the Resources tabbed page
of the Creative SB Live! SB16 Emulation Properties dialog box.
There are games that offer MPU-401/Roland (General MIDI or MT-32/LAPC-1) as an option.
Often these games allow you to set the MIDI port address. Make sure that they match the MIDI
address in the Resources list on Resources tabbed page of the Creative SB Live! SB16 Emulation
Properties dialog box. The same values can be found under “MPU-401 (General MIDI, Roland
MT-32/LAPC-1) Emulation”, displayed by SBECFG.EXE in MS-DOS mode. Remember to
enable the MT-32 MIDI patch with the SBEMIXER program if you select Roland MT-32 or
LAPC-1 for music.

Music Options Most MS-DOS games offer a menu choice for sound when they start up. If you have a choice
between General MIDI and MT-32, always choose General MIDI, since it will provide you with
the best sound quality. If you need to use MT-32, you must first switch from the General MIDI
instrument set (the default) to the MT-32 instrument set using SBEMIXER. Be sure to switch
back to the General MIDI set when you are finished using the MT-32 instrument set.

Digital Audio Options SB Live! supports Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster Pro, Sound Blaster 16, and Adlib digital audio
emulation. If an application provides all these as options, specify the choices in this order:
1. Sound Blaster 16
2. Sound Blaster Pro
3. Sound Blaster
4. Adlib
SB Emulation in MS-DOS/ Windows 95/98 B-7

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 MS-DOS Mode The SB Live! card includes a few MS-DOS utilities. These utilities require the SB Live! DOS
driver SBEINIT.COM to be loaded.
Utilities
SBECFG.EXE Use the SBECFG.EXE utility to obtain the hardware settings and the status of the SB Live!
card.Typing SBECFG.EXE at the command prompt displays the following hardware settings:
❑ PCI Hardware Settings: Port, IRQ
❑ Sound Blaster Emulation: Port, IRQ, DMA
❑ MPU-401 Emulation (GM, Roland MT-32/LAPC-1) Emulation: Port
❑ Adlib Emulation: Port
The emulation settings appear only if they are enabled.

SBEMlXER.EXE Use SBEMIXER.EXE to change the volume levels of the MPU-401 instrument set used on the
SB Live! card. You can use SBEMIXER.EXE from the command line—useful for advanced
users who want to set up batch files with particular volume levels—or within the SBEMIXER
screen. The settings for SBEMIXER.EXE are independent of the Creative Mixer settings in
Windows 95/98.
To set SBEMIXER values in the command line:
At the DOS prompt, type the SBEMIXER command in a single line. Its syntax is:
SBEMIXER [/S:x] [/W:x] [/C:x] [/M:x] [/?]
where square brackets [ ] denote optional parameters, and:
This
Parameter Specifies
/S:x Synth volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/W:x Wave volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/C:x CD audio volume. x can be a value from the range 0 to 127.
/M:x Synth MT-32/LAPC-1 mode. For x, 0 is Off, 1 is On.
/? View a short description of the parameters.
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 An example of an SBEMIXER command is
SBEMIXER /S:64 /W:120 /C:50 /M:0
which corresponds to “set the synth volume to 64, the Wave volume to 120, the CD audio volume
to 50, and turn off the Synth MT-32/LAPC-1 mode”.
To set SBEMIXER values within the Mixer screen:
At the DOS prompt, type
SBEMIXER
The interactive editor mode allows you to change the mixer settings with the mouse, <Tab>,
<PgUp>, <PgDn>, or arrow keys.
Use the Save button to save the settings for the next session.

SBESET.EXE Use SBESET.EXE to manually configure SB resources or disable SB Emulation. By default, SB

Emulation in DOS follows the Windows settings. For example, if you disable SB Emulation in
Windows, in the next boot to DOS, SB Emulation in DOS disabled. Under rare circumstances
you may need to manually reconfigure DOS SB Emulation, for example, if there is conflict in
DOS before it can boot to Windows. SBESET.EXE is run from the command line.
To set SBESET values in the command line:
At the DOS prompt, type the SBESET command in a single line. Its syntax is:
SBESET [-Axxx] [-Ix] [-Dx] [-Hx] [-Pxxx] [-dx] [-wx]
where square brackets [ ] denote optional parameters, and:
This
Parameter Specifies
-Axxx SB interface’s base I/O address.
See “System Resource -Ix IRQ line used by the audio interface.
Settings” on page B-3 for a list -Dx First DMA channel used by the audio interface.
of the possible values. -Hx Second DMA channel used by the audio interface.
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 -Pxxx MPU-401 UART interface’s base I/O address.
-dx SB Emulation mode. For x, 1 is Off, 0 is On.
-wx Set x to 1 to use the Windows-assigned resource configuration.
Set x to 0 to use (your) user-assigned resource configuration.
An example of an SBESET command is
SBESET -A240 -I5 -D3 -w0
which corresponds to “set the SB interface’s base I/O address to 240, the IRQ line used by the
audio interface to 5, the First DMA channel used by the audio interface to 3, and use the
Windows-assigned resource configuration”.

SBEGO.EXE Use this to confirm whether SB16 Emulation is properly installed and working.

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 Changing Audio Card Settings
C
You might want to disable interfaces that you are not using to free up resources, for example,
when you do not have enough IRQ lines.
This appendix is organized as follows:
❑ Enabling/Disabling Gameport Joystick Interface
❑ Enabling/Disabling Other Features

Enabling/Disabling The Gameport Joystick interface on your audio card can be enabled or disabled in
Windows 95/98.
Gameport Joystick To enable or disable the interface in Windows 95/98:
lnterface
1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab.
4. Double-click Sound, Video And Game Controllers, and then select Creative Gameport
Joystick.
5. Click the Properties button.

Changing Audio Card Settings C-1

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 6. In the Properties dialog box:
If you have an Original Configuration (Current) check box:
• To enable the interface, make sure that the check box is selected.
To disable it, clear the check box.
If you have a Disable In This Hardware Profile check box:
• To enable the interface, clear the check box.
To disable it, make sure that the check box is selected.
7. Click OK to restart Windows and for the change to take effect.
When the Gameport Joystick interface is disabled, the entry in Device Manager has a red cross.

Enabling/Disabling
Other Features
ln Windows 95/98 and Use the applets under Creative AudioHQ to enable or disable features such as Stereo
Windows NT 4.0 Enhancement Effect.

To open AudioHQ from the Click Start -> Programs -> Creative -> Sound Blaster Live! -> AudioHQ.
Sound Blaster menu Check out the applets within the AudioHQ window.

To open AudioHQ from Click Creative Launcher at the top or bottom of your computer screen, and then click the
Creative Launcher AudioHQ tab.
Check out the applets indicated by the icons in the Launcher.

C-2 Changing Audio Card Settings

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 Troubleshooting
D
This appendix provides tips for solving problems you may encounter during installation or
normal use.

Problems lnstalling In Windows 95/98, the installation does not start automatically after the CD-ROM is
inserted.
Software
The AutoPlay feature in your Windows 95/98 system may not be enabled.
To start the installation program through the My Computer shortcut menu:
1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your Windows desktop.
2. In the My Computer window, right-click the CD-ROM drive icon.
3. On the shortcut menu, click AutoPlay and follow the instructions on the screen.
To enable AutoPlay through Auto Insert Notification:
1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab and select your CD-
ROM drive.
4. Click the Properties button.
5. In the Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab and select Auto Insert Notification.
6. Click the OK button to exit from the dialog box.

Troubleshooting D-1

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 Problems With There is unexpected excessive environmental sound or effects when an audio file is played.

Sound The last selected preset is an inappropriate environment for the current audio file.
To switch to an appropriate environment:
1. Open the Environmental Audio control applet in AudioHQ.
2. In the Environment list, select “No effects” or an appropriate environment.

No sound from the headphones.

Check the following:
❑ The headphones are connected to the Line Out jack.
❑ Under the Speaker view in the Main deck of Surround Mixer, make sure that the Speaker
selected is “Headphones”.

In a 4-speaker configuration, there is no sound from the rear speakers.

Check the following:
If your record source is “What U ❑ The rear speakers are connected to the audio card’s Rear Out jack.
Hear”, then at any one time, you ❑ If you are playing sound from one of these sources:
can only select one of the five • CD Audio
sources and mute the others. • Line In
Therefore, you can get sound
from the rear speakers only from
• TAD
the selected source. • Auxiliary (AUX)
• Microphone
To solve the problem:
1. In Surround Mixer’s Mixer deck, make sure the radio button of the source being played is
selected, that is, enabled.
2. Select the same source as the record source.

D-2 Troubleshooting

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 For example, if you are playing DVD games or movies, make sure that you select the Auxiliary
device and select the Auxiliary device as your record source in Surround Mixer.
❑ If you have changed environments, make sure that your active sources are selected in
Surround Mixer.

No sound from the speakers.

Check the following:
• First, check that you have connected your speakers to your card's output. Second, check that
you have selected the correct source in the Mixer deck. If both these conditions have been met
and you still do not get any sound, click the red plus sign above the VOL control and check
whether the Digital Output Only check box is selected. If it is, you are in the Digital Output
Only mode and so must connect to digital speakers to hear the sound from your audio card.
See the section on Digital Output Only in Surround Mixer’s online help for more information.

No audio output when playing digital files such as .WAV, MIDI files or AVI clips.
Possible causes:
❑ The speaker volume knob (if any) is not set properly.
❑ The external amplifier or speakers are connected to the wrong jack.
❑ There is a hardware conflict.
❑ The Speaker selection in the Main deck of Surround Mixer is incorrectly selected.
❑ The Original Sound sliders in either the Master and Source tabbed pages of the
Environmental Audio applet are set at or near 0%.
Check the following:
❑ The speakers’ volume control knob, if any, is set at mid-range. Use Creative Mixer to adjust
the volume, if necessary.

Troubleshooting D-3

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 ❑ The powered speakers or external amplifier are connected to the card’s Line Out or Rear Out
jack.
❑ No hardware conflict between the card and a peripheral device. See “Resolving I/O Conflicts”
on page D-6.
❑ The Speaker selection in the Main deck of Surround Mixer corresponds to your speaker or
headphone configuration.
❑ The Original Sound sliders in either or both the Master and Source tabbed pages of the
Environmental Audio applet are set to 100%.

No audio output when playing CD-Audio or DOS games that require a CD-ROM.
To solve this problem:
• Make sure the Analog Audio connector on the CD-ROM drive and the CD In connector on
the audio card are connected.

Panning a source sometimes turns off its sound.

This occurs when you are in the Digital Output Only mode and the source’s left-right balance in
a software mixer application other than Surround Mixer (for example, the Windows Volume
Control application) is at the opposite end compared to the position to which you have panned the
source in the Main deck of Surround Mixer. For example, the CD Audio balance in Windows
Volume Control is on the left but in Surround Mixer you have panned the CD Audio to the right.
To solve this problem:
• Open that other mixer, and center the balances for all the audio input sources.
This ensures that your analog sources will not turn silent when you pan them in Surround
Mixer.

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 Problem with The mixer settings change unexpectedly with every change of super-environment presets.

Surround Mixer To solve this problem:

• Dissociate the mixer settings.
1. Click the Super-Environment Preset Options icon in the upper right corner of Surround
Mixer.
2. To dissociate mixer settings, make sure that Dissociate Mixer Settings is checked on the
menu that appears.

lnsufficient There is insufficient memory to load SoundFonts.

SoundFont Cache This may occur when a SoundFont-compatible MIDI file is loaded or played while insufficient
memory has been allocated to SoundFonts.
To allocate more SoundFont cache:
• On the Options tabbed page of the SoundFont Control applet, move the SoundFont Cache
slider to the right.
The amount of SoundFont cache you can allocate depends on the system RAM available.
If there is still insufficient system RAM available:
The trade-off of a smaller
SoundFont file is its lower • On the Configure Banks tabbed page of the SoundFont Control applet, select a smaller
sound quality. SoundFont bank from the Select Bank box.
The smallest SoundFont bank available is 2 MB (2GMGSMT.SF2).

Troubleshooting D-5

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 Problems With The joystick port is not working.

Joystick The audio card’s joystick port conflicts with the system’s joystick port.
To solve this problem:
• Disable the audio card’s joystick port and use the system port instead. For details, see
“Enabling/Disabling Gameport Joystick Interface” on page C-1.

The joystick is not working properly in some programs.

The program may use the system processor timing to calculate the joystick position. When the
processor is fast, the program may determine the position of the joystick incorrectly, assuming
that the position is out of range.
Do not attempt to make changes to To solve this problem:
the BIOS unless you have • Increase your system’s 8 bit I/O recovery time of the BIOS setting, usually under the Chipset
experience with system software.
Feature Settings section. Or, if available, you may adjust the AT Bus speed to a slower clock.
If the problem persists, try a different joystick.

Resolving l/O Conflicts between your audio card and another peripheral device may occur if your card and the
other device are set to use the same I/O address.
Conflicts To resolve I/O conflicts, change the resource settings of your audio card or the conflicting
peripheral device in your system using Device Manager in Windows 95/98.
If you still do not know which card is causing the conflict, remove all cards except the audio card
and other essential cards (for example, disk controller and graphics cards). Add each card back
until Device Manager indicates that a conflict has occurred.
You can also refer to the To resolve hardware conflicts in Windows 95/98:
Troubleshooting section in the
Help file of Windows 95/98. 1. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the System icon.
D-6 Troubleshooting

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 3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab.
4. Under the Sound, Video And Game Controllers entry, select the conflicting audio card
driver—indicated by an exclamation mark (!)—and click the Properties button.
5. In the Properties dialog box, click the Resources tab.
6. Make sure that the Use automatic settings check box is selected, and click the OK button.
7. Restart your system to allow Windows 95/98 to reassign resources to your audio card and/
or the conflicting device.

Problems in A Service Control Manager error message appears with one or more other error messages
at system restart.
Windows NT 4.0
This occurs after you remove an audio card from your computer after you have successfully
installed the Sound Blaster Live! card. Windows is trying to match the drivers to the removed
audio card.
To solve this problem:
1. Log on to your computer as Administrator.
2. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel.
3. Double-click the Multimedia icon, and then click the Devices tab.
4. In the list, remove from under these entries
• Audio Devices
• MIDI Devices And Instruments
the items other than
• Audio for Creative SB Live!
• MIDI for Creative SB Live!
• MIDI for Creative S/W Synth
5. Click the OK button to close the dialog box.
The drivers are removed.

Troubleshooting D-7

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 Problems with The Encore DVD Player is not launched when a DVD disc is inserted into the drive.

Encore DVD Player To solve this problem:

1. In the Windows system tray, right-click the Disc Detector icon, and then click Properties.
2. On the General tabbed page of the Creative Disc Detector dialog box, make sure that
Enable Disc Detector check box is selected.
3. Click the Players tab.
4. Select the DVD Disc entry and then click the Select Player button.
5. In the Players Properties dialog box, click the Browse button.
6. Browse to C:\Program Files\Creative\PC- DVD Encore
and double-click the entry ctdvdply
The Name box now displays the entry ctdvdply.
7. Click the OK button twice to close.
Now when you double-click the Disc Detector icon, the Encore DVD Player is launched.

D-8 Troubleshooting

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