Subject:Something weird

Posted by: GARoss

Date:1/4/2003 9:40:51 AM

I did some searches but couldn't find any help.
I've had Acid 4.0b for a while but just hooked up my SB 5.1 card & Klipsch Promedia 5.1s speakers.
When testing a 5.1 project, front L/R audio is heard on both front & rear speakers. Center channel plays on the Left only. When testing with Creative tools all audio checks (FL, Center, FR, RL & RR) are perfect.
Audio Preferences are set to:
Audio Device Type: Windows Classic Wave Driver
Default Stereo & Front Playback Device: SB Live! Audio (FFEO)
Default Rear Playback Device: SB Live! Audio (FFEO)
Default Center & LFE Playback Device: SB Live! Audio (FFEO)
Any help is appreciated.

Subject:RE: Something weird

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:1/4/2003 2:46:56 PM

Did you check out this KB article? Basically, you need separate hardware outputs for each playback device.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:RE: Something weird

Reply by: GARoss

Date:1/4/2003 2:50:44 PM

Just to follow up:
I re-installed everything, Acid 4.0b & SB 5.1 software & got the same results.
Should the Audio Device Type be Windows Classic Wave Driver or Creative ASIO as I've read elsewhere? It doesn't give me this option but perhaps a different driver would.
By all indications in the Acid mixer all should be working correctly but the sound doesn't come out of the proper speaker. When tested with Creative's diagnostic all speakers are correct.

Subject:RE: Something weird

Reply by: vonhosen

Date:1/4/2003 3:18:05 PM

I posted about the ASIO for you before, my mistake.

I thought you had an audigy card. I 'm not sure you can do it with the Sb 5.1, I think you'll need an audigy with ASIO drivers for it to work. (If you are going Soundblaster route)

Subject:RE: Something weird

Reply by: GARoss

Date:1/4/2003 3:37:26 PM

I just checked the system requirements for Acid 4.0 & all it says about System Requirements is "Windows-compatible sound card". Mine is a Creative Sound Blaster Live! 5.1.
It seems the the Creative SB Audigy causes complications. What card is recomended?

Subject:RE: Something weird

Reply by: L25

Date:1/4/2003 4:36:13 PM

I thought you need a sound card with 5 separate outputs for ACID to create 5.1 projects, like a delta 1010 or echo mona/layla? I could be wrong, since I have never tried it.

Subject:RE: Something weird

Reply by: vonhosen

Date:1/4/2003 5:00:41 PM

See this post about soundblaster cards & 5.1 mixing

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=1&MessageID=127309


I've managed to get it to work with Audigy & ASIO

Subject:RE: 5.1 mixing

Reply by: Beanstudio

Date:1/4/2003 6:06:26 PM

If one has a card with 6 analog outs, he/she can pan and mix 5.1 to the separate analog out to speakers. This works with an Audigy one I have on one comp.

The question I have is this. You mix analog out to hear what is going on. The first problem is the joy of trying to set up separate analog volume controls for each speaker. Not an easy task. You can't do it with a Tascam DM24, or an 01v, we can't do it with either. There seems to be no affordable pro way to do it. How caare you guy's doing it? The Audigy has rear and front volumes as well as sub, but this does not transfer, obviously to what you mix and encode. Very tricky.

And, how can you monitor analog and expect to have it be exactly the same mix and sound as an encoded ac3 or DTS file? Levels and all. All of your analog outs and speakers would have to be calibrated to hear the relationship correctly, right? Set them all level and adjust the main volume to control them all at once. Then hopefully all of the gains of the 5.1 set-up people listen to is the same. It usually isn't.

Would you have to mix analog out and only then be able to hear the 5.1 through s/pdif out on say a Mia, or M-Audio card after the mix is done? Echo tells me that the 5.1 with the Mia works now, but I have not been able to test yet.

It would be great to monitor a mix in progress through the s/pdif outs of a card into a 5.1 consumer Kenwood or something, but this does not seem like it would work before encoding. You have to mix analog, somehow control all of the volumes, and then somehow get the ac3 to be what you just mixed. Seems like you'd have to have all of the analog and digital connections readily switchable and available. A fiasco to be able to do it right in the studio.

Does anyone out there have a set-up working where they hear what they mix, encode and hear the same thing, and how? Volume controls, how?

Have you seen the new M-Audio USB and PCI 7.1 cards? 1/8th inch outs stink, but it may be a short term solution for $99 to play with to powered monitors. I imagine a Delta quality 5.1 card is coming. Echo is said to be working on one. I hope someone tackles the volume control issue doesn't leave us to figure out that part.

I master stereo right now for a living, no one has called for surround yet, but I'd love to be able to do it right. In our mixing and recording studio we have the DM24, DVD burner, Acid 4 and the Audigy to play with. Can't use the 2408 mkII we have as far as I can see for this as I don't think it passes ac3. We make 5.1 video DVDs, and they work, but the levels are still in question. Anyone have the SF ac3 plug and have it all working?

Jim
http://www.beanstudio.com

Subject:RE: 5.1 mixing

Reply by: GARoss

Date:1/5/2003 8:57:34 AM

My business is video so I'm not into music creation as most of you are in the Acid world. I am trying to add the "cool" factor to my video productions. All I need is to be able to hear an accurate representation of the audio levels of several mics during a wedding, then add this .ac3 file to my DVD software & burn it. I can well imagine that those of you creating music have a whole New World with 5.1 music. Your quality needs are far greater than mine.
Vonhosen was able to get it to work with Audigy & ASIO so I'll upgrade to that.
I appreciate all the advice.

Subject:RE: 5.1 mixing

Reply by: GARoss

Date:1/5/2003 12:07:03 PM

I just installed the Creative SB Audigy 2 soundcard & all is well.
My thanks to all who took the time to respond.