5.1 err... 2.1?

sorn21 · 27 Feb 2009 at 22:14

Hey guys,
I've just re-setup my 5.1 system, tested it by clicking right hand corner Icon > Sounds > Playback Tab > Speakers and selected the 5.1 option, when I test this they all work. However when listening to music etc. All sound comes from L,R and Sub.

any suggestions am I doing it wrong!?
Thanks

RichieUK · 27 Feb 2009 at 22:25

What media player are you using to play the music? Are they MP3s?

sorn21 · 27 Feb 2009 at 22:37

using iTunes buddy, they are MP3s yes, youtube etc. don't work either I'll try a game and see what happens.
Thanks

sorn21 · 28 Feb 2009 at 00:08

works in games but not in iTunes!
I'm confused, It was definitely working before :S

lord filbuster · 28 Feb 2009 at 00:37

mp3s are stereo, you should only be getting sound from the L,R and sub. Can your soundcard do virtual 5.1? You might have had that switched on before.

sorn21 · 28 Feb 2009 at 00:53

I'm using on-board atm, I may well invest in a reasonable priced sound card, probably 40-50quid max. To be honest I'm not a big audio geek!
I've no idea what happened before! lol

jak731 · 28 Feb 2009 at 00:56

I know the xfi sound cards allow you to map the left channel to front left and rear left speakers and same for right channel to front right and rear right speakers. Your onboard might have this option, if your listening to stereo their isn't a whole lot of point though.

james.miller · 28 Feb 2009 at 09:43

foobar2000 comes with a plugin to copy the front channels to the rear. try that

snowdog · 28 Feb 2009 at 10:20

Yes, unless it's a 5.1 source you will only hear it from the fl and fr speakers...

You need mixing options like CMSS ( all my realtek and soundmax onboard rubbish had it and all soundblaster cards have it too afaik), Dolby pro logic (II) or stereo x2...

sorn21 · 1 Mar 2009 at 23:04

Thanks for the replys guys.
I've found an old Soundblaster Audigy here so, I'm gonna give it a try and see how I get on....