Correct way to set up CMSS-3D headphone?
- Thread starter Cutshaw
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Did you set the game to 5.1? Some people think the game should be set to headphones, but playing L4D with headphones selected doesn't sound right to me, it sounds muffled. Setting the speakers to 5.1 in the game sounds much better. The picture you included looks correct.
What did you find when you set it up like it was described in the thread?
What did you find when you set it up like it was described in the thread?
I've only tried it with TF2 and Just Cause 2 so far. TF2 set to 5.1 sounded pretty hellish. JC2 doesn't have much in the way of sound options, just a few volume sliders, but I think having windows set to 5.1 made a difference over Stereo, but that's maybe all in the mind.
Im trying this out also, Ive always used headphones everywhere.
So far it sounds a bit different in game (counterstrike Source) but Im not sure if its better. And Im not sure X-Fi's CMSS3D is meant to convert actual 5.1 input into stereo but rather take stereo input and simulate 5.1 using that.
Anyway in windows 7 speaker test I can hear all the individual speakers so I guess it is working.
So far it sounds a bit different in game (counterstrike Source) but Im not sure if its better. And Im not sure X-Fi's CMSS3D is meant to convert actual 5.1 input into stereo but rather take stereo input and simulate 5.1 using that.
Anyway in windows 7 speaker test I can hear all the individual speakers so I guess it is working.
Bare in mind that some valve/source based games have their own HRTF for audio which might cause problems with CMSS-3D.
Usual way is to set the creative control panel to headphones with CMSS-3D enabled and the windows speaker setup to surround speakers and leave games either on windows default or set to surround speakers.
Usual way is to set the creative control panel to headphones with CMSS-3D enabled and the windows speaker setup to surround speakers and leave games either on windows default or set to surround speakers.
Thanks for this sharing, I occured the same problem before and did this seeting. But it still happens some other time. However, this could be a solution anyway.
Right Ive done what it says in that image but in windows7 there is a problem (well for me anyway).
A process called audiodg.exe goes to ~20% cpu usage constantly. Turn off all that 5.1 surround option though and have headphone in the creative settings and in windows and the cpu usage is 0.
No idea what its doing, but its literally constant 20% usage, I even thought maybe my cpu heatsink wasnt put on properly as one core was always 3 degrees hotter. Turned out it was because of this
A process called audiodg.exe goes to ~20% cpu usage constantly. Turn off all that 5.1 surround option though and have headphone in the creative settings and in windows and the cpu usage is 0.
No idea what its doing, but its literally constant 20% usage, I even thought maybe my cpu heatsink wasnt put on properly as one core was always 3 degrees hotter. Turned out it was because of this
Bit of a thread revival but I've just been experimenting recently.
To clarify:
For sound hardware based games (OPENAL, DirectSound3D - e.g Enemy Terriory: Quake Wars, Oblivion and most games released before Vista came along) CMSS-3D Headphone directly simulates the game environment. Set X-Fi to Game Mode and everything to headphones. If it's DirectSound3D you'll need to set up the game in Alchemy. Ensure hardware audio is selected in game and the correct number of speakers selected if there's an option to do so. If you use speakers rather than headphones I'd advise sticking to 4.0(with CMSS-3D Virtual) due to MacroFX and Elevation Fiter being disabled for 5.1 and above.
For software sound (FMOD, Miles Sound System, Source Engine etc. - e.g Crysis, L4D, Bioshock) set X-Fi CMSS-3D simulates up to 7.1 speakers around you. The software generated game audio is sent to those virtual speakers. To achieve this, set X-Fi control panel to Headphone (hit the Optimize for headphones or Desynchronise button if your drivers have it) , configure speakers in Control Panel sound to 5.1 or 7.1 and ensure the game is set accordingly. If your game supports EAX 4 or 5 (FMOD allows it as a plugin) you will want to be in game mode too. There's no point in limiting to 4 chanels here, as MacroFX and Elevation filter don't work for software based sound.
I may have advised incorrectly in the past, assuming that CMSS-3D Headphone always simulated speakers. It doesn't so where it's supported, hardware headphone mode is a theoretically better solution. The technique advised for software will still work but MacroFX and Elevation filter won't . A happy medium might be always having the Windows and any games run in 4 channel mode - that would kind of cover both bases.
Tis mildly annoying that so many games are taking the software route now. I've not yet heard a suitable substitute for Elevation Filter and MacroFX from a software based sound API.
For the time being I'm still sending 4.0 (audio hardware based games) and 5.1 (software based games) via Dolby Digital Live to a Victor SU-DH1 Dolby Headphone processor. Seems to give me better results than CMSS-3D but there's a bit of latency so can't recommend for competitive play.
Edit: Latest Prelude drivers are working for CMSS-3D by the way. There's no desynchronise from Windows or Optimise for Headphone check-box any more but they seem to have automated the process. Stereo in Windows gives the native headphone mode. 4.0, 5.1 and 7.1 are all simulated with the X-Fi Console in headphone mode. Just configure the speakers according to what you want in Windows.
To clarify:
For sound hardware based games (OPENAL, DirectSound3D - e.g Enemy Terriory: Quake Wars, Oblivion and most games released before Vista came along) CMSS-3D Headphone directly simulates the game environment. Set X-Fi to Game Mode and everything to headphones. If it's DirectSound3D you'll need to set up the game in Alchemy. Ensure hardware audio is selected in game and the correct number of speakers selected if there's an option to do so. If you use speakers rather than headphones I'd advise sticking to 4.0(with CMSS-3D Virtual) due to MacroFX and Elevation Fiter being disabled for 5.1 and above.
For software sound (FMOD, Miles Sound System, Source Engine etc. - e.g Crysis, L4D, Bioshock) set X-Fi CMSS-3D simulates up to 7.1 speakers around you. The software generated game audio is sent to those virtual speakers. To achieve this, set X-Fi control panel to Headphone (hit the Optimize for headphones or Desynchronise button if your drivers have it) , configure speakers in Control Panel sound to 5.1 or 7.1 and ensure the game is set accordingly. If your game supports EAX 4 or 5 (FMOD allows it as a plugin) you will want to be in game mode too. There's no point in limiting to 4 chanels here, as MacroFX and Elevation filter don't work for software based sound.
I may have advised incorrectly in the past, assuming that CMSS-3D Headphone always simulated speakers. It doesn't so where it's supported, hardware headphone mode is a theoretically better solution. The technique advised for software will still work but MacroFX and Elevation filter won't . A happy medium might be always having the Windows and any games run in 4 channel mode - that would kind of cover both bases.
Tis mildly annoying that so many games are taking the software route now. I've not yet heard a suitable substitute for Elevation Filter and MacroFX from a software based sound API.
For the time being I'm still sending 4.0 (audio hardware based games) and 5.1 (software based games) via Dolby Digital Live to a Victor SU-DH1 Dolby Headphone processor. Seems to give me better results than CMSS-3D but there's a bit of latency so can't recommend for competitive play.
Edit: Latest Prelude drivers are working for CMSS-3D by the way. There's no desynchronise from Windows or Optimise for Headphone check-box any more but they seem to have automated the process. Stereo in Windows gives the native headphone mode. 4.0, 5.1 and 7.1 are all simulated with the X-Fi Console in headphone mode. Just configure the speakers according to what you want in Windows.
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Thanks for the in depth explanation. I only discovered Alchemy several days ago after wondering why some of my games sound rubbish and no different to my onboard sound
Do I have to use Alchemy for all DX9 games ? I'm on Windows 7 by the way.
Also where is this Synchronise button? When I play a game, I go into my Sound properties and change the speaker settings to 5.1 and switch it back to 2.0 when I've finished. Likewise, I do the same for Xfi control panel and change it back to Audio Creation mode from Game mode because I prefer this setting for music and general use etc..
Is there a way I change from 5.1 to 2.0 quickly?
Regarding the Guru3D thread referred to in the OP, it's confusing because both sets of people arguing are right some of the time. It just depends how the audio is being proceed as to which is the right solution.
Regarding AlChemy, it's only required when the game sound uses DirectSound3d. I'm posting on my phone now but when I get back on my PC I'll see if I can find a list for you. Most DirectSound3d games are autodetected when you run Alchemy. They won't be if they were purchased via some download services like steam though. In that case you need to set up the Alchemy profile manually.
The synchronize button is absent from Win 7 drivers for some X-Fi models. Not to worry - I've tested it and CMSS-3D still works. It appears that when you configure speakers in Windows it now automatically desynchronises. Headphone surround, Elevation filter and macroFx still work with Windows set to stereo speakers and the X-Fi control panel set to headphones.
Regarding AlChemy, it's only required when the game sound uses DirectSound3d. I'm posting on my phone now but when I get back on my PC I'll see if I can find a list for you. Most DirectSound3d games are autodetected when you run Alchemy. They won't be if they were purchased via some download services like steam though. In that case you need to set up the Alchemy profile manually.
The synchronize button is absent from Win 7 drivers for some X-Fi models. Not to worry - I've tested it and CMSS-3D still works. It appears that when you configure speakers in Windows it now automatically desynchronises. Headphone surround, Elevation filter and macroFx still work with Windows set to stereo speakers and the X-Fi control panel set to headphones.
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subbass -That AlChemy games and setting list for you: http://connect.creativelabs.com/alchemy/Lists/Games/AllItems.aspx
The setup advice for Steam is particularly useful if you buy older games on Steam, as they aren't autodetected by AlChemy. Please note that most source engine games now use software sound so don't need AlChemy any more though.
The setup advice for Steam is particularly useful if you buy older games on Steam, as they aren't autodetected by AlChemy. Please note that most source engine games now use software sound so don't need AlChemy any more though.
I take it the Dolby Headphone setup on the xonar's is still the same?
Headphone in xonar control centre software with DH ticked, then 5.1 selected in each game?
I also noticed in CS:Source it doesnt sound much different between headphone or 5.1 selected....... Talk about making things complicated
Headphone in xonar control centre software with DH ticked, then 5.1 selected in each game?
I also noticed in CS:Source it doesnt sound much different between headphone or 5.1 selected....... Talk about making things complicated
On Xonar, Dolby Headphone is effectively a multichannel speaker simulator in all cases. You want Windows and the game set to 5.1 or 7.1 (6 or 8 channel in Xonar control centre if you have drivers with that option). Although Xonar emulates some X-Fi features like EAX 4 and 5, it does not have an equivalent to MacroFx or Elevation Filter. That's one reason why I use an X-Fi with external Dolby Headphone solution rather than just use a Xonar.
The list of games requiring Alchemy is a useful indicator of whether DS3D-GX should be turned on for Xonar though. Please note that there are games with EAX that don't use Directsound3d. DS3D-GX should also be turned on for these.
CSS is one of a few games with software based audio specifically designed for headphones. You would either set the game to 5.1 or 7.1 with the Xonar handling Dolby Headphone, or the game to headphones with the Xonar in stereo. Maybe see what you prefer.
The list of games requiring Alchemy is a useful indicator of whether DS3D-GX should be turned on for Xonar though. Please note that there are games with EAX that don't use Directsound3d. DS3D-GX should also be turned on for these.
CSS is one of a few games with software based audio specifically designed for headphones. You would either set the game to 5.1 or 7.1 with the Xonar handling Dolby Headphone, or the game to headphones with the Xonar in stereo. Maybe see what you prefer.
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Cheers Ill double check later 
I have been trying to get my dr50s & DH sounding better and really wanna double check i have everything set up correct.
I was sure setting headphone in the xonar control centre changed the windows xp setting to headphone & I was sure that changing xp setting to 5.1 made the xonar control centre change from headphone to 5.1, but ill have to check again later.
I've not used the GX setting in any games as I was led to believe it can cause more problems than its worth and doesnt really make it sound much if at all better.
So ideally any game that uses DS3D or EAX should have the GX option in the xonar enabled? I'll give that a go too
Thanks again.
I have been trying to get my dr50s & DH sounding better and really wanna double check i have everything set up correct.I was sure setting headphone in the xonar control centre changed the windows xp setting to headphone & I was sure that changing xp setting to 5.1 made the xonar control centre change from headphone to 5.1, but ill have to check again later.
I've not used the GX setting in any games as I was led to believe it can cause more problems than its worth and doesnt really make it sound much if at all better.
So ideally any game that uses DS3D or EAX should have the GX option in the xonar enabled? I'll give that a go too
Thanks again.
Cheers Ill double check later
Thanks again.
Wait a minute: you're on XP? XP does not require a fix for DirectSound3d. It just works. Alchemy and DS3D-GX were originally fixes to deal with changes to the audio subsystem in Vista.
On Xonar DS3D-GX also gives emulation of EAX 3+, which the Xonar doesn't do naively. Try turning it on for games with EAX. Leave it off for everything else. You may need to turn on EAX in the relevant game settings too. It doesn't work for all EAX games unfortunately.
Unfortunately, DS3D-GX can cause problems in some games. You have to remember the settings on a game by game basis. Alchemy can be harder to set up initially but once you've set up a game profile it remembers it, ultimately making it a better solution for Vista and W7 users.
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LOL Looking at the above list I dont play any games that use EAX So i'll not bother^^
I only really play CS:S, BC2 & MW2. I'm on my laptop so CBA to fire up the pc now but i'll check tonight. I'll set 5.1 in windows, headphone with DH in xonar & 5.1 or 7.1 in game.
Cheers again mate, I'm trying to sort this before I buy the NS1000's you suggested a few days back
So i'll not bother^^I only really play CS:S, BC2 & MW2. I'm on my laptop so CBA to fire up the pc now but i'll check tonight. I'll set 5.1 in windows, headphone with DH in xonar & 5.1 or 7.1 in game.
Cheers again mate, I'm trying to sort this before I buy the NS1000's you suggested a few days back
There are a few newer EAX games that aren't in that list because they don't require Alchemy for creative cards. Best to find out for each game.
Sigh... if only Creative and Asus / C-Media took a leaf out of ATI and NVIDIA's driver writing books. I love the soundcard they make but they're not at all user friendly.
Sigh... if only Creative and Asus / C-Media took a leaf out of ATI and NVIDIA's driver writing books. I love the soundcard they make but they're not at all user friendly.
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Well recently I bought a modded xtrememusic off the MM and now I cant listen to anything on my PC in anything other than audio creation mode.
Cant believe the difference really, and still cant.
I only really play CSS and I have headphones set in creative options and headphones in game, and it sounds okay. I can position sound around me fine. If creative would switch modes based on what applications you are running then I would probably turn game mode on for playing, but cant be bothered to do it manually every time.
Still have this stupid win7 audiodg memory leak though but I can fix that by restarting the process.
Maybe creative should focus more on their drivers...
Cant believe the difference really, and still cant.
I only really play CSS and I have headphones set in creative options and headphones in game, and it sounds okay. I can position sound around me fine. If creative would switch modes based on what applications you are running then I would probably turn game mode on for playing, but cant be bothered to do it manually every time.
Still have this stupid win7 audiodg memory leak though but I can fix that by restarting the process.
Maybe creative should focus more on their drivers...