
SB Live! series Support Pack 2.0 (04/30/2010)

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

- Live! (4.1) - all models

- Live! 5.1 - all models

- PCI 512

Host-based Live! 24-bit card is not supported, click here for a compatible version.

Operating systems supported: 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7  / Vista SP1 & SP2 / XP SP3

WARNING: The included driver supports up to 2Gb of RAM on Windows 7 / Vista

Applies to both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 7 / Vista.

In case more memory is installed, you will experience sound issues and your system will crash randomly.

32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP are not affected.

Included in the pack: 

- Live! series driver 2.18.0017.7 for Windows 7 / Vista
- Live! series driver 2.09.0016.3 for Windows XP
- Audio Console 1.21.00 (Windows 7 / Vista only)
- SoundFont Bank Manager 3.21.02
- Surround Mixer 2.00.55 (Windows XP only)

What's new:

- Fixed distortion in 2/2.1 Speakers mode on Windows 7/Vista.
- EAX effects, Advanced EQ and Special FX now work on Windows 7/Vista in 2/2.1 Speakers mode.
- Workarounds for low volume on Windows 7/Vista (for 2/2.1 Speakers mode ONLY).
- Added Creative Software Synthesizer for Windows XP 32-bit and 64-bit.
- Fully working driver for Windows XP x64 with 4GB or more RAM installed (except for HW Synthesizer, must use the Software based).

Release Notes:

Do not disable nor remove this driver in the Normal mode of Windows 7/Vista
There is a bug in this driver that causes a stop error in CTOSS2K.SYS.
Just restart Windows in Safe mode before disabling or uninstalling the driver.
Ignore any Found New Hardware dialog on Windows XP
To ensure a proper installation of "Creative SoundFont Synthesizer", ignore this dialog. It will close automatically as soon as you click on the "Install this driver software anyway" button to install the driver.
Windows Security warning during driver installation
When prompted with: "Windows can't verify the publisher of this driver software", choose "Install this driver software anyway".
Hardware Synthesizer doesn't work on Windows XP x64 with 4GB or more RAM
This occurs due to a memory addressing issue that cannot be fixed.
Simply use the "Creative SoundFont Synthesizer", that has the same functionality but uses software processing.
Creative Software Synthesizer is mute on Windows XP with more than 2GB of RAM
For both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP, simply change the cache mode or change the maximum amount of memory for Soundfonts.
Fix for low volume on Windows 7/Vista (only for 2/2.1 Speakers or Headphones)

(*) If the current speaker configuration is 4.1 or 5.1 Speakers, first change it to 2/2.1 mode, then finally change it to Headphones, otherwise the effects won't work.

Facts about the methods:

- "Normalizer" gives the highest volume, but mutes MIDI.
- "Flat" gives an average volume increase, doesn't have any issues and you can tweak the EQ if you want to.
- Both methods use the Emu10k1 DSP's hardware engine, not relying on your CPU.

1) Creating an EQ preset named "Normalizer"

- Open "Creative EAX Settings".
- Select EQ and choose "(No effect)"
- Type in a new name "Normalizer" (or whatever you like)
- Select "Original sound" and set the amount to the minimum or "Infinity dB".
- Add a "Normalizer" effect by clicking the "Add..." button.
- Make sure the Normalizer amount is set to its maximum (0.0 dB).
- Click on the "Save environment" button.

2) Creating an EQ preset named "Flat"

- Open "Creative EAX Settings".
- Select EQ and choose "(No effect)"
- Type in a new name "Flat" (or whatever you like)
- Add a "Parametric Equalizer" effect by clicking the "Add..." button.
- Set the "Type" to "Creative Equalizer 4".
- Make sure the Parametric Equalizer amount is set to its maximum (0.0 dB).
- Click on the "Save environment" button.

Improving sound experience on Windows 7/Vista

When using the Directsound and Wave Out interfaces you may experience sound cutouts during heavy I/O operations.

OpenAL or WASAPI are the recommended interfaces as both do direct hardware access and are not affected by the issues previously referred.

Built-in Decoder and SPDIF Out on Windows 7/Vista

The built-in decoder is not supported. Use a third-party software.

SPDIF Out is not available on Windows 7/Vista.

EAX effects, Advanced EQ and Special FX on Windows 7/Vista

For applications supporting OpenAL, the effects work in any speaker configuration.

For applications supporting WaveOut or Directsound, the effects only work when the speaker configuration is 2/2.1 Speakers or Headphones (*).

(*) If the current speaker configuration is 4.1 or 5.1 Speakers, first change it to 2/2.1 mode, then finally change it to Headphones, otherwise the effects won't work.

There is echo when playing audio on Windows 7/Vista

Choose "EAX Games - Disable Effects" in the Special FX tab of Audio Console.

There is no sound on Windows 7/Vista in 4.1/5.1 Speakers mode

Disable Advanced EQ or Special FX selecting "No effects" in the EAX tab of Audio Console.

After changing speaker mode there is no sound on Windows 7/Vista

Mute and unmute the main volume control.

Mixer levels are reset when the speaker configuration is changed on Windows 7/Vista

The volume levels of playback and record devices are reset everytime the speaker configuration is changed. You need to readjust them manually.

Sound enhancements on Windows 7 / Vista

The following sound effects are available:

- Bass Management (Bass redirection and Bass Boost)
- Swap LFE/Center
- Environmental Effects
- Loudness Equalization
- Virtual Surround
- Equalizer (10 band)
- Room Correction

Windows MIDI Device Configuration Utility

Use this utility to change the MIDI playback device for 32-bit and 64-bit applications on Windows 7/Vista.