Soundblaster Live 5.1 Front Speaker connectors 1

[THK1138]

Hello,

I have a Soundblaster Live 5.1 which works very nicely. However, I cannot find any documentation anywhere regarding pins on the card labeled SPDIF_IO. Sure, I found out what SPDIF is, but I was hoping I could use the pins to hookup a front headset and mic. On my old Live Value, I used the Modem connection and that worked. This model has no such connection.

One other thing, I see a lot of cases that have front connectors for headphones and Mics, but I can't seem to locate a Soundblaster card that would work with that.

I've looked through all the documentation, and the Creative website. I can't even find a diagram that shows such a connector.

If anyone knows how to get a Soundblaster Live 5.1 Model SB0220 to connect to the front of my fancy new case, or any case for that matter, I would much appreciate it.

TIA!,

James

 

[Nelviticus]

The SPDIF header is purely for digital connections, whereas microphones and headphones use analog. If SPDIF_IO is the only header on your card, you won't be able to hook a mic and 'phones up to it.

However... does your motherboard have on-board sound? I have a Soundblaster Audigy 2 which I use for my speakers, but for internet telephony I use a mic and headphones hooked up to my motherboard's on-board sound ports.

A set-up like mine won't cover every eventuality - for instance, I can't get a sound to come out of the speakers and the headphones at the same time - but that's fine for me, as I'm happy to have internet telephony separate from music playback and gaming. Depending on what you're trying to achieve using the on-board sound in addition to the Soundblaster might work for you.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[THK1138]

Nelviticus,

Thank you for your answer. Now, to answer your questions, I don't have onboard sound on my motherboard. I had a heck of a time finding a board that supported a Prescott processor at the time, now they are ubiquitous and low-priced. At the time I was determined to get an Intel motherboard, and the ones with sound were either too expensive, or hard to find, depending on the model.

I do have other connectors on the card, which are more or less standard for older Sound Blasters. From left to right (bracket edge), there's the white ten pin connector that I think is for other creative devices. Then there is the 4 pin TAD connector, not used; 4 pin CD_IN, I use for my CD reader; 4 pin AUX_IN, not used; 2 pin CD_SPDIF, I use for my CD burner. The SPDIF_IO is on the edge farthest from the bracket, and I haven't seen it any manual, so thank you for telling me what it's for. Apparently I didn't actually know what SPDIF is as stated in my post. I just looked it up once and filed it away in my brain under useless information

I like to use the front connectors for speech recognition and narrating Macromedia Captivate projects. It's a pain to use the back and have to unplug my speaker connectors for a Mic and headphones. I don't need them simultaneously either.

Perhaps I could use my old Sound Blaster in addition to the 5.1, or could the TAD connector on the new one provide the same function as the modem connector on the old one? According to the PDF manual the TAD connector "Provides a mono connection from a standard voice modem, and transmits microphone signals to the modem." It's a thought.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help.

James

 

[Nelviticus]

In theory you should be able to use several sound cards at once. However, I have heard second-hand reports of multiple Soundblasters interfering with each other and preventing sound from working properly. It's worth giving it a go though if you have a spare card lying around: the worst that can happen is that it won't work and you'll have to remove it.

From what you say you probably can use the TAD connector for what you want but if you do you're braver than I am. Make sure that you're definitely connecting the right bits together and that all signals are at the correct voltage, as an error here could fry your card/mic/phones.

Alternatively you could look for a switch box - something that you plug two or more sets of connectors into that you can switch between. I've seen them but don't ask me where!

Regards

Nelviticus