Modder Unlocks Vista Driver Features on Creative Sound Cards

[Jimmy 2004]

Creative has received much criticism for charging owners of Audigy sound cards for its ALchemy software, which offers improved audio support for certain games under Windows Vista. However, a modder by the name of Daniel Kawakami has managed to build hybrid drivers using a combination of XP and Vista files as well bypassing certain driver checks to enable several features including:

• Dolby/DTS decoding
• CMSS, CMSS2 and Stereo Surround (originally only CMSS was available, but this setting also affects ALchemy/OpenAL and Kawakami notes that it's thus particularly useful)
• Advanced EQ and Special FX presets
• DVD Audio
• Hardware MIDI synthesizer (Kawakami says he wrote a small utility that automatically detects and changes the default Vista MIDI Synth during driver install or can change it later using its GUI. Some media players let you choose the MIDI synthesizer)
• Equalizer
• WaveRT

You can read some more complete details of his work at Custom PC and download the files from here. The modded driver was originally uploaded to Creative's forums, although the company responded in a somewhat heavy handed manner, as you can see in this thread.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Jimmy 2004]

Thanks to Solaris17 for sending this in.

Edit: go thank him, not me - he's posted further down the thread

 

[btarunr]

Daniel_k is the Gordon Freeman for Creative users.

Most of those features don't even come with the latest beta drivers. CMSS2 !

 

[Cold Storm]

He's the reason I don't give my card up! And Creative is going under because of it all! Go man go!

 

[Solaris17]

i can tell you guys now my old 24 bit can do alllll sorts of stuff it couldnt b4 in older games my 5:1 works now....and at the desktop all my speakers function...like when windows makes a sound like a clicketc..it just isnt my left and right my whole 5:1 system fires up scared the hell out of my when avast told me i had an update....and now when i open cpu-z windows media player doesnt slow down and jitter anymore...and my back left and right function correctly now...like they were fine in games but during WMP playback the rears sounded like they were echoing like an under water effect...this is gold and ill sure make sure i use these from now on....think its totally bull what creative is doing though....i think their doing i to make ppl buy x-fi's and stuff like some of the ppl in that link said...

 

[phanbuey]

HOLY #$&% BATMAN!!! CMSS2 ... sweet!

Im downloading right now!... Thanks Solaris!

 

[Solaris17]

he has drivers that fix all sorts of things even for the newer x fi's were things didnt work properly...and even on mad old cards like my live! 24bit he re enabled disabled things and took some of the bugs out id say it gives old cards a little more life span.

 

[thebeephaha]

I just ditched Creative for not having drivers worth anything. I picked up a used Auzentech X-Meridian with the CM Oxygen HD chip and upgraded op-amps and have not looked back since. Leagues better.

 

[GSG-9]

So if I have an X-Fi and Vista x64 does this help me at all?

 

[Cold Storm]

If you have any problems with the step of your card, then it will work wonders. Even if you don't it will help out.

 

[a111087]

ehhh... i'm confused. is it for all sound cards/OS? i have Audigy LS and there like 6 files...

 

[imperialreign]

TBH - I'm not thrilled with Creative's last move, or the way they're handling it. As much as I feel they still have great hardware, their PR is going down the toilet.

My next card will prob be an Auzentech X-Fi at this point. Best of both worlds; Creative hardware implimented by a company that makes an effort to listen and care about its customer base.

Oh well . . . hopefully Creative will learn something from this situation.

 

[csendesmark]

Daniel_k is the Gordon Freeman for Creative users.

I λgree

 

[Mussels]

i too want to know - vista 64 and audigy 4. what do i need? it seems like the installers arent named any way i can identify.

 

[Solaris17]

ehhh... i'm confused. is it for all sound cards/OS? i have Audigy LS and there like 6 files...

you want his one

SB24_VTDRV_LB_1_04_0077B.exe

i too want to know - vista 64 and audigy 4. what do i need? it seems like the installers arent named any way i can identify.

you want this one

SBAX_PCDVT_LB_2_15_0004EQ.exe



SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio= XFXA_PCDRV_LB_1_04_0078A.exe

SB Live! series= SBL_VTDRV_LB_2_10_0001A.exe

Creative SB Audigy Series(with EQ)= SBAX_PCDVT_LB_2_15_0004EQ.exe

SB Audigy Value/SE/LS & Live! 24-bit= SB24_VTDRV_LB_1_04_0077B.exe

Gameport support pack fot Windows Vista 32-bit= Gameport_Vista.exe (for game incompatability only for 32 bit vista)

Sound Blaster Audigy series= SBAXVSD_PCDRV_LB_2_10_0001.exe (old file) use for trouble shooting. if you have probs with the new one.


hope that helps

 

[Kursah]

I haven't looked, but since you already know Sol...is there any better support (maybe THX console and such) for X-Fi's in Vista x64? I read this guy is mostly in the Audigy mix, which is great and all, Creative should take some notes on that...but I'm just curious for what else is out there for X-Fi's.

 

[Mussels]

you want his one

SB24_VTDRV_LB_1_04_0077B.exe



you want this one

SBAX_PCDVT_LB_2_15_0004EQ.exe



SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio= XFXA_PCDRV_LB_1_04_0078A.exe

SB Live! series= SBL_VTDRV_LB_2_10_0001A.exe

Creative SB Audigy Series(with EQ)= SBAX_PCDVT_LB_2_15_0004EQ.exe

SB Audigy Value/SE/LS & Live! 24-bit= SB24_VTDRV_LB_1_04_0077B.exe

Gameport support pack fot Windows Vista 32-bit= Gameport_Vista.exe (for game incompatability only for 32 bit vista)

Sound Blaster Audigy series= SBAXVSD_PCDRV_LB_2_10_0001.exe (old file) use for trouble shooting. if you have probs with the new one.


hope that helps

THANK YOU VELLY MUCHRY!

 

[NamesDontMatter]

Thanks Solaris!

 

[Solaris17]

I haven't looked, but since you already know Sol...is there any better support (maybe THX console and such) for X-Fi's in Vista x64? I read this guy is mostly in the Audigy mix, which is great and all, Creative should take some notes on that...but I'm just curious for what else is out there for X-Fi's.

im nto entirely sure...it doent say anything about it and i dont have an x fi to test however if your x fi has a thx consol and want to see improvement...maybe you could just replace the p17 driver file with the new one to see if their is added support..

i know iot fixes things for the x fi but it doesnt mention anything about thx in anything i saw..unless one of the underlying open al or other improvements would affect it theirs a possability nothing haveing anything to do with thx was affected...but it may have been sry i coulodnt be of mroe help.

 

[Solaris17]

So if I have an X-Fi and Vista x64 does this help me at all?

yes

This setup program will install the following items:

- P17 series driver 5.12.1.2004
- APO Interface Module 2.05.00
- Audio Console 2.50.10
- Host OpenAL 1.00.14
- Fixes the "full range speakers enabled on reboot" issue. Now Bass Management should work always.

and if you read the thread it fixes alot more to...their seem to be alot of problems creative has purposely implemented in its drivers...even if some of the specific fixes dont apply to you the recompile this guy made is supposed to improve all sorts of problems the creative drivers had

 

[Mussels]

yes

This setup program will install the following items:

- P17 series driver 5.12.1.2004
- APO Interface Module 2.05.00
- Audio Console 2.50.10
- Host OpenAL 1.00.14
- Fixes the "full range speakers enabled on reboot" issue. Now Bass Management should work always.

lol the bass management bugs are why i went off the SB audigy 4 on my main system... i had to keep turning it back on every reboot (the slider stayed in the same place, but the setting reset to below default - very odd)

 

[xmountainxlionx]

all i get is a error saying I do not have the hardware required for the drivers. I guess this dosent support vista 64 and xfi extreme gamer?

 

[Mussels]

all i get is a error saying I do not have the hardware required for the drivers. I guess this dosent support vista 64 and xfi extreme gamer?

the only x-fi i see in the list is x-fi xtreme audio, not the extreme gamer.

 

[NamesDontMatter]

hey guys, well I just installed the modded drivers for my audigy 2zs, and this makes the biggest difference. My card has just been decrippled. Thankyou modder, And I say "" to creative!

If a modder can do this creative sure as hell should have. My music sounds 2x-3x better now.

This with my new viewsonic 21.6" monitor is pure fun on Vista x64!

 

[Solaris17]

sweet man glad it worked makes me soooo happy i thought my card was like borken or something but now its good as new im so happy!