Sound Blaster X-Fi is built around the most powerful audio processor in the world! To ensure that different types of user have access to the full power of the audio processor, Sound Blaster X-Fi provides 3 different modes of operation: Entertainment, Audio Creation and Gaming. Each mode focuses the power of the audio processor for that operation and optimizes the audio processor's features for the best possible experience.
Select a mode that suits your usage or stick to your favorite mode. Your computer remembers the last selected mode, even after you restart your computer. The modes are not exclusive to one type of operation. For example, you will still be able to play games in the other modes, but you will not get the full benefits of the card when the best mode is not selected for that usage.
Select a mode that best suits your needs in the Mode Switcher or Audio Console application. For information on each mode, refer to its online Help.
Entertainment Mode
In Entertainment Mode, your audio device is optimized for movie soundtrack and music playback. With the Entertainment Mode console, you can:
- Adjust master volume, bass and treble levels.
- Adjust volume mixer settings.
- Configure playback settings for your speakers or headphones.
- Adjust equalizer settings.
- Enable environment effects.
- Enable multichannel upmixing.
- Enable virtual surround sound.
- Enhance detail and impact of audio with 24-bit Crystalizer.
Audio Creation Mode
In Audio Creation Mode, your audio device is optimized to handle sophisticated audio operations such as bus routing, multichannel wave recording and stereo balancing. With the Audio Creation Mode console, you can
- Mix and record multiple audio sources.
- Route audio to specific bus destinations.
- Apply studio-quality effects to all sources.
- Position MIDI output in three-dimensional space.
- Enhance detail and impact of audio with 24-bit Crystalizer.
Game Mode
In Game Mode, your audio device is optimized for 3D audio and EAX performance in games. With the Game Mode console, you can:
- Adjust the master volume or mute all audio.
- Configure playback settings for your speakers or headphones.
- Adjust the Bass Boost and Bass Management settings.
- Enable multichannel upmixing.
- Enable virtual surround sound.
- Enhance detail and impact of audio with 24-bit Crystalizer.
- Adjust equalizer settings.
- Adjust basic controls for common mixer sources.
|
Entertainment |
Audio Creation |
Game |
| 3DMIDI Playback
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| 3DMIDI Interaction
| No
| Yes
| No
|
| EAX ADVANCED HD 5.0
| Limited
| Limited
| Yes
|
| EAX ADVANCED HD 4.0
| Limited
| Limited
| Yes
|
| EAX ADVANCED HD 3.0
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Number of Auxiliary Effects
| 2
| 4
| 4
|
| Maximum Number of Reverbs
| 1
| 2
| 4
|
| Insert Effects
| No
| 4
| No
|
| ASIO Out Channels: Dry
| 1 Pair
| 5 Pairs
| 1 Pair
|
| ASIO Out Channels: FX
| No
| 4 Pairs
| No
|
| ASIO In Channels: WUH
| 8
| 8
| 8
|
| ASIO In Channels: Basic
| 2 (1 Pair)
| 2 (1 Pair)
| 2 (1 Pair)
|
| ASIO 2.0 Support
| Limited
| Yes
| Limited
|
| ASIO 2.0 Direct Monitoring
| 0
| 12 (6 pairs)
| 0
|
| Bit-Matched Playback
| No
| Yes
| No
|
| Bit-Matched Recording
| No
| Yes
| No
|
| CMSS-3DSurround
| Yes
| No
| Yes
|
| CMSS-3DHeadphone
| Yes
| No
| Yes
|
| CMSS-3DVirtual (2 Speakers)
| Yes
| No
| Yes
|
| CMSS-3DVirtual (4 Speakers)
| No
| No
| Yes
|
| CMSS-3DInteractive
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| 24-bit Crystalizer
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Graphic EQ
| 10 Bands
| 10 Bands
| 10 Bands
|
| Smart Volume Management
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
|
| Bass Management
| Advanced
| No
| Advanced
|
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