Realtek vs SoundMax audio drivers - P6T
TVeblen
I am currently running the Realtek High Def Audio Driver 5.10.0.5657 (the
latest available). The sound is fine, but I am unhappy with the recording
controls in this software - there is only the master volume dial and no
individual sliders for the various input devices.
I am considering switching to the Soundmax Audio Driver v5.10.1.6520. I have
SoundMax AC97 drivers on an older P4 rig and I like the controls offered
there.
Does anyone here use the Soundmax driver? Do you know if you get better
recording control with this version? Is it the same interface as the AC97
driver?
Other than uninstalling the RealTek driver before installing the SoundMax
driver, is there anything else that should be done to insure a smooth
switchover?
I do a lot of recording of "Wave Out Mix" or "Stereo Mix" input from various
web sources, as well as Line In sources, using Nero WaveEditor 3 to create
the MP3s. Currently the Input Level slider in WaveEditor has no effect on
the recordings. In order to avoid clipping the recording level wave is very
low (Between the 70s).
If you know of a better group to post this to please advise. Thanks.
Paul
Windows uses Plug and Play to identify hardware. Info includes
things like VEN/DEV/SUBSYS. A driver should not install or instantiate,
if VEN/DEV/SUBSYS doesn't match. The INF file helps guide the
extent of the match.
The system also distinguishes between AC97 and HDaudio. They are
enumerated separately. So that will be wrong for a start, even
before the system realizes that RealTek isn't the same thing
as Soundmax.
There are cases, where driver substitution works. For example,
a RealTek AC97 driver is sometimes used to replace another company's
AC97 driver. Perhaps an INF file is hacked in the package, so the VEN/DEV/SUBSYS
matches. The reason this can work, is because some of the registers
are standard. But what are the side effects ? I've read that
on a six channel chip, you get two channel sound. The other four
channels don't work. And I haven't heard any details, as to what
recording features work.
In summary, "don't do that".
Paul
TVeblen
"Paul" <nos...@needed.com> wrote in message
news:gsvaa6$3vt$1...@news.motzarella.org...
Just to clarify: I do not intend to install AC97 drivers for this mainboard.
I was looking at replacing the Realtek driver with the SoundMax driver for
this mainboard and audio chip that is available from the Asus download site
for the P6T. Does that change your recommendation?
Paul
I'm only aware of one driver substitution case. That was using a RealTek
AC97 driver, for some other brand of AC97 hardware chip. I understand the
INF needed to be hacked (because that was mentioned), but no examples were
given of what exactly they did. And the results weren't always fully
functional (like only 2 of 6 channels working).
I haven't heard of that kind of hack being done with HDaudio.
The background noise level on an onboard sound solution, might not be
very good. Perhaps an add-in PCI card solution would work out better.
You'd need to find some pictures on the web, of what functions existed
in the control panels, to see if the mixer had enough features or not.
I can see a few groups when I enter "sound" in my newsreader search
function, but when I tried a couple, there were no recent posts there.
Try a Google Groups search first, and see what newsgroups the sound card
questions are being posted in.
Paul
TVeblen
Thanks Paul. Yes I checked groups and also found the ghost towns, that's why
I'm here. Also googled for quite a while - nothing found is applicable to my
narrow issue.
But I respect your advice and will proceed with extreme caution. I may just
leave well enough alone (again).
GMAN
P5Q-E. Its the same sound chipset.
TVeblen
"GMAN" <winn...@pooh.com> wrote in message
news:EKNIl.233925$UQ6.1...@en-nntp-03.dc1.easynews.com...
Yes, there is a Soundmax driver for the P6T at Asus. Do you use this driver?
CSquared
> why I'm here. Also googled for quite a while - nothing found is applicable
> to my narrow issue.
> But I respect your advice and will proceed with extreme caution. I may
> just leave well enough alone (again).
>
You might want to have a look at a group like alt.music.home-studio. ISTR
there are a couple of other home recording groups that might provide some
useful information. I just searched Google Groups with the words: realtek
soundmax driver, and got about 12,000 hits. Hopefully there is some info
that would help you in there somewhere.
Later,
Charlie C.
TVeblen
"CSquared" <obfuscate...@tx.rr.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:gt2jvs$smc$1...@news.eternal-september.org...