SoundBlaster 4.1 Winamp/Wave problems

[junior78]

Hello!

I've just bought SoundBlaster 4.1 and installed it with its own drivers (from the accompanied CD) on my WinXP.
Everything worked perfectly. But...
When I installed Winamp after that (the current 2.81 version, full version), the sound settings both in the Creative Mixer and Windows Control Panel Sound Settings (which appear to have the same function) aren't working properly.

Every time I start Winamp, the Wave volume bar mutes (the Mute check box checks itself automatically). Not the Master Volume, just Wave. But it doesn't mute completely, I can still hear sound and music. (if it was a complete Wave mute, I shouldn't hear anything, right?) But the sound/music quality improves significantly, after I unmute it manually. I tried to plug different loud speakers in the soundcard, but that didn't solve anything.

All that occures only with Winamp 2.81 installed. I tried to uninstall it, and everything worked perfectly again. Can anyone help me with this one?

Many Thanks!

Junior78

[Rocker]

you should update your drivers via the internet....

the drivers on the cd would be at least a year old.... and might not even be made for windows XP

you should be using directsound if your using windows XP... becuase of the problems related with windows XP drivers and its wavOut capability. not to mension sound quality is better and less processor usage

[DJ Egg]

So you're saying that the problem doesn't occur until you open up Winamp?
Prior to opening Winamp everything works ok?
If so, then in addition to switching to DirectSound Output instead of WaveOut, also make sure of the following settings:
Winamp -> Prefs (Ctrl+P) -> Plugins -> Output -> DirectSound -> config:
Device tab: make sure SB Live is selected as Output Device
Other tab: Try unchecking "enable" under Volume Control setting.

Okay everything (making sure DS Output is still selected as active Output)
Close Winamp
Reset everything back to normal in Control Panel/mixer
Re-open Winamp

Does the problem still persist?

If yes, then first try the official wa2update patch
(for latest versions of input/output plugins)

No joy, then yes, visit www.soundblaster.com/drivers/ for latest SBLive drivers for WinXP . . . though don't hold your breath, there's a wealth of information regarding Creative SBLive/Audigy cards & drivers in the Tech Support Greatest Hits Forum . . . it certainly makes good reading


Also, if you installed PlayCenter from the SBLive CD-ROM, then...
Sticky: SoundBlaster Users (SBLive/Audigy) : Read This First

[junior78]

I seemed to have solved the problem.

Maxing out the Wave Volume at Volume Controls seems to do the trick. It doesn't mute anymore when I start Winamp. I also uninstalled all Creative software, and switched to WinXP drivers. I don't know if everything works with Creative drivers, but I probably won't even check that out. Yet I don't think drivers are to blame, anyway.

Thanks guys!

Junior78