Macintosh Surround Sound (For Dummies)

[EarlofCroydon]

Hey There,

Recently posted a thread but was thinking could anyone really really simply tell me in numbered steps how to get surround sound for my iMac, and what i'd need to buy. I have a home cinema system with all the speakers which go through RCA connectors (phono) into the system.

Thanks :):apple:

[DoFoT9]

hey :)

can your system only work with RCA cables?

if so, "proper" surround sound isnt possible :(

[Vylen]

hey :)

can your system only work with RCA cables?

if so, "proper" surround sound isnt possible :(

I explained it before that you can do it with RCA enabled speakers - using an amplifier with optical input. Except apparently I can't dumb it down enough.

Maybe I'll draw a picture or something if I can be bothered - really tired right now.

[vixducis]

First things first: do you have a port like the right one in this image (http://img.zdnet.com/techDirectory/_TOSLINK.JPG) on your home theater system? This will make things a lot easier.

[DoFoT9]

I explained it before that you can do it with RCA enabled speakers - using an amplifier with optical input. Except apparently I can't dumb it down enough.

Maybe I'll draw a picture or something if I can be bothered - really tired right now.

how rude, i can tell you're agitated and all - but have some courtesy.

by RCA, i meant analogue aka 3.5mm->RCA direct from the computer, without an amp. aka no optical cables aka not true surround sound support. :)

btw: vixducis means the port on the right hand side :)

[Vylen]

how rude, i can tell you're agitated and all - but have some courtesy.

by RCA, i meant analogue aka 3.5mm->RCA direct from the computer, without an amp. aka no optical cables aka not true surround sound support. :)

btw: vixducis means the port on the right hand side :)

Apologies if it sounded rude, but the "dumbing down" was in reference to the thread title.

[DoFoT9]

Apologies if it sounded rude, but the "dumbing down" was in reference to the thread title.

no probs fellow aussie. i know the feeling, its been a long day :(

[SmilesLots]

I'm curious - what program on the Mac are you using that can output surround sound? On my old dual G$ 1 ghz wind tunnel, I have a pci card from M-Audio called Revolution 7.1 and it outputs 7.1 audio from any source material, like iTunes or whatever. Not sure what may be available now, but check them out - M-Audio.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=USBinterfaces

OK I just checked. They do not have the Revolution drivers for OSX 10.6

You may also want to do a google search for usb surround sound - lots of possibilities there. I looked.

[Vylen]

I'm curious - what program on the Mac are you using that can output surround sound?

QuickTime and DVD Player?

[GregoryO]

I'm curious - what program on the Mac are you using that can output surround sound? On my old dual G$ 1 ghz wind tunnel, I have a pci card from M-Audio called Revolution 7.1 and it outputs 7.1 audio from any source material, like iTunes or whatever. Not sure what may be available now, but check them out - M-Audio.

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=USBinterfaces

OK I just checked. They do not have the Revolution drivers for OSX 10.6

You may also want to do a google search for usb surround sound - lots of possibilities there. I looked.

I've been looking for a surround card/usb adaptor with no luck. I have a set of Logitech 5.1 surround speakers that have three 1/8 in. mini inputs.

For software, I'm using a few things. Most importantly, Adobe Premier Pro, which allows me to edit together a surround sound track. I also have a Zoom H4n recorder that can record in four channels, and convert to 5.1 sound. I would like to be able to hear and tweak the sound from these programs.

I know I could probably use the optical out and and a receiver capable of decoding, but that would require buying/hooking up the receiver, buying new speakers, bla, bla... I would like to use my existing Logitech speakers.

The M-Audio Revolution card would be perfect, but it's no longer available, or supported under OS X 10.6. Why are cards like this not around??

Seems to me that Apple is paying too much attention to it's iPad, iPhone business and forgetting about the professional part of using their equipment.

I'm using an 8-core Intel MacPro Tower.

[Intell]

I've been looking for a surround card/USB adaptor with no luck.

Try looking into the Griffin Firewave. They aren't made anymore but can be found for little on eBay. They work over Firewire.

[Dreadnought]

Seems to me that Apple is paying too much attention to it's iPad, iPhone business and forgetting about the professional part of using their equipment.


Nope, if it's really pro stuff it's going to be used for, then it's hooked up to a seperate receiver or mixing console or whatever. All you need is the digital out or buy a really really expensive pro card with only an optical out that replaces the on board audio handling of the Mac.

But let's stay on topic, we are talking about iMacs here, not Mac Pro's or internal 3rd party soundcards. You can get some broadcast USB (external) soundcards, like the Yellowtec Puc:
http://www.yellowtec.com/PUC.html
Only thing, you'll need a couple of them because they're stereo or get something from Digigram:
http://www.digigram.com/products/product_infos.php?prod_key=14200&mode=fonc
Also only stereo!

[GregoryO]

Thanks Intell,
I've looked for the Firewaves on Ebay with little luck.

Thanks Dreadnaught,
I AM talking about a MacPro, so an internal card would be an option. However, most aren't available. The stereo cards from Yellowtec and Digigram don't solve the problem.

This item from Philips would probably work, but alas, no longer available (like the Revolution Card) http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Aurilium-Channel-Audio-Processor/dp/B0000ULADG

I'm taking a chance and ordering this, the Sabrent USB-SND8. It SEEMS like it will work...and in the question box 2 people have reported it works with OSX. I'll report back later and let everybody know.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D1PWGM/ref=oss_product

- Greg
- MacPro 3 Ghz 8-core

[Intell]

Thanks Intell,
I've looked for the Firewaves on Ebay with little luck.


Wow, I haven't searched for those in a long time. There was lots of them about 1 1/2 years ago.

[GregoryO]

I believe I've found some solutions here. It involves using the Audio Midi Setup (hidden in your utilities folder) and a Zalman USB card, or an Audigy 2 NX card.

http://spyder.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/enabling-5-1-surround-sound-in-os-x/

Zalman card on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-RSSC-External-Sound-Card/dp/B0001OZ2K8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281526146&sr=8-2

The Audigy 2 NX seems to have been discontinued (like a bunch of others) by Creative Sound. I found one used on Amazon for $85, and a few on ebay.

If I had the money I'd buy them all to see which worked best :)

- Greg