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5.1 Surround Sound does not work on my Macbook. What am I doing wrong?

D

Degradable

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 12, 2007
30
0
Before you've asked, I've searched... searched more and just a bit more.

I have a 2.4 GHz White Macbook and a Logitech X-540 Multimedia Speaker System (5.1).

Because my sound system is not high-end it does not have an optical cable... it has 3 cables to plug into left, right and center ports (I can't remember the technical name).

I understood that I would not be able to listen to 5.1 surround sound to any decent quality (the speakers have a "matrix" mode, but sounds crap) unless I had an external sound card.

Therefore I bought a USB Creative Sound Blaster 5.1 card. However, I have tried numerous troubleshooting activities which have not worked and I can only get sound from the center speaker, left/right and subwoofer. Where as I would like sound from the back left and back right as well.

Am I doing something wrong? I have the 3 plugs plugged into the Sound Blaster and then the usb into my macbook. The only way music comes out from all 5 speakers is using the rubbish matrix mode.

I would appreciate any help at all... I did have a thought earlier that because the card is meant for Windows it may not work as intended for Mac... but the reviews said it is Mac compatible and the card has a drastic sound quality improvement... just not from the two back speakers.

Cheers in advance,

Andy
 
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finnschi said:
check your settings --- applications utilities Audio / midi setup ! :apple:
Click to expand...

What should I check for??

The setting for output were 2ch - 16 bit... but theres no change if I move that up to 6ch.

If I'm honest I don't even know what that does?

If anyone has any idea what I'm doing wrong please post...
 
Degradable said:
What should I check for??

The setting for output were 2ch - 16 bit... but theres no change if I move that up to 6ch.

If I'm honest I don't even know what that does?

If anyone has any idea what I'm doing wrong please post...
Click to expand...

you shlould be able to configure your 5.1 sound there, its obvously set to 2ch only... be sure you selected the right output ...
 
Also, I don't know if this would make a difference, but did you try watching a movie on your Macbook with 5.1 surround?

I know on my system in my room, when listening to music, only the two front speakers, center, and sub work.
 
As finnschi mentioned above the Audio MIDI Setup program in your Utilities folder would normally be used to define such things as the audio output setup (after of course you have set up the Output info in the Sound pane of System Preferences first).

Just to make sure you are seeing something similar I have attached a pic of that pane and the resulting speaker configuration window. Now I am assuming that for the output device and system output you will need to select the sound card (everywhere mine says "Bose USB Audio" that is) and you will need to make sure that is selected before you click "Configure Speakers".

Is the second pic (the result of clicking "Configure Speakers") similar to what has come up in your Audio MIDI Setup? If not then I am lost to be honest, but I wanted to show you what one that works looks like in the setup process anyways in hopes that it might help you see something that might be getting missed or such! Good luck with your setup!
 

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Chandler Adaway said:
Also, I don't know if this would make a difference, but did you try watching a movie on your Macbook with 5.1 surround?

I know on my system in my room, when listening to music, only the two front speakers, center, and sub work.
Click to expand...

OMG you are so right ... True thing, if Audio only supports Stero, it will only play in stereo... Maybe try Doom 3 or Halo they support Sourround, so if it makes BBOOOOOMMM behind you, you knwo its working... of course a DvD will do just fine , but aren't games more badass :D
 
sickmacdoc said:
As finnschi mentioned above the Audio MIDI Setup program in your Utilities folder would normally be used to define such things as the audio output setup (after of course you have set up the Output info in the Sound pane of System Preferences first).

Just to make sure you are seeing something similar I have attached a pic of that pane and the resulting speaker configuration window. Now I am assuming that for the output device and system output you will need to select the sound card (everywhere mine says "Bose USB Audio" that is) and you will need to make sure that is selected before you click "Configure Speakers".

Is the second pic (the result of clicking "Configure Speakers") similar to what has come up in your Audio MIDI Setup? If not then I am lost to be honest, but I wanted to show you what one that works looks like in the setup process anyways in hopes that it might help you see something that might be getting missed or such! Good luck with your setup!
Click to expand...

Thankyou for your posts guys!

I think I know the problem, but can't figure out a solution... In the midi audio when I select configure speakers like on the picture, if I select multichannel the only thing in the drop down menu is stereo. It won't let me select 5.1 surround sound.

Is there something Im not doing with my usb soundcard right or is it another problem?

On my usb soundcard I have the 3 plugs plugged in and then the usb lead int my mac - thats it. As I said before it i suppose to be a windows usb soundcard and it did come with software for the soundcard... But then if it only worked with the software, why the huge sound quality increase??
 
Degradable said:
Thankyou for your posts guys!

I think I know the problem, but can't figure out a solution... In the midi audio when I select configure speakers like on the picture, if I select multichannel the only thing in the drop down menu is stereo. It won't let me select 5.1 surround sound.

Is there something Im not doing with my usb soundcard right or is it another problem?

On my usb soundcard I have the 3 plugs plugged in and then the usb lead int my mac - thats it. As I said before it i suppose to be a windows usb soundcard and it did come with software for the soundcard... But then if it only worked with the software, why the huge sound quality increase??
Click to expand...

I am not sure about the huge increase... But then you jsut bought a Windows compatible soundcard, not a mac one... i am sorry..

What exact model is that? I might be able to hack you up some kext to make it work ;) :D
 
[Edit] Deleted original post

Wow, after really looking at the pictures I can't believe I didn't see "Rear" on the 3.5mm input jacks. As long as you have 3 stereo male to male 3.5mm cables plugged in from the SoundBlaster to the x-540 you should be gold hardware wise.

Sorry about misleading you if you read what I have now deleted.
 
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Degradable said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-70...rround/dp/B000KFQTD2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

That's the link to the soundcard.

I have no idea what your planning to "hack up", but I'm not accepting any random files from strangers.
Click to expand...
:eek::eek::eek:

Allright its your choice, you know that there are NO viruses out for OSX , I just searched some OSX X86 Forums, and found a driver package for the LIVE ! version of your soundcard! I changed em to fit your version... should work!

and hey, I am not a stranger, I am jsut trying to help you out here :cool: :apple:
 
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finnschi said:
:eek::eek::eek:

Allright its your choice, you know that there are NO viruses out for OSX , I just searched some OSX X86 Forums, and found a driver package for the LIVE ! version of your soundcard! I changed em to fit your version... should work!

and hey, I am not a stranger, I am jsut trying to help you out here :cool: :apple:
Click to expand...

Ah right my bad, sorry :)

I've got v10.5.6... will it not work on mine then?
 
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