Audigy2 ZS PCMCIA & TrueRTA - line-in/out loop

**lbridges** · 05-08-2007, 09:54 PM

I'm running an Audigy2ZS PCMCIA card in a Dell D610 Latitude as my carputer.

I would like to run TrueRTA software to do a bit of SQ analysis before tweaking. My copy of TrueRTA is running on the same laptop, and I'm using a dbx Pro mic and a Behringer mixer as the mic pre-amp (needs the phantom power).

The problem is I can not seem to disable the loop between line in and line out. In default mode I get terrible feedback. If I mute the line in as a source, the feedback goes away, but I can tell from the TrueRTA display it's taking it's signal from the line out (I wish my speakers had that flat of a response).

Anyway, I also have a Pioneer Premier headunit. So I can play some pink noise on it, and just use the carputer for data gathering, but that doesn't meet my goals. Two reasons, I can't then use TrueRTA's chirp, and it eliminates TrueRTA's ability to compensate for any frequency response issues with sound card line-in/capture.

I have looked on Creative's website (forum and support pages) and this internal loop seems to be a recognized problem but development support has essentially ceased for the card. I'm hoping someone on here has found a work around.

**durwood** · 05-08-2007, 11:01 PM

so close....but looking in the wrong place.

http://www.trueaudio.com/rta_faq1.ht...rd%20Questions

http://www.trueaudio.com/downloads/audigy-setup.pdf

**lbridges** · 05-09-2007, 03:45 PM

Thank you very much for the research and effort, but the product they are referring to is the Audigy 2ZS desktop card - not the PCMCIA. I don't have the screen in the referenced document where they set "original sound" to zero. Just not a laptopPCMCIA option - at least for the drivers I've got (and I downloaded the newest - maybe I should look for older stuff).

Although I did use it to get rid of the 1kHz ring, and it got rid of the feedback - I just can't find that last step - which I assume is the part that gets rid of the internal loop.

**durwood** · 05-09-2007, 11:11 PM

ya my friend had the same problem with his audigy pci card. The newer drivers changed the console. Do you have the original driver CD?

**lbridges** · 05-10-2007, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by durwood

ya my friend had the same problem with his audigy pci card. The newer drivers changed the console. Do you have the original driver CD?

Yes. So I assume you're suggesting I go backwards with the drivers. A good idea. I'll give it a try and report back if it works and the two version numbers.

**Siezmik** · 05-10-2007, 04:07 PM

I swear I saw a conversation just like this one over at DIYMA

**lbridges** · 05-10-2007, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Siezmik

I swear I saw a conversation just like this one over at DIYMA

True enough - I apologize to members of both forums for the duplication, but each has a differing perspective (one focusing on the sound, while here it's obviously focusing on the computer), and at least somewhat differing membership (durwood is obviously at both places).

Also, both have membership with true expertise in the area, so although I belong to around 10 forums (including ECA, 12volt, etc), I only posted my query in two places. A kind of a back handed compliment, but it's heartfelt for what it's worth.

**lbridges** · 05-10-2007, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by durwood

ya my friend had the same problem with his audigy pci card. The newer drivers changed the console. Do you have the original driver CD?

Ok, so I uninstalled the device and all software, then reinstalled with the CD that came with the product. I know I said I report report back version numbers, but the Creative product comes in many bits and pieces (ten plus, each with their own version number), so I don't know which version is which for controlling the mixer console settings.

Anyway, I can now control line-in levels although I have not actually tried TrueRTA to see if the loop problem is fixed. Given my schedule it might be two weeks before I can get around to setting up my test equipment again.

Regardless, thanks for pointing out an obvious thing I was overlooking in my process.

EDIT: I tried out the system and was able to eliminate the loop using a combination of the older drivers (original CD that came with product), and making sure I had the recording side of the mixer set to "line-in" and at 50% volume (a TrueRTA recommended value), and line-in not muted on the source side of the mixer, but the volume set to 0%. I have no idea why it works that way, but it does and I'm able to use both pink noise and chirps to get a baseline image of the system.