soundman98

so I am realtively new to using a pc as a source. I have been reading anything I can find on active setups, and have read through most of redgti's software mod thread, the more read, the more i get confused:

setup: 5-1/4" pioneer rev series components, bi-amped w/ a 75x4 pioneer amp(don't have the model #), 2-10" kicker cvr's in a sealed box, powered by a bridged sony 600watt amp. all are running through a active 3 way 18db/oct. clarion crossover that I hope to eventually get rid of.

Computer: Intel D945GCLF Mini-ITX(w/ atom processor), 2 gb of 667mhz ram, currently using onboard audio.

do I absolutely need a sound card that is compatible w/ the kx driver package? or do I just need a sound card that has/supports(not sure if its a feature, or a mod) ASIO? my eventual goal is sq, but really have no idea where to start, as most of the compatible cards on the kx driver site are no longer manufactured.

I recently picked up a refubished sb audigy platinum(model SB0090), but it might not work in my setup, because of space constraints(everything is going in the double din dash). if this card will work, I will look into pci riser cards to put the sound card above the main board.

my understaning of asio, is that i basically need to send all audio to a spdif output on the card back into input of card, so that the signal can be proccessed, and then is sent to the analogue outputs to go on to the amps.

am i on the right path or way off?

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joey7415963

Hi, I've studied sound engineering and am now studying acoustics. So I will help where I can, I may be being stupid but firstly what is sq? And secondly what is kx?

In order to attempt to answer your question ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) is a standard method for processing digital audio and is not available in windows vista (they changed it to their own power hungry version). It is found in XP.

If you are wanting to output ASIO to your amp then you would need a compatible sound card e.g. the Audigy you mentioned, this would either go through Optical ADAT or S/PDIf (the two coax plugs). Looping this back into your sound card will not help at all this will create feedback! If it is simply an output you want then just take the standard line level output from the sound card.

I hope this helps, I couldn't really understand what you wanted so if I'm way off please reply.

soundman98

Sorry, I had a couple of questions taht kind of got mixed up.

the Asio thing confused me the most.

from wht i have read, I need setup my audio card to output spdif, and then loop that signal back to the computer, for the asio to process the signal, from there, it would use the analouge outputs to the amps.

I really have no idea how asio controls the audio signal from a prerecorded standpoint (ex. playing from a cd), all the info I can find talks about recording.

sq stands for sound quality(have been reading way too much info, and abreviated),

teh kx project is a open source project. http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/. again, this deals w/ asio, so I can't be sure, but it is mainly a driver package for certain soundblaster chipsets that allow for better control.

my goal is to have a computer program that would process the audio signal, then send the audio signal out on separate outputs, so that the only thing I would need for crossover adjustments, eq adjustments, would be that program.

joey7415963

Lol! Thanks for clearing up those abbreviations for me :P

If you take the audio out (in any form) of your sound card and loop it back into the sound card and then output the resulting signal, it will be the exact same as if you just took an output (in any form) straight from the sound card.
ASIO is a driver, when you play anything that requires audio the ASIO drivers will process this accordingly (assuming you have WinXP or an ASIO based sound card).

To acheive your goal, from what I can tell, you can just output directly from analogue outputs into your amp.

For crossovers, you can use software crossovers but you would need to output two (or more depending on the range of your speakers) channels from the sound card into two individual channels on the amp(s) and then take those channels and wire the sets of speakers (e.g. high, mid, low) to these individual channels.
Eq, etc, can be very easilly implemented using software (and usually is). If you are not happy with a particular front end's eq, or the winamp eq, or whatever you use, you can research into implementing a VST eq.
As far as the KX Project goes, I haven't really read much of it, but from what I can tell this is just a project for controlling aspects of the audio driver for example latency of MIDI devices, etc, but I may be completely wrong.

I hope this helps, I may still be completely misinterpreting you and rambling nonsense so don't take what I say as set in stone.

Regards

durwood

If you use the kxdrivers you have full access to the DSP including signal routing.

ASIO allows you to use advanced 3rd party host programs such as console and audiomulch.

The goal of combining KXdrivers, ASIO, and 3rd party VST host is to interrupt the software audio stream, insert processing and then continue to the hardware outs (analog out) on the soundcard. Normal soundcard operation does not allow you to "break" teh signal path inserting your own plugin processing and instead are limtied to whaveter the soundcard drivers limit you to.

If you follow this guide for your SB card, then there is no need for spdif loopback cable as it is handled in the DSP screen in the KX drivers.
http://www.mp3car.com/wiki/index.php...ble_Sound_card

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joey7415963

Just because I want to know, and I'm really not questioning it because I think I know better (because I don't), but what is the advantage of doing all of this when a stand-alone VST will process the audio on the stream out without the need for KX drivers.

durwood

If only it were that simple...a standalone VST plugin that did everything. Frequency allocator comes close since it has a built in VST host (VST are plugins that need to be used in some type of host program), but your soundcard still has to allow you to interrupt the audio stream. Consumer level soundcard drivers are dummied down and don't allow you access to channel routing. But in regards to your question, try doing something more than processing two channels with one soundcard (I'm not talking about EQ only here) and it will make more sense. 2 channel audio -> crossovers -> <more stuff> -> 8+ channels (tweeters, mids, woofers, subs)

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joey7415963

Ah, thanks thats cleared up a lot for me!

PS hope I haven't hijacked the thread, sorry if i have

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soundman98

Thanks Joey, and Durwood, that cleared alot up!

Woofnstuff

not a current thread i know, but if you guys have any more questions about kx and creative cards give me a pm, ive set up 5 systems now in professional situations using these.
KX is a bit hard at first, but once you get your head round it its powerfull.

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