Setting up a Creative Audigy 2 ZS as a Dolby Pro-Logic encoder

Content

Introduction
What's required
Hardware Instructions
Software Instruction
Troubleshooting

Introduction

With the use of kx-project drivers, it is possible to use a Creative Audigy 2 ZS (or similar EMU10K1/10K2 card) as a Dolby Pro-Logic compatible encoder of the output from another sound card.

Please note, that whilst this setup will create audio with matrix encoding compatible with a Dolby Pro-Logic decoder, it is not true Pro-Logic. The results should produce acceptable surround sound quality.

↑ Back to top

What's required

Your main sound card (e.g. X-Fi, Realtek etc.)
Creative Audigy 2 ZS as Pro-Logic Encoder card
kx-project driver - Download
ProFx Plugin - Download
2x 3.5mm Stereo plug to 3.5mm Stereo plug cables
1x 3.5mm Mono plug to 3.5mm Stereo socket adapter

↑ Back to top

Hardware Instructions

Connect the audio cables are follows:

Main Card Front Line-Out --> 3.5mm Stereo to Stereo cable --> Audigy 2 ZS Line Input
Main Card Rear Line-Out --> 3.5mm Stereo to Stereo cable --> 3.5mm Stereo to 3.5mm Mono adapter --> Audigy 2 ZS Mic Input

Then connect your Dolby Pro-Logic decoder to the line-out of the Audigy 2 ZS.

↑ Back to top

Software Instructions

Open the kx DSP page of kx Manager by right-clicking on the blue kx icon in the Windows system tray
Right-click and select Register Effects (Dane/kXL/RIFX)...
Install the ProFX plugin by selecting the relevant kxl file from the ProFX 3.x download. For example, ProFx309_45.kxl
Right-click again and select Add Plugin/Effect --> ProFX --> ProFX:ADC
This will add the ADC plugin to the kx DSP window.
Right-click on the ADC plugin box that has appeared in the DSP window.
Set up the options as shown above. The Rec Source should be set to Mic. Under Mixer, select Line and UDA. This allows both Line and Mic to be used simultaneously.
Connect up the rest of the DSP and set the levels as follows:

(click to view large image)

↑ Back to top

Troubleshooting

Vista 32-bit produces noise with >2GB RAM

The kx drivers do not work correctly with greater than 2GB of RAM. However, since the audio device parts of the driver aren't being used (just the DSP processing), this is not a problem. You can safely disable the inputs and outputs in Sound Devices.

Vista 64-bit does not find kx drivers

The kx-project drivers do not support Windows Vista 64-bit. The Creative drivers for the Audigy do work on Vista 64-bit but do not provide the flexibility to re-program the DSP. If you are using Vista 64-bit it is not possible to use this guide.

↑ Back to top