Explanation of the secret of installing SoundMAX to allow AC 97 to listen to Tian Lai

Trace the Source: AC 97

AC 97 is called "Audio Codec 97", which means "Audio multimedia digital signal encoding/decoder ". This is an audio circuit system standard jointly developed by Intel, Analog Devices and other related manufacturers and has been widely recognized by the industry. AC 97 is a technical specification standard. In short, it uses a dual-chip architecture to keep the ADC and DAC as independent as possible, in order to reduce interference and improve sound quality. Most of the multimedia Sound cards on the market, except CMI8738, comply with the AC 97 standard, including the well-known innovative Sound Blaster Live! Series sound cards. Here I want to clarify that many friends treat the AC 97 sound card as a soft sound card, or confuse the AC 97 sound card with the sound card integrated with the motherboard. In fact, these are all incorrect. We can see from the definition of the sound card of AC 97 above that it only represents an audio processing technology, an abstract specification, rather than a specific sound card product category. The so-called AC 97 soft sound card refers to replacing the audio processing chip of the traditional hard sound card with a CPU for various audio computing and processing work, the processed digital signal is then handed over to a type of product output by an external DAC or onboard Codec (hardware decoder. From the current situation, the AC 97 soft sound card is mainly integrated with the main board, but there are also similar to the traditional hard sound card that comes out with an independent board face, such products mainly use the CNR interface, like the CNR-SoundMAX sound card launched by RUILI, three AD1885 Codec sound cards can work collaboratively to achieve 6-channel output results. Similar products are available in many companies such as Hercules. On the other hand, the sound card integrated with the motherboard is not necessarily an AC 97 soft sound card, or even an AC 97 sound card; the former, such as the innovative CT5880/ES1373, belongs to the AC 97 hard Sound Card Integrated on the Main Board. In addition to the sound chip, this product also integrates a Codec Chip on the main board; the latter, such as CMI8738, also belongs to the hard Sound Card Integrated on the motherboard, but it does not comply with the AC 97 technical specifications, so it does not integrate the Codec Chip.
In fact, apart from the lack of sound processing chips, other hardware components of the AC 97 soft sound card have no difference with the working principle and the AC 97 hard sound card. There may be many factors that affect the performance of the AC 97 sound card, but the type of the Codec Chip, the advantages and disadvantages of PCB wiring, and the perfection of the corresponding driver are the most important. Among the three key elements, the Codec Chip responsible for DA and AD (digital-to-analog/analog-to-analog conversion) determines the type of driver used, therefore, many people often regard the Codec model as the model of the AC 97 soft sound card. Some people may worry that the traditional sound processing chip is removed and all relies on software simulation and CPU computing. Can the sound quality of the AC 97 soft sound card be compared with that of the traditional hard sound card? At the same time, will the CPU resource usage remain high? In fact, there is no need to worry about this. In terms of performance, the traditional hard sound card can certainly obtain certain performance advantages by virtue of its high-speed DSP chip, but now the CPU performance has been unprecedentedly powerful, the audio processing technologies and corresponding drivers represented by SoundMAX have become increasingly mature. In this case, the AC 97 sound card not only guarantees sound quality, in addition, due to the characteristics of software simulation, it has almost endless upgrade potential: Imagine if a sound card manufacturer has launched an epoch new sound card product, so can you take the driver and upgrade it to your old sound card? The AC 97 soft sound card has no such concerns. For example, the progress from version 2.0 to version 3.0 is no less than the innovation of Audigy on SB Live! But all we have to do is simply switch the driver on the AC 97 soft sound card that supports SoundMAX 3.0 technology! So what is SoundMAX? What other technologies does the AC 97 soft sound card support? Please proceed.

SoundMAX technology Overview

Similar to the Technical Specification of AC 97, SounMAX is also a technical specification-to be more detailed, it is a sound card technology "Implementation Rules" based on the technical specifications of AC 97 ". However, unlike the practice of "soft and hardware" in "AC 97," SoundMAX "is born to sympathize with the" soft "weak and attaches special importance to discovering the potential of the Codec Chip, it has hardware-level data processing and conversion capabilities and a professional sound playback capability of up to 94dB. It is mainly a technical solution supporting the AC 97 soft sound card. Currently, this technical solution has been developed into SoundMAX With SPX (Sound Product extension) technology, or Sound MAX 3.0 technology for short. SoundMAX 3.0 technology is jointly developed by Analog Devices and Intel. Its biggest feature is the integration of the SPX audio effect algorithm. This algorithm mainly improves the sound effects of 3D games, provides built-in Physical Modeling and event modeling, and supports software DSP digital signal processing and synthesis technology that can be upgraded. The SPX technology can flexibly and realistically simulate real-time sound changes in 3D game scenarios. This dynamic computing method can make endless changes to the game that supports it, even in the same game situation, a few different factors may cause random sound changes. The game sounds are no longer static, and the fun will also increase. SoundMAX 3.0 has the following features:

· Compatible with Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating systems; API drivers compatible with Microsoft DirectSound/DirectX 8.1; innovative EAX 1.0/2.0; proud A3D 1.0; IA-SIG I3DL2; sensaura MacroFX/Zoom FX and so on.

· Audio decoder: full-duplex processing capability; 8-bit/16-bit, single-channel/stereo recording playback; hardware sampling rate can be adjusted in units of 1 kHz between 7kHz-48kHz; the output signal-to-noise ratio can reach 94dB, the harmonic distortion cannot exceed 0.01% orders of magnitude, and the frequency range is between 20Hz-20kHz.

· Wave table Synthesis: supports Sensaura 3D audio location technology, DSL2 integrated engine, 1.2 MB XGLite/4 MB General MIDI audio library, and allows users to load custom sound settings to SoundMAX synthesizer; you can even use some third-party software applications to create your own MIDI sequence and DLS sound settings. You can adjust the CPU usage within the range of 20%-80% when playing MIDI.

All of these outstanding features have boosted the performance of the common AC "97 sound card, so that numerous users of the AC" 97 sound card are excited. At the same time, they have triggered a wave of drive modification. After a year, we finally ushered in the SoundMAX latest version of SoundMAX4.0 XL driver.

　
New Features and changes of SoundMAX4.0 XL

1. Brand new control panel
It looks beautiful and supports skin replacement (black and white by default ). The recording and playback items in the interface can also be added or deleted at will, and can be separately controlled. It can be said that the new control panel can completely replace the Windows volume control program.

2. AudioESP Technology
SoundMAX 4 XL AudioESP technology can remind users when an error occurs when connecting to the audio peripheral device, instruct them to connect the microphone, PC speaker and other audio devices to the correct system plug-in. SoundMAX 4 XL also provides a "virtual dashboard" that allows users to easily manage audio controls for optimal performance )", and an enhanced audio wizard that allows users to quickly install their audio peripheral devices. Maybe friends will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of the new SoundMAX 4 technology. When you plug the microphone into the wrong horn connector, not only the control interface will be identified, the screen will show you how to correct it, saving us a lot of trouble.

3, virtual Theater (tm) Surround
The latest award-winning Sensaura 5.1 Virtual Theater surround sound technology enables Virtual Multi-Channel movie tracks in stereo speakers.

4. Microphone noise reduction technology
Andrea electronics is a technology developer led by microphone software development, PureAudio. 2.0 is an environmental digital noise reduction algorithm that provides a pure audio/video signal in a noisy environment. This algorithm greatly improves the speech recognition system under continuous and repetitive noises. When patented array DSDA. 2.0 adaptive microphone technology is combined with Andrea SuperBeam stereo array microphones, it can make sound input in the wireless headset field better.

5. Others
In addition to adjusting and setting the control panel mentioned above, you can also adjust the speaker layout and audio environment on the listener environment tab (many preset environments are available for selection, which is very convenient ), to achieve the best listening effect. In addition, the new MIDI synthesizer is also a highlight of SoundMAX 4 XL. SoundMAX 4 XL not only has a first-class DLS2 MIDI synthesizer, it also includes a popular Yamaha DLSbyXG tone set and supports audio technology for all mainstream games. The new microphone option is also available. Here we can set it to effectively reduce the noise produced by the microphone at work, which is of great practical value.

The SoundMAX 4 XL driver significantly reduces the CPU usage compared with SoundMAX3.0 when playing music and games, and improves the sense of presence of music. In addition, SoundMAX 4 XL optimizes the EAX algorithm in the game, so that the screen will no longer pause when EAX is enabled in the game.

SoundMAX 4.0 Application Scope

In addition to the CNR sound card mentioned above, we only need a motherboard With a Codec Chip that supports this technology. The cost is almost zero! So what kind of motherboard can use this technology?

If you have an i810 or later chipset motherboard (including i810, i815, i820, i830, i840, i845, i850, and so on ), and the Codec Chip model on the motherboard is AD1885 or higher, you can directly install the SoundMAX 4.0 driver. However, the Audio Controller Integrated with the SiS chipset VIA VT8233 has the highest priority. For the motherboard using this chipset, The Codec Chip only serves as a decoder, so the SoundMAX 4.0 driver cannot be used. Sound MAX 630 is not available for mainboards that use either VIA KT266 (A)/VIA Apollo Pro266/SiS 635/SiS 730/SiS 735/SiS 4.0 chipset, other non-Intel chipset may cause problems even when installed, so it is not recommended.

Modify and install SoundMAX 4.0

1. Prepare two SoundMAX 4XL drivers in advance
First of all, we do not recommend version 5.12.01.5410. Many people in this version reflect that the control panel cannot be used. According to my test, version 5410 does not support the control panel, but its sound quality is inferior to version 5290, this is mainly because this version does not support the A3D, Sonic Focus DSP service driver, and Sensaura WDM 3D Audio Driver drivers. Whether you like the high version or sound quality depends on your personal preferences.
1. 5.12.01.5290 (asus oem)
Compressed Package 1
Ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/misc/audio...15290_part1.zip
Compressed package 2
Ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/misc/audio...15290_part2.zip
Compressed package 3
Ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/misc/audio...15290_part3.zip

2. 5.12.3580
China Netcom master download 2
Http://file.mydrivers.com/sound/5.12.01.3580_SM4.zip
Main Telecom downloads 2
Http://file6.mydrivers.com/files/sound/5.12.01.3580_SM4.zip

2. The next step is to add the hardware ID.
After the download is complete, extract the two drivers to the 5290 and 3580 folders, and copy SMWDMIF from X: \ 3580 \ SM_Comn \ Sys. dll and SMax4PNP in X: \ 3580 \ SM_PNP \ Sys. copy the two files in EXE to X: \ 5290 to overwrite the corresponding files in the folder. In the run dialog box, type dxdiag to call up the DirectX diagnostic tool. Click Save to save all information. The default value is DxDiag. TXT.
Open it and find
-------------
Sound Devices
------------- This item
Here, Hardware ID: what follows is what we need ~ (For example, the ID of the AL655 chip is PCI \ VEN_8086 & DEV_24C5 & SUBSYS_810F1043 & REV_02. Find the smwdmCH5.inf file in X: \ 5290 \ SMAXWDM \ W2K_XP (XP or 2000 system), cancel the read-only attribute of the smwdmCH5.inf file, and open it in notepad, find the last line of the [AnalogDevices] section, add the idnumber of the local ac'97 sound card in a fixed format, and find a line of AnalogDevices, add the device ID in the format below. For example, the author added: % * WDM_AC97AUD.DeviceDesc % = WDM_865GM, PCI \ VEN_8086 & DEV_24C5 & SUBSYS_810F1043 & REV_02 (note that the DeviceDesc % = WDM_865GM character segment must be the same as your motherboard, there should be a lot of corresponding settings later. After a character segment is removed, the installation still cannot be performed.) save the file.

3. Replace the driver
Open the DIRECTX diagnostic tool-> sound-> tab, and enter a name in the right column. Find the name in C: \ WINDOWS \ SYSTEM32 \ or the original driver installation package, rename the found file to smwdm. sys and
X: \ 5290 \ SMAXWDM \ W2K_XP \ overwrite the original file (XP or 2000 System)

For people with low requirements, you already have your own driver package!

4. Uninstall the original driver. After restart, install the driver you just modified!
During the installation process, the system will prompt that the SoundMAX driver has not passed the Windows logo test. You don't have to worry about it. Just click "continue, next, you need to insert Windows XP SP1 and Windows XP installation CD to copy drmk. sys and wdmaud. drv files. During the installation process, there will also be three warnings about the three files that have just been replaced that do not match the files in the CAB package. Ignore them! After the installation is complete, follow the prompts to restart!

SoundMAX 4.0 practical application

After the installation process is complete, a shortcut icon appears on the taskbar to adjust the system sound settings conveniently.

Open the SoudMAX 4.0 control panel. Did you quickly find that there are more audio adjustment wizard and audio diagnosis than SoudMAX 3.0?

In preference --> There is color allocation in general, which is used for skin replacement. Although only black and white options are available, it is also helpful to relieve your visual fatigue.

In the "preference --> listener environment" option, you can adjust speaker settings, virtual theater surround effect, Bass boost, and audio environment, and customize the listening style. The "virtual theater surround effect" can be used to simulate the Multi-Channel movie sound effect on the stereo speaker. Note that if you set "Speaker Settings" to "stereo headphones, this option is optional (if you need a headset to have this feature, you need to purchase it separately ). The "audio environment" provides up to 23 different environmental options, allowing us to experience different sound fields on the same brain.

In the "Preferences --> listening environment --> MIDI music synthesizer" option, you can adjust the default sound settings, synthesizer effect, and synthesizer quality of the synthesizer. In the "synthesizer default sound settings" option, you can customize the default sound settings, SoundMAX with 4 MB of professional sound settings and 1.2MB of XGlite sound settings; if you are playing a MIDI file in Yamaha XG format, select the XGlite sound setting option.

In addition to these options, you can run the DLS loader in the "Start" menu or in a shortcut on the taskbar. The DLS loader allows you to load custom MIDI sound settings to the SoundMAX synthesizer. You can use the associated DLS sound settings in a Windows Media Player to automatically load and play the MIDI sequence: If you select. RMD file, the program will automatically load the supporting DLS file; if you select. the MID file is also used. In addition, you can manually mount the. MID and. DLS files and then run the Windows Media Player.

Note: 1. I do not have an EQ regulator in the installation file of this version, so don't count on this :-)

2. Line input and microphone adjustment are currently unavailable. It may be related to the configuration file. Let's talk about it later.

3.after installation, I found that the soundfont file dlsbyxg.dlsand smax4wiz.exe were not loaded. Copy them directly, find them in x: \ 5290 \ SM_Comn \ Wiz and x: \ 5290 \ SM_Synth, and copy them to C: \ Program Files \ Analog Devices \ SoundMAX. (Not found? Go to 3580)
4. sf. dll (Sonic Focus DSP service driver) is also indispensable. Find it in x: \ 3580 \ SMAXWDM \ W2K_XP and copy it to C: \ Program Files \ Analog Devices \ SoundMAX

Now, what are you waiting for? Start to experience your tianyao workshop ......