Equalizer for windows
- Thread starter Jokerman
- Start date
What kind of soundcard do you have? Maybe the latest drivers come with one or the company provides some freeware on their website.
I am a freelance audio technician/engineer with experience from car stereos to full size stage rigs. I might be able to help if i knew what your setup is, ie. 2.1 surrounds, 5.1 surround, or bookshelf speakers,etc..
also what brand and model the speakers are would be helpfull. I am cusious as well as to how you have hooked them up in reagrds to cabling and frequecy settings and volume settings.
also what brand and model the speakers are would be helpfull. I am cusious as well as to how you have hooked them up in reagrds to cabling and frequecy settings and volume settings.
Hey, DS. I use a simple setup of Logitech R-20 subwoofer and desktop speakers, nothing fancy. (Id love to know how to throw in my old stereo set for a nice surround setup but atm Im focused on how to make my bass less dominant.)
About cabling/ frequencies and such- I have no clue, I just plug & play.
first we will start with the basics. I want you to check all the windows properties to make sure everything is correct. im working off win2k so little things will be different but not to a large degree.
first, goto your volume control>click file>make sure advanced controls is checked> go back to volume control and click the advanced button under "main". this will bring up different things for different soundcards. This is also usually where the bass/treble adjustments may be.
next, goto start button>control panel>sounds and multimedia>audio tab>click advanced in the playback area> make sure settings are correct for your system. If your unsure then just select desktop speakers. (i think your speakers will work fine at that setting because they are driven by one jack on the photos from logitech.com) the hardware acceleration and sample rate should be either best or one step below. if you find this creates problems then keep adjusting down until you like it.)
make sure that there is not a software client installed from the soundcard manufacturer that has any adjustment settings like stereo, reverb, bass/treble, etc. if there is then dig through that for bass/treble settings.
I did not find any adjustments to be made at the speaker so it should be a software/setting issue.
now if after all this your bass is still off the charts, then i would look to a speaker malfunction, most likely the electronics inside the speaker itself.
As for getting your full surround going understand that depending on what you use will determine how its setup. you need to find out what you need. If your stereo speakers are self powered then just plug them into the correct jacks out of the soundcard. If you have to run an amplifier(maybe a stereo?) then just plug into the back of the soundcard into the channels you want the speakers to live at(rear, center, etc..), then plug into the "aux left and right input" on the stereo. be aware that soundcard outputs are line level so make sure you dont plug into a turntable jack. Then just plug in the speakers making sure to keep the speaker wires correct.(+ to +, - to -)
you may end up needing cables with differant types of connectors on them, you can goto an electronics store and get these. if they dont have premade then just make em yourself. (its not difficult, just use patience.) i can see you needing a pair of 1/8" mini mono to rca mono adapters and maybe some speaker cable. dont get to big or to small of cable, stick to 14 gauge for low wattage and no bigger then 10 gauge for high wattage. By high wattage i mean 600 to 10,000 watts. low wattage i mean under 100 watts. I usally go for 12 gauge as it works out for most applications.
there are times whe you want 8 gauge but not for what your doing.
hope this helps. (sorry for the lack of capitols, i'm trying to cut down lol.)
first, goto your volume control>click file>make sure advanced controls is checked> go back to volume control and click the advanced button under "main". this will bring up different things for different soundcards. This is also usually where the bass/treble adjustments may be.
next, goto start button>control panel>sounds and multimedia>audio tab>click advanced in the playback area> make sure settings are correct for your system. If your unsure then just select desktop speakers. (i think your speakers will work fine at that setting because they are driven by one jack on the photos from logitech.com) the hardware acceleration and sample rate should be either best or one step below. if you find this creates problems then keep adjusting down until you like it.)
make sure that there is not a software client installed from the soundcard manufacturer that has any adjustment settings like stereo, reverb, bass/treble, etc. if there is then dig through that for bass/treble settings.
I did not find any adjustments to be made at the speaker so it should be a software/setting issue.
now if after all this your bass is still off the charts, then i would look to a speaker malfunction, most likely the electronics inside the speaker itself.
As for getting your full surround going understand that depending on what you use will determine how its setup. you need to find out what you need. If your stereo speakers are self powered then just plug them into the correct jacks out of the soundcard. If you have to run an amplifier(maybe a stereo?) then just plug into the back of the soundcard into the channels you want the speakers to live at(rear, center, etc..), then plug into the "aux left and right input" on the stereo. be aware that soundcard outputs are line level so make sure you dont plug into a turntable jack. Then just plug in the speakers making sure to keep the speaker wires correct.(+ to +, - to -)
you may end up needing cables with differant types of connectors on them, you can goto an electronics store and get these. if they dont have premade then just make em yourself. (its not difficult, just use patience.) i can see you needing a pair of 1/8" mini mono to rca mono adapters and maybe some speaker cable. dont get to big or to small of cable, stick to 14 gauge for low wattage and no bigger then 10 gauge for high wattage. By high wattage i mean 600 to 10,000 watts. low wattage i mean under 100 watts. I usally go for 12 gauge as it works out for most applications.
there are times whe you want 8 gauge but not for what your doing.
hope this helps. (sorry for the lack of capitols, i'm trying to cut down lol.)
Got stuck in step 1- I checked the advace ctrl for sure but the tone controls stays greyed.
The settings in the ctrl panel were correct by default.
Could be thats what "greying" the tone ctrls? How do I check for manufacturer software? With the device manger (drivers?)?
you do want to check your hardware device manager, just open it and go to sound, video and game controllers. look around in there. check out the porerties for your sound devices. there are a couple buttons that might allow you to get to some settngs.(they may also be greyed out as well.)
after that, check for software in your control panel>add/remove apps
just look for anything that has the name of your sound card in it, then look it up on your harddrive.
after that, even if you dont find anything, check your harddrive for a program folder with the name of your soundcard in it. If you find something, check inside for any utility apps.
hope this helps
I should of asked this way back, did anything happen right before your sound went wonky? im thinking a game or some other type of app you installed or used?
i did notice in the pics, on logitechs website of your speakers, you speakers have a three contact jack. if your speakers have been like this from the start it just might be an incompatible soundcard. (sound card might only be able to accept a two contact jack. It also doesn't hurt to check to make sure the jack is in fully.)
after that, check for software in your control panel>add/remove apps
just look for anything that has the name of your sound card in it, then look it up on your harddrive.
after that, even if you dont find anything, check your harddrive for a program folder with the name of your soundcard in it. If you find something, check inside for any utility apps.
hope this helps
I should of asked this way back, did anything happen right before your sound went wonky? im thinking a game or some other type of app you installed or used?
i did notice in the pics, on logitechs website of your speakers, you speakers have a three contact jack. if your speakers have been like this from the start it just might be an incompatible soundcard. (sound card might only be able to accept a two contact jack. It also doesn't hurt to check to make sure the jack is in fully.)
If you have Vista, yes, its all-new sound system (the same that "broke" X-Fi cards) provides both a system-wide as well as a "per-application" equalizer functionality.
At least, according to what I have read, haven't had the chance to try this for myself yet.
Ok, I checked the sound in the device manger, properties shows 4 items- mixer, midi, audio and such- each and everyone has the settings greyed.
The add/remove prog in the ctrl panel doesnt have somthing with soundMax in it but it has the driver (most likely): High definition audio driver package KB888111.
Searching in the HD - nada...
but-
I had my pc reformated (suspected I had a botnet+ had some performance issues) and made a backup of some of the progs. In it, ive found the old driver: SoundMax audio v51016110.
Unless there is no choice, Id rather keep my current driver, though, as Im preaty sure its the newest.
Oh, and btw- Im using XP too.
Oh, and btw again- thanks, I 'preciate it.
The add/remove prog in the ctrl panel doesnt have somthing with soundMax in it but it has the driver (most likely): High definition audio driver package KB888111.
Searching in the HD - nada...
but-
I had my pc reformated (suspected I had a botnet+ had some performance issues) and made a backup of some of the progs. In it, ive found the old driver: SoundMax audio v51016110.
Unless there is no choice, Id rather keep my current driver, though, as Im preaty sure its the newest.
Oh, and btw- Im using XP too.
Oh, and btw again- thanks, I 'preciate it.
no problem, happy to help.
I think you have gone through just about every thing but driver and/or speaker problem.
I am curious about the driver. I was able to find an updated driver for the soundmax http://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/3312/
I also saw a couple mentions on your current driver. Basically, your current driver is the one that shipped with xp and is the generic driver.(for a lack of better words)
At this point i would try to hook up other speakers and see if they sound to bassy. if they do then I would start looking at a driver or a new soundcard.
If the second set of speakers sound fine, then start looking for new speakers.
You can use headphones for this test but the amount of bass they can produce will be dependant on the headphone itself.
From what I found from this site http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12022_div/12022_div.HTML , using a comp that uses that audio chipset, i think your speakers are not compatible with your sound card. im gonig back to the 3 conector jack on the speakers. Accourding to the specs, you should have a 2 contact jack on your comp. you can find out by having everything on and pulling that jack out slowly, you'll hear how the speakers react to when the different contacts meet. you may be able to just pull the jack out slightly and get everything to sound right, or maybe pushing the jack all the way in. I cant say unless i was there. This however may not explain if your speakers where working fine before. but im reaching at this point lol.
I think you have gone through just about every thing but driver and/or speaker problem.
I am curious about the driver. I was able to find an updated driver for the soundmax http://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/3312/
I also saw a couple mentions on your current driver. Basically, your current driver is the one that shipped with xp and is the generic driver.(for a lack of better words)
At this point i would try to hook up other speakers and see if they sound to bassy. if they do then I would start looking at a driver or a new soundcard.
If the second set of speakers sound fine, then start looking for new speakers.
You can use headphones for this test but the amount of bass they can produce will be dependant on the headphone itself.
From what I found from this site http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12022_div/12022_div.HTML , using a comp that uses that audio chipset, i think your speakers are not compatible with your sound card. im gonig back to the 3 conector jack on the speakers. Accourding to the specs, you should have a 2 contact jack on your comp. you can find out by having everything on and pulling that jack out slowly, you'll hear how the speakers react to when the different contacts meet. you may be able to just pull the jack out slightly and get everything to sound right, or maybe pushing the jack all the way in. I cant say unless i was there. This however may not explain if your speakers where working fine before. but im reaching at this point lol.
Ok, Ill test this driver asap, and Ive found yet another driver with a utillity included, that was shipped with the mobo cd. Im not at home right now but Ill post here the exact brand, or just try them both.
I would hate to part with the speakers or the SC, Im quite happy with the sound (cept for the bass of course), as desktop speakers go they are quite good, I think. I cant understand why a simple thing like that, where once all you had to do is move a dial a notch is causing so much hassle in an 2007 pc...why are those stupid settings options greyed ??
(dont mind me, just venting some frus)
I would hate to part with the speakers or the SC, Im quite happy with the sound (cept for the bass of course), as desktop speakers go they are quite good, I think. I cant understand why a simple thing like that, where once all you had to do is move a dial a notch is causing so much hassle in an 2007 pc...why are those stupid settings options greyed ??
(dont mind me, just venting some frus)
The driver you linked me is refusing to install, it sais that it couldnt find a driver and I should reboot and try again. It does that whether there's a previous driver or not.
Anyway, I installed the one from my mobo cd. It has an equalizer utillity, coded with a strong anti-intuitive-controls agenda underneath (up is down. left is middle.), but Ill sit on it and hope to find the sweet spot.
Tone ctrls are still, much like Moses's Mt. Nevou (spelling), looms in the horizon, enveloped in a misty GREY, indicating the promised land is near but I shall never set foot on it...
Im blurbin, sry..and thanks again, DS.
Anyway, I installed the one from my mobo cd. It has an equalizer utillity, coded with a strong anti-intuitive-controls agenda underneath (up is down. left is middle.), but Ill sit on it and hope to find the sweet spot.
Tone ctrls are still, much like Moses's Mt. Nevou (spelling), looms in the horizon, enveloped in a misty GREY, indicating the promised land is near but I shall never set foot on it...
Im blurbin, sry..and thanks again, DS.
Good reference.
It sounds like it may be more on the soundcard with the utility program you mentioned. Maybe some defualt setting or something? I dunno. I have a feeling that it will be solved soon.
It sounds like it may be more on the soundcard with the utility program you mentioned. Maybe some defualt setting or something? I dunno. I have a feeling that it will be solved soon.
Hey Dont Shoot, you ever go to http://gear****z.com/board/ ? I do some recording at home, and I find it is a great source of info and entertainment... Got a ton of other boards I frequent too...
http://messageboard.tapeop.com/
http://duc.digidesign.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB32
http://www.electrical.com/phpBB2/
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=57&x=13&y=7
http://recording.org/
Just butting in, don't mind me.
EDIT: Oh for the luva god. That first CENSORED link is gear S L U T z.com Jesus, you idiot censors, Sl ut is a bad word? I want no part of this modern world. We play at KILLING each other, but we can't say sl ut? Gaaaah! I'm going crazy now. I hope you all die.
http://messageboard.tapeop.com/
http://duc.digidesign.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB32
http://www.electrical.com/phpBB2/
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&forumid=57&x=13&y=7
http://recording.org/
Just butting in, don't mind me.
EDIT: Oh for the luva god. That first CENSORED link is gear S L U T z.com Jesus, you idiot censors, Sl ut is a bad word? I want no part of this modern world. We play at KILLING each other, but we can't say sl ut? Gaaaah! I'm going crazy now. I hope you all die.
hello, i havent been to those sites before but ill check em out. Always good to have more info and all. The forums i do goto when in need is http://studio-central.com/phpbb/index.php The guy there named tweak really knows his stuff. Usually im surrounded by other engineers either on set or in the studio so when it comes to getting questions answered i just usually smack the tech next to me and ask him. I usually have everything under control as i started in live sound, went to the studio and cut my teeth, then went back to live sound to make money. i usually do corporate gigs as rock&roll doesnt pay enough to make it worth while. I do take small R&R gigs just to have a blast and of course to torture the musicians that are idiots. Before you ask, the good musicians, I make sound excellent.*note to musicians, never piss off the sound guy*
I have a home studio as well and of course i never have enough toys lol. Im limited more by my room then the equipment though. Its impossible to dial this room in as its design is horrible for sound. It's all good though because i have friends with high end studio's that i can use for the final tracks and polish.
Crap, guess i started to ramble on lol.
I have a home studio as well and of course i never have enough toys lol. Im limited more by my room then the equipment though. Its impossible to dial this room in as its design is horrible for sound. It's all good though because i have friends with high end studio's that i can use for the final tracks and polish.
Crap, guess i started to ramble on lol.
Are you sure there isn't a knob on the woofer to adjust its strength? Perhaps on the rear or the bottom?