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Topic: Soundcard with hardware/driver-level equalizer? (Read 5836 times) previous topic - next topic
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Soundcard with hardware/driver-level equalizer?

Hi, I have a server as my main source of audio, and currently have Inguz EQ hooked up to squeezecenter, thus I get equalized sound when i listen to audio files.

However I'm looking for a soundcard with a hardware/driver level equalizer (preferrably a configurable parametric equalizer) so that I can equalize all sound on the system, including streamed music from spotify, pandora, netradio, whatever.


Anyone got any suggestions?
Thorbjorn

Soundcard with hardware/driver-level equalizer?

Reply #1 –
A soundblaster live or audigy can do this with the kX project drivers. These cards have a built-in DSP, so all the effects are done on hardware. Check out the parametric eq:
http://i2.tinypic.com/11hdyfk.gif

I know these cards resample (I've even got an audiophile 24/96 which I don't use), but I can't give up the amazing functionality of the kX project!

Soundcard with hardware/driver-level equalizer?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: edwardar on
A soundblaster live or audigy can do this with the kX project drivers. These cards have a built-in DSP, so all the effects are done on hardware. Check out the parametric eq:
http://i2.tinypic.com/11hdyfk.gif

I know these cards resample (I've even got an audiophile 24/96 which I don't use), but I can't give up the amazing functionality of the kX project!


Aha. So all I need to do is buy a soundblaster live card and download the kx drivers? Thanks for the tip!  I have to check this out 

Thorbjorn

Soundcard with hardware/driver-level equalizer?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: onkl on
Here's a list of supported cards. There are different Live! cards.



Yeah I found that, but it seems to be mostly discontinued cards? I'm unable to find any of these cards for sale in Norway.. 

It seems to be mostly X-fi cards nowadays. Or audigy SE, but that's not supported either.
Thorbjorn

Soundcard with hardware/driver-level equalizer?

Reply #5 –
Quote
I'm looking for a soundcard with a hardware/driver level equalizer (preferrably a configurable parametric equalizer)...
I think (graphic) equalizers are getting pretty common.  I think my motherboard soundchip driver/utility has one, but I don't use it.  It might be more common for  surround-sound cards, since these typically have "soundfield" and other optional effects.

I searched soundblaster.com for "equalizer" and I got a few hits, but without digging I couldn't figure out what products it applied to.  I also got hits on the Turtle Beach site, so it's probably just a matter of digging into the features/specs for various soundcards.

Soundcard with hardware/driver-level equalizer?

Reply #6 –
The Audigy 2-, Audigy 4- and X-Fi-series cards with the EMU10Kx (Audigy) or EMU20Kx (X-Fi) DSP have a driver-level equalizer function with the stock drivers. On all the cards with the EMU DSPs, the equalization is done in hardware. Otherwise, the DSP is software (CPU)-based.

A ton of other C-Media-based cards also have driver-level equalizers. Whether they're exposed in the vendor-specific drivers depends on the vendor