GrogHeads Forum

I'm writing the final part of a PC audio piece for the site and was interested in what people are doing for PC audio these days......

Prior to my latest build I always used some variant of a Soundblaster card but recently the drivers have been problematic so I went with onboard sound in my latest build and am completely happy. Bye Bye Soundblaster!

I'm using whatever the default is in this laptop. It's pretty good.

I've got a set of awesome headphones that are 7.1 capable, but haven't ponied up the booster to take advantage of whatever sound benefit that is supposed to yield. So far I don't think I've been ripped off though I can't say what I'm missing.

this:

Quote from: Shelldrake on October 12, 2012, 01:07:29 PM
Prior to my latest build I always used some variant of a Soundblaster card but recently the drivers have been problematic so I went with onboard sound in my latest build and am completely happy. Bye Bye Soundblaster!

You're gonna want to read the piece I'm working on now - some very interesting info to that that relates to your experience.

Was using the on board motherboard driver. 

Upgraded to Logitech G35 headset which has a 7.1 surround sound chipset built in.  Windows Device Manager detects it as another sound card.

I just use the motherboards sound card.

On my current build I am also using the onboard sound for most stuff but a USB headset for Hulu and Gaming that shows up as a sound device much like Eyebiter's. The Bass on the headset is pretty heavy.

Quote from: GDS_Starfury on October 12, 2012, 01:41:17 PM
this:

Is that a 2006 Macbook C2D behind that Space Alien's junk?

I'm using a SB card in my desktop. There is a Realtek audio on the motherboard, but I wanted a SB.  I've tried them both separetly and they both sound good to me.  Even though I disable the realtek audio, every once in a while I loose my SB and end up with the realtek.  I've never been able to determine if its the SB drivers or the HP desktop...

I didn't vote because I play all my games with sound off.

Wild.... By choice or is it an environmental constraint ?

Both. With the wife in the same room it annoys her. Most wargames have repetitive gunshots and explosion sounds that get on my nerves quickly. Such as Steel Panthers during opponent replay or AI turn. Or vehicle movement sounds in games like Combat Mission.

It puts me at a disadvantage in some games that give you intel by sound. Close Combat seemed to need sound to be played at all, as the queues from your troops reduced the need to view the message box.

I also generally listen to online radio while I play.

Ironically I did the sound for Panzer Command Ostfront. Testing that required the wife to be watching TV in the other room.

I've come to embrace the headset.  Current rig has a Soundblaster card in addition to the on board and frankly I cannot tell the difference.

Quote from: Staggerwing on October 12, 2012, 06:48:59 PM
On my current build I am also using the onboard sound for most stuff but a USB headset for Hulu and Gaming that shows up as a sound device much like Eyebiter's. The Bass on the headset is pretty heavy.

Quote from: GDS_Starfury on October 12, 2012, 01:41:17 PM
this:

Is that a 2006 Macbook C2D behind that Space Alien's junk?

i find the floating leg more disturbing. Star? Victim? FBI?

I dont know what kind of macs they are. 
and thats not my leg.  crocs.... rufkm!

fwiw all my pc's have sound blasters in them and Ive rarely had any issues.
having said that one of the few issues Ive seen is them interfacing with the equipment pictured
above.  doing that is kind of ghetto style though as midi boards and mixing boards do better
with proprietary extarnal/stand alone sound cards/boxs.

Most of those are straight USB or firewire connections aren't they ? I use a Edirol/Roland UA-25 in my home studio set-up and  run the monitors directly from it - damn sound cards just get in the way on my recording rig  ;)

its the firewire to usb conversions that suck when using pc's to run traktor and its associated equipment.
unless you have that step of external sound cards.

Quote from: MIGMaster on October 12, 2012, 12:58:41 PM
I'm writing the final part of a PC audio piece for the site and was interested in what people are doing for PC audio these days......

After a lot of research, I went with a ASUS Xonar DX that I picked up at Microcenter. I was kickin' it with onboard sound, but since I use my computer as a stereo, I needed something with more options. I also ditched the 5.1 surround for a really nice 2.1 Logitech system with a crazy 500W or something.

I'd have gone with another SB, but the higher end cards were more money than I was willing to spend. I just checked out their site and it looks like they're cards are getting exponentially better.

Creative has a lot of nice cards for under $100.