Now, before everyone says "creative sucks" and "their drivers are terrible", let me say that I completely agree.
 
On to the issue at hand, I installed bulletstorm last night and the sound was working perfectly. No problems at all, it sounded fantastic (other than the cheesy voice acting)....Well today I started the game and the gunshots and all of the sounds that are closest to me seem very quiet, while when I shoot at something, the impact of the bullets hitting whatever it may be are very loud.... also voices are exceptionally loud.  Anyone have any thoughts as to what may cause this? I tried reconfiguring my speakers, etc.... to no avail. God this card is so frustrating. It usually works fantastically, then some nonsense like this happens every now and then. lolz. 
 
 

Check the auidio settings in game, sounds as if it's the problem...You could also disable the audio controller for onboard audio, making for less confusion as far as games auto detect for hardware goes...

I also agree with the in game audio settings if there is one.
 
Sorry your having problems with yours, mine gave me a headache but for different reasons but mine works 100% and great now.

Thanks guys. I definitely have my onboard audio disabled in the bios. I really haven't had any problems with this install of windows......... I've developed a formula where I install windows without the sound card in the slot, and with the onboard sound disabled. after updating windows and installing the service pack, I then pop the card into the slot and then install the newest beta creative driver. It gives me crackle-free audio (occasionally I'd get crackle with the start-up sound)..... but now this situation has arrived.  I don't think its necessarily only with the game, as audio in sw:tor seemed a little off, too. It may have been a placebo effect however. Anyways, I'd like nothing more than to be able to throw this card into a lake, but there really isn't anything that does 5.1 analog that is a good overall card for games + music + video like this. (when it works) 

ht|omega eclaro 7.1 pci-e x1  
most awsome sound card on planet earth. $185...ouchie

Yeah im not looking to buy something new. I seem to have most of my issue solved, actually.  I definitely had a gander at that card, was concerned about its performance with gaming. 

@ raz187,
 
Does the HT Omega Claro 7.1 have any reverberation effects on it?

yeah honestly I'd like to hear more from you about that card and your personal experiences if you dont mind, raz?

make sure you have the beta drivers
 
i did 3 RMAs when i got my sound card back in nov. ... installing beta driver and running creative update solved ALL my problems

i mentioned using the beta drivers earlier in the thread.

Do you have the "EAX Effects" enabled in your Creative Console Launcher?
Ive had tons of trouble with Creative changing settings on me for no apparent reason. I often have to go and chech through a few settings that get changed to find the prob.
 
Im using the digital I/O (Optical)
 
I still dont have everything worked out with headphones working all the time.
 
Id check all thoes settings in everything Creative has and make sure that something didnt get changed on you. 

MY EAX Effects don't change on me, but then again, my 20k2 SB is an onboard thing, so maybe it's better?   I've been in debate about buying a RECON 3D SB just to give it a try and see if it makes a difference.  I'm procrastinating on the idea.
 
I've got my A40 hooked up with 3.5mm jacks and my toslink going SPDIF going out to my Onkyo AV S9300. There's no ghost changing my EAX Effects everytime I load up...
 
@theophilus20,
 
is your OS and SB client on an HDD?  I'm curious to know...

Theophilus20


Do you have the "EAX Effects" enabled in your Creative Console Launcher?
Ive had tons of trouble with Creative changing settings on me for no apparent reason. I often have to go and chech through a few settings that get changed to find the prob.

Im using the digital I/O (Optical)

I still dont have everything worked out with headphones working all the time.

Id check all thoes settings in everything Creative has and make sure that something didnt get changed on you. 

 
wow. somehow EAX got enabled, and without a doubt, disabling restored all of my normal sound function. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Hawaiiboi808

 @theophilus20,
 is your OS and SB client on an HDD?  I'm curious to know...

Yes They are both on the same HDD

hoserx

Theophilus20


Do you have the "EAX Effects" enabled in your Creative Console Launcher?
Ive had tons of trouble with Creative changing settings on me for no apparent reason. I often have to go and chech through a few settings that get changed to find the prob.

Im using the digital I/O (Optical)

I still dont have everything worked out with headphones working all the time.

Id check all thoes settings in everything Creative has and make sure that something didnt get changed on you. 

wow. somehow EAX got enabled, and without a doubt, disabling restored all of my normal sound function. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Cool!
It seems that SB Updates often do not save your settings before applying an Update.
That is why i have become so proficient at navigating all the regular recurring changes that get made, andn changing them back to the way i had them set before.
Sounds like you will also get real familiar with this stuff.

I've had this card forever....... this is the first time this happened to me. I guess I never thought to disable EAX because I didnt have any individual effect selected....... I figured it wouldnt possibly be causing issues.......... I should have known though..........an api from Creative..........of course it will have a mind of its own and cause problems. lol

I have a Creative X-fi card as well. I get crackling sound and loud static for no reason. Switch over to onboard and everything works fine. I am just never going to get a dedicated sound card ever again. I think my CPU can handle onboard audio by itself. 
 

kidcrumb

I have a Creative X-fi card as well. I get crackling sound and loud static for no reason. Switch over to onboard and everything works fine. I am just never going to get a dedicated sound card ever again. I think my CPU can handle onboard audio by itself. 

I think this is typical of all SB Cards, and it takes some time for it to just go away.  I think it needs a break-in period.  My onboard 20k2 was like that for about 2 weeks, then it stopped.  The crackling and loud static just came out of no where during a PC Game.

 x-fi fatality professional
 
 
well theres your problem (said in an adam savage mythbuster kinda tone)

Hawaiiboi808


I think this is typical of all SB Cards, and it takes some time for it to just go away.  I think it needs a break-in period.  My onboard 20k2 was like that for about 2 weeks, then it stopped.  The crackling and loud static just came out of no where during a PC Game.

 
i am not so sure i have never experienced this issue of staticky, crackling, and popping with anything BUT creative products.  nothign out of onboard or the razor barracuda sound cards.  i belive the issue lies in creatives EAX personally.

Did disabling EAX work? Ill try that. I have a dedicated card, and i will use it!!!!
 
 

lordraptor: this thread wasnt created to hear negative things about the card. we all understand the issues, and I illustrated that in the intial point. thanks for that valued comment. 
 
kidcrumb: yes, scroll up and read. 

hoserx


lordraptor: this thread wasnt created to hear negative things about the card. we all understand the issues, and I illustrated that in the intial point. thanks for that valued comment. 

kidcrumb: yes, scroll up and read. 

 
yeah well if you would have used some intelligence you would have read where i said i believe it is creative EAX that is the cause of the problems and as for the comment it was to lighten the mood seeing as i dont know about you but with my dealings with creative i needed some cheering up afterwards. 
 
so hopefully someone can help you out.
 

If you read the entire thread, youll see the issues with EAX were pointed out many posts before yours.... certainly you wouldnt want to question my intelligence without reading the entire thread.