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134 Comments

  1. QWERTZwerk03 Jul 2012 @ 10:48

    New Asus Xonar Essence STX in my Win7 x64-System. Original drivers did not work at all (to my surprise). Card was able to generate sounds - but the overall use of the system was extremely laggy, some programs refused to start, Asus Control Panel refused to open, too. I've learned that this could be caused by hardware-conflicts, as some Mainboards with Nvidia-Chipsets recognize the card as a PCI-to-PCI-Bridge (using an Asus P8P67 here). I've seen that when starting the PC for the first time after installing the card. The problem is described here (sorry, german only): http://www.hardwareluxx.de/community/f267/asus-xo...

    Now the Brainbit Unified Drivers (1.61) doing well after some fiddling around. Great work! But I still have some problems. After switching to headphones (using a Sennheiser PC350) I am not able to switch back to the regular speakers via the control panel. Is there a way to do it without rebooting the computer? In addition the sound via headphone is somehow a bit faint. But that could be a subjective problem with the Sennheiser, because I was using Corsair Vengeance 2000- and Razer Chimaera 5.1-headphones before. Have to compare them. What about the general sound comparing the Brainbit-drivers with the original drivers from Asus? Are there any audible differences?

    BTW: Middlefingers rising towards Asus. Selling an audio card that is not working with common hardware setups these days is something I normally would expect from Creative.

    Reply

    • CarvedInside10 Jul 2012 @ 13:51

      The problems you are having are known issues with 1.61 drivers on ST/STX cards. Try installing 1.53 drivers instead.

      According to RMMA, the sound quality is the roughly the same.

      Reply

  2. smoe05 Aug 2012 @ 07:11

    How to best run DTS sound in movies and such to get rid of the DTS bomb or distortion?

    ps thanks for the dope driver broseph

    got the dts crunch gone by using media player classic home cinema now my problem is while watching dts movies it thinks they are 2 channel inputs and I get nothing from the two back 5.1 speakers

    Reply

  3. smoe06 Aug 2012 @ 02:48

    got dts 6 channel sound to work for two seconds with ac3filter but now its doesn't work at all.
    dts sound is not modulated but it keeps only using 2.1 of my 5.1 speakers.

    How the sound card and its driver settings not touching windows settings seems like its a techincal reason its not working that I will never know and keep beating my head against the wall.

    Any help would be appreciated thanks.

    Reply

    • CarvedInside06 Aug 2012 @ 19:43

      I am having trouble understanding what you wrote. I am not trying to be rude but you wrote in the wrong page and I don't think your problem is related to (UNi) Xonar drivers.

      Anyway, read the Xonar manual on how to properly set dts 6 channel. After that, maybe your problem is with wrong configuration in MPC:HC. Try this: in MPC, go to Preferences: Internal Swiches->Audio switcher-> Enable build-in audio switch filter, Restart MPC, if it doen not work try enabling "Enabe custom channel mapping" in the same Audio switcher settings.
      If this doesn't help, maybe google searches can point you in the right direction.

      Reply

  4. Alun18 Sep 2012 @ 00:28

    Thanks for providing these drivers using them I finally have my Windows XP system and Asus Xonar DG up running and stable, which did not prove possible with the Asus drivers.

    I would however like to use the Front Panel Switch programs, I downloaded version 3.1, but when I run any of them I get the following error:

    Error loading C:WINDOWSSystem32CmiCnfgp.dll

    I have tried to locate this file, but have been unable to, it does not seem to be on my system and, I can't seem to find it on the internet, and it does not seem to be in the CMedia CMI-8788 drivers that I downloaded.

    Any suggestions as to how to address this problem would be much appreciated.

    Reply

    • CarvedInside18 Sep 2012 @ 20:04

      That file is responsible for launching Cmedia or Asus Panel. But it occurs to me that the file might not be installed on x86 OS versions.
      Will check and see if I can make it work, but this might be tricky.

      As a workaround I think the following thing will work: you can copy WindowsSystemCmiCnfgP.cpl to WINDOWSSystem32 and rename it to CmiCnfgp.dll.

      Reply

      • Alun19 Sep 2012 @ 01:25

        Thanks, the workaround gets rid of the error and the front panel switch programs run. They seem to launch the c-media panel, but they do not actually seem to be making any noticeable changes to the output device. I have tried with and without the c-media panel running but seem to get the same result.

        Reply

        • CarvedInside19 Sep 2012 @ 14:05

          Did you had any application that uses sound active at the time you run the fp .exes ? Because it won't work if so.

          Reply

  5. Alun19 Sep 2012 @ 17:28

    No, at least not that I could find (ie not a process that I have launched, and I don't even have windows sounds enabled), thats why I started experimenting with closing the c-media panel before running them. The first time I ran them I accidentally had an application that was using sound active, but I assumed that closing it and trying again would be ok. I will try again whenI get home tonight.

    Reply

  6. Suran Jayathilaka24 Sep 2012 @ 00:01

    Greetings!
    Thanks for your hard work on these superb drivers. My problem isn't related to theses drivers, but I'm hoping someone here might have a clue.
    The headphone out on my Xonar Xense(s) goes out of whack. i.e. one channel loses volume and becomes very faint, whereas the other channel seems to be fine.
    The 1st Xense I had worked fine for about an year before losing volume in one channel. I RMAd it and Asus sent me a new card, which worked fine for a month or so but then it also lost volume on one headphone channel. I tried the card on different computers also, but the problem persisted.
    I RMAd again, and this time Asus sent me an obviously used card. It worked fine for a day or two, but then lost volume in the right channel. There was a lot of crashing also, which seems to be somewhat rectified with your drivers. The funny thing is, after I installed your drivers, the volume loss changed side to the left channel.
    Has this happened to anyone else using a Xense? I'm at my wits end wondering how this could happen to 3 cards.

    Thanks very much!

    Reply

    • CarvedInside24 Sep 2012 @ 01:00

      Hi!
      Use the main UNi Xonar page to re-post your comment so that more people see it.

      As far as I know and if I remember correctly, some D1/D2 card owners reported issues like yours. I believe its a hardware defect although no one really confirmed this and Asus as professional as they are, never admitted this.
      It may sound far fetched but they are probably sending you used cards or from the same bad batch, hopping they will work or you will give up and so they won't have losses.
      You should also file a complaint in your country's consumer protection agency.

      I want to ask to try something. Connect your speakers to the third jack, corresponding to rear channels.Install the UNi Xonar drivers with Re-enable stereo upmix checked. Set the following settings from the panel : audio channels:2 and analog output:4 speakers. This way you will send the same signal to rear channel as you would to front (main).See if this way any of the channels drop anymore. This will work assuming you have 2.0 speakers or 2.1 system, you should still try this even if you have a 5.1 speaker system but only use 2.1 speakers. Even if it works I would not consider this as a solution, you should try to RMA again. Let me know of the outcome if you decide to try this guide and also if you get another Xense.

      Reply

  7. bim2714201 Nov 2012 @ 01:49

    Oh my... I am a Xense user too... Though I am not having issues (hopefully never would) yet as I just got this for less than 2 months but Suran's case kinda worries me as I am already starting doubt Asus soundcard since my DX died in less than 3 years (that's why I got Xense instead)... Hope Asus won't fail me too for the second time around... 🙁

    Reply

  8. hunterz027 Feb 2013 @ 19:37

    So setting the master volume to 75% in Windows 7 won't work? We really have to fiddle with transient per-application volumes?

    Reply

    • CarvedInside28 Feb 2013 @ 13:23

      Based on my current experience and testing, reducing the master volume might reduce the effect but it does not solve to problem.

      If you notice the fluctuations and find them bothering then you have to change the volume in the those applications are runned simultaneously.
      I will look more into it but for now this is the only way.

      Reply

      • hunterz028 Feb 2013 @ 19:58

        Fortunately I haven't noticed the issue, but I've kept my master volume at 75% ever since I first heard about it.

        Does the issue happen when multiple sound sources are registered with the mixer but only one is actually producing sound, or is it only when two or more apps are actually producing sound?

        Reply

  9. frankstr28 Feb 2013 @ 16:52

    I realized that problem since I used your driver, but its imho no big deal - I can live with that. I'm into games & music, but succcessive, not parallel. 😉
    Anyway an awsome driver, I appreciate it very much since the original drivers had some serious probs/flaws (e.g. the awful Doppler-whine in BF3 etc).
    Btw: I use your driver since day 3 of posessing my DSX, tried the original first and then found yours.

    Reply

    • CarvedInside28 Feb 2013 @ 17:45

      🙂
      Glad to hear that these drivers helped you.

      Obviously you are not affected. I like to point out that this problem is present with Asus original drivers as well.

      Reply

  10. rvcjew08 Mar 2013 @ 11:32

    OMG i have always kept my volume at 80 percent then i come to find the new fix for win 7 and realize its only when using both together so that means i can have just j river on in wasapi(which takes control anyways) and i should have no issues with full volume right? On my STX? explains why i thought it seemed like it just lowered the volume lol.

    Reply

  11. zenmastah22 Mar 2013 @ 14:05

    Really appreciate you doing this, keep up the good work.

    Reply

  12. Etienne Dlv01 Apr 2013 @ 23:10

    It's funny how this is seen as a problem for everyday use. I actually like having this behavior (which is some automatic volume limiting, even though it has a very high delay time). This looks like a feature more than a bug. I would like this feature OFF indeed in a particular use case : when I'm composing some music, in which case I would actually like to hear the clipping so I can fix it in my track. A simple on/off switch would do the trick but then again if the hardware or the original drivers don't provide the switch, we're back to square 1.
    Perhaps the limiter delay is adjustable somewhere ?

    Reply

    • CarvedInside01 Apr 2013 @ 23:46

      Well SVN is a feature and from the description of it, it should do something like this, but this is a bug.
      From what I know there is not delay option for changing its behavior.

      Reply

  13. mikadocat16 Apr 2013 @ 04:01

    I am about to flush the ASUS drivers and install the UNi, but this volume control mess has me scratching my head. What could ASUS or Cmedia have been thinking to make 100% a non functional choice for master volume? I've been outputting PCM streams from a PC via spdif for a LONG time and setting volume to 100% has always been necessary for a unmolested data stream the receiver would recognize.

    The volume is initially set to 52, perhaps that is a "preferred" value?

    Reply

    • CarvedInside16 Apr 2013 @ 09:16

      Since this issue is present with Asus original drivers as well, there is no reason not to install UNi drivers.
      Its because of lazy unintelligent driver programming. My guess they don't even know about it. And if they know, they have yet to find a fix.

      Don't think volume set to 52 bears any significance or that it could be viewed as a preferred value.

      Reply

  14. registradus21 Apr 2013 @ 07:00

    This fixed it for me:

    right-click the Speaker icon in the systray and select 'Sounds'
    in the box that pops up switch to the 'Communications' tab
    change the option that Reduces Volume when Mic activity is detected - to 'Do nothing'

    via ASUS forums http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?board_id=21&model=Xonar+DS&id=20100921012353440&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

    Reply

    • CarvedInside21 Apr 2013 @ 17:32

      Your method while it fixes one issue with dynamic adjusting volume, it will not fix the specific dynamic volume thats presented above. Besides the fact that "Do nothing option" is related to applications with VOIP communications active , when I did the research and testing about the issue I had already set the "Do nothing" option.

      Reply

  15. Miguel28 Apr 2013 @ 22:45

    I Added the H6 Adapter to my ST to add 2 subwoofers to my card .The H6 wont work in 2 channel mode so I have to use 4 channel or higher.When I enabled the H6 the sound quality of my 2 front speakers changes the sound is wider and less detailed. I solve this by enabling Dolby Prologic ixx and move the upper slider all the way up and the right slider all the way up, The problem here is that this disables sound from going to the subwoofer output/rear output wich is the main reason I bought the card. The way I solve this 2nd problem is by enabling 7.1 Virutal speakers and shifting the speakers down a little so that the rear outputs get signal . That is where im connecting both my subs. How can I enable H6 Subwoofer output or Rear output in 2 channel mode?? without effecting the SQ of my front speakers? THANKS !!!

    Reply

    • CarvedInside30 Apr 2013 @ 00:22

      All Xonar cards have a lower volume (on front panel) when enabling multichannel. I don't think it actually changes the sound (quality). I think I did some tests with RMAA a while back regarding this but can't be 100% certain.

      You might want to try this for enabling 2.0 sound to other channels: Enable stereo upmix if you've installed the drivers without it. In the panel Set 2 channels and 4 speakers. You might want to have change the connections as well, anyway check that you've connected the subwoofers to the rear channels. Don't enable any other options like Dolby Prologic.

      Hope this helps.

      Reply

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