Soundblaster Live! 5.1 Logitech z640 Center Channel Problem

**jakx** · September 20th, 2003, 11:25 PM

Hi I'm new here but I need some help. My Soundblaster Live! 5.1 or Logitech z640 are having problems. The center channel has no sound. I looked in these forums and I realize that MP3's won't play in surround sound but Unreal Tournament which I know has 5.1 surround sound will not use the center channel!
When I go to the AudioHQ and test it it sounds fine from the center channel, now I realize I can use upmix software(or press the matrix button on my center speaker) but I wont get the sound I payed for. So could someone plz help me!!

**Scott Tiger** · September 20th, 2003, 11:28 PM

Sorry I can't help you with your problem.

Welcome to Techimo.

**Rand Dusing** · September 20th, 2003, 11:49 PM

Cute? Welcome to TechIMO

**jakx** · September 20th, 2003, 11:56 PM

Originally posted by Scott Tiger
Sorry I can't help you with your problem.

Welcome to Techimo.

What do you mean? You have no suggestions or did I not post right or anything? You have no idea? Please anything will help me. The Unreal Tournament was only a demo so maybe that will help?

**pinipig523** · September 21st, 2003, 01:59 AM

you wont get upmixed sound unless you upmix it first.

mp3s are coded as stereo (2 speakers) whereas the UT game was coded as multispeaker maybe without the center tho.

the only way to get music (i.e. mp3, cds, whatever) to play in multichannel is to upmix it using creative's cmss (if live has it) or logitech's matrix.

just because your soundcard says it is 5.1, doesnt mean it will play everything at 5.1 - the audio files NEEDS to be coded for 5.1 before the soundcard plays it at 5.1 (or multichannel for the matter).

**Scott Tiger** · September 21st, 2003, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by jakx

What do you mean? You have no suggestions or did I not post right or anything? You have no idea? Please anything will help me. The Unreal Tournament was only a demo so maybe that will help?

When I first say this post the only thing it said was "asdfasdf" and that was it. I said "cute" becuase I had no idea what he original poster was trying to do. It's been edited since then.

Unfortunately I live in an apt and I'm a complete cheapskate so I don't have access to a sound setup as you describe. I got my speakers for $20 at Sams and am using an ancient SB Live so I don't have any of the options you describe.

If this question had been asked as it is right now to begin with I would never have replied.

-Scott

**jakx** · September 21st, 2003, 05:00 PM

thanks anyways

**pinipig523** · September 21st, 2003, 06:29 PM

well i did answer your question.

**MD1032** · September 21st, 2003, 08:09 PM

Don't use the Matrix button. Not only does the matrix technology stink on x40 systems, it messes up the surround sound.

It could be your game if the sound card can test the center channel OK. also, check your center volume!