Page 2 - ii; First Edition V1
ii E7797 First Edition V1 October 2012 Copyright © 2012 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by...
Page 3 - iii; Contents; Specifications summary
iii Contents Contents ...................................................................................................... iiiNotices ......................................................................................................... ivSafety information ........................................
Page 4 - iv; Notices; Federal Communications Commission Statement; may cause undesired operation.; Canadian Department of Communications Statement; Australia statement notice
iv Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:• This device may not cause harmful interference, and• This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cau...
Page 7 - Introduction; Package contents; • Low Profile Bracket x1; System requirements; Windows
1 ASUS Xonar DSX 1. Introduction 1.1 Package contents • ASUS Xonar DSX PCIE audio card• S/PDIF TOSLINK optical adapter x1 • Low Profile Bracket x1 • Support CD• Quick Start Guide 1.2 System requirements • One PCIE 1.0 (or higher) compatible slot for the audio card• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista / Win ...
Page 10 - Xonar DSX card layout
4 ASUS Xonar DSX 2. Xonar DSX card layout 1 2 34 5 Audio ports 1 234 5 6 7 8 9
Page 12 - Installing the hardware; Installing the audio card; Before you proceed with the following installation steps, it’s; Installing the Xonar DSX card; connected to your computer.
6 ASUS Xonar DSX 3. Installing the hardware 3.1 Installing the audio card Before you proceed with the following installation steps, it’s recommended that you disable your onboard audio device in your BIOS settings, or uninstall any other audio cards on your PC. (For BIOS setting or uninstallation of...
Page 13 - Connecting to a TV tuner card
7 ASUS Xonar DSX 3.2 Connecting to a TV tuner card 1. If you have a traditional PCIE or PCIE TV tuner card on your PC, you may need to connect it to the Xonar DSX card to send the tuner card’s sound to your PC speakers. 2. Secure the PCIE/PCIE TV tuner card and screw it into the back-panel.3. Connec...
Page 14 - Installing software; Installing the card driver; Cancel; Follow the onscreen instructions to finish the installation.
8 ASUS Xonar DSX 4. Installing software Installing the card driver Ensure that you have installed the audio card driver before installing the Xonar DSX driver. Otherwise, driver installation error may occur. 1. After you have installed the Xonar DSX card, turn on your computer. Windows ® automatical...
Page 15 - Connecting speakers and peripherals; Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater); You can also use a coaxial cable for a S/PDIF connection. Just plug
9 ASUS Xonar DSX 5. Connecting speakers and peripherals 5.1 Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater) The Xonar DSX supports DTS Interactive technology, which transcodes any audio, including games and music, into industry-standard DTS surround bit-streams. This makes playback through your ho...
Page 16 - Connecting stereo headphones; Connecting Stereo Headphones
10 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.2 Connecting stereo headphones 5.2.1 Connecting Stereo Headphones Headphone Out No Item Description 1 Front Out/Headphone Jack The Front Out jack has a built-in high-quality amplifier to drive headphones. Connect your stereo headphones directly to this jack.
Page 17 - Connecting 5.1 channel Headphones
11 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.2.2 Connecting 5.1 channel Headphones 12 3 No Item Description 1 Front Out Connect the front-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 headphones into this jack. 2 Side Surround Out Connect the surround-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 headphone into this jack. 3 Center/Subwoofer Out Connect ...
Page 18 - Connecting Analog Speaker Systems; Connecting Analog Power Amplifier
12 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.3 Connecting Analog Speaker Systems 5.3.1 Connecting Analog Power Amplifier 12 34 No Item Description 1 Front Out Connects to the “left front” and “right front” input ports of the analog amplifier with the mini-jack to RCA cable. 2 Side Surround Out Connects to the “left surround...
Page 19 - Speakers
13 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.3.2 Connecting 2/2.1 channel speakers No Item Description 1 Front Out/Headphone Jack Connect the 2/2.1 speaker set’s 3.5mm plug into this Front Out jack. 1 2 Speakers 2.1 Speakers 1
Page 20 - Speakers
14 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.3.3 Connecting 4/4.1 Channel Speakers No Item Description 1 Front Out Connects to the Front input port of the 4/4.1 speakers with the mini- jack cable. 2 Side Surround Out Connects to the Surround input port of the 4/4.1 speakers with the mini-jack cable. 12 12 4 Speakers 4.1 Spe...
Page 21 - Connecting 5.1 Channel Speakers
15 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.3.4 Connecting 5.1 Channel Speakers 5.3.5 Connecting 6.1/7.1 Channel Speakers No Item Description 1 Front Out Connects to the Front input port of the 5.1 speakers with the mini-jack cable. 2 Side Surround Out Connects to the Surround input port of the 5.1 speakers with the mini-j...
Page 23 - Connecting a microphone
17 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.4 Connecting a microphone Mic In 12 1 1 2 Headphone Out No Item Description 1 Microphone Input Jack Connect the microphone’s 3.5mm plug into this Mic-In jack for voice communication, recording, or karaoke. 2 Headphone Jack The Front Out jack has a built-in high-quality amplifier ...
Page 24 - Connecting Line-In audio sources
18 ASUS Xonar DSX 5.5 Connecting Line-In audio sources Line In 1 No Item Description 1 Line Input Jack Connect the 3.5mm plug of the CD/MP3 Player or any other Line level analog audio sources into this Line-In jack for sound recording or real-time Dolby sound processing through the Monitoring path (...
Page 25 - Xonar Audio Center; Xonar Audio Center GUI; you will find the Xonar Audio Center’s; Programs > ASUS Xonar DSX Audio > Xonar DSX Audio Center
19 ASUS Xonar DSX 6. Xonar Audio Center 6.1 Xonar Audio Center GUI 1. After the driver installation is complete and your computer has been rebooted, you will find the Xonar Audio Center’s icon in the system tray on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Double click this icon to open the Xonar ...
Page 27 - Main Setting; Sample Rate
21 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.2 Main Setting 6.2.1 Sample Rate The sample rate determines the number of audio samples per second that the Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) and S/PDIF digital interface will output. The Xonar DSX card can support sample rates up to 192KHz (44.1K, 48K, 96K, 192KHz). Usually aud...
Page 28 - Analog Out mode
22 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.2.2 Analog Out mode No Item Description 1 Analog Out The Analog Out setting is used to adjust audio to your actual speaker setting, such as headphones, 2 speakers (or 2.1), 4 speakers (or 4.1), 5.1 speakers, 7.1 speakers, Front Panel Headphone and Front Panel 2 speakers (or 2.1)....
Page 29 - SPDIF Out / DTS Interactive; speakers and AV Receivers.
23 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.2.3 SPDIF Out / DTS Interactive Xonar DSX is capable of producing DTS Interactive audio, which is audio transcoded real-time into industry-standard DTS Digital bit-streams on-the-fly. This is ideal for playback through a home theater system, creating an immersive and impressive c...
Page 30 - Audio Channels (For Windows; This setting only appears in Windows
24 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.2.4 Audio Channels (For Windows ® Vista only) This setting only appears in Windows ® Vista. Vista will deliver the audio channels to the audio driver according to this setting no matter what the original audio content is or how many channels they have. Configure your audio channe...
Page 31 - Virtual Speaker Shifter; • Virtualizing 7.1 surround sound over any set of speakers
25 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.2.5 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter The 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter has the following major features:• Expanding/upmixing audio to 7.1-channel surround sound • Virtualizing 7.1 surround sound over any set of speakers • Virtual speakers that can be positioned to improve sound quality ...
Page 33 - Playback Volume
27 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.3 Mixer/Volume The mixer page is designed to control the volume for playback and recording on the Xonar DSX. In addition, the Xonar DSX also provides a high-quality digital monitoring function for hearing the recorded audio from the speakers. You can also process the input signal...
Page 34 - Recording/Monitoring Volume
28 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.3.2 Recording/Monitoring Volume No Item Description 1 Recording Volume Tab Click this button to show the recording volume page. 2 Recording volume slider Drag this slider down to decrease the recording volume; drag up to increase the recording volume. The tool-tip displays percen...
Page 36 - Effects; Environment Effects; can be applied to music and other 2D sound sources.
30 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.4 Effects 6.4.1 Environment Effects Environment effects can be used to create realistic listening experiences that mimic different environments. There are a total of 27 environment options, which can be applied to music and other 2D sound sources. No Item Description 1 Default en...
Page 37 - patterns and you can also make your own settings.
31 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.4.2 10-Band Equalizer The equalizer can modify the audio output for different frequencies, and be used to compensate for deficiencies in your speakers/systems. There are 12 default patterns and you can also make your own settings. No Item Description 1 Default equalizer options T...
Page 38 - Karaoke
32 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.5 Karaoke The Xonar DSX provides powerful features for Karaoke, including Key-Shifting, Vocal Cancellation, and Microphone Echo. Microphone Echo can generate natural echo effects on your singing voice just like a karaoke machine. Key-Shifting can change the pitch of Karaoke backg...
Page 39 - OK
33 ASUS Xonar DSX The following message appears when Mic Echo is selected: The pop-up window allows you to select a recording source. With Mic, you will only record audio source from microphone with echo effects; but you are able to record all audio sources from Wave, Aux, and Mic with microphone ec...
Page 40 - FlexBass; subwoofer or large speakers.
34 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.6 FlexBass FlexBass, an advanced bass management and enhancement mechanism, allows you to select each satellite speaker’s type for optimal sound performance from the speakers. (Small: common speaker that cannot produce low frequencies; Large: wide-band speakers that can produce l...
Page 41 - Smart Volume Normalization
35 ASUS Xonar DSX 0dB (Full-scale) - -10 dB Music 1 Music 2 SVN Off SVN On T 6.7 Smart Volume Normalization Smart Volume NormalizationTM (SVN) automatically keeps all music or video/ TV audio output at a constant level to reduce manual adjustment inherent with sound sources of different loudness. It...
Page 43 - DS3D GX and DSP Modes; mode and its subsidiary EAX effects on Windows
37 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.8 DS3D GX and DSP Modes Xonar DSX introduces an innovative technology – DirectSound 3D Game Extensions v2.5 (DS3D GX 2.5) - to restore DirectSound 3D Hardware acceleration mode and its subsidiary EAX effects on Windows ® Vista for 3D games. Unlike some proprietary API like OpenAL...
Page 45 - VocalFX
39 ASUS Xonar DSX 6.9 VocalFX VocalFX is an innovative voice processing technology that can immerse your voice in a realistic game landscape (VoiceEX) or imitate background scenes while chatting online (ChatEX). It also allows you to change your voice pitch to disguise who you are (Magic Voice). No ...
Page 46 - For 3D Games; If your VOIP application is not displayed on the list, press; Add; Skype and MSN Messenger are the latest versions); Open
40 ASUS Xonar DSX For 3D Games 1. Tick the check box of VoiceEX and Local VoiceEX.2. Make sure you and your team member can talk to each other in the game. For VOIP 1. Click the App List button. 2. If your VOIP application is not displayed on the list, press Add .(Ensure that Skype and MSN Messenger...
Page 48 - Troubleshooting and FAQs; Check that the Windows hardware device manager has discovered a; I cannot find the Xonar DSX Audio Center; Xonar DSX Audio Center utility.
42 ASUS Xonar DSX 7. Troubleshooting and FAQs [Troubleshooting] The audio card driver could not be installed on my PC. Instructions: 1. Make sure that you have properly plugged the audio card in the PCIE slot on your motherboard. 2. Check that the Windows hardware device manager has discovered a mul...
Page 49 - support 192KHz decoding. Try changing it to 44.1K or 48KHz first.
43 ASUS Xonar DSX 3. Ensure that the device master volume or the software player has NOT been muted on the Xonar DSX Audio Center. 4. If you are using the DTS encoder through the S/PDIF output, the analog output will be muted to get rid of the interference between your digital speaker system and ana...
Page 50 - Q1: Does the Xonar DSX support Windows
44 ASUS Xonar DSX 3. If you are using a TV tuner card with digital audio output instead of analog, check that the sound is not muted and whether other applications can play sound out. If you still have problems, refer to the TV tuner card’s software user guide. [FAQ] Q1: Does the Xonar DSX support W...
Page 51 - different analog output channels?
45 ASUS Xonar DSX Q5: Why do I need DTS for PC games?Answer: DTS Interactive and Neo:PC are available on the latest game consoles, like XBOX360 and PS3. DTS can provide the best gaming sound experience and compatibility with home theater or TV systems. Q6: What is the most important benefit of the X...
Page 52 - processing distortion.
46 ASUS Xonar DSX Q9: Why are sound effects not available when playing 96K or 192KHz sound sources? Answer: The sound effects feature on the Xonar DSX currently supports standard 44.1K and 48KHz sound sources. However, users are assured of high fidelity playback for 96K sound sources. This is the co...
Page 53 - Technical Support
47 ASUS Xonar DSX ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (Asia Pacific) Address 4F, No. 150, Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259 Telephone +886-2-2894-3447 Fax +886-2-2890-7798 E-mail [email protected] Website www.asus.com.tw Technical Support Telephone +86-21-38429911 Online support support.asus.com ASUS COMPU...