Introduction
Everyone knows that Windows 7/8/8.1 does not perceive the speaker system as expected.
You have to do a “dance with a tambourine” to get the 5.1/7.1 acoustics running properly. In most games, 5.1 / 7.1 acoustics give an advantage over the opponent, which has stereo acoustics.
Let's start setting up from the very bottom...
Installing drivers
Realtek HD Audio Drivers
In order for our speaker system to work properly and correctly output sound to the speakers, we need not tricky manipulations with it, but the installation of firewood.
Definitely a must put Realtek HD Audio Drivers R 2.79 - 125.40 MB (131494359) The weight is indicated so that you do not stumble upon various garbage on the Internet. !NOTE - The driver cannot be 200-1024 kbits!
Installing the driver is insanely simple, we keep clicking further, further, further... reboot the computer and rejoice :) This completes the installation of the audio driver.
Sound settings
Installing drivers alone is not enough; you definitely need to adjust the sound.
The setup is done as follows:
1. Let's start by calling the "windowed" control panel ("Start" → "Control Panel"). Let’s find and open the “Sound” parameter → then, on the main “Playback” tab, designate the playback device as “Speakers” → at the bottom left, click on the “Configure” button (see the first screenshot). In the window that opens, in the “Sound Channels” list, select “Surround Sound 5.1”, and then don’t forget to click on the “Check” button (of course, all speakers should produce sound). After passing the test, we will move on to the next settings, where you need to specify which speakers will be wideband, rear, etc.
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2. Having properly configured the speakers and clicking on “Finish”, we will return to our multi-tab window “Sound” → highlighting “Speakers” again, look at “Properties” → in the “Properties: Speakers” window on the “Enhancements” tab, check the box next to “ Environment", confirming the change with the "OK" button (screenshot). You can also scroll through and check the boxes for “Virtual Environment” and “Low Frequency Control”. This completes our manipulations with the “Sound” applet.
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3. Now let's open the Realtek audio manager (see the "Realtek HD" option in the Windows Control Panel). On the “Speakers” tab, select the “5.1 speakers” configuration → there, check that the “Virtual Surroundings” and “Bass Control Connection” items are activated. Let's close the dispatcher with the "OK" button (screenshot), and the control panel - of course, with a "cross".
For those who have 7.1 acoustics, select accordingly, select 7.1 and that’s it
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4. I also advise you to put K-Lite Codec Pack Mega, as it contains many codecs, both video and audio. You can download it from a torrent, of course :) Features of the Stereo Tool program:
Stereo sound enhancement
Two-way limiter
10-band compressor/limiter
10-way clipper
10 band equalizer
4 level output limiter
Extra volume
FM stereo coding
FM RDS encoding
Changing settings using built-in presets
You can use it to customize the sound to suit you. Personally, I installed it for myself, and the sound was set up perfectly. I'm a music lover :)
PS If the instructions helped, please like it and add it to your favorites too. Thank you!
I checked it out and told him about it, and gave out a moose to everyone in the game (:
Hidden deep within Windows 10, Windows Sonic is a cutting-edge technology for creating virtual surround sound in games and movies. Let's figure out how to activate this function.
The Creators Update brought a lot of new features to the Windows 10 operating system. Some of these new features have received a lot of attention and become widely known, but some others are not so popular at all and are still remaining in the shadows. This is the case with the new format function Sonic For Headphone Spatial Sound, which is essentially a surround sound emulator for headphones.
The new spatial audio format in the Creators Update is primarily designed to expand the audio experience with HRTF (head related transfer function), built into Microsoft HoloLens. This technology works great with any good quality stereo headphones.
I recently started exploring this new feature on my computer while watching some great Sci-Fi movies on Netflix. I plugged in my Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage wireless gaming headset, turned on the Windows Sonic headphone spatial audio feature, turned up the volume, and was blown away by the amazing sound of the special effects and music in the movies I was watching.
Do not miss:The Windows Sonic Spatial Sound format works really well with both games and movies. And to some extent, it even works with your digital music.
What is spatial sound?
Dolby Atmos for headphones
In Windows 10, you have a choice of which virtual surround sound algorithm to use:
- Dolby Atmos is a paid option, you need to pay $14.99 to use it;
- Windows Sonic is a free option, the technology was developed by Microsoft.
Which of these two technologies to choose is up to you. I’ll just say that the free version from Microsoft gives a very good result and you won’t hear a huge difference between Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos, although, I repeat, it’s up to you to decide.
The Windows Dev Center description says that the Spatial Sound feature in the Creators Update supports Dolby Atmos for headphones. In order for this feature to be activated, you need to install the Dolby Access application, which you must download from the Windows Store. You can download it for 30 days for free, but to fully use it you need to buy the right to use it for $14.99. The audio and video demos that come with the Dolby Access trial app are amazing, I encourage you to listen to them with your own ears.
Headphones for Sonic Spatial Sound
Why am I so insistent that the headphones be good? It's simple - only good headphones can create a sufficiently voluminous sound picture and provide the necessary level of sound detail. Of course, you can connect absolutely any headphones to your computer, but in simple and cheap models you simply won’t hear the difference, or the sound may become even worse for you than it was before.
Setting up Windows Sonic for headphones
Setting up the Windows Sonic audio interface for headphones is easy. Check your version of Windows 10, you must have the global Creators Update installed.
First, connect your headphones to your computer. If you don't connect headphones before starting setup, you won't have access to the Sonic Spatial Sound feature.
After connecting the headphones, right-click on the Speakers icon on the taskbar. From the context menu, select Spatial Audio (None) as shown in the image above.
When you select Spatial Audio, you will see the Speaker Properties dialog box with the Spatial Audio tab selected, as shown in the image above.
To continue, click the down arrow and select Windows Sonic for Headphones as shown in the image above.
When you do this, you will see that the " Turn On 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound» is installed automatically as shown in the picture above. This setting allows for proper multi-channel processing, so the sound you hear in the headset will be perceived as fuller and more accurately positioned.
Checking the effects of enabling the Windows Sonic feature
Well, now the most interesting part - checking the effectiveness of virtual surround sound. Remember, for Windows Sonic to work, it needs material. This means that if you want surround sound when watching movies, make sure the movie has a 5.1 or 7.1 audio track. If the film has a regular 2.0 stereo track, you will not get the coveted surround sound.
The same goes for games, if the game's sound engine supports 5.1 or 7.1 audio output then you'll be fine, but some games can't and so the Windows Sonic feature will be useless in them. But for the sake of peace of mind, I can say that 95% of modern games are perfectly capable of delivering sound in 5.1 format, so turn on Windows Sonic and go into battle!
Razer Surround delivers the best virtual 7.1 surround sound experience, no matter what headset you're using.
Many existing technologies for creating virtual surround sound are inaccurate because people perceive the simulated sound space differently. It is because of this that virtual surround sound is often inferior to conventional sets of speakers.
The algorithms behind Razer Surround create an incredibly precise surround sound environment and allow the user to customize the position of sound sources. It is this calibration that allows Razer Surround to provide in-game accuracy and give gamers a gaming edge.
Best-in-class 7.1 virtual surround sound
Razer Surround is an advanced processing system that creates virtual 7.1 surround sound. High-quality sound will allow you to immerse yourself in the game. Conventional virtual sound processing systems use the principles of universality: the sound is formed based on the average size and shape of the ears. With this approach, it is impossible to customize the sound for a specific user.Razer Surround allows you to customize your sound and select your ideal settings. The system takes into account the shape of the ears and the capabilities of the headset and based on this creates the most realistic sound possible.
Storing personal settings in the cloud
First, you set the parameters of the sound environment by passing a series of simple audio tests. Based on the data obtained, the system, using unique processing algorithms, generates realistic sounds coming from any direction and distance: delays, overlap of sounds, amplitude and other factors are taken into account. Custom calibration parameters are automatically saved to the cloud so you don't have to repeat setups.When you come to a club, visit friends, or participate in a championship, you simply log into the system - and the optimal sound environment is immediately configured based on individual calibration of sound processing algorithms. Getting into the game is actually very simple.
Supports all stereo headsets!
Razer Surround is given to you as a bonus. When you use a regular stereo headset, the audio capabilities are only half realized.By calibrating in the Razer Surround Wizard, you'll discover the true potential of modern in-game audio—you'll learn to track your enemies with your hearing. Your games will sound new and you will be immersed in this world.
Do you want to get high-quality surround sound in your headphones or home theater completely free of charge? Read this manual.
With each new release (update) of the Windows 10 operating system, developers never cease to amaze users with various useful mini-functions. One has only to go to any parameters of the system, devices, personalization, privacy, etc., you will certainly find settings that at first glance are not very noticeable, but very useful.
And no matter who says it, Microsoft is developing its operating system, first of all, for you and me. All these statements that they collect confidential data and spy on us are nonsense!
A competent user will configure the system so that the transfer of secret information to the other party will be minimized. If you do not want data about your preferences collected, disable this feature. Tired of advertising - block its display. If you are afraid of viruses and other malicious applications, use official, not hacked software!
And finally, if you don’t like Windows itself, find a replacement in the form or MacOS. But let's not talk about that now!
The latest system update comes with a new “Spatial Sound” feature. If you activate it, you will certainly get the feeling that the sound is playing around you, and not through your headphones. To put it a little differently, it will be 3D or three-dimensional.
As you can see, Microsoft is not forcing this feature on the user here, as it is disabled by default. And then we will find out how to enable it.
SURROUND SOUND
Windows 10 can broadcast spatial audio using a combination of a special driver, application and headphones. This technology is designed to improve the sound quality, first of all, of your headphones.
To enable it you need:
- right-click on the icon in the system tray and click on “Playback devices”;
- select “Speakers” and click on the “Properties” button;
- go to the “Spatial Sound” tab and select its format from the drop-down list (Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos for headphones).
DOLBY ATMOS
It is a surround sound technology for creating real-time, dynamically rendered sound environments. It requires a special app from the Store to work. If you select this option and click the “Apply” button, it will automatically install the Dolby Access application.
A significant advantage of the application is that it supports sound enhancement for home theaters, if the hardware supports Dolby technology.
The setup will not force the user to delve into the jungle of complex parameters. Simply select the appropriate profile on the start screen and the application will automatically configure the equipment.
WINDOWS SONIC
Enables integrated spatial audio on Xbox and Windows, with support for both surround and height signals. Audio will be able to be transmitted without the need to change the code.
Now the result! In my case, even the simplest and cheapest headphones, when choosing the Dolby Atmos format, changed their sound, an order of magnitude better than the original one. What happened for you? I'm waiting for your answer in the comments.
I urge you to take a look at . Our Facebook group is waiting for you.
By default, Windows Sonic for Headphones is disabled, but you can enable it for virtual surround sound. This option is also available on Xbox One.
How to enable Windows Sonic
You can easily enable or disable this feature using the sound icon in the notification area. Right-click the speaker icon, select spatial audio, and select Windows Sonic for Headphones to turn it on. Select Switch off here to disable Windows Sonic.
If you don't see an option here or in the control panel to enable spatial audio, then your sound device doesn't support it. For example, this option will not be available when using the laptop's built-in speakers.
You can also access this feature from Control panels. To run it, go to Control Panel → Equipment and sound → Sound.
Double-click the playback device you want enable Windows Sonic, go to the tab Spatial audio and select Windows Sonic for Headphones in the drop-down list.
You can also enable Dolby Atmos for headphones in the same drop-down menu. It's a similar spatial audio technology to headphones, but it uses Dolby technology and requires an in-app purchase to unlock.
You can also turn the option on or off in the Spatial Sound tab.
On the Xbox One console, this option is in the menu System → Settings → Screen and sound → Audio output. Select Windows Sonic for headphones under Headset audio.
What is spatial sound
This is the same data that Dolby Atmos receives, which is why Windows Sonic provides full support for Dolby Atmos in the latest versions of Windows 10. When combined with a Dolby Atmos-enabled receiver and speaker system, you'll hear sounds as if they were coming from 3D space - just like vertically and horizontally - to improve surround sound effect.
So, for example, if the sound is coming from above and to the right, relative to your position in a movie, TV show, or video game, the in-ceiling speaker on the right side will produce that sound louder and earlier.
The Dolby Access app from the Windows Store helps you set up Dolby Atmos home theater audio on your Windows 10 PC.
How spatial sound works in headphones
Spatial data is only useful if you have a Dolby Atmos system that can actually use it. Even if you have a traditional 7.1 surround sound system, you're just getting normal surround sound with eight channels of audio—seven speakers plus a subwoofer.
However, this positional data can provide spatial audio in any pair of headphones. You just need to enable either "Windows Sonic for Headphones" or "Dolby Atmos for Headphones". Both work similarly, but the Dolby version uses Dolby technology and requires an app purchase, while Windows Sonic only uses Microsoft technology and comes free with Windows 10 and Xbox One.
When you enable one of these features, your Windows PC (or Xbox One) will mix audio using positional data, providing virtual spatial audio. So, if you are playing a game and the sound is coming from above your character and to the right, the sound will be mixed before it is sent to your headphones so that you hear that sound from both above and to the right.
These spatial audio features only work with applications that provide spatial data to Windows.
How about 7.1 virtual surround sound
When you turn on the Windows Sonic Headphone feature Enable virtual 7.1 surround sound in the Sound Control Panel will also be enabled. On the Xbox One console this feature is called Use virtual surround sound.
With 7.1 surround sound enabled, Windows will use 7.1 surround sound in video games or movies, and mix them with position-based stereo sound before sending it to your headphones, meaning 5.1 surround sound will also work.
To properly use this feature, you will need to configure your game or video player to output 7.1 surround sound, even if you are using headphones. Your headphones will function as a virtual 7.1 surround sound device.
But, unlike true surround sound, you're still using a standard pair of stereo headphones with two speakers - one for each ear. However, virtual surround sound provides better positioning of audio signals, which is especially useful when playing on PC or Xbox.
The virtual surround sound feature works with all applications that provide 7.1 sound. Many games and movies that don't provide spatial audio have support for 7.1 surround sound, so it's compatible with many other apps.