How useful is the Audigy Drive?

The Audigy Drive adds multiple jacks to the front of your case. The fact they're there is good but do we ever stop to think how useful this feature is? Well to begin with there is the sole fact that if we choose to use them we could end up with a collection of cables hanging out from the front of our PC's case. Not only is this messy - it also obstructs either devices near or semi-near the Audigy Drive itself. For example as it's mounted in a 5.25 inch bay there is bound to be a DVD ROM near by, or a CD burner. Those two examples are enough to insist us in recommending you to install the unit as the lowest 5.25 inch device in your case. Although not perfect (you still risk making your FDD and ZIP drives hard to access) it potentially removes this problem to a point if not fully. Ideally the Audigy Drive needs should be external (as in the Platinum eX), yet with the option of having it screwed to the wall. This way all the extra wires stay at the back of your desk leaving less clutter both near the case and on the desk.

Recording more than just a solo

Recording audio using the Sound Blaster Audigy is made easy and versatile by the option to record multiple streams at the same time. By using more than one input method available (CD_IN, Line In and Optical In) the user is embraced in true multi-channel recording. This not only adds a sense of professionalism to a consumer based audio card but also enables speedier recording should you wish to do it more frequently than others. The only problem as a result of this is to have enough devices to record from, some users do, many don't. There is also ASIO (Audio Stream Input Output) support as standard providing the foundation on which to record at low latency (2ms) with the option of detailed monitoring per individual signals within the stream. The sole fact there is a confirmed 2ms latency permits the development of  enticing music with the inclusion of VST instruments.

Audigy compatibility finds a home

The reassuring news about the new Sound Blaster Audigy is that it seems to be compatible throughout all systems. A selection of people who had purchased in the past the Sound Blaster Live 5.1 cards will still remember at this day the problems they had for their system to accept it. The two main issues were VIA chipset incompatibilities and SMP on boards housing those chipsets. While the humble old mature 440BX chipset worked happily with anything given it to digest, other chipsets caused errors which invalidated the proper functioning of the Sound Blaster Live 5.1 card itself. Some of these found ways round the problem, others ended in complete user frustration either at either Creative, or VIA. With the Sound Blaster Audigy it seems things have taken a turn for the better. Those of you with VIA chipset motherboards will be happy to read the Audigy works on them fine, as in SMP environments too. The same goes for AMD SMP systems, while still fresh offer the right stability to provide the base on which the Audigy can be used, and used without problems. Should you have any problems with the Audigy may it be minor or more frustrating always check for the latest drivers. Although we cannot guarantee 100% compatibility on all systems world wide, we feel confident in stating its performance across many platforms to be in excess of 90%. Creative includes diagnostics to help (see below).

Don't know what's wrong? Allow Audigy Diagnostics to aid you in solving your problem. (Click image to view larger version).

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