Windows 7 64 bit and SoundBlaster X-F Xtreme Audio Issues?

[DiversifiedWoman]

I'm getting ready to install the latest version of Audacity. I don't have a previous version installed at all. This would be a fresh install.

My computer is 2 years old and a Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit.

Also installed on my computer is the SoundBlaster X-F Xtreme Audio. My question is if this particular sound card will be compatible?

I read a horror story on a another forum that someone's entire sound mixer was completely gone from Windows 7 for their SB Audigy card after the install of Audacity. Again this SB Audigy card might have no relevancy to the other. Anyhow they had to do a complete restore as it mucked everything up.

Also I keep hearing about plugins? Is this something else that needs installed as well?

Thanks for your help.

[DVDdoug]

I read a horror story on a another forum that someone's entire sound mixer was completely gone from Windows 7 for their SB Audigy card after the install of Audacity.

I don't have a SoundBlaster, but I'd say this is very unlikely to happen.

But if your'e worried, do a system backup before installing and it shouldn't be a big deal to do an immediate restore if something goes wrong.

Also I keep hearing about plugins? Is this something else that needs installed as well?

These are optional effects that can be installed. For starters, take a look at 'Plug-ins and Libraries" on this page.

[steve]

I read a horror story on a another forum that someone's entire sound mixer was completely gone from Windows 7 for their SB Audigy card after the install of Audacity.

I don't have a SoundBlaster, but I'd say this is very unlikely to happen.

I don't have a SoudBlaster X-F Xtreme either, but I'd say that was impossible.

What we do hear quite frequently is when someone gets a new USB turntable and it comes with Audacity on a disk (usually the wrong version). They install Audacity and plug in their new turntable then find that their speakers stop working and think that Audacity has messed up their sound card. In reality, Audacity does not change the sound card drivers in any way. The only thing that Audacity does is to access the computer sound system through the programming interface that is provided by the system for that very purpose. Audacity can (usually) adjust the record and playback level of the sound system, but that's about all. What has actually happened is that when the USB turntable was plugged in, Windows, by default, sets that USB audio device as the default audio device for recording and playback. That is a "normal Windows feature" . Of course, being that the turntable is only a recording device and cannot play back sounds, the poor user then finds that "their sound has disappeared!". The solution is easy (once you know how) and that is to go into the Windows Control Panel and set the normal sound card as the default playback device.

This may or may not have been what happened in the case of the "horror story". It's a shame that he did not come and ask here on the forum as we could probably have sorted out the problem for him (or her).

Whether or not Audacity works with a particular sound card is very dependent on the sound card having fully working drivers for the operating system. Unfortunately sound card drivers for Windows 7, and Win 7 64 can be rather ropey. If you have problems getting sound in or out of Audacity it may be necessary to check if there are updated drivers available for your sound card, but we can cross that bridge if we come to it.

[DiversifiedWoman]

That is refreshing to know! Wow...thanks.