Creative MultiSpeaker Surround (CMSS) is part of the EAX technology supported by the Sound Blaster audio cards such as Sound Blaster Live!, Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 series, Sound Blaster Audigy series, and Sound Blaster Audigy 2 or later series. It can also be found as a CMSS button on some multichannel speaker systems such as the Creative Inspire T7700, T6600/T6700, Creative Inspire 5.1 or Digital 5700, and on the external Digital I/O modules shipped with Sound Blaster Audigy 2 or Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS.
It can upmix stereo sources such as MP3, WMA, or Wav, to 4.1/5.1/6.1/7.1 channels depending on your speaker setup and sound card model.
CMSS Music mode creates a convincing 5.1 channel surround soundfield from typical stereo sources, whether they are Dolby Surround encoded or not. It works well with Dolby Pro Logic, WAVE, AVI and MIDI program material. In essence, CMSS Music mode puts you "on the stage" for the music's performance, surrounding you with the performance.
CMSS Movie mode provides the sonic impression of being front and center at a movie screening. Dialogue and all normally centered sounds from a stereo program are heard through the center speaker. Use this mode whenever a music program has sounds you want to blend with on-screen action or dialog.
What is Upmix and how does it work?
The 5.1 to 6.1 Upmix works by deriving a rear center channel from the rear left and right channel. Illustrated below is the speaker output scheme for the various input sources:
Input Source | 5.1 / 6.1 Output Mode | 5.1 to 6.1 Upmix Output Mode |
6.1-channel | 6.1-channel pass-through | 6.1-channel with rear center channel derived from rear left & right |
5.1-channel | 5.1-channel pass-through (without rear center channel) | 6.1-channel with rear center channel derived from rear left & right |
4-channel | 4.1-channel with subwoofer channel derived from front left & right | 4.1-channel with subwoofer channel derived from front left & right |
2-channel | 2.1-channel with subwoofer channel derived from front left & right | 2.1-channel with subwoofer channel derived from front left & right |
How to enable CMSS in Creative MediaSource for Sound Blaster Audigy 2 or Audigy 2 ZS series
- Click Start, (All) Programs, Creative, Creative MediaSource, and click on the Creative MediaSource Player or the Creative MediaSource Organizer.
- Click on the EAX button to enable EAX. The button should now be highlighted in green.
- Next, click on the little buttons next to the EAX button, which will bring up the Creative EAX Console.
- In the EAX Console, check the CMSS 3D tab, then check the box next to Enable CMSS 3D.
- Select ether CMSS or CMSS 2 and close the EAX Console.
You can also open the EAX Console by selecting Start, All Programs, Creative, Audigy 2 ZS, EAX Console.
If you have a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum or the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro you can press the CMSS button on the remote to enable CMSS. Also the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro has a CMSS button on the front of the unit to turn on and off CMSS. Ether way this will only enable CMSS, i.e. you will still have to use the EAX Console to enable CMSS 2.
How to enable CMSS in Creative MediaSource for Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX
- Click Start, (All) Programs, Creative, Creative MediaSource, and click on the Creative MediaSource Player or the Creative MediaSource Organizer.
- Click on the EAX button to enable EAX. The button should now be highlighted in green.
- Next, click on the little buttons next to the EAX button, which will bring up the Creative EAX Console.
- In the EAX Console, check the CMSS 3D tab, then check the box next to Enable CMSS 3D.
- Select ether CMSS or Stereo Surround and close the EAX Console.
You can also open the EAX Console by clicking Start, (All) Programs, Creative, USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX, EAX Console. You also can press the CMSS button on the remote to enable CMSS however you will still have to use the EAX Console to select Stereo Surround if you want to use Stereo Surround.
How to enable CMSS in Creative MediaSource for Sound Blaster Audigy LS series
- Go Start, All Programs, Creative, Creative MediaSource, and click on the Creative MediaSource Player or the Creative MediaSource Organizer.
- Click on the EAX button to enable EAX. The button should now be highlighted in green.
- Next, click on the little buttons next to the EAX button, which will bring up the Creative EAX Console.
- In the EAX Console, check the CMSS 3D tab, then check the box next to Enable CMSS 3D.
- Select ether CMSS or Stereo Surround and close the EAX Console.
You can also open the EAX Console by clicking Start, All Programs, Creative Audigy LS, EAX Console.
How to turn CMSS on and off with the Sound Blaster Extigy?
- Using Remote Center: Press the CMSS button to toggle on and off. Ensure that speaker settings are set to 4.1, 5.1 or Auto.
- Using Play Center: In the Play Center mini-view, expand the right hand panel and click on CMSS. Choose On or Off. Ensure that speaker settings are at 4.1, 5.1 or Auto.
Message Edited by Jason-CL on 04-12-2007 12:07 PM
Admin notes: Updated the links - KokChoy
Sound Blaster X-Fi - Enabling Creative Multispeaker Surround (CMSS)
The following information are abstracted from our Knowledgebase on CMSS. Please check the case relevant to your sound card below. You can also access the article on directly from the URL below.
Knowledgebase article SID47188
If you are listening to stereo content like MP3's or CD's and you would like the sound to be played over your surround sound speaker system, you can enable CMSS 3D on your X-Fi card. If you are playing computer games, the X-Fi's Virtual 3D via CMSS gives a highly realistic surround sound over headphones.
It is important to remember that if you do wish to play a 5.1 encoded file like Dolby or DTS soundtracks, you will need to turn CMSS off. Otherwise you might not receive each discreet channel.
Please select the mode: (More information about changing the Mode).
Entertainment mode
- In Entertainment mode, select the 3D button.
[Click to enlarge] - Tick the Enable CMSS-3DSurround option .
[Click to enlarge]
Game mode
- Click the CMSS-3D tab on the left side of the Game Mode console.
- Tick the Enable CMSS-3DVirtual option .
[Click to enlarge]
Note: CMSS is not supported in Music Creation mode.
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