#332 [Windows11 Bug]LFX/GFX and SFX/EFX not working with Creative Sound Blaster's Surround effect.

[Sweep Rails]

LFX/GFX and SFX/EFX are not working with Creative Sound Blaster's Surround effect on Windows 11 (24H2). When installing Equalizer APO with these modes, the Surround effect of Creative sound card would not work at all. Only SFX/MFX is working, but another issue is some games don't work with SFX/MFX mode. For example, Fortnite only works with LFX/GFX and SFX/EFX since last update. So this problem had already made me stop using Windows 11 for now. Whereas, Equalizer APO is still working perfectly with all modes and Apps on Windows 10.

[Peter Verbeek]

So the Sound Blaster is using LFX/GFX and SFX/EFX for its surround sound (APO) effect. Unfortunately, we know that sometimes Equalizer APO's APO isn't working nicely together with other APO's (read sound effect/enhancement) of other manufacturers. It could be as simple as the audio stream of Sound Blaster's surround effect isn't a PCM stream. But I'm not an expert on these matters. Can you install some former Sound Blaster software (for instance of Windows 10)? t may contain APO techniques that work together with Equalizer APO. Btw.

[Sweep Rails]

Creative Sound Blaster App for Window 10 and Windows 11 are exactly the same installer file: https://cn.creative.com/support/downloads/download.asp?MainCategory=1&nRegionFK=&nCountryFK=&nLanguageFK=&sOSName=Windows+11&region=2&Product_Name=Sound+Blaster+X1&Product_ID=23908&modelnumber=&driverlang=1033&OS=72&drivertype=0
On Windows 10, it works well with all modes of Equalizer APO and all apps. So it must be the compatibility issue between Equalizer APO and Windows 11. Only SFX/MFX mode works with Creative App, but not working with Fortnite; LFX/GFX and SFX/EFX work with Fortnite, but not working with Creative App, on Window 11.

[Peter Verbeek]

As I'm not the developer of Equalizer APO I don't understand what's going on. But I doubt if the developer understands this issue. Anyway, SFX/MFX is an APO (audio processing object) which is done directly after the app has spit out its audio. It could be that you need to change some audio setting in Fortnite and in the other games. At least it should be set (if possible) to WASAPI shared mode.

Since 24H2 I've all kinds of audio issues. Fortunately, Equalizer APO still works for me but 23H2 was far more stable. Others have reported issue since 24H2. For instance, when Windows Spatial sound is enabled (System -> Sound -> Audio Device -> Spatial sound).