1 Introduction

Get top quality sound on your computer! The Sandberg USB Sound Box 7.1 (referred to as "the box") allows you to connect speaker systems with up to eight speakers – you can even choose whether to use analogue or digital connection. For recording purposes you can connect two microphones, as well as one analogue and one digital audio source. You can easily check all connected devices via the user-friendly software provided, which offers a whole host of functions. USB connection means easy installation and good access to ports and buttons.

2 Hardware connections

The box’s buttons, LEDs and ports are examined below.

2.1 Buttons and LEDs

Figure 1. Buttons and LEDs located on top of the box.

VOL+: Press this button to raise the volume.
VOL- : Press this button to lower the volume.
MIC MUTE: Press this button to turn the microphone off/on.
VOL MUTE: Press this button to turn the sound off/on (analogue only).
Microphone Mute LED: The LED lights up when the microphone is muted.
Power/Activity LED: The LED lights up when the box is connected to a PC and flashes when there is activity.

2.2 Connections on the front of the box

Figure 2. Connections on the front of the box.

Headphones: Connect headphones.
Line-in: Connect an audio source, e.g. a cassette or CD player which you would like to record sound from.
Front: Connect the front speakers.
Surround: Connect the surround speakers (connect back speakers here when connecting a set of 5.1 speakers).
Center/bass: Connect the centre speaker/subwoofer.
Back: Connect the back speakers when connecting a set of 7.1 speakers.

2.3 Connections on the back of the box

Figure 3. Connections on the back of the box.

S/PDIF IN: Connect a digital audio source which you would like to record sound from.
S/PDIF OUT: Connect a digital audio device on which you would like to playback sound.
USB: Connect the enclosed USB cable. Connect the other end of the USB cable to your PC as described in section 3 under the relevant operating system.

2.4 Connections on the side of the box

Figure 4. Connections on the side of the box.

Microphone input 1: Connect a microphone (mono in the left channel)
Microphone input 2: Connect a microphone (mono in the right channel)
NOTE: When a microphone is connected to each microphone input, you can record in stereo.

4 Main setting

4.1 System input

NOTE: This function is only available in Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
In order to achieve optimal sound reproduction you can select what is to be played back here. Click the icon to view a list of suggestions. You should, for example, select “2CH” if you are playing MP3 music files and “8CH” if you are playing a 3D game.

4.2 Virtual or real speakers

4.2.1 Virtual speakers: DSP Mode

The DSP Mode function allows you to use the box’s virtual surround system. This can, for example, give you a better sound experience when using headphones or a small set of speakers.

1. Click the icon by the text “DSP Mode” and then the icon.
2. In the “SHIFTER” window you can now freely rotate and move the speakers in all directions so as to achieve your desired audio setup. If you want to undo your settings, you can use the “Reset” button to restore the original settings.

4.2.2 Real speakers: Output mode

Here you have the option of adjusting the settings for the speakers that are physically connected to the box.

1. Select headphones or 2, 4, 6 or 8 speakers to match your connection.
   
2. Select the icon by the text “S/PDIF Output” if your speakers are connected digitally to the box’s S/PDIF output.
   
3. On the right-hand side of the screen you can now test and tune the individual speakers. Click the speaker to test it. Click the icon to show volume control for the individual speakers. You can then use this function to adjust the volume. If you want to undo your settings, you can use the “Reset” button to restore the original settings.
   
4. Click the icon in the Output Mode section to switch channels and/or enhance the bass.
   

NOTE: The options depend on the connection selected and version of Windows run.

5 Mixer

Here you have the option of adjusting the volume on the devices connected to the box’s inputs and outputs. Press the button beneath the separate volume control in order to activate or deactivate it.

6 Effect

6.1 Environment

Here you have two options for selecting an environment to suit your needs:

A.Click the , , or icons to select the desired environment.
B. Click the “More options” button to activate further environment options, which you can select in the drop-down menu under the button.

6.2 Environment Size

Select whether you are in a small, medium-sized or large room in order to achieve the best possible sound.

6.3 Equalizer

Here you have two ways of setting sound reproduction options:

A.Manually set the individual frequencies in the equalizer. If you wish to save your setting, this can be done as follows:

1. Click the “User defined” button.
2. Name the setting in the text field. Click “+” to save.

If you then want to open a setting, you do this in the drop-down menu. You can delete a saved setting by clicking “–”.

B. Click the predefined settings, e.g. “Dance”, “Rock” or “Metal”, to select a setting which matches the music you are listening to.

7 Karaoke/Magic Voice

Click the “ON” button to activate the functions on this tab.

7.1 Effects and adjusting voice recording

1. Check the box next to the “Microphone Echo” drop-down menu. Click “OK” in the pop-up window that appears. To avoid the window appearing in future, select “Don’t show this again”.
   
2. Set echo on the slider.
   
3. Click the drop-down menu and select “Magic Voice”. You can then select the desired voice effect by clicking one of these icons:

7.2 Playback adjustment

1. Select “Key Shifting” if you want to adjust the tone using the relevant slider.
   
2. Select “Vocal cancellation” if you want to adjust the voice cancellation. This function can muffle the vocals on a melody.

If you want to undo your settings, you can use the “Reset” button to restore the original settings.

8 Troubleshooting

8.1 There is no sound from my speakers/headphones

• Check that the LED on the top of the box is on, or that it is flashing. If it is not lit, your computer has not detected it. Try moving the connector to another USB port.
  
• Check that it is the USB box that has been selected as the playback device in Windows. You do this under sound settings in the Control Panel. The device selected must be USB Multi-Channel Audio Device.
  
• Check that the speakers or headphones are connected correctly. See section 2.
  
• Check that the sound for the speakers/headphones is turned on:
  a) on the actual speakers/headphones.
  b) in the software provided under the “Mixer” tab.
  c) in Windows under the “Volume” icon in the notification area.

8.2 I cannot record from my microphone/audio source

• Check whether the LED is on. If it is, the microphone inputs are muted. See section 2.1.
  
• Check that it is the USB box that has been selected as the recording device in Windows. You do this under sound settings in the Control Panel. The device selected must be USB Multi-Channel Audio Device.
  
• Check that the microphone or audio source is connected correctly. See section 2.
  
• Check that the sound for the microphone/audio source is turned on:
  a) on the actual microphone/audio source.
  b) in the software provided under the “Mixer” tab.
  c) in Windows under the “Volume” icon in the notification area.

8.3 I cannot get the Mute function to work with the sound system connected to S/PDIF

If you have connected your sound system to S/PDIF OUT, and nothing happens when you press the VOL MUTE button on top of the box, “Digital Output” must be selected as the default device under the sound settings in the Control Panel.
NOTE: This is not possible in Windows XP.

Have fun with your Sandberg USB Sound Box 7.1!