[nreel]

I am using 2 computers with Aopen Motherboards that have built-in audio. VIA APOLLO AK77-8X MAX and VIA APOLLO AK77-333. I have, also, downloaded and installed the latest BIOS and DRIVERS for these Motherboards.

I understand that some of you prefer other Sound Cards and choose not to use “on-board” sound devices.

“Soundman.exe” is using the AC97 Codec to interface with Windows.

There is a Square Blue icon in the System Tray with yellow radial lines. Upon clicking on this icon, the “AC97 AUDIO CONFIGURATION” window appears.

There are 5 category tabs across the top that are labeled:

"SOUND EFFECT" "EQUALIZER" "SPEAKER CONFIGURATION" "SPEAKER TEST" "GENERAL"

FYI, under the GENERAL tab this Information shows:

AUDIO DRIVER VERSION:---5.10.0.3830
DIRECTX VERSION:--------DIRECTX 8 OR BETTER
AUDIO CONTROLLER:------VIA 8233
AC97 CODEC:-------------ALC650

Under the SOUND EFFECT tab is where you will find the “Environment” and “Karaoke” functions.

In the “Karaoke” section there is a “Key” section where the “Key” may be changed +\-4.

When the queued disc is ready to play, bring up the “AC97 AUDIO CONFIGURATION” window and set the requested “Key Change.”

The key may be changed “on-the-fly” if the song starts before you make the “Key Change” and/or if the Singer requests that you change the key during the song.

I understand that there are video considerations expressed by others in this forum with respect to running other programs and/or minimizing the “Hoster window.” This includes the second display going blank, so, I would suggest that the key change be set, prior to “Play.”

I have not had the opportunity to test a second display, but I think that, if you keep the “AC97 AUDIO CONFIGURATION “window” ON TOP during “Play,” you should be able to make further “Key” changes without interruption to the second display.

Hope this Helps,
Norm