Creative Sound BlasterX Katana Discussions | Drop

Jan 19, 2018

VipreMight have been an intro price, or more likely a Christmas promotional price

Jan 19, 2018

sugaShane

Jan 19, 2018

VipreNo that was just Holiday pricing. I bought it then and have been very impressed with the sound.

Jan 19, 2018

Vipre

Jan 20, 2018

EvshrugThanks for your reply and your explanation of some features below. Very interesting and in depth. I will be using this primarily for gaming on PC. Should I use USB 3.1, 2.0 slot on motherboard, or the digital optical cable slot? The marketing explanation makes the USB digital 7.1 sound great, especially for hearing enemies come up behind you. But the 5.1 Dolby Digital that is obtained from digital optical is also appealing. Can someone please explain to me the difference and what is best for me for PC gaming? I also might have a microphone plugged into Kraken as well. ($20 Logitech mic or a Blue Yeti Black Out soon)

Jan 20, 2018

Jan 20, 2018

VipreIf you wanted to plug a mic (like a modmic) into the Katana, you would HAVE to use USB (or Bluetooth, I guess), but since you are going to use a USB mic anyway you should get full functionality either way.
While I do appreciate the Dolby decoding over optical, because it makes game console audio so much better (I have my PS4, Mac, and PC on the same desk), I would certainly recommend using the USB (2 or 3 are both fine) on your PC. Optical only has enough bandwidth for two channels... thus, Dolby “encoding” is a method for compressing 6 channels (5.1) down to “fit” through Optical. Dolby output requires special software or games. 7.1 from your USB will be uncompressed and more accurate due to the extra channel. If all your PC’s USB ports are taken though, optical should still be fine.

Jan 20, 2018

Vipre

Jan 21, 2018

EvshrugThanks! Is there any benefit to using 3.0 USB slot over 2 for the Katana? edit: Also, when I upgrade to a new mic, I understand I will want one with a cardioid mic, to better pick up my voice in voice chat and not gunshots from whatever game I'm playing :P but, I take this could also let some keyboard noises through. I know nothing will be good as a good ol headset mic, but, since I can't stand to game with a headset on, I have to play with external speakers and a separate mic on my desk. I heard the Blue Yeti Snowball is ok, then I also see you mentioned the modmic. Any decent ones for the money?

Jan 21, 2018

Jan 23, 2018

VipreCardioid mics (IIRC) are directional... they are supposed to have a much quieter pickup than in the main direction. The modmic is not cardioid, but it’s low sensitivity helps it mostly pick up sounds that are close to the mic, though it’s a “mod mic” because it’s meant to be an easy way to mod a headphone into a headset with something like an integrated mic. I’ll tell you what though, there will always going to be some bleed, also echoes off the wall behind you, and using speakers and a microphone is always going to be obnoxious with anyone you game with.
I did see some emerging tech though, where a DSP uses the sound from the game and tries to cancel out that from the mic input. Not perfect.

Jan 23, 2018