Creating a 5.1 sequence. Premiere only shows stereo output mapping

[CKinCLE]

I'm trying to create 5.1 mix for a film. I have a 5.1 system hooked up to my computer -- a Sound Blaster Audigy FX 5.1 sound card with 6 outputs.

In the Windows sound settings, it knows I have a 5.1 system and each speaker works fine when Windows does the speaker test.

https://www.screencast.com/t/psUoyhbC5l

In Premiere, I created a new 5.1 sequence. When I go in to the audio settings to make sure my output mapping is correct for my 6 speakers, I only see two outputs:
https://www.screencast.com/t/jZaOwsfpuhm

I would expect to see my 6 speakers here as options -- allowing me to hear the 5.1 mix - right?.

What is going on here? Is this a Windows issue, a Premiere issue, a sound card issue?

Any help would be appreciated. I'm not sure what to do next.

Thank you.

System:

Windows 10 64-bit

Sound Blaster Audigy FX 5.1 sound card

Premiere Pro CC

[Richard M Knight]

A couple of things to try, change the Device Class to ASIO if possible and do you have any other options in the Map Output for box?

[CKinCLE]

Hi Richard:

Under "Device Class", the only option I have listed is "MME".

In the "Output Mapping / Map Output for" box, I have "Adobe Desktop Audio", and then "Adobe DV", but that particular option is grayed out.

This is what makes me think of trying a new sound card with explicit ASIO support to see if it makes a difference.

[Richard M Knight]

ASIO should be supported for that card, have you installed the drivers? or have a look at

Creative Worldwide Support

[CKinCLE]

Actually, looking at the list of supported cards, I don't think mine is officially supported:

http://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=66753

They list "Sound Blaster Audigy 2" -- mine is just Sound Blaster Audigy FX.

I ordered a new sound card that specifically lists ASIO support on the box. It arrives on Friday. I'll update the thread after I get it installed.

Thanks very much, Richard!

[Richard M Knight]

If you have Audition does the 5.1 work there? If you are still having problems when you get the new card the Audition forum have many audio hardware experts.

[CKinCLE · Accepted solution]

My new sound card is installed and everything is working perfectly now.

I got an Asus Xonar AE which has explicit ASIO support and worked right out of the box -- I immediately has the ASIO option in the dropdown, had all the proper output mappings, and was editing 5.1 just fine after getting the card installed.

In the end, I don't think the Sound Blaster Audigy FX has ASIO support and that was the issue.

[mstegner]

Premiere Pro supports two different types of audio interfaces, MME and ASIO.

ASIO is a professional standard created by Steinberg for low latency, multichannel audio.  An audio card manufacturer must explicitly create an ASIO driver using Steinberg’s SDK.  

Premiere's ASIO implementation supports multiple audio channel.

MME is the Windows OS system for audio, and in Premiere it only supports a stereo configuration, not 5.1.  

A common workaround for this is to use a piece of software that tricks Windows into thinking any audio device has an ASIO driver.  You can find it here:  https://asio4all.org/