The installation of the drivers and start-up programs is performed without any difficulty. On the other hand, when restarting the computer, you are dazzled by the number of icons and the Creative task bar, which invade your workspace. In Version 3, Creative provides the PlayCenter, which controls the essential functions of the card.

It is used for playing and recording, allows access to the EAX controls and effects just like with a mixer. We would advise you to keep only its shortcut icon. The task bar, which allows the user to preset the effects, is more trouble than it is worth.

The mixing desk is the most important tool to master. On the "small" mixing desk of the sound card, you find the general output of the card, fitted with a treble/bass control. A second menu opens a window where the sound balance is carried out by positioning a ball in a space defined by four points: left speaker, right speaker, front and back. There is a volume control for the Wave/MP3 output and the MIDI output, and two others for the CD Audio and Line In fixed inputs. For the two audio inputs remaining, you have to choose what to listen to from the following list: mic/line2 input of the rack, digital S/PDIF input, auxiliary input, or digital CD input.

In its higher-level section, accessible via the Advanced Mode button, it is possible to choose the listening system connected to the card: stereo listening via 2 speakers, 5.1 listening. A button marked "Settings" even enables you to regulate the volume of the central audio system, the sub, and even to choose the cut-off frequency at which the bass processor comes into play: a welcome tool to correct the presence of an over-intrusive subwoofer. Next to it, the EAX icon, takes you to the simplified effects menu, where you can quickly choose a sound quality for the main sound output.