Intel's HD Audio PC Sound Ambitions

Software: Too Much Of A Good Thing

This test PC came with two sound management software programs that installed simultaneously and both claimed to offer exciting prospects by installing themselves in the notification area! Obviously, this is too much of a good thing and it is to be hoped that in the final version, only one piece of software or at least a choice between two will be offered.

The software supplied by Intel is called Intel Audio Studio. Fortunately, the audio system designer offers some software to go with it, although the audio studio lacks an editing desk, which means you'll have to continue to use the one supplied by Windows, which is a real shame. An integral audio control center would have been very useful.

Intel Audio Studio provides a good interface with the spectrum analyzer, volume control and balance between the channels, as well as configuration and test utilities for connections.

On the actual sound processing level, it contributes DSP style effects that make it possible to simulate the acoustics of various environments. In addition to the factory settings, you can change a lot of the parameters to adapt to a rendering to your own taste and your own installation.