Creative releases ALchemy for free on all cards

[melkore]

Today Creative has released the ALchemy software that will restore EAX functionality to Audigy and X-Fi cards. This used to be free for X-Fi users but a $9.99 purchase for Audigy users (like myself). They are offering refunds for those that have already purchased it.

Release notes

This download is an application for Creative Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ and Sound Blaster Audigy® series of audio devices. It restores 3D audio and EAX® effects for certain DirectSound®3D games in Microsoft® Windows Vista®. For more details, read the rest of this web release note.

This download supports the following audio devices only:

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty® Pro
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion Series
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Video Editor
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS SE
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum EX
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Creative USB Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy LS
Fixes:

Enables the DirectSound3D game audio to be processed by your Sound Blaster X-Fi to deliver EAX effects, 3D audio spatialization, sample rate conversion and hardware audio mixing. Without this, most DirectSound3D games will be reduced to stereo output without any EAX effects.
Resolves issues with some games if Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is installed.
Requirements:

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit or Windows Vista 32-bit
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi or Sound Blaster Audigy audio device listed above
Notes:

Do not install this application if you do not play DirectSound3D games in Windows Vista.
To find out more about Creative ALchemy or view the list of DirectSound3D games supported, click here.
To install the application
Download the ALMY_PCVTAPP_LB_1_10_01.exe file onto your local hard disk.
Close all other Windows applications.
Double-click the downloaded file.
Follow the instructions on the screen.

Refund Info

Dear Creative Customer,

Creative has reviewed the discussions concerning ALchemy for Audigy on this forum and others. A new free version of the ALchemy application for Audigy owners will be released in the week of May 19th. Audigy owners that have already purchased ALchemy are being offered a refund of the purchase price of $9.99. To request a refund, please visit http://us.creative.com/alchemy/welcome.asp. Complete the email form specifying the email address you used to purchase ALchemy For Audigy. The refund will be made to the credit card that was used for the original purchase. Please allow 30 days for the refund to take place. This offer is valid until 30th June.

The ALchemy application is being provided independent of the drivers, as it is not a driver. The new version of the application works with both X-Fi and Audigy products, and we have added additional updates relating to some popular games that behave differently on the X-Fi chipset as compared to the Audigy chipset. We would suggest you download the latest version from CREATIVE.COM when it becomes available.

Thank You.
The Soundblaster Team

You have received this mail as a purchaser of ALchemy for Audigy.

©2008 Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
Creative Labs Inc., 1901 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035

 

[fguo79]

I think Creative is dumb to charge customers $10 for the Alchemy driver of old sound card to begin with. It only make people feel repugnance to this company.