Configuring Audio Input and Output(Realtek® ALC1220 CODEC)
Realtek® ALC1220 CODEC..............................................................................................21-1
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Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio................................................................ 2
Configuring S/PDIF Out....................................................................................... 7
Stereo Mix............................................................................................................ 7Using the Voice Recorder.................................................................................... 9DTS:X® Ultra...................................................................................................... 10ESS ES9280AC DAC chip + ESS ES9080 chip.............................................................12-1-Realtek® ALC1220 CODECAfter you install the included motherboard drivers, make sure your Internet connection works properly. the system
will automatically install the audio driver from Microsoft Store. Restart the system after the audio driver is installed.

1-1

Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio

The picture to the right shows the default six audio
jacks assignment.

Center/SubwooferSpeaker OutLine In

Rear Speaker Out

Front Speaker Out

Side Speaker
OutMic In

5.1-channel

7.1-channelaaaa

Audio Jack Configurations:
Headphone/2-channel

Jack4-channel

Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out
Rear Speaker OutaSide Speaker OutaLine In
Line Out/Front Speaker Outaaaa

Center/SubwooferSpeaker Out

Line In

Rear Speaker Out

Front Speaker Out

Mic InThe picture to the right shows the default five audio
jacks assignment.
To configure 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio, you have to retask
either the Line in or Mic in jack to be Side speaker out
through the audio driver.

Mic InAudio Jack Configurations:
Headphone/2-channelJack4-channel

Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out
Rear Speaker Out

5.1-channel

7.1-channelaaaaaaa

Line In/Side Speaker Out
Line Out/Front Speaker OutaaMic In/Side Speaker Outaa

You can change the functionality of an audio jack using the audio software.
-2-The picture to the right shows the default three audio
jacks assignment.
Line In
Line OutMic In

Audio Jack Configurations:
Headphone/
2-channel

JackLine In/Rear Speaker Out
Line Out/Front Speaker Outa

4-channel

5.1-channel

7.1-channel

aaaaaaaa

Mic In/Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out
Front Panel Line Out/Side Speaker Outa

The picture to the right shows the default two audio
jacks assignment.

Line OutMic In•

Realtek® ALC1220 CODEC

Audio Jack Configurations:JackLine Out/Front Speaker Out

Headphone/2-channel

4-channel

5.1-channel

7.1-channel

aaaaaaa

Mic In/Rear Speaker Out
Front Panel Line Out/Side Speaker Outa

Front Panel Mic In/Center/Subwoofer
Speaker Out•aRealtek® ALC1220 CODEC + ESS ES9118 DAC chip

Audio Jack Configurations:
JackLine Out/Front Speaker Out

Headphone/2-channel

4-channel

5.1-channel

aaaaa

Mic In/Rear Speaker Out
Front Panel Line Out
Front Panel Mic In/Center/Subwoofer
Speaker Outa

You can change the functionality of an audio jack using the audio software.
-3-aA. Configuring Speakers

Step 1:
Go to the Start menu click the Realtek Audio Console.
For speaker connection, refer to the instructionsin Chapter 1, "Hardware Installation," "Back PanelConnectors."

Step 2:Connect an audio device to an audio jack. The Whichdevice did you plut in ? dialog box appears. Selectthe device according to the type of device you connect.
Then click OK.

Step 3 (Note):
Click the Device advanced setting on the left. Selectthe Mute the internal output device, when an
external headphone plugged in check box to enable
7.1-channel audio.

Step 4:On the Speakers screen, click the Speaker Configuration
tab. In the Speaker Configuration list, select Stereo,Quadraphonic, 5.1 Speaker, or 7.1 Speaker according
to the type of speaker configuration you wish to set up.
Then the speaker setup is completed.

(Note)

If your motherboard has only one Realtek® ALC1220 codec and two audio jacks on the rear panel,
you can follow this step to enable 7.1-channel audio.
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B. Configuring Sound Effect

You may configure an audio environment on the Speakers tab.

C. Enabling Smart Headphone AmpThe Smart Headphone Amp feature automaticallydetects impedance of your head-worn audio device,
whether earbuds or high-end headphones to provide
optimal audio dynamics. To enable this feature, connect
your head-worn audio device to the Line out jack on therear panel and then go to the Speaker page. Enable
the Smart Headphone Amp feature. The Headphone
Power list below allows you to manually set the level ofheadphone volume, preventing the volume from being
too high or too low.

-5-* Configuring the Headphone

When you connect your headphone to the Line out jack on the back panel or front panel, make sure the default
playback device is configured correctly.
Step 1:
Locate the icon in the notification area and right-clickon the icon. Select Open Sound settings.

Step 2:
Select Sound Control Panel.

Step 3:On the Playback tab, make sure your headphone
is set as the default playback device. For the device
connected to the Line out jack on the back panel,right-click on Speakers and select Set as Default
Device; for the device connected to the Line out jackon the front panel, right-click on Realtek HD Audio 2ndoutput.

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Configuring S/PDIF Out

The S/PDIF Out jack can transmit audio signals to an external decoder for decoding to get the best audio quality.
1. Connecting a S/PDIF Out Cable:
Connect a S/PDIF optical cable to an external decoder for transmitting the S/PDIF digital audio signals.

Connects to a S/PDIF optical cable

2. Configuring S/PDIF Out:On the Realtek Digital Output screen, Select the sample
rate and bit depth in the Default Format section.

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Stereo Mix

The following steps explain how to enable Stereo Mix (which may be needed when you want to record soundfrom your computer).
Step 1:
Locate the icon in the notification area and right-clickon the icon. Select Open Sound settings.

-7-Step 2:
Select Sound Control Panel.

Step 3:On the Recording tab, right-click on Stereo Mix item andselect Enable. Then set it as the default device. (if you do
not see Stereo Mix, right-click on an empty space andselect Show Disabled Devices.)

Step 4:
Now you can access the HD Audio Manager to configure
Stereo Mix and use Voice Recorder to record the sound.

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Using the Voice Recorder

After setting up the audio input device, to open the
Voice Recorder, go to the Start menu and search for
Voice Recorder.

A. Recording Audio

1. To begin the recording, click the Record icon.
2. To stop the recording, click the Stop recording icon

B. Playing the Recorded Sound.

The recordings will saved in Documents>Sound Recordings. Voice Recorder records audio in MPEG-4 (.m4a)
format. You can play the recording with a digital media player program that supports the audio file format.

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DTS:X® Ultra

Hear what you have been missing! DTS:X® Ultra technology is designed to enhance your gaming, movies,AR, and VR experiences on headphones and speakers. It delivers an advanced audio solution that renders
sounds above, around, and close to you, stepping up your game play to new levels. Now with support for
Microsoft Spatial sound. Key features include:• Believable 3D audio
DTS latest spatial audio rendering that delivers believable 3D audio over headphones and speakers.
• PC sound gets real
DTS:X decoding technology places sound where it would occur naturally in the real world.
• Hear sound as it was intended
Speaker and headphone tuning that preserves the audio experience as it was designed.

A. Using DTS:X Ultra
Step 1:After you install the included motherboard drivers, make sure your Internet connection works properly.
The system will automatically install DTS: X Ultra from the Microsoft Store. Restart the system after it isinstalled.
Step 2:Connect your audio device and select DTS:X Ultra on the Start menu. The Content Mode main menu
allows you to select content modes including Music, Video, and Movies, or you can select specifically tuned
sound modes, including Strategy, RPG, and Shooter, to suit different game genres. The Custom Audio
allows you to  create customized audio profiles based on personal preference for later use.

- 10 -B. Using DTS Sound UnboundInstalling DTS Sound Unbound
Step 1:Connect your headphones to the front panel line out jack and make sure your Internet connection works
properly, Locate theicon in the notification area and right-click on the icon. Click on Spatial Sound andthen select DTS Sound Unbound.
Step 2:The system will connect to the Microsoft Store. When the DTS Sound Unbound application appears, click
Install and follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the installation.
Step 3:After the DTS Sound Unbound application is installed, click Launch. Accept the End User License
Agreement and restart the system.
Step 4:
Select DTS Sound Unbound on the Start menu. DTS Sound Unbound allows you to use the DTS
Headphone:X and DTS:X features.

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ESS ES9280AC DAC chip + ESS ES9080 chip
Configuring the Audio Input and Output

To manage audio settings for the line out or mic in jack on the back panel, refer to the steps below:
Step 1:
Locate the icon in the notification area and right-clickon the icon. Select Open Sound settings.

Step 2:
Select Sound Control Panel.

Step 3:This page provides audio jack related configuration
options.

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