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September 9th, 2023 23:22
XPS 8960, Waves vs. Realtek
<Reminder. Always add the system model to the thread title. This helps our users. We have done this for you. DELL-Admin>
My new XPS 8960 has a Realtek audio driver and it also has Waves audio software. This confuses me because I know that Realtek also includes audio software with its driver, e.g., equalizer, sound enhancements, etc.
What is the difference in functionality/features between the Realtek driver and the Waves software?
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Chino de Oro
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September 10th, 2023 05:38
@Bulldog , maybe that was a long time ago. I think variant of names such as Dell Audio, Maxx Audio Pro, Waves Maxx Audio are being used to manage Realtek audio controller for quite sometimes now.
As for your point of interest, Realtek is just an audio chip and with its own driver or Microsoft driver, it can produce sounds and Windows audio app can control all basic functions.
In contrast, Waves is audio enhancements app with advanced features and device selector, Waves Maxx is the manager app for Realtek with full control.
Chino de Oro
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September 10th, 2023 00:07
This is from my understanding about Realtek and Waves Maxx.
Realtek is hardware maker, in this case the integrated audio in your Dell system.
Waves is the user interface, manages the input/output as well as sounds features for Realtek audio.
Realtek audio driver allows the audio chip be recognized for playback audio. Windows high definition audio driver can be used in place of Realtek audio driver and functioning as well.
Waves Maxx is an application with user interface. It manages sound enhancement features including input/output selection. Without Waves Maxx, your system audio is still be functioning but with limited control and incorrect functions of input/output devices would happened due to lack of selector.
MastiffX
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September 10th, 2023 03:56
@Chino de Oro
"Waves Maxx is an application with user interface. It manages sound enhancement features including input/output selection."
Yes - that's the part I don't understand.
In my previous Dell PC, the Realtek driver managed these functions through a Control Panel: equalizer, sound enhancements, input/output selection, headphone audio enhancement, and several other functions that I am not remembering. I could easily select and change input/output sources from a system tray icon.
Has the Realtek driver changed, so that it no longer supports these things, and so we need the Waves software?
EDIT: Either the Realtek driver has in fact changed, or its features have been disabled in favor of Waves. Here is my PC's sound control panel. Audio enhancements are selectable, but they cannot be configured. Not in the Control Panel and not in the Windows 11 Settings app.
As always, many thanks for your help.
(edited)
Element115s4
2 Intern
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294 Posts
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September 10th, 2023 14:12
This is in part due to Windows driver model changes.
I also had some fun with making sure Waves was doing what it should be doing.
My fresh install took care of things and I was also able to change the AHCI/RAID BIOS setting at the same time.
It's pretty sloppy compared to Creative Labs methods.
I hear printer drivers are going to have a similar change soon too......