Something I always recommend installing: asoundconf-gtk.

What is it? It allows you to configure your system’s default “base” sound card. As the package describes it’s “useful if you have two sound cards, and [need] to switch between the two.” I know the function is already there in Gnome, however this seems to just work. And I like things that just work. It’s also GUI (Graphical…) based. So, now need for all the command typing.

So let’s get going:

Fire up Synaptic (System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager). Or if you’re a command-line junkie like me:

sudo apt-get asoundconf-gtk

Now if you used Synaptic Package Manager – a few last steps:

1. Search for: asoundconf-gtk
2. Double click on the package OR right click on it and go to “Mark for installation”
3. Now click “Apply” in the toolbar.

Now go to System > Preferences > Default Sound Card. Select your X-Fi card or whichever card you intend on using.

NOTE: This may, and usually does, require a system restart.

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So, let’s get going.

Go to Creative’s web site and download the X-Fi driver for your card for “Linux.” It will come in a .tar.gz file.

After downloading the file from Creative’s web site you need to double click on the file. Click on “Extract” in the upper menu. You can choose the location. Your Desktop is perfectly fine as well as any other location, such as your ~/ (home) directory. Just remember where you place your downloaded file.

It will indeed take going to the terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) as of now. Then going to the directory where you extracted the file to.

To do this type:

cd /directory/path

If it is your desktop that would be:

cd Desktop

or:

cd ~/Desktop

If it is just your home folder your are already there.

Then go to the Creative driver folder using “cd” as well.

cd XFiDrv_Linux_Public_US_1.00

or just type:

cd XFi<TAB>
<TAB> will auto-complete for you. Press Enter.

Once there:

Type:

make

Then type:

sudo make install
Enter in YOUR password (you will not be able to see it).

This will most likely will require a restart. HOWEVER, before you restart go to System > Administration > Hardware Driver. Ensure the X-Fi Restricted Driver (that you just installed) is enabled).

You can then go to:

System > Preferences > Sound

And look at your main mixer on the bottom. Make sure ALSA X-Fi is selected. Test the above channels to make sure everything is working properly.

Now everything should work fine.

This is the only way to get it to work and you must do this again with any NEW kernel installs or upgrades. This until the new ALSA release that will support this model sound card. This bug has been ongoing in the community of Ubuntu and you can read about it, and subscribe to it, here. It will pushed out in Karmic with ALSA along with the newer version of the kernel (we hope!).

If you have any questions there is always #ubuntu on freenode IRC and Launchpad Answers. And, of course, you can always fire away in comments.

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