Software

The Software interface is pretty easy to use

The software interface is fairly intuitive and easy to use and allows the user to control a variety of functions. Asus has included an equalizer application which includes 11 pre-defined configurations. On the bottom right of the driver panel, you can see the DSP settings, which adjust the sound levels and reverberation based on what you are listening to. Unfortunately, none of this is automatic and must be set by the user. This may not sound like a big deal, but when you forget to enable gaming mode for Dolby Digital Live!, it becomes problematic to alt-tab or quit the game to swap it over. Maybe in a future update Asus will allow users to create application profiles, so the DSP modes will automatically switch depending on what is running.

Asus also did not implement a jack detect function, so if you plug headphones into either the back or front panel, you have to manually swap the output. They did, however, include a function for increasing the headphone gain from 0 to +18dB, allowing the user to make maximum use of their high-end cans.

Playback and recording mixer

The usefulness of other features in the Asus drive could be debated, like the VocalFX voice changer. The software allows the user to alter the sound of either recorded voice or for VOIP applications. While this could prove useful should you wish to make any ransom demands, in practice, we doubt the function will be used beyond the initial 10 minute period you own the card. The Essence also supports a karaoke function which automatically shifts the level of recorded music, allowing everyone to become a drunken businessman should their hearts desire it. If the Essence ends up in a HTPC, then we imagine this function could make for some unintentionally hilarious parties.

There are 11 pre-sets for the equalizer,and environmental effects

Grab your Micheal Bolton CD's, it's Karaoke time!

One of the more interesting features is the inclusion of Dolby Digital Live!, a real-time encoding scheme that takes any audio signal and turns it into 5.1 surround that is output through the optical connector. This makes the Essence perfect for both gaming and home theatre PC’s, given that it can easily connect to any standard receiver and output Dolby Digital surround. Asus is hardly the first card to include DDL as a feature as both Realtek and Creative offer it on certain boards. However, being that on-board audio is notorious for high noise levels and Creative requires you to purchase the DDL package separate from their cards, it goes to Asus’ credit that they would include it inherently. By utilizing DDL, the Essence STX stands to be a fairly complete audio solution, whether it‘s application is music, movies, games or a mix of all three.

LFE Crossover settings should you lack a subwoofer

Bank robbers could make some use of the VocalFX setting