How to set up Immerse Gamepack | FFXIV with Razer Surround Sound Headsets and THX Spatial Audio

It is important to avoid running multiple spatial audio and surround sound solutions at the same time, as they will conflict with each other. 

The following Razer headsets include 7.1 Surround Sound software: Razer Kraken X, Razer Kraken X USB, Razer Kraken V3 X, Razer Kraken, Razer BlackShark V2 X, and Razer Barracuda X. This software is installed on your PC and provides a Surround Sound option that can be enabled when running the application. When using Immerse Gamepack, this Surround Sound option will need to be disabled. 

Disabling 7.1 Surround Sound and THX 

1. Open 7.1 Surround Sound application: 

      2. Turn off “Enable Surround Sound” moving the slide button to the left:

In addition to 7.1 Surround Sound, some Razer headsets include THX Spatial Audio which will need to be disabled when using Immerse Gamepack. We recommend doing this before launching FFXIV, otherwise you will need to restart your game in order for the changes to take effect.

How to disable THX Spatial Audio:

1. Type 'Services' without quotes and then press enter
2. Press TAB
3. Enter THX
4. Navigate to the THXService (in the left column)
5. Right click
6. Select Properties
7. Select Stop
8. Change Startup Type to Disabled
9. Restart FFXIV for your changes to take effect

Additional audio troubleshooting

In case you are experiencing some audio issues (i.e. no sound, sound glitches and unexpected noises coming from the headset), please check the suggestions below (Note: since most of these suggestions require restarting FFXIV, it is recommended to do these changes prior to starting the game):

No audio comes out of your headset

This is most likely related to the sample rate of your output device, which does not match the sample rate of your Razer 7.1 Surround speaker playback device (which supports up to 48kHz).  Your audio output device is selected within the 7.1 Surround Sound application. 

In this example, the output device selected is “Realtek(R) Audio (Speakers)”. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Sound Settings -> Sound Control Panel, then find the device “Realtek(R) Audio (Speakers)“
2. Right click on the device, then click on Properties, then open the “Advanced” tab
3. In the Default format drop down menu, select a format with a bit rate of 48kHz, click on Apply to save the changes
4. Restart FFXIV for your changes to take effect

Audio glitches or noises from the headset

It has been reported that making some changes in the Advanced properties of your 7.1 Surround device improve this issue. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Sound Settings -> Sound Control Panel, then find the device “Speakers (7.1 Surround Sound)“
2. Right click on the device, then click on Properties, then open the “Advanced” tab
3. Please uncheck all boxes from the Exclusive Mode, as well as in the Signal Enhancements area. It should look like this:

Please note that if you disable Signal Enhancements, the 7.1 Surround Sound will not activate. In case you want to utilize Surround Sound in other games, you will need to check again “Enable Audio Enhancements”. 

      4. Restart FFXIV for your changes to take effect