>Question #1- sounds like you are using an USB MIC?
I am using normal MIC (mini-plug MIC).
>Question #2- why not use the SoundBlaster X-Fi soundcard for everything?
The purpose is to use the MIX function of the recording.
XtremeGamer connections (For Optical).
1. Optical out/Line in/MIC in → Optical out selected (exclusion of using combinedly terminal)
2. Line out1 → none
3. Line out2 → none
4. Line out3 → none
SoundMax
1. Speaker out → none
2. MIC in → MIC
Thank you.