[weedwacker]

Here is what seems to be the crux of the problem. Windows top level the sound mapper is not able to control the volume and playback for two different sound devices that are in parallel with each other. Here is a simple test to determine that go into control panel(I don't have Windows 7 but the basic idea is the same). Find the setup for audio and sound devices see what the defaults are for system wide and change them accordingly for each device(you will probably have three options one for the EMU 1820m, one for the onboard sound controller and a generic windows one). Play around with using each until you find the right combo that gives you sound for each device as you have it set up. You should be be able to mute everything with the master volume control. If you can't you won't be able chain everything together correctly with the windows sound mapper or directx whatever 7 uses on the top controlling everything underneath. The workaround which should work is you need to cut out the onboard controller and push your Emu 182om to the top of the list and use it's master controls to adjust volume for input/outputs and if your onboard sound is compatible with it you should be able to chain it off the card that way in its control panel applet. In that case you can renable the driver and use it. If you can make that work on the system level then you can make it work on the software level in AA3. You are going to have to play around with the wires and settings but a little trial and error will get you there. If you leave your onboard sound enabled you will have to probably go into each app that uses sound and check the sound settings to make sure the output is set correctly.