Keep iCUE profile active when application is open

[ThreePinkApples]

Just bought a Corsair HS70 and discovered one annoying issue with it, listening to music with surround turned on, is just horrible, I thought the profiles in iCUE could save me, but currently, it can't.

 

The profile system in iCUE is based on the application that is in focus, so say I have a profile for Spotify, it will only be active when the Spotify window is in focus, and revert to default when I refocus to some other application or a game.

 

I understand why it was made that way so that you can have a profile for the current game you're playing, even when you have multiple open, or something like that.

 

But what I want is to have a profile to always be enabled as long as the application is running. As in, I want my Spotify profile to be active as long as Spotify is running because listening to music with the 7.1 Surround enabled is just horrible. So I need it to always be Stereo when listening to music, but I'm not going to have Spotify in focus, it's most likely going to be a game.

I have the default profile set to have 7.1 Surround enabled, because Spotify is the only application I need Stereo in, and it would just be painful to add a profile to every single game I play.

 

I guess this is more a feature request, as I can't seem to see any way to do this in the current software.

[c-attack]

I think you need to approach it from the opposite end. Rather than make individual game profiles, create a Spotify profile with your 2 channel mode. Instead of linking the Spotify.exe to the profile, you may wish to manually manage it. The "default profile" is the one on top of the list on the left side in iCUE or CUE. It doesn't matter what you name it and the "default" profile created when you install the software has no special properties.

 

Use the copy feature to duplicate your current profile (sounds like just the one), click on the "copy of.." to rename it, change the audio setting for the void to 2 channel stereo.

 

When you are going to listen to music and work, open iCUE drag the Spotify profile to the top slot. All done? Drag "default" or whatever you call the main profile with 7.1 back to the top. This takes the focus aspect out of play.

[Corsair James]

What if the game also has a profile with surround sound and is running simultaneously with Spotify in the background (for example when you alt tab out)?

 

How will iCUE know which audio profile to use in this situation?

[ThreePinkApples]

I think you need to approach it from the opposite end. Rather than make individual game profiles, create a Spotify profile with your 2 channel mode. Instead of linking the Spotify.exe to the profile, you may wish to manually manage it. The "default profile" is the one on top of the list on the left side in iCUE or CUE. It doesn't matter what you name it and the "default" profile created when you install the software has no special properties.

 

Use the copy feature to duplicate your current profile (sounds like just the one), click on the "copy of.." to rename it, change the audio setting for the void to 2 channel stereo.

 

When you are going to listen to music and work, open iCUE drag the Spotify profile to the top slot. All done? Drag "default" or whatever you call the main profile with 7.1 back to the top. This takes the focus aspect out of play.

 

That's not a solution, that's a workaround, and a manual one at that. I know I can do this, I'm looking for a proper, automated way, of doing this, as it seems that it should be possible, just add an extra option to profile named something like "Prioritize this application" or something

 

 

What if the game also has a profile with surround sound and is running simultaneously with Spotify in the background (for example when you alt tab out)?

 

How will iCUE know which audio profile to use in this situation?

 

I would add an option (toggle) to profiles named something like "Keep this profile active as long as this application is open". If you have multiple profiles with that turned on, the first one opened is the one that is used.

 

In my case, I want Spotify to always be prioritized, as most of my time listening to Spotify is also spent playing a game where I've either muted or turned down the volume significantly.

 

 

Another question, is that surround option int he iCUE software just to enable convertion from Stereo to 7.1 surround? If I run the Windows sound test, I get surround even when I've set iCUE to Stereo. If so that solves my problem, I can just leave it at Stereo always.

[c-attack]

That's not a solution, that's a workaround, and a manual one at that. I know I can do this, I'm looking for a proper, automated way, of doing this, as it seems that it should be possible, just add an extra option to profile named something like "Prioritize this application" or something

 

No, that's you not wanting to link your game exe files to profiles while solving your focus problems. This can be automated, but requires you to set-up profiles for all your 7.1 applications - something you said you were unwilling to do. Frankly, if the two clicks and 1 drag it takes to swap the dominant sound profile is too much work when you launch anything, you have a different issue none of us can help you. It's a bit laughable to pass the 3 clicks off as "manual workaround" while you go on do make hundreds of mouse clicks and movements per hour using the computer in any standard fashion.

[ThreePinkApples]

No, that's you not wanting to link your game exe files to profiles while solving your focus problems. This can be automated, but requires you to set-up profiles for all your 7.1 applications - something you said you were unwilling to do. Frankly, if the two clicks and 1 drag it takes to swap the dominant sound profile is too much work when you launch anything, you have a different issue none of us can help you. It's a bit laughable to pass the 3 clicks off as "manual workaround" while you go on do make hundreds of mouse clicks and movements per hour using the computer in any standard fashion.

 

I just don't see it as reasonable to have to do this several times a week, for as long as I own this headset. I can create profiles for every game I have, yes, it just seems unnecessary, and I feel the feature I'm requesting makes sense.

[c-attack]

I just don't see it as reasonable to have to do this several times a week

 

3 clicks. Spotify will stay dominant until you want to play a game. Then move the "Game profile" with 7.1 enabled to the top. You don't have to link anything. All done and want to listen to music again? Swap. It solves your focus issue in ways your suggestion will not, at least not without a substantial amount of set-up on your end. And of course, your method doesn't exist. Aside from that the only other suggestion would something like... "Hey Alexa, play games for me." Not sure if that works.

[ThreePinkApples]

3 clicks. Spotify will stay dominant until you want to play a game. Then move the "Game profile" with 7.1 enabled to the top. You don't have to link anything. All done and want to listen to music again? Swap. It solves your focus issue in ways your suggestion will not, at least not without a substantial amount of set-up on your end. And of course, your method doesn't exist. Aside from that the only other suggestion would something like... "Hey Alexa, play games for me." Not sure if that works.

 

Having to do that is going to be so annoying over time. Every time I'm going to listen to music I'm going to forget to switch to Stereo, then get annoyed by the sound and go in and switch. Then I'll forget to turn it back to surround, and maybe figure that out hours into a play session, now being disappointed that I had a sub-par sound experience in the game.

Yes, I can just do as you said, as a once-in-a-while action it's totally fine, but not when it's something that is going to happen several times a week for years if I keep this headset.

You might see it as easy, and it won't be a problem for you, but it's a pretty bad user experience and something I really prefer to not be necessary.

 

My suggestion for a solution is pretty simple though, I don't expect it will take that much change in the iCUE software to add a toggle to profile that says to keep this profile active as long as the application is open, and not just in focus.

 

I'm simply writing here in hope for a response from Corsair, and to get some discussion and suggestions. If they say this is not something they'll do, then I'll consider returning my headset, setting up game profiles, or just leaving it at Stereo. It's completely fair for Corsair to say that this is not a feature they want to implement.