Realtek HD Audio Manager is a graphical user interface. It allows you to control the audio functions and is installed with the driver.
What Realtek HD Audio Manager does: Manage sound
Almost all major motherboard manufacturers such as ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock and Biostar use Realtek chips to control the audio functions. They are used in almost every price range. The software consists of two modules.
- The Realtek HD Audio Manager comes with the audio driver. The driver is special software. It allows a computer's operating system to communicate with the audio hardware and is necessary to correctly manage audio input and output.
- In contrast, the Realtek HD Audio Manager communicates with the user. The program allows you to manage settings, effects and devices via a graphical user interface to the PC's audio hardware. You can access it from the system tray at the bottom right of the taskbar.
- You can manage various speaker configurations using Realtek HD Audio Manager. This can be stereo, quadraphonic, 5.1 surround or 7.1 surround depending on which speaker system you use. You can use the speaker level to adjust the volume of each individual speaker.
- To improve the sound, an equalizer is available to amplify or attenuate different frequencies. Add specific acoustic properties to the sound with ambient effects such as “Concert Hall,” “Living Room,” or “Underwater.” Minimize volume differences by volume equalization.
- In addition to the output devices, input devices such as microphones can also be controlled. The sensitivity, the so-called microphone level, can be adjusted under “Microphone”. Noise cancellation reduces background noise when recording, echo compensation eliminates unwanted echo effects.
- The audio manager automatically detects when new audio devices such as headphones or microphones are connected. It automatically offers the appropriate configuration.
Find the right Realtek HD Audio Manager
Your Realtek HD Audio driver must match your operating system exactly. There are different drivers for Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux, etc. Each driver must be compatible with the operating system version and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
- For Windows Vista, 7 or 8, download the following driver: this driver.
- If you are using 64-bit Windows, this driver will manage the sound.
- Windows XP users use this version of the Realtek HD Audio Manager.
- You can find a driver for Linux on the homepage of the respective manufacturer.
- Tipp: If you have a desktop PC or laptop from a specific manufacturer (e.g. Dell, HP, ASUS), you should also visit the manufacturer's support website. Manufacturers often offer specially adapted drivers for their devices.