foobar2000 playback settings and DSPs

[Hadakan]

How do you have your playback set up in foobar? What DSPs do you use, how and in what order? What do you consider most significant settings and DSPs? Is there something like optimal/best setting?

My settings:
volume 0.00db
Replaygain
Source: album
Processing: apply gain
(does this affect the sound in any way or is it just a manipulation of volume and nothing else?)
DSPs
Skip silence
Advanced limiter
(this interests me most, do you use that limiter? can it do "bad" things to the sound?)
Output
ASIO 2.0 - ProDigi HD2

[eraser_svk]

volume - various
Replaygain
Source: album
Processing: apply gain

DSPs
Equalizer
Advanced limiter - no longer. One day I noticed some kind of clipping on bass when activated. I can't explain why, I even don't get it. Since then turned off.

Output
ASIO 2.0 - EMU 0202 USB

[sunseeker888]

Generally, I avoid all DSP limiting and whatnot, for the reasons mentioned above. Only limiter I'd touch with a ten foot pool would be an analog one.

[basman]

Volume: 0db
Source: Album
Processing: Apply Again
DSP:
1. Equalizer
2. Advance Limiter

Foobar-Asio-DA100-HP100

[scott_d_m]

Replay gain
Source->album
Processing->none
Preamp->0.0db
DSP->eq

[Andrew_WOT]

You better off by turning all these replay gains, dsps off.
Foobar2000 for Windows - Setup Guide - Benchmark
I only have Advanced Limiter there to prevent clipping.

[Apocalypsee]

Volume - 0.00dB

ReplayGain:
Source Mode - none
Processing - none

DSP:
none

Output:
Creative ASIO

[infinitesymphony]

0 dB, ReplayGain disabled, DSPs disabled, Kernel Streaming output.

Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT

I only have Advanced Limiter there to prevent clipping.

To prevent clipping where? Couldn't you adjust one of the volume controls (Foobar, Windows, etc.)?

[Andrew_WOT]

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony

0 dB, ReplayGain disabled, DSPs disabled, Kernel Streaming output.


To prevent clipping where? Couldn't you adjust one of the volume controls (Foobar, Windows, etc.)?

Controlling volume in a digital domain is a big NO. Read this link Digital volume controls - Benchmark
And why Advanced Limiter is better than -6db limiter
A complete guide to Foobar 2000 - TechSpot
Foobar2000 Manual - DSP

[infinitesymphony]

I'm familiar with how digital volume controls work, but my guess is that a free software limiter plug-in is no better in terms of transparency. Benchmark recommend that all DSP plug-ins be turned off. They also say, "The volume control in Foobar2000 is of sufficient quality that it will not cause noticeable sonic degradation. However, depending on several factors, a digital gain reduction may increase the noise floor of your playback system." From what I remember in the DAC1 USB thread, the Windows master volume slider will effect the sound quality the least.

What I don't understand is, why would you need to limit clipping within the playback program when you can eliminate it at the next step in the chain (usually Windows mixer)?

Edit: Hmm... After reading a bit more, I might be wrong about Windows mixer. The unfortunate part about Benchmark's articles is that it's not clear if they are meant to apply for all systems, or if they are specific to achieving bit-perfect digital output.