Foobar ASIO/Kernel Streaming - NOT bypassing kmixer?

[jiiteepee]

Hmmm... about this Kernel Streaming and ASIO (through plugin) on Foobar2k.

I read it's an "Experimental WDM Kernel Streaming support".
How can I detect, to be sure, if Kernel Streaming (or ASIO plugin) really
works the way it is intented to?

My experiences with Foobar2k v.0.8.3 (special):
- when I select Kernel Streaming or ASIO (plugin) output from foobar, I still
can adjust wave volume level on Creative Surround Mixer and on windows
mixer (eg. the one, found on Control Panel --> Sounds and Multimedia
Properties --> Sound Playback --> Volume --> Play Control:Wave).

Does this mean --> signal goes through windows kmixer?

For comparisons sake:
On Sonar 4 (demo)
- when WDM/KS or ASIO drivers selected, this wave slider has no impact
- when MME drivers selected, the slider has impact

On MixVibes 6 (demo)
- when Kernel Streaming or ASIO selected, this wave slider has no impact
- when MME selected, the slider has impact

On Other tried (ASIO compatible)
- when ASIO drivers on NI Traktor m-player or on any ASIO capable
Multitracker/Sequencer I've tried is selected, this wave slider has no impact
- when MME selected, the slider impacts

These results were gotten with W2k/Audigy 2 (both Creative ASIO/Asio4All tried).

So, my questions:

Is this Kernel Streaming option fully implemented on Foobar2000 (0.8.3
special) the way it should be (eg. is it KS?).

Is this ASIO plugin working as ASIO should work?

jiitee

 

[sgrossklass]

Try Winamp with ASIO plugin. The plugin is from the same author as Foobar's so I'd assume it to behave similarly on the outside. That said, the Wave slider has always been inoperative for me when using ASIO that way. Not quite sure 'bout the Live! 24-Bit though. On the other hand, the Wave slider does affect RMAA when this uses WDM drivers (i.e. kernel streaming).

 

[jiiteepee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgrossklass Try Winamp with ASIO plugin. The plugin is from the same author as Foobar's so I'd assume it to behave similarly on the outside. That said, the Wave slider has always been inoperative for me when using ASIO that way. Not quite sure 'bout the Live! 24-Bit though. On the other hand, the Wave slider does affect RMAA when this uses WDM drivers (i.e. kernel streaming).

On WinAmp 5.09:
ASIO (plugin) worked only through Asio4All driver. As you know Asio4All driver operates 'over' WDM/KS --> WDM/KS bypasses kmixer --> that slider mentioned on my prev. post had no impact.

What this all means to me (so far): Kernel Streaming and ASIO (plugin) are not working the way they should on Foobar2k. They do not bypass kmixer.

I also suppose, RMAA does not use WDM/KS when "Use WDM driver (if possible)" is selected (at least on this Audigy 2 card).

jiitee

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiiteepee I also suppose, RMAA does not use WDM/KS when "Use WDM driver (if possible)" is selected (at least on this Audigy 2 card).

Well, I happen to have a Live! 24-Bit in a Win2k comp, and when using 24 bit this works fine with the "use WDM drivers" option enabled while I only get an error message in plain MME mode (where the OS apparently only supports 16 bits). The Wave slider does have an effect even with KS though. It seems there are two different ways of implementing KS in applications.

 

[TNT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiiteepee What this all means to me (so far): Kernel Streaming and ASIO (plugin) are not working the way they should on Foobar2k. They do not bypass kmixer.

False. If you take foobar's volume control out of the equation, as well as other DSPs, they work as intended, bit-perfect. Easy to prove with a dts 44.1 khz file and a dts-capable receiver. Assuming of course that you test with a card that doesn't mess with the signal on hardware level.

 

[jiiteepee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNT False. If you take foobar's volume control out of the equation, as well as other DSPs, they work as intended, bit-perfect. Easy to prove with a dts 44.1 khz file and a dts-capable receiver.

Even nothing appears on "Active DSPs", I get the same results --> I can
control output (even with ASIO or Kernel Streaming is selected) coming from
Foobar using wave slider I mentioned on my prev. posts.

Actually, My assumption has been; --> ASIO and WDM/KS bypasses that
mixer described on prev. post.

Is there any other way to test this. I'm using only headphones with this card
so no bit-perfect systems can be tested here.

jiitee

ADDED:

Read from FAQ bundled with Foobar:
Quote:

Originally Posted by Foobar FAQ "Please note that Kernel Streaming is an experimental feature, it has known issues and using it is *not* recommended unless you have a major reason to - most of perceived "sound quality differences" between DirectSound and Kernel Streaming are related to the fact that Kernel Streaming usually bypasses windows volume control / wave volume slider. Also, Kernel Streaming works only on Windows 2000, Windows XP or newer. "

jiitee

 

[Stephen_Ri]

I have the same "problem" with my Chaintech AV-710 with Kernel Streaming. I thought it was normal to have the volume adjustable through windows. Any info regarding the resolution of this issue is much appreciated.

 

[Illah]

I've spent ages messing with kernel streaming, and got it working fine. But after thousands of random sounds killing the audio stream I just turned it off, cut the resampling, and went wave out. It sounds exactly the same

--Illah

 

[KyPeN]

I'm having the same problem with Asio on my new Transit.

Just the main volume though, not wave...

 

[sgrossklass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyPeN I'm having the same problem with Asio on my new Transit. Just the main volume though, not wave...

This is normal, at least when using analog out.