HD600: My custom bass extension curves.

[Bob A (SD)]

 

  Note they show with the foobar2000 icon for each bitwave file because foobar2k is the default program for *.wav files.  Opened the player and saw an error that it couldn't play the float file.  LOL  No biggie with the error then.

 
That's strange, foobar plays them here without errors.  Did you try an unusual sample rate?  If your soundcard doesn't support it and you're using ASIO or WSAPI output, then it will fail, that's OK.

 
WASAPI (Event mode) to support my USB DAC.  (Sound card is integrated in the motherboard - Realtek  HiDef Audio.   Pedestrian at best.)   So yeah I'm staying with the earlier curves you provided for now.   Appreciate the efforts though.

 

[_gl]

   
WASAPI (Event mode) to support my USB DAC.  (Sound card is integrated in the motherboard - Realtek  HiDef Audio.   Pedestrian at best.)   So yeah I'm staying with the earlier curves you provided for now.   Appreciate the efforts though.

 
I'm confused - you don't need to be able to play them, just set them in the Convolver config screen (as before).  Is that failing too?

 

[Bob A (SD)]

 

   
WASAPI (Event mode) to support my USB DAC.  (Sound card is integrated in the motherboard - Realtek  HiDef Audio.   Pedestrian at best.)   So yeah I'm staying with the earlier curves you provided for now.   Appreciate the efforts though.

 
I'm confused - you don't need to be able to play them, just set them in the Convolver config screen (as before).  Is that failing too?

Sorry  
 
Went back to square one with these and tried again using the 44.1 64-bit curve.  (Not really sure what I messed up earlier.)  Played both some redbook rips and 24/96 analog conversions.  To my old ears this sounds much like the previous curve #4 I was using in the foobar2k convolver (I have no way to A-B them) although my gut says the newer impulses are an improvement.   Tried the 96 64-bitrate float impulse.  The digitized vinyl sounds "cleaner" and "more open" if that makes sense with this as opposed to being played with the 44.1 impulse.  Played a bit with the mix adjust slider.  I simply prefer to leave it at 100%.
 
Leaving the convolver set to use the 44.1 64-bit rate impulse curve from your most recent downloadable file as the 16/44 FLAC files are my most prevalent (from close to 600 CDs I've ripped).  (It's a slow process digitally recording vinyl/tape in real time and them processing the 24/96 WAV files into 24/96 FLAC track cuts.  But as time goes by there will be a higher percentage of 24/96 FLAC files in my inventory.  The few 24/192 FLAC files I have are demo samples I D/Led from the Net.)

 

[_gl]

  Went back to square one with these and tried again using the 44.1 64-bit curve.  (Not really sure what I messed up earlier.)  Played both some redbook rips and 24/96 analog conversions.  To my old ears this sounds much like the previous curve #4 I was using in the foobar2k convolver (I have no way to A-B them) although my gut says the newer impulses are an improvement.   Tried the 96 64-bitrate float impulse.  The digitized vinyl sounds "cleaner" and "more open" if that makes sense with this as opposed to being played with the 44.1 impulse.  Played a bit with the mix adjust slider.  I simply prefer to leave it at 100%.
 
Leaving the convolver set to use the 44.1 64-bit rate impulse curve from your most recent downloadable file as the 16/44 FLAC files are my most prevalent (from close to 600 CDs I've ripped).  (It's a slow process digitally recording vinyl/tape in real time and them processing the 24/96 WAV files into 24/96 FLAC track cuts.  But as time goes by there will be a higher percentage of 24/96 FLAC files in my inventory.  The few 24/192 FLAC files I have are demo samples I D/Led from the Net.)

 
Cool, glad it works.  They are the same curves, but the new 64bit versions also sound a bit better to me, smoother.  I'm hoping the convolver actually uses their extra accuracy internally (if it only does 32bit calculations then in theory they shouldn't sound better).
 
I've done some listening, as my balanced output is bassier now, I quite like Curve 3 and 4 at about 95%.  It's handy being able to adjust them, now we just need a way to select the right impulse automatically (I'm looking into that).
 
I've actually also got a bunch of very old vinyl that I should digitize some day.  Too many things to do : ).

 

[Bob A (SD)]

Originally Posted by _gl /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
They are the same curves, but the new 64bit versions also sound a bit better to me, smoother.
 
...now we just need a way to select the right impulse automatically (I'm looking into that).
 
I've actually also got a bunch of very old vinyl that I should digitize some day.  Too many things to do : ).

 
Glad you're validating my impressions about the new 64bit versions sounding better. 

 
I did a quick search but didn't find anything that would allow the automatic matching of impulse curves to bitrates of music selections.
 
I'm using an inexpensive Tascam DR-05 handheld Digital Audio Recorder plugged into a second set of outputs on my stereo system's preamplifier which allows me to control the volume as I record analog sources.  I take the resulting 24/92 WAV files and process them in VinylStudio.  End up with an album folder with individual tracks all in 24/96 FLAC.  Works great but as said it is time consuming because of the need to digitally record in real time.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

This thread deserves a bump.  Been using _gl's curves with the convolver plugin in foobar2000 for a month now with my HD600 (and yes even the HD580) and absolutely loving it.  I'm no fan of EQ finding it usually too brute force for my liking.  But _gl's curves are a master's touch in lightly tweaking great headphones into steller ones.
 
HIGHLY  RECOMMENDED !!!!

 

[Bern2]

I second Bob's advice.  Many thx to gl for the posting and sharing of info......
 
For those that are using Equalizer APO
1). Open the config editor.exe for Equalizer Apo
2). File...new 
3). Click on green + sign and go to Advanced filters
4). Convolution...and add the wav file you downloaded from page 1 of this thread.  I use curve 4
5). Save
6). Enjoy!

 

[_gl]

Thanks guys, I'll update the 1st post with the new impulses now.
 
I did contact both authors of the foobar convolver plugs to ask if I can add the code for auto-selecting the right sample-rate impulses, but neither got back to me.  I think they have stopped working on them for a while, still a reply would have been nice.
 
I've actually written my own code for this already for my ASIO wrapper driver (it currently applies my speaker correction impulses the same way).  Nice thing about doing it as an ASIO driver is that it automatically works with any ASIO audio application.  Problem is that the actual convolution (impulse math) is currently done with GPL code, which would force me to open source my own and I can't easily do that (it would be tons more work that I don't have time for).  And doing the actual foobar plugin code (ie. just the nuts and bolts to talk to foobar properly) always seems easy, but usually ends up taking tons of time to get right.  So just extending an existing plugin would be perfect, wouldn't even want the credit for it :  /.
 
I also had a quick look at free VST plugin convolvers, there are a few but most also don't seem to handle multiple sample rates.  I'll keep thinking, finding time right now is hard.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

_gl,
    I'm using WASAPI (event) with my Schiit Modi2 USB DAC.  ASIO doesn't seem to work with this DAC.
Bob

 

[_gl]

(1st post updated)
 
Quote:

  _gl,
    I'm using WASAPI (event) with my Schiit Modi2 USB DAC.  ASIO doesn't seem to work with this DAC.

 
Check, I'll see what I come up with (eventually).

 

[Bob A (SD)]

  (1st post updated)
 
Quote:

  _gl,
    I'm using WASAPI (event) with my Schiit Modi2 USB DAC.  ASIO doesn't seem to work with this DAC.

 
Check, I'll see what I come up with (eventually).

Hell no rush at all.  Like I've posted before I'm enjoying the heck out of your curves in the convolver plugin in foobar2K with both my HD600 and HD580!  If there were no further developments I'd remain quite content regardless of some bit rate mismatches. 

 

 

[_gl]

@Bob A (SD), I've done an EQ correction for the Easy UES, check it out.

 

[Gregg Hermetech]

Thanks for all the great info here. I've been playing with a plugin chain in FB2K recently for use with my HD600. I first use a Gain plugin to drop the overall level 5dB, this helps with stopping the bass boost that comes later from clipping the DAC. Then I use TDR SlickEQ M (there's a free version that wont save presets, but you can try out my curve if you like) to set the EQ curve (see pic below). Then the excellent Meier Crossfeed component set to 1 or 2 depending on the track (I find 1 a bit 'super wide', except on modern electronic music where it can sound great, or 2 on acoustic/folk/jazz/classical etc.), then TBDither to get the 32 bit float stream back to 24 bit for outputting to my DAC. Still slowly tweaking things, but finding I definitely really prefer the EQd sound to the flat response.
 
EDIT: Not allowed to post links to pics yet as this is my first post, but hopefully soon!

 

[_gl]

  Thanks for all the great info here. I've been playing with a plugin chain in FB2K recently for use with my HD600. I first use a Gain plugin to drop the overall level 5dB, this helps with stopping the bass boost that comes later from clipping the DAC. Then I use TDR SlickEQ M (there's a free version that wont save presets, but you can try out my curve if you like) to set the EQ curve (see pic below). Then the excellent Meier Crossfeed component set to 1 or 2 depending on the track (I find 1 a bit 'super wide', except on modern electronic music where it can sound great, or 2 on acoustic/folk/jazz/classical etc.), then TBDither to get the 32 bit float stream back to 24 bit for outputting to my DAC. Still slowly tweaking things, but finding I definitely really prefer the EQd sound to the flat response.
 
EDIT: Not allowed to post links to pics yet as this is my first post, but hopefully soon!

 
Nice.  It's like the people that DIY their hardware or finishes, DIY audio.  It's amazing how well EQ correction can work if you have a good ear.  It can make average gear sound great.
 
The big downside is of course that it only works on PCs.  Maybe in the future we will see DAPs implementing headphone EQ correction, that could be the next big feature.  I have a Pono player (no EQ onboard), if they would open up their firmware to third parties, we might see something like that.
 
(EDIT: ignore the Foobar stuff I wrote, I was responding to a post in a different thread ; ).

 

[Gregg Hermetech]

Thanks for the reply!
 
I'll see if I can post a pic now... Nope, still not working.