[Iron_Dreamer]

Well, the card can only accept 16 or 32 bit data, so by padding to 32, you trick it into taking 32 bits, but you only give it what the DAC is spec'd for, 24 bits.

Dithering is said only to help 16-bit playback, so it might be pointless for 24-bit, I've never heard a difference whether it is on or off.

 

[lan]

The driver handles only 16 and 32bit modes. So 24bit is padded with zeros as filler to make it 32bit compatibile. The DAC will just take the first 24bits. You shouldn't really use 32bit as that will cut out data. Weird thing is that when I try 32bit in my system it sort of sounds better. But my setup is weird so that last statement may not apply to ya'll.

Truncation maybe inaudible at 24bit so there maybe no use for dither. I'm going to try it now.

foobar jumps from 6-8% CPU usage using upsampling to 96khz slow + convolver for me on my P4 3.41ghz. I'm using the SSE2 and ICL compiles for my ASIO and basic plugins though.

The system shouldn't really stutter MoLtoSoLo. I've never had probs when I tried 32bit output.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I love how we keep posing duplicate replys, lan!

 

[lan]

dejavu! haha.

Well you keep beating me also. I'm typing really slowly. The noise of the keyboard needs to be minimized

I'm running through permutations of my power section, am trying upsampling to 96khz, and trying some different convolver impulses. Some serious listening going on here.

Listening to 32bit output, there is indeed a loss of detail. Also dithering plus noise shaping by definition adds a bit of noise in the upper frequencies. It kind of made things a bit harsh in the top end for me. The SSSSes got a bit too sizzly and unacceptable on my K1000s.

 

[Distroyed]

What does the convolver do and where can I find impulse setting files?

 

[lan]

read about it here:
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.p...1&hl=convolver

Ideally you'd make your own impulse files based on your preferences ,what you want to achieve, and your equipment.

 

[Distroyed]

Quote:

Originally posted by lan read about it here: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.p...1&hl=convolver Ideally you'd make your own impulse files based on your preferences ,what you want to achieve, and your equipment.

So apparently I have neither the money nor time everyone else on this forum seems to have...dammit.

 

[Textual Intercou]

Quote:

Originally posted by lan read about it here: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.p...1&hl=convolver Ideally you'd make your own impulse files based on your preferences ,what you want to achieve, and your equipment.

that guy has Robert Blake from Lost Highway as his avator
not to spam, but this thread has made my day

 

[NeilPeart]

After using the console nearly full-time, I have discovered that some of my files clip repeatedly. It seems I must engage some sort of limiter, but I am confused by the different ones included with foobar. What is the difference between the soft clipping limiter and the advanced limiter? Are there other, better limiters available? Can someone elaborate and suggest a limiter that only engages when necessary? Any suggestions and flames are welcome.

 

[lan]

Use advanced limiter. I think it looks ahead and determines if it needs to work or not.

 

[NetRunner]

NeilPeart: Sorry if this is too obvious, but have you replay gained your files?

 

[NeilPeart]

NetRunner,
I don't have replay gain because I heard it degrades quality (isn't it just a normalizer?) and/or hogs CPU. On a somewhat-related note: what is the best ASIO plugin for Winamp 2 and where can I find it? Thanks again for the help, guys.

 

[NetRunner]

It's just a mp3 (or some other) tag, and yes it probably results in the player scaling the audio when decoding.. (It can't only vary the base volume?) Though, the obvious benefit would be less (or none?) clipping.

Try it. You can always simply remove the ReplayGain tags!

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Replaygain doesn't affect sound quality, and it only takes CPU load when you initially scan them, not after when you are just playing the files. I use it on all my files, it certainly makes my volume pot's life easier

 

[lan]

The ASIO plugin for winamp is made by the same guy who made the foobar one.

http://www3.cypress.ne.jp/otachan/

Replaygain pushes the digital levels down doesn't it? Which effectively reduces resolution for 16bit but if you are using 24bit output it would just shift things down. Whether you hear this or not is debatable.