Sony Walkman custom firmware (non-Android)

[gLer]

By the way, noticing the ground adapter, I just realized I will never need it, as the ground pins for both ports are wired to the board now

Honestly I just use it because I have it, and it makes the player a bit more chunky (which, bizarrely, I like). Doubt there's any quality improvements (none that I can hear anyway).

 

[MrWalkman]

Given that I love my a55 the sound quality and form factor are ideal for me, is there any benefit to upgrading to another Sony player or am I all set with a55?

The sound on a stock WM1A player will definitely be even better, more effortless and grander, but as you say that you're happy with the A55, I don't think an upgrade is a must. It depends on you.

How did you double post? Were you blessed by moderators?

No idea to be honest. Maybe it works for everyone now.

I don't recall player behaving like that, can you point me in the right direction from the technical side of things? Might've missed that or just forgot.

There is a different volume table being used when "sound effect" is enabled.

Try Direct Source on, but with "sound effect" enabled via "amixer", and the volume overall will be a lot higher. This can also be done via Wampy, but I don't remember exactly how now, and I'm not at home. It's a volume table-related thing.

"sound effect" is enabled when EQ is on.

Given that when Direct Source is on and "sound effect" enabled the sound volume becomes very high, but it's normal when Direct Source is off, I think it's safe to assume that the software volume (Walkman OS) is brought down a lot, and the hardware volume is brought up to make up for the difference.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

anyone got a clue about this part?
going from nw-wm1a to cew_nw-wm1a has noticable difference in gain, same when going to the other ones like zx300 etc.

changing file type has noticable difference, however table type and value type do nothing.

VPT studio is the best thing ever btw. BIG insane change to clarity. Thank you wampy!

@MrWalkman Have you played with these settings by any chance?

also, iirc you mentioned very high gain only works in direct source, and direct source doesn't work with VPT studio... I think I just lost my interest in it haha!

 

[MrWalkman]

anyone got a clue about this part?
going from nw-wm1a to cew_nw-wm1a has noticable difference in gain, same when going to the other ones like zx300 etc.

changing file type has noticable difference, however table type and value type do nothing.

VPT studio is the best thing ever btw. BIG insane change to clarity. Thank you wampy!

@MrWalkman Have you played with these settings by any chance?

also, iirc you mentioned very high gain only works in direct source, and direct source doesn't work with VPT studio... I think I just lost my interest in it haha!

The CEW table is the one used to apply the volume limit on capped players.

VPT is an effect, so it doesn't work in Direct Source same as with all other effects.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

The CEW table is the one used to apply the volume limit on capped players.

VPT is an effect, so it doesn't work in Direct Source same as with all other effects.

yeah, noticed that, interesting though, where did vpt even come from? it's phenomenal.

I've read somewhere here that clicking three times on a certain button unables very high gain, do you know which one it is? I'm still willing to experiment with the very high gain to see how far the 1a can go. Apologies if I am a bit too persistent.

Edit: I'll also add that each "file" has a version without an "s" icon and one with, no clue what the difference between them is, can't tell them apart.

It seems that my device automatically uses the capped version, even when toying with it and "saving" settings, it does not save.

 

[unknown321123]

Try Direct Source on, but with "sound effect" enabled via "amixer", and the volume overall will be a lot higher. This can also be done via Wampy, but I don't remember exactly how now, and I'm not at home. It's a volume table-related thing.

Logcat:

Enable Direct Source:

I/wampy   (  271): [wampy] /media/ssd/dev/nw/wampy/src/sound_settings_fw/sound_settings_fw.cpp void SoundSettingsFww::SetDirectSource(bool) const:217 sourcedirect=on
I/hagodaemon(  285): [wampySSFW] ./sound_service_fw.h void sound_settings_fw::EnqueueParam(const char *) const:228 enqueue sourcedirect=on
I/hagodaemon(  285): [wampySSFW] sound_service_fw.cpp int pst::services::sound::mobile::FilterChain::ExecEffectParam(const std::string &, const bool &):241 effect param sourcedirect=on
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |PreFilters.cc:515] PreFilters Configuration: DO_NOT_PROCESS
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:781] FilterChain Configuration: DO_NOT_PROCESS
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:524] DriverVolTblMode: Off, with Latency adjustment
I/hagodaemon(  285): [D|  597|b36653e0|SS  |DriverVolTblChanger.cc:175] Uses [NormalLatency] TblWaitMsec
I/wampy   (  271): [wampy] /media/ssd/dev/nw/wampy/src/sound_settings_fw/sound_settings_fw.cpp void SoundSettingsFww::Update():55
I/hagodaemon(  285): [D|  597|b1dc33e0|SS  |DriverVolTblChanger.cc:135] Sets amixer(sound effect, 0)


Disable Direct Source:

I/wampy   (  271): [wampy] /media/ssd/dev/nw/wampy/src/sound_settings_fw/sound_settings_fw.cpp void SoundSettingsFww::SetDirectSource(bool) const:217 sourcedirect=off
I/hagodaemon(  285): [wampySSFW] ./sound_service_fw.h void sound_settings_fw::EnqueueParam(const char *) const:228 enqueue sourcedirect=off
I/hagodaemon(  285): [wampySSFW] sound_service_fw.cpp int pst::services::sound::mobile::FilterChain::ExecEffectParam(const std::string &, const bool &):241 effect param sourcedirect=off
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |PreFilters.cc:515] PreFilters Configuration: DO_NOT_PROCESS
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:781] FilterChain Configuration: DO_PROCESS
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:785] Enabled Filters:
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:790]     Filter: i2f
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:790]     Filter: attn
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:790]     Filter: eq6band
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:790]     Filter: vpt
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:790]     Filter: alc
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:790]     Filter: dcphaselinear
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:790]     Filter: f2i
I/hagodaemon(  285): [I|  597|b36653e0|SS  |FilterChain.cc:524] DriverVolTblMode: On, with Latency adjustment
I/hagodaemon(  285): [D|  597|b36653e0|SS  |DriverVolTblChanger.cc:175] Uses [NormalLatency] TblWaitMsec
I/wampy   (  271): [wampy] /media/ssd/dev/nw/wampy/src/sound_settings_fw/sound_settings_fw.cpp void SoundSettingsFww::Update():55
I/hagodaemon(  285): [D|  597|b1dc33e0|SS  |DriverVolTblChanger.cc:135] Sets amixer(sound effect, 1)

Direct Source disables filters (as you already know) and unsets sound_effect flag, which changes volume table mode, forcing amplifier to use another subtable, hidden behind this checkbox:

This code runs when sound effect is changed:

• linux/sound/soc/codecs/cxd3778gf/cxd3778gf_control.c, line 1795, cxd3778gf_put_sound_effect
• linux/sound/soc/codecs/cxd3778gf/cxd3778gf_volume.c, line 125, cxd3778gf_set_master_volume

It feels like amplifier forgets about limits imposed by volume table and sets itself to 100% amplification when "sound effect" is on with Direct Source (and it is LOUD). Can't say for sure without chip documentation and libSoundServiceFw.so source code; no hard evidence in logs/device status. Also it might be ALSA mixing shenanigans, no evidence as well.

changing file type has noticable difference, however table type and value type do nothing.

These controls change what's on display, not actual output. Output is changed per file.

Edit: I'll also add that each "file" has a version without an "s" icon and one with, no clue what the difference between them is, can't tell them apart.

Consult user manual. To save you some time, System files are marked by Ⓢ symbol; you cannot save these, but you can make a copy.

VPT studio is the best thing ever btw. BIG insane change to clarity. Thank you wampy!

You are welcome.

 

[MrWalkman]

It feels like amplifier forgets about limits imposed by volume table and sets itself to 100% amplification when "sound effect" is on with Direct Source (and it is LOUD).

Yeah, hence why this "very high gain" thing that was going on could be implemented, but with a different volume table that brings the sound a little less loud than it is normally when sound effect is on with Direct Source, as I don't know how healty that loud volume is for the player.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

Alright. I cracked the code for very high gain. (edit: not literally, I do not actually understand code and I merely used a metaphor here)

AND it CAN work without direct source.

going to VolT-> Use either non-cew options in File -> choose your output (SE/BAL, L/H gain) in Table type -> tick sound effect on if unticked -> use Headphones (HpOut) in Value type -> press copy and edit -> manually boost ALL the dots to 250 (i assume it is mw), save and apply, I also recommend to Copy Val to save the hassle.

Sadly, upon a restart, these values will be lost EVEN if saved. Wampy, if you could make it so that saving a settings saves it forever, this will be a terrific addition to the player.

Along with being able to save the non cew files, it seems that my device opts instantly to use those upon restart.

 

[MrWalkman]

Have Direct Source on, find the correct volume table that is in use, tick Sound Effect, and hit Apply, if I'm not mistaken, without actually modifying the table to max manually.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

Have Direct Source on, find the correct volume table that is in use, tick Sound Effect, and hit Apply, if I'm not mistaken, without actually modifying the table to max manually.

I understand, however this is better, because it actually allows the usage of effects along with it.

If there is a way to save it in a way that the player automatically boots with those settings, that will be the best possible outcome (it also works really well with VPT and dsee)

I also noticed that there is a slider in the cassette player mode that has the ability to change bass (or decay?) on the fly, it is a nice addition!

 

[MrWalkman]

I understand, however this is better, because it actually allows the usage of effects along with it.

If there is a way to save it in a way that the player automatically boots with those settings, that will be the best possible outcome (it also works really well with VPT and dsee)

I also noticed that there is a slider in the cassette player mode that has the ability to change bass (or decay?) on the fly, it is a nice addition!

What slider? Can you share a photo?

 

[justsomesonyfan]

What slider? Can you share a photo?

 

[MrWalkman]

Isn't that left/right balance?

Maybe it sounds different when VPT is on.

 

[justsomesonyfan]

Isn't that left/right balance?

Maybe it sounds different when VPT is on.

I do not think it is L/R, maybe it can be? but it feels much more like a bass slider.

Also, I figured out the gain thing completely now.

SO, I CAN save it, however it will only be saved on the non "S" Icon file, I assume the S files stand for "stock" or something like that, in which they cannot be changed and edited.

The change, even when saved, does NOT work on the cew file, so the only file that this works on is the NON CEW, NON "S" file, once you go to balanced high gain, edit, put everything on 250 and save, it will remain that way, however to tick it once more you will have to apply it every time you restart the device as it automatically loads the first file which is the cew one...

So, I got my very high gain device, and I am very happy with it, now to go back to the experimentation board between bright and wm1z tuning, and mx3, J/3, and U regions.

 

[unknown321123]

If there is a way to save it in a way that the player automatically boots with those settings

Not implemented yet.

I also noticed that there is a slider in the cassette player mode that has the ability to change bass (or decay?) on the fly, it is a nice addition!

This is a fake balance slider which does absolutely nothing for reasons mentioned in documentation. Could it be some sort of confabulation?