The foobar2000 help thread. Got problems or questions? Ask here!

[Bob A (SD)]

Can't help you with the resampler, but for crossfeed, there's a whole thread on page 3 on the subject:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/202365/best-crossfeed-plugin-for-foobar
 
ADDENDUM:
You piqued my curiosity so I did some searching.  Ended up installing SoX resampler and following the guidance here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/587481/foobar2000-wasapi-sox  which nicely summarizes what I found in discussions elsewhere.  I did however opt for a target sample rate of 192000 vice 96000 because my USB DAC handles 24/192.
 
I've also further tweaked my configuration.  Using a Nakamichi Dragon VU meter as I happen to own that cassette deck
 

 

[Joeybgood]

Is there a recommended output buffer setting or do folks generally just ideally set it as low as the DAC can handle without drop out etc and call it a day? Wondering if there is a setting that most folks found be ideal/the 'sweet spot'. Also, do most of you prefer ASIO over WASAPI or are either regarded as relatively equal? Tks.

 

[A_Man_Eating_Duck]

Just leave the buffer length as default unless you're getting dropouts. I tend to use WASAPI as output since the visualisations are more responsive.

 

[PleasantSounds]

I don't think the DAC is a limiting factor here - it's more about how reliably can your PC keep the buffer populated. Smaller buffer will result in lower latency, so the adjustments you make in foobar (e.g. volume or EQ) will be less delayed. Too small buffer however will result in playback gaps which are much worse.
I'm not aware of any general buffer size sweet spot - the PCs I'm using are set to between 500 and 1200 ms, depending mostly on how much concurrent load they typically handle. If you chose WASAPI connection then remember to review also the hardware buffers under Preferences -> Advanced -> Playback -> WASAPI. I have them set to 250 ms for push, 180 ms for event and the high priority process check box checked.
ASIO may give you slightly lower latency than WASAPI, but it makes sense only if you have a driver supplied by your DAC manufacturer. You will also need it if you want native DSD playback (provided that your DAC supports it). Don't bother with ASIO4All, as it is just and ASIO interface to your standard Windows driver.

 

[Joeybgood]

Just leave the buffer length as default unless you're getting dropouts. I tend to use WASAPI as output since the visualisations are more responsive.

Thank you. What is the difference between 'push' and 'event' in Wasapi? I can't say as I can truly hear a difference between them.

 

[A_Man_Eating_Duck]

No sure what the exact differences are but I know that some DACs might glitch when using 1 of the modes. My DAC works fine with push or event.

 

[Joeybgood]

  I don't think the DAC is a limiting factor here - it's more about how reliably can your PC keep the buffer populated. Smaller buffer will result in lower latency, so the adjustments you make in foobar (e.g. volume or EQ) will be less delayed. Too small buffer however will result in playback gaps which are much worse.
I'm not aware of any general buffer size sweet spot - the PCs I'm using are set to between 500 and 1200 ms, depending mostly on how much concurrent load they typically handle. If you chose WASAPI connection then remember to review also the hardware buffers under Preferences -> Advanced -> Playback -> WASAPI. I have them set to 250 ms for push, 180 ms for event and the high priority process check box checked.
ASIO may give you slightly lower latency than WASAPI, but it makes sense only if you have a driver supplied by your DAC manufacturer. You will also need it if you want native DSD playback (provided that your DAC supports it). Don't bother with ASIO4All, as it is just and ASIO interface to your standard Windows driver.

great info. Tks!

 

[PleasantSounds]

  Thank you. What is the difference between 'push' and 'event' in Wasapi? I can't say as I can truly hear a difference between them.

 
Event and Push are two different ways of feeding data to the DAC.
Push is the older model where the source (PC) is responsible for controlling the timely delivery of data.
Event is a more modern approach where the DAC controls the timing and requests next data packet when it has room for it in the buffer.
If both methods work, I'd recommend using Event as it is more efficient.

 

[Youth]

Is it possible to measure DR on the played album with foobar2000?

 

[VNandor]

  Is it possible to measure DR on the played album with foobar2000?

http://www.pleasurizemusic.com/de/free-downloads
You can download a plugin here however it expired in 2011 so if you want to use it you will have to set back the date on your computer. I don't know if there are later versions of dynamic range meter plugins though.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

Take a look at this 2104 article with a different link for download (don't know if it is more current or not):
http://teribil-audio.com/2014/02/how-to-display-dynamic-range-rating-in-foobar2000/
http://dr.loudness-war.info/downloads/foo_dynamic_range_1.1.1.zip

 

[castleofargh]

just maybe point out that DR is cool to use because it's so easy, but it isn't faultless. also it's but one way to estimate a dynamic based on their own set of rules. I use the website a lot to get a kind of overview and avoid buying albums that are overly compressed(too bad that justin bieber looked good ^_^).

 

[dhmcclain1]

Hi folks. I am confused about something. It seems that most (But not all?????) of the music i ripped from my cds does not show up in either Foobar or iTunes.
 
Don't understand why they are not part of my library, nor do I know where they would be or how they got there. It may be obvious that I am a bit challenged by
 
computers, etc. Can anyone tell me, speaking slowly and loudly LOL, where my songs have gone?  And how to make them part of my library?
 
Thanks very much.

 

[canthearyou]

Hi folks. I am confused about something. It seems that most (But not all?????) of the music i ripped from my cds does not show up in either Foobar or iTunes.

Don't understand why they are not part of my library, nor do I know where they would be or how they got there. It may be obvious that I am a bit challenged by

computers, etc. Can anyone tell me, speaking slowly and loudly LOL, where my songs have gone?  And how to make them part of my library?

Thanks very much.

In Foobar click "file" "add folder". Now browse for the folder you ripped to(most likely "Music". Once you find it select it and click "ok"(or add).

 

[Giogio]

  Smaller buffer will result in lower latency, so the adjustments you make in foobar (e.g. volume or EQ) will be less delayed.
ASIO may give you slightly lower latency than WASAPI, but it makes sense only if you have a driver supplied by your DAC manufacturer. You will also need it if you want native DSD playback (provided that your DAC supports it). Don't bother with ASIO4All, as it is just and ASIO interface to your standard Windows driver.

So you mean that Wasabi give better sound than Asio4all? I was just wondering about that, as I do not have Asio4all...
 
About the buffer, I try to keep it as low as possible and generally even with a BT headphone I can even keep it at 50 actually, but I leave it on 300 mostly.
I put it on the max buffer possible when I have other CPU sucking programs running in background, like the MP3Gain (which correct me if I am wrong but it is still the best software to normalize MP3), which even in idle mode is terribly heavy. A huge buffer, and putting Foobar in high priority, solve the unwanted problems.