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Audio processing for Winamp

A

am-fm

Guest
I run a oldies station and use Winamp as the MP3/WAV player, and since most Top 40's of the oldies era had distinct audio processing, and I would like to recreate that sound (not pure AM - but audio with force - like WCBS-FM was).

Anyone know of any plugins/programs that are good for recreating a radio airchain?
<P ID="signature">______________

AOL IM: wnjoldies or jamminoldies105
CBS-FM lives at http://67.83.115.5:8010
Oldies Board co-moderator</P>
 
As if this hasn't been discussed to death already: soundsolution.it<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> As if this hasn't been discussed to death already:
> soundsolution.it
>

Or even better, Volume Logic for Winamp.

www.octiv.com

-A<P ID="signature">______________
"...How can you be deaf, with ears like that??"</P>
 
> Or even better, Volume Logic for Winamp.
>
> www.octiv.com

Too obtrusive. Its attack time is too slow and it doesn't seem to have any linking between the processing bands, causing very noticeable changes in loudness and tonal balance (EQ) when the music suddenly gets louder. Of course Sound Solution can suffer from this problem as well, but at least SS is easily adjustable "on-the-fly". If you want to tweak Volume Logic, you have to hack its INI file, leading to huge amounts of trial-and-error before you might be able to get it sounding just the way you want.

<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
A better choice: Energize II

> As if this hasn't been discussed to death already:
> soundsolution.it

Unlike Sound Solution, this one is actually being updated and improved by its author:

Energize II
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bustad.com/energize/index.html>http://www.bustad.com/energize/index.html</a>

I just started using the new version today, so I'm still working on tweaking it -- however, the default settings are already very good... MUCH better than the default settings Sound Solution comes with.

<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

> Unlike Sound Solution, this one is actually being updated
> and improved by its author:
>
> Energize II
> http://www.bustad.com/energize/index.html
>
> I just started using the new version today, so I'm still
> working on tweaking it -- however, the default settings are
> already very good... MUCH better than the default settings
> Sound Solution comes with.

I like this ALLOT better than SoundSolution - much nice sound (and less of a CPU hog).

Any suggestions on the settings?<P ID="signature">______________

AOL IM: wnjoldies or jamminoldies105
CBS-FM lives at http://67.83.115.5:8010
Oldies Board co-moderator</P>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

I'm trying it out on Winamp and Mixmeister, but how do i adjust the settings? under the adapt X program to use the plugin there is nothing to change the settings.
> > As if this hasn't been discussed to death already:
> > soundsolution.it
>
> Unlike Sound Solution, this one is actually being updated
> and improved by its author:
>
> Energize II
> http://www.bustad.com/energize/index.html
>
> I just started using the new version today, so I'm still
> working on tweaking it -- however, the default settings are
> already very good... MUCH better than the default settings
> Sound Solution comes with.
>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

> I'm trying it out on Winamp and Mixmeister, but how do i
> adjust the settings? under the adapt X program to use the
> plugin there is nothing to change the settings.

You have to adjust them manually in Notepad in the C:EngergizeII.in file.... kind of a pain, but this pulgin kicks @ass....<P ID="signature">______________

AOL IM: wnjoldies or jamminoldies105
CBS-FM lives at http://67.83.115.5:8010
Oldies Board co-moderator</P>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

Thanks & I do agree with you 100% on that. This is probably one of the best plugins i have ever seen for producing the same fantastic sound cbsfm had before they destroyed their sound qaulity in august 2004. If you ever get the right exact settings for cbsfms sound let me know my email address is [email protected]
this plugin makes mixmeister with the reverb sound really good like cbsfm.

> You have to adjust them manually in Notepad in the
> C:EngergizeII.in file.... kind of a pain, but this pulgin
> kicks @ass....
>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

> Thanks & I do agree with you 100% on that. This is probably
> one of the best plugins i have ever seen for producing the
> same fantastic sound cbsfm had before they destroyed their
> sound qaulity in august 2004. If you ever get the right
> exact settings for cbsfms sound let me know my email address
> is [email protected]
> this plugin makes mixmeister with the reverb sound really
> good like cbsfm.

Try these settings... cut and paste this into Notepad and save it as c:EnergizeII.in

The high end might sound a little mellow, but I designed it to be compatible with the pre-emphasis used in FM broadcasting (change PreEmpUS = 0 to PreEmpUS = 75 if you're using it with an FM transmitter which does not have built-in pre-emphasis).

<PRE>
AGC_release = 0.1
AGC_threshold = -5.0
AGC_threshold_gate = -40.0
AGC_attack = 0.5
AGC_maxamp = 15.0
AGC_detect_time = 1.000
StFilter = 1
stereo_b2 = 1.00
stereo_b3 = 1.00
stereo_b4 = 1.00
stereo_b5 = 1.00
in_drive = 12.0
b1_detect_time = 0.050
b2_detect_time = 0.050
b3_detect_time = 0.050
b4_detect_time = 0.050
b5_detect_time = 0.050
Coupling21 = 0.50
Coupling23 = 0.00
Coupling24 = 0.00
Coupling25 = 0.00
Coupling31 = 0.00
Coupling32 = 0.30
Coupling34 = 0.30
Coupling35 = 0.00
Coupling41 = 0.00
Coupling42 = 0.00
Coupling43 = 0.30
Coupling45 = 0.30
b1_threshold = -14.0
b2_threshold = -13.0
b3_threshold = -17.1
b4_threshold = -21.1
b5_threshold = -27.1
bx_threshold_gate = -40.0
bx_release_gate = 30.0
GateLevelDetector_detecttime = 0.050
b1_release = 10.000
b2_release = 10.000
b3_release = 10.000
b4_release = 10.000
b5_release = 10.000
Compressor1Hold = 11025
Compressor2Hold = 11025
Compressor3Hold = 11025
Compressor4Hold = 11025
Compressor5Hold = 11025
b3_gain_average_t = 0.500
b4_gain_average_t = 0.500
b5_gain_average_t = 0.500
b1_limiter_threshold = -14.0
b2_limiter_threshold = -12.0
b3_limiter_threshold = -13.0
b4_limiter_threshold = -15.0
b5_limiter_threshold = -20.0
b1_output_mix = 0.0
b2_output_mix = 0.0
b3_output_mix = 0.0
b4_output_mix = 0.0
b5_output_mix = 0.0
OutSwitchB1 = 1
OutSwitchB2 = 1
OutSwitchB3 = 1
OutSwitchB4 = 1
OutSwitchB5 = 1
PreEmpUS = 0
FinalGain = 6.0
final_threshold = -0.2
final_average_t = 0.050
final_slowrelease = 0.5
</PRE>
<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
The same guy who made Sound Solution also has a 2 band processor called the Thomas limiter. IMHO it sounds much more balanced (but less aggressive) than the 5 band processor. It's on the same web site as Sound Solution. It also consumes very little resources of your PC.

Joe




> > Or even better, Volume Logic for Winamp.
> >
> > www.octiv.com
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

Pretty good stuff, i want to lower the bass on it a little and turn up a little more treble which setting on the energizeII.in is for that?
> > Thanks & I do agree with you 100% on that. This is
> probably
> > one of the best plugins i have ever seen for producing the
>
> > same fantastic sound cbsfm had before they destroyed their
>
> > sound qaulity in august 2004. If you ever get the right
> > exact settings for cbsfms sound let me know my email
> address
> > is [email protected]
> > this plugin makes mixmeister with the reverb sound really
> > good like cbsfm.
>
> Try these settings... cut and paste this into Notepad and
> save it as c:EnergizeII.in
>
> The high end might sound a little mellow, but I designed it
> to be compatible with the pre-emphasis used in FM
> broadcasting (change PreEmpUS = 0 to PreEmpUS = 75 if you're
> using it with an FM transmitter which does not have built-in
> pre-emphasis).
>
>
> AGC_release = 0.1
> AGC_threshold = -5.0
> AGC_threshold_gate = -40.0
> AGC_attack = 0.5
> AGC_maxamp = 15.0
> AGC_detect_time = 1.000
> StFilter = 1
> stereo_b2 = 1.00
> stereo_b3 = 1.00
> stereo_b4 = 1.00
> stereo_b5 = 1.00
> in_drive = 12.0
> b1_detect_time = 0.050
> b2_detect_time = 0.050
> b3_detect_time = 0.050
> b4_detect_time = 0.050
> b5_detect_time = 0.050
> Coupling21 = 0.50
> Coupling23 = 0.00
> Coupling24 = 0.00
> Coupling25 = 0.00
> Coupling31 = 0.00
> Coupling32 = 0.30
> Coupling34 = 0.30
> Coupling35 = 0.00
> Coupling41 = 0.00
> Coupling42 = 0.00
> Coupling43 = 0.30
> Coupling45 = 0.30
> b1_threshold = -14.0
> b2_threshold = -13.0
> b3_threshold = -17.1
> b4_threshold = -21.1
> b5_threshold = -27.1
> bx_threshold_gate = -40.0
> bx_release_gate = 30.0
> GateLevelDetector_detecttime = 0.050
> b1_release = 10.000
> b2_release = 10.000
> b3_release = 10.000
> b4_release = 10.000
> b5_release = 10.000
> Compressor1Hold = 11025
> Compressor2Hold = 11025
> Compressor3Hold = 11025
> Compressor4Hold = 11025
> Compressor5Hold = 11025
> b3_gain_average_t = 0.500
> b4_gain_average_t = 0.500
> b5_gain_average_t = 0.500
> b1_limiter_threshold = -14.0
> b2_limiter_threshold = -12.0
> b3_limiter_threshold = -13.0
> b4_limiter_threshold = -15.0
> b5_limiter_threshold = -20.0
> b1_output_mix = 0.0
> b2_output_mix = 0.0
> b3_output_mix = 0.0
> b4_output_mix = 0.0
> b5_output_mix = 0.0
> OutSwitchB1 = 1
> OutSwitchB2 = 1
> OutSwitchB3 = 1
> OutSwitchB4 = 1
> OutSwitchB5 = 1
> PreEmpUS = 0
> FinalGain = 6.0
> final_threshold = -0.2
> final_average_t = 0.050
> final_slowrelease = 0.5
>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

> I just started using the new version today, so I'm still
> working on tweaking it -- however, the default settings are
> already very good... MUCH better than the default settings
> Sound Solution comes with.

Who cares about the default settings? If you don't know how to setup processing from everything reset then you shouldn't be running it anyway.
<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> As if this hasn't been discussed to death already:
> soundsolution.it

Sam, I'm curious, and you're the expert here. Is there any way to get the latency down in SoundSolution? If so, I'm assuming I'd have to go through a config file to do so...<P ID="signature">______________
"Get educated. Read stuff on the web and believe all of it."
-- Phil Hendrie
http://theradioblog.blogspot.com</P>
 
> Sam, I'm curious, and you're the expert here. Is there any
> way to get the latency down in SoundSolution? If so, I'm
> assuming I'd have to go through a config file to do so...

No. The author has hardcoded his read ahead times. Besides, any software processing is sharing CPU power for each stage...that slows it down. IRQs. Buffers. Not sure of the oversampling in SS but I'd imagine it's pretty bad...realistic oversampling would probably bring even the fastest computer to its knees.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> > Sam, I'm curious, and you're the expert here. Is there
> any
> > way to get the latency down in SoundSolution? If so, I'm
> > assuming I'd have to go through a config file to do so...
>
> No. The author has hardcoded his read ahead times.
> Besides, any software processing is sharing CPU power for
> each stage...that slows it down. IRQs. Buffers. Not sure
> of the oversampling in SS but I'd imagine it's pretty
> bad...realistic oversampling would probably bring even the
> fastest computer to its knees.

Good point. Thanks for the answer!<P ID="signature">______________
"Get educated. Read stuff on the web and believe all of it."
-- Phil Hendrie
http://theradioblog.blogspot.com</P>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

> Who cares about the default settings? If you don't know how
> to setup processing from everything reset then you shouldn't
> be running it anyway.

Tell that to the dozens of people who are posting SS presets on Tomass's web site. Most of these presets are so horrendously bad and take so much tweaking to become tolerable that unless you have the ears, skill, and patience to set up SS from scratch yourself, it gives a very bad impression of SS's capabilities and performance. And even then, tweaking SS's myriad controls is a true test of your patience, liable to leave you with a sore mouse-button finger.

<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
SAM's Sound Solution

> The same guy who made Sound Solution also has a 2 band
> processor called the Thomas limiter. IMHO it sounds much
> more balanced (but less aggressive) than the 5 band
> processor. It's on the same web site as Sound Solution. It
> also consumes very little resources of your PC.

If you use Sound Solution but disable all the five-band processing features (Compressor, Expander, and Limiter) then you're left with a two-band processor which basically functions as an enhanced version of the Tomass Limiter (yes, it's spelled Tomass -- his name is Alessandro Tomassini and that's the nickname he uses).

Meanwhile, <a target="_blank" href=http://www.spacialaudio.com/>SAM Party DJ</a> contains a custom updated and enhanced version of Sound Solution, with extra processing controls not found in the official version of SS. However, it can only be used within SAM, and SAM itself is only a time-limited trial, so if you want to keep using it you have to pay up. You can install the DLL of SAM's version of Sound Solution into your WinAmp Plugins directory and WinAmp will let you use it as a plugin, but it doesn't offer any way for you to change the settings, so you're stuck with the default settings which don't sound particularly good. It would be great if the Spacial Audio people would release their updated version of Sound Solution as a true WinAmp-compatible plugin, but I'm not holding my breath for that to happen.

Here's a screen-shot of the SAM version of Sound Solution:

sam.agc.jpg


<P ID="signature">______________
noiboc.jpg
</P>
 
Re: SAM's Sound Solution

The built in processing doesn't work correctly.

Also, DON'T disable the 5 band processor. Run the expander and run the compressor (the limiter just causes overmodulation in the clipping stage). Only the mid and low bands on the compressor should be aggressive (in order to prevent ducking in the LF for the dual band compressor stage). +10dB overdrive, -3dB density = optimod/omnia emulation.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Re: A better choice: Energize II

> > I'm trying it out on Winamp and Mixmeister, but how do i
> > adjust the settings? under the adapt X program to use the
> > plugin there is nothing to change the settings.
>
> You have to adjust them manually in Notepad in the
> C:EngergizeII.in file.... kind of a pain, but this pulgin
> kicks @ass....
>

I listen to your stream but there a is lot low in your stream. A little bit high tones would be nice.
 
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