Solved Some music plays properly, and some don't (rear speakers Quadraphonic)

[Tommo020788]

Hi everyone,
I have noticed something a little strange when playing different music files.
I have two different mp3 files, one plays through all speakers equally, and the other sends a quiet kind of muffled sound with a reverb kind of effect to it.

I'm wondering why some music plays full through all speakers, but others come out as mentioned above.

Could anyone give some advice on this, and perhaps a way to fix this?

I've got the media info on each file, and I've attached them as two text files.
"Musicinfo.txt" is the one that plays equally through all speakers.
"Musicinfo2.txt" is the one that plays with the muffled, "reverb" sound.

 

[Barman58]

This would likely be due to the simple fact that different files are encoded with different settings, consider an old fashioned vinyl record, although you have the latest "Stereo" equipment, a monaural recording will only ever play as "Mono".

The same situation exists with modern digital recordings, the playback function have to be encoded into the data to be able to choose the function at playback. A lot of modern equipment will have an option to Upscale to a function that is not encoded, [This is seen more in Video than Audio], but the actual results are variable at best.

You will need to check the recordings you purchase for the playback options that you want to hear, but to be honest, quadraphonic or even the current 5.1 or 7.1 surround is not usually used for audio as most people only listen in Stereo, My Home Theatre system has various Surround sound options, including automatic switching, the "Music" option reduces output to 2.1 [Stereo plus sub], even if it is a 5.1 source

 

[Tommo020788]

Hi,
Thanks for responding.
I'm aware that the recording for a lot/most music will not be encoded to use more than 2 channels (stereo). What I'm wanting to do though, is to duplicate those two channels to the rear speakers.
I forgot to mention that I'm using the "speaker fill" option in the "Realtek HD Audio Manager" in order to make it so that music is played through all speakers, and all music does play through all speakers, but its not equal in the rear speakers.
I want it to be playing equally through all speakers, kinda the same way it should in a car.

I'm slightly autistic when it comes to sound, so having a good balance of sound in the room is really important to me, and hearing sound from 2 speakers directly in front of me with nothing coming in from behind in an equal way seems to get me really irritated.
I'm not saying the way I have it set up is "best quality" or something. Its just what works for me.

What I'm wondering though, is what the specific differences between the two audio files are (I attached the information for both files in the op) and if there's anything I can do to get around this.
I exported the info using software called "MediaInfo" which shows how the audio files were recorded, and encoded.
The only difference I think I can spot is that they encode using different versions of "LAME".

File with unusual sound: LAME 3.99.5
File with full stereo in all speakers: LAME 3.93

 

[Barman58]

It could well be that the encoding option has been removed from the later software, it's always a case that if a function is not used by a lot of users, [Which I would imagine is the case here], then the function is marked for removal to streamline the software].

I'm wondering if there may be a third party option to force the issue for you. There is an open source/ free "super" equaliser called Peace Equaliser that may allow you to set up the speakers as you wish - The software is another link in the chain, but has upscale options which may allow your control. It is a system wide EQ and Shaper and It also can be set to work in different ways with different inputs, either by device or software so could be something to look at

 

[Tommo020788]

Thanks for that
I'll go check it out now 'n' see how it goes

 

[Barman58]

It's a software written for audiophiles by audiophiles, it's not simple to use and does need the download of an API (all explained in the site linked) but it should be able to do anything you want with fine control

 

[Tommo020788]

Oh my god I've been looking for a free application like this for years!
Thank you man.
Upmix worked perfectly unlike the crappy Realtek software upmix.
100% better sound using this software. :devil:
This software gives me control of stuff I've wanted to have control over for the last 10 years


but... does it work in the background if its closed...? 0_o
I guess it must, because it gives a hotkey option to change certain settings.

 

[Tommo020788]

It's a software written for audiophiles by audiophiles, it's not simple to use and does need the download of an API (all explained in the site linked) but it should be able to do anything you want with fine control

Hmm I haven't been able to find an option to swap back to 4 channel surround sound.
I can only see an option for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, but I don't have a center speaker, so setting it to 5.1 ends up with problems.

Would you know of a way to make a setting for this which would set it back to what Realtek calls "quadraphonic"?

 

[Barman58]

Only way I can think of is to choose 5.1 and then attenuate the unused channels or better still add the output to the relevant L/R speakers [Front or rear), which should match what I remember of the old Quadraphonic system [twin Stereo with the rear speakers attenuated. I've only used the software myself for "basic" EQ work to match audio Inputs to a better sound output.

There are also controls on the base API, PeaceEQ is an add on to the Base software EqualiserAPO which also has other Addons that may have a quadraphonic output preset

There is a forum at the site I linked to which may allow you to ask the question to those with more experience than I have, and also of course the developers are regulars there so may even "adjust" the software to help you, there are a lot of Presets for different uses and actual physical devices which may suit or maybe just give a starting point for experimentation.

Our resident Audio Guru on this forum is fireberd who is a Pro with his own Studio, the mention here should make him aware of this thread and he may have some suggestions, he is US based so there may be a delay in reply

 

[Tommo020788]

Cheers again. I'll head over and ask at the developer's forum.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Barman58 Does Peace Equalizer actually have true dynamic range compression? I'm so tired of barely being able to hear low volume passages and getting blasted by high volume passages. I downloaded the manual and it appears it does but, to be honest, my eyes were crossing by the time I got to that part.

 

[Barman58]

It's the best I've seen, but it's a bit like MS Word in that it's unlikely that any one person will use more than 20%, at most, of the features available but each person will probably use a different 20% so the complexity of the program is needed to suit everyone, and as an Open Source application the price is good too

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

It's the best I've seen, but it's a bit like MS Word in that it's unlikely that any one person will use more than 20%, at most, of the features available but each person will probably use a different 20% so the complexity of the program is needed to suit everyone, and as an Open Source application the price is good too

Thank you, thanyouveramuch! Ever since my beloved SP2500s died and I replaced them with JBL 305 MkIIs, I've been hunting high and low for a dynamic range compressor. Methinks I just might be able to swing that purchase price . I have the installation file download but I'll have to wait until I take care of more pressing matters to fiddle with it.

Pity this isn't compatible with Linux.

 

[Barman58]

If I recall correctly, the original API may be based on a Linux source so it may be that if you follow the links from Peace EQ you may find a similar Linux option

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

If I recall correctly, the original API may be based on a Linux source so it may be that if you follow the links from Peace EQ you may find a similar Linux option

Sorry, you just lost me. Pretend I'm three years old instead of pushing seventy.

 

[Barman58]

It is possible that ...

The base code that the equaliser software is built on on was originally written in, and for, Linux, and then converted for Windows. If this is so then there could be software similar to the windows software available for use with Linux, the only way to find this possible software is to follow the links starting with those in the Peace EQ page and documentation.

I doubt if the search will be easy as it is akin to making eggs from an omelette

 

[fireberd]

I'm here but don't know what, if any, I can add to this. I've read through the thread and although I deal in audio this is not in my area of expertise.

I appreciate the invite to the thread. I'll keep tabs on how it progresses.

 

[Tommo020788]

I haven't been able to find the forum you mentioned Barman58

could please you point to where you were talking about if you meant somewhere specific?

 

[Barman58]

The forum is accessed via the rightmost tab on the main page Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO / Forum / Forums the general area is probably the best place to start

 

[Tommo020788]

The forum is accessed via the rightmost tab on the main page Peace Equalizer, interface Equalizer APO / Forum / Forums the general area is probably the best place to start

Thanks. I wasn't sure this was the forum you meant. The sourceforge url kinda confused me XD