Set max volume in Foobar to -15db? Options

[Epitaph64]

I'm using bit perfect asio with the Xonar DX but I'm quite afraid of accidentally setting Foobar's volume too high. I did it once before and luckily shut it off fast but I know that can't be good for my headphones or my ears. Any suggestions?

[kode54]

What's the point of bit perfect reproduction if you have to reduce the volume anyway? At least if you are reducing it with foobar2000, it will be digitally reduced, so the signal will no longer be bit perfect.

[Epitaph64]

I understand that, but the quality of sound from the native asio implementation sounds better to me than asio4all and uses less CPU resources. However, it is only bit perfect and has no volume control. If I could use non-bit perfect asio with windows volume control through the sound card I would do so but I haven't figured out a way to do that.

This post has been edited by Epitaph64: Aug 2 2011, 18:56

[Canar]

I understand that, but the quality of sound from the native asio implementation sounds better to me than asio4all

You are not allowed to make that claim on this forum without scientific proof.

[Epitaph64]

I understand that, but the quality of sound from the native asio implementation sounds better to me than asio4all

You are not allowed to make that claim on this forum without scientific proof.

Okay... I didn't claim it was better, I said it sounds better to me. If what you guys are trying to tell me is "no, foobar can't do that" that's fine. I'd just like a straight answer so I know what my options are.

[Canar]

If what you guys are trying to tell me is "no, foobar can't do that" that's fine. I'd just like a straight answer so I know what my options are.

foobar2000 can. Now the question is "How?" I have a variant of this that is set up on my own computer. I use -16dB, not -15 though.

All members that put forth a statement concerning subjective sound quality, must -- to the best of their ability -- provide objective support for their claims. Acceptable means of support are double blind listening tests (ABX or ABC/HR) demonstrating that the member can discern a difference perceptually, together with a test sample to allow others to reproduce their findings. Graphs, non-blind listening tests, waveform difference comparisons, and so on, are not acceptable means of providing support.

This applies to "better" as well as "better to me". Thanks for reading the terms of service so diligently.

You think it sounds better, but really it probably doesn't unless something is broken. We have your best interests in mind. We'd rather have you fix your system or the placebo that you suffer from than give you a straight answer.

This post has been edited by Canar: Aug 2 2011, 19:45

[Epitaph64]

I suppose that makes sense. Just disregard that statement in that case. In any case, how did you manage to get a -16dB limit set up?

[Epitaph64]

I'd still like to know how to do this.

[foosion]

Try the preamp settings on the Playback preferences page. The preamp adjustment is applied before the DSP chain. The adjustment from the volume control is applied after the DSP chain. So you could set the preamp adjustment to -15 dB. Note that DSP effects and lossy files with peaks above 1.0 could still cause the signal to exceed the -15 dB level. However if you use lossless files and no DSP effects, this won't be a concern.

[Epitaph64]

Thanks

[Samsunait]

Hello all, i'm resurrecting this old thread cause i need an answer to the OP question, and the preamp trick suggested above it's not working for me, if i set it at -20db the audio doesn't change at all; i have windows 7 64bit, latest version of foobar, xonar essence st.

[Kohlrabi]

Hello all, i'm resurrecting this old thread cause i need an answer to the OP question, and the preamp trick suggested above it's not working for me, if i set it at -20db the audio doesn't change at all; i have windows 7 64bit, latest version of foobar, xonar essence st.

Which question? Did you try using DirectSound output, or the built-in volume control?

This post has been edited by Kohlrabi: Feb 2 2013, 13:16

[Samsunait]

The OP (Opening Post) question: if there is a way to set a max volume in foobar; i use ASIO, and the volume output is too high, if i accidentaly change it to the far right i can damage speakers/headphones/my ears, that's why i'm searching for a way to set a max volume. With KS/WASAPI the audio is much lower.
To change the preamp setting was a good suggestion but it's not working for me, and i don't know why.

[Dynamic]

Did you set both the preamp for files without ReplayGain and with ReplayGain both to -16 dB?

[Kohlrabi]

i use ASIO, and the volume output is too high, if i accidentaly change it to the far right i can damage speakers/headphones/my ears, that's why i'm searching for a way to set a max volume.

Is there a specific reason you use ASIO? It seems to cause a lot of pain. Have you tried WASAPI to achieve bit-perfect output? I also don't know whether ASIO output is affected by DSPs, you could try adding an equalizer with all bands lowered appropriately.

This post has been edited by Kohlrabi: Feb 3 2013, 19:27

[Samsunait]

Did you set both the preamp for files without ReplayGain and with ReplayGain both to -16 dB?

Yes, and the audio doesn't change at all, i don't know why. I have only FLAC, and i never use ReplayGain.

Is there a specific reason you use ASIO? It seems to cause a lot of pain. Have you tried WASAPI to achieve bit-perfect output? I also don't know whether ASIO output is affected by DSPs, you could try adding an equalizer with all bands lowered appropriately.

I was trying ASIO cause it's supported by my Xonar Essence ST, reading around forums i guessed it should be the best way to listen bit-perfect, if your audio card support it?
And if i use ASIO the windows volume control doesn't work (like it should do), while if i use WASAPI or KS the windows volume control still works, so i'm not really sure if it's really bit-perfect (i think yes, cause the audio of applications is muted when i use both).

I think i'll stick with KS for now, if no one else came with a solution, ASIO is good but the volume output is really crazy.

This post has been edited by Samsunait: Feb 4 2013, 13:58

[Canar]

Bit-perfect doesn't actually sound better. It's only useful when trying to pass binary data over an analog interface, which is a blatantly retarded and fragile digital transport.

People would generally be a lot happier if they stopped chasing the bit-perfect phantom.

[Kohlrabi]

People would generally be a lot happier if they stopped chasing the bit-perfect phantom.

Again, people chase minute differences, instead of chasing the bastards (read: mastering engineers) who go around and really destroy music.

[EpicForever]

People would be generally a lot happier if they just started listen to the MUSIC, rather than listen to the equipment. I still can't understand why some people like to listen to the speaker cables, DACs, Toslink cables (LOL), HDMI cables (LOLOL), power cables (LOLOLOLOL) and "nonbitperfectness" - there's so much good music around, why listen to the rubber, plastic, wires and drivers ?

[Samsunait]

I listen to the music, i was just asking if there is a way to set a max volume in foobar, cause the preamp setting is not working for me and i don't why.

This post has been edited by Samsunait: Feb 19 2013, 17:14

[dhromed]

I'm going to assume that preamp isn't working because you're using bit-perfect ASIO.

[Samsunait]

I just tryed with Direct Sound and again the audio is exactly the same with or without the preamp setting.

[lvqcl]

Set "Processing" to "apply gain".

This post has been edited by lvqcl: Feb 19 2013, 17:49

[Samsunait]

It's working now, really thank you lvqcl, it was so easy...