MPC and Dynamic Headroom


The following is a quote from the `Sticky' at the top of the MPC forum. Could someone expand on (no pun intended) the `headroom' issue of MPC as it relates to playback systems -- i.e. ranging from 3-way amplified PC speaker systems to LARGE pre-amp/power-amp sound systems.


--quality 8 (Bitrates >240 kbit/s)
Very High Quality + `--braindead'
Extra large headroom for the most precious recordings.


--quality 7 (Bitrates >220 kbit/s)
Very High Quality `--insane'
Provides a Large headroom.


--quality 6 (Bitrate ~200 kbit/s, typical 168 ... 212)
High Quality + `--xtreme'
Provides some extra headroom over --quality 5.


--quality 5
High Quality `--standard'
This setting is transparent for the majority of test samples.



Cheers..!!!

The 'headroom' in the quality settings does not have anything to do with playback hardware. At least it's totally unrelated to how headroom is defined there.

At -q 5, it's impossible to distinguish an MPC clip from the original CD. At -q 6, it's still impossible, but there's a safety margin in case the impossible happens. That's the kind of headroom it's referring to.

Thanks for the reply.

So then.. it means `artifact-free' headroom? This subject (above) perhaps belongs in a ReplayGain or `plugin settings for Winamp' thread. { smile }

What forum would one discuss the dynamic range of MPC's as it relates to playback?? Because many MPC files that have been run through ReplayGain require the volume control (a-top PC speaker) and `Play Control' sliders to be set near or at max.


Cheers..!!

more like 'transcoding or dsp or after-editing ability' headroom imho.

you know, windows 'mixer', sndvol32, should always be set to max for optimal playback, and you adjust the volume in your player.
I assume you're using Winamp, then you should set your headroom in your mpc plugin.
There should be a pretty good description about this in the sticky in the MPC forums.
have another read and then come back if you still find this to be a problem.

please also, have a read here!

cheers,
MTRH

Try this thread, it's quite an interesting read.

why this? any quality issues?