Winamp 2.81 Full
Suite+ PRO Plug-In Settings
14.09.02
Winamp Menu >
Options > Preferences >
Options
>
Process priority class = Normal
(DO NOT
exceed this setting.)
Plug-ins
>
Visualization plug-in priority =
Normal
Input
>
-Monkey's Audio Player
v3.97:
Thread Priority = Highest
Normalize = Optional
Default Settings for Normalize
Normalize to = 98%
If peak is below = 90%
Silence Suppression = Check-marked
File Display Method = %1 - %2 - %3
All Other Boxes = Un-Check-marked
If you wish to acquire the program for creating
.ape files
and much more,
-CD Reader v2.00
ß3:
Performance options
Thread Priority = Highest
CDDB tab
Use Internet CDDB = Check-marked
Use local CDDB (cdplayer.ini) =
Check-marked
CDDB server address =
freedb.freedb.org
Title formatting = %1 - %2 - %3
Configure your drive(s).
-Winamp2 Linein
v1.11:
Your option
-Winamp2 MIDI
v2.63b:
Your option
-MPEG Audio Decoder
v2.81:
General tab
Decode thread priority = Highest
Full File Buffering = 128kb
File association = MP3;MP2;MP1
Title tab
Title formatting (default) = %7
Use ID3v1/v2 tags = Check-marked
Title formatting (when ID3 tag is present) = %1 -
%2 - %3
Decoder tab
Output
Allow stereo output = Check-marked
16-bit output = Check-marked
Quality = Full
Equalizer
Logarithmic EQ selected
Fast Layer 3 EQ = Check-marked
Misc Options
Show avg. bitrate on VBR files =
Check-marked
Streaming tab
Streaming Data Buffer = 128kb
Shoutcast titles = Both Check-marked
-Vorbis Decoder
v1.2.2:
Decoding tab
Priority = Highest
Output format = 16 bits per sample
Dither = Un-Check-marked
Use Replay Gain = Check-marked - Audiophile /
Album
Clipping Prevention = Check-marked
Use 6dB Hard Limiter = Un-Check-marked
Preamp: = +0.0
Display tab
Title display format: = Use default
Show average bitrate while playing =
Un-Check-marked
Streaming tab
Buffer size = 128kb
-VQF Decoder
v1.12a:
Title formatting = %2 - %1 - %7
Streaming = 128kb
Limit tags to 1024 characters =
Check-marked
Priority = Highest
-Waveform Decoder
v2.05a:
Real-time conversion
All boxes = Un-Check-marked (User
Optional)
Convert floating-point to = 16 bit
Expand loops = Check-marked
Playback priority = Highest
---------------------------------------------
Output
>
-NullSoft Disk Writer
v2.0c:
Your option
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For
Listening
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-DirectSound output
v2.2.1:
Should be
DEFAULT selection for ALL listening.
Device Tab
Device: = Primary Sound
Driver (Normally)
Buffering Tab
Buffer length: = 2000ms
Prebuffer on start/seek/underrun: =
500ms
Buffer-ahead on track change: = 333ms -
200ms
see note below
Fading Tab
Default fade length: = 333ms
Don't abort fadeout when Winamp is shutting down =
Check-marked
(Other settings - User Optional)
Other Tab
Silence remover = Check-Marked
Cutoff: = -40dB
Volume Control - Enable volume control =
Check-Marked
Volume control: = linear
Compatibilty Tab
Mixing: = Auto
Delayed DirectSound shutdown =
Check-Marked
If you have any problems
Using DSPs with the Standard setting, try
Buffer length: = 500ms - 1000ms
Note that settings below 1000ms
may cause you problems with simple
mouse control and scrolling
operations which may result in sound
segments repeating until the
buffer is refreshed. 500ms is fine if
you do not do a lot of text work
or internet browsing.
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For
Encoding
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-MP3 encoder plug-in
v1.4:
Be certain to establish an Output Directory before
configuring.
Encoder library: = lame_enc.dll ( Set path to
\Winamp\Plugins\lame_enc.dll )
Set output frequency to: = 44100 ( Box =
Check-marked - User optional)
Min bitrate = 256
Max bitrate = 320
VBR enabled = Check-marked
Quality = Maximum left or one position less ( Big
file )
Preset = CD ( or Studio )
Channels = Stereo
All other boxes = Un-Check-marked
Output directory = Select a Directory for Output.
Your option, but should be unique.
-Lame MP3 Writer
plug-in v1.6.1:
Be certain to establish an Output Directory
before configuring.
Settings = High quality VBR
Preset = CD or Studio
Channels = Stereo
Force = Un-Check-marked
Bit Reservoir = Check-marked
Resample = Check-marked (44100 - User
optional)
All other boxes = Un-Check-marked
Bitrate Mode
Variable BR = Spot ( Selected )
Min Bitrate = 224 - 256
Max Bitrate = 320
Xing Frame = Check-marked
Quality = high ( 0 )
Output Directory = Select a Directory for
Output. Your option, but should be unique.
( lame_enc.dll should be found in \Winamp\Plugins\
)
-Chun Yu's MP3 Writer
plug-in v3.0:
Be certain to establish an Output Directory
before configuring.
Select a Directory for .MP3 file Output. Your
option, but should be unique.
Kilobits/second ( min for VBR/ABR ) = 256 -
320
Joint Stereo = Un-Check-marked
Variable Bit Rate = Selected
VBR/ABR Settings
VBR Quality = 0
Max Bitrate = 320
Encoding Quality = CD or Studio
Output Filename Formatting = %#. %p
Show speed statistics after encoding each file =
Un-Check-marked ( Normally - User optional)
Encoder Thread Priority = Highest
Add ID3-Tag to Output = Check-marked
-Ogg Vorbis encoder
plug-in v1.53:
Be certain to establish an Output Directory before
configuring.
Bitrate control = VBR ( Selected )
Quality = 1.00 ( Maximum right on scale
)
ABR = Unselected ( Normally - User
optional )
Recommended ABR settings:
Nominal bitrate = 600
Min. bitrate = 500
Max. bitrate = 700
Select a Directory for .OGG file Output. Important
that it is unique.
Set input thread priority to normal =
Un-Check-marked
Also included in this edition is the release version of OGGDropXPD v1.0rc3
It is in the main Winamp folder and is launched by
double-clicking the OGG Icon.
When launched, right-click inside the OGGDrop
box to open the menu.
To use, simply drag a .wav or other suitable file
into the OGGDrop box and
release. The conversion will start
automatically.
If you wish to expand your abilities in 'ripping'
from CDs, please try the excellent free
program
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For
Listening
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-waveOut plug-in
v2.0.1:
and
-Gapless waveOut
plug-in v1.03:
Second choices for
listening. Lower quality.
- Use ONLY if you have problems
with DirectSound output v2.2.1 -
- See note below. -
Device: = Primary Sound Driver
Buffer length = 2000ms ( Default )
Prebuffer: = 0ms
Gapless transition check: = 200ms
Volume control = enable
IMPORTANT
NOTE:
Only
DirectSound
ouput,
waveOut and
Gapless waveOut
will provide audio playback
output.
All other Output selections will
encode, during which time there will be no playback output.
In addition, you will
note that the perceived sound output level is much higher when using
either of the two waveOut
plug-ins. This is caused by a function of Windows.
You should, in order to
make correct quality comparisons, set the volume level in
the Winamp
main unit to 50% if you
are using the waveOut plug-ins and 100% if you are using
the
DirectSound plug-in.
These are accurate values to recommend if you wish to
make
comparative
judgments.
The above 'recommended'
settings are intended to provide maximum stability, performance
and
high audio quality.
They are not intended for
minimum resulting files sizes.
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DSP/Effect >
(Important - See notes below re: MuchFX² operation for selection of DSP
Plug-Ins)
-TomSteady Agc v1.5
DSP:
Volume Control:
Desired Real Volume = 94%
Volume Slide Smoothness = 7 - 8
High Quality Mixing = Check-marked
(If you are MMX capable, try =
Un-Check-marked)
Boost Audio = Check-marked
Stereo Echo:
Echo Enabled = Un-Check-marked
Information:
Maximum Filter Volume = The user cannot configure
this setting.
It is done automatically by the program. Higher
values give more even response and less variation in output. With practice and
observation you will quickly learn which of your music tracks is most effective
in causing the program to rapidly reach high levels... i.e. values above
1,000. Values above 2,000 are completely normal and desirable.
Above 10,000 is common.
After you have discovered the track(s) which
quickly raise the Maximum Filter Volume to high levels, simply play that
track, or the portion of the track, first... This will establish the desired
high levels and you will then have a very balanced sound-level output for all
proceeding tracks.
Remember that the TomSteady Agc DSP does not
retain the performance settings between launches of the program.
It is not necessary to 'push' the attainment of a
suitably high Maximum Filter Volume if you do not wish to... The program will
achieve this function for you fairly rapidly, depending on the type of music you
are playing, of course.
If you have problems with what some people
mistakenly call pumping, meaning the sound seems to swell up and down
in output level, see DirectSound output
v2.2.1
In addition, do
not use TomSteady if you are using another DSP with
AGC enabled. You DO NOT want two AGCs running concurrently or
'chained'.
I would recommend using TomSteady as your default AGC and
disabling the function in Dee or any other AGC capable
plug-in.
( Note: The TomSteady program will
place a file named tomsteady.ini in your root directory. This is
normal. Do not attempt to move it to your Winamp directory.)
-Dee DSP
v1.20:
Do not be deceived by the simple appearance and
controls. For the majority of users and applications it is
excellent.
The presets for Dee v1.20, which are
included with the Winamp 'assembly version' which I do, are very
carefully thought out, measured and tested. For the majority of music tracks I
would recommend either the ' 1 DEFAULT START ' or the ' 2 DEFAULT
START Extra' setting. Play with it and learn what the different values
do. Preset 3 is nearing or over the 'edge'... 4 and 5 are for fun and
intellectually deaf people !
I have not yet included a so-called 'classical'
preset. For this type of music and general recording quality I would recommend
using preset 1 or preset 2 and experiment with simply reducing 'TREB
FRQ' . You may also wish to experiment with disabling HI-FREQ, but I would
recommend this only in the case of 'classical' or perhaps piano based 'sweet' or
jazz.
But, remember the most important aspect of using
any DSP effect...
DO NOT equate a rise in sound
level with any improvement in 'quality' !
This is a natural human response and is completely
incorrect. Louder is NOT better.
You must make any and ALL judgements only after you
are certain of working with equal sound level output.
See the IMPORTANT
NOTE: above, under Output > .
The differences in true accurate sound quality
improvement when working with .mp3 and many other formats is
often very subtle. Booming bass, screaming/honking mid-range and
shrieking treble are not the goals.
When working with any of the 'normal' Winamp DSP
plug-ins, do not 'chain' them. You will only create a distorted
noise.
The only exception to this which I have found
through many tests is using TomSteady in chain with ONE other DSP
plug-in.
However, as mentioned above under TomSteady Agc v1.5 DSP, DO NOT enable AGC In Dee DSP
v1.20 (or any other AGC capable plug-in) if you are
using TomSteady.
Also, not all digital audio files will be
'improved' by the use of DSP filters. Do not be surprised, for example, if a
particular
track or group of tracks sound best without any
DSPs filtering, and in such a case perhaps use TomSteady only.
The main benefit in using the DSP Plug-ins is with .mp3 format files...
You may find a reduction in sound quality if you
use the DSP filters when playing .ogg format files and almost certainly when
playing .ape format files.
-Dee DSP
v2:
The majority of comments made above, re: Dee v1.20,
also apply to the new Dee2.
It is included here for your evaluation with a
limited number of presets, two of which were created by me.
I have made no tests regarding the Shoutcast
presets.
Be sure to contact Michal's site and follow further
developments of Dee2.
And, please, support him.
-Adapt-X: DirectX
Plug-in Adaptor:
It is exactly what the name implies. With this
plug-in, the world of DirectX DSP plug-ins becomes available for use with
Winamp.
There are an ever growing number of sources for
these plug-ins. SonicFoundry is one very good source and there are now some
DirectX plug-ins included with the latest DX Media, as well. This comes as
standard in the latest Windows Media Player. Look for .DMO files. The Adapt-X
plug-in will look for you !
There are many other sources and the numbers are
growing. The DirectX 'format' of DSP plug-ins is as close to professional grade
as you are ever going to get without spending many, many mega-bucks ! The
SonicFoundry / Zone offerings are extremely clean and high-quality. There
are many sources for DirectX DSP pre-sets and full programs. Search ! You will
be rewarded.
-Chronoton II Time
Warper Module v2.0:
From the same author of the Adapt-X DirectX Plug-in
Adaptor.
A deceptively simple in appearance, yet very high
quality,
Pitch and Speed Control DSP.
This DSP plug-in is not displayed by default due to
the 'always on top' nature of it's display.
-MuchFX²:
All DSP Plug-Ins are available for use through
the MuchFX² DSP Control
Module.
Simply click on the + mark in order to add an
installed DSP to your selection... - removes
them.
A Check-Mark in MuchFX²
indicates that the DSP is enabled. Click in the
box to enable/disable.
When a selection is high-lighted, clicking on CFG will open the
configuration menu for the selected DSP.
Double-clicking on a DSP selection will also open
the relevant configuration menu.
You can alter the displayed order of the available
DSPs by high-lighting a DSP plug-in and using the UP
and Down Arrows.
MuchFX² must be selected in Options > Preferences > Plug-ins > DSP/Effect
- It should
always be the default
setting.
General Purpose
>
Transparency plug-in
v1.2
Nullsoft Windowshade
Docker Plug-In v0.72
LoopMaster Plug-In
v1.1
MagAmp
Skin Deleter
v1.0
The LoopMaster Plug-in works well and is very
useful for learning
chords or lyrics or whatever. Anything you want to
'loop' for whatever reason.
It works.
Only one note about MagAmp: Do not use it
with the Winamp Base Skin
if you have enabled the
Skinned function. There will be no serious
problems,
but your screen will fill with cascading error
messages for as long as you
hold your cursor in the extreme upper-left corner
of your screen.
Try it ! But, you will have to clear each screen
individually !!!
Skin Deleter v1.0 does what it says. You can
configure it in a variety of ways
to suit your needs. (Unfortuanately, Skin Deleter
v1.0 will not function correctly with the alternative language Plug-Ins as it is
not recognized by them as a proper menu item. It will only function with the
default English language module.)
---------------------------------------------------
Final
notes:
If you do have any problems with sound quality with
the Winamp player, you must first and foremost consider the quality and
performance and compatibility of your sound card and suitable
drivers.
99% of all problems are directly related to
inadequate sound cards.
If you experience 'skipping' or 'popping'
during playback you should consider the need to properly
Defragment Your Hard
Disk Drive.
A fragmented condition of your files on your HDD
will very often be the source of problems, and not the Winamp
program.
For maximum audio quality when 'ripping', in
most instances, select Constant BitRate - CBR or Variable BitRate - VBR or
select LAME .mp3 320kbps, or OGG Vorbis VBR.
When first using the VERITAS CD Recording Plug-in v2.0, if a
message appears stating that the correct 'engine' is not installed on your
machine, and the message is asking if you wish to download the latest version of
the 'engine', answer 'yes'.
However, if you do not manage to link to their
site, go to your folder \Winamp\Plugins\Veritas CD Recording
Engine Installer\ and simply double-click on the only file within that folder.
The 'engine' will be automatically loaded.
Note that this Plug-In will ONLY burn to a maximum
of 650MB, regardless of whether or not you may be using a 700MB
disk.
When you launch the G-Force v2.2 VIS, you will probably receive
a message that Apple Quicktime 5 is not installed on your
machine.
Do not worry about it.
It is not required and not having it does
not effect the performance of G-Force v2.2 as it is configured in this
package.
I do not recommend installing Quicktime 5 unless
you have a specific need for it.
You will also occasionally see an error message
indicating that a 'particle file' could not be loaded... Again, this is not a
problem and is simply a result of the changed configurations.
DO NOT X Close the G-Force v2.2 window
while music is playing.
Have fun and don't forget to search occasionally
for newer versions and updates...