When music is associated with everybody's life , why not make it little more Awesome.....
The purpose of this article is to provide general user with a better acoustic experience over the experience of compressed audio playback.
The article will guide you to setup the required software and settings to achieve surround sound from your stereo setup using free and open source software.
The Mp3 files are mostly stereo, but there quality is compromised for achieving lower file size.
-Wikipedia
_label.svg/170px-2_0_channels_(stereo)_label.svg.png)
5.1 ("five point one") is the common name for six channel surround sound multichannel audio systems. 5.1 is now the most commonly used layout in both commercial cinemas and home theaters. It uses five full bandwidth channels and one low-frequency effects channel (the "point one").-Wikipedia
_label.svg/220px-5_1_channels_(surround_sound)_label.svg.png)
Now installing software is not a rocket science, but doing it right is important for optimal performance. And don’t be scared of installing two different software and managing them. It is already combined and freely distributed under
‘ K-Lite Codec Pack’ .Which means it is the only software we need.
K-Lite Codec Pack download : http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_codec_pack/12665/
Configuration file : ffdshow_8_8.reg
Detailed installation guide : K-lite 8.8 setup.docx
The profile selected by default is "Earphones-HiFi" and all Earphones profiles are applicable for headphones as well as desktop/laptop speakers.
DO I REALLY NEED IT ?
The problem at hand is most audio files are Stereo , and even with a dedicated 5.1 Audio system without some investment for upmixing , we are able to hear normal. And for people who don't have a Home Theater system, why to restrict them from Surround experience. A disappointment for both.
After much research, I came up with a solution that not only solves both problem, but also enhances MP3(or any other compressed formal) audio to near ORIGINAL quality.
I May not be the best person to answer, if You really Need / Want it.
Simply download and experience it yourself with the sample files
After much research, I came up with a solution that not only solves both problem, but also enhances MP3(or any other compressed formal) audio to near ORIGINAL quality.
I May not be the best person to answer, if You really Need / Want it.
Simply download and experience it yourself with the sample files
First file is 'Sun Willow' by Bjorn Lynne in Original Dolby Digital 5.1 format
and the second file is Surround sound version, processed using this guide.
If You really felt the difference, please go ahead with this guide.
Don't worry, if u are not a technical person, this guide is for just for you people.
UPDATE: fixed broken sample file link
Don't worry, if u are not a technical person, this guide is for just for you people.
UPDATE: fixed broken sample file link
Stereo and 5.1 Audio –
Stereo audio is comprised of two channels basically Left and Right.The Mp3 files are mostly stereo, but there quality is compromised for achieving lower file size.
-Wikipedia
5.1 ("five point one") is the common name for six channel surround sound multichannel audio systems. 5.1 is now the most commonly used layout in both commercial cinemas and home theaters. It uses five full bandwidth channels and one low-frequency effects channel (the "point one").-Wikipedia
Required Software –
Now the idea is to upscale the stereo audio to recover quality, lost due to compression.
We are going to do this using ‘ffdshow’, a powerful audio decoder with some additional abilities.
By now you would have started to think of it as another media player, but fact is it is not.
Like in a car there is engine and body covering, here ffdshow works like the engine and for the body cover we would use an actual media player, in this case ‘Media Player Classic-Home Cinema’.
We are going to do this using ‘ffdshow’, a powerful audio decoder with some additional abilities.
By now you would have started to think of it as another media player, but fact is it is not.
Like in a car there is engine and body covering, here ffdshow works like the engine and for the body cover we would use an actual media player, in this case ‘Media Player Classic-Home Cinema’.
Now installing software is not a rocket science, but doing it right is important for optimal performance. And don’t be scared of installing two different software and managing them. It is already combined and freely distributed under
‘ K-Lite Codec Pack’ .Which means it is the only software we need.
K-Lite Codec Pack download : http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_codec_pack/12665/
Configuration file : ffdshow_8_8.regDetailed installation guide : K-lite 8.8 setup.docx
UPDATE : links are restored.
Installation
Here comes the tricky part the INSTALLATION, don’t worry this guide is here this purpose only.
Simply follow the instructions in the installation guide.
The setup looks good and will work as well, but the Surround sound is still missing.
To make this task a child’s play all the configurations have been saved in provided file.
Now double click on the ffdshow_8_8.reg file you would have downloaded, keep click yes until below window appears.
To make this task a child’s play all the configurations have been saved in provided file.
Now double click on the ffdshow_8_8.reg file you would have downloaded, keep click yes until below window appears.
And you are now all set to enjoy Surround sound from your audio files.
NOTE:
1. Close the installer or Media Player Classic before installation.(!! IMPORTANT !!)
1. Close the installer or Media Player Classic before installation.(!! IMPORTANT !!)
2. In some cases the configuration file may be downloaded as a MP3 file. Solution - rename file and delete ‘.mp3’ extension from filename
Final Touch
One size doesn’t fit all, as the saying goes is true for us also. The default setting in file will work fine most PCs.
The configuration adds multiple audio enhancement profiles with varying level of Processor load and audio output.
To access these profiles
Right Click inside the MPC window -> Filters -> ffdshow Audio Decoder -> Properties
Right Click inside the MPC window -> Filters -> ffdshow Audio Decoder -> Properties
You will get a window like screenshot shown below.
OR
Under your Windows taskbar icons find the ffdshow icon > right click
OR
Under your Windows taskbar icons find the ffdshow icon > right click
Simply click on the profile name to activate from list.
Profile
|
CPU load
|
Description
|
default
|
Low
|
Basic audio enhancement
|
5.1_Stereo
|
Low
|
Converts 5.1 audio for listening over normal speakers
|
Surround
|
Low
|
Basic 5.1 Surround Sound output
|
Surround-HiFi
|
Medium
|
Advanced 5.1 Surround Sound output
|
Surround-Studio
|
High
|
Advanced 5.1 Surround Sound with studio like quality
|
Earphones
|
Low
|
Basic 5.1 Surround Sound output over headphones/speakers
|
Earphones-HiFi
|
Medium
|
Advanced 5.1 Surround Sound output over headphones/speakers
|
Earphones-Studio
|
High
|
Advanced 5.1 Surround Sound with studio like quality over headphones
|
Night Mode
|
Low
|
Subtle music for night ambiance
|
OFF
|
NA
|
No audio enhancement is applied
|
The profile selected by default is "Earphones-HiFi" and all Earphones profiles are applicable for headphones as well as desktop/laptop speakers.
To preview a profile, click on the name
To apply any profile, double-click the profile name and it appears as in Bold characters.
NOTE
: Surround profile is only applicable for PC with 5.1 audio output.
FOR BEST AUDIO EXPERIENCE
please Change Audio Sample rate to 24(bit)-96000Khz on your windows system.
FOR BEST AUDIO EXPERIENCE
please Change Audio Sample rate to 24(bit)-96000Khz on your windows system.
Test
To check the enhanced audio, play any mp3 file and toggle between 'OFF' and 'Earphones-HiFi' profile.
You can observe Earphones-HiFi will have the following advantages
You can observe Earphones-HiFi will have the following advantages
·
more natural and spacious feel
·
more clarity
· deeper bass
·
and if you are a keen listener, you can tell the direction of each music instrument played.
References
http://ffdshow-tryout.sourceforge.net/
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/k_lite_codec_pack.htm
http://mpc-hc.org/
http://www.lynnemusic.com/surround.html
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/k_lite_codec_pack.htm
http://mpc-hc.org/
http://www.lynnemusic.com/surround.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.1_surround_sound
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=83752
Concerning Queries
5.1 Home Theater doesn't work ?
HD audio from laptop ?
How to Convert Stereo to 5.1 ?
Why do I hear sound from only 2 speakers ?
How to get surround sound in headphones ?
5.1 Surround music player
HD audio from laptop ?
How to Convert Stereo to 5.1 ?
Why do I hear sound from only 2 speakers ?
How to get surround sound in headphones ?
5.1 Surround music player
Facts :
- 2 years in making
- 200+ Hours of research (online & offline)
- Finding the Ultimate solution
- And all this shared for FREE...
