software to improve audio ?

[VJ]

Hello,

Is there software that allows improvement of audio being played back ?

I'm trying to listen to a live stream of radio communications (speech), but it is somethimes hard to understand. Even an equaliser or something like that might help me out...
(the audio card is a Creative Labs AWE32 CT2760, Windows XP Professional)

Thanks!


Jörg

[az]

Hmm, you might try encoding it to mp3pro. The decoder will then try to "guess" higher frequencies (Though I don't know if mp3pro needs the info and somehow encodes it, but I think it is worth a try).

AZ

[az]

Oh, and winamp has a built-in equalizer, you might want to try that. (Note: When raising certain frequencies, lower the overall volume to prevent clipping)

AZ

[VJ]

The live streams are played back through mediaplayer, somehow, other software doens't seem to notice any wav device being active...
Downloading them is quite complex (haven't tried it yet). But is there nothing that could work real time ?


Jörg

[TransformX]

Maybe it's time to change your soundcard to something with a built-in equaliser ?
Another option might be (I don't know if it's supported with mediaplayer) audio plugins.

[VJ]

Hehe.... This is the soundcard on my secondary computer (PII-450). The one on my main system has an equaliser built in, but it is not connected to the internet (long story), so I can't use it for this purpose...

However, I just noticed the streams are in m3u format, so perhaps using Winamp is a viable alternative...


Jörg

[Nowhere]

Or you could also use foobar with Advanced Limiter at the end of DSP list - that way you'll prevent clipping and you'll have perhaps slightly better chances to succesfully equalize how you want it.

[TransformX]

VJ, try finding a media player with SRS, it really makes a difference in sound quality.

[VJ]

The quality with Winamp is already a lot better! (I'm probabely one of the few people that didn't have Winamp on his computer... )
I assume using multiple instances is the only way to playback several streams simultaneously ?


Jörg

[az]

several streams simultaneously? What for?

AZ

[Wombat]

Yes. Make sure that you set the option to allow it to play multiple instances though.

[VJ]

Originally posted by az
several streams simultaneously? What for?

AZ

The streams are not music, but VHF radio communications.
I started with a flying course a couple of months ago, and
some airports, like Schiphol, stream their ATC frequencies.
This is very interesting to listen to it to get more acquinted
with the radio protocols, talk speed, content and so on.
(I hope to start flying around March)


Jorg

[az]

Wow, cool!

Post pics!

AZ

[VJ]

Wilco!
(="I understand your request and will comply")
Currently, it is still theorethical (Radio is one of the courses that has advanced the furthest).


Jörg