5b47b89d16
git-svn-id: svn://svn.rockbox.org/rockbox/trunk@27823 a1c6a512-1295-4272-9138-f99709370657
526 lines
25 KiB
TeX
526 lines
25 KiB
TeX
% $Id$ %
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\screenshot{configure_rockbox/images/ss-sound-settings}{The sound settings screen}{}
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The sound settings menu offers a selection of sound settings you may
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change to customise your listening experience.
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\section{\label{ref:volume}Volume}
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This setting adjusts the volume of your music. Like most professional
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audio gear and many consumer audio products, Rockbox uses a decibel scale
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where 0~dB is a reference that indicates the maximum volume that the \dap{}
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can produce without possible distortion (clipping). All values lower than
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this reference will be negative and yield a progressively softer volume.
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\nopt{h100,h300,ondavx777}{%
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Values higher than 0~dB are available and can be used to raise the
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volume more than would otherwise be possible. These volume levels will
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ordinarily lead to distorted sound, but might work nicely for music that has
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an otherwise low volume level.
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}
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The volume can be adjusted from a
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\opt{player}{minimum of -78~dB to a maximum of +18~dB.}%
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\opt{recorder,recorderv2fm,ondio}{minimum of -100~dB to a maximum of +12~dB.}%
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\opt{h100,h300}{minimum of -84~dB to a maximum of 0~dB.}%
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\opt{iaudiom3,iaudiom5,iaudiox5,ipod3g,ipod4g,gigabeatf,mrobe100}{%
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minimum of -73~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodnano}{minimum of -72~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodvideo,cowond2}{minimum of -89~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodnano2g,ipodcolor,ipod1g2g,h10,h10_5gb,sansa,sansaAMS}{minimum of
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-74~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
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\opt{gigabeats}{minimum of -90~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
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\opt{gigabeatf,vibe500}{minimum of -74~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodvideo}{\\Remark: Lowering the volume below -57~dB will also affect the line-out
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and the recording gain.}
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\opt{cowond2}{\\Remark: Lowering the volume below -57~dB will also affect the line-out.}
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\section{Bass}
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This setting emphasises
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\nopt{h100,h300}{or suppresses}
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the lower (bass) frequencies in the sound. A value of 0~dB means that bass
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sounds are unaltered (flat response).
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\opt{masd}{The minimum setting is -15~dB and the maximum is 15~dB.}%
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\opt{masf}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
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\opt{h100,h300}{The minimum setting is 0~dB and the maximum is 24~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodnano,ipodnano2g,ipodcolor}{The minimum setting is -6~dB and the maximum is 9~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodvideo}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
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\opt{iaudiom3,iaudiom5,iaudiox5,sansa,sansaAMS,h10,h10_5gb,vibe500}{%
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The minimum setting is -24~dB and the maximum is 24~dB.}
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\opt{ipodvideo}{
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\section{Bass Cutoff}
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This setting controls the frequency below which the bass adjustment applies.
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The setting has a range from 1 to 4, where a bigger number affects a bigger
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range of bass frequencies. The actual cutoff frequency used for each setting
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value will vary with sample rate.
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}
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\section{Treble}
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This setting emphasises
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\nopt{h100,h300}{or suppresses}
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the higher (treble) frequencies in the sound. A value of 0~dB means that
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treble sounds are unaltered (flat response).
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\opt{masd}{The minimum setting is -15~dB and the maximum is 15~dB.}%
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\opt{masf}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
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\opt{h100,h300}{The minimum setting is 0~dB and the maximum is 6~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodnano,ipodnano2g,ipodcolor}{The minimum setting is -6~dB and the maximum is 9~dB.}%
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\opt{ipodvideo}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
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\opt{iaudiom3,iaudiom5,iaudiox5,sansa,sansaAMS,h10,h10_5gb,vibe500}{%
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The minimum setting is -24~dB and the maximum is 24~dB.}
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\opt{ipodvideo}{
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\section{Treble Cutoff}
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This setting controls the frequency above which the treble adjustment applies.
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The setting has a range from 1 to 4, where a bigger number affects a smaller
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range of treble frequencies. The actual cutoff frequency used for each setting
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value will vary with sample rate.
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}
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\section{Balance}
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This setting controls the balance between the left and right channels. The
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default, 0, means that the left and right outputs are equal in volume.
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Negative numbers increase the volume of the left channel relative to the
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right, positive numbers increase the volume of the right channel relative
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to the left.
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\section{Channels}
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A stereo audio signal consists of two channels, left and right. The
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\setting{Channels} setting determines if these channels are to be combined in
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any way, and if so, in what manner they will be combined.
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Available options are:
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%
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\begin{description}
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\item[Stereo.]
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Leave the audio signal unmodified.
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\item[Mono.]
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Combine both channels and send the resulting signal to both stereo
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channels, resulting in a monophonic output.
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\item[Custom.]
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Allows you to manually specify a stereo width with the
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\setting{Stereo Width} setting described later in this chapter.
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\item[Mono Left.]
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Plays the left channel in both stereo channels.
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\item[Mono Right.]
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Plays the right channel in both stereo channels.
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\item[Karaoke.]
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Removes all sound that is common to both channels. Since most
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music is recorded with vocals being equally present in both channels
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to make the singer sound centrally placed, this often (but not
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always) has the effect of removing the voice track from a song. This
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setting also very often has other undesirable effects on the sound.
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\end{description}
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\section{Stereo Width}
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Stereo width allows you to manually specify the effect that is applied
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when the \setting{Channels} setting is set to ``custom''.
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All values below 100\% will progressively mix the contents of one channel
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into the other. This has the effect of gradually centering the stereo image,
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until you have monophonic sound at 0\%. Values above 100\% will progressively
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remove components in one channel that is also present in the other. This has
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the effect of widening the stereo field. A value of 100\% will leave the
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stereo field unaltered.
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\opt{masf}{
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\section{Loudness}
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When listening at low volumes, the ear will tend to make bass and treble
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frequencies sound quieter than they really are. To compensate for this,
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\setting{Loudness} is an effect which emphasises bass and treble in a fashion
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suited to the human ear. Frequencies in the vocal range are unaffected, since
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the human ear picks these up very easily at any sound level.
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It is of course also possible to use this effect at higher volumes for
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enhanced bass and treble.
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}
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\opt{masf}{
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\section{Auto Volume}
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Auto volume is a feature that automatically lowers the volume on loud parts,
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and then slowly restores the volume to the previous level over a time
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interval. This setting allows this time interval to be configured. Short
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values like 20~ms are useful for ensuring a constant volume for in-car use and
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other applications where background noise makes a constant loudness desirable.
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A longer timeout means that the change in volume back to the previous level
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will be smoother, so there will be fewer sharp changes in volume level.
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}
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\opt{masf}{
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\section{Super Bass}
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This setting changes the threshold at which bass frequencies are affected by
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the \setting{Loudness} setting, making the sound of drums and bass guitar
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louder in comparison to the rest of the sound. This setting only has an
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effect if \setting{Loudness} is set to a value larger than 0~dB.
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}
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\opt{masf}{
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\section{MDB {}-- Micronas Dynamic Bass}
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The rest of the parameters in this menu relate to the Micronas Dynamic
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Bass (MDB) function. MDB is designed to enable the user to hear bass
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notes that the headphones and/or speakers are not capable of reproducing.
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Every tone has a fundamental frequency (the ``main tone'') and also several
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harmonics, which are related to that tone. The human brain has a mechanism
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whereby it can actually infer the presence of bass notes from the higher
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harmonics that they would generate.
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The practical upshot of this is that MDB produces a more authentic sounding
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bass by tricking the brain into believing it is hearing tones that the
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headphones or speakers are not capable of reproducing.
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The MDB parameters are as follows:
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%
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\begin{description}
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\item[MDB enable.]
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This turns the MDB feature on or off. For many users this will be the
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only setting they need, since Rockbox picks sensible defaults for the
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other parameters. MDB is turned off by default.
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\item[MDB strength.]
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How loud the harmonics generated by MDB will be.
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\item[MDB Harmonics.]
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The percentage of the low notes that is converted into harmonics.
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If low notes are causing speaker distortion, this can be set to 100\%
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to eliminate the fundamental completely and only produce harmonics in the
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signal. If set to 0\% this is the same as turning the MDB feature off.
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\item[MDB Centre Frequency.]
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The cutoff frequency of your headphones or speakers. This is usually
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given in the specification for the headphones/speakers.
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\item[MDB shape.]
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It is recommended that this parameter be set to 1.5 times the centre frequency.
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This is the frequency up to which harmonics are generated. Some of the
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lower fundamentals near the cut{}-off range will have their lower
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harmonics cut, since they will be below the range of the speakers.
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Fundamentals between the cut{}-off frequency and the lower frequency
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will have their harmonics proportionally boosted to compensate and restore
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the `loudness' of these notes.
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For most users, the defaults should provide an improvement in sound
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quality and can be safely left as they are. For reference, the defaults
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Rockbox uses are:
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%
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\begin{table}[h!]
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\begin{rbtabular}{0.5\textwidth}{Xc}{Setting & Value}{}{}
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MDB Strength & 50~dB \\
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MDB Harmonics & 48\% \\
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MDB Centre Frequency & 60~Hz \\
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MDB Shape & 90~Hz \\
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\end{rbtabular}
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\end{table}
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\end{description}
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}
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\opt{swcodec}{
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\section{Crossfeed}
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Crossfeed attempts to make the experience of listening to music on
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headphones more similar to listening to music with stereo speakers. When you
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listen to music through speakers, each ear will hear sound originating from
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both speakers. However, the sound from the left speaker reaches your right
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ear slightly later than it does your left ear, and vice versa.\\
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The human ear and brain together are very good at interpreting the time
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differences between direct sounds and reflected sounds and using that
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information to identify the direction that the sound is coming from. On the
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other hand, when listening to headphones, each ear hears only the stereo
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channel corresponding to it. The left ear hears only the left channel and
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the right ear hears only the right channel. The result is that sound from
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headphones does not provide the same spatial cues to your ear and brain as
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speakers, and might for that reason sound unnatural to some listeners.\\
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The crossfeed function uses an algorithm to feed a delayed and filtered
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portion of the signal from the right channel into the left channel and vice
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versa in order to simulate the spatial cues that the ear and brain receive
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when listening to a set of loudspeakers placed in front of the listener. The
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result is a more natural stereo image that can be especially appreciated in
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older rock and jazz records, where one instrument is often hard-panned to
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just one of the speakers. Many people will find such records tiring to listen
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to using earphones and no crossfeed effect.\\
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Crossfeed has the following settings:
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\begin{description}
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\item[Crossfeed.]
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Selects whether the crossfeed effect is to be enabled or not.
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\item[Direct Gain.]
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How much the level of the audio that travels the direct path from a speaker
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to the corresponding ear is supposed to be decreased.
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\item[Cross Gain.]
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How much the level of the audio that travels the cross path from a speaker
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to the opposite ear is to be decreased.
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\item[High-Frequency Attenuation.]
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How much the upper frequencies of the cross path audio will be dampened.
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Note that the total level of the higher frequencies will be a combination
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of both this setting and the \setting{Cross Gain} setting.
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\item[High-Frequency Cutoff.]
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Decides at which frequency the cross path audio will start to be cut
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by the amount described by the \setting{High-Frequency Attenuation}
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setting.
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\end{description}
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Most users will find the default settings to yield satisfactory results, but
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for the more adventurous user the settings can be fine-tuned to provide a
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virtual speaker placement suited to ones preference.
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% TODO: adapt the guidelines for crossfeed settings found here?
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% http://www.ohl.to/interests-in-audio/crossfeed-and-eq-for-headphones/
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Beware that the crossfeed function is capable of making the audio distort
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if you choose settings which result in a too high output level.
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}
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\opt{swcodec}{
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\section{\label{ref:EQ}Equalizer}
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\screenshot{configure_rockbox/images/ss-equalizer}{The graphical equalizer}{}
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Rockbox features a parametric equalizer (EQ). As the name suggests, a
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parametric EQ lets you control several different parameters for each
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band of the EQ. In some ways the EQ is similar to the \setting{Bass}
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and \setting{Treble} settings described earlier, but the EQ allows you to
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control the sound much more carefully.\\
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Rockbox's parametric EQ is composed of five different bands:
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\begin{description}
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\item[Band 0: Low shelf filter.]
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The low shelf filter boosts or lowers all frequencies below a certain
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frequency limit, much like what a ``bass'' control found on ordinary
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stereo systems does.
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Adjust the ``cutoff'' frequency parameter to decide where the shelving
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starts to take effect. For example, a cutoff frequency of 50~Hz will
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adjust only very low frequencies. A cutoff frequency of 200~Hz, on the
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other hand, will adjust a much wider range of bass frequencies.
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The ``gain'' parameter controls how much the loudness of the band is
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adjusted. Positive numbers make the EQ band louder, while negative
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numbers make that EQ band quieter.
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The ``Q'' parameter should always be set to 0.7 for the shelving
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filters. Higher values will add a small boost around the cutoff
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frequency that is almost always undesirable.
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\item[Bands 1-3: Peaking filters.]
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Peaking EQ filters boost or lower a frequency range centered at the
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centre frequency chosen.
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Graphic equalizers in home stereos are usually peaking
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filters. The peaking filters in Rockbox's EQ lets you adjust three
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different parameters for EQ bands 1 through 3. The ``centre'' parameter
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controls the centre frequency of the frequency range that is affected
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as described above.
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The ``gain'' parameter controls how much each band is adjusted, and
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works as for the low shelf filter.
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Finally, the ``Q'' parameter controls how wide or narrow the affected
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frequency range is. Higher Q values will affect a narrower band of
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frequencies, while lower Q values will affect a wider band of
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frequencies.
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\item[Band 4: High shelf filter.]
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A high shelf filter boosts or lowers all frequencies above a certain
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frequency limit, much like what a ``treble'' control found on ordinary
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stereo systems does.
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The high shelf filter is adjusted the same way as the low shelf filter,
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except that it works on the high end of the frequency spectrum rather
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than the low end.
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\end{description}
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As a general guide, EQ band 0 should be used for low frequencies, EQ bands 1
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through 3 should be used for mids, and EQ band 4 should be used for highs.
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\begin {description}
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\item[Enable EQ.]
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This option controls whether the EQ is on or off.
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\item[Graphical EQ.]
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This option brings up a graphic EQ screen, which allows adjustment of each of
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the three parameters described above (gain, centre frequency, and Q) for each
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of the five EQ bands.
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\begin{btnmap}
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\opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD%
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,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD}{\ButtonRight}
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\opt{SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD}{\ButtonScrollFwd}
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\opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonScrollUp}
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\opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonUp}
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\opt{touchscreen}{\TouchMidRight}
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&
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\opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
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\opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCFF}
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\opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCRight}
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&}
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Raises the highlighted parameter.
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\\
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%
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\opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD%
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,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD}{\ButtonLeft}
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\opt{SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD}{\ButtonScrollBack}
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\opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonScrollDown}
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\opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonDown}
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\opt{touchscreen}{\TouchMidLeft}
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&
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\opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
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\opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCRew}
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\opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCLeft}
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&}
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Lowers the highlighted parameter.
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\\
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%
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\opt{IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD,PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonLeft}
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\opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD%
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,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD}{\ButtonUp}
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\opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonRew}
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\opt{touchscreen}{\ActionStdPrev}
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&
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\opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
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\opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCRew}
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\opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCVolUp}
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\opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCUp}
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&}
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Moves to the previous EQ band.
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\\
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%
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\opt{IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD,PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonRight}
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\opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD%
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,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD}{\ButtonDown}
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\opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonFF}
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\opt{touchscreen}{\ActionStdNext}
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&
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\opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
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\opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCFF}
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\opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCVolDown}
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\opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCDown}
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&}
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Moves to the next EQ band.
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\\
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%
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\opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD%
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,IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD,IPOD_VIDEO_PAD,SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,MROBE100_PAD}{\ButtonSelect}
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\opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonOK}
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\opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonRight}
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\opt{IAUDIO_M3_PAD}{\ButtonPlay}
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\opt{touchscreen}{\TouchCenter
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\opt{COWON_D2_PAD}{/ \ButtonMenu}}
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&
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\opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
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\opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCSelect}
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\opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD,IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCPlay}
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&}
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Toggles the cursor among the three parameters (gain, centre frequency,
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Q) for the selected EQ band
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\\
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%
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\opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD}{\ButtonMode}
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\opt{IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD}{\ButtonMenu}
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\opt{IAUDIO_X5_PAD}{\ButtonPower/\ButtonRec}
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\opt{IAUDIO_M3_PAD}{\ButtonRec}
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\opt{SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonLeft}
|
|
\opt{GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD,MROBE100_PAD}{\ButtonPower}
|
|
\opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonCancel}
|
|
\opt{touchscreen}{\TouchTopLeft
|
|
\opt{COWON_D2_PAD}{/ \ButtonPower}}
|
|
&
|
|
\opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
|
|
\opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCStop}
|
|
\opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCDsp}
|
|
\opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCRec}
|
|
&}
|
|
Exits the graphic EQ screen.
|
|
\\
|
|
\end{btnmap}
|
|
|
|
\item[Pre-cut.]
|
|
If too much gain is added through the graphical EQ, your music may distort.
|
|
The \setting{Precut} setting allows you to adjust the overall gain of the EQ.
|
|
|
|
If your music distorts when using the EQ, trying changing this setting to a
|
|
negative value.
|
|
|
|
\item[Simple EQ.]
|
|
This option provides an easier alternative for those who are daunted by all of
|
|
the parameters that can be adjusted using the graphical EQ. With the
|
|
\setting{Simple EQ}, the only parameter that can be adjusted is the gain.
|
|
|
|
\item[Advanced EQ.]
|
|
This sub menu provides options for adjusting the same parameters as the
|
|
\setting{Graphical EQ}. The only difference is that the parameters are
|
|
adjusted through textual menus rather than through a graphic interface.
|
|
|
|
\item[Save EQ Preset.]
|
|
This option saves the current EQ configuration in a \fname{.cfg} file.
|
|
|
|
\item[Browse EQ Presets.]
|
|
This menu displays a list of EQ presets, as well as any EQ configurations saved
|
|
using the \setting{Save EQ Preset} option. Users unfamiliar with the
|
|
operation of a parametric EQ may wish to use the presets instead of trying to
|
|
configure the EQ, or use the presets for designing their own custom EQ
|
|
settings.
|
|
|
|
\end{description}
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
\opt{swcodec}{
|
|
\section{Dithering}
|
|
This setting controls the dithering and noise shaping functionality of Rockbox.
|
|
|
|
Most of Rockbox' audio file decoders work at a higher bit depth than the 16 bits
|
|
used for output on the \daps{} audio connectors. The simplest way to
|
|
convert from one bit depth to another is simply discarding all the surplus bits.
|
|
This is the default behaviour, and adds distortion to the signal that will
|
|
vary in character along with the desired sound.
|
|
|
|
Dithering adds low-level noise to the signal prior to throwing away the surplus
|
|
bits, which gives the resulting signal a uniform noise floor which is
|
|
independent of the signal. Most people find this noise preferable to the
|
|
time-varying noise heard when not performing dithering.
|
|
|
|
After dithering, noise shaping is performed. This basically just pushes the
|
|
dithering noise to the parts of the frequency spectrum humans cannot hear so
|
|
easily. In Rockbox' case, some of the noise is pushed up to above 10~kHz.
|
|
|
|
This setting will be put to its best use when listening to dynamic music with
|
|
frequently occuring quiet parts, classical music being a typical example. It is
|
|
worth noting that the effects of dithering and noise shaping are very subtle,
|
|
and not easily noticable.
|
|
|
|
Rockbox uses highpass triangular distribution noise as the dithering noise
|
|
source, and a third order noise shaper.
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
\opt{swcodec}{
|
|
\section{Timestretch}
|
|
Enabling \setting{Timestretch} allows you to change the playback speed without
|
|
it affecting the pitch of the recording. After enabling this feature and
|
|
rebooting, you can access this via the \setting{Pitch Screen}. This function is
|
|
intended for speech playback and may significantly dilute your listening
|
|
experience with more complex audio.
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
\opt{swcodec}{
|
|
\section{Compressor}
|
|
The \setting{Compressor} reduces, or compresses, the dynamic range of the audio
|
|
signal. This makes the quieter and louder sections closer to the same volume
|
|
level by progressively reducing the gain of louder signals. When subsequently
|
|
amplified, this has the effect of making the quieter sections louder while
|
|
keeping the louder sections from clipping. This allows listening to the quiet
|
|
sections of dynamic material in noisy environments while preventing sudden loud
|
|
sections from being overbearing.
|
|
|
|
There are several settings associated with the compressor. The first, and most
|
|
important, is the \setting{Threshold}. The threshold is the audio input level
|
|
at which the compressor begins to act. Any level louder than the threshold
|
|
will be compressed to some extent. The maximum amount of compression, or the
|
|
quietest level at which the compressor will operate, is -24~dB. The default of
|
|
Off disables the compressor.
|
|
|
|
The \setting{Makeup Gain} setting has two options: Off and Auto. Off means
|
|
that the compressed audio will not be amplified after compression. The default
|
|
of Auto will amplify the signal so that the loudest possible signal after
|
|
compression will be just under the clipping limit. This is desirable because
|
|
the compressed signal without makeup gain is quieter than the input signal.
|
|
Makeup Gain in Auto restores the signal to the maximum possible level and
|
|
brings the quieter audio up with it. This is what makes it possible to hear
|
|
the quieter audio in noisy environments.
|
|
|
|
The \setting{Ratio} setting determines how aggressively the compressor reduces
|
|
gain above the threshold. For example, the 2:1 setting means that for each
|
|
two decibels of input signal above the threshold, the compressor will only
|
|
allow the output to appear as one decibel. The higher the ratio, the harder
|
|
the signal is compressed. The ratio setting of Limit means essentially a ratio
|
|
of infinity to one. In this case, the output signal is not allowed to exceed
|
|
the threshold at all.
|
|
|
|
The \setting{Knee} setting determines how abrupt the transition is from a
|
|
non-compressed signal to a compressed signal. Hard Knee means that the
|
|
transition occurs precisely at the threshold. The Soft Knee setting smoothes
|
|
the transition from plus or minus three decibels around the threshold.
|
|
|
|
The \setting{Release Time} setting sets the recovery time after the signal is
|
|
compressed. Once the compressor determines that compression is necessary,
|
|
the input signal is reduced appropriately, but the gain isn't allowed to
|
|
immediately return to normal levels. This is necessary to reduce artifacts
|
|
such as ``pumping.'' Instead, the gain is allowed to return to normal at the
|
|
chosen rate. Release Time is the time for the gain to recover by 10~dB.
|
|
}
|