Stereo Tool

No, never in my life have an onboard graphic card . Always external to the slot. I think Hans will do a proper thing with his idea but let`s see what will be the result when it is done.

Windows stand alone: http://www.stereotool.com/download/ster ... 41-017.exe
Winamp DSP: http://www.stereotool.com/download/dsp_ ... 41-017.exe
VST32: ----://www.stereotool.com/download/vst_stereo_ ... 41-017.dll

Changes:
- Added Power Highs (it's in the same window as Power Bass).
- Moved Power Bass and Power Highs to before the wideband AGC to improve volume level consistency.
- Sudden fast rise of bass or highs is limited, new slider 'Release boost' added. I'm not really sure yet if this is ok; if there's a loud high or low sound it can push the band down a lot, and it comes down slower than before. If needed I can add something to allow it to come back faster after a short spike. Waiting for feedback first though.
- Sidechain checkbox removed (without that doesn't exist anymore).

Older changes:
Attempt #2: Redesigned Simple Clipper. Reduced CPU load.
- Reduced the memory usage
- Fixed most of the Stereo Image artifacts!!! "Deprecated" is removed from the sliders that were marked with it. See (*) for a cool new possibility!
- Removed some more unnecessary steps (AZIMUTH 2x, Stereo Boost 2x). 10 remaining.
Fixed 'Post filter for DC offset' problem.
52. Check CPU load. Start with checking if there's anything left that uses the 'unnecessary steps'. Sevdah Web preset: Data still gets converted 58 times... I think I need to do this one first, it should have some effect on the CPU load. 28 removed - next convert the 2 IIR filters so they can be optimized and the merge/split around it can be removed. I'm not measuring any effect from this though (but it makes the code simpler which is also good)
53. Noise Gate/Stereo Boost: Pre-calculate 1-cos() and sqrt() values.
55. Check MemoryPool behavior for cache improvements -> No effect measured, and might make behavior less constant.
56. Check if we can go in opposite direction for each next step to improve cache.
57. Check if lazy reverse FFT is an option. -> No, difficult and gain does not even seem to be measurable.
58. Created a separate class that performs the processing chain. Currently the same code is repeated twice (once for normal processing, once for low latency processing) - which means that a lot of code is duplicated and it's difficult to add extra chains. Most, not all, of that code is now moved elsewhere. (although the low latency chain is not yet modified, but that should now be relatively easy)

I am testing the Boost Highs BUT you have to make it separate code, i mean to work separate from bass. We can aply one or both and when i press difference its on both bass and highs


Super Highs with Super bass on Differences enabled is very strange. Sometimes no highs when adjusting slope on highs. something is wrong on code Hans. Check it out and try it for your self.

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Sexy Girls in your city

I'm wondering if I have discovered a new memory issue with Stereo Tool, or if it is something else on my machine.

With 7.40, I was able to run the CPU load at 100%. With the new betas, the result is a tremendous amount of stuttering from the soundcard, and pauses when listening to the stream.

I currently seem to be able to run about 90% without any problem, but I haven't had it set at this level for very long... tomorrow will tell me if the problem is really solved.

It is true that Stereo Tool 7.40 nearly swamped my processor before, and it is also true that I am using the Power Bass and Power Highs... could they be causing enough of a drag on my system to require the CPU load lessening?

I'm also wondering what I am losing at less than 100% CPU load. The help files say with max. latency (which is what I am running, 4096 samples) it isn't much of a problem, but you said it could impact the bass. Can you tell me how it will impact the bass: distortion, less peak control, etc.?

One more question: I have both the old bass AGC and the Power Bass on. Should I turn off the old bass AGC?

Thanks for continuing to develop an amazing product!!!

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Gene Savage
BlackLight Radio
https://BlackLightRadio.com
Tulsa, Oklahoma USA

Tell us what computer you use? Processor type, amount of cores is the most important.
A processor load of 100% is too much, it means that your computer has too much to do.

I am sure Gene means the CPU Quality settings in the Config screen.

I have it running on 100 but it seems the buffer settings are quite important (ASIO buffer in ASIO control pannel)
I also found that you first have to shut down ST, than change buffer settings on soundcard pannel (NOT in ST)
Restart ST, and do the same setting in ST.

- Sometimes resetting sound cards solves the problem, sometimes i have to reset the soundcard 5 times before the audio stops hacking.
- Sometimes a full ST restart (after 30 minutes or so) solves the problem.


my soundcard: MARIAN TRACE ALPHA, this workaround could be different on other hardware.
Gene, please try you buffer setting in FM output, when set to low this could be resulting in hacling audio.

Good luck !

Jeroen.

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In that unit is expressed Boost release?

I think it would be good to at least try, to put a checkbox to choose between using the Power + Power Bass Highs before or after the AGC.

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by GAP
"Less is More" (Bob Katz)

Hello blacklightradio,
I want to say a bit to your question: I can tell you that it is good at first to let the Bass- AGC turned on if you prior created your sound with also bass AGC on.
This allows you to better hear the effect of the Power Bass without changing the "whole" bass level.
But it is indeed not necessary with:
-2 or 3 bands in AGC and
-PowerBass On
In the second step you can increase the target level (=Threshold level) of the Bass AGC a bit and compensate the sound difference using EQ- or Multiband Out Level Settings if necessary before you defeat the Bass AGC. Possibly you then have to readjust the AGC´s band coupling and/or the MB bass band(s).
But you are right, it is good to first let both Processing parts on.
In this way i was estimating the Bass AGC effect.
But like many other issues in this field: Other person, other opinion...
Regards,
Robert

I don't know, but the CPU load *should* be lower with the new version, if you use the same settings. (Power Bass and Power Highs are new but don't use much CPU power, but can you try what happens if you turn them off?). I am indeed curious what hardware you have.

Hans,

I think he means the CPU (quality) setting in the SETUP screen. 0-100

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