FS#12828 : french update
[maemo-rb.git] / manual / configure_rockbox / sound_settings.tex
blobf06bfaf6e53a449b8ffd9a554eeedcc2bc1e1d68
1 % $Id$ %
2 \screenshot{configure_rockbox/images/ss-sound-settings}{The sound settings screen}{}
4 The sound settings menu offers a selection of sound settings you may
5 change to customise your listening experience.
7 \section{\label{ref:volume}Volume}
8 This setting adjusts the volume of your music. Like most professional
9 audio gear and many consumer audio products, Rockbox uses a decibel scale
10 where 0~dB is a reference that indicates the maximum volume that the \dap{}
11 can produce without possible distortion (clipping). All values lower than
12 this reference will be negative and yield a progressively softer volume.
13 \nopt{iriverh100,iriverh300,ondavx777}{%
14 Values higher than 0~dB are available and can be used to raise the
15 volume more than would otherwise be possible. These volume levels will
16 ordinarily lead to distorted sound, but might work nicely for music that has
17 an otherwise low volume level.
19 The volume can be adjusted from a
20 \opt{player}{minimum of -78~dB to a maximum of +18~dB.}%
21 \opt{recorder,recorderv2fm,ondio}{minimum of -100~dB to a maximum of +12~dB.}%
22 \opt{iriverh100,iriverh300}{minimum of -84~dB to a maximum of 0~dB.}%
23 \opt{iaudiom3,iaudiom5,iaudiox5,ipod3g,ipod4g,gigabeatf,mrobe100,mpiohd200}{%
24 minimum of -73~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
25 \opt{ipodnano}{minimum of -72~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
26 \opt{ipodvideo,cowond2}{minimum of -89~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
27 \opt{ipodnano2g,ipodcolor,ipod1g2g,iriverh10,iriverh10_5gb,sansa,sansaAMS}{minimum of
28 -74~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
29 \opt{gigabeats}{minimum of -90~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
30 \opt{gigabeatf,vibe500}{minimum of -74~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}%
31 \opt{fuzeplus}{minimum of -100~dB to a maximum of +6~dB.}
32 \opt{ipodvideo}{\\Remark: Lowering the volume below -57~dB will also affect the line-out
33 and the recording gain.}
34 \opt{cowond2}{\\Remark: Lowering the volume below -57~dB will also affect the line-out.}
36 \nopt{gigabeats}{
37 \section{Bass}
38 This setting emphasises
39 \nopt{iriverh100,iriverh300}{or suppresses}
40 the lower (bass) frequencies in the sound. A value of 0~dB means that bass
41 sounds are unaltered (flat response).
42 \opt{masd}{The minimum setting is -15~dB and the maximum is 15~dB.}%
43 \opt{masf}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
44 \opt{iriverh100,iriverh300}{The minimum setting is 0~dB and the maximum is 24~dB.}%
45 \opt{ipodnano,ipodnano2g,ipodcolor,mpiohd200}{%
46 The minimum setting is -6~dB and the maximum is 9~dB.}%
47 \opt{ipodvideo}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
48 \opt{iaudiom3,iaudiom5,iaudiox5,sansa,sansaAMS,iriverh10,iriverh10_5gb,vibe500,fuzeplus}{%
49 The minimum setting is -24~dB and the maximum is 24~dB.}
51 \opt{ipodvideo}{
52 \section{Bass Cutoff}
53 This setting controls the frequency below which the bass adjustment applies.
54 The setting has a range from 1 to 4, where a bigger number affects a bigger
55 range of bass frequencies. The actual cutoff frequency used for each setting
56 value will vary with sample rate.
59 \section{Treble}
60 This setting emphasises
61 \nopt{iriverh100,iriverh300}{or suppresses}
62 the higher (treble) frequencies in the sound. A value of 0~dB means that
63 treble sounds are unaltered (flat response).
64 \opt{masd}{The minimum setting is -15~dB and the maximum is 15~dB.}%
65 \opt{masf}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
66 \opt{iriverh100,iriverh300}{The minimum setting is 0~dB and the maximum is 6~dB.}%
67 \opt{ipodnano,ipodnano2g,ipodcolor,mpiohd200}{%
68 The minimum setting is -6~dB and the maximum is 9~dB.}%
69 \opt{ipodvideo}{The minimum setting is -12~dB and the maximum is 12~dB.}%
70 \opt{iaudiom3,iaudiom5,iaudiox5,sansa,sansaAMS,iriverh10,iriverh10_5gb,vibe500,fuzeplus}{%
71 The minimum setting is -24~dB and the maximum is 24~dB.}
73 \opt{ipodvideo}{
74 \section{Treble Cutoff}
75 This setting controls the frequency above which the treble adjustment applies.
76 The setting has a range from 1 to 4, where a bigger number affects a smaller
77 range of treble frequencies. The actual cutoff frequency used for each setting
78 value will vary with sample rate.
82 \opt{gigabeats}{
83 \section{Tone Controls}
84 There is a five-band equalizer built into your \dap{} that allows you to
85 control various different parameters for each band. This equalizer is
86 implemented in hardware, and therefore does not tax the processor when in use.
87 Rockbox also features a more advanced five-band equalizer (see
88 \reference{ref:EQ}) that is implemented in software and allows more fine
89 grained control, but also requires more processor time.
91 \begin{description}
92 \item[Band 1 Gain.]
93 This band acts as a low shelf filter that boosts or lowers all
94 frequencies below a certain frequency limit, much as a ``bass''
95 control found on ordinary stereo systems does. The ``gain'' parameter
96 controls how much the loudness of the band is adjusted. Positive
97 numbers make the EQ band louder, while negative numbers make that EQ
98 band quieter.
99 \item[Bands 2-4 Gain.]
100 These bands act as peaking filters that boost or lower a frequency
101 range centered at a certain frequency. Graphic equalizers in home
102 stereos are usually peaking filters. The ``gain'' parameter controls
103 how much each band is adjusted as with the the low shelf filter.
104 \item[Band 5 Gain.]
105 Band 5 acts as a high shelf filter, boosting or lowering all
106 frequencies above a certain frequency limit, much like a ``treble''
107 control found on ordinary stereo systems does. As with the other bands,
108 ``gain'' controls how much each band is adjusted.
109 \item[Advanced Tone Control Settings.]
110 This submenu allows you to change advanced parameters for each band.
111 \end{description}
113 As a general guide, EQ band 1 should be used for low frequencies, EQ bands 2
114 to 4 should be used for mids, and EQ band 5 should be used for highs.\\*
116 \subsection{Advanced Tone Control Settings}
117 As in the previous menu, the ``gain'' setting controls how much the
118 loudness of the band is adjusted. In addition the following parameters
119 can be adjusted:
121 \begin{description}
122 \item[Band 1 Frequency.]
123 The ``frequency'' parameter sets where the shelving starts to take
124 effect. For example, a cutoff frequency of 80~Hz will adjust only very
125 low frequencies. A cutoff frequency of 175~Hz, on the other hand, will
126 adjust a much wider range of bass frequencies.
127 \item[Bands 2-4 Frequency.]
128 The ``frequency'' parameter for these bands sets the centre frequency of
129 the range that is affected by the gain set.
130 \item[Bands 2-4 Width.]
131 This parameter sets the width of the range around the centre frequency
132 that is affected by the tone control. The possible settings are
133 ``wide'' or ``narrow''.
134 \item[Band 5 Frequency.]
135 This works just as for band 1 frequency, except that it affects the
136 high frequency end of the spectrum instead of the low.
137 \end{description}
141 \section{Balance}
142 This setting controls the balance between the left and right channels. The
143 default, 0, means that the left and right outputs are equal in volume.
144 Negative numbers increase the volume of the left channel relative to the
145 right, positive numbers increase the volume of the right channel relative
146 to the left.
148 \section{Channels}
149 A stereo audio signal consists of two channels, left and right. The
150 \setting{Channels} setting determines if these channels are to be combined in
151 any way, and if so, in what manner they will be combined.
152 Available options are:
154 \begin{description}
155 \item[Stereo.]
156 Leave the audio signal unmodified.
157 \item[Mono.]
158 Combine both channels and send the resulting signal to both stereo
159 channels, resulting in a monophonic output.
160 \item[Custom.]
161 Allows you to manually specify a stereo width with the
162 \setting{Stereo Width} setting described later in this chapter.
163 \item[Mono Left.]
164 Plays the left channel in both stereo channels.
165 \item[Mono Right.]
166 Plays the right channel in both stereo channels.
167 \item[Karaoke.]
168 Removes all sound that is common to both channels. Since most
169 music is recorded with vocals being equally present in both channels
170 to make the singer sound centrally placed, this often (but not
171 always) has the effect of removing the voice track from a song. This
172 setting also very often has other undesirable effects on the sound.
173 \end{description}
175 \section{Stereo Width}
176 Stereo width allows you to manually specify the effect that is applied
177 when the \setting{Channels} setting is set to ``custom''.
178 All values below 100\% will progressively mix the contents of one channel
179 into the other. This has the effect of gradually centering the stereo image,
180 until you have monophonic sound at 0\%. Values above 100\% will progressively
181 remove components in one channel that is also present in the other. This has
182 the effect of widening the stereo field. A value of 100\% will leave the
183 stereo field unaltered.
185 \opt{masf}{
186 \section{Loudness}
187 When listening at low volumes, the ear will tend to make bass and treble
188 frequencies sound quieter than they really are. To compensate for this,
189 \setting{Loudness} is an effect which emphasises bass and treble in a fashion
190 suited to the human ear. Frequencies in the vocal range are unaffected, since
191 the human ear picks these up very easily at any sound level.
192 It is of course also possible to use this effect at higher volumes for
193 enhanced bass and treble.
196 \opt{masf}{
197 \section{Auto Volume}
198 Auto volume is a feature that automatically lowers the volume on loud parts,
199 and then slowly restores the volume to the previous level over a time
200 interval. This setting allows this time interval to be configured. Short
201 values like 20~ms are useful for ensuring a constant volume for in-car use and
202 other applications where background noise makes a constant loudness desirable.
203 A longer timeout means that the change in volume back to the previous level
204 will be smoother, so there will be fewer sharp changes in volume level.
207 \opt{masf}{
208 \section{Super Bass}
209 This setting changes the threshold at which bass frequencies are affected by
210 the \setting{Loudness} setting, making the sound of drums and bass guitar
211 louder in comparison to the rest of the sound. This setting only has an
212 effect if \setting{Loudness} is set to a value larger than 0~dB.
215 \opt{masf}{
216 \section{MDB {}-- Micronas Dynamic Bass}
217 The rest of the parameters in this menu relate to the Micronas Dynamic
218 Bass (MDB) function. MDB is designed to enable the user to hear bass
219 notes that the headphones and/or speakers are not capable of reproducing.
220 Every tone has a fundamental frequency (the ``main tone'') and also several
221 harmonics, which are related to that tone. The human brain has a mechanism
222 whereby it can actually infer the presence of bass notes from the higher
223 harmonics that they would generate.
225 The practical upshot of this is that MDB produces a more authentic sounding
226 bass by tricking the brain into believing it is hearing tones that the
227 headphones or speakers are not capable of reproducing.
229 The MDB parameters are as follows:
231 \begin{description}
232 \item[MDB enable.]
233 This turns the MDB feature on or off. For many users this will be the
234 only setting they need, since Rockbox picks sensible defaults for the
235 other parameters. MDB is turned off by default.
236 \item[MDB strength.]
237 How loud the harmonics generated by MDB will be.
238 \item[MDB Harmonics.]
239 The percentage of the low notes that is converted into harmonics.
240 If low notes are causing speaker distortion, this can be set to 100\%
241 to eliminate the fundamental completely and only produce harmonics in the
242 signal. If set to 0\% this is the same as turning the MDB feature off.
243 \item[MDB Centre Frequency.]
244 The cutoff frequency of your headphones or speakers. This is usually
245 given in the specification for the headphones/speakers.
246 \item[MDB shape.]
247 It is recommended that this parameter be set to 1.5 times the centre frequency.
249 This is the frequency up to which harmonics are generated. Some of the
250 lower fundamentals near the cut{}-off range will have their lower
251 harmonics cut, since they will be below the range of the speakers.
252 Fundamentals between the cut{}-off frequency and the lower frequency
253 will have their harmonics proportionally boosted to compensate and restore
254 the `loudness' of these notes.
256 For most users, the defaults should provide an improvement in sound
257 quality and can be safely left as they are. For reference, the defaults
258 Rockbox uses are:
260 \begin{table}[h!]
261 \begin{rbtabular}{0.5\textwidth}{Xc}{Setting & Value}{}{}
262 MDB Strength & 50~dB \\
263 MDB Harmonics & 48\% \\
264 MDB Centre Frequency & 60~Hz \\
265 MDB Shape & 90~Hz \\
266 \end{rbtabular}
267 \end{table}
269 \end{description}
272 \opt{swcodec}{
273 \section{Crossfeed}
274 Crossfeed attempts to make the experience of listening to music on
275 headphones more similar to listening to music with stereo speakers. When you
276 listen to music through speakers, each ear will hear sound originating from
277 both speakers. However, the sound from the left speaker reaches your right
278 ear slightly later than it does your left ear, and vice versa.\\
280 The human ear and brain together are very good at interpreting the time
281 differences between direct sounds and reflected sounds and using that
282 information to identify the direction that the sound is coming from. On the
283 other hand, when listening to headphones, each ear hears only the stereo
284 channel corresponding to it. The left ear hears only the left channel and
285 the right ear hears only the right channel. The result is that sound from
286 headphones does not provide the same spatial cues to your ear and brain as
287 speakers, and might for that reason sound unnatural to some listeners.\\
289 The crossfeed function uses an algorithm to feed a delayed and filtered
290 portion of the signal from the right channel into the left channel and vice
291 versa in order to simulate the spatial cues that the ear and brain receive
292 when listening to a set of loudspeakers placed in front of the listener. The
293 result is a more natural stereo image that can be especially appreciated in
294 older rock and jazz records, where one instrument is often hard-panned to
295 just one of the speakers. Many people will find such records tiring to listen
296 to using earphones and no crossfeed effect.\\
298 Crossfeed has the following settings:
299 \begin{description}
300 \item[Crossfeed.]
301 Selects whether the crossfeed effect is to be enabled or not.
302 \item[Direct Gain.]
303 How much the level of the audio that travels the direct path from a speaker
304 to the corresponding ear is supposed to be decreased.
305 \item[Cross Gain.]
306 How much the level of the audio that travels the cross path from a speaker
307 to the opposite ear is to be decreased.
308 \item[High-Frequency Attenuation.]
309 How much the upper frequencies of the cross path audio will be dampened.
310 Note that the total level of the higher frequencies will be a combination
311 of both this setting and the \setting{Cross Gain} setting.
312 \item[High-Frequency Cutoff.]
313 Decides at which frequency the cross path audio will start to be cut
314 by the amount described by the \setting{High-Frequency Attenuation}
315 setting.
316 \end{description}
318 Most users will find the default settings to yield satisfactory results, but
319 for the more adventurous user the settings can be fine-tuned to provide a
320 virtual speaker placement suited to ones preference.
321 % TODO: adapt the guidelines for crossfeed settings found here?
322 % http://www.ohl.to/interests-in-audio/crossfeed-and-eq-for-headphones/
323 Beware that the crossfeed function is capable of making the audio distort
324 if you choose settings which result in a too high output level.
327 \opt{swcodec}{
328 \section{\label{ref:EQ}Equalizer}
329 \screenshot{configure_rockbox/images/ss-equalizer}{The graphical equalizer}{}
330 Rockbox features a parametric equalizer (EQ). As the name suggests, a
331 parametric EQ lets you control several different parameters for each
332 band of the EQ. \nopt{gigabeats}{In some ways the EQ is similar to the
333 \setting{Bass} and \setting{Treble} settings described earlier, but the EQ
334 allows you to control the sound much more carefully.} \opt{gigabeats}{The EQ
335 is similar to the \setting{Tone Controls} described above, but allows more
336 delicate control.}\\
338 Rockbox's parametric EQ is composed of five different bands:
339 \begin{description}
340 \item[Band 0: Low shelf filter.]
341 The low shelf filter boosts or lowers all frequencies below a certain
342 frequency limit, much as the ``bass'' control found on ordinary
343 stereo systems does.
344 Adjust the ``cutoff'' frequency parameter to decide where the shelving
345 starts to take effect. For example, a cutoff frequency of 50~Hz will
346 adjust only very low frequencies. A cutoff frequency of 200~Hz, on the
347 other hand, will adjust a much wider range of bass frequencies.
348 The ``gain'' parameter controls how much the loudness of the band is
349 adjusted. Positive numbers make the EQ band louder, while negative
350 numbers make that EQ band quieter.
351 The ``Q'' parameter should always be set to 0.7 for the shelving
352 filters. Higher values will add a small boost around the cutoff
353 frequency that is almost always undesirable.
354 \item[Bands 1-8: Peaking filters.]
355 Peaking EQ filters boost or lower a frequency range centered at the
356 centre frequency chosen.
357 Graphic equalizers in home stereos are usually peaking
358 filters. The peaking filters in Rockbox's EQ lets you adjust three
359 different parameters for EQ bands 1 through 3. The ``centre'' parameter
360 controls the centre frequency of the frequency range that is affected
361 as described above.
362 The ``gain'' parameter controls how much each band is adjusted, and
363 works as for the low shelf filter.
364 Finally, the ``Q'' parameter controls how wide or narrow the affected
365 frequency range is. Higher Q values will affect a narrower band of
366 frequencies, while lower Q values will affect a wider band of
367 frequencies.
368 \item[Band 9: High shelf filter.]
369 A high shelf filter boosts or lowers all frequencies above a certain
370 frequency limit, much as the ``treble'' control found on ordinary
371 stereo systems does.
372 The high shelf filter is adjusted the same way as the low shelf filter,
373 except that it works on the high end of the frequency spectrum rather
374 than the low end.
375 \end{description}
376 As a general guide, EQ band 0 should be used for low frequencies, EQ bands 1
377 through 8 should be used for mids, and EQ band 9 should be used for highs.
379 \begin {description}
380 \item[Enable EQ.]
381 This option controls whether the EQ is on or off.
383 \item[Graphical EQ.]
384 This option brings up a graphic EQ screen, which allows adjustment of each of
385 the three parameters described above (gain, centre frequency, and Q) for each
386 of the five EQ bands.
388 \begin{btnmap}
389 \opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD%
390 ,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD%
391 ,SANSA_CLIP_PAD,SANSA_FUZEPLUS_PAD}{\ButtonRight}
392 \opt{SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD}{\ButtonScrollFwd}
393 \opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonScrollUp}
394 \opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonUp}
395 \opt{MPIO_HD200_PAD}{\ButtonVolUp}
396 \opt{MPIO_HD300_PAD}{\ButtonScrollUp}
397 \opt{touchscreen}{\TouchMidRight}
399 \opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
400 \opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCFF}
401 \opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCRight}
403 Raises the highlighted parameter.
406 \opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD%
407 ,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD%
408 ,SANSA_CLIP_PAD,SANSA_FUZEPLUS_PAD}{\ButtonLeft}
409 \opt{SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD}{\ButtonScrollBack}
410 \opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonScrollDown}
411 \opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonDown}
412 \opt{MPIO_HD200_PAD}{\ButtonVolDown}
413 \opt{MPIO_HD300_PAD}{\ButtonScrollDown}
414 \opt{touchscreen}{\TouchMidLeft}
416 \opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
417 \opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCRew}
418 \opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCLeft}
420 Lowers the highlighted parameter.
423 \opt{IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD,PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonLeft}
424 \opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD%
425 ,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD%
426 ,SANSA_CLIP_PAD,SANSA_FUZEPLUS_PAD}{\ButtonUp}
427 \opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD,MPIO_HD200_PAD,MPIO_HD300_PAD}{\ButtonRew}
428 \opt{touchscreen}{\ActionStdPrev}
430 \opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
431 \opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCRew}
432 \opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCVolUp}
433 \opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCUp}
435 Moves to the previous EQ band.
438 \opt{IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD,PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonRight}
439 \opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD,SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD%
440 ,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MROBE100_PAD%
441 ,SANSA_CLIP_PAD,SANSA_FUZEPLUS_PAD}{\ButtonDown}
442 \opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD,MPIO_HD200_PAD,MPIO_HD300_PAD}{\ButtonFF}
443 \opt{touchscreen}{\ActionStdNext}
445 \opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
446 \opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCFF}
447 \opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCVolDown}
448 \opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCDown}
450 Moves to the next EQ band.
453 \opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD,GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,IAUDIO_X5_PAD%
454 ,SANSA_C200_PAD,IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD,IPOD_VIDEO_PAD,SANSA_E200_PAD%
455 ,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,MROBE100_PAD,SANSA_CLIP_PAD,SANSA_FUZEPLUS_PAD}{\ButtonSelect}
456 \opt{MPIO_HD200_PAD}{\ButtonFunc}
457 \opt{MPIO_HD300_PAD}{\ButtonEnter}
458 \opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonOK}
459 \opt{IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonRight}
460 \opt{IAUDIO_M3_PAD}{\ButtonPlay}
461 \opt{touchscreen}{\TouchCenter
462 \opt{COWON_D2_PAD}{/ \ButtonMenu}}
464 \opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
465 \opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCSelect}
466 \opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD,IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCPlay}
468 Toggles the cursor among the three parameters (gain, centre frequency,
469 Q) for the selected EQ band
472 \opt{IRIVER_H100_PAD,IRIVER_H300_PAD}{\ButtonMode}
473 \opt{IPOD_4G_PAD,IPOD_3G_PAD,MPIO_HD300_PAD}{\ButtonMenu}
474 \opt{IAUDIO_X5_PAD}{\ButtonPower/\ButtonRec}
475 \opt{IAUDIO_M3_PAD,MPIO_HD200_PAD}{\ButtonRec}
476 \opt{SANSA_E200_PAD,SANSA_FUZE_PAD,IRIVER_H10_PAD}{\ButtonLeft}
477 \opt{GIGABEAT_PAD,GIGABEAT_S_PAD,SANSA_C200_PAD,MROBE100_PAD,SANSA_CLIP_PAD}{\ButtonPower}
478 \opt{PBELL_VIBE500_PAD}{\ButtonCancel}
479 \opt{SANSA_FUZEPLUS_PAD}{\ButtonBack}
480 \opt{touchscreen}{\TouchTopLeft
481 \opt{COWON_D2_PAD}{/ \ButtonPower}}
483 \opt{HAVEREMOTEKEYMAP}{
484 \opt{IRIVER_RC_H100_PAD}{\ButtonRCStop}
485 \opt{GIGABEAT_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCDsp}
486 \opt{IAUDIO_RC_PAD}{\ButtonRCRec}
488 Exits the graphic EQ screen.
490 \end{btnmap}
492 \item[Pre-cut.]
493 If too much positive gain is added through the graphical EQ, your music may
494 distort. The \setting{Precut} setting allows you to apply a global negative
495 gain to decoded audio, cancelling out positive gain from the EQ. This will
496 prevent distortion when boosting certain frequency ranges, at the expense of
497 making audio quieter.
499 Alternatively, precut can be used with a flat EQ curve to implement a volume
500 cap. For example, on a player that allows overdriving the headphone output
501 to +6dB, maximum volume can be capped to +0dB by applying 6dB of precut. Note
502 that precut is not applied if EQ is disabled.
504 \item[Simple EQ.]
505 This option provides an easier alternative for those who are daunted by all of
506 the parameters that can be adjusted using the graphical EQ. With the
507 \setting{Simple EQ}, the only parameter that can be adjusted is the gain.
509 \item[Advanced EQ.]
510 This sub menu provides options for adjusting the same parameters as the
511 \setting{Graphical EQ}. The only difference is that the parameters are
512 adjusted through textual menus rather than through a graphic interface.
514 \item[Save EQ Preset.]
515 This option saves the current EQ configuration in a \fname{.cfg} file.
517 \item[Browse EQ Presets.]
518 This menu displays a list of EQ presets, as well as any EQ configurations saved
519 using the \setting{Save EQ Preset} option. Users unfamiliar with the
520 operation of a parametric EQ may wish to use the presets instead of trying to
521 configure the EQ, or use the presets for designing their own custom EQ
522 settings.
524 \end{description}
527 \opt{swcodec}{
528 \section{Dithering}
529 This setting controls the dithering and noise shaping functionality of Rockbox.
531 Most of Rockbox' audio file decoders work at a higher bit depth than the 16 bits
532 used for output on the \daps{} audio connectors. The simplest way to
533 convert from one bit depth to another is simply discarding all the surplus bits.
534 This is the default behaviour, and adds distortion to the signal that will
535 vary in character along with the desired sound.
537 Dithering adds low-level noise to the signal prior to throwing away the surplus
538 bits, which gives the resulting signal a uniform noise floor which is
539 independent of the signal. Most people find this noise preferable to the
540 time-varying noise heard when not performing dithering.
542 After dithering, noise shaping is performed. This basically just pushes the
543 dithering noise to the parts of the frequency spectrum humans cannot hear so
544 easily. In Rockbox' case, some of the noise is pushed up to above 10~kHz.
546 This setting will be put to its best use when listening to dynamic music with
547 frequently occuring quiet parts, classical music being a typical example. It is
548 worth noting that the effects of dithering and noise shaping are very subtle,
549 and not easily noticable.
551 Rockbox uses highpass triangular distribution noise as the dithering noise
552 source, and a third order noise shaper.
555 \opt{swcodec}{%
556 \opt{pitchscreen}{%
557 \section{Timestretch}
558 Enabling \setting{Timestretch} allows you to change the playback speed without
559 it affecting the pitch of the recording. After enabling this feature and
560 rebooting, you can access this via the \setting{Pitch Screen}. This function is
561 intended for speech playback and may significantly dilute your listening
562 experience with more complex audio. See \reference{sec:pitchscreen} for more
563 details about how to use the feature.
567 \opt{swcodec}{
568 \section{Compressor}
569 The \setting{Compressor} reduces, or compresses, the dynamic range of the audio
570 signal. This makes the quieter and louder sections closer to the same volume
571 level by progressively reducing the gain of louder signals. When subsequently
572 amplified, this has the effect of making the quieter sections louder while
573 keeping the louder sections from clipping. This allows listening to the quiet
574 sections of dynamic material in noisy environments while preventing sudden loud
575 sections from being overbearing.
577 There are several settings associated with the compressor. The first, and most
578 important, is the \setting{Threshold}. The threshold is the audio input level
579 at which the compressor begins to act. Any level louder than the threshold
580 will be compressed to some extent. The maximum amount of compression, or the
581 quietest level at which the compressor will operate, is -24~dB. The default of
582 Off disables the compressor.
584 The \setting{Makeup Gain} setting has two options: Off and Auto. Off means
585 that the compressed audio will not be amplified after compression. The default
586 of Auto will amplify the signal so that the loudest possible signal after
587 compression will be just under the clipping limit. This is desirable because
588 the compressed signal without makeup gain is quieter than the input signal.
589 Makeup Gain in Auto restores the signal to the maximum possible level and
590 brings the quieter audio up with it. This is what makes it possible to hear
591 the quieter audio in noisy environments.
593 The \setting{Ratio} setting determines how aggressively the compressor reduces
594 gain above the threshold. For example, the 2:1 setting means that for each
595 two decibels of input signal above the threshold, the compressor will only
596 allow the output to appear as one decibel. The higher the ratio, the harder
597 the signal is compressed. The ratio setting of Limit means essentially a ratio
598 of infinity to one. In this case, the output signal is not allowed to exceed
599 the threshold at all.
601 The \setting{Knee} setting determines how abrupt the transition is from a
602 non-compressed signal to a compressed signal. Hard Knee means that the
603 transition occurs precisely at the threshold. The Soft Knee setting smoothes
604 the transition from plus or minus three decibels around the threshold.
606 The \setting{Release Time} setting sets the recovery time after the signal is
607 compressed. Once the compressor determines that compression is necessary,
608 the input signal is reduced appropriately, but the gain isn't allowed to
609 immediately return to normal levels. This is necessary to reduce artifacts
610 such as ``pumping.'' Instead, the gain is allowed to return to normal at the
611 chosen rate. Release Time is the time for the gain to recover by 10~dB.