PDA

View Full Version : The Winamp Tweak Guide



Se7Ven
10.04.09, 21:17
what can i say one of the best players for all and more

http://i43.tinypic.com/kckqw.gif


Installation

First thing you will want to know is that Winamp is available in differing packages. Which version you choose to use is up to yourself, I personally use the Basic Full version which is free of charge and comes with pretty much everything you should need to get started.


http://i43.tinypic.com/4qoahs.gif

When it comes to selecting features to install it’s worth noting that you can uninstall features within Winamp itself, so if you are not sure if you require one of the components you can install it, and remove it later without going to the
installer again. I would recommend that you at least install the following components:

*

Winamp Media Library
*

Portable Media Player Support (if you have a supported portable player)
*

Modern Skin Support
*

MP4 support
*

Directsound output support

The following sections will cover the various aspects of Winamp.

Plug-ins

As mentioned before Winamp’s functionality can be greatly enhanced through the use of plug-ins. These can provide support for many features, e.g. audio/video decoders, visualizations or DSP effects. These can be installed or uninstalled as desired and you can use as few or as many as you wish to.

Plug-ins are stored in Winamp’s plug-ins directory (usually C:\Program Files\Winamp\Plugins\) and are listed in the appropriate Plug-ins tab in the Options > Preferences menu.

To install a Plug-in simply save/extract it to the Plugins directory (may require restarting Winamp if opened). Uninstalling a plug-in can be performed in Winamp by selecting the Plug-in from the appropriate tab and pressing the Uninstall button, alternatively the Plug-in file(s) can be deleted from the Plugins directory directly.

In this guide we will cover customization of some of the most relevant plug-ins available in Winamp.

Input Plug-ins

Load Winamp’s Preferences menu and select the Input tab. The plug-ins listed provide support for decoding various formats, e.g. WMA, MP3, and CD.


http://i42.tinypic.com/33tgks4.gif


Of most relevance, alternative MPEG decoders are available which offer better quality/features than Nullsoft’s decoder, however the only I would recommend is Shibatch mpg123 (Extract in_!mpg123.dll from the appropriate Bin subdirectory in the archive to the Winamp Plugin directory, if unsure extract the file from the Bin\normal subdirectory) as it is regularly updated. Some recommend the MAD decoder, although that hasn’t been updated in some years and exists only as a Beta.

Next I will cover options for the more important of the decoders available. Select the appropriate Plug-in and skip to the appropriate section and press the Configure button.


General Preferences

Load Winamp’s Preferences menu and select the General Preferences tab.
http://i41.tinypic.com/25smuqp.jpg

Language. In the event you require non-English language support for Winamp, additional language packs can be downloaded here. Use the drop-down menu to switch between languages as appropriate.

Internet Connection Settings. Configure the three available Internet connection options as appropriate for your connection.

Show splash screen. Ticking this option enables the display of the Winamp logo when launching Winamp.

http://i43.tinypic.com/j77z0g.gif


There’s no point to this beyond increasing the time it takes to load Winamp. Leave it Unticked for fastest start-up time.

Allow multiple instances. Ticking this option allows you to load more than one instance of Winamp. An example of where this could be useful would be if you wished to play a video file and audio file simultaneously. A single instance of Winamp could perform one of these actions, not both. Unticking this option limits you to a single instance of Winamp, which should be sufficient for most users.

Check for new versions of Winamp at start-up. Ticking this option allows Winamp to check for updated versions of itself. If you don’t require such notifications then Untick this instead.

Allow Winamp to report anonymous usage statistics. Ticking this option enables Winamp to upload certain application use statistics, which may or may not be of use for future Winamp development. Considering the scaling back of the Winamp team of late that’s not very likely, just leave it Unticked.

Recycle permanently deleted files. Ticking this option specifies that when using the Physically remove select item(s) option, selected files should be sent to the Windows Recycle Bin. When Unticked selected files will be permanently deleted immediately. As such it would generally be preferable to leave this option Ticked in case you make an error during selecting files to be removed; in which case you can retrieve them from the Recycle Bin.

Show Winamp in. This feature allows you to specify where the Winamp program button is displayed, two options being available:

Taskbar. Ticking this option specifies that a Winamp button is displayed on the taskbar (this is the bar that contains the Start menu link). Unticking this option disables this.

System tray. Ticking this option specifies that a Winamp icon is displayed in the System Tray (This is the area beside the system clock). This provides a smaller icon and requires less space than the Taskbar button. Untick this option to disable this.

The image beneath illustrates both options in effect. Note – With both options Ticked the Taskbar button disappears in the event Winamp is minimized (and re-appears when Winamp is restored).

http://i43.tinypic.com/29yfcpc.jpg

croll title in the Windows taskbar. When Winamp’s taskbar button is visible (see above), Ticking this option allows the current track’s title to scroll across the taskbar button. This is of questionable usefulness and somewhat irritating, so I’d recommend disabling (Unticking) this option.

Disable always… are focused. When Ticked this disables Winamp’s Always On Top feature whenever other full screen applications are selected (recommended).

Priority class. This slider determines the thread priority level for Winamp, and it’s recommended to leave this set to default unless experiencing choppy playback, in which case try increasing the priority level. You might find it useful to lower the priority level if you have more critical processes running (though only if faultless playback is maintained).



File Types

Now select the File Types tab.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2qrzqy9.gif

Associated file types. From this list select the file formats you wish Winamp to be the default application for. File types listed will vary depending on plug-ins installed, e.g. no video formats will be listed if no video plug-ins are installed. For convenience you may find it easier to use the Set selection buttons to select/deselect associations.

Restore file associations at Winamp start-up. Ticking this option allows Winamp to re-associate itself with selected formats upon restarting. This is useful if you want to ensure no other application becomes the default media player for specific formats, although be sure to unselect any formats you wish to allow another application to become the default player for. Untick this option should you not require this functionality.

File icon and Playlist icon. Adjust both available sliders to change associated file or playlist icons as you feel appropriate.

Launch Winamp for audio CDs. Ticking this option associates Winamp with Audio CDs, allowing Winamp to be launched automatically when Audio CDs are inserted (assuming Auto play is enabled). If you don’t have the Audio CD plug-in installed or merely don’t wish Winamp to be the default CD player Untick this option.

Enqueue files on double click in Windows Explorer. When Ticked, double clicking a track associated with Winamp for playback will add it to the current playlist. Unticking this option sets that the track is played immediately, clearing the current playlist.

Show Winamp in folder context menus in Windows Explorer. When Ticked (recommended) this adds Winamp related option to the context menu when right clicking on associated files, e.g. right clicking on a MP3 should result in a menu similar to the image beneath displaying.

http://i44.tinypic.com/32zmcrr.gif
Unticking this option disables such context menu items for associated file types.

Enable Winamp agent. Tick this option to enable the Winamp Agent, an application of possible use for some, providing features such as automatically re-registered associated file types. This is intended to always run in the background and starts at system start-up. Untick this option should you not require automatic file re-association or other features offered.

Show system tray icon. Ticking this option enables the display of an icon in the System Tray for the Winamp Agent, as indicated beneath.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2v277th.gif

If you don’t require this Untick it.


Shibatch mpg123

Now select the Decoder tab.


http://i39.tinypic.com/2rmmqdk.jpg


Enable. Tick this option to enable use of the Shibatch mpg123 decoder. This provides several useful features over Nullsoft’s decoder. Should you wish temporarily to use a different MPEG decoder, Untick this option.

Thread priority. This drop-down menu determines the thread priority level for the Shibatch mpg123 decoder, and it’s recommended to leave this set to default unless experiencing choppy playback, in which case try increasing the priority level. You might find it useful to lower the priority level if you have more critical processes running (Though only if faultless playback is maintained).

Output format. The drop-down menu here specifies the output bit depth used during playback. Generally speaking this limits us to 16bit and 24bit options, which will be determined by the Audio device being used. Higher bit depths allow for a greater Dynamic Range (The difference between the quietest and loudest signal), as indicated beneath.

Bit Depth Dynamic Range
16bits 96dB
24bits 144dB
32bits 192dB
64bits 384dB

This allows for greater precision and more headroom when processing a track. For example, MP3s are not encoded with a specific bit-depth. For 24-Bit Soundcards (e.g. Audigy 2 ZS, Revolution 7.1) 24bits is recommended as the preferred mode to select.

Users of 16-Bit Soundcards (e.g. Audigy 1, nForce APU) should select 16bits.

Full buffering. Ticking this option sets that tracks are fully buffered in order to avoid playback hitches. If you’re playing tracks solely from your hard drive it should be fine disabled.

Suppress zero samples at the beginning. Ticking this option allows you to remove the silence at the beginning of tracks. This is a matter of personal taste, although in many cases the silence at the beginning of tracks is intended to be there. Untick this option if you wish to experience the track(s) as encoded.

Reverse L/R. Tick this option to reverse left and right audio channels. This is useful for troubleshooting purposes, e.g. incorrectly wired speakers. If you’ve no such issues then leave this option Unticked.

Invert polarity. Polarity problems can result in audio quality issues, as discussed here. If you find yourself affected by this Ticking this option may help fix the problem, otherwise leave this option Unticked.

Alternate volume setting method. Ticking this option specifies that Winamp’s volume control operates independent to the Windows/Soundcards Mixer – allowing you to adjust volume at will without having any effect on other applications, although this may introduce performance/latency weirdness on some systems. Untick this option to allow Winamp’s volume slider to control the Windows Volume level.

Display average bitrate. Ticking this option enables the display of the overall average kbps of VBR (Variable Bit Rate) encoded MP1/2/3s playing in Winamp’s Main Window, while Unticking this option enables the kbps display to be updated to reflect the actual kbps during playback of VBR encoded MP1/2/3s, e.g. the images beneath indicate the kbps at during playback of a VBR encoded MP3.

Average
http://i40.tinypic.com/14l4tac.gif

Actual
http://i40.tinypic.com/25ic4ug.gif

Now select the Replay gain tab.
http://i40.tinypic.com/1255h7r.gif


Enable. Detailed information on Replaygain can be found here, but basically it allows for a gain adjustment to be stored in a track, the point being to reduce the need to adjust the volume level during music playback due to varying loudness levels in different tracks/albums. Some of the benefits to using Replaygain are that the Replaygain information doesn’t actually alter the track itself, unlike, say, normalizing a track while encoding – Replaygain info can be removed/changed as needed (Similar to ID3 tags). Additionally, this also tends to resolve clipping issues with many tracks. Ticking this option allows the use of Replaygain info stored in tracks as described above (recommended). Two modes are available as regards the application of Replaygain during playback.

Track gain. This selects the track gain adjustment which is recommended for maintaining a constant volume level between tracks, regardless of any intended loudness variation between tracks. This may function best when playing tracks from a variety of albums.

Album gain. This selects the album gain adjustment which is recommended to maintain the intended loudness variation between tracks, particularly if playing from a single album.

Unticking this option disables applying ReplayGain adjustments in tracks. This isn’t particularly recommended as it can exaggerate volume differences between tracks and increases the chances of clipping.

Files with replay gain info. A preamp is used to boost/reduce signal strength before being sent to an amplifier. As previously discussed ReplayGain scanned tracks will (or likely are) set to a level whereby clipping issued have been resolved/minimized. As such it would be counterproductive to apply a signal boost to such tracks and you’d be best served leaving this set to 0.0dB or if you must, a negative value.

Files without replay gain info. This functions as per the previous option, albeit applies to tracks which have not been ReplayGain scanned. Given most ReplayGain adjustments will be of a negative value, you should similarly give this a negative value for a more consistent volume level when playing a mix of ReplayGain scanned and unscanned tracks (and of course as it may reduce clipping issues in those tracks). Personally I’ve set this to -6.0dB, for a more accurate value, try calculate the average Replaygain adjustment of your collection and use that.

Hard limiter. Ticking this option applies a 6dB limit to audio playback, which eliminates clipping from occurring although can cause noticeable distortion when active (though not as bad as clipping). Again, bear in mind that ReplayGain scanned tracks should have clipping issues resolved in the first place.

for more information
Winamp Media Player - MP3, Multimedia, and Music Player (http://www.winamp.com/)
And many thanks to Thomas McGuire
Winamp Tweak Guide - TechSpot (http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/winamp/)

ENJOY IT AND GREATLY APPRECIATED :top:

system28
29.05.09, 15:49
Here you can download Shibatch mpg123


WINAMP5? Shibatch mpg123????? ??????? - ??????MIDI/Audio??? (http://otachan.com/in_!mpg123.html#DOWNLOAD)

yoco
07.08.10, 19:52
Can someone tell me what's the best plugin for Winamp lyrics?

Vuze-Sbi
07.08.10, 20:12
Lyrics Plugin - Winamp (http://www.winamp.com/plugin/lyrics-plugin/148097) I've been using this for years ,very fast and tiny,you can edit easily.

yoco
07.08.10, 21:27
What about this one?
Lyrics Plugin (http://www.lyricsplugin.com/)

Vuze-Sbi
07.08.10, 21:44
It's same,i just gave you official accepted plug-in link from winamp's site.You can download from both places.

yoco
07.08.10, 21:49
Cool! One more thing, how do I uninstall it? I installed both versions at once and now I get this strange bug under "View" option. I have instead of one "lyrics" toons of them!

system28
07.08.10, 21:50
A great plugin:


Put simply, Ozone makes music sound better. As a plug-in, it adds warmth, bass, sparkle and an overall desirable sound to your MP3s. Unlike other "enhancers", it does so by modeling the analog characteristics of vintage audio equipment such as tube amplifiers and valve equalizers. So instead of sounding harsh and hollow, your music sounds deep and full.

The main benefit comes from the internal signal processing in Ozone that makes your music sound great. But Ozone goes far beyond other "enhancers" by giving you the power and control to completely customize the sound.

iZotope, Inc - Audio Processing Technology and Plug-Ins for Pro Tools, VST, MAS, Audio Unit, and DirectX (http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/media/ozone.html)

Vuze-Sbi
07.08.10, 22:42
@yoco

options-->preferences->plug-ins-->general purpose
then you can see all of your plug-ins, you can uninstall whatever you want.

yoco
08.08.10, 00:58
There's only one plugin for lyrics. It's "Lyrics Plugin (gen_lyrics.dll). But after I uninstall it and reinstall the bug is still there!

Vuze-Sbi
08.08.10, 01:15
Then you should uninstall winamp.

SBfreak
08.08.10, 14:53
Next time upload the images to your albums:dabs:

yoco
08.08.10, 17:56
SBfreak, is that meant to me?

anon
08.08.10, 19:13
I think it's rather aimed at Se7Ven.

SBfreak
08.08.10, 19:20
SBfreak, is that meant to me?

Did you post any tinypic uploaded images in this thread:lol: ?
No it was aimed for Se7Ven,not that he did something wrong:dabs: It's tinypic's fault.

dreamer
13.08.10, 15:07
Then you should uninstall winamp.

he doesn't have to uninstall Winamp, that's silly..
he should rather go to the plugins folder in Program Files\Winamp and there delete the extra dll that causes the bug.
winamp updates its plugins by the DLLs it founds in the plugins folder