Multiple Speaker Output

[Sawg]

--

[DJ Egg]

Multiple Speaker Output with Winamp 5x

You need to use DirectSound Output:

Preferences (Ctrl-P) > Plug-ins > Output > Select "DirectSound Output"

That should work in most cases, but if not, then:

Checkmark: "Allow hardware acceleration" in DirectSound Output config,
and make sure your sound card/chip is selected as Output Device.

Note: Any changes will take effect only after playback is restarted.
In some cases, a Winamp restart is required.


If that doesn't work make sure you have the latest version of DirectX (http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/downloads/default.asp)
(v8.x or higher is required)


Winamp 5.25/5.3 and higher:
For actual multi-channel files (ie. aac/wav/ac3/ogg/wma files encoded in 5.1ch surround, as opposed to standard 2-channel stereo mp3's), you need to checkmark "Allow surround sound" in 'Winamp > Prefs > Playback' for the music to play in its original 5.1 channel format (Note: this setting is checkmarked by default).
vista

Windows Vista:
In addition to the above instructions, Vista users will also need to go to:
Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab > Speakers > Configure:
Select: 5.1/7.1 Surround.
Then:
Control Panel > Sound > Playback tab > Speakers > Properties > Enhancements tab
and checkmark "Speaker Fill" | screenshot (http://forums.winamp.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=2165759) | more_info (http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?postid=2177224#post2177224).

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For Creative SB Live & Audigy sound cards, try enabling CMSS (http://forums.winamp.com/search.php?query=CMSS&exactname=yes&forumchoice=-1&searchdate=-1$beforeafter=after&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending&action=simplesearch&Submit=Perform+Search) in the EAX Control Panel, and remember to move the Front/Rear slider down (eg. from 100% to 0%).

You will especially need to enable CMSS if you've enabled the "Allow 24bit" option in: Winamp > Prefs > Playback.

Note that some onboard sound chips or older soundcards do not support multiple speaker output in 24bit mode, so you may need to uncheck 'Allow 24bit' in Winamp Prefs.

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For AudioCD's

- Winamp 2.9x/5.x users:
Prefs -> Plugins -> Input -> CD/Linein plugin -> config:
Checkmark "enable digital audio extraction" (checked by default in 5.1x +)
(requires Winamp restart to take effect)

- Winamp 2.8x or earlier:
Get the CDReader (http://www.url******~copah/cdreader.htm) plugin.
Be sure to read the accompanying text file for instructions how to enable it.


For WMA (v5.02 and earlier, or v5.08e to v5.1x ONLY, not 5.2x and higher)

Use this (http://sawgweb.com/sawgstuff/winamp5/in_wm_old.zip) (extract to Winamp\Plugins dir)
As from Winamp 2.6x, Microsoft no longer allows the provided in_wm.dll to support any output plugins except for waveOut. The version we provide here is from Winamp 2.50.
For Winamp 2.9x and 5.x, alternatively, you can remove in_wm.dll
and add ;WMA to the DirectShow input plugin config
and let in_dshow.dll handle WMA instead | Further info (http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?postid=1232888#post1232888).

The in_wm.dll provided with Winamp 5.2x and higher supports DirectSound Output.

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FAQ

Q: Why does Windows Media Player support multi-speaker output by default?
A: Because WiMP uses DirectSound Output by default.

Q: Why do none of my players play in 5.1/7.1 surround?
A: Go into your soundcard's control panel and make sure 5.1/7.1 speakers are selected instead of stereo speakers. Make sure Windows is also set up accordingly, eg.
Sounds and Audio Devices Control Panel > Volume tab > Speaker Settings > Advanced

Q: Why doesn't the center channel work for mp3's?
A: Because mp3 is a stereo format (ie. 2 channels)

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plugins

Alternative Output Plugins:
VL Sound 5.1 Winamp Plugin for Windows Vista/7 (http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?postid=2618460#post2618460)
ATSurround Processor (http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/147013)
Wave 5point1 Output plugin (http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=122003)
KB 5 Channels Output plugin (http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=129453)
Dynamic Surround (http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=97895) | (home (http://www.enon******plugin/))
A3D Output Plugin (http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=63231) (more info/tips (http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121625))
Blade DolbyMP Encoder dsp (http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details.php?id=96751)


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keywords: multiple speaker output | surround sound | multi channel | 4.1 | 5.1 | 7.1 speakers

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{ Updated by Rocker - 16th Jan 2003 }<br>{ Updated by DJ Egg - 22nd May 2002 & 22nd Dec 2003 & 11th Nov 2005 & 7th Oct 2006 & 2nd Apr 2007}