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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
(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).
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 | more_info.
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For Creative SB Live & Audigy sound cards, try enabling CMSS 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 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 (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.
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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Alternative Output Plugins:
VL Sound 5.1 Winamp Plugin for Windows Vista/7
ATSurround Processor
Wave 5point1 Output plugin
KB 5 Channels Output plugin
Dynamic Surround | (home)
A3D Output Plugin (more info/tips)
Blade DolbyMP Encoder dsp
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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 }
{ Updated by DJ Egg - 22nd May 2002 & 22nd Dec 2003 & 11th Nov 2005 & 7th Oct 2006 & 2nd Apr 2007}
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