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...the name of the filter used to non-destructively convert a stereo digital audio signal to mono? What I mean by "non-destructively" is not to mean to be able to convert it back to the original stereo signal but a conversion to mono that prevents the typical signal attenuation you get when you just use a simple mean(average) algorithm ((L+R)/2).
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^ uh..no.....
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Do it physically. (wait a sec, perhaps I should have reworded that...)
Just get your left and right wires, and twist together your two positives, and twist together your two negatives, then connect to your speaker or recording input or whatever you're using.
Instant mono. Cheap. Effective. Lossless.Don't forget to live before you die.
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Sorry:Originally Posted by swingdjted View Post- Does the same thing as (L+R)/2 and still causes signal attenuation.
- Won't work as I need to put it in a Winamp plugin (kinda hard to take apart everybody's computer around the world and split/splice the "wires" in their soundcards.
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It would be interesting to travel the world with some wire splicing tools.
I guess I don't know what is meant by "signal attenuation".Don't forget to live before you die.
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Isn't that signal attenuation needed to prevent [further] clipping/distortion from happening?
Also, Winamp has an option built in in the main playback options page to "Force mono". I just turned it on for a check, don't hear any noticeable volume loss happening.Comment
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I tried it too after reading the above post.
Funny thing happened.
Although like you, I didn't notice any volume loss (or quality loss for that matter), and I also noticed that it's still playing in stereo! Songs with obvious left-only or right-only sound are still playing that way!
For example, I played Lenny Kravitz's song "American Woman". This song keeps a guitar solo on right channel only beginning at about one minute and 33 seconds in. Left channel has only a faint hint of the solo going on, whereas right channel has the solo loud and clear as if the performer is right next to you on the right.
The above description of sound remains consistent whether you have "force mono" checked or not, even if you close the preferences window after making your selection. In other words, checking that box seems (to me at least) to do nothing but leave the sound as-is.
It is my observation that the option simply doesn't work at all and is more or less a placebo.
That's pretty funny if you ask me.
I'm curious to know what else doesn't work!Don't forget to live before you die.
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Funny, "force mono" works for me...and I listen in headphones/earplugs mostly.
Just turned it on, played T.N.T. from AC/DC Live...hearing Mal's guitar in middle. Turn it back off, Mal's guitar in left, voice, bass, drums middle, Angus right....just as on the CD.Comment
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Adding to my previous comment, upgraded from 5.66 to 5.666 (3516, the link provided on this forum) and did the plugin upgrades and such. "Force Mono" doesn't work anymore...weird.
EDIT: Okay, kinda works. It works on mp3, but not WAV.Comment
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I never thought to check the file type. The example I used was a wma file. I don't have many of those, most of the collection is flac or other lossless format. I put in another version of the same song (the old Guess Who 1970 version), which is mp3 format on my computer, and "force mono" still doesn't work. On this version of the song, the drums are on left, guitar on right, and bass and vocal both sides, whether you use "force mono" or not.Don't forget to live before you die.
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I suppose bringing this odd behavior to the attention of the devs would be good, just to have it on their radar and things to be making better. I know mono isn't a big deal for most people (unless they are diehard Beatles fans), but for some people who are either deaf in one ear or are using Winamp to play music through a mono setup (PA system, custom house sound setup, etc) are able to benefit strongly from it.Comment
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