Config drawer

[JonnyMac]

1.) Yes. If one song is quiet and another is loud, a normalizer will level out or "cushion" the changes in volume.

2.) Winamp plug-ins are add-ons that extend the features and functionality of Winamp. When you install a plug-in, a file (or files) is installed to the plug-ins directory. The plug-ins work/integrate with Winamp when Winamp is running. So, for short answer to the question – Yes.

Some normalizer plug-ins are DSP/Effect plug-ins. Configuration/options for DSP/Effect plug-ins can be can be found in Winamp by Ctrl+P (for preferences) > Plug-ins > DSP/Effect > select the plug-in from the plane/box in the right and click the 'Configure' button for options

Some normalizer plug-ins are Output plug-ins. Configuration/options for Output plug-ins can be can be found in Winamp by Ctrl+P (for preferences) > Plug-ins > Output > select the plug-in from the plane/box in the right and click the 'Configure' button for options

As a general "rule" for Output or DSP/Effect plug-ins the highlighted (or selected) plug-in is the current/active plug-in.

[Edit 01:06GMT > JonnyMac]
Note: Something I forgot to mention, MP3Gain (from one of the threads) is a program separate from Winamp.
[/edit]

3.)

Originally posted by bodger99
that I did get from P2P.Thanks

The files with flat vocals may be sabotaged files put there by the RIAA & record companies.

[bodger99]

Thanks for the help guys - much appreciated.

JonnyMac: Some of the stuff was really useful.

1] A'normalizer'is an expression I've never come across before, (told you I was a technical illiterate!), but presumably it makes sure that all the music is played at the same volume levels?

2] If I download one of the plugins that you linked to, will it autmatically incorporate into Winamp?

Siebe83: yes, the problems are to do with the quality of some favourite old rock, (mainly obscure!), that I did get from P2P. Thanks for the tip about redownload. I'll try that when I've got time.

3] Is the 'flat' sound anything to do with the quality (ie Kbps) of the recording?

Thanks

[siebe83]

Re: Config drawer

Originally posted by bodger99
A final question:
3] The vocals on some of the tracks that I've downloaded, aren't as prominent as they should be - ie, they're sort of in the background almost and the backing track is 'upfront'. Why?

The file you downloaded is probably of bad quality. Did you download it from a paid service, or from peer-to-peer program?
If the first, contact them. If the latter, you're out of luck. Try re-downloading, or buy the CD yourself

If the file plays fine in other Media Players, you should probably try fiddling with the Equalizer settings again. Maybe you almost filtered out the vocals...

[JonnyMac]

Winamp Modern Skin
CONFIG Drawer Options
(Go to Bento skin settings options)
\Equalizer/\Options/\Color Themes/

• Equalizer Q&A Guide (from TSGH)
• Balance Slider - Shift sound between the left and right speakers.
• Cross-fade Controls - The cross-fade buttons controls the 'on end of song' fade. First button toggles the end fade option. Second button sets length. For additional settings info, suggestions and/or fixes on cross-fading read here.

  Note: Balance and cross-fade are not included with EQ presets. Although the Modern Default skin has the balance & cross-fade controls in the EQ tab/window they are not a function of the equalizer.

\Equalizer/\Options/\Color Themes/

• Drawers - Controls how the Config and Video/Vis drawers behave

• 'Animate' - Gives the drawers a sliding animation when opened or closed.
• 'Open Video/Vis from the...' - Controls how the Video/Vis drawer opens or closes Top=Title/Menu bar moves | Bottom = Main/Player section moves.
• 'Bypass setting to keep in screen' - If you have the player/main window docked at the top or bottom of the screen, this setting will prevent the drawers from forcing Winamp off screen.
• Menus - Toggle menubars in the Main/Player, Playlist Editor and Media Library windows
• Winshade - Controls whither change in window position and/or width will correspondingly effect WindowShade (AKA stick, toolbar) mode and "normal" mode. Option does not pertain to docked toolbar mode.
• Vis Button - Controls behavior of the shortcut button in the visualization window/drawer. Choose between a context (pop-up) menu or a configuration screen.
• Notifications - Controls the song info bubble at the lower right of the screen. Click on the more -> button for display length and display fade times settings.
• Songticker - Controls title crawl in main/player window. Also affects main/player in WindowShade/toolbar mode. Setting is pertinent to the Winamp Modern Default skin.

• Disable Songticker Scrolling = no crawl/scroll
• Modern Songticker Scrolling = side to side crawl/scroll
• Classic Songticker Scrolling = right to left crawl/scroll
• Misc - Control whither the Vis or Video window is detached from the main/player skin and toggles the beat visualization. (The main/player window must be wide enough to view the best vis | )

\Equalizer/\Options/\Color Themes/

• Choose from a wide selection of color themes for the skin.
  
  Cool Tips: You can add over 290 additional color themes for the Winamp Modern skin. Download the attachment from gaekwad2's post (or this direct download), unzip it and run the installer. From the "Official Winamp 5.0 Modern Skin Colour Themes Thread". Also, try your hand at making your own color themes with the Color Editor (FAQ) for modern skins.

NOTE: Many of the same options/settings described above are also available via...

menu-bar > Options > Winamp Modern
-or-
main or right-click menu > Options > Winamp Modern
-or-
Ctrl+P (for Preferences) > Skins > Modern Skins > Current Skin tab > Skin Options Menu button

_______________________________________________________________
Bento or Big Bento Modern Skin
Skin Settings Options
Via the Multi Content View panel
(Go to Winamp Modern Skin Config Drawer Options)
Appearance

• Show Main Window Menu - toggle the menu bar at the top of the skin
• Show Visualizer Reflection - toggle a reflection effect for the "built in" vis similar to a tree-line or skyline reflection on water
• Show Timer Reflection - toggle a reflection effect for the timer (playback clock) similar to a tree-line or skyline reflection on water for the timer (playback clock)
• Enable Beat Visualization - Toggle the Beat vis
• Switch to Size Bento Layout - Switch between the normal/small and big Bento skins without having to bring up the skin menu or browser
• Show Artist-Information Buttons - toggle artist info buttons in the multi-content panel and WindowShade mode
• Show Playlist Tab - allows you to view the playlist editor (pledit) in the right hand side or as a tab in the bottom panel

Songticker

• Disable Songticker Scrolling = no crawl/scroll
• Modern Songticker Scrolling = side to side crawl/scroll
• Classic Songticker Scrolling = right to left crawl/scroll

Window Sizing

• Autoresize Winamp if Maximized - Automatically resize Winamp (Maximized mode) after changing screen resolution
• Prevent Video to resize Winamp - Prevent a video from changing Winamp's size.
• Link Shade and Player Width - Controls whither change in window width will correspondingly effect WindowShade (AKA stick, toolbar) mode and "normal" mode. Option does not pertain to docked toolbar mode.
• Titlebar Doubleclick Action - Control whither double clicking on the titlebar enables Maximize view or WindowShade

Notifier

• Settings for the info bubble. When to show, Location (screen corners) , Fade in/out times and how long to display and animation style

Visualization

• Designate were the selected Visualization (AVS or MilkDrop) will display when enable via Winamp's main menu, options menu or shortcut keys.

Playlist

• Enlarge Playlist - Expands the playlist to the bottom of the skin
• Show Album Art if Enlarged - Splits the playlist to show album art at the bottom

Color Themes

• Choose from a wide selection of color themes for Bento
  
  Cool Tip: You can additional color themes for the Bento skins. Go to the Official Winamp Bento color themes thread to download additional color themes. The download in the first post is periodically updated. Also, try your hand at making your own color themes with the Color Editor (FAQ) for modern skins.

NOTE: Many of the same options/settings described above are also available via...

menu-bar > Options
-or-
main or right click menu > Options
-or-
Ctrl+P (for Preferences) > Skins > Modern Skins > Current Skin tab > Skin Options Menu button

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[bodger99]

I'm afraid that I'm not into the technical aspects of music - I'm just a listener! I've adjusted the graphic equaliser to suit my listening tastes I think, although I can't honestly say that I really notice the effect of altering one channel versus another next to it.

1] Is there anywhere in this Forum or, alternatively, in the online help, that deals SPECIFICALLY with the 'Config' settings?

2] Does anyone know of any good Web tutorials that might fill me in on some of this lack of knowledge?

A final question:
3] The vocals on some of the tracks that I've downloaded, aren't as prominent as they should be - ie, they're sort of in the background almost and the backing track is 'upfront'. Why?

Bodger