Topic by skip

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Topic: Audio fidelity problem in Windows 7 - mainly for web content.

I've encountered a problem with my Windows 7 netbook, and it's looking more and more like a general problem with Windows 7. It mainly affects web content, such as YouTube. Yes, it affects the demos on this site too. (the ones that play on the page itself)  The Windows Media Player, and iTunes, are both ok. It does not appear to affect Pianoteq itself, regardless of whether I select ASIO or DirectSound. (the problem seems to be with the "WaveOut" API, of which I know nothing) 

The problem itself is a faint ringing artifact, and it seems to be most noticable for low frequency, mellow tones.

The problem occurs when the sample rate of the audio content differs to that of the audio interface. Most web content is probably 44.1kHz, however the default sample rate on my netbook is 48kHz.

I have reported the problem on the Windows Pro Audio Developers forum:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums...e51de9c3ae and in various other places as well.

No confirmation that this is a bug yet.

So, for critical listening to web content, I think it's best to ensure that the audio interface is set to a sample rate of 44.1kHz.

It may affect Vista too.

I can't find any problems with Windows XP at all. 

Greg.

Reply by skip

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Re: Audio fidelity problem in Windows 7 - mainly for web content.

Just picking a demo out at random, the ringing artifact is reasonably pronounced on the La Campanella demo. (Listen | Listen By Instrument, scroll down)   I hear it straight away, however it's a bit more noticable at about 24s in, when that low note is played. 
When I set the audio interface to 44.1kHz, it sounds fine.

Greg.

Reply by Beemer

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Re: Audio fidelity problem in Windows 7 - mainly for web content.

To me your system is having to carry out an unnecessary 41.1kHz to 48kHz conversion.  Alternatively your netbook sound drivers are not set to let Pianoteq claim the 41.1kHz frequency.

Are you able to change the netbook's default frequency to 41.1kHz

Ian

Last edited by Beemer (23-01-2014 09:01)

Reply by skip

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Re: Audio fidelity problem in Windows 7 - mainly for web content.

Wow - what a thread bump.

Microsoft confirmed that it is/was a bug, and released a hotfix, which fixed the problem. I'm on Windows 8 now and haven't noticed this problem.  Not sure whether they rolled the hotfix into a subsequent Windows 7 update or not.

Yes, it occurred due to a sample rate conversion, but it is impossible to always have our hardware sample rate set to the same sample rate as the source material. I agree with you that we should strive to do that when possible though.

The hotfix: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2653312

Greg.