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This guide provides an overview of how to configure audio playback in JRiver Media Center. Please follow the steps below in order.
==Configuring Audio Playback in Media Center==


== OS Sound Support ==
This guide provides a high-level overview of how to best configure audio playback in Media Center. Follow the steps below in the order they are listed.


Begin by verifying that your Operating System recognizes your sound device. If the OS cannot use the device, then Media Center will not be able to use it either.


<gallery widths=360px heights=300px>
==Windows==
File:Control_panel_sounds.jpg
File:OSX-SysPref-Sound-Output.png
</gallery>


=== Windows ===
Start by making sure Windows recognizes your sound card. Always start with this step. If Windows can not use the device, no amount of futzing with Media Center will make things work.


To open the Windows Sound Control Panel:
Play test tones with Control Panel > Sound and ensure that you can hear them. This ensures that your device, speakers, volume, etc. are working.
* Hit Start and type <tt>Sound</tt>. Choose the Sound Control Panel from the list.
* ''Or'' open the Desktop's <span style="color:#007A62">Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound</span>.


Remember the name of the sound card you are using so that you can select it in Media Center.
Then on the ''Playback'' tab, select your audio device from the list, and hit the '''Properties''' button. On the ''Advanced'' tab of the Properties dialog, play the test tones and ensure that you can hear them. Remember the name of the sound device you use so that you can select it in Media Center.


If you aren't able to get sound in Windows, you will need to solve that problem before you continue. [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/no-sound-help Microsoft has a Troubleshooting Guide] that may help you.


==Audio Output Mode==
=== OSX ===


In the OSX '''System Preferences''' app, open the '''Sound preference''' panel, and select your sound device on the ''Output'' tab. You can test the device by clicking on one of the alert sounds from the ''Sound Effects'' tab. Remember the name of the sound device you use so that you can select it in Media Center.
In Media Center > Options > Audio, select the best audio output mode for your hardware.


If you aren't able to get sound in OSX, you will need to solve that problem before you continue. If you are using a third-party sound device, you may need to obtain drivers from the device manufacturer before it will operate.
Read more about this here:
[[Audio Output Modes]]


== Audio Output Settings ==
Also, in Options > Audio > Output mode settings..., select the name of the device you selected in the 'Windows' step above.


In Media Center, select the sound device and Audio Output Mode via <span style="color:#8B4513">Tools > Options > Audio > Audio Device</span>. Under the drop-down menu button, you'll find each of your installed Audio Devices listed, with what MC detected as the best Audio Output Mode.


[[File:MC19-Options-Audio-Audio Device.png|thumb|none|600px|Choose your Audio Device and Output Mode here.]]
==Output Format==


Alternative configurations are available under the ''More'' menu. To learn how to choose the proper mode, refer to:
Open DSP Studio, and click on Output Format. Make sure it's enabled by placing a check mark in the box next to Output Format.
* [[Audio Output Modes]]

If you aren't sure what to use, try the ''Direct Sound'' version (on Windows) or the CoreAudio version (Mac OSX) first, and after you get that working well, you can explore other options.

=== Other Audio Options ===

There are a number of other Audio Options available, which are described in other sections of this Wiki. '''For now, it is best to leave these options at the defaults, and only change options as is required.''' Get audio playback working first, and then you can tweak it for optimal quality or to enable advanced features.

== Output Format ==

Open [[DSP Studio]], and click on Output Format. Make sure it's enabled by checking the box next to '''Output Format'''.

[[File:MC19-DSP-Output Format.png|thumb|none|700px]]


Then, select these settings:
Then, select these settings:


=== Output Encoding ===
'''Sample rate'''


For most users, this should be set to ''None''. If you have an external DAC that will do further processing, and which ''requires'' a specific input type, you can enable formatting options here for compatibility with your specific device.
You only need to configure this if you play sample rates that are not supported by your hardware. For now, leave it on no resampling.


:'''''Note''''': If set to something other than ''None'', this will re-encode '''all''' audio output by Media Center to the format selected. If you are trying to pass specific audio formats through directly to an external DAC, this is not the correct setting. That setting is called Bitstreaming and is set in <span style="color:#8B4513">Tools > Options > Audio > Settings</span>.
'''Channels'''


=== Sample rate ===
Set the channels selection to the number of outputs you are using from your computer. This is usually the same as the number of speakers you have attached. So for a 5.1 setup, select 5.1. For headphones, pick 2 channels. For desk speakers, pick 2 or 4 channels.


'''You only need to configure this if you play sample rates that are not supported by your hardware.''' For now, leave it set to defaults.
Leave mixing set to JRSS v2.0 for the best quality output.


=== Channels ===
'''Bitdepth'''


Set the '''Channels''' selection to the ''number of outputs you are using from your computer''. This is usually the same as the number of speakers you have attached. So for a 5.1 setup, select 5.1. For headphones, select 2 channels. For desk speakers, pick 2 or 4 channels.
Select the highest bitdepth your hardware supports (usually 24-bit)


Leave mixing set to JRSS v2.0 for the best quality output.
'''Subwoofer'''


=== Bitdepth ===
Leave default settings


In older versions of Media Center, you'd set the Bitdepth setting explicitly here. Modern versions of Media Center set this automatically. If you are still using a version of Media Center that provides this option in the DSP Studio, select the same format you used above in the OS setup (which should typically be the highest bitdepth your device supports). Learn more about [[Audio Bitdepth]].


==Test==
=== Subwoofer ===


Leave default settings for now.
At this point, you should be able to play audio with Media Center. Start with simple tests like an MP3, APE, FLAC, or WAV played off of a local hard drive.


== Test ==
If this works, move on to more complex playback like Library Server Client, DLNA, Internet radio, etc.


At this point, you should be able to play audio with Media Center. Start with simple tests like an MP3, APE, FLAC, or WAV played from a local hard drive.

If this works, move on to more complex playback like Library Server Client, DLNA, Internet radio, etc.


== Troubleshooting ==
==Room Correction==


If your test fails, but you are able to play the test sounds via the Windows Sound Control Panel or OSX Sound System Preferences panel (referenced above), refer to the [[Audio Troubleshooting Guide]] for further assistance. You can also ask for help on our [http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/ Interact forum].
Once everything is working, you can use Room Correction to improve the sound.


== Refining Audio Settings ==
Open DSP Studio, and click on Room Correction. Make sure it's enabled by placing a check mark in the box next to Room Correction.


Once everything is working, you can use the [[DSP Studio]] to improve and enhance your sound. Among other options, you can add:
Then, set the speaker distances for all the speakers you use.
* [[Room Correction]]
* EQ via an advanced [[Parametric Equalizer]]
* Enable [[Adaptive Volume]] and [[Volume Leveling]]
* Add [[Convolution]] filters to dial in your sound system with precision.
* and much more!


There are also a variety of [[Audio Playback Options]] under <span style="color:#8B4513">Tools > Options > Audio</span> which can be used to adjust things like:
Next, play something that uses all the speakers.
* Crossfade and Seeking behavior
* [[Volume]] mode and options
* [[Bitstreaming]]


==More==
While playing, go through each speaker and tick the 'Level' checkbox at the bottom of the Room Correction page. Adjust the volume sliders until the level tones played by all speakers are the same volume. A decibel meter is best for this stage, but there are also apps that can use the microphone in your phone. You can also calibrate by ear and get passable results if you do not have a measurement device.


* [[Audio Troubleshooting Guide]]
Finally, if you would like low frequencies to be routed to your subwoofer (bass management), configure the bass redirection portion of Room Correction for each speaker.
* [[Audio_Output_Modes|Audio Output Modes]]
* [[DAC_Settings|DAC Settings]]
* [[Audio Bitdepth]]
* [[Audiophile Info]]
* [[Mixing]]
* [[DSD]]




[[Category: Frequently Asked Questions]]
[[Category:Frequently Asked Questions]]
[[Category:Audio]]
[[Category:Setup]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:DSD]]

Latest revision as of 13:42, 20 September 2021

This guide provides an overview of how to configure audio playback in JRiver Media Center. Please follow the steps below in order.

OS Sound Support

Begin by verifying that your Operating System recognizes your sound device. If the OS cannot use the device, then Media Center will not be able to use it either.

Windows

To open the Windows Sound Control Panel:

  • Hit Start and type Sound. Choose the Sound Control Panel from the list.
  • Or open the Desktop's Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound.

Then on the Playback tab, select your audio device from the list, and hit the Properties button. On the Advanced tab of the Properties dialog, play the test tones and ensure that you can hear them. Remember the name of the sound device you use so that you can select it in Media Center.

If you aren't able to get sound in Windows, you will need to solve that problem before you continue. Microsoft has a Troubleshooting Guide that may help you.

OSX

In the OSX System Preferences app, open the Sound preference panel, and select your sound device on the Output tab. You can test the device by clicking on one of the alert sounds from the Sound Effects tab. Remember the name of the sound device you use so that you can select it in Media Center.

If you aren't able to get sound in OSX, you will need to solve that problem before you continue. If you are using a third-party sound device, you may need to obtain drivers from the device manufacturer before it will operate.

Audio Output Settings

In Media Center, select the sound device and Audio Output Mode via Tools > Options > Audio > Audio Device. Under the drop-down menu button, you'll find each of your installed Audio Devices listed, with what MC detected as the best Audio Output Mode.

Choose your Audio Device and Output Mode here.

Alternative configurations are available under the More menu. To learn how to choose the proper mode, refer to:

If you aren't sure what to use, try the Direct Sound version (on Windows) or the CoreAudio version (Mac OSX) first, and after you get that working well, you can explore other options.

Other Audio Options

There are a number of other Audio Options available, which are described in other sections of this Wiki. For now, it is best to leave these options at the defaults, and only change options as is required. Get audio playback working first, and then you can tweak it for optimal quality or to enable advanced features.

Output Format

Open DSP Studio, and click on Output Format. Make sure it's enabled by checking the box next to Output Format.

MC19-DSP-Output Format.png

Then, select these settings:

Output Encoding

For most users, this should be set to None. If you have an external DAC that will do further processing, and which requires a specific input type, you can enable formatting options here for compatibility with your specific device.

Note: If set to something other than None, this will re-encode all audio output by Media Center to the format selected. If you are trying to pass specific audio formats through directly to an external DAC, this is not the correct setting. That setting is called Bitstreaming and is set in Tools > Options > Audio > Settings.

Sample rate

You only need to configure this if you play sample rates that are not supported by your hardware. For now, leave it set to defaults.

Channels

Set the Channels selection to the number of outputs you are using from your computer. This is usually the same as the number of speakers you have attached. So for a 5.1 setup, select 5.1. For headphones, select 2 channels. For desk speakers, pick 2 or 4 channels.

Leave mixing set to JRSS v2.0 for the best quality output.

Bitdepth

In older versions of Media Center, you'd set the Bitdepth setting explicitly here. Modern versions of Media Center set this automatically. If you are still using a version of Media Center that provides this option in the DSP Studio, select the same format you used above in the OS setup (which should typically be the highest bitdepth your device supports). Learn more about Audio Bitdepth.

Subwoofer

Leave default settings for now.

Test

At this point, you should be able to play audio with Media Center. Start with simple tests like an MP3, APE, FLAC, or WAV played from a local hard drive.

If this works, move on to more complex playback like Library Server Client, DLNA, Internet radio, etc.

Troubleshooting

If your test fails, but you are able to play the test sounds via the Windows Sound Control Panel or OSX Sound System Preferences panel (referenced above), refer to the Audio Troubleshooting Guide for further assistance. You can also ask for help on our Interact forum.

Refining Audio Settings

Once everything is working, you can use the DSP Studio to improve and enhance your sound. Among other options, you can add:

There are also a variety of Audio Playback Options under Tools > Options > Audio which can be used to adjust things like:

More