Windows 8 Audio Suggestions

[KILROY]

I'm an audio buff since back in the late 80's running Thunder On Wheels Competitions with a bunch of friends sponsored by Rockford Fosgate with our vehicles. The song during that time to use was Flashdance by Irene Cara. The first few seconds of the track had a bass tone that was one of the hardest hitting to use for competition. During that time I did a bunch of modified sound tracks and creating my own on my keyboard and mixing board with my Windows XP Pro setup, I was able to create my own track tones for SPL Competitions. People liked the digital tones so much they asked me to create copies for them to use for the competitions. I started messing around a bit and started creating digital music also. Kind of like Axel F, Daft Punk, and a couple of local Texas bands. ***The Hunger in Houston, TX http://www.thehungeronline.com and Boxcar Satan in San Antonio, TX http://boxcarsatan.com It's been awhile since I've done this, but started playing around with it again.

***They've changed a bit since I helped them out back in the late 80's, early 90's. They've gone a lot more hard core now, but if you check out their Leave Me Alone, Shoot To Kill, and Grip Album, you'll get a better feel for the type of music I used to work with.

Here's their Facebook site that has their albums listed, but only an intro to the songs, but it will give you an ideal of the sounds I worked with. If you click on the album and scroll down, you can click on the song to play the sample.

https://www.facebook.com/thehungeronlin ... e_internal

Here's a couple that are on You Tube, full versions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfvqCP5mVjQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk6o2nJtKCk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wMh-0HJ5WQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KwMIeVmPRc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi-DgooFdwc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LucFKnW9tc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXU5c2_MI34


I've noticed Windows 8 does not have a graphic equalizer built into it so I can modify, enhance, particular frequencies and re-record them for play back. Any suggestions?

I already use AVS, but noticed they don't even have a graphic equalizer built into their programs. They have some great programs to use for Video, Audio, and Image use.

http://www.avs4you.com/index.aspx

Does anyone else use something different that they would recommend that I can try out?

[perrinoia]

Winamp?

[SGT ROCK]

I'm surprised you don't have a sound card with some tools...?

[perrinoia]

Yeah, both my win 8 comps have equalizers in their sound card driver app packages.

[KILROY]

I wish, and this thing came with Sound Blaster Cinema and Audio Boost with Dynaudio speakers, but I use an external amp with custom T-Line cabinets I built with Focal speakers in them, and a custom built subwoofer system.

Can't use Winamp. It's only good for play back. What I need is an Equalizer program that works on it's own that will coincide with any player I use to either play back or record on. I had one long ago, but forgot the name of it, and can't find anything online so far. It was with an older system which I don't have anymore. As for enhancing the low tones, I use an Audio Control Epicenter. If I can't find one, I guess I could use an external real EQ and hook it up via audio cables, but would be nice to find a digital program to use.

[perrinoia]

The software that came with my integrated sound cards (motherboard) always had eq.

I could select from presets, such as pop and jazz, or manually fiddle with the sliders to customize sound output.

I could also test surround sound with the same app by clicking on a cartoon picture of a media room, and the appropriate speakers would chime, making it sound like there was a chime in my room. I could also change the test sound from a chime to a bee and as I moved my mouse around, it sounded like a bee was buzzing around my room.

I don't recall what the app was called, but I remember downloading it from the motherboard manufacturers website.

Ps: my speakers were far from custom. Bought that shit at Wal-Mart.

[KILROY]

Man, that EQ sounds exactly what I'm looking for. BTW...Logitech makes a pretty decent sounding surround system for under $100, 70 watts RMS. I used to use it before the upgrade and gave it to a friend of mine for his use.

EDIT: New they run around $200-$300, but their is an the older version. X530 is the model. EBay has a used set for $52.99 with Shipping and Handling for $27.33, but it's missing the pedestal stand for the center channel

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOGITECH-X-530- ... 3cf4cfdc8e

If you keep an eye out, and if your local store may still have some in stock, which I've seen go new for around $90.

[perrinoia]

My old surround sound desktop speakers were made by Creative, but I had a pair of ear encompassing earphones from Koss that honestly sounded better, and even produced a more convincing 3d sound effect... While wearing those headphones, I could tell which direction footsteps were coming from in Tribes. People thought I was HMing because I'd toss grenades around corners and hit people 100% of the time (not always enemies, though, as I didn't have a minimap radar, back then).

My All-in-One computer has an a SonicMaster sound bar integrated into the bottom of the monitor, and it sounds significantly better than my old systems... Much louder, though not as convincing 3d effects as the earphones, although, I can configure my Creative D100 bluetooth speaker to work in addition to the sound bar, or switch to my Logitech USB or Bluetooth headset for even better 3d effects, now.

[KILROY]

Not a bad setup Perr. If interested in some nice earbuds that have a very nice bass response, and cheap. iLUV's City Lights are really nice and really cheap. They don't make them anymore, but you can still buy what's left, brand new, on EBay. I have about a pair of the black one's I use for personal use, and 7 spare to either use if the black pair goes down, or to give away as gifts. I found these by luck shopping at a Ross Dress For Less. I bought mine for about $8-$12 each.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4 ... =&_sacat=0

EDIT: iLuv does make newer one's with them relaying they have the same sound as these City Lights, but I haven't heard them yet, and by comparing the casing sizes, the driver's in the City Lights are much bigger.

[perrinoia]

I have owned several pair that look just like that, and none of them would stay in my ears.

I think my ears are smaller than most people's.

I prefer ear encompassing earphones for home use, and wish I could find a pair of ear buds that would stay in my ears for more than 1.5 seconds.

They aren't even getting shook out, they just slowly creep out of my ears, even if I'm staying perfectly still.

I had a pair of ear buds that had like 6 different sized silicon mushroom thingies, including one that looked like a french tickler... I tried them all, none stayed in my ears.