At channel9.msdn.com there’s this post which shows a link to a video about the new audio stack in Windows Vista. I am not convinced, although these guys talk about glitch free, low latency and even a new core system (like Apple’s Core Audio). I have the feeling the wdm-driver model was already created for low level, low lantecy operations. So they are confusing me.
Most of the stuff talked about in this video is the new mixer which makes it easier to balance the levels of sound sources. But hey, most soundcards already install such an application into your WindowsXP system. And some soundcards like my RME Hammerfall for example even comes with the excellent DIGIcheck metering application. I mean: why do these guys at Microsoft think I ever need to use a standard mixer of Windows Vista just to rebalance the levels?
Although they say they are focussing on professional people, talk about Adobe Audition and Mackie Tracktion, this is consumer electronics stuff. So nah, I am not really impressed. I liked the new audio recorder though; very simple, but probably no support for open source standards like Ogg or FLAC :(
18/09/2005 @ 9:52 pm
Simple. You want per-app faders so the beep of another app doesn’t make you jump out of your seat because it’s too loud. And for music, per-app mixing means you can easily mute apps you don’t want to sound at all, so you don’t interrupt a studio session / performance. These features have come in super-handy on the Mac; can’t wait to have them on Windows, too.
Peter @createdigitalmusic
18/09/2005 @ 10:12 pm
Yes, when several apps are using the same channels of a soundcard, then this mixer might be helpful. But it also makes it more complicated at the same time. I am using a RME Hammerfall and I set my levels with this application. So if the Windows Vista mixer creates a special ‘virtual’ mix, I need to control this as well. Two mixers!
If Vista lets me choose soundcard settings and ports, I would configure it like with WindowsXP. I would simply point some applications to different channels on my RME Hammerfall and control it from that mixer.
29/09/2006 @ 12:09 pm
You’re quite right, Walter Pater is the only justification for Mona Lisa.