MIXING POSSIBILITIES
uword getVoiceVolume(voice);
bool setVoiceVolume(voice,leftLevel,rightLevel,total);
Relative voice volume can be set via ``total'' from 0 (mute) to 256 (max).
If you use this feature, you don't need to modulate each left/right level
yourself like this:
voice_volume = left_or_right_level * new_voice_volume / max_voice_volume
where: 0 <= new_voice_volume <= max_voice_volume
e.g.: 0 <= x <= 256, half volume: x = 128
This also makes it possible to mute voices in centered auto panning mode.
A noticable difference between FULLPANNING and VOLCONTROL is FULLPANNING's
capability to mix four (all) logical voices to a single physical audio
channel, whereas VOLCONTROL is only able to mix two (half of all) logical
voices to a physical channel. Therefore VOLCONTROL results in slightly better
sample quality, because it mixes at higher amplitude. Especially when using
a sample precision of 8-bit and stereo. In mono mode both modes operate
equally.
Changing the volume control mode resets the current volume level settings for
all voices to a default:
MONO | left | right STEREO | left | right SURROUND | left | right
---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------
voice 1 | 255 | 0 voice 1 | 255 | 0 voice 1 | 255 | 255
voice 2 | 255 | 0 voice 2 | 0 | 255 voice 2 | 255 | 255
voice 3 | 255 | 0 voice 3 | 255 | 0 voice 3 | 255 | 255
voice 4 | 255 | 0 voice 4 | 0 | 255 voice 4 | 255 | 255
Because of the asymmetric ``three-voice'' nature of the SID and most
sidtunes, it is strongly advised to *not* use plain stereo without
pan-positioning the voices.
FULLPANNING (stereo only)
Each physical audio channel is divided into four logical channels (voices).
The volume level of each voice is adjustable between 255 (max) and 0 (off).
This allows each voice to be positioned freely between left and right.
Example:
Slider position
Voice A
Left Right
X................... : full left, L=255/R=0
...................X : full right, L=0/R=255
..........X......... : middle, L=128/R=127 or L=127/R=128
.................... : mute, L=0/R=0
.....X.............. : more left than right, L=200/R=55
But also and *only* in FULLPANNING mode, but most likely not used, you can
set any possible combination of volume levels out of 0<=x<=255, for instance:
X..................X : louder middle, L=255/R=255
X.........x......... : full left and 50% right, L=255/R=128
Generally, the equations
sum leftLevel(i) <= 1024 i=[1,2,3,4]
sum rightLevel(i) <= 1024 i=[1,2,3,4]
must be satisfied, because only a maximum of four voices (4*256=1024) can
be mixed to one physical audio channel.
VOLCONTROL (stereo and mono)
In STEREO mode two voices should build a pair, satisfying the
equation (leftlevel_A + leftlevel_B) <= 255. Generally, the equations:
sum leftLevel(i) <= 512 and sum rightLevel(i) <= 512
must be satisfied, i = [1,2,3,4].
In MONO mode only the left level is used to specify a voice's
volume. If you specify a right level, it will be set to zero.
setVoiceVolume() does not check the correctness of the given volume settings,
since this would limit the possibilities badly. But it does not do anything
and returns ``false'' upon an invalid voice number, voice_volume >= 256 or
no mixing mode, respectively.
Two voices should build a pair, satisfying the equation:
left(voice_A) + left(voice_B) <= 255
Generally, the equations:
sum leftLevel(i) <= 512 i=[1,2,3,4]
sum rightLevel(i) <= 512 i=[1,2,3,4]
must be satisfied, because only a maximum of two voices can be mixed
to one physical audio channel.
Building pairs can be, but doesn't need to be, done like this:
left(voice_A) = right(voice_B)
right(voice_A) = left(voice_B)
left(voice_A) + right(voice_A) <= 255
left(voice_B) + right(voice_B) <= 255
And similar for the other two voices (C and D).
It is not possible to position both of a pair of voices on the same side,
except if the other pair is on the opposite side.
Slider Pos.
Pair of voices
Left Right
Voice A: X................... : full left, L=255/R=0
Voice B: ...................X : full right, L=0/R=255
Voice A: ....X............... : L=200/R=55
Voice B: ...............X.... : L=55/R=200
Voice A: .........X.......... : middle, L=128/R=127
Voice B: .........X.......... : middle, L=127/R=128 (or vice versa)
Voice A: ...............X.... : L=55/R=200
Voice B: ....X............... : L=200/R=55
Voice A: ...................X : full right, L=0/R=255
Voice B: X................... : full left, L=255/R=0
You could also mute voice_A and then could safely do
left(voice_B)+right(voice_B) > 255, but you most likely will never do so,
as this would require a much more complex mixer interface.
STEREOSURROUND
Volume level of each voice is adjustable between 255 (max) and 0 (off).
Each voice can be freely positioned between left and right.
Effect is best for left=255 plus right=255.
HWMIXING
Can be used where external mixing devices are available. Splits the sample
buffer into four (4) equivalent chunks, each representing a single voice.
The client has to take care of the total sample buffer length to be dividable
by four.
NO CONTROL (NONE)
No volume control at all. Volume level of each voice is not adjustable.
Voices cannot be turned off. No panning possible. Most likely maximum
software mixing speed.
