ATSurround Processor for foobar2000: Features, Settings, and TipsATSurround is a surround-simulation DSP (digital signal processing) plugin used with foobar2000 to create a wider, more immersive soundstage from stereo sources. It’s particularly popular with listeners who want the sense of space and depth of multi-channel mixes while using headphones or a simple stereo speaker setup. This article covers what ATSurround does, its main features, recommended settings, detailed configuration tips, troubleshooting, and listening tests to help you get the best results.
What ATSurround does
ATSurround performs psychoacoustic processing that manipulates timing, phase, and frequency content to simulate spatial cues normally present in multi-channel audio. It can:
- Widen the perceived stereo image.
- Create virtual surround impressions without multi-channel output hardware.
- Enhance localization and depth, making instruments and ambience appear more distinct.
- Retain mono compatibility when configured correctly.
Key point: ATSurround is not a reverb or simple EQ — it uses inter-channel differences and phase cues to trick the ear into perceiving space.
Core features
- Wide / narrow stereo image controls: adjust how expansive or conservative the spatial widening is.
- Crosstalk handling: reduces unwanted channel bleed that can collapse the stereo image.
- Mid/Side processing options: let you change the balance between centered (mid) and side information.
- Frequency-dependent processing: apply different amounts of widening across low, mid, and high bands to avoid muddiness in bass while widening highs.
- Delay and phase manipulation: introduce short delays and phase shifts that simulate different arrival times to each ear.
- Preset support: saves and recalls preferred configurations for different music types or listening environments.
- CPU-efficient implementation: designed to run comfortably within foobar2000’s DSP chain on modern machines.
Installation and foobar2000 integration
- Download the ATSurround DSP component compatible with your foobar2000 and OS build (32-bit vs 64-bit).
- Place the component file (.dll) in foobar2000’s components directory or use foobar2000’s Component Manager to install.
- Restart foobar2000.
- Open Preferences → Playback → DSP Manager. Move ATSurround from Available DSPs to Active DSPs.
- Configure ATSurround by selecting it in the Active DSPs list and clicking “Configure”.
Make sure you install any dependency components (if required) and match bitness (component vs foobar2000) to avoid crashes.
Recommended starting settings
These are broad starting points; adjust for taste and material.
- Mode: Stereo Widening (or equivalent “Surround” preset if present).
- Width / Amount: 30–50% for general listening; 60–80% for headphones if you want stronger effect.
- Low-frequency processing: Minimal widening below ~120 Hz to preserve bass focus and mono compatibility.
- Mid/Side balance: Slightly favor Mid (e.g., 55% Mid / 45% Side) for vocal clarity.
- Crosstalk / Leakage reduction: ON or moderate to avoid a smeared center image.
- Delay: Small values (0.5–4 ms) — longer delays create overt echo artifacts.
- Phase correction: ON for better mono compatibility.
Fine-tuning tips by content type
- Acoustic/solo vocal tracks: Use conservative width (20–35%), emphasize mid clarity, reduce side high-frequency boost to avoid sibilance spread.
- Electronic/ambient music: Higher width (40–70%) and more high-frequency widening to accentuate pads and spatial synths.
- Rock/metal: Keep width moderate (25–45%), maintain tight bass and centered drums; avoid excessive widening on distorted guitars to keep focus.
- Classical/orchestral: Use frequency-dependent widening—preserve low-end cohesion while gently widening upper mids/highs for hall impression.
- Movies/TV (stereo mixes): Increase width and surround cues, but verify dialogue intelligibility; prioritize mid channel clarity.
Using ATSurround with other DSPs
- EQ: Place EQ either before ATSurround (to remove problem frequencies that affect spatial processing) or after (to tone balance final output). For most users, a gentle corrective EQ before ATSurround works well.
- ReplayGain: Apply before ATSurround to ensure consistent perceived loudness across tracks.
- Convolution reverb: Use carefully—combined with ATSurround it can become overly diffuse. If you want room simulation, prefer subtle reverb and reduce ATSurround width.
- Bass management: Use a dedicated low-pass or bass redirection DSP if you route to a subwoofer; ATSurround should typically not widen sub-bass.
Listening tests and evaluation
When tuning ATSurround, use the following checks:
- Mono compatibility: Toggle mono playback (foobar2000 has a Mono DSP) and ensure major information remains centered and intelligible.
- Image stability: Switch bitrates or tracks; the stage should not jump unpredictably.
- Phase and timbre: Listen for hollow or phasey tonal shifts—if present, reduce phase/delay intensity.
- Vocal intelligibility: Ensure vocals remain centered and clear. If they wander or lose presence, reduce side emphasis or raise mid balance.
- Headphone vs speakers: Effects often feel stronger on headphones; reduce width slightly for open-back speakers and more for closed-back.
Use familiar reference tracks with wide stereo mixes and known center-panned vocals to judge changes.
Common problems and fixes
- Metallic/phasey sound: Reduce phase/delay settings and lower width; enable phase correction if available.
- Loss of bass punch: Reduce low-frequency widening or apply a high-pass for the widening processing so bass remains mono-centered.
- Vocals drifting out of center: Increase mid level or lower side processing in the vocal frequency band.
- Excessive sibilance or harsh highs: Reduce high-frequency widening or apply a gentle de-esser/EQ notch around 5–8 kHz.
- Plugin crashes or audio distortion: Confirm component bitness (32 vs 64) matches foobar2000; check for conflicts with other DSPs; update ATSurround to latest version.
Advanced configuration examples
Example A — Headphones, immersive electronic:
- Width: 70%
- Low cut for widening: below 120 Hz
- High-frequency side boost: +2–4 dB above 6 kHz
- Delay: 1–2 ms
- Crosstalk reduction: medium
Example B — Stereo speakers, vocal-centric:
- Width: 30%
- Low-frequency width cutoff: 150 Hz
- Mid/Side balance: 60% mid
- Delay: ms
- Phase correction: on
Adjust these values while listening to short looped passages and compare with bypassed DSP.
Preset workflow
- Create presets for different listening contexts (Headphones, Speakers, Movies, Acoustic).
- Name presets clearly and include comments about primary use (e.g., “Phones — Electronic — Wide”).
- Keep a conservative “Neutral” preset to compare any changes against unprocessed sound.
Safety and etiquette
- Avoid extreme widening at high volumes—psychoacoustic effects can cause fatigue or perceived harshness.
- When using ATSurround in shared listening environments, prefer conservative settings to prevent distraction or annoyance to others.
Conclusion
ATSurround for foobar2000 is a powerful tool to enhance perceived space from stereo sources. The key to effective use is conservative, frequency-aware adjustments—preserve low-frequency mono content, protect vocal clarity, and verify mono compatibility. Use presets and iterative listening tests to build configurations that suit different music styles and playback systems.
If you want, tell me your main playback system (headphones model or speaker setup) and a few reference tracks and I’ll suggest specific starting parameters.
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