Windows 7 Spectrum display plugin

[dperrow]

Hi,
I've created an LCDSmartie plugin to allow display of an audio spectrum on any LCD supported by LCDSmartie. It should display the output from anything playing (Mediaportal, MediaCenter, WMP,VLC etc.) on 1 line, 2 lines or 4 lines at widths of 4,8,16 or 32.

You can get it at: http://lcdspc.codeplex.com/

This is a beta release so any feedback would be welcomed.

There's full instructions on installing and documentation on how to use it. The attached picture shows an example of it's use with mediaportal on a 16x2 display.

spc1.jpg

Have fun, any feedback welcomed.
Dave

[PhilYHC]

is there any reason why this wont work correctly on XP? i have followed the instructions, but all i get is a line of text. when i enable debug mode it tells me the audio device, so i change it in the cfg file and no joy.

[dperrow]

Windows 7 audio functionality is completely different to XP so it probably won't work. I don't think the neccessary audio components are implemented (WASAPI). Was there any error messages in the spc.log file?

I'll give it a go on an XP machine when I get a chance and see what it does. In theory it should be straightforward to modify the code to use XP type audio components so if it doesn't work as is I should be able to modify it.

[PhilYHC]

spc.log:

*********************************************************************
Spectrum LCDSmartie Plugin by Dave Perrow 8th March 2012
LCDSmartie Win7 Spectrum Plugin version 0.0.2.2
Log file Opened at 16/04/12 00:37:28
*********************************************************************
00:37:28.718 Log file Opened at 16/04/12 00:37:28
00:37:28.718 SPC_read_cfg_file: Started
00:37:28.718 SPC_read_cfg_file: File Opened
00:37:28.718 SPC_read_cfg_file: AudioDevice=0
00:37:28.718 SPC_read_cfg_file: Scaling=1.500000
00:37:28.718 SPC_read_cfg_file: Finished
00:37:28.718 SPC_init Chosen audio device is 0
00:37:28.718 SPC_init Can't initialize no sound device
(error code: 14)

[dperrow]

Hi,
I've uploaded a new version of the plugin to the codeplex site which will support Windows XP audio devices where the audio device driver supports a mixer device. I have this working on 2 XP systems but not on another windows XP laptop so it's a bit hit and miss. The only alternative is to run a caable from the speaker out to the line in and monitor that.

Instructions are in the Documentation.doc file.

Let me know if it works for you or you need any help.

[PhilYHC]

the bass file is now named bass.h
is that correct? if i rename it bass.dll it says its not a valid windows file, and if i leave it, it says bass.dll not found.

[PhilYHC]

ok, leaving it as bass.h is fone now, but all i get is lines, and it wont let me override the audioinput.

[PhilYHC]

*********************************************************************
Spectrum LCDSmartie Plugin by Dave Perrow 8th March 2012
LCDSmartie Win7 Spectrum Plugin version 0.0.3.13
Log file Opened at 27/04/12 01:46:46
*********************************************************************
01:46:46.515 Log file Opened at 27/04/12 01:46:46
01:46:46.515 OS = 5.1
01:46:46.515 SPC_read_cfg_file: Started
01:46:46.515 SPC_read_cfg_file: File Opened
01:46:46.515 SPC_read_cfg_file: AudioDevice=0
01:46:46.515 SPC_read_cfg_file: AudioInput=0
01:46:46.515 SPC_read_cfg_file: Scaling=1.500000
01:46:46.515 SPC_read_cfg_file: UseWasapi=0
01:46:46.515 SPC_read_cfg_file: Finished
01:46:46.656 SPC_init Device 0:No sound[Enabled]
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Input 0:CD Volume [On]
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Input 1:Line Volume
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Input 2:Mic Volume
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Input 3:Stereo Mix
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Device 1:Realtek HD Audio output[Enabled][Default]
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Input 0:SPDIF [On]
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Device 2:ATI HD Audio rear output[Enabled]
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Chosen audio device is 0 input 0
01:46:46.703 SPC_init Can't Set Input
(error code: 37)

[dperrow]

Appologies, I included bass.h instead of bass.dll in the zip file - I've checked in an updated version.

PhilYHC what you have installed is correct since it has picked up the version of bass.dll from the previous installation.

You need to edit SPC.cfg and change AudioInput to 3 i.e. (Note these are case sensitive):

AudioDevice=0
AudioInput=3

You also need to go into the volume control/properties/recording properties and ensure that the stereo mix is ticked and click okay. You should also check the other recording devices to see if they have a wave mix or other mix device. if they do then you will probably need to use that device instead (rerun the plugin and find the device/input for that mixer and set the cfg file to those numbers).

This should remove the message "SPC_init Can't Set Input". The message message for the Chosen audio device should now say "SPC_init Chosen audio device is 0 input 3"

There is no guarantee this will work however since I don't know if your Realtek device is supporting the mix device.

[PhilYHC]

much respect for all your help. as it stands, stereo mix is greyed out, so i will work on that when i get back from work.

thanks again for the help!

[PhilYHC]

ok my soundcard does not support stereo mix.

luckilyu i use a poper amp for my pc as i make music...i ran a cable into the pc from the amp.

now it refuses to let me override the audioinput, and makes a log file everytime even though its set to 0.


EDIT - the //'s before audiodevice and audioinput need removing, but still cant set input

[PhilYHC]

well, thanks for all the help, but i cannot get it to work period.

its either because:

a) my soundcard does not support stereo mix, although unmuting it works with winamps line-in plugin,

b) for some reason the plugin was reporting my device0 as not outputting, although it showed device1, but only with a spdif.

regards.

[Latvian3Dman]

First - big Thank You for this universal spectrum plugin that is not tied to winamp. Great! I am using it of course.
Any chance that mentioned in "ToDo" list stereo VU-meter could be available? That would be sooo nice
I tried to experiment with that "(SPC,2,MAX,)", putting it as a value for bar plugin, but result was kinda weird.
Any suggestions maybe, some "hacks" how to make also a VU-meter, using current version of this nice plugin? Thanks!

[dperrow]

Okay,
since you asked so nicely. The attached version of SPC.dll has an additional function 4 called by:
$dll(SPC,4,L,) which returns the left channel volume (R=Right,B=both or mono)
value range is 0->32768

You can use this with bar by $Bar($dll(spc,4,L,),32767,20) for a 20 character bar.

You can probably get vertical bars too since I seem to remember a dll to do this somewhere.

Let me know how it goes.

Dave

SPC.zip

[Latvian3Dman]

Thank You, dperrow! What a nice quick answer
I will be able to test this new version tomorrow night, will let you know of course how it goes.

P.S.: by the way, in your codeplex page, there is an error in example, there is "mp" in lines, not "spc". It confused me when i tried plugin first time.

[Latvian3Dman]

Tested this new SPC version with "mode 4", VU-meter bars. It sure works, but visually there is a problem that all bar movement is just at the end of bar. I mean, to be "visualy cool", this VU-bar dynamics should be different. Maybe it has something to do with being linear / logarithmic, maybe something else.

[dperrow]

Function 4 uses the BASS_WASAPI_GetLevel function which defines the result as:

"If successful, the level of the left channel is returned in the low word (low 16-bits, use LowWord32(Int32)), and the level of the right channel is returned in the high word (high 16-bits, use HighWord32(Int32)). If the channel is mono, then the low word is duplicated in the high word. The level ranges linearly from 0 (silent) to 32768 (max). 0 will be returned when a channel is stalled."

So the result is linear and I guess you are looking for a logarithmic output?

In this version attached below i've tried to convert to db's

Function 4 can now optionally take a second parameter which when set to 1 should have the desired effect. try it and see.
I've also added a function 5 which is exactly the same as function 4 except it returns the value in the range 0-100. this is what you need for the tinybar function. For example try $dll(tinybar,7,$dll(spc,5,L,1),5)$dll(tinybar,8,$dll(spc,5,R,1),5)
You can get tinybar from limbo's download page at http://www.eserver.gr/limboonline/plugins.html

SPC.zip

Dave

[Latvian3Dman]

Tested it, and this "dB" option actually works well! Thank you, you are very helpful
"Mode 5" also works, tested with TinyBar plugin.
The only thing that one could wish more for those VU-bars: smoothness parameter similar that exists in spectrum mode (and there it changes smoothness very well to any taste)
Thanks again!

[dperrow]

Okay,
I think I've put a smoothness parameter in.

parameter 2 of functions 4 & 5 are now of the form n#sm where n is 0 for linear, 1 for db and 2 for log, sm is the smoothness factor (0-256). 0 means none.

the value for sm depends on the smartie refresh interval. at 300ms a value of 10 looks okay but you might want to experiment with it and let me know what you end up with. BTW I think the linear with smoothness looks best.

SPC.zip

Dave

[Latvian3Dman]

Thanks again, big ThankYou
I tested this new version very briefly this morning (had to go to work ), but smoothness sure works and i guess linear / non-linear modes too. I have smartie refresh 44, and i liked your plugin new version in mode "1" and smoothness about "8". Will test (and enjoy!) more this weekend, will post thoughts and impressions. Thanks for your work!
I wonder, is there maybe some other music / visuals related plugins that me (and maybe others) are not aware of. Too bad me myself i am not a programmer. I imagine, for example, could be plugin that works like lights effects chaser, but with a moving symbol(s) on LCD, in some sync with music. Heh, maybe i should start learning programming

[POEZER]

Everything works for me but the L command to enable left channel monitoring is actually monitoring both channels (R works fine) so basically a stereo vu meter is impossible.

is there any fix for this?

[dperrow]

Yep, your right, a very stupid buggette, Here's a fixed dll for you to try.

SPC.zip

Regards,
Dave

[furioussgamer]

Does it works on windows 8?
Because in my 45 entries i want to use this one:

Code: Select all

09:26:50.934 SPC_init entry=24, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=       3, name=Haut-parleurs (USB Sound Device        )[Enabled][Default] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]

09:26:50.936 SPC_init entry=25, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      19, name=Haut-parleurs (USB Sound Device        )[Enabled][Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]

But i have try each one and it don't work for me or i do something wrong!

[dperrow]

Hi there,
works fine on my Windows 8.1 so should be okay. 45 entries seems a lot - I'll need to see if it will cope with that. Have you tried swithcing on debug in the config file? to see what the log file says?

[furioussgamer]

Hi,
yes i have switch on debug in the config file:

Code: Select all

*********************************************************************
Spectrum LCDSmartie Plugin by Dave Perrow 8th March 2012
LCDSmartie Win7 Spectrum Plugin version 0.0.2.2
Log file Opened at 05/01/15 10:17:30
*********************************************************************
10:17:30.930 Log file Opened at 05/01/15 10:17:30
10:17:30.930 SPC_read_cfg_file: Started
10:17:30.930 SPC_read_cfg_file: File Opened
10:17:30.930 SPC_read_cfg_file: AudioDevice=0
10:17:30.930 SPC_read_cfg_file: Scaling=1.500000
10:17:30.930 SPC_read_cfg_file: Finished
10:17:30.973 SPC_init entry= 0, type=   9, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=AMD HDMI Output (AMD High Definition Audio Device) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_HDMI]
10:17:30.974 SPC_init entry= 1, type=   9, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=AMD HDMI Output (AMD High Definition Audio Device)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_HDMI]
10:17:30.975 SPC_init entry= 2, type=   1, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=Haut-parleurs (Périphérique High Definition Audio) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.976 SPC_init entry= 3, type=   1, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=Haut-parleurs (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.976 SPC_init entry= 4, type=   1, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=Haut-parleurs (TONTRIT AX PRO HEADSET) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.977 SPC_init entry= 5, type=   1, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=Haut-parleurs (TONTRIT AX PRO HEADSET)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.978 SPC_init entry= 6, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=       1, name=Haut-parleurs (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.980 SPC_init entry= 7, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      19, name=Haut-parleurs (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.980 SPC_init entry= 8, type=   1, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=Haut-parleurs (2- TONTRIT AX PRO HEADSET) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.981 SPC_init entry= 9, type=   1, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=Haut-parleurs (2- TONTRIT AX PRO HEADSET)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.982 SPC_init entry=10, type=   8, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=       1, name=S/PDIF Pass-through Device (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPDIF]
10:17:30.983 SPC_init entry=11, type=   8, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      19, name=S/PDIF Pass-through Device (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPDIF]
10:17:30.984 SPC_init entry=12, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=Prise jack AUX interne (Périphérique High Definition Audio) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:30.985 SPC_init entry=13, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=Prise jack AUX interne (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:30.986 SPC_init entry=14, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=Prise jack AUX interne (Périphérique High Definition Audio) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:30.987 SPC_init entry=15, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=Prise jack AUX interne (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:30.988 SPC_init entry=16, type=   8, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=       1, name=Audio numérique (SPDIF) (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Enabled] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPDIF]
10:17:30.989 SPC_init entry=17, type=   8, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      19, name=Audio numérique (SPDIF) (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Enabled][Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPDIF]
10:17:30.990 SPC_init entry=18, type=   9, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=AMD HDMI Output (AMD High Definition Audio Device) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_HDMI]
10:17:30.991 SPC_init entry=19, type=   9, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=AMD HDMI Output (AMD High Definition Audio Device)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_HDMI]
10:17:30.992 SPC_init entry=20, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=       1, name=Haut-parleurs (ASUS Xonar D2 Converter)[Enabled] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.993 SPC_init entry=21, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      19, name=Haut-parleurs (ASUS Xonar D2 Converter)[Enabled][Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.994 SPC_init entry=22, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=Prise jack AUX interne (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:30.995 SPC_init entry=23, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=Prise jack AUX interne (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:30.996 SPC_init entry=24, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=       3, name=Haut-parleurs (USB Sound Device        )[Enabled][Default] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.997 SPC_init entry=25, type=   1, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      19, name=Haut-parleurs (USB Sound Device        )[Enabled][Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPEAKERS]
10:17:30.998 SPC_init entry=26, type=   3, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=       0, name=Casque (Périphérique High Definition Audio) [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_HEADPHONES]
10:17:30.999 SPC_init entry=27, type=   3, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      18, name=Casque (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input][Loopback] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_HEADPHONES]
10:17:31.000 SPC_init entry=28, type=   4, mixfreq=48000, mixchans=1, flags=      13, name=Microphone (Webcam Pro 9000)[Enabled][Default][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_MICROPHONE]
10:17:31.001 SPC_init entry=29, type=  10, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=Stereo Mix (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.002 SPC_init entry=30, type=   4, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=Microphone (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_MICROPHONE]
10:17:31.003 SPC_init entry=31, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Prise jack AUX interne (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.004 SPC_init entry=32, type=   2, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=Lecteur CD (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_LINELEVEL]
10:17:31.005 SPC_init entry=33, type=  10, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=Wave (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.006 SPC_init entry=34, type=   4, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Microphone (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_MICROPHONE]
10:17:31.007 SPC_init entry=35, type=   2, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Entrée ligne (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_LINELEVEL]
10:17:31.008 SPC_init entry=36, type=  10, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=Aux (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.009 SPC_init entry=37, type=   4, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Microphone (2- TONTRIT AX PRO HEADSET)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_MICROPHONE]
10:17:31.010 SPC_init entry=38, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Prise jack AUX interne (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.011 SPC_init entry=39, type=  10, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=ALT (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.012 SPC_init entry=40, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=AMD HDMI Output (AMD High Definition Audio Device)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.013 SPC_init entry=41, type=   4, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Microphone (TONTRIT AX PRO HEADSET)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_MICROPHONE]
10:17:31.014 SPC_init entry=42, type=   8, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=SPDIF In (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_SPDIF]
10:17:31.015 SPC_init entry=43, type=   2, mixfreq=44100, mixchans=2, flags=      11, name=Entrée ligne (ASUS Xonar D2 Audio Device)[Enabled][Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_LINELEVEL]
10:17:31.016 SPC_init entry=44, type=  10, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Prise jack AUX interne (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_UNKNOWN]
10:17:31.017 SPC_init entry=45, type=   4, mixfreq=0, mixchans=0, flags=      10, name=Microphone (Périphérique High Definition Audio)[Input] [BASS_WASAPI_TYPE_MICROPHONE]
10:17:31.017 SPC_init Chosen audio device is 7