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Cool, thanks for this. I found a great Steve Miller Band album in 5.1 for download. Nice…..
Excuse my lack of understanding all the differences anymore, but On 'ProStudioMasters' site, like the example Padre Dave notes, this Steve Miller album as FLAC, does that mean it is 5.1? Sorry for asking, but ever since those Acura demo disc 5.1 downloads hit this blog, I am drooling for more. Also on this site, a lot of the albums have '48.'96', MQA', DSD 11.2, 5.6 and so on listed under them.....anything I should avoid, look for, etc in these codes?
Excuse my lack of understanding all the differences anymore, but On 'ProStudioMasters' site, like the example Padre Dave notes, this Steve Miller album as FLAC, does that mean it is 5.1? Sorry for asking, but ever since those Acura demo disc 5.1 downloads hit this blog, I am drooling for more. Also on this site, a lot of the albums have '48.'96', MQA', DSD 11.2, 5.6 and so on listed under them.....anything I should avoid, look for, etc in these codes?
If you think THIS is complicated, watch the vide of the 10 speed transmission Hans471 posted. THAT is complicated! LOL. Truthfully, I don't understand all the differences in recoding quality either. I know when I like the sound, however! And I DI like the 5.1 that was so graciously shared here.
Thanks again Funz51!!!!!!
Last edited by JB in AZ; Mar 17, 2021 at 10:39 AM.
"When 8-bit audio was in common use, 16-bit was “high resolution.” Today, 24-bit, 96 kHz audio is considered “high resolution.” As 192 kHz converters and audio interfaces become more prevalent, this definition is likely to quickly change."
I have been using 16 bit 48Khz (320Kbp) for my non-5.1 MP3 Audio files and it sounds good. FLAC is considered one of the best for high quality, but the 5.1 has to be encoded as part of the file... being FLAC does not mean it is 5.1 audio by default.
Cool, thanks for this. I found a great Steve Miller Band album in 5.1 for download. Nice…..
You found 5.1 audio at ProStudioMasters? That would be an important development. There was a DD 5.1 version of "Fly Like An Eagle" on DVD, as well as the quadraphonic version on DTS-CD from the late 90's, but I have never seen pop/rock 5.1 audio downloads at either HDTracks or ProStudioMasters.
You found 5.1 audio at ProStudioMasters? That would be an important development. There was a DD 5.1 version of "Fly Like An Eagle" on DVD, as well as the quadraphonic version on DTS-CD from the late 90's, but I have never seen pop/rock 5.1 audio downloads at either HDTracks or ProStudioMasters.
I will have to check it out
I may have entered it wrong….I know it is in FLAC, and forgot that they are not the same thing……could be my bad….sorry
Apple will offer lossless audio, but I’ve never seen any mention of 5.1.
Apple will offer some Dolby Atmos tracks - “thousands” - starting in June, along with lossless streaming of their entire catalog. I’ll probably try it out, but I left Apple Music for Amazon Music HD last summer when I leased my RDX Advance. Here’s the Apple promo page. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/...ossless-audio/
But will the Dolby Atmos files play in 5.1 on the ELS system in our cars without an H1 or W1 chip? “Apple Music will automatically play Dolby Atmos tracks on all AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chip, as well as the built-in speakers in the latest versions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac.”
But will the Dolby Atmos files play in 5.1 on the ELS system in our cars without an H1 or W1 chip? “Apple Music will automatically play Dolby Atmos tracks on all AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chip, as well as the built-in speakers in the latest versions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac.”
Greater clarity from AppleInsider.com:
”The only requirement for Dolby Atmos is equipment that supports it directly. You'll not be able to hear Dolby Atmos audio on older surround sound systems even if it has multiple channels.
New sound systems, TV sets, and computers often support the format. The iPhone, iPad, and Mac also include support for Dolby Atmos, though when connecting speakers or headphones, they must support the format too.
Dolby Atmos will automatically play on devices with the W1 or H1 chip. That means the AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and recent Beats by Dre headphones will have support. Other headphones with Dolby Atmos will work, but the user will need to toggle it on in Settings > Music > Audio.”
Of course, time will tell when it is actually released and some of us will try it…
Greater clarity from AppleInsider.com:
”The only requirement for Dolby Atmos is equipment that supports it directly. You'll not be able to hear Dolby Atmos audio on older surround sound systems even if it has multiple channels.
…
This is my point, you (most likely) won’t be able to get 5.1 surround out of our ELS system even if Apple offers Dolby Atmos audio. DTS is Dolby’s traditional 5.1 audio, Altmos is an entirely different technology
This is my point, you (most likely) won’t be able to get 5.1 surround out of our ELS system even if Apple offers Dolby Atmos audio. DTS is Dolby’s traditional 5.1 audio, Altmos is an entirely different technology
Thanks for the clarification. I thought I had read somewhere that the ELS 3D system had Atmos. Oh well. It will still be interesting to compare Apple’s lossless streaming to Amazon HD. I’m quite happy with 2.1 stereo in my RDX, as I’ve said in other comments, so 5.1 isn’t a dealbreaker for me.
Thanks for the clarification. I thought I had read somewhere that the ELS 3D system had Atmos. Oh well. It will still be interesting to compare Apple’s lossless streaming to Amazon HD. I’m quite happy with 2.1 stereo in my RDX, as I’ve said in other comments, so 5.1 isn’t a dealbreaker for me.
U r right. A lot of the hi res stereo has a lot of clarity and openness, depending on the song /source. Sometimes a stereo track will be playing, and I could swear it sounds like 5.1. On the flip, there is some 5.1 that is muddled in the back or terribly balanced, with alot of content in the front middle, and could pass as regular stereo. The ELS is not really 2 speaker stereo anyway. (With the DTS off,) the stereo dsp does a really good job of spreading the sound around.
Some interesting new music I have purchased recently, all in FLAC, though I have trouble with the DVD tracks and the system in the car telling me they can’t be played. They are ac3 or something like that. I have a converter and ran the files through and converted them to FLAC but they still won’t play….HELP! Funz51, I need your help…..
OK: Jethro Tull released a set called A La Mode. There are 3 DVD’s even one audio only. Awesome sound when cranked up! WOW. Then I received a pack from the band Kansas. It is the Point of No Return tour and is fabulous. The music is on 2 CD’s. The package I ordered also includes the high def tracks. They have been emailing them to me, 3-4 tracks at a time compressed. They are in WAV format, which our car plays as is. My converter was used to make them FLAC. We actually attended this Point of No Return concert right after my knee replacement. They played the Mesa Center for the Arts, which is a great venue for classical music, but not so much for 1970’s rock at the same volume that we all lost our hearing on in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. There were few folks in attendance under the age of 50, so it would have been even better at half the volume (oh, I sound like my dad….AAARRGGHH) and we all would have enjoyed the concert at volumes appropriate for a concert hall rather than a stadium. We left half way through because we couldn’t even tell exactly they were singing….now good things come to those who preserve the hearing (and my wife, especially) that the concert is recorded, and I can hear it as it was supposed to be heard….OK, old guy rant is completed. I actually purchased the Jethro Tull on Amazon after seeing it on a British site I have purchased from. The Kansas album was purchased from the band directly. Enjoy!
Some interesting new music I have purchased recently, all in FLAC, though I have trouble with the DVD tracks and the system in the car telling me they can’t be played. They are ac3 or something like that. I have a converter and ran the files through and converted them to FLAC but they still won’t play….HELP! Funz51, I need your help…..
OK: Jethro Tull released a set called A La Mode. There are 3 DVD’s even one audio only. Awesome sound when cranked up! WOW. Then I received a pack from the band Kansas. It is the Point of No Return tour and is fabulous. The music is on 2 CD’s. The package I ordered also includes the high def tracks. They have been emailing them to me, 3-4 tracks at a time compressed. They are in WAV format, which our car plays as is. My converter was used to make them FLAC. We actually attended this Point of No Return concert right after my knee replacement. They played the Mesa Center for the Arts, which is a great venue for classical music, but not so much for 1970’s rock at the same volume that we all lost our hearing on in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. There were few folks in attendance under the age of 50, so it would have been even better at half the volume (oh, I sound like my dad….AAARRGGHH) and we all would have enjoyed the concert at volumes appropriate for a concert hall rather than a stadium. We left half way through because we couldn’t even tell exactly they were singing….now good things come to those who preserve the hearing (and my wife, especially) that the concert is recorded, and I can hear it as it was supposed to be heard….OK, old guy rant is completed. I actually purchased the Jethro Tull on Amazon after seeing it on a British site I have purchased from. The Kansas album was purchased from the band directly. Enjoy!
Hi PDave
Make sure your flac converter has no compression set and you have like 24 bit and 48K sampling rate, No higher for 5.1. But sounds like they are stereo. If so, use no more than 96k sample setting.
i am getting the same thing on a few of my tracks now also that I am figuring out. Just stick by the rules and try again.
could be something with last rdx update also that affects some recordings. Anything is possible.
Let me know.
Hi PDave
Make sure your flac converter has no compression set and you have like 24 bit and 48K sampling rate, No higher for 5.1. But sounds like they are stereo. If so, use no more than 96k sample setting.
i am getting the same thing on a few of my tracks now also that I am figuring out. Just stick by the rules and try again.
could be something with last rdx update also that affects some recordings. Anything is possible.
Let me know.
Funz51 you sound very knowledgeable about audio/audio files! Can you tell me how to create playlists that the RDX Advance will recognize using FLAC files from my USB drive? Is it as easy as just creating a new folder of songs on my computer and dumping the folder to the USB drive?
I'll jump in till he gets back to you, but yes. You can save your files in FLAC format (or .WAV for that matter, though those files tend to be a lot bigger than .flac files) in your computer hard drive, cut and paste them over to your USB thumb drive and plug it in. It is that easy. You will have directory on your screen in your RDX where you can choose to view Albums, Songs, or Composers/Bands.
Just remember to take your thumb drive out of the USB port in your RDX when you shut down. You can insert it when you get the blue screen with the safety warning, then it will initialize (yep, it has to do it each time) and it will then begin playing the song you left off on when you shut down.
I can get away with leaving my USB drive in the port when I shut down and then restart, but eventually you will get the dreaded "Your drive has no files" or "No drive found" or one other that is hiding in my brain, refusing to be recalled as I type this. Sorry, the effects of filling a brain with way too much data and then getting old...it's all still in there, but the directory has begun to decay....then all of a sudden it pops back in your consciousness.....fun stuff when you understand how it works and love the Builder!
Funz51 you sound very knowledgeable about audio/audio files! Can you tell me how to create playlists that the RDX Advance will recognize using FLAC files from my USB drive? Is it as easy as just creating a new folder of songs on my computer and dumping the folder to the USB drive?
Padre has a system. I don't go that far. I have a little box that I made where i switch between two different USBs and carplay with a rotary switch. I don't disturb the setting until the car comes up completely. Most of the time it is fine.
But, I respect Padre's findings and will try his system, where I switch the USB off upon every startup and see if it is more consistent.
Intrigued by this. Care to share more info on your “little box”?
well, here it goes. I took 3 female usb plugs, and wired the power and data lines into a 3 pole, 4 throw rotary switch. That means I have 4 positions to the switch, and three connections. We have a older USB connector, which has only 4 lines to it. Power, Gnd, data +, and data -.
So I wired all the gnds together, so they are not switched. I have PWR, D+ and D- on the three poles of the switch. I chopped the USB line (male end) off a old keyboard, and wired that up as the source on the switch (and plugs into the car). I used care when soldering the lines b/c they are fine wires. you can go online and look for USB 2 wiring and it will show you the wire layout of the connectors. I used a 4" x 1.5" x 2" box that closed tightly. Then once soldered and tested, I taped together, plugged in two usb sticks, plugged in a short USB to lightening line, ran the male usb out along with the lightening line, and closed the box.
The little box now sits forward in my console, plugged in all the time to the USB connector in the car, and I can switch between USB 1 (my big stick), USB 2 (music when wifey is in car), carplay if I plug in my phone, and an empty slot (to 'unplug' easily if the system acts up). My phone slides sideways right in between the box.
One option I elected Not to do was permanently wire power into the phone. I was afraid of overpowering the usb port. Looking online, I did not see where a USB 2.0 could source current for a phone charge and running a USB stick, so I elected not to. This would enable me to charge the phone while listening to a stick. But, so be it, i can still flip between music sources and phone without wearing out the usb connector.
Funz51 you sound very knowledgeable about audio/audio files! Can you tell me how to create playlists that the RDX Advance will recognize using FLAC files from my USB drive? Is it as easy as just creating a new folder of songs on my computer and dumping the folder to the USB drive?
Funz51 you sound very knowledgeable about audio/audio files! Can you tell me how to create playlists that the RDX Advance will recognize using FLAC files from my USB drive? Is it as easy as just creating a new folder of songs on my computer and dumping the folder to the USB drive?
Making playlists is somewhat a pita, and sometimes are not registered in the system. I played with them a while back, but not really anymore.
After rereading your question, you are asking more of how to setup the USB drive.
First off, the system does not care what you name the files nor how they are organized on your drive.
It does care how the Meta data is named. If you have a Windows PC, look at a flac file properties. (Right click the file). You will see title, artist, album, etc. Those three are the only labels you care about. Name them for every file, keeping the artists name consistent, album the same if you care, and of course the title will be unique.
Then just use he infotainment system to choose what u want to hear. The 'playlist' is a manual creation where you list the file names in a text file telling the system what you want to hear just For convenience.
Re: Little USB Box, it’s interesting that this works but a switched usb selector box doesn’t. Thanks for sharing.
you are correct. the usb switch box that you buy is a hub (usually). this shows to the car that it has multiple connections and the car refuses it. I have tried 2 hubs and also a a-b switch off amazon, no love. You must separate the usb's so the car only sees one. This is why I built my own.
I guess maybe I should get into the business....
Making playlists is somewhat a pita, and sometimes are not registered in the system. I played with them a while back, but not really anymore.
After rereading your question, you are asking more of how to setup the USB drive.
First off, the system does not care what you name the files nor how they are organized on your drive.
It does care how the Meta data is named. If you have a Windows PC, look at a flac file properties. (Right click the file). You will see title, artist, album, etc. Those three are the only labels you care about. Name them for every file, keeping the artists name consistent, album the same if you care, and of course the title will be unique.
Then just use he infotainment system to choose what u want to hear. The 'playlist' is a manual creation where you list the file names in a text file telling the system what you want to hear just For convenience.
Download it, unzip, and take a look at one of the flacs, and u will see what I mean.
You can just copy all these files to a stick and play it.
I organize my usb's by artist, then album in subdirectories on the USB
Funz51 -- First, big, big thanks for all your help and assistance in helping with dealing with RDX audio issues. I could not have gotten this far in getting my RDX music set up without you.
With yours and others instructions I created many flac 24/48, 5.1 surround files. I've been exceedingly, no anally, careful and consistent with the proper file properties and names, whether artist, show, track name, and track number. When I look at the USB stick through Windows it appears in good order, set up by artist, with show sub-directories, and music track files within the show. The files play in the car and sound great. I mean, really REALLY GREAT! So far, so good.
BUT when the USB stick is in the car port it just doesn't maintain the order of the songs within the show. For example, much of my music is downloaded live shows, where each show is perhaps 10, 15, 20 songs or whatever. When I first put the USB stick in the songs will appear (in the current playlist display) and play in track # order, which is what I want. If I turn the car off when I start the car again the tracks from that show sub-directory are now displayed and play in alphabetical order. Or some other way but not in the original numbered track order that I started with. And, to use your word, it's PITA to have to reset this every time I get in and out of the car. It is exasperating to have all this wonderful sounding music right there but not be able to readily & easily control it. Your thoughts much appreciated. Thx, Jim
Jimk, I appreciate all the time and attention to detail in setting this up - been there, done that. I named all my files and the metadata song titles starting with the track number, e.g. 01 Songtitle1, 02 Songtitle2, ... That works.
This stuff is way above my pay grade but I recall from a LONG time ago on this forum that he Adobe was the man as far as converting to usable DVD-A
for the ELS system in the 3G TL.
This stuff is way above my pay grade but I recall from a LONG time ago on this forum that he Adobe was the man as far as converting to usable DVD-A
for the ELS system in the 3G TL.
That's still out there but it's all "as is". I don't support it any longer. I don't even have anything to code it on or run it on.
<rant>I've fully become the pedestrian, contented-cow, numb consumer that listens to streaming musing over BT. Appalling SQ but so convenient. Just like streaming movies vs BLRay and AT vs MT. Sadly everything has been made so boring over the last 15 years. Nobody cares about "the experience" anymore so no companies make anything to cater to those that do care about it. Don't even get me started on how unbelievably uninteresting todays cars are. I want to vomit every time I drive a CVT. Even bicycles have been dumbed down. Disc brakes, and crappy proprietary parts on road bikes....bah! Sorry....grumpier than usual today and thinking about how much I used to value really listening to music got me going</rant>
Funz51 -- First, big, big thanks for all your help and assistance in helping with dealing with RDX audio issues. I could not have gotten this far in getting my RDX music set up without you.
With yours and others instructions I created many flac 24/48, 5.1 surround files. I've been exceedingly, no anally, careful and consistent with the proper file properties and names, whether artist, show, track name, and track number. When I look at the USB stick through Windows it appears in good order, set up by artist, with show sub-directories, and music track files within the show. The files play in the car and sound great. I mean, really REALLY GREAT! So far, so good.
BUT when the USB stick is in the car port it just doesn't maintain the order of the songs within the show. For example, much of my music is downloaded live shows, where each show is perhaps 10, 15, 20 songs or whatever. When I first put the USB stick in the songs will appear (in the current playlist display) and play in track # order, which is what I want. If I turn the car off when I start the car again the tracks from that show sub-directory are now displayed and play in alphabetical order. Or some other way but not in the original numbered track order that I started with. And, to use your word, it's PITA to have to reset this every time I get in and out of the car. It is exasperating to have all this wonderful sounding music right there but not be able to readily & easily control it. Your thoughts much appreciated. Thx, Jim
Almost forgot . . . I have a 2021 RDX Advance
Thanks for he kudos. Yes others have documented issues, and noone I have seen has all the answers. Some of us have really put in the hours and tried to figure this system out. I just accept the crappy results that the system provides, and listen to the system best I can.
THe suggestion of putting a number in front of each song in the Meta data song title may help. I do that in some of my albums to ensure the songs are played in order - eg. PF DSOM, Another thing you could try is building some playlists that tells the system exactly the order, and run your system from playlists. Nice thing about that is you can put a certain few tracks in multiple playlists. If you think you want to try that, make a couple and see how it works.
Let us know how it works out!
That's still out there but it's all "as is". I don't support it any longer. I don't even have anything to code it on or run it on.
<rant>I've fully become the pedestrian, contented-cow, numb consumer that listens to streaming musing over BT. Appalling SQ but so convenient. Just like streaming movies vs BLRay and AT vs MT. Sadly everything has been made so boring over the last 15 years. Nobody cares about "the experience" anymore so no companies make anything to cater to those that do care about it. Don't even get me started on how unbelievably uninteresting todays cars are. I want to vomit every time I drive a CVT. Even bicycles have been dumbed down. Disc brakes, and crappy proprietary parts on road bikes....bah! Sorry....grumpier than usual today and thinking about how much I used to value really listening to music got me going</rant>
Hey hey hey now...
at least you aren't forgotten for the great work you've done.
Literally haven't ever done any of that stuff with DVD-A but your screen name was always prevalent in my mind.
Anyway, I'm with you...the world is watered down now with all this access to everything and RIGHT now mentality...
no wonder the youth looks so mad.
Jimk, I appreciate all the time and attention to detail in setting this up - been there, done that. I named all my files and the metadata song titles starting with the track number, e.g. 01 Songtitle1, 02 Songtitle2, ... That works.
Thank you for your reply! I did a test and renamed the files & metadata titles starting with the track number as you described in two different show sub-directories and am happy to report that it seems to have resolved the problem. I'm sad to report that there are 1,742 files at present on my just more than half full 512 GB flash stick. Oh the humanity!
Kidding aside, any suggestion for doing this other than file by file through Windows? That would be a tedious & time-consuming task even for this long-time OCD music down loader, listener, and collector.
Acura has built this car with fabulous music playing qualities. It's a real shame that they've made the provision/production of complimentary source material for use in the car so difficult & cumbersome.
To edit file names and metadata, I use mp3tag. It supports flac, and does batch conversions of file names and metadata. I also use it for the album art. There may be other programs, but I’ve used this one for years.
To edit file names and metadata, I use mp3tag. It supports flac, and does batch conversions of file names and metadata. I also use it for the album art. There may be other programs, but I’ve used this one for years.
DrWoo I can't thank you enough. mp3tag is marvelous!
well, here it goes. I took 3 female usb plugs, and wired the power and data lines into a 3 pole, 4 throw rotary switch. That means I have 4 positions to the switch, and three connections. We have a older USB connector, which has only 4 lines to it. Power, Gnd, data +, and data -.
So I wired all the gnds together, so they are not switched. I have PWR, D+ and D- on the three poles of the switch. I chopped the USB line (male end) off a old keyboard, and wired that up as the source on the switch (and plugs into the car). I used care when soldering the lines b/c they are fine wires. you can go online and look for USB 2 wiring and it will show you the wire layout of the connectors. I used a 4" x 1.5" x 2" box that closed tightly. Then once soldered and tested, I taped together, plugged in two usb sticks, plugged in a short USB to lightening line, ran the male usb out along with the lightening line, and closed the box.
The little box now sits forward in my console, plugged in all the time to the USB connector in the car, and I can switch between USB 1 (my big stick), USB 2 (music when wifey is in car), carplay if I plug in my phone, and an empty slot (to 'unplug' easily if the system acts up). My phone slides sideways right in between the box.
One option I elected Not to do was permanently wire power into the phone. I was afraid of overpowering the usb port. Looking online, I did not see where a USB 2.0 could source current for a phone charge and running a USB stick, so I elected not to. This would enable me to charge the phone while listening to a stick. But, so be it, i can still flip between music sources and phone without wearing out the usb connector.
Found the following on Amazon, while only two port selection, works great with RDX. I have my USB drive in one port and my Carlinkit wireless carplay in the other. Can switch between with out issue. Still no way to run multiple at the same time though.
If you're looking for 5.1 files to download, you can find them here...https://www.youtube.com/@5.1MusicChannel/channels The files download in 5.1 format (.mp4). They can be converted to flac (5.1 uncompressed) with foobar2000. Notable available file is Hendrix's Voodoo Child Slight Return from Electric Ladyland (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), featured in the Acura Electric commercial.
If you're looking for 5.1 files to download, you can find them here...https://www.youtube.com/@5.1MusicChannel/channels The files download in 5.1 format (.mp4). They can be converted to flac (5.1 uncompressed) with foobar2000. Notable available file is Hendrix's Voodoo Child Slight Return from Electric Ladyland (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), featured in the Acura Electric commercial.
Interesting. I got a few.
I will first try playing as MP4 videos on my Audi's Bang and Olufsen. Even when the wheels start rolling, the audio still plays.
Will be interesting to hear if MP4 audio is exactly the same as 6-channel FLACs (after I eventually run them though Foobar2000).
RE: Foobar2000 ... new install on this Windows-11 computer. Not sure if it was even possible, but I forgot about exporting of my presets ... so I have to recreate them all.
Interesting. I got a few.
I will first try playing as MP4 videos on my Audi's Bang and Olufsen. Even when the wheels start rolling, the audio still plays.
Will be interesting to hear if MP4 audio is exactly the same as 6-channel FLACs (after I eventually run them though Foobar2000).
RE: Foobar2000 ... new install on this Windows-11 computer. Not sure if it was even possible, but I forgot about exporting of my presets ... so I have to recreate them all.
Hopefully you figured it out by now. Note that foobar2000 has a Convert --> [last used] feature that saves your last conversion settings.
Hopefully you figured it out by now. Note that foobar2000 has a Convert --> [last used] feature that saves your last conversion settings.
Correct. Yes, it works nicely.
I like to create definitive presets for various functions (depending on type of file inputted and my desired output file). On my old Windows-10 computer I had managed to build about 6 (finely adjusted) presets over a year or so. No big deal ... I'll just re-create them all again.
