From 5a95fd984907d0ee00c7e03a1ad9f7b337115622 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: tiyn Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2024 05:18:20 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] audio: headphones article detached from audio, added modification section --- wiki/audio.md | 123 ++++++++++++++++++++++++--------------------- wiki/headphones.md | 26 ++++++++++ 2 files changed, 92 insertions(+), 57 deletions(-) create mode 100644 wiki/headphones.md diff --git a/wiki/audio.md b/wiki/audio.md index 1e0425c..daa0338 100644 --- a/wiki/audio.md +++ b/wiki/audio.md @@ -10,21 +10,66 @@ Podcasts need a so called Podcatcher. A Podcatcher is used to subscribe to podcasts and download them automatically. For Linux specific music software navigate to the corresponding [wiki entry](/wiki/linux/audio.md). -For voice based communication navigate to the [Communication article](/wiki/communication.md) and +For voice based communication navigate to the [communication article](/wiki/communication.md) and the corresponding [VoIP section](/wiki/communication.md#voip). +For headphones navigate to the [headphones article](/wiki/headphones.md): -## Headphone/In-Ear Monitor Audio Profiles and Reviews +## Technical Specifications -Headphones have different frequency responses. -[AutoEq](https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master) can be used to normalize these to a -harman curve. -AutoEq also has a [website](https://autoeq.app/) on which headsets can be searched and equalizer -presets can be exported more easily. +This section aswell as its subsections address all technical things about audio, like connections, +cables and devices. +The most frequently used audio formats are also addressed. -An extensive list of in-ear monitor reviews was made by crinacle. -It is called [crinacle's ranking list IEMs & Earphones](https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/). -A similar list for headphones was also made by crinacle. -It is called [crinacle's ranking list Headphones](https://crinacle.com/rankings/headphones/). +### Balanced & Unbalanced Audio + +Unbalanced audio uses a wire for the positive signal for audio transmission and one for ground. +This is the most frequently used type of cable bound audio transmission. +Usually they are connected with jack connections like 3.5mm and 6.25mm. + +Balanced audio uses one wire for the positive signal, one for negative and another one for the +ground. +Due to this extra cable a balanced connection can cancel out noise that entered the cable and +affected both the positive and the negative signal. +Balanced uses connectors like 4-pin XLR aswell as 2.5mm and 4.4mm jacks + +### Audio Formats and Encoding + +An audio format is an encoding of an audio file. +There are lossy and lossless formats, the latter not compromising quality for +smaller file sizes. +Following is a list of often used formats: + +- wav is an uncompressed lossless format +- aiff is an uncompressed lossless format +- [flac](./flac_(codec).md) is a compressed lossless format +- alac is a compressed lossless format +- ape is a compressed lossless format +- mp3 is a compressed lossy codec +- aac is a compressed lossy codec +- wma is a compressed lossy codec +- ac3 is a compressed lossy codec usually found in DVDs +- dts is a compressed lossy codec usually found in DVDs + +Music files can either be encoded lossy or lossless. +Lossless formats can be converted from and to each other without loosing +information. +Lossless formats can also be converted to lossy formats to make the files +smaller and save space. +Files should not be converted to lossy formats more than once. +Additionally lossy formats should not be converted to lossless formats as it +increases the file size without adding any audio information. +These not recommended conversions are called bad conversions. + +### Cue Files + +`.cue` files act as a table of contents for a CD rip. +These can be created when the +[audio of a CD is extracted](#extract-audio-files-from-cds). +Usually this appears together with a single file for the whole CD. +The audio file can then be split according to the `.cue` file. +For splitting of `.flac` files on a Linux system check the +[a flac (package) entry](/wiki/linux/flac_(package).md#splitting-flac-file-according-to-cue-file) +for further informations. ## Media Software @@ -61,37 +106,12 @@ The corresponding client software is handled in the server softwares wiki entry. It is self-hostable and can be dockerized. It has a web-interface and does not feature client software. -## Audio Formats +## Digitalizing and Analyzing Physical Mediums -An audio format is an encoding of an audio file. -There are lossy and lossless formats, the latter not compromising quality for -smaller file sizes. -Following is a list of often used formats: +This section focusses on physical audio mediums like CDs, their digitalization to a digital audio +file of [specific format](#audio-formats-and-encoding) and conversions between them. -- wav is an uncompressed lossless format -- aiff is an uncompressed lossless format -- [flac](./flac_(codec).md) is a compressed lossless format -- alac is a compressed lossless format -- ape is a compressed lossless format -- mp3 is a compressed lossy codec -- aac is a compressed lossy codec -- wma is a compressed lossy codec -- ac3 is a compressed lossy codec usually found in DVDs -- dts is a compressed lossy codec usually found in DVDs - -### Lossy and Lossless Formats and Their Conversion - -Music files can either be encoded lossy or lossless. -Lossless formats can be converted from and to each other without loosing -information. -Lossless formats can also be converted to lossy formats to make the files -smaller and save space. -Files should not be converted to lossy formats more than once. -Additionally lossy formats should not be converted to lossless formats as it -increases the file size without adding any audio information. -These not recommended conversions are called bad conversions. - -#### Detect Bad Conversions +### Detect Bad Conversions The bitrate, format and the sample rate can be usually checked with simple tools. @@ -99,7 +119,7 @@ For Linux a simple software solution for this is the `file` command. Running it will display these features of a given audio file. This will however only display the format features. Bad convserions as described in -[the previous section](#lossy-and-lossless-formats-and-their-conversion) can not +[the previous section](#audio-formats-and-encoding) can not be detected by this. A spectral analysis can detect bad conversions. For this a audio analyzer like @@ -112,7 +132,7 @@ If the frequency extends up to at least 22kHz the file is lossless for sure. If the frequency is cut before and the file is encoded in a lossless file it has undergone a bad conversion and is not really lossless. -## Extract Audio Files from CDs +### Extract Audio Files from CDs You can convert your CDs to files on your computer. This way you don't have to search for your CDs all the time. @@ -127,20 +147,20 @@ This way you don't have to search for your CDs all the time. - [MusicBrainz Picard](./picard.md) for linux is a graphical user interface for tagging files of many different formats. -## Analysis of Different Versions of an Album +### Analysis of Different Versions of an Album While deciding on what version of an album is the best visit [Dynamic Range DB](https://dr.loudness-war.info). It shows dynamic range scorings of each version. -## Get Additional Data to an Album/Single +### Get Additional Data to an Album/Single If additional information for an album is needed, visit [Discogs](https://www.discogs.com). Discogs has tracklists, dates and more information to nearly all versions of albums and singles. -## Naming Convention +### Naming Convention It is suggested to place the audio files in a directory named after the album they belong to. @@ -150,18 +170,7 @@ Files can be named in the following scheme: - music: `[.].__-_` - audiobooks: `[<discnumber>.]<tracknumber>._<artist>_-_<album>_<tracknumber>` -## Cue Files - -`.cue` files act as a table of contents for a CD rip. -These can be created when the -[audio of a CD is extracted](#extract-audio-files-from-cds). -Usually this appears together with a single file for the whole CD. -The audio file can then be split according to the `.cue` file. -For splitting of `.flac` files on a Linux system check the -[a flac (package) entry](/wiki/linux/flac_(package).md#splitting-flac-file-according-to-cue-file) -for further informations. - -## Scoring Music +### Scoring Music Scoring music has moved more and more into the computer realm. An easy and intuitive software that can be used for this is diff --git a/wiki/headphones.md b/wiki/headphones.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..edfed81 --- /dev/null +++ b/wiki/headphones.md @@ -0,0 +1,26 @@ +# Headphones + +Headphones are a pair of drivers that converts electronic signals into [audio](/wiki/audio.md). +Headphones are available in different forms: for example headphones and in-ear monitors. +All types are addressed in this article. + +## Audio Profiles and Reviews + +Headphones have different frequency responses. +[AutoEq](https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/tree/master) can be used to normalize these to a +harman curve. +AutoEq also has a [website](https://autoeq.app/) on which headsets can be searched and equalizer +presets can be exported more easily. + +An extensive list of in-ear monitor reviews was made by crinacle. +It is called [crinacle's ranking list IEMs & Earphones](https://crinacle.com/rankings/iems/). +A similar list for headphones was also made by crinacle. +It is called [crinacle's ranking list Headphones](https://crinacle.com/rankings/headphones/). + +## Modifications + +Headphones can be modified. +The most done modifications include detachable cables or a balanced conversion. +An example for a detachable cable mod aswell as a balanced conversion can be found in +[a video by Custom Cans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhieszLgGbM) on +[YouTube](/wiki/youtube.md).