IMPORTANT: The latest version of foobar2000 software and ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) support component must be installed on your computer before doing this procedure. To download this software and component, visit the foobar2000 website. Open the foobar2000 software. Click Preferences. Go to the Components page. ASIO was a low latency solution used as a workaround for the fact that the Windows audio subsystem prior to Vista couldn't go any lower than 30ms. Which is unacceptable for realtime interactions. This was also the reason why you needed proprietary drivers made by the manufacturer and a management software specific to your audio interface for. You need to set the Audio-Output options of your media player to AQVOX.com USB ASIO MEDIAPLAYER SOFTWARE compatible because ASIO output is already integrated: JRiver.com, ALBUMPLAYER.com, etc. Compatible because ASIO output can be integrated by the user: Foobar2000.com, winamp.com, mediamonkey.com, BPM etc.
Audio Stream Input/Output, or ASIO, mode ensures your PC sound doesn’t undergo digital signal processing or sample-rate conversion. It is nearly 100% true to its source, and preferred by audiophiles looking for complete fidelity.
Setting up Foobar2000 for ASIO DSD / DXD Playback with exaSound DACs is straightforward. Experienced users probably won't need all the details below. We've included detailed step by step screenshots in case you experience difficulties. If you haven't done so, download and install the exaSound G3 Windows ASIO driver. The USB-Audiodevice works only properly with the ASIO driver at the USB-port what was used during the ASIO driver installation. If a different USB-port should be used the ASIO Software must be un-installed.
Essence products support native Audio Stream Input/Output 2.2 drivers, known as ASIO 2.2., allowing digital signals to bypass Windows audio layers to avoid redundant processing. With easy setup, it allows you to quickly enjoy high fidelity and stable bit-perfect audio.
*ASIO protocol developed by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
The example below shows how to configure your Windows 7 PC with an Essence USB DAC using ASIO as the output mode through the foobar2000 media player:
- Install your Essence USB audio product
Please follow the quick-start guide to install the Essence USB audio 2.0 driver and the Essence product. Make sure the Essence product is set as default audio device.
- Install foobar2000
Once foobar2000 is installed, add the ASIO plug-in on foobar2000 — like this:
Step 1: Download the ASIO component
Find the ‘Get more components’ link under File>Preferences>Components – it’s near the bottom of the dialog box
Clicking the link will direct you to www.foobar2000.org/components. Download the ASIO support file and save it to your PC
Step 2: Install the ASIO component
Return to File>Preferences>Components and click the ‘Install’ button
Select ‘foo_out_asio’ component and click the ‘Open’ button
Click ‘Apply’ and restart foobar2000.
Step 3: Enable ASIO output mode
Select ‘ASIO: Essence device’ under Preferences>Output>Playback>Output.Click the ‘Apply’ button and then click ‘OK’.
ASIO audio output is now enabled. Most Essence USB audio products feature a bit-perfect LED indicator. It will always light up under ASIO playback to show that your playback is bit-perfect.
| WASAPI output support | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Peter Pawlowski |
| Repository | {{{repository}}} |
| Release information | |
| Initial release | {{{released}}} |
| Stable release | 3.3 (June 19, 2017) |
| Preview release | N/A |
| foobar2000 compatibility | |
| Minimum version | 1.1 |
| Maximum version | {{{foobar2000_maximum}}} |
| UI module(s) | N/A |
| Additional information | |
| Use | Output |
| License | {{{license}}} |
| Discussion thread | N/A |
Foobar Wasapi
The Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI) output support component allows you to play your music using WASAPI exclusive mode.
WASAPI is a new audio output method introduced in Windows Vista; among other things, it provides an exclusive mode that allows applications to take full control over soundcard's resources (muting any sounds played by other applications) and play unaltered bitstream without passing it through the Windows mixer.
- 2WASAPI plug-in version 3.0
Differences between WASAPI and ASIO / Kernel Streaming from foobar2000 user’s perspective[edit]
- Requires Windows Vista or Windows 7 - not available on Windows XP or older.
- Works with more soundcards - contrary to e.g. ASIO, it doesn't require any special support from soundcard's manufacturer, other than providing a Windows Vista compatible driver.
- Guarantees muting of any other sounds played through the soundcard - with ASIO and KS, muting occurred with some soundcards but not with all of them; it was a side effect rather than a feature.
WASAPI plug-in version 3.0[edit]
Output modes: push and event-driven[edit]
As for the latest version of the component, two different output modes are available - push and event-driven; certain soundcards - especially USB devices - are known to cooperate better with the event-driven mode while certain other soundcards do not support the event-driven mode at all.
Sandbox[edit]
Unfortunately, WASAPI is affected by various bugs in both Windows mixer and soundcard drivers. To keep these from crashing foobar2000, all WASAPI access is now sandboxed in a separate process for better stability.
Buffer size tweaks[edit]
Please note that any buffer tweak options do not explicitly cause the specified buffer size to be used; if the specified value is outside the allowed range for your device, the nearest allowed value will be used.
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
- WASAPI output support (foo_out_wasapi) on foobar2000.org
- WASAPI on Wikipedia
Audio Interface With Asio Driver
