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Topic: High control audio playback software (Read 3464 times) previous topic - next topic
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High control audio playback software

[FIRST POST]

Hello,

Has anyone else been disappointed by the lack of playback control in mainstream (notably Winamp and Foobar2000) software players for audio books and speech media, in particular? And if so, have you found a working solution?

Recently, I have taken to listening to fiction through (mp3) audio books and I am also in the process of learning a language from various media, including CDs with almost 100% speech and language cassette tapes. Interestingly, I find using an 80's cassette deck considerably easier than anything on a computer. For example, the forward/rewind controls skip foward and backward smoothly and in small increments while holding down the controls. On release, they stop seeking.

So, to that end I have a small wishlist of playback control features that I really need and would imagine many others would also welcome:

1. Press-release incremental fast foward/rewind controls. As described in the example above,
2. Navigation by resettable frame or index counter. Using on-screen arrows or buttons to have a numerical representation of where and/or how far one has navigated. A counter should be easy to reset to 0 at any absolute track position,
3. Bookmark absolute position within a track and play list. For single track CD or a single large audio file the in-track bookmark would be invaluable. Bookmarking within a playlist is a natural expected feature and should be easier to implement,
4. Fine-grained, zoomable seek or control bar. The usual seek bar, but with a couple of differences: a micro mouse movement should move only 1 frame (smallest audible unit), and the ability to choose an arbitrary or at least large number of scales for the seek bar.

That is all I can think of for now. But, no doubt you get the idea. More control is good!  And makes a huge difference to the seamlessness between the audio and digital worlds, as well as being invaluable in certain applications. If anyone can think of any useful playback control features (and stating clearly why they are useful), then please feel free to add to the list!

Yes, I am aware that all the items listed above and more are available in audio editors and possibly expensive DJ mixing software. But I'm looking for these features in a relatively inexpensive and real-time software player. Just importing the contents of these media into audio editing tools takes a lot of time and represents another large hurdle to convenient features that one comes to expect in any good audio playback tool, be it analogue or digital, hardware or software.

If anyone actually is aware of an audio player that can do all these things and more, I, and many others no doubt, would be ecstatic to hear from you!

Thank you very much for these great forums!

High control audio playback software

Reply #1 –
The closest I have been able to find so far to a useful tool with some subset of the realtime features above is:

Amazing Slow Downer from Roni Music (http://www.ronimusic.com).

squeeze.

High control audio playback software

Reply #2 –
I'd have a look at Media Player Classic:
http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli/
It doesn't have all of the features you mention and might not be the most convenient audio player, but it does support bookmarks, fast forward/rewind (not press-release) and a reasonably fine-grained seekbar (depends on how big you make the window). Ctrl-Left and Ctrl-Right are also very useful (they move forward/backward a bit).
Be sure to thoroughly check out its options and menus.

High control audio playback software

Reply #3 –
I'll comment on foobar just because I'm running it now.  First, it seems it will do most anything with the right plugins, so maybe what you want is out there or will be.
As to stock,  the side arrows move the time 10 seconds at a time and control-arrow moves 1 minute at a time.  Continous hold repeats.

Both of the portable players I use (Neuros, and Ptunes deluxe for Palm) let you set bookmarks.  They will also set a book mark automatically on shut-off and return there on startup.  Neuros also has a-b looping

Aside from editors or splitting programs I don't know any players that have zero counters (aka trip odometer?)