Request For Comments: Snakeoil 1.2.0 (Gear Isolation)

[agent_kith]

Working on something rather interesting right now - AES67.

Specifically the virtual AES67 device from Merging Technologies. AES67 is used extensively in the commercial space for audio distribution (think Creston, SVSi, Attero). Wasn't even aware about this virtual solution until early this week, and honestly wasn't even aware Merging Technology is in the audiophile business (NADAC).
 

This will be a free feature for Isolation Gear, meaning it'd be an activated feature for the current Blind Testing firmware. When U3 is released, you'd need to:

1. Use the Ravenna upgrade kernel
   
2. Install the Ravenna module to get the closed source user space binary
   

Snakeoil will detect the Ravenna kernel and run Butler automatically. And you'd get a link to the Butler interface in the players section. Here's one of the config tabs in Butler:
 

Not entirely sure how many will be using this. I'm hoping this will be multicasting (1 source, multiple receivers), but apparently this is unicast (point to point stream)? It's all a bit confusing right now, but hopefully I can run some tests to see what it's doing.

[Bromf]

Any Links ??  I looked but can't find any sales or price listing..... is it just hot as in air or something more substantial with specs tests reviews and dealers ?? lol.

[agent_kith]

Any Links ??  I looked but can't find any sales or price listing..... is it just hot as in air or something more substantial with specs tests reviews and dealers ?? lol.

Here's the page.

And a wiki page on the AES67 companies out there. Merging is at the top of the table...

I've only have experience with QSC and Attero, and only on the network side. Getting a working verison of this (if it's multicasting) will hopefully help me in my day job. I'm trying to get a proper handling of AES67.

Of all the network gear we tried, it seems Cisco is the only switch that has all the options needed to work well.

[Bromf]

I think I get the big picture but the details lose me...    
My IT skills are light years less than stellar....being an 'old coot' lol...

I've looked at various audio over network implementations but nothing yet seems mature nor useable at the domestic level..... this may be the first but I'm still confused at the hardware level...what does it run on and where is that hardware sourced...?

Seems that application is aimed at studio/recording over ip ??     which could be a lot of fun...I would so like to be able to rip LPs on one machine doing the D/A conversion with a local card but send the result to another machine for processing and archiving...

[agent_kith]

My IT skills are light years less than stellar....being an 'old coot' lol...

[agent_kith]

Native DSD. One of the most asked feature requests for Snakeoil. In the past you guys need to generate a diangostic file, send it to me, and I'd add the necessary codes to make it work. Not anymore!


Here's the prototype of the kernel that'll read a configuration file, and set your DSD output accordingly.


The above configuration will result in this:

Code:

XENRAN Audio HD USB Audio at usb-0000:02:04.0-2.1, full speed : USB Audio

Playback:
  Status: Stop
  Interface 2
    Altset 1
    Format: S16_LE
    Channels: 2
    Endpoint: 3 OUT (ASYNC)
    Rates: 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000, 352800, 384000
  Interface 2
    Altset 2
    Format: S24_3LE DSD_U16_LE
    Channels: 2
    Endpoint: 3 OUT (ASYNC)
    Rates: 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000, 352800, 384000
  Interface 2
    Altset 3
    Format: S32_LE
    Channels: 2
    Endpoint: 3 OUT (ASYNC)
    Rates: 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000, 352800, 384000

The beauty of this? This one single kernel will now work for all native DSD DACs (you just have to enter the parameters yourself). And there is no need to reboot the PC, just disconnect and reconnect and the new settings will be applied.

That's the kernel bits out of the way (mostly). Going to work on the GUI next. Not entirely sure how to approach this at the moment, so stay tuned.

[hkphantomgtr]

Native DSD. One of the most asked feature requests for Snakeoil. In the past you guys need to generate a diangostic file, send it to me, and I'd add the necessary codes to make it work. Not anymore!


Here's the prototype of the kernel that'll read a configuration file, and set your DSD output accordingly.


The above configuration will result in this:

Code:

XENRAN Audio HD USB Audio at usb-0000:02:04.0-2.1, full speed : USB Audio

Playback:
  Status: Stop
  Interface 2
    Altset 1
    Format: S16_LE
    Channels: 2
    Endpoint: 3 OUT (ASYNC)
    Rates: 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000, 352800, 384000
  Interface 2
    Altset 2
    Format: S24_3LE DSD_U16_LE
    Channels: 2
    Endpoint: 3 OUT (ASYNC)
    Rates: 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000, 352800, 384000
  Interface 2
    Altset 3
    Format: S32_LE
    Channels: 2
    Endpoint: 3 OUT (ASYNC)
    Rates: 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000, 176400, 192000, 352800, 384000

The beauty of this? This one single kernel will now work for all native DSD DACs (you just have to enter the parameters yourself). And there is no need to reboot the PC, just disconnect and reconnect and the new settings will be applied.

That's the kernel bits out of the way (mostly). Going to work on the GUI next. Not entirely sure how to approach this at the moment, so stay tuned. 

You're so gifted!  Thanks for your great work!

[agent_kith]

Here's how native configuration is going to work in the Snakeoil WebApp (Blind Testing U4 onwards). Install a special DSD kernel (yet to be released) and reboot. Once Snakeoil recognises a compatible kernel, you'll see an extra configuration panel in the Snakeoil menu, like so:
 

Click on that drop down button, to select a DSD format supported by your DAC (check with your DAC maker on this):

More configuration options will appear once you select a DSD format:

Don't know the USB ID of your DAC? Click on the search icon (magnifying glass), and it'd return the USB ID of your first USB DAC:

Next, select the Altset (3 available) that will do native DSD decoding (again refer to your DAC maker for configuration details):

And that'll complete the native DSD configuration. To apply, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Save". Then reconnect your DAC (unplug and reconnect your USB DAC), and the new settings will be applied.
Now start playing native DSD and see if it works *Fingers crossed*. For safety reasons, remember to set the volume to a very low level. Note you cannot use software volume control for this (native DSD requires the software mixer to be at 100%).

[hkphantomgtr]

Here's how native configuration is going to work in the Snakeoil WebApp (Blind Testing U4 onwards). Install a special DSD kernel (yet to be released) and reboot. Once Snakeoil recognises a compatible kernel, you'll see an extra configuration panel in the Snakeoil menu, like so:
 

Click on that drop down button, to select a DSD format supported by your DAC (check with your DAC maker on this):

More configuration options will appear once you select a DSD format:

Don't know the USB ID of your DAC? Click on the search icon (magnifying glass), and it'd return the USB ID of your first USB DAC:

Next, select the Altset (3 available) that will do native DSD decoding (again refer to your DAC maker for configuration details):

And that'll complete the native DSD configuration. To apply, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Save". Then reconnect your DAC (unplug and reconnect your USB DAC), and the new settings will be applied.
Now start playing native DSD and see if it works *Fingers crossed*. For safety reasons, remember to set the volume to a very low level. Note you cannot use software volume control for this (native DSD requires the software mixer to be at 100%).

That's a really stunning news!!!

[agent_kith]

4 day long weekend. Thought I can get some work done. Wild weather knocked the power out. No idea when it'll be back.

There is a loud bang in the suburb.

Hope everyone, and all computers are OK.