Crossover on PC for SQ + Linux

**simplex** · 10-21-2009, 03:35 AM

Here's the plan:
For sound quality, i want to eleminate the analogue crossover stage, so instead of using the composite speakers' crossovers, or the amp's, i want to do the crossover in carPC with a 6 or 8 channel audiophile sound card (SNR > 100dBA), and use a 6 channel amp to connent the woofers, the mids and the tweeters separately to the sound card's outputs.
So if i eleminate an analog stage, i possibly gain SQ. Does it worth it?

Oh, and just for more fun, i want to do it in Gentoo Linux. I'm a sysop, but I know nothing
about the advanced audio part of linux, so any info is helpful

So, i also need a decent sound card for this, supported on linux, requirements:
-possibly PCI (to save CPU power, i'm using an Atom 330 1.6 Ghz, and I think crossover will eat CPU too)
-6 or more output channels
-unbalanced RCA output if possible
-SNR > 100dBA

Any help would be appreciated

**soundman98** · 10-21-2009, 09:16 AM

the 2 main programs i know of for audio processing are Console, and Audio Mulch, and as far as i know, neither are designed for or support linux. they only have versions for mac or pc.

a quick google shows that there are linux based audio programs though. i have just never seen any of them discussed here.

you will need to look for what is called a VST Host-- the audio processing programs would be called VST Plugins-- find one(s) that work best for you.

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...linux+vst+host

**simplex** · 10-21-2009, 09:39 AM

Thanks, google is my friend, but i'm looking for someone who actually
did something like this with linux, i don't want to spend half year just
trying out bazillions of open source solutions, just need a working one

**kross** · 10-21-2009, 06:42 PM

LADSPA is the Linux standard for audio plugins. You can use LADSPA plugins with ALSA, and just put the parameters in your .asoundrc file. You can also use JACK, and the JACK Rack plugin, which gives you a GUI interface to LADSPA plugins. You just need to make sure your audio player program can output audio via JACK instead of ALSA.