Sound and Programming in VB6

[digitaldj]

Has anybody worked with sound and VB6. What i need to do is add sound to a lighting program a couple of friends and i have written but none of us have ever worked with sound from the computer before.

Thanks,
Jukeman

[headkaze]

Just use the PlaySound API function.

Here is some example code http://www.a1vbcode.com/snippet-179.asp

[digitaldj]

Here is what it explains:
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This code uses the Playsound API function. Playsound can read files from standard WAV files on disk, by reference from the system registry, or from a resource file. For the application developer, this means that you can create a registry entry for your sound effects, which means that the end user can use the control panel to customize their preferences in sounds. You avoid designing another configuration screen or panel, and the user can still customize the application.
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I want to monitor the sound from the sound card and i want to filter it for one option so i can do red for highs, green for mids and blue for bass. The other option is to control patterns from sound. The sound would have to be converted so my processor boards would understand it.

I hope this is a better explanation and if this api does it i don't see that it will do it for me!
Jukeman

[headkaze]

This VUMeter example shows how you can monitor the wave out. You must go into your recording settings using the volume control (sndvol32.exe) and set it to Stereo Mix.

[digitaldj]

I'm not getting anyhting when i run the code, if it is because i am using mp3 instead of wave how do i fix that?
Jukeman

[headkaze]

1. Select Start->Run->sndvol32
2. Select your Mixer device for Recording (Eg. Realtek HD Audio rear input)
3. Make sure there is a tick next to Stereo Mix then click OK
4. Make sure there is a tick next to Select under Stereo Mix

Basically what that does is make sure your audio mix is sent through the recording input of your sound card. Run the app again and it should show the VU when you play a song.

[digitaldj]

Ok got it! Does VB6 provide a way to filter highs, mids and lows?

[Howard_Casto]

If by "filter" you mean manipulate the sound output then yes, but if by filter you just mean filter it for your visulization and keep the actual output constant then no. 

You aren't actually dealing with audio with this method, what you are doing is buffering the raw memory used in the recording buffer (which just happens to be sound) and using it's numerical value to alter the visualization.  It really isn't a good way to do visualizations, but it is the only way to do so without external libraries.  If you want to do anything fancy I suggest you look into some sound libraries that work with vb and support beat detection. 

[headkaze]

I'm not quite sure if he wants to manipulate the sound before it comes out of the speakers or just graphically display the audio. But if he wants to show the low, mid and high ranges of audio all you need is the raw audio data. How does anyone do any visualization? It's all with the raw audio data. The problem is the maths behind doing such things becomes quite complex. Using FFT and other fun maths to process buffered audio and output it in a meaningful way is not a walk in the park.

Check out this quote I found on the net regarding a spectrum equalizer for example:

If you want to actually implement an equalizer, rather than just a spectral display, it's normally done with a bank of IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filters. You -can- perform the actual filtering in the frequency domain with a "spectral subtraction" (FFT - > IFFT) type of filter, but the calculations for "overlap-add" or "overlap-save" to avoid discontinuities at buffer edges assume a good working knowledge of convolution theory. Assuming you're not a DSP engineer, the least-cost method is to use the IIR filter bank, then run an FFT on the output to display the filtered spectra.

If I remember correctly, the book "C algorithms for real-time DSP" has C source code for doing the IIR bank, and for forward and inverse FFT's. That leaves the code to handle the low-level wave device, and converting the FFT output bin values to magnitude for display.

If your not a maths expert or DSP wiz, I'd go with Howard on this and say find a library which can do it all for you.

[digitaldj]

Where would i need to look to find these? Have you guys done any projects using sound and would be interested in helping me out. I will release the source code to the forums and all the info on where to get the processor boards and such. Hopefully by making it available people will expand on it.

Thanks,
Jukeman

[Howard_Casto]

I'm not quite sure if he wants to manipulate the sound before it comes out of the speakers or just graphically display the audio. But if he wants to show the low, mid and high ranges of audio all you need is the raw audio data. How does anyone do any visualization? It's all with the raw audio data. The problem is the maths behind doing such things becomes quite complex. Using FFT and other fun maths to process buffered audio and output it in a meaningful way is not a walk in the park.

Well yeah that is true in any case, but libraries can sample the data of the stream playing rather than the hacked up method of "recording" the audio and sampling that data.  The problem with the old school method you linked to is the audio isn't normalized, meaning if you turn the sound down, the visualization doesn't work.  That is without some rather hefty math to normalize it manually. 

[headkaze]

Never knew you could record the stream playing without being the software playing the sound. Must be some low level driver hacking for that method because I remember doing a pretty hard and long search on Google for it. AFAIK recording sound output globally using the method I posted (albeit fiddly at best) was the only way to do it I could find.

[Howard_Casto]

I didn't say I knew how to do it, I just know it can be done... case in point winamp and wmp, they both do it internally.

[digitaldj]

Hey Guys i did some searching on some of the programming sites and couldn't really find anything on libraries. Can you guys point me in the right direction or from your experience what would be the best way to attack this?

Thanks,
Jukeman

[headkaze]

I didn't say I knew how to do it, I just know it can be done... case in point winamp and wmp, they both do it internally.

If your program is playing the actual audio like winamp or wmp, you have control over the raw sound data being played. ie DirectSound (or winmm.dll using API). As you buffer it for playback you can display the raw data in any form you wish. Which is what I said a post above yours, but I think the real problem is we don't understand what he's trying to do.

Hey Guys i did some searching on some of the programming sites and couldn't really find anything on libraries. Can you guys point me in the right direction or from your experience what would be the best way to attack this?

I don't think anyone really knows what your trying to do, you never fully explained it. I know I don't. If you want to filter highs, mids and lows of audio data, the only method you can do it globally is how I already explained it. Unless your program is playing the sound then you can filter the audio as you play it or display it however you want. In the case of the latter I would do some searching on Google for DirectSound in VB6. As for filtering sound, do a search for an equalizer type application or something. Your probably better off posting this question on a VB6 programming forum. My personal favourite has always been Xtreme VB Talk.

[digitaldj]

I guess i should have explained better,. What i have written is some code for l.e.d. lighting. I want to be be able to control the lights using sound. Each grid that will go in each side of my juke will have 64 squares in it which will produce 16 steps on each color for a possible 4096 colors each square. I can even run text except the grids are 4 wide instead of 5 which is better but you can still do it. I want to be able to control the blue for base all squares, green for mids allsquares and red for highs all squares for the first function then later i can control patterns from sound etc. I have posted a link so you can see the software and the prototype grid but this grid is only 8 squares as the completed grid will be 64 so it makes it 24" tall. I am also going to investigate using the visualisations from SKJukebox possibly since it's all pretty much there just need to tap into it.

Link to Yahoo photos shortened by saint

Thanks,
Kevin

[headkaze]

The question is though are you the one programming the application playing the sound? If not the VUMeter example is exactly what your after because it can record the audio output of another application.

You are going to have research the maths involved in splitting up the raw data into lows, mids and highs. The buffering code is all there in the VUMeter example. Ironically controlling LED's is the latest topic of conversation in the Software Forum at the moment relating to the LEDWiz product that is a controller card for lighting up CP's. So in fact it's good timing. I have done some experiments with displaying the left and right audio levels but that's about it. Attached is the VB6 example I used as a reference to write a C++ dll. The thing is two levels is hardly enough for a whole bunch of LED's to display the sound. So I too am interested in being able to split the sound up into, say 16 to 64 bands of audio. How you do that exactly is a mystery to me.

[headkaze]

I didn't realise that I already had some basic code to display EQ. Check out the attached exe and let me know if that is sufficient to do what you want.

When I get some time I might see if I can integrate this into my DLL. Then we might have something. Check out the "EQ Mode", I think that is perfect for lighting LED's using a whole range of values. Make sure your record is set to Stereo Mix and the volume is set to zero.

[digitaldj]

Do you have this file MFC71D.DLL?

So what do you think of the idead on the lighting and software?

I here alot about FFT can you expalin it?

Thanks,
Jukeman

[headkaze]

Errr sorry I can't attach the dll, it's too large, do a search on Google for it.

FFT stands for Fast Fourier Transform.. it's just the maths behind doing fast algs on audio to filter it.

I like the idea, and I might just look at working on writing a DLL that you can use in your own software to do it. But right now I don't own a LEDWiz so there is no big motivation for me to write it. loadman has offered to sell one of his LEDWiz units to me after XMas, so I may do some audio tests then. Right now though I don't know, I may or may not find the time to do it. I'll let you know if things change.

[digitaldj]

Well, as you can see i don't use a led wiz. Matter of fact i don't think RandyT likes me to much and gives me crap all the time. I actually use processor boards that control 64rgb leds each. For the ledwiz after he has given me crap a couple of times i am working on my own circuit that will be much better for jukebox use. What people have to realize you have to watch who you p--s off around here. First of all i think we should all work together not against each other.
Jukeman

[headkaze]

I saw your little "conflict" in Howard's "Johnny 5 and LedWiz" thread. Thing is, this has nothing to do with the LEDWiz directly. I'm just saying this has brought up the subject of controlling LED's using software. My personal belief is that we should work together on things like this, and me, swindus, loadman and edge have proven that working together works out best for the community rather than with an anti-competition philosophy like some others in the community.

[digitaldj]

I agree, i am not in competition with anyone. Matter of fact i am offering any of my information and findings on the led lighting if anyone wants to build one. I am also offering my drawings to anyone that wants to build a jukebox like mine.

I tried to be friends with RandyT and even had sent him some private messages about programming but he still wants to attack me in the forums. Anyway i think we can accomplish alot more by sticking together.

Let me know if you come up with anything! I appreciate your help!
Thanks,
Jukeman

[Howard_Casto]

I tried to be friends with RandyT and even had sent him some private messages about programming but he still wants to attack me in the forums. Anyway i think we can accomplish alot more by sticking together.

Don't feel bad, he does that to everybody.  I was having a perfectly innocent conversation about adding led support (other than the default) for mala I happened to mention that the ledwiz is too slow to change the lights as it's scrolling through a list, which was really only a side note and he jumps all over me. 

There are some other lighting methods out there, but unfortunately if you want to do color gradiation with leds, randy's product is the easiest and most cost-effective to work with.  Now if you merely wish to any lights (as in non-leds) the easiet way is with a color organ.  No pogramming necessary, you just split the audio out and send it to some very simple circuits. Also I've found that no software can control lights as good as good ole raw energy conversion from a color organ. As this is halloween time and color organs are used for props it should be really easy to track down a kit. 

Just a thought.


Since we all seem to be a little frustrated with softwrae dealings lately:

As a purely personal opinion towards current goings on in the software area, I am a little disappointed in almost everyone.  A community that used to be all about giving it way has degraded into a lot of "this software is free but only if you use it my way" and nag screens and even (gasp!) a fe that you have to pay for.  Remember people as great as our stuff is, it's worthless without the emulators and emulator developers.  Guess what?  All of their stuff is free so when we try to "sell" our stuff it's kind of like giving away a free 25$ christmas present that someone else gave you and then charging 30$ to gift wrap it.  I respect the programmers right to keep things closed source, but charging for software that is simply a tool to run free, more important software, eh that's a tad lame. 

[headkaze]

Howard I really hope your not opening another can of worms on this one. The fact is about having a nag screen to encourage donations has NOTHING to do with the Mame developers and the hard work they put into Mame. Nor has it ANYTHING to do with the coders who write the emulators. People should donate money to these people first if they use these emulators. Period. There is enough room in this place to have people donate to all the people who contribute down the line and including the people devoting time to write software for a FE, and I'm a little disappointed that you would say this Howard as you of all people should know the hard work that goes into writing one. Noone is comparing writing a FE to an emulator, and it's rediculous to say that asking a registration fee for a FE somehow is riding the emulator coders success or taking advantage of their hard work. Like I said clearly in Youki's thread is that all this work by the emulator coders dosn't take away the hard work done by FE authors. It now comes down to choice. Either you want to ask for donations, nag for donations, or make your FE commercial, it's up to you. As it is with Emulator authors, it's all about choice. Just because you decide to make your software free, free, free, don't bloody knock other people who have real lives, and expenses devoted to the software when registration helps out. Stop bloody knocking other peoples ways of doing things. Lets not start another thread like this for Gods sake.

[loadman]

I agree, i am not in competition with anyone. Matter of fact i am offering any of my information and findings on the led lighting if anyone wants to build one. I am also offering my drawings to anyone that wants to build a jukebox like mine.

That would be cool.

I also like to annoy the wife by soldering in the lounge room.

[RandyT]

I tried to be friends with RandyT and even had sent him some private messages about programming but he still wants to attack me in the forums.

Don't feel bad, he does that to everybody.

Nope, just a couple of people, of whom you happen to be one.  Some people try to elevate themselves by trampling on others and others just let garbage fly from their keyboards without researching it or really understanding it.  Dissemination of bad info and BS artists are a couple of pet peeves of mine, as are people who make threats to try to co-erce you into dealing with them.

Consider me an amplifier.  If you are a decent person, you will get that back 10-fold.  The same applies if you are not

You guys should start a club or something 


And I agree with Headkaze.  It's your code, you are entitled to do with it what you want.  If people wish to be compensated for their work, they should be.  If they want to do it for free, that's great too.  People tend to put a lot more effort into things when they get paid, even a little.


RandyT

[digitaldj]

Wow! I have so much to say! But you know what i'm not going to set here and air whatever problem you have with me or anybody and doubt our abilities. Just remember you have a business and this all reflects on that business. We should be here to help each other and if you can't play nice then i suggest you find a new playground!

Now on with the project talk!
Jukeman

[RandyT]

Wow! I have so much to say! But you know what i'm not going to set here and air whatever problem you have with me or anybody and doubt our abilities. Just remember you have a business and this all reflects on that business. We should be here to help each other and if you can't play nice then i suggest you find a new playground!

 

I have over a thosand posts here helping people where you have mostly a handful of "nothing to add" and accusatory garbage.  Perhaps you are the one out of place.

RandyT

[digitaldj]

You just have to keep going on don't you!

[saint]

 

[digitaldj]

You know i was letting him get to me a little but when i stop and think about it i'm just setting here laughing my butt off now.

I will just take care of the situation in a more professional manner. I'm better than this anyway!

Jukeman

[Howard_Casto]

Howard I really hope your not opening another can of worms on this one. The fact is about having a nag screen to encourage donations has NOTHING to do with the Mame developers and the hard work they put into Mame. Nor has it ANYTHING to do with the coders who write the emulators. People should donate money to these people first if they use these emulators. Period. There is enough room in this place to have people donate to all the people who contribute down the line and including the people devoting time to write software for a FE, and I'm a little disappointed that you would say this Howard as you of all people should know the hard work that goes into writing one. Noone is comparing writing a FE to an emulator, and it's rediculous to say that asking a registration fee for a FE somehow is riding the emulator coders success or taking advantage of their hard work. Like I said clearly in Youki's thread is that all this work by the emulator coders dosn't take away the hard work done by FE authors. It now comes down to choice. Either you want to ask for donations, nag for donations, or make your FE commercial, it's up to you. As it is with Emulator authors, it's all about choice. Just because you decide to make your software free, free, free, don't bloody knock other people who have real lives, and expenses devoted to the software when registration helps out. Stop bloody knocking other peoples ways of doing things. Lets not start another thread like this for Gods sake.

It's as simple as this... if you have to be paid to do something that is supposed to be a hobby... well you shouldn't be doing it.  I don't want a "product"  I want a lovenly made by hand "baby".  When you start putting money into the equation then it becomes a product, which this world has more than enough of already.  And you hit the nail right on the head, I do know very well what is involved, which is why I think my opinion carries a great deal of weight, more so than somene who has never released a fe before. 

Of course people have the right to do whatever they want with their product, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to be disappointed in them for taking advantage of mame's success.  Programming is free, it only costs time, so there really isn't any excuse to charge for a piece of software other than wanting to make money from it.  I have no problems with donations, but if you have to donate to remove a nag screen then it isn't exactly a donation now is it?  That's what we call shareware, call it like it is. 

And it is very mature and upstanding of you to accuse me of not having a life.  People only resort to personal insults when their side of the argument doesn't have a leg to stand on.  I used to have the upmost respect for you but I can't stand a person that starts stamping his foot and starting a name-calling session just because they didn't care for someone's opinion.

[digitaldj]

Come on guys this has gotten way out of hand! When it becomes personal that is way to much. We have to realize personal opinions is what makes a different, if we all agreed on the same thing imagine what this world would be like. Let's remember why the post was started and why we are all here. I think we all have something to contribute and together we can make some pretty good teams. Let's not let this end up like a chat room!

I know for some reason Randy and i have gotten off on the wrong foot and i am willing to end it all if he is. This negativity is not going to get us anywhere but leaving the forum. It's the same with me when i voiced my opinion and findings with l.e.d. lighting, i know what works for me and my project will be the proof of my work. I am not competing with anyone or trying to take anyones business i don't have time for it. If all that ever happens with my projects and no one else is interested in building and using what i have done then that's fine by me. If people need help i will help if they don't ask then that is fine also.

Cheers!
Kevin/Jukeman

[Howard_Casto]

Agreed..  Did you look into a color organ?

[headkaze]

It's as simple as this... if you have to be paid to do something that is supposed to be a hobby... well you shouldn't be doing it.  I don't want a "product"  I want a lovenly made by hand "baby".  When you start putting money into the equation then it becomes a product, which this world has more than enough of already.  And you hit the nail right on the head, I do know very well what is involved, which is why I think my opinion carries a great deal of weight, more so than somene who has never released a fe before. 

Of course people have the right to do whatever they want with their product, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to be disappointed in them for taking advantage of mame's success.  Programming is free, it only costs time, so there really isn't any excuse to charge for a piece of software other than wanting to make money from it.  I have no problems with donations, but if you have to donate to remove a nag screen then it isn't exactly a donation now is it?  That's what we call shareware, call it like it is. 

And it is very mature and upstanding of you to accuse me of not having a life.  People only resort to personal insults when their side of the argument doesn't have a leg to stand on.  I used to have the upmost respect for you but I can't stand a person that starts stamping his foot and starting a name-calling session just because they didn't care for someone's opinion.

Dude you gotta get off your high horse cos theres nothing more annoying than someone who thinks they know it all. And just because you've written a few FE's dosn't make you the King of this hobby nor does it make your opinion more mighty than anyone elses. And writing a FE hardly gives you some magical sacret knowledge of this hobby. You have your personal opinion on a nag screen. I don't call that shareware, but your entitled to your opinion. Next time if you want to mess up a thread by dropping a bombshell start a new topic or something. The way I see it you pay for everything that goes into your cab, so why should software be any different. If you feel obliged to donate and can afford it then you should. Ask anyone on the GameEx forums who's paid registration and they say they were happy to do so. Most do it to show their appreciation of the hard work by the author.

BTW I never said you didn't have a life you totally misread that. I said "don't bloody knock other people who have real lives, and expenses devoted to the software when registration helps out". Where in that sentance am I saying you have no life? It's not a comparison to you.

[digitaldj]

I actually have a color organ for l.e.d. lighting that i have converted from a 120v version. But that doesn't allow me the number of outputs that i needed and do patterns. By using software though a little more work gives you greater versatility.

Jukeman

[digitaldj]

Either one of you guys interested in working on adding sound control to my software?
Thanks,
Jukeman