SOrient SoftAmp VirtualSound Plugin for Winamp Version 1.0 (Demonstration Version)

Aug. 1, 2000 

<INVITATION> 
This file contains the necessary information for the installation and operation of the SoftAmp VirtualSound Plugin for Winamp. This is a demonstration version(Shareware).... so that you may try before you purchase it. You can download and enjoy it for certain period of time. Currently it expires after 21 days.

<DISTRIBUTION>
You may distribute the Product to third parties who are interested in evaluating the Product provided that you comply with each of the following: you distribute the Product unmodified and in its entirety (with the License and any copyright or other proprietary notices intact and unaltered); you do not charge any fees or costs in connection with such distribution; you promptly cease such distribution upon the request of SOrient; and the Product is used only for evaluation purpose and for personal, non-commercial use. Refer to the License Agreement for the complete 
grant of license and other restrictions.

<SOFTAMP VIRTUALSOUND PLUGIN (Version 1.0)>
SOrient is pleased to announce the World's first four virtual speaker 3D audio plug-in for Winamp MP3 player. Our Winamp Plugin, "SoftAmp VirtualSound" produces a three dimensional sound with four independent virtual speakers. Now MP3 music can be heard in a truly three dimensional fashion. The virtual speakers, for the first time, can be moved freely as you hear the MP3 music. There are four virtual  speakers, two of which can function as Woofers. The decoded MP3 is processed through our VirtualSound Plugin to generate the sound you have never heard before. Try it for yourself, and you will never go back to the old, plain MP3 music. The plugin has no effect on monophonic recordings.

<MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS>
* O.S. : Microsoft Windows 95 / 98 / NT / 2000
* RAM  : 32MB (64MB Recommended)
* CPU  : Intel Celeron 300 MHz, Pentium II 233 MHz

<INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS>
The SoftAmp VirtualSound Plugin is distributed as a self-extracting EXE file called "VirSound.exe".  Before installing, Winamp should be closed if it is running. Double-click on "VirSound.exe" to run the installer program. The installer will automatically find the folder where Winamp DSP plug-ins should be installed.  It will be displayed in the "Destination Folder" field of the installer window.  Click "Finish" to complete the installation. In case the "Destination Folder" is different, select the folder where Winamp is installed by clicking the Browse button, and then click OK to complete the installation.
Start Winamp after installing the plug-in. Type CTRL-P and the "Winamp - Preferences" window will be displayed. Select the DSP/Effect category in the left panel and the list of installed plug-ins will be displayed on the right. Choose "SOrient, Inc. SoftAmp VirtualSound Plugin". Finally, to close the dialog, click the Close button. The plug-in should now be running.
These directions are for Winamp v2.5 and v2.6 (x86).  Other Winamp versions may have a different user interface for selecting plug-ins.

<TO TURN OFF THE SOFTAMP VIRTUALSOUND PLUGIN>
In Winamp, type CTRL-P to select the "Winamp - Preferences" dialog. In the left window panel, click "DSP/Effect".  Now click "(None)" in the right window panel.  Then click the Close button.  This turns off the VirtualSound Plugin.

<TO UNINSTALL THE VIRTUALSOUND PLUGIN>
There is no uninstaller. However, the VirtualSound Plugin can be uninstalled by deleting a file. First, you must turn off the plug-in as described above. Now, quit Winamp. Then, delete the file "dsp_so3d.dll" found in the Winamp Plugins folder.  This uninstalls the SoftAmp VirtualSound plugin for Winamp. 

<USER INSTRUCTION FOR THE SOFTAMP VIRTUALSOUND PLUGIN>
The three dimensional sound technique lets you listen to the music with as many virtual speakers as you would set, with only two physical speakers. Currently, our VirtualSound Plugin has four virtual speakers. It is one of the most advanced digital signal processing technologies available today. Although the two physical speakers are placed in front of you, you can place the virtual speakers anywhere you like and will hear the sound as if the real speakers are there! Of course, you can hear MP3 music using headphones, and the sound effect is the same. 
As the sound sources are positioned at different locations, the music becomes more vivid and realistic, and you will find yourself immersed as if in the presence of a live play. As a virtual speaker is placed far away from you, its sound intensity will be lessened accordingly. In that way, you can have ultimate control over the sound field and can manipulate the MP3 file in any way you please. Just click the mouse at a virtual speaker and drag it where you want to place while listening to the music sound changing accordingly. It is that simple. The controls are described below.

<"Speaker/Headphone" Button>
To achieve the best possible 3D effect, a Speaker/Headphone button is provided to select headphone or speaker listening. If the speakers are used for the listening, choosing the speaker configuration will correctly cancel the crosstalk for you. It is best when you place the physical speakers at 30 degrees left and right in front of you. 

<Changing the Speaker Height>
You can even change the altitude of the virtual speakers. Just click the mouse right button at a virtual speaker and there you will find an easy setting for speaker height adjustment. Choose a height for the speaker, and let it go. You can enjoy the sound coming from down under or from above! 

<Saving Settings>
Four default sets of the virtual speaker positions are provided for an easy set up. At the default sets, the virtual speakers are at 0 degrees in height. You can go back to these default sets anytime just by double-clicking the head at the center. You can also save your own settings for speaker heights and locations: just click the SoftAmp logo at the upperleft corner, and find out the way to save, delete your own settings as well as the presets, and how you can visit SOrient for the most recent updates. In the Demonstration version, the saving and deleting functions are restricted. Also, About&Readme file is provided here.

<"3D" Button>
The Plug-in has the "3D" button to activate the virtual speakers. You can listen to the plain MP3 music by setting the 3D button off. Compare the sound quality by clicking it on and off. You can immediately feel the difference between the two, and can appreciate the three dimensional audio technology.

<"WF" Button>
The Plug-in has the Woofer button, and it makes the two virtual speakers act as woofers. It is a simple yet powerful option especially when you want to listen to music with beats. The Woofers, of course, can be moved closer to you, increasing the effect. You can make the lower tones sound at near as well as far distances by moving the Woofers around. This Woofer option is different from the plain Winamp equalizer function: while Winamp equalizer filters all the channels at the same time, our Plugin lets only two out of the four virtual speakers function as Woofers, thereby making the sound richer.

<"RV" Button>
The "RV" button is for the reverberation, which adds additional sound effect for you. There are 9 different room models available, and you can choose from a small room to a large hall. Move the slide bar to the right to increase the size of the virtual listening environment, and you will know naturally what it does.

<CONTACT>
Should there be any questions, you may contact us via email at info@softamp.com



