[gstreamer-bugs] [Bug 604500] New: Equalizer causes FLAC files to be noisy and distorted

[GStreamer (bugzilla.gnome.org)]

https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=604500
  GStreamer | don't know | unspecified

           Summary: Equalizer causes FLAC files to be noisy and distorted
    Classification: Desktop
           Product: GStreamer
           Version: unspecified
        OS/Version: Linux
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: major
          Priority: Normal
         Component: don't know
        AssignedTo: gstreamer-bugs at lists.sourceforge.net
        ReportedBy: jenningsthecat at yahoo.ca
         QAContact: gstreamer-bugs at lists.sourceforge.net
      GNOME target: ---
     GNOME version: ---


I am using Decibel Audio Player 1.02, on Ubuntu 9.04. (I don't know what
gstreamer version DAP uses). I first filed this bug with Decibel Audio Player
on Launchpad, and was directed to file it here instead. Because I am using
gstreamer with Decibel Audio Player, the behaviour and replication descriptions
are necessarily DAP-specific.

The following behaviour applies both to regular mode, and to gapless mode using
the "--playbin2" switch. Also, it applies to FLAC files, but NOT to MP3 files,
or at least not to the ones I tested.

When I am playing a FLAC file, (one which plays in other players with no
problem), activating the equalizer and using the low-frequency sliders to
adjust the frequency response results in a 'rumbling' type of noise or
distortion. Additionally, using the high-frequency sliders may or may not
result in extreme distortion that sounds like an amplifier in severe clipping.
(The latter may occur only after the player has been open for whle, but I
haven't fully characterised this behaviour). Both of these behaviours occur
regardless of whether the sliders are used to increase or decrease the
amplitude. In both cases the distortion goes away upon clicking the 'center'
button on the equalizer. (I have also experienced program crashes, wherein DAP
stops playing and becomes completely unresponsive to user input, while using
the equalizer).

To replicate, make sure the Equalizer plugin is enabled, then open the
equalizer and click on the 'Center' button to ensure that the equalizer is
effectively off. Play a FLAC file, preferably one with a vocal and minimal
instrumentation, (I used 'Beautiful Goodbye' by Amanda Marshall), and observe
that there are no unexpected distortions or artifacts. Then, adjust the 29 Hz
slider in the equalizer, and note distortion not previously present. (It may
not be immediately audible, so listen for at least 30 seconds if you don't hear
it immediately). After hearing the distortion, click on the 'Center' button
again, and note that the distortion disappears. Then, try other sliders to
observe any unexpected effects they have.

There is another Equalizer bug that may be related to this one, but its
symptoms are different so I'm putting it into a separate bug report.

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