SIGNAL PATH DRIVER
SIGNAL PATH MANUAL
SIGNAL PATH SOFTWARE
SIGNAL PATH TRIAL

More on that in the examples at the end of this article.ĭon’t worry, we’ve grabbed those MP3 bootlegs before, too, but technically speaking they’re not high quality. Generally Signal Path will show the green light for OS Mixer outputs, as well as things like conversions for compatibility, and DSP volume. The most common reason for a blue light is that features like Volume Leveling or DSP Engine are in use. This means that Roon is performing some signal processing steps on the audio because you asked for them. Lossless is exactly what the name implies: that the stream is going from the file to the device without being modified.Įnhanced signal paths are indicated by a shining blue light. The popup looks like this, and there are some more examples at the end of this article: If you are playing to a hardware device that Roon recognizes, you will also see some information about that product. In the footer of the Roon application window, there is a little colored light–it might be yellow, green, shining blue, or bright purple.Ĭlick the light, and you’ll see a pop up with a depiction of the path your audio is taking. We’re continuing to advocate for integrity in the audio stream, and you can check out the partners who have also joined us on our partners page.

SIGNAL PATH DRIVER

This is custom DSP inside the PULSE 2 that Bluesound have developed - it’s a defining characteristic of the device that improves driver performance and contributes to its exceptional musicality: When the PULSE 2 receives the signal, it passes through its internal amplifier which does audio crossover and EQ. Signal Path (pictured below) shows that Roon is sending a 96kHz 24bit stereo file to the PULSE 2 losslessly via RAAT. Take for example the Bluesound PULSE 2, a premium Roon Ready streaming player.

SIGNAL PATH SOFTWARE

This level of coordination between software and hardware platforms is unparalleled, which is why Signal Path is such an exciting part of Roon, and why it’s unique compared to similar features in other software applications. That said, some devices do have additional internal processing, and as part of our certification program we require that it be portrayed accurately. Many Roon Ready devices are simply DACs or bridges with not much going on inside of them, thus they don’t reflect anything extra in Signal Path. One of the primary goals of Signal Path is to work closely with device manufacturers to ensure that any processing happening in their devices is also accounted for. Working closely with device manufacturers There are no costs associated with our programs other than the requirement that hardware samples be made available to us. If you don’t see your favorite hardware manufacturer in our Partners Matrix, please get in touch with them. Our ability to support specific hardware devices is deeply related to whether or not we can lay hands on it during development, QA, and when addressing support incidents.

SIGNAL PATH MANUAL

As such, whenever Roon is playing to a Roon Ready device or a recognizable Roon Tested device, we include branding, artwork, and product manual links. We also feel that great audio hardware should be showcased. Whether it be bit depth or sample rate conversions, parametric EQ, other DSP options, or processing inside of your Roon Ready device, Signal Path lets you know. It tells you what your source material is, your output, and every detail in between. Signal Path shows you exactly what is happening in your audio stream at any given moment, and is always just one click away.

SIGNAL PATH TRIAL

If you’re not already a Roon member, be sure to sign up for the free trial so you can follow along in this article: Start Your Free Roon Trial That experience degrades further when your audio components modify the audio stream without any feedback. It’s very easy for poor system design, or poorly implemented or mis-placed DSP to ruin an otherwise excellent experience. When we set out to create Roon, we felt very strongly that our customers should have access to honest and precise information describing how their software and hardware devices are performing audio playback. Software, hardware, and operating systems silently modify the audio stream without providing any feedback all too often.

Signal path