edited 9:32 PM EDT August 15, 2011
Decided on NEZplug++ for NSF stuff and GEP for GBS (turns out there's no 'best' GBS player considering each GB model sounds different! http://www.herbertweixelbaum.com/comparison.htm I guess the same held true for the NES).
Alpha-II's SPC player looked like the standard, so I've settled on it. Just have to modify the settings a little, and should be good to go.
Also doing audio tests for GSF (gsfu and foo_gsf) and 2SF (though I guess there's only one player for this). I always hated how these two portables sounded... And comparing Lazy USF vs 64th Note. Any preferences?
I've heard lots of people say 'x is better than y' but not much in the way of definitive explanations (though I suppose 'it sounds best to me' is as good a reason as any). So I tend to go to the audio test and base my ideas on what experts have said. Since snesmusic.org, the authority on SPCs, uses Alpha-II, that's what I decided to go with. Though I'd actually kind of prefer it if Alpha-II had been based on the BSNES core as that is the most accurate emulator...
I will also say even the SNES has some odd audio issues. I've used the Super Metroid intro sequence as a test in the past. You get a different sound if you plug it in using the RF switch (more tinny snare) versus composite (more bassy snare). Using the same exact hardware setup, it will sound different. I also did a comparison with the Wii Virtual Console (sounds like the RF switch setup).
As far as gsf is concerned, I am still not satisfied with either viogsf or HA (and this is coming from an ear test using a DS, SP, and GBA along with an album release). GBA produces feedback even when the volume is turned OFF, so that was immediately discarded. DS and SP sound fairly identical to me - I can't tell the difference at least.
I can't tell any changes between settings used in HA (Winamp) and viogsf (Foobar). HA seems to produce more noise, so I am leaning towards viogsf now. Viogsf doesn't have the higher frequencies (a 'softness') of the original hardware though. Not sure if any of the settings would change how it sounds, as I can't really tell the difference between them. At this point, I'm wondering if it might actually be best to stick with line-in recordings...
VBA-M uses blargg's GB APU. Recordings would be a waste of time. viogsf = VBA-M.
Ah, that's great! Seems a switch may be in order :) (I haven't been doing any encoding until I get the plugins I will use verified). Otherwise, I'll have to do it again.
"Recordings would be a waste of time."
Yeah, I have first-hand experience. The less work, the better. :-/
I guess viogsf sounded better because of that, too.
Original gray brick is the best"this is the standard, against which the other models have to match."