tips_to_configure_HeSuVi

Tips to install and configure HeSuVi

Tutorial Status	Date Written	Date Last Updated
Ready.	2022-12-10	2023-02-16

Video version of this tutorial:

---

Intro

The main tutorial to install HeSuVi is available at the HeSuVi Wiki: https://sourceforge.net/p/hesuvi/wiki/Help/#installation . This guide can fully or partially substitute the original HeSuVi tutorial, but overall aim is to help in choosing the most suitable configuration of HeSuVi for your individual HRTF use.

The following headings are the different HeSuVi configuration options that are worth to consider:
1. VoiceMeeter method is recommended if you do not have or can't use native 7.1-surround-capable sound card.
2. Native approach is always the best from software and latency perspective (but audio hardware may have its limitations).
3. Additional methods are possible if you are not satisfied with the other 2 options.

If you are looking how to convert your HRTF to a HeSuVi-compatible .wav file, please see more information here (conversion is possible from SOFA and also other HRTF IR formats).

As a reminder, the basic HeSuVi installation goes like:
1. Download and install Equalizer APO but no need to restart the computer.
2. After installation, the E-APO "Configurator" will ask to select the audio device, if you already know which one to use (this can be left blank and finished later). Read the following configuration "Tips" to find out more.
3. Download and install HeSuVi
4. In HeSuVi GUI choose Actions → Restart Audio Service to finalize the installation without reboothing the computer.
5. Pick the HRTF / BRIR you wish to use, Or add your individual HRTF (Mesh2HRTF), Or generate your individual BRIR (Impulcifer).
6. consider equalizing the headphones to get optimal results without colorations.

---

VoiceMeeter Tips

VoiceMeeter is likely the most user-friendly and feature rich virtual sound card and therefore is highly recommended for most PC users who do not have native 7.1 surround capable audio device (but there are other options with their own pros & cons).

Summary screenshot:

1. These tips are meant to be used after VoiceMeeter is installed and configured following this tutorial: https://sourceforge.net/p/mesh2hrtf-tools/wiki/virtual_surround_with_headtracking_tutorial/#configure-vst-plugin-host only:

   • You can skip the ASIO related settings or use regular non-Banana version of VoiceMeeter to only run HeSuVi in EAPO.

2. Use "Output A1" in Equalizer APO "Configurator"

3. Use the usual "Voicemeeter Input" as a normal system audio output device (configured to 7.1).
4. As Insert-ASIO feature of VoiceMeeter is not used, HeSuVi should have lower latency than VST-hosted binauralization.

NOTE: Based on this method it is possible to quickly switch between HeSuVi and the Fully-featured individual 7.1 surround with head-tracking on a PC with VST plugins on the same PC.

---

Native Device Tips

If (1) you have a sound card that natively supports output of 7.1 channel surround sound in Windows and (2) you plan to use one of the available physical audio outputs on this device to connect your headphones then HeSuVi setup is very simple: There is no need for virtual sound cards such as VoiceMeeter and the latency is as low as possible. Typical downside is the quality of the headphone output (as there is typically no possibility to use another, higher-quality DAC audio device), but in practice the audio output of the available 7.1 audio device may be sufficiently good to not be an issue.

Note that most stationary PCs and some gaming notebooks come with on-board sound cards that are 7.1 surround capable. In contrast, most high quality DACs or audio interfaces are limited to 2.0 stereo and therefore require a workaround using virtual sound card or intermediary hardware.

Note - while this approach works for HeSuVi, there are very few devices (some ASIO interfaces) that can natively support also the Fully-featured individual 7.1 surround with head-tracking on a PC with VST plugins.

In Equalizer APO "Configurator" just select your default audio device (which must be configured for 7.1 surround in Windows sound settings).

---

Additional methods

Another popular approach is to use HiFi-Cable + Asio4all as a virtual sound card - see tutorial.

For even broader list of options and configuations, you are welcome to explore this table (advanced level):

Which can be accessed as:

• Online web-published version.
• Downloadable Open Document spreadsheet.

----------------------------------------------	Part of the "HRTF Application notes"	----------------------------------------------
Back to wiki home	>>> Highly recommended: Everyday use of SOFA HRTF <<<	Good to know: General HRTF usage advice