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Breakaway Audio Processor for Windows System

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scancode:
Basic Info

App NameBreakaway Audio Processor for Windows SystemApp URLhttp://www.claessonedwards.com/winmore.htmApp Version ReviewedBreakaway Personal v1.01Test System SpecsMy laptop: 1.60GHz Celeron M, 512mb ram, crappy speakers, VIA HD integrated sound card, external C-Media chipset USB sound card.Supported OSesWinXP/2k/Vista (partial)Support MethodsE-mail; forums.Trial Version Available?Yep, fully functional trial for 30-days, and after that 30 minutes per run.Pricing Scheme1/$29.95, 2/$49.95, 3/$69.95Relationship btwn. Reviewer and Product None as far as I know.

Intro:

Breakaway is an audio processor that runs in WinXP/2K/Vista. It's main function is to enhance whatever comes out of your speakers :) I found it really interesting, because it made my crappy laptop speakers to sound... well, actually, pretty nice.

The website says it all:

   • Multi-band dynamics processing restores spectral balance to your music library.

   • Multiple look-ahead peak limiters provide distortion-free transient control.

   • Makes tunes sound louder and punchier, while bringing out subtleties you never knew existed.

   • Automatically adjusts volume dynamics and spectral balancing.

   • Corrects song-to-song volume shifts and overdriven speakers.




Who is this app designed for:

Actually, for everyone who uses their computer to listen to music.


The Good


Well, the audio quality is REALLY good, you seriously need to download the trial version and hear it for yourself.
It's pretty light on system resources, and the skin looks just nice.


The needs improvement section


- Copy protection/DRM (WinLicense) is a bit invasive; for example you can't use RegMon (a Microsoft utility for seeing what's going on in your registry) AND Breakaway at the same time: If Breakaway was started before RegMon, Breakaway will quit, leaving your computer silent. Breakaway will refuse to start until you close regmon, and reboot.
- I got a BSOD while attempting to use it with AIMP2, Winamp worked fine tho.
- I'd LOVE if they'd add a 'Profiles' feature, for example: PC Speakers, Laptop speakers, Headphones. So I can save my favourite settings instead of changing them manually each time.


Conclusions

A nice application, still needs a bit of polishing, but nothing beats that audio kwality ;)

Links to other reviews of this application

http://www.winamp.com/plugins/details/216726/reviews (User Reviews on Winamp.com)
http://www.download.com/Breakaway-Audio-Enhancer/3640-2169_4-10824540.html (User Reviews on CNet's Download.com)

CWuestefeld:
It certainly looks slick. I haven't tried it, but I looked at the other reviews you referenced. It was characterized as a sort of DFX on steroids, and the kind of processing that commercial radio stations use. But the sort of DRM you describe is about 2.5 strikes against it.

If you feel a similar aversion to the DRM, don't mind sacrificing the slick UI, and only need a WinAMP DSP solution, let me suggest a free alternative that's also light-years ahead of DFX. I've been using "Sound Solution" for a long time, and I'm so enamored of it that I won't listen to anything that doesn't support WinAMP DSP plugins. This doesn't look nearly as slick as what you've reviewed, and in fact is kinda hard to use effectively due to the large number of controls. But I recommend checking it out.

Last free version here: http://www.soundsolution.it/forum/download_sound_solution-t966.0.html;msg971#msg971

Manual here: http://www.soundsolution.it/forum/sound_solution_manual-t967.0.html

scancode:
Last free version here: http://www.soundsolution.it/forum/download_sound_solution-t966.0.html;msg971#msg971
Manual here: http://www.soundsolution.it/forum/sound_solution_manual-t967.0.html
-CWuestefeld (April 12, 2008, 07:02 PM)
--- End quote ---

Will check it out... if there's a bugmenot login for that site :)

scancode:
BREAKAWAY+AIMP2 BUGFIX!
Yay! Finally I can use my favourite audio processor with my favourite audio player!

If you're getting a bluescreen while attempting to launch AIMP2 while Breakaway is runing, simply replace Breakaway's driver (on SYSTEM32\DRIVERS, or wherever your weird 64-bit Windows places them), and reboot.

YAY!!!!

Darwin:
I wonder if there's any chance of a DC discount on this... I can't really hear much of a difference between this and DFX 8.x, but I am impressed with the fact that it will process ANY sound, not just WinAMP, WMP, etc.

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