# Preferences - Advanced

The FreeAmp Preferences are set for quality playback of music on most of today's fast computers.

Advanced Preferences should only be changed if you are experiencing audio breakup or skipping during playback while running other applications. Increasing the Decoder Priority or Buffer Sizes may decrease the speed of other applications running at the same time.

Buffer Sizes

Buffering occurs in a number of places when you open and play an MP3 stream or file. It is most often only necessary when streaming, but may be used when playing files. The Buffer Sizes determine the amount of data held in a specific location until it is requested by the next step in the process. Correct buffering keeps the process of audio playback running smoothly. Do not change the Buffer Sizes unless you are experiencing audio breakup or skipping during playback while running other applications.

Input Buffer Size [64] Kilobytes is only used when playing MP3 network streams. It determines the size of the Input Buffer as the compressed MP3 data awaits conversion to uncompressed .wav data. When the Input Buffer is half-full, FreeAmp begins playing the stream.

The duration of the buffer up time depends on the size of the Input Buffer and the bitrate of the stream. For example, depending on your Input Buffer Size, a 128kbps stream might buffer for 2 seconds, but a 64kbps would buffer for 4 seconds. If you want FreeAmp to buffer more data before playing the stream, increase the Input Buffer Size.

Output Buffer Size [512] Kilobytes determines the size of the Output Buffer as the uncompressed .wav data awaits processing by the decoder.

Prebuffer Streams [0] Seconds sets FreeAmp to place a specific amount of audio data in a buffer before beginning playback of the stream. Prebuffering streams should only be necessary when using a slower computer and if audio skips at the beginning of playback.

Default Values

Use Defaults button resets the Advanced Preferences settings to their original default settings.