Configuring DSP Effects - ReplayGain

[Fog_Chaser]

I'm reading:

https://dbpoweramp.com/Help/dMCOSX/cd-ripper-setup-guide.htm

In it explains how to enable ReplayGain tags. I get the utility of having these written as metadata. That said it mentions the following:

"EBU R128 is a new form of Replaygain calculation, if ripping to an Apple format enable the iTunNORM tag option to write in a format iTunes can use."

I will be using Apple Music on my MacBook Pro and also an iPhone 14 AND also moving forward a music server of unknown manufacturer and model. What would be the best way to apply ReplayGain to rips so it works with anything? I assume it would be to select multiple tags but which ones? I Intend to rip simultaneously (if that can be done - next post) to AIFF and ALAC.

[Spoon]

Write all the tags, replaygain and iTunNORM

[Fog_Chaser]

Hi Spoon,

thanks for your reply .... I can see place to select Replaygain (DSP Tab) but not ITunNORM see attached.Once selected should I select save to retain?

[garym]

Once you add the Replaygain DSP on the DSP tab, you then on that DSP tab, to the right of replaygain, click Settings. Then within settings the dropdown box for "write" will allow you to add "track and album gain and itunes normalization" note there are two options, both have track and album gain, but then either itunes track normalization or itunes album normalization. itunes can only deal with one or the other (track vs album) rather than either.

[Fog_Chaser]

Hi Gary,

What do you recommend I select for iTunes, since either have a number of options? And further which of the drop down options should I use for Repalygain not specifically for iTunes?

[garym]

I write the ALBUM iTunes Normalization (maintains intra-album volume differences)

Track, Album Gain & iTunes ALBUM normalization

but then I'm mostly a "play complete album' guy. If you are mostly playing playlists made up of tracks from lots of albums or random shuflle across albums, I'd use the "TRACK iTunes Normalization). In this case, I'd use:

Track, Album Gain & iTunes TRACK normalization.

In either case, you'll write metadata for 3 different things. Replay Gain Track Gain, Replaygain Album Gain, and either Track or Album iTunes normalization depending on which option you choose as discussed above.

For my own servers/players they use some sort of "smart' gain. That is, the system recognizes that I'm playing tracks one after the other that are from the same album, and thus automatically uses ALBUM ReplayGain. If the system sees that tracks are coming from different albums then it automatically uses TRACK ReplayGain values. The best of both worlds and doesn't require me to do anything....all automatic.

Also, in the RePlayGain Settings options, click on Advanced Options and I recommend:
1. albums identified by ALBUM ID tag
2. EBU R128
3. -18 LUFS target volume
4. maximum gain 25db
5. do NOT tick the disable clip prevention
6. true peak: 4x oversample

[Fog_Chaser]

Hi gary,

I appreciate the detailed a nswer. I notice that there is Replaygain "Track and Album Gain" setting and then is also separate "Album Gain" and "Track Gain" settings. Can the "Track and Album Gain" setting do the same thing and adding "Album Gain" and "Track Gain" separately?

[garym]

Yes, one can add track gain only or one can add album gain only but I’m suggesting you add track gain and album gain because it’s just two different tags and there’s no reason not to have them both. Most players then allow you to use either track gain or album gain on playback. And you have both iin your metadata so you have options.

and you can’t add these things separately . you’re only choosing one of those options on the settings page.