AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

[TalbotM]

I have found a variety of m4A files which when converted by dBpoweramp export at a significantly lower volume than the source files (approximately 70%).

The source have no ReplayGain tags. I am not applying any DSP Effects.

If I use a third party tool to convert the m4a to wav and then use dBpoweramp, the output is correct. If I use some other m4a files, the output is correct.

What could be causing dBpoweramp to decode certain AAC files incorrectly?

If a developer would like to test the file, please contact me directly.

SourceFile info:
General
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Apple audio with iTunes info
Codec ID : M4A (M4A /mp42/isom)

Audio
Format : AAC LC
Format/Info : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID : mp4a-40-2
Duration : 3 min 48 s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 256 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 320 kb/s
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel layout : L R
Sampling rate : 44.1 kHz
Frame rate : 43.066 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode : Lossy

[Spoon]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

Upload one of the files to dropbox or similar and personal message me the link please.

[TalbotM]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

Thanks Spoon. PM sent. Let us know what you discover. If you can find a fix, it'll easily justify us purchasing the upgrade from 16! (We tested in 17.7 trial and got the same behavior btw).

[TalbotM]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

Just a heads up we have been unable to find our own workaround to this, so we are switching to another encoder.

[Spoon]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

Next update fixes this issue, about 2 weeks.

[TalbotM]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

Ok great, thanks for the update. We will consider switching back if we have any issues with our alternative. Cheers.

[CD-Reworks]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

Hello,

I just updated to R17.7 becouse I had the same problem.
It's stil not working.
I allways loved dBpoweramp, but paying for something that is not working... :-(

[garym]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

Hello,

I just updated to R17.7 becouse I had the same problem.
It's stil not working.
I allways loved dBpoweramp, but paying for something that is not working... :-(

I don't think the update to fix this that @spoon mentions has happened yet. Give it a bit more time (and test AFTER the next update).

[johalareewi]

Re: AAC Decoding at wrong (quieter) volume for some AAC(m4A) files

I have the same problem with recently purchased m4a files (from iTunes).
Here is Audacity screenshot.
Top is the converted FLAC, bottom is the original m4a.
dbPoweramp is version 16.6 64bit on Windows7