Volume Control Problems

[^Shyone379]

Re: Volume Control Problems

Craze, I also use Studio Pro as my only skin.

[^Shyone379]

Re: Volume Control Problems

I have just finished converting a further 2500 files to mp3 using a formula (which may help you for comparisons).

The source files are of many and varied intensity.
Studio Pro Skin with equalizer OFF using that VU meter to show converted file levels.

My aim was to obtain files at peaking at 0db to +1.

Formula used;

Run At 24 bit
Volume Quieten set to 35%
Volume Normalize set to 93%
DSP Equalizer set to -2.5
Run at 16 bit

Test were made also with Vol Normalize set at 100%, but to achieve the desired peak/headroom I found that DSP Equalizer then had to be run at -7.5 to achieve the same peak/headroom levels, but this also produced a greater variance between track levels than using the above formula.

The formula produced the following over the 2500 files,

Approx 90% were at the parameters sought (0db peak to +1).

The remaining 10% required raising the DSP Equalizer setting to 0db.


RE previous postings, it was only a small percentage of files that became clipped, the majority of the unusable files had volume distortion.

It was my requirement for tighter parameters on volume levels required for radio transmission that led me to investigate this area of DAP/DMC more.. and yes my control parameter requirements are most probably more stringent than the average householder. However, I have also found that more precise control in this area with DMC DSP settings etc,,, will negate the need for additional Auto Playback Vol Normalizing (Which only works to +), and to a lesser extent Writer Vol Levels as they will be correct (more precise) AT FILE SOURCE.

Thanx for your attention to this Guys, I now feel my time was not wasted.

Cheers

Shyone379

[xoas]

Re: Volume Control Problems

It was my requirement for tighter parameters on volume levels required for radio transmission that led me to investigate this area of DAP/DMC more

What measures do you normally use for cd's to keep their peak levels within your parameters? As a side issue, what kinds of music do you broadcast?

...volume distortion.

I am not sure what you mean by this term? Do you mean simply any VU reading over +1 dB? Is this a practical problem for broadcasting or is this an audible phenomenon I would notice at home?

However, I have also found that more precise control in this area with DMC DSP settings etc,,, will negate the need for additional Auto Playback Vol Normalizing (Which only works to +), and to a lesser extent Writer Vol Levels as they will be correct (more precise) AT FILE SOURCE.

I would agree that normalizing all files at source is preferable. If one already has a large number of files I am not sure I would necessarily recommend reconverting them all unless one had a special need, as you (^shyone) do. But this reservation on my part does not mean I disagree about the principle of getting things right as close to source as possible.

I will have to check out your new formula. It looks interesting.

Best wishes,
Bill

[^Shyone379]

Re: Volume Control Problems

Hi Bill,

How I first started investigating my sound distortion problems, was that I had noticed a small percentage of tracks when played thru the FM Transmitter, had an Over Volume distortion (not Clipping). upon asking the transmitter Tech as to the possible cause i was told that the transmitters are modulated to a maximum peak, and that I should attempt to keep the played tracks to within a limited db line input, (hope I'm explaining this Ok, I'm not a tech), preferably + 1 max.

Having noticed that even some commercially produced CD's had a volume intensity that surpassed this level, I decided to utilize dbpoweramp for both the ease of track storage, genre selection AND Volume Control.

On playing these same small percentage of tracks just thru DAP (not transmitting) I noticed that the over volume distortion was also present (tho less noticeable) as the distortion was accentuated when broadcasting due to the tighter transmitter parameters.

DAP playback for home use permits a greater headroom allowance than does a transmitter.. hence the tighter controls required.

I found that ripping a Commercial CD with a high volume intensity and using the standard simple normalization settings, would cause this over volume distortion to a significant level, that would also be very noticeable to the home user.

Whilst I can understand your balking at re-converting a large number of files (Do It! Man, Bite the Bullet), I believe it to be well worth it in the long run, (do it right, and do it once) as this makes the use of the many dbpoweramp features so much easier and a better finished product, eg; Burning disks or loading portable players.

My preference is still as older versions of dbpoweramp used DSP settings for Vol Quieten, in that they used to reduce volume of ANY files that were above 0db (or your setting), whereas now, it reduces EACH file by a SET percentage. No Standardizing of Vol Level.

It used to simplify obtaining a peak level for all tracks to set DSP at

DSP Equalizer ... (settings if required)
Vol Quieten .. Reduce any tracks over 0db to 0db peak ( or personal setting)
Vol Normalize.. Raise any tracks under 0db to 0db peak.( or personal setting)

This made converting and standardizing multiple tracks a breeze.

(Hope it comes back).

it would also be nice to have included for multiple file conversions, an AS SOURCE setting for Bit rate, as this would negate the need to do bit rate batch conversions and select a complete folder instead, (its only a wish, may not be possible).

Your side issue Bill:

As a Community Radio Facility we play a wide variety of music dating from the 1920's to present day, for all age groups..... ( I shudder to admit this, but even a couple of Barry Manilows get put in there).

Cheers,

Shyone379

[xoas]

Re: Volume Control Problems

Thanks. Very informative!
Most of what you're looking for is up to Spoon. This might be something he might want to consider at least for Music Converter Professional. I know he has spoken of looking at a different volume normalization algorithm, although I can't say whether this would help with your issue.
Short of that, are you looking for a more efficient volume normalization recipe?
Let me also mention that several users have spoken highly of mp3gain as a superior means of normalizing volume for mp3 files. I have not tried this myself but it might be a good resource.

Best wishes,
Bill

[^Shyone379]

Re: Volume Control Problems

Thanks Bill.

In The interim a more efficient Volume Standardizing (- +) Recipe would suffice, however it would remain my aim to Not Need such a compensatory Recipe. As I am of like mind with the dbpoweramp "One Vision" Policy.

Again many thanks as i eagerly await such version updates.

Cheers,

Shyone379

[petriburg]

Re: Volume Control Problems

^shyone - my mate Hank and I have , over recent years, been making a large number of compilations from LP sources to CD, and needed to find a means of adjusting volume levels so that a listener would not have to resort to jumping up and down to change the output volume, (if this was not remotely adjustable) - but, a nuisance anyway. So, we both installed MP3Gain, and lived "happily ever after". It's free, reliable, and doesn't change the audio quality. It's here - http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/ well worth a try, and could suit your purposes admirably. I'm not sure about it's limitations as to size when it comes to batch conversions - I never need to load more than 25 tracks at a time - but there is probably something about that on the website. (In normal practice, it operates at a default level of 89db, but this is user selectable).

Regards,
Tony