[undertow]

Okay so I am curious if anybody has a good program suggested, or a method to take FLAC files of all rates, 16/44, 24/96, 24/192 and actually adjust the volume of each album to match up closer to one constant db output basically.

I realize almost any of the playback interface software can do this "on the fly", however I need to alter each FLAC file permanently after adjusting each album satisfactorily.... In other words re-finalize the core file so no mater what device or software is used to playback it more or less stays constant without having any "volume leveling" software being used on playback.

Obviously most important is not to alter files that would ultimately end up doing sound quality damage, but many older 16/44 are too weak in volume, some are too high, and quite a few of the high res files are pegged to redline in many cases it seems!

Something relatively fast and easy to level out tracks would really be nice... Maybe some kind of "batch" capabilities to start a few albums at a time... But not sure this is possible as each file for each song may need to be manually monitored like on a mixing board to get them under the red line, but not so low you gotta crank the volume either.

In any case I do have 2 programs DB power amp, and Media Monkey Gold.

Thanks

[Odal3]

Personally I wouldn't normalize the files permanently with the fear I would screw it up (e.g. clipping or affect the quality in any way). However, if you do want to do this, I recommend that you keep an archive with the original files.

See here for some ideas how to do it. I havent tried this myself so I can't comment on the result.
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,108155.0.html

[CurtisIIX]

My copy of dBpoweramp came with a program called dBpoweramp Batch Converter. I have done lots of batch conversions, and it is very easy.

Under the DSP Effect/Actions you can add "ReplayGain" and "ReplayGain (Apply)" to get the result you want. The first effect will calculate the volume adjustment and add metatag info to be read by compatible player [to be applied on the fly]. However, the second effect will apply the ReplayGain to the converted file. Looks like "Volume Normalize" will give you options in addition to ReplayGain. There are settings each action, so I would read the documentation first. I can't say I have done this myself.

If you have the harddisk space, it may be worth up increasing the bit depth before you apply the volume effects and keeping the output file at the higher bit depth.

As for not overwriting the original file, you can change the output folder to something other than the location of the original folder.

[undertow]

Yeah I have found some of these options... From what I understand it's a bad idea to use the replay gain function due to the resolution adjutstments..and never knowing if certain individual tracks will end up distorting. However, I was just reading about the volume normalizer "EBRU 128 Normalize" function in db power amp being the proper way to do this with no downside effect or clipping parameters that can occur using replay gain... No clue why it's called EBRU 128, but it is in the db power amp DSP menu and active it is also separate in the program from what I can tell from replay gain.

I also read some professional converter company that uses db power amp saying for perfect bit for bit volume standard on all tracks to set it +5 db in the which will average all the recordings around -18 db as a standard... However, there is another setting in their Maximum Amplification x 8... It can be changed from x 8 to whatever manually, but not sure what this will even do!

if anybody can verify the best settings and workable option to make sure this is done as accurately as possible please let me know.

[firedog]

Whenever I've tried this, I think the Leveling takes some life out of the sound.

[undertow]

I have now tested both some high res stuff that was "Over", and some that was "Under", and I took two standard 16.44 FLAC files of the same exact album applying the EBRU 128 protocol with "+5 db".

Leaving the original right in the same album folder, so for example track 1 of original and new was of each right next to each other, Track 2 etc...

I have a fairly accurate preamp which steps up each volume increment by 0.7 db... This means about 14 steps would equal a "10 db" difference.

I found 1 album which was at reference point on the preamp of "38" on the dial, and another album at "24" on the dial so basically meaning one album plays 10 db louder which is actually the one set lower on the preamp at 24.

After applying the EBRU 128 protocol with +5 db only... .No other settings touched, converting the exact same 16.44 flac into another 16.44 flac both albums met in the middle right at about 31 - 32 on the preamp! This was the same with any 24/96 or 24/192 I tested as well with identical bit for bit FLAC to FLAC copies.

So it does work... It essentially takes your weak album applying +5, and all the other albums too hot -5 db.

I could not detect a single deterioration in sound quality. And I have 101 db speakers with very expensive front end, and accompanying gear.

As a matter of fact in doing this it gave me much more flexibility to turn up the HOT albums more feeling far fuller, and smooth across the board, the really weak thin ones now actually had some current going thru them to bump up the bass, and details nicely!

I am not saying this is the absolute perfect idea, maybe even going thru sensitive enough measurement equipment "Something changed". But generally speaking since it definitely makes almost "Un-listenable" albums more than satisfying to bear... It's worth the experiment.

However, I am not done yet with settling on +5 db being the best option.. Maybe even +7 db will level it all out a little more. But generally speaking it is a good small enough change, with big enough impact.

This does also alleviate the issues with when your browsing on your music server, and in milliseconds you tap one song to an entire different album, and your not all of a sudden falling off a cliff with weak sound, or being blown out of the room having to adjust your preamp 10 steps every time! Plus if you want louder music louder, of course you can still crank it up, and the stuff you just want normal volume will do that as well without having to push everything to 60% for any impact.

By the way all this was done to the Core file, playing back with "No software" or back thru dbPoweramp at all. Just straight up re-copied lossless samples. And this also has nothing to do with "ReplayGain" so your not stuck with the issues of it overcompensating for distortion, or simply having to have digital devices allowing you to install ReplayGain running in the background.

[smk]

I think iTunes or Pure Music has an option to "level" dB playback issues for 16/44.1 AIFF flies. I don't have experience with hi-rez files. I don't think it compresses but I could be wrong?

[undertow]

I think iTunes or Pure Music has an option to "level" dB playback issues for 16/44.1 AIFF flies. I don't have experience with hi-rez files. I don't think it compresses but I could be wrong?

All good see my findings above... dbPoweramp is a far better program, and does do what is necessary in this case actually I was just not sure how to go about it, or what settings would have the right effect not compromising anything on playback.

Oh and dbPoweramp has some great options now with the "Batch" program, and music convertor. Only problem is I had an older version so had to pay to upgrade for $20 bucks after posting this question. I figured it out, the Batch is really flexible, and does exactly what you would want, and allows you to apply the EBRU 128 settings exactly how you want them all to turn out as well.

It not only can be set to batch "Convert", but the EBRU 128 will apply as well to any new physically ripped CD's automatically matching them up moving forward on the initial burn process right in to the database so you don't even have to convert again later.

I know some people and the really "Purist" mind will think somehow they want a copy on there still without the correction in case they ever want to go back, but this takes a ton of space, and honestly why would you ever listen to it if it sounds like crap, and find after the gain correction has no downside effect to serve the music, and put less stress on any system either running a CD still caught in the "Loudness wars" or ones that are so weak they belong being played on a transistor radio? Unless you like adjusting your volume 100 times all the way up, and down the spectrum?

In this case we have the technology today, and honestly I can't find a reason this strips away anything vital from a recording especially in the digital domain. Analog yes obviously re-tapping it, or re-microphone a recording to transfer and change volume would degrade it. And believe me I try to keep everything true as possible.

Maybe the "Artists" intentions are questioned when you want his track 2 to be as loud as his track 8 on the same disc, but I can care less as long as it sounds right!