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    Volume levels of MP3 files

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by ravenmorpheus, Apr 27, 2008.

  1. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Ok so I've got 1876 MP3 files in my Winamp library.

    Problem is some of them are burnt (recorded) at a lower volume than others - some of which were burnt using iTunes and I had the sound check (or whatever its called) feature on...

    Is there anyway I can equalise the volume permanently by changing the files using some software, preferably I'd like all my MP3s to play at the same volume?

    Or failing that is there anyway to get Winamp to play protected and non-protected iTunes purchased songs?

    Thanks in advance for any help/advice :)
     
  2. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    WMP applies optional volume equalization to music files that are part of its library... but I don't know if the setting is permanent.
     
  3. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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  4. mk.2

    mk.2 Notebook Geek

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    You can use MP3Gain. It adjusts volume directly into MP3 files.
     
  5. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Hmm, no it's a thing like iTunes sound check. It doesn't permanently equalise the volumes of the files (although iTunes does if you burn them with it on as I did).

    And I'd rather not use WMP - it's rubbish compared to winamp.

    Plus both iTunes and WMP volume equalisations make the song sound terrible, I dunno what it does but it doesn't just reduce the volume, it also ruins the clarity, at least iTunes did when I burnt the songs.

    I guess I could reburn them but I'm hoping theres another way of doing it so I can do my entire collection - seeing as the iTunes burnt MP3s are only a small part of the 1876 files I have...

    EDIT: Thanks guys, I'll give replaygain and mp3gain a go and see what I come up with. If anyone has any other ideas though I'd really appreciate them.
     
  6. Duct Tape Dude

    Duct Tape Dude Duct Tape Dude

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    Have you tried Audacity? It's a little more powerful than you might need but it does almost anything to an mp3/wav file.
     
  7. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    Mp3gain sucks, it adjusts the acoustic properties of the audio based on whatever the developer decided your music should sound like. This is bad.

    Replay gain adjusts the output volume of your MP3s so there is no actual change to your MP3 itself. This is good.
     
  8. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Oddly enough I dl'd audacity last night when I was trying to capture the BBC web radio streams. Didn't work so I uninstalled it. I'll have a go with that one though as well.

    Thanks :)
     
  9. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    Take this piece of advice from an audio snob who listens to his digital media in FLAC...

    ReplayGain is what you want, it doesn't alter the audio at all. Think of it like an ID3 file tag that tells your media player to turn the volume knob up or down.
     
  10. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Cool. Thanks. I'm waiting for my laptop to crash now, er, I mean install Vista SP1 so it'll be a while before I get a chance to "play".

    I have XP installed as well so if all goes wrong I can still use that to play around with my winamp library. :D
     
  11. mk.2

    mk.2 Notebook Geek

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    Well, what OP want is to have MP3 sound the same regardless of MP3 players used.
    Replaygain would need MP3 player to be able to read replaygain values. Player like iTunes cannot read those.
     
  12. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    What about winamp? - I only use iTunes if I buy music, then I burn it using noteburner and then listen to it in winamp.
     
  13. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    Well iTunes users have more issues than just inability to read ReplayGain.

    I'm against anything that further destroys the audio quality of already degraded MP3s.
     
  14. mk.2

    mk.2 Notebook Geek

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    Ideal would be using foobar2000. It covers everything for audio playback.
    Just use what is suit you. download some of recommended softwares and try them.

    You can try MP3Gain without installing it. link
    extract and double-click 'MP3GainGUI.exe'.

    Sample MP3 files that you can use for testing: link
     
  15. Nocturnal310

    Nocturnal310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    how does using foobar2000 improve Volume levels?

    there must be some plug-in which u need to download rite?

    I am also having this volume issue currently, so following this thread.
     
  16. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    With JetAudio professional you can re-record the sound at a higher volume.
    Also Fruity Loops can do the same thing.
    If a whole album is less powerful,then I don`t bother,it takes too much time.
     
  17. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Woohooo SP1 didn't crash my laptop after all. :D

    Anyway back ot - MP3Gain for the win. It analyzed the files I wanted to know the volume of and then I was able to reset the volume of the ones I wanted to be louder.

    Thanks guys, much appreciated :)
     
  18. mk.2

    mk.2 Notebook Geek

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    Foobar2000 has built-in replaygain. I mentioned foobar2000 because it's a pretty handy tool for music management; tagging, ripping, converting, even can do double-blind test (ABX). Most important is it's small in size and use little resources but its UI that drive me away. I find it's too simplistic.
     
  19. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    WinAmp also has a feature called 'Replay Gain' that tags the file with a volume change, much like MP3 Gain does.
     
  20. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Does it? Where?
     
  21. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    In WinAmp 5.5 and later, Right Click on the Playlist entry -> Send to: -> Calculate Replay Gain. Then under Preferences -> Playback -> Use Replay Gain tick that on, and set your preference.
     
  22. ravenmorpheus

    ravenmorpheus Notebook Deity

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    Hmm ok. Shame I've just put my entire MP3 collection through MP3Gain. But then now I've done it that way its permanent.

    Still handy tip though. Thanks :)
     
  23. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    Don't worry, MP3 Gain works good too. I use it when I make MP3 CDs for the car.
     
  24. -Amadeus Excello-

    -Amadeus Excello- Notebook Evangelist

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  25. -Amadeus Excello-

    -Amadeus Excello- Notebook Evangelist

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    Bueller? Beuller? Bueller? Ferris...Bueller?