Subject:Just one more thing Rednroll...for now :)

Posted by: MyST

Date:8/10/2003 7:48:33 PM

OK, so I started normalizing in the Batch Converter, then I started getting erors and BC would shut down.
I contacted tech support and they confirm that there are problems with the normalize plug-in in BC. They don't know if it will be fixed in a future update because they don't know IF there will be a future update at all.
As suggested by tech support I've been normalizing through SF 6.0
Quite the chore when you have about 300 songs you want to normalize!!

My question is this...Is there anything else that I can use that won't mangle my songs too much?
Maybe Wave Hammer with a smooth compression at -8db with an RMS scan mode?
How about a Track Compression with a soft limiter?

I can already kinda tell what you'll tell me. These won't even out my various volumes.
That the best way is still through Sound Forge while watching my meters.

And I'm finishing my vacation today...back to the grind tomorrow. :(
That's why I was wishing there was a workaround.

Any and all of your suggestions are welcomed.

M

Subject:RE: Just one more thing Rednroll...for now :)

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:8/10/2003 11:38:53 PM

Hmmmm....I would probably tend to punt in this situation. I've never really used batch converter that much, because I mainly use Sound Forge as my mastering app....and using the batch converter is kinda like saying to your client, "I don't need to listen to each song, I'm just going to run them all through the same processes, and prey they all sound the same when they're done."

So seeing BC doesn't work in your application, the next thing I would try is a Limiter. What you want to do is effectively lower the volume of all the loud tunes to match the weaker ones....So I'ld pull out the SF Track Compressor...or any other of your favorite compressors, that you find colors the song the least. I'ld convert it into a limiter by setting the compression ratio to "12:1". Set the Threshold to -6dB. Leave the attack at 15mS, and raise the release to 850mS. Put a check in the "Smooth Saturation", and Uncheck the "Autogain compensation". Having that Checked, would make it an upward compressor and make your level difference even more drastic.
That would be my best guess.......but I'ld probably do nothing and just burn all those .MP3 to disc and deal with adjusting the volume when you're listening to it.

Subject:RE: Just one more thing Rednroll...for now :)

Reply by: MyST

Date:8/11/2003 4:14:00 PM

Thanks Brian.

I'll give your suggestion a try.
I realize that the way you work with this software you were probably the last person in these forums to use BC. That being said, you were the first person I thought about to help me find a workaround.
Using the Mp3s as is isn't very appealing. Having +/- 100 songs on a CD is very useful when you have friends over. Having to constantly change the volume with the remote control as you mingle isn't.
However, I do get what your saying...it might just be one of those SOL cases.

Thanks again for the help.

M

Subject:RE: Just one more thing Rednroll...for now :)

Reply by: Rednroll

Date:8/12/2003 7:22:02 AM

Lol,
Actually don't get me wrong. I love .MP3 format and I use it all the time for personal stuff. I did exactly what you're doing about a year ago. I put 150 of my favorite songs on one CD. When I have friends over, you just let the CD roll in random play order and don't worry about the stereo all night. I just didn't go through all the pain you're going through on my CD....but there is that occasional song that I have to go and turn the volume up on. I usually make a mental note, then some other time I'll go normalize it, or hit it with some wavehammer.

Actually last summer, I ran into the same thing where I was on a house boat with some friends, and they had about 20 compilation CD's. Well, most of us got tired of being DJ all night, and having to change the CDs. I happened to have my laptop with me, so I ripped all 20 CD's to .MP3 using sound forge, and used my laptop as the jukebox the following night. Worked like a charm, but it took me a lot of time, extracting and then saving each file. If there was a way to use BC in that case, I wish someone can inform me how.

Subject:RE: Just one more thing Rednroll...for now :)

Reply by: MyST

Date:8/12/2003 3:42:34 PM

That's the problem with the Normalizing bug.
If it worked properly, you just extract the songs from the CD using Vegas/SF on your laptop, save them as waves. Open BC and add the Normalize plug-in then have BC convert the extracted file as an Mp3. Bam! You're done. Insert the next CD, and repeat above steps. All your converted Mp3s will have (roughly) the same volume when played back.

That's why I wish they could get rid of this bug.
Please SoFo. I know BC isn't really a money maker for you anymore (it's free with the purchase of SF 6.0), but it would be SO MUCH appreciated if you could just fix this one thing! I know you have other priorities, but please consider it.

M

Subject:RE: Just one more thing Rednroll...for now :)

Reply by: clank

Date:8/13/2003 7:02:18 AM

http://www.geocities.com/mp3gain/ might be worth looking at