how do i normalize the volume level of mp3 tracks? i have goldwave i could do this individually, but is there an easier way to do a large number of tracks? thanks
just beware that normalizing mp3s has a tendency to reduce the quality. i'm not sure if the program recompresses the file or not, but either way it usually doesn't sound as good as the original file.
Mp3Gain does not affect the quality of the file and does not recompress it, it is lossless and works by changing the global gain field in each frame of the mp3 to raise or lower the perceived volume of the song. The global gain field is separate from the audio data and can be changed without affecting the audio data, it is reversable and an ideal way to "normalise" an mp3 collection.
I've used Mp3gain for a few years now & love it. The first time you use it on a file, it needs to do an analysis of the file. So it may take some time to do a lot of files. After the first time though, it acts very quickly to readjust your normalization. I've enter 1000's of files at one time & it ran without a hitch.
Just a fellow noob adding his 10 cents worth - if an MP3 wasn't brilliantly recorded in the first place, normalising it will turn up any cracks'n'pops in the original. That's why normalised MP3s can sound worse than the original quieter ones, no matter what software's used (having said that I haven't tried MP3Gain yet!) because the imperfections have been 'normalised' too. ulricburk
