MP3 Gain Settings

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I used it only once for my mp3+g files... and really didn't like what it did after testing a few and instead went back to normalizing with audiograbber instead using the % instead of peak along with compression and have been very happy with the output. I use the default settings... btw.
 
Here's something else funny that now happening.

MP3 Gain now works differently, but I believe it still works.

During the "track analysis" portion, after analyzing a track, the gain found that is listed quickly changers to the 89db default.

It's like it's doing the analysis AND gain functions at the same time instead of the normal two-step process.

Thoughts?
 
Not being a wiseguy here, so please pardon my Luddititude (yup, made it up).

I know this sounds like I'm picking again, but I swear I'm not. Just talking about specs here.

Downloaded MP3s have no quality control, like a disc would. MP3s are dependent the the skill and equipment of the one who converts the music to MP3, the skill of the uploader and his/her equipment, the transmission media of the upload, the upload storage media, the download media, the skill of the downloader and his/her equipment. Add to this the possibility of the track going through this several times before it reaches you. Add to that the original CD track of the music. Since I'm a karaoke host, the first track to come to mind is Music Maestro's King Creole, where the music volume is so low you have to crank the volume WAY above the vocal volume just to hear it.

The question is, how the heck can you have ONE gain setting for every MP3track?

I know I'm missing something, of course- hence, the question...... Help.
 
JoeChartreuse said:
The question is, how the heck can you have ONE gain setting for every MP3track?
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The gain setting is the relative loudness level you want all tracks to be at (or close to) -- so if a track is lower than that level, it gets raised to that level -- if above, it gets lowered.

It's certainly not perfect by any means, but I've found it works pretty cool when yer outputting in mono (which many DJs do).

Again, I like to ride the sliders myself, but its handy for stuff you might run on auto for cocktails, dinner, etc.


@Rob, are your files marked read-only...?
 
I have been using it since i was turned on to it here a couple of months ago, I finally got all my stuff done at 92DB!

It is a vast improvement having all the songs at close to the same levels when mixing!

When I was all CD or even vinyl based there was always the ocasional suprise in the levels from one CD or record to another that you just didn't catch in the heat of the moment! with MP3 gain that no longer happens, now perhaps it is making me a little lazy but that is OK too because I am old!
 
SoftJock Rick said:
The gain setting is the relative loudness level you want all tracks to be at (or close to) -- so if a track is lower than that level, it gets raised to that level -- if above, it gets lowered.

It's certainly not perfect by any means, but I've found it works pretty cool when yer outputting in mono (which many DJs do).
.?
Click to expand...


So we're actually talking about setting ( and maintaining) LEVEL, not gain.

Thanks, Rick. I kind of figured, but... ahhh, I can sleep again...
 
Ok I figured out why it wasn't working..... I don't know why but some of my mp3's were set to Read Only.... which means that the db tag couldn't be written.... all is good now except for 1 file.... I can live with that.

@Joe: MP3Gain doesn't alter the mp3 itself it simply rights a tag that many programs read and use to set the software gain to achieve a set level... or atleast that's how I understand it.

Some programs actually alter the mp3 itself but, MP3Gain doesn't.
 
jokerswild said:
@Joe: MP3Gain doesn't alter the mp3 itself it simply rights a tag that many programs read and use to set the software gain to achieve a set level... or atleast that's how I understand it.

Some programs actually alter the mp3 itself but, MP3Gain doesn't.
Click to expand...


Actually it does change the file, it just does not decode and re-encode it. The samples are changed in-place within the frames. The tag is there for MP3Gain to roll back the changes if you don't like them.

I posted this showing the results of Mp3Gain in Rockit over at ProDJ a bit back. Rockit does not read Mp3Gain tags, and the levels shown are input levels, not output levels. Left deck has the gained version (green waveform), right deck the normal version (cyan waveform). I gained it high (about 105), to show how the samples changed.

rockit-mp3gain.jpg
 
Go 95 dB or go home! If you set it to 95 dB, you will see that your VU meter will reach 0 on the VU meter. If you set it any lower, you will not reach that magic unity gain. Try it set a few different ways by adding the MP3Gain setting right into the tag name. Eg: Billie Jean 90 dB, Billie Jean 95 dB, etc...
 
New Developments

I'm reserecting this thread for an update on my findings with MP3Gain...


It does what it says but it does it with some flaws.

1. If your original file is more than 4db below the target db you are likely to get a very distorted file even with the Don't Allow Clipping option checked.

2. There are audiable, or should i say inaudiable, dead spots in the resulting files. They are very minute and possibly wouldn't be noticed by anyone but the DJ but, I can't stand them as it sounds like a bad file to me.

Bottom line here is I wouldn't use MP3Gain for the above two reasons. For me the Cons in this case out weight the Pros.

I've tried all kinds of combinations from 92db to 89db and either way has a negative effect on every file be it over driving the song or and in all cases that little gap or silences in songs.... it was enough to drive me bonkers.
 
I have PCDJ DEX and it automaticly sets the gains for each song, I can see the screen knobs move. Very seldom do I need to touch the volume on my mixer.

I think it works great or some how I ended up with my music all loaded very close to the same db.
 
So Cal Hugh said:
Isn't 95 the default on audio grabber?
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Yes but the difference between what audiograbber does and what MP3Gain does is that audiograbber actually modifies the file perminantly whereas MP3Gain makes adjustments that can be reversed.

Rick can explain it better but, for that reason I would never allow Audiograbber to make those adjustments....

Based on my experiences I wouldn't let any program alter my mp3's ever!
 
Mark Beecher said:
96 here
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You don't hear a difference in songs that started off with a db level lower than 96? I found that mine even with the No Clip setting still clipped badly... and when other tracks are listened to there is an audiable gap in the tracks.... if it were random I could write that off as a playback issue but I can play the track over and over and hear the gaps in the same place each time.

Thoughts?
 
jokerswild said:
... and when other tracks are listened to there is an audiable gap in the tracks.... if it were random I could write that off as a playback issue but I can play the track over and over and hear the gaps in the same place each time.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I haven't come across that... :sqconfused:

Is it at any particular place in the songs, such as a high or low section? I have the source code for it, so I can always rebuild the program (if I ever get some time)... :)
 
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