Laptop to PA auto volume level control solution Wanted

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
micwatson

micwatson

New DJ
Jul 16, 2008
56
4
68
Bali mostly and Australia and New Zealand
I'm using a laptop (Windows Vista) to play AVI video files from the internal an an external hard drive using VLC media player that works fine, as some of the clips are recorded at different volume levels they spike and sometimes I'm not close enough to the volume control to turn it down or up as is sometimes needed, is there a software programme or hardware solution available? I'm using the head phone socket as my audio out. Any feedback on this would be appreciated
 
Unfortunately I have no choice with the Audio out at this stage, it would have been good if the laptop had RCA's out. I've run it through a 60, 000 watt PA and desk, the audio quality for most was very good. still I think everything can be improved on and thanks for the input. I've seen a programme available called Auto Volume Control 2.1 doesn't look like it's vista supported and requires the use of a sound card for Audio In and out, this would be if I was hooking in a DVD player or some other external device and not internal AVI video files i think?
 
micwatson said:
Unfortunately I have no choice with the Audio out at this stage, it would have been good if the laptop had RCA's out. I've run it through a 60, 000 watt PA and desk, the audio quality for most was very good. still I think everything can be improved on and thanks for the input. I've seen a programme available called Auto Volume Control 2.1 doesn't look like it's vista supported and requires the use of a sound card for Audio In and out, this would be if I was hooking in a DVD player or some other external device and not internal AVI video files i think?
Click to expand...

So...your laptop does not have USB ports?

If you have a USB port you have an option to get good quality stereo out.

Couple this with a video mixing software that features an auto-gain and you will be good to go!
 
Laptop to PA auto volume control

SirWolfy said:
PCMCIA sound card

Virtual DJ or Tricerasoft - both programs will do a gain scan of your A/V media, mostly eliminating the need for additional programs.
Click to expand...

Would I need to get a PCMICA sound card? And I will try one of the DJ programs you suggested. My Laptop doesn't suck more than likely it's my lack of Tech experience hence me joining this forum. I live and work in Bali where certain hardware is hard to get so if it's a software solution and can be downloaded all the better for me. Thanks for the input
 
Laptop to PA auto volume control

mysoulishome said:
So...your laptop does not have USB ports?

If you have a USB port you have an option to get good quality stereo out.

Couple this with a video mixing software that features an auto-gain and you will be good to go!
Click to expand...

Yes the laptop does have USB's didn't realise you can use them as an audio out source. Would the cable be a standard one that can be brought from a computer store, and I guess they would have RCA's on the other end. Also would I need to configure the laptop to direct the sound to the USB port?
 
Laptop to PA auto volume control

DJ Cam said:
If you play the files with virtual DJ there is a internal gain setting to make the all very close to the same level.

Option #2 by a compressor.
Click to expand...

I'll try to get hold of virtual DJ and hopefully it's an inexspensive download any help with that would be appreciated and if you could share a little more light on the compressor that would be helpful too, I can hopefully make the right choice. Thanks again.
 
If your are trying to do this on a budget, which it seems to be, you could...

a) purchase a potentiometer that will attenuate the sound from a 1/8" jack to another 1/8" jack. Radio shack might have these.

b) Purchase a relatively inexpensive mixer, a cheap one/two channel behringer seems like it may do the trick, call our forum sponsor NorthernLightFX for a rad price.

If you want it to sound the best, I'd suggest an external sound card, some great models have been mentioned before, some may even feature on-board knob volume controls, so you have the best of both worlds as above.

Welcome to ODJT, and let us know if we can be of assistance, sometimes there is a lo-tech get 'er 'dun method that us vets overlook sometimes, we all start somewhere.
 
M-Audio Fast Track Pro USB has worked for me without a single problem with all the versions of Virtual DJ I've run.
 
micwatson said:
Yes the laptop does have USB's didn't realise you can use them as an audio out source. Would the cable be a standard one that can be brought from a computer store, and I guess they would have RCA's on the other end. Also would I need to configure the laptop to direct the sound to the USB port?
Click to expand...

You do NOT just use the USBs as an audio output. What folks are referring to here is that there are external sound cards with USB connections. On the sound card itself, there will be mini pin or rca outputs. Some even have xlr outputs. I use the ESI Gigaport, just make sure its compatible with your DJ software. My DJ softway that I use is Traktor.
 
Would I need to get a PCMICA sound card?
Click to expand...

A PCMCIA sound card adapter will give you the most flexability and power for external sound card solutions - especially over USB options. As has already been mentioned, USB cards contribute more so towards annoying ground loop hum, sound card latency (thanks to the USB bus) and other artifacts/signal distortion than Firewire cards or PCMCIA cards. A simple Google search will reveal dozens of options for PCMCIA sound cards - although my first recommendation is not to use a laptop at all, rather a dedicated Computerized Performance System (CPS for short).
 
download Mp3 Gain or Wavgain (depending on your file type) there free and will normalize all your sounds volume ive had a good history with both them...
 
Oh video...not sure if theyd work sorry! but there should be some freewere out there for the same thing...Found it! PSP Video 9, made for PSPs and Ipods this freeware will let you normalize sound and quality of your video files...trust me this is a good peice of software!
 
Do you guys?

Buy an expensive sound card to get quality sound and then run material that has been ripped at 160 or less!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back