What is loudness normalization, why would I need it, and how do I use it?

[SpaceCoyote]

Thanks for the replies, hiccup and The Incredible Boom Boom! I've tested this with MP3s ripped from CDs and it looks like the automatically analyzed/normalized volume process happens as Boom Boom describes: the new tracks are imported with replaygain values of 0dB. It looks like I will have to manually run the Analyze Volume command with my dB preference for all new tracks.

[phred]

Unless something has changed recently, normalizing newly imported tracks will occur at a RG value of 0dB.

Hmmm ... my understanding has always been that once you enable "analyze volume and write replaygain tags" in Preferencess > CD Ripping, once the CD has been ripped, analysis automatically takes place at the setting defined under Tools > Analyze Volume."

I haven't test this, but perhaps Steven can weigh in and confirm this is the behavior.

[SpaceCoyote]

Unless something has changed recently, normalizing newly imported tracks will occur at a RG value of 0dB.

Hmmm ... my understanding has always been that once you enable "analyze volume and write replaygain tags" in Preferencess > CD Ripping, once the CD has been ripped, analysis automatically takes place at the setting defined under Tools > Analyze Volume."

I haven't test this, but perhaps Steven can weigh in and confirm this is the behavior.

I could be wrong about initial testing. I will be more thorough with keeping track of my settings next time I rip some CDs. For now, I'm avoiding the issue but not using any volume normalizing.

[ninjaman81]

Thank you Hiccup. This is a great write up...very helpful!