Author Topic: Permanently "normalize" FLAC files for transfer to DAP?  (Read 2301 times)

HAL Lives

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 41
Hello All

I recently bought a Sony NW-A45, but didn't realize it doesn't support Replaygain tags... a not unusual situation by all accounts; the player has its own "Dynamic Normalizer" setting but it's worthless.  

I went to Edit/Preferences/Devices, highlighted the SD card, clicked Configure/Music and selected Synchronize All Music.

I then went to Settings, and here's where I'm not too sure about how things should be.

All my music files in MB are FLAC files with Track Level Replaygain tags and embedded Artwork, so I don't need to "convert" them, I just need to permanently adjust the volume for use in the DAP.

So, in the On-the-fly Conversion section I left the "Convert to" box unchecked.

I checked Level Volume/Tracks at same volume, as well as Embed Artwork in the music file.

Is this correct?

Also, is MB only permanently adjusting the volume of the files transferred to the DAP, and not the original files on my HD?

I know I'm not messing with Playlists as yet, I just want to get the track volume thing squared away first!  :)

Thanks
Paul

CritterMan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 556
  • Now with FiiO M11!
The two options are track leveling and album leveling. Track is more consistent for shuffling, album is more consistent for playing tracks on the same album in order. And yes, it only affects the tracks on the DAP.
Home Desk ~ MB 3.3 Portable • Questyle CMA400i (ASIO) • Sennheiser HD 660S (balanced) / Audeze EL-8 Closed Back / Fostex TR-X00 Ebony • Teac AI-101DA • Jamo C93 + Dayton Audio SUB-1000
Work Desk ~ MB 3.3 Portable / Tidal • SMSL SU-8 v2 • Nobsound NS-05P • THX AAA 789 • Sennheiser HD 58X (balanced)
OTG ~ FiiO M11 • Audiofly AF180 / B&O H6

frankz

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3834
...but he does need to turn on conversion to achieve this on the synchronized files, right?

CritterMan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 556
  • Now with FiiO M11!
As far as I can tell, you just need to check the "level volume" box.
Home Desk ~ MB 3.3 Portable • Questyle CMA400i (ASIO) • Sennheiser HD 660S (balanced) / Audeze EL-8 Closed Back / Fostex TR-X00 Ebony • Teac AI-101DA • Jamo C93 + Dayton Audio SUB-1000
Work Desk ~ MB 3.3 Portable / Tidal • SMSL SU-8 v2 • Nobsound NS-05P • THX AAA 789 • Sennheiser HD 58X (balanced)
OTG ~ FiiO M11 • Audiofly AF180 / B&O H6

frankz

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3834
If the device doesn't support ReplayGain and he's not altering the volume of the file itself on synch during "converting" FLAC to FLAC, how does the volume get leveled?

CritterMan

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 556
  • Now with FiiO M11!
Well, I hadn't used the option, so I ran a test batch. Yep, conversion must be in use, it won't re-encode the files otherwise.
Home Desk ~ MB 3.3 Portable • Questyle CMA400i (ASIO) • Sennheiser HD 660S (balanced) / Audeze EL-8 Closed Back / Fostex TR-X00 Ebony • Teac AI-101DA • Jamo C93 + Dayton Audio SUB-1000
Work Desk ~ MB 3.3 Portable / Tidal • SMSL SU-8 v2 • Nobsound NS-05P • THX AAA 789 • Sennheiser HD 58X (balanced)
OTG ~ FiiO M11 • Audiofly AF180 / B&O H6

HAL Lives

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 41
Thanks Guys! I noticed that the files hadn't been "normalized" but haven't had time to investigate, I'll make the changes and transfer the files again when I get back from the office.

jasongnome

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 83
MusicBee, as far as I know, only adjusts replaygain tags whichever method you use.

If you want to actually normalize the data, you'll need to use a thrid party program.

I'd recommend Audacity, which is also freeware and normalises very well.

ninjaman81

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 20


Okay, can someone confirm. So if I only check the "Level Volume" checkbox, and leave the "Convert to:" checkbox unchecked, are you saying that it won't alter the volume settings of the tracks upon export?

Can someone confirm, please?

Also, if I have to check the convert box, what encoding profile should I select. Most of my music is in 320 mp3, I assume Maximum Quality is 320? I really dont want it messing with re-encoding things and changing around bitrate if not needed.

phred

  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9304
That's correct. The settings in this configuration window are for "on-the-fly conversion" as stated in the window header.

You can do a Volume Analysis and adjust the Replay Gain without doing a conversion. Select the tracks you want to adjust > right-click > Send to > Volume Analysis.

As for what encoding profile you should use, that depends on what you're trying to accomplish, what format your files are currently, and what you want them to be. Among other considerations. You can set the parameters for the various profiles in Preferences > File Converters. And search the Internet to find the various settings. But remember this only comes into play when -converting- a file. If all you want to do is adjust the replay gain, do as I stated above
Download the latest MusicBee v3.5 or 3.6 patch from here.
Unzip into your MusicBee directory and overwrite existing files.

----------
The FAQ
The Wiki
Posting screenshots is here
Searching the forum with Google is  here