Permanently "normalize" FLAC files for transfer to DAP?

[HAL Lives]

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]

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.

[frankz]

...but he does need to turn on conversion to achieve this on the synchronized files, right?

[CritterMan]

As far as I can tell, you just need to check the "level volume" box.

[frankz]

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]

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.

[HAL Lives]

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]

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.