Here’s the problem: On my computer I have hundreds of hours of TV shows in .avi format, alot of .mp3’s, and a handful of DVDs. In all three of these formats, the audio constantly needs adjusting. There will be quite dialog so I have to turn it up. Then there will be loud music/explosions and I have to turn it down. Having to get up from my couch every few minutes to fiddle with my computer speakers does not make for a relaxing evening.
So how can I narrow the range that sound projects so that I don’t have to keep changing the volume manually? If it makes a difference, I use fairly cheap set of 2 desktop speakers attached to the onboard sound card. I run Windows 2000, and I play most things in Winamp or winDVD. I’d like this option to apply to all sounds if possible, but if it can only work for certain programs so be it.
I can’t help except to say that what you need is called a compressor. Evening out the volume is called “dynamic range compression” or just compression, though “compression” can also mean data compression, like making an mp3 file. I don’t know how you’d accomplish it with a Windows computer though.
It woulnd’t surprise me if there’s some software out there that does that. Otherwise you’d have to run the output through a receiver that can do that.
You could also look for something like this with a remote volume knob that you could have closer to the couch. It’s not terribly long mind you, I’m guessing mine is about 4 or 5 feet long, and I have no idea if you can extend it, but atleast it’s easy to find quickly to change the volume.
Have you considered getting a remote control for your computer, like ATI’s Remote Wonder (note: that product only works machines with ATI-based video cards)? I too use my computer as a television/entertainment center, and having a remote makes all the difference in the world.
I find that on “real” TV the difference between music/noises and dialogue is also a problem, but with a remote it becomes much less of a problem…so I’m not sure if the format you’re using to watch the video is really the problem, it’s just a function of stupid sound mixing on the shows.
If you are willing to use Windows Media Player, there’s a cool little program called Volume Logic that will normalize your audio on the fly. It’s not free, but it’s very useful and has always worked well for me. Worth the money, I say…
I think normalization is justing bringing the peak or average volume to a certain level, usually as loud as a format can take. It doesn’t change the dynamic range.
Many players with a built in media library will allow you to make custom presets that load automatically for each track. That translates to many hours of fiddling to adjust levels for this track or that track, but it should be fine once you get it set up. Doesn’t necessarily help with the DVDs, though.
Surround sound control software may allow you to selectively pull up the dialogue tracks while leaving the explosions and foley subdued. May have dynamic normalization, which’ll kinda do what was described above.
The OP mentioned that it’s on a computer, it’s controlled in software in my experience.
Which brings up another point. If the computer doesn’t have surround and you habitually play DVDs using the multichannel audio, the levels can be all sorts of screwed up. Try it on plain old stereo.
You’re right, but certain programs/guides have decided to steal the name to mean compression. Just throwing it out there as something else to search on.