Normalizing several MP3's

bansl wrote on 1/25/2011, 11:27 AM
Hi Guys,

I am putting together a big slide show, and the soundtrack is made up from several classical music mp3's.

Problem is, some mp3's are much lower in volume than others.

I do not intend to try and level these on the timeline.

So, I was wondering if anyone has found any good cheap (free) software that can take in several mp3's and normalize the volume so that they all play at the same loudness.

I used to be able to use such a facility on the MusicMatch jukebox, sadly, long gone.

Thanks,

Bryan.

Comments

jetdv wrote on 1/25/2011, 11:44 AM
Drop them on the Vegas timeline, select them all, right-click one of them, then in the popup menu choose Switches - Normalize.
aquaholik wrote on 1/25/2011, 6:34 PM
Thank you jedtv! I did not know it was that simple. Prior to this, I was lowering the volumes of all the other louder tracks to match the lowest one.
musicvid10 wrote on 1/25/2011, 7:47 PM
The Normalize switch in Vegas equalizes peak levels only.
The Normalize tool in Sound Forge will also work with RMS levels, compressing peaks where necessary.

If the MP3s you are working with have significant compression differences, neither of these methods will be completely effective at equalizing perceived loudness, which is another beast entirely.

To address that, you will need true loudness metering, such as provided by the VisLM trial from Nugen Audio. (Not entirely sure if they will load in VMS).
If your material will be broadcast in the US, compliant ATSC A/85 loudness normalization is not only recommended, it becomes the law in December 2011.
bansl wrote on 1/25/2011, 10:22 PM
Hey, thanks jetdv and musicvid...

I had not realized that it was so easy either, nor that something like it was to become law.

Life sure is a learning experience.

Thanks once again,

Bryan.
BZee wrote on 1/26/2011, 3:12 AM
A good program for adjusting MP3s is "MP3Gain"
musicvid10 wrote on 1/26/2011, 7:32 AM
"nor that something like it was to become law."

That's for broadcasting in the US, probably not something you need concern yourself with, but I like to be thorough in my answers.