mp3 -> ac3 gets quieter

[jriker1]

I have some avi videos that have mp3 audio in them. Converting the videos for burning on DVD. I do the following to convert the audio to ac3 from the mp3 in the AVI file:

1. virtualdubmod extract mp3 file.
2. headac3he to convert to 32-bit int WAV file. in 2-channel surround.
3. Sonic Softencoder to convert to 2.0 ac3 file.

Problem is, from the original mp3 file to the converted ac3 file, the audio turns substancially quieter than the original source. Am I missing something or is this a natural effect of the conversion? I would hate to boost the audio as I'd imagine this would introduce some effects into the sound trying to increase it.

Any input on why this happens and how to get around it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

JR

[xbox360]

I use :

1. virtualdubmod extract mp3 file.
2. cdex to convert to WAV
3. adobe audition to convert samplerate
4. yamaha final master (punchy mix)
5. sonic audio transcoder to convert to 2.0 ac3 file

[Borbus]

You should be able to use the MP3 in your DVD without transcoding to AC3. MP2 decoders can decode MP1 and as far as I know every DVD player should be able to decode MPEG audio.

[tebasuna51]

...
2. headac3he to convert to 32-bit int WAV file. in 2-channel surround.
...
Problem is, from the original mp3 file to the converted ac3 file, the audio turns substancially quieter than the original source. Am I missing something or is this a natural effect of the conversion?
- I don't understand: "WAV file. in 2-channel surround"

- If the ac3 don't play so louder than WAV, you have a problem in your ac3 player.

[jriker1]

I use :

1. virtualdubmod extract mp3 file.
2. cdex to convert to WAV
3. adobe audition to convert samplerate
4. yamaha final master (punchy mix)
5. sonic audio transcoder to convert to 2.0 ac3 file

Thanks for the info. Three items on the above:

1. What does Yamaha Final Master do to the recording?
2. Is Punchy Mix a particular setting you use on FM?
3. I can't find Audio Trancoder on Sonic's site. Is that another discontinued product and does it use Dolby certified libraries or does it have it's own ac3 libraries?

Thanks.

JR

[xbox360]

Thanks for the info. Three items on the above:

1. What does Yamaha Final Master do to the recording?
2. Is Punchy Mix a particular setting you use on FM?
3. I can't find Audio Trancoder on Sonic's site. Is that another discontinued product and does it use Dolby certified libraries or does it have it's own ac3 libraries?

Thanks.

JR

Answers:

1. Yamaha Final Master Remaster's any Audio
2. Punchy Mix a particular preset that is selectable in Yamaha Final Master.
3. Audio Trancoder come's with Sonic Scenarist.

[jriker1]

Well this is sad. I thought I would try a some other "newer" ac3 encoders to compare as they must be better. Besweet was not an option in this as the ac3 files it creates causes all my dvd's to hang in stand along players.

First one Sony Acid 6.0. This created an "OK" ac3 file I think, however the output volume was half of what it was for Soft Encoder so that was a step in the wrong direction.

The other one I tried was Maven3D. This one created identical sounding files to Soft Encoder except for one thing. On the 2.0 ac3 files had some slight static noises in the center channel speaker that the Soft Encoder did not.

So after all these years, the newer encoders with updated dolby libraries, are worse than good old Soft Encoder. Is this really possible?