5.1 channels different volumes

[Moopy]

I finally finished converting all my dts tracks to 5.1 flac, but have come across one small problem. In one album, the back speakers have their volume turned way, way down. My questions is, what would be the best, and most lossless way to batch convert these tracks so that the rear speakers are equal to the front speakers? Would this even be possible? I assume, the easiest way to do it would be to split all 6 channels into seperate tracks, normalise the back compared to the front, and throw back together. Any programs that can do this or should I just look at a regular normalise faq?

[ursamtl]

Before normalizing, you should check out the thread on audio normalization (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=128537). Just doing the usual peak normalization found in a lot of software, won't necessarily solve your problem. The thread explains why,

[Moopy]

Before normalizing, you should check out the thread on audio normalization (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=128537). Just doing the usual peak normalization found in a lot of software, won't necessarily solve your problem. The thread explains why,

I understand the downsides to normalization and the upsides to replaygain, but from what I understand normalisation actually changes the file and replaygain adds a tag that tells your player to play the song this much louder/softer. If I'm wrong, does that mean I can replaygain the 6 channels and then put them back together?

EDIT: I think I just found the answer to my question into foobar, and dbpoweramp can split tracks... I'll be back if things don't work out.

[ursamtl]

I understand the downsides to normalization and the upsides to replaygain, but from what I understand normalisation actually changes the file and replaygain adds a tag that tells your player to play the song this much louder/softer. If I'm wrong, does that mean I can replaygain the 6 channels and then put them back together?Well if you use a program such as Wavegain or Foobar2000 to actually modify the files or write new copies of them (I'd suggest doing this in case something goes wrong), then you'll have files at the same levels.

[Moopy]

None of this seems to be working... I'm downloading someone elses copy of the dvd and see if there's a misprint of mine, it could happen.

[Rck60s]

I have bee using the group normalization function in audition on the 6 mono files thanks to the suggestion by Steve,,,works very well

[shadowhaze]

Personally, I would split the tracks, convert from FLAC to Wavpac (lossless), use Foobar to convert to wav applying replay gain (changes the track when going to wav), and then convert back to FLAC. I just burned a mix CD using Foobar to apply replay gain. Just remember that you need to change the replay gain default if you don't want the tracks at 89db.

If nothing else works, try this: First, you'll need MP3Gain (GREAT program), and a wav editor. Many people like Audiocity, but I'm not a fan of the way it adds/subtracts gain. When you apply gain, it still uses a "normalize" type algorithm that treats peaks different from overall. If I want to add 5db of gain, I want 5db of gain period. I'm using Wavosaur (a free program) and Cubase (definitely not free)right now.

Split tracks to wav (if not already), label them (i.e. LF, RF, etc), and then convert each wav to MP3 @ 320 bit - keep the wav files. Open MP3Gain, load each mp3 track and track analysis. You'll get a listing of each track db, whether it clips or not and how much gain to add/subtract to get the target (89db default). All you want to see the db level for each track (esp. the two rear tracks) and maybe the clipping. Either keep the program open or write down the db for each track. Now all you have to do is load each wav into the wav editor and add/subtract the amount needed to make them equal. I would use the highest "non clip" track db level. I'm not sure about this, but I think an MP3 will clip a little sooner than a wav due to compression. To all - please correct me if I'm wrong.

I saw someone mention "Wavgain" which hopefully does the same thing as MP3gain (if so - it's my next download!), and thus eliminates the need for MP3 files & MP3 gain (though I'd still download it). You still may want to manually adjust the wav db level rather than use replay gain, or, especially, normalize since you may not like the way they affect overall tone and dynamics.

- FYI I just did a search n Wavgain and came across a thread on the hydrogenaudio forum that debated whether it was truely lossless http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t42608-50.html