BeSweet Wizard v0.1 for the non-expert

[ukb007]

The BeSweet Wizard is great, and I feel it can finally work for the non- or the not-very expert. It is attractive, easy, and completely intuitive. I've downloaded it from DSPGuru's HomePage, unzipped, and put it in my AutoGK > BeSweet folder.

As a non-expert, this is a problem I have encountered...in this project I wanted to further increase the volume of an mp3 that was previously encoded (with gain applied) with BeSweet in AutoGK 1.05b. In the steps I've kept most of the settings unchanged except opting for a normalize volume of 200%. Details follow.

I Cleared the 'Batch Mode' box. (I don't know what the tickable box on the right end of the step-number row is for).

Step 1 - I've selected the mp3 into the wizard.

Step 2 - I've selected Output Type to 'mp3'.

(There is no Step 3 because Step 4 incoporates two steps.)

Step 4 - I've kept the auto-selected Output Bitrate '128' and the (Optional) FRC Preset 'none'.

Step 5 - The 'More Options' button is now available in this step. So I now keep the:

#'Colors' tab in default,
#'General' tab: all Log File Options ticked,
#'Input': Vob Input to 'Auto',
#'Output' tab: 'Downmix Levels' kept unchanged to LFE to LR Channes -3db; in 'Output Modes' 'Stereo' ticked, and kept to 'Stereo'; 'OTA' kept at 'HybridGain'; in 'Overall Output Configuration' kept 'Dynamic Compression to 'Normal', 'Normalise' increased to 200%; in 'SSRC' I kept it unchecked (no change in Sampling Rate).
#'MP3' tab: Opted for MP3 Presets to 'abr'; and checked 'Add error Protection'.

Step 5 (contd) - In 'Project Settings' screen I notice there's a '?' next to 'Output Mode'. I've no idea why and what I can do about this.

Next I press 'Go' button. Up pops a message that says, in effect: BeSweet.log is not found. Do I create one? There's nothing else to do, so yes, I do, and next pops up a blank notepad log window. From then on everything stands still.

Obviously, I haven't read enough. There has to be cogent and simple explanations why I can't make it work.

This post is just as a suggestion: since a wizard is for the non-expert like me, can some more pointers be provided (like some explanation pop-ups about the ? in 'Output Mode' in step 5, or what to do about the prompting to create a log file.

Regards.

[filmstud]

I'm in the same boat. I just pressed "GO" and the notepad comes up. then nothing?

-What's wrong with me?

[ukb007]

There are 108 reads and only one reply (yours) to this thread. Seems everyone other than us is an expert. Maybe we should have kept our mouths shut pretended to be wise.

Regards.

[jimmy basushi]

why would you run normalise and hybridgain together? dont they basicly do the same thing? and why would you normalise to 200% i was under the impression that that was bad

[ukb007]

Finally there's a reply. Thank you, jimmy basushi. Your question exposed my lack of knowledge: really, why would I want to normalize and also apply hybridgain together ? Well, I thought, for good measure. I was sick of my mp3 audios in AutoGK-encoded movies - they were barely audible (my friends tell me to go for a $1000 audio-system for better sound). Well, I thought, why not apply a little gain to my mp3 and mux with the video. So...

And normalize to 200% ? The same frantic desire. I know it's bad, as you said. But I am not out to go in a competition for exquisite quality - only a really good picture with well-enough and audible-enough audio, that's my goal.

But, obviously, I haven't been reading enough.

Regards.

[jimmy basushi]

another way to do it might be foobar2000. its dynamics compresser makes them louder for some reason. i think it does it a different way to hybridgain/normalise?

[ukb007]

Thanks, jimmy. Foobar2000 is an audio player, right ? My problem was to correct the low sound volume of the .avi generated by an MPEG-4 encoding program (like Gordian Knot or AutoGK). Currently I am using mp3gain that just increases the gain of an mp3 file without touching its other attributes. I then mux this gain-augmented .mp3 with the video and get an mpeg-4 file with the audio of my chosen loudness. I use WMPlayer 9 or Media Player Classic for playback.

My interest in BeSweet was because it is one of the most highly regarded audio processors around, but, in my opinion, it is for the expert. My favourite programs like the GK or the AGK use it. BeSweet certainly lacks comprehensive guides that clearly address all its complexities. Of course, it's a freeware, and the programmers do this kind of work in their free time. It is, therefore, up to us to make efforts to understand it, by trial and error. If we don't have time to do it, well, then it's our problem.

Thanks again, and Regards.

[Pyscrow]

Originally posted by ukb007
The BeSweet Wizard is great, and I feel it can finally work for the non- or the not-very expert. It is attractive, easy, and completely intuitive. I've downloaded it from DSPGuru's HomePage, unzipped, and put it in my [B]AutoGK > BeSweet folder.


Actually I tried to go to DSPguru's web site, but the link from doom 9's download page does not seem to work for me, got a direct link to the "wizrad" download I could use?, all I have been able to find is a link to the GUI.

[ukb007]

Please download the BeSweet Gui v0.7b4 (http://dspguru.notrace.dk/BeSweetGUIv0.7b4.zip) - this may not support download managers; this GUI is wizard-driven. You can also ownload the GUI from here (http://www.afterdawn.com/software/audio_software/audio_tools/besweetgui.cfm).

The wizard is, as far as I know, not available as a separate download.

We are awaiting your report.

Regards.