MIDI sound levels
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:34 pm
I've had a problem in which (sorry, horrrrrible grammar) MIDIs (esp.- but not only- of Renaissance music) downloaded from IMSLP (right-click #n-link, save to disk, convert to mp3 file, synchronized with iPod, &c) would sometimes play at a remarkably low sound level compared with not only items downloaded from other sources (my regular CD collection, many "normal" performances on IMSLP, &c) but- well, anyway, a remarkably low basic sound level, anyway...
Had been wondering what to do about this, save asking each file-creator if they could consider redoing the files at a higher average volume, somehow.
It seems, however, that at least on some user-end systems, the solution may be much simpler after all. I haven't really experimented at length, but --
While visiting an Apple Store on Long Island (while visiting family) very recently for other reasons, I saw a tip fly by on their screen suggesting modifying an iTunes preference- setting "Sound Check", which I hadn't tried. So, I try this, more recently. On first sound-glance, it seems to be working very well.
I can't speak to whether or not, while increasing the volume level of some files, it might maybe decrease the dynamic range of others (*cough*really, really, really well-recorded Mahler symphonies*cough*) (though since I have everything compressed to about 130k, I probably won't notice that myself, alas. Tin ear much? Erm. Hush, Eric.)
Anyway. On the off-chance anyone here is using iTunes, and has had trouble hearing some of those files after downloading for easy rehearing, maybe that "Sound Check" under preferences (on a Mac; I am assuming something similar exists if you are using PC iTunes) might help; worth a try...
ES
Had been wondering what to do about this, save asking each file-creator if they could consider redoing the files at a higher average volume, somehow.
It seems, however, that at least on some user-end systems, the solution may be much simpler after all. I haven't really experimented at length, but --
While visiting an Apple Store on Long Island (while visiting family) very recently for other reasons, I saw a tip fly by on their screen suggesting modifying an iTunes preference- setting "Sound Check", which I hadn't tried. So, I try this, more recently. On first sound-glance, it seems to be working very well.
I can't speak to whether or not, while increasing the volume level of some files, it might maybe decrease the dynamic range of others (*cough*really, really, really well-recorded Mahler symphonies*cough*) (though since I have everything compressed to about 130k, I probably won't notice that myself, alas. Tin ear much? Erm. Hush, Eric.)
Anyway. On the off-chance anyone here is using iTunes, and has had trouble hearing some of those files after downloading for easy rehearing, maybe that "Sound Check" under preferences (on a Mac; I am assuming something similar exists if you are using PC iTunes) might help; worth a try...
ES