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Topic: using fb2k to apply a dymanic compression effect to a folder or group of folders (Read 880 times) previous topic - next topic
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using fb2k to apply a dymanic compression effect to a folder or group of folders

Hi, I'm new and was pointed to foobar2000 from folks over at the Squeezebox forums. If this is the wrong section, please let me know or move this thread.

I have been forced to re-rip and re-tag my CD collection. I have about 1000 physical CDs. I ripped them to flac, but
I have then used assorted scripts to generate mp3 versions of the songs to play in my "car". The car is a nice, recent
Mazda crossover/suv, with a good stereo, but with engine noise, tire noise, wind noise, road noise, etc.
the 96dB dynamic range of a CD is not useful.

So the obvious solution is to apply a DSP compressor to the songs and save the compressed music. I have found the
"foo_dsp_sqrcomp.fb2k-component" which looks like it may be the compressor I am looking for.

I have run fb2K and opened a folder of songs, and can play them, use the visualization tools, etc.
But other than that, I have no idea how to run fb2k or how to ensure the component is in the sound chain,
how to adjust the various knobs of the compressor.
Or even the basics, how to have fb2k save the modified music file.

Then, the obvious is how can I, with minimal manual labor, compress and save a whole folder of songs, or a folder (by artist) of a bunch of albums which are folders of folders of songs.....

Based on my ripping in the last few weeks, I've processed  406 albums (269 directories) from 255 artists and 3386 songs.
So I'd like to be able to work out the settings and then automate most of the processing.

If there are other compressors, say one that emulates a nice LA-2A, please give me some pointers.

Thanks
Pat

Re: using fb2k to apply a dymanic compression effect to a folder or group of folders

Reply #1 –
I wrote a little article on one way of using a compressor:

https://hermetechmastering.com/compressors.html

You could use the VST component to run a VST compressor on the files, either in real time or when using the Convert function offline.

As for great free compressors, here are a couple known for their transparancy (not LA2A clones):

https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-kotelnikov/

https://jonvaudio.com/fircomp/

The trouble is, you can't really use a single setting on a compressor automatically applied to a whole music collection. The source material will be so different, it will require different settings on the compressor. So I'd suggest just using the built in ReplayGain to get everything sounding around the same level without clipping, then there should be far less volume knob twiddling needed on your car stereo.

Hope that was helpful!

Re: using fb2k to apply a dymanic compression effect to a folder or group of folders

Reply #2 –
Quote from: darkflame23 on
You could use the VST component to run a VST compressor on the files, either in real time or when using the Convert function offline.

Thanks, that is helpful. Could you please expand a bt on how to use the component in real time? and in "offline"?

Re: using fb2k to apply a dymanic compression effect to a folder or group of folders

Reply #3 –
Some info on the new native implementation of VST plugins in recent builds of Foobar here:

https://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_dsp_vst3

There's also a thread on here.:

https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123342

As for the offline file conversions, you'll need to search for info on using the "Convert" function in Foobar as it can be a little convoluted and I don't have to time to explain it right now.
 

Re: using fb2k to apply a dymanic compression effect to a folder or group of folders

Reply #4 –
For realtime DPS go to the preferences -> Playback -> DSP Manager
Then add SqrSoft Compressor/limiter to the left DSP column. There you can click the three dots ... to change the settings of the DSP. The default settings are pretty good though.

For conversion to mp3 using the DSP. You will have to do the same, except now in the Conversion menu:
First make a playlistof songs.
Select them all.
Then right click -> Conversion -> ...

Select and load the mp3 preset (bitrate) you want to use and click "Processing".
Add SqrSoft Compressor/Limiter to the left DPS column. Click back.
Click "Save" -> Create a new preset -> give it a nice name :).
Finally click "Convert"

Next time you want to convert something, you can just select all tracks then Convert and select the preset directly.

Hope this helps