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Topic: Soundforge (Read 3261 times) previous topic - next topic
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Soundforge

Does anybody know if the Volume process in Soundforge introduces any clipping, distortion etc into a wav file?  I want to increase the volume of some albums that I've ripped to wav with EAC - I know about normalising but I gather that it can reduce the quality/alter the dynamics of the music if you don't know what you're doing.  I was mooching through the options in Soundforge and found that there is a Volume process that is separate to the normalise option.  Can I use it to boost the overall volume of the wav (equivalent to turning up the volume dial on my stereo) without any loss in quality?

Cheers


Dagon

Soundforge

Reply #1 –
SoundForge volume adjustment is pure peak adjustment and thus can introduce clipping. I'd recommend to use RMS normalization with the option to apply dynamic compression on clipping if you really want to make a wav louder ... but be aware that this will destroy all originally data if you do not keep a backup copy of your files.
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Soundforge

Reply #2 –
Yes, you can, but if you stress it too much, you'll introduce clipping and lower quality. (Like overdriving your amplifier).

The best you can do is normalizing (Maximize peak value) in Sound Forge, which is similar to the above except that it figures out the maximum boost it can apply by itself.

There is a theorethical quality loss from this, but it is inaudible (a small roundoff error). The dynamics are not altered.

You'll probably find that you can't boost the volume level much without introducing clipping. You'll have to turn a volume knob somwhere  The alternative is dynamics compression, which will reduce the dynamics but make the music louder. (IMHO it is much more desirable not to reduce the dynamics!)

Soundforge

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the info.  I'm using EAC to rip to wav, and LAME to encode to mp3 for my portable mp3 player.  At what stage is it best to do any tinkering with the music - in the wav or the mp3?  Basically I want to have my cake and eat it - I want an mp3 that is as loud as possible without any deterioration in quality.

Soundforge

Reply #4 –
Quote
Thanks for the info.  I'm using EAC to rip to wav, and LAME to encode to mp3 for my portable mp3 player.  At what stage is it best to do any tinkering with the music - in the wav or the mp3?  Basically I want to have my cake and eat it - I want an mp3 that is as loud as possible without any deterioration in quality.

Use mp3gain with max noclip gain.

Soundforge

Reply #5 –
Please consider that Normalization will be problematic, if you want to adjust multiple files without altering the dynamics between them.
"To understand me, you'll have to swallow a world." Or maybe your words.

Soundforge

Reply #6 –
FOR PORTABLE USE it is generally considered acceptable to use some kind of dynamics compression.  I'd recommend what JeanLuc said.
"You can fight without ever winning, but never win without a fight."  Neil Peart  'Resist'
 

Soundforge

Reply #7 –
Modern music is already professionally compressed beyond what is believable, the quality have already too much suffered from volume increasment even before the CD is released. I think the most sensible options are :
-getting more sensitive headphones,
-getting a player with more batteries (the number of batteries often limits the maximum level of the headphone output),
-or getting an additional headphone amplifier (I don't know if they make portable ones).