I've uploaded a set of test/compare files to demonstrate/prove the issue. Fresh MC, normal install. Please download them here:
https://app.box.com/s/5wi9djhwsxunzclss9suxywv7mrkcknxThe audio files included are:
Test A - Original FLAC.flac
Test A - Straight to ALAC no DSP.m4a
Test A - Straight to ALAC w AV+VL+CP.m4a
<--- listen to approx. 31s in.; compare with two above. Test B - Original FLAC.flac
Test B - Straight to ALAC no DSP.m4a
Test B - Straight to ALAC w AV+VL+CP.m4a
<--- listen to approx. 16s, and 54-55s; compare with FLAC above.*Please also see the screencap of MC's Audio Analysis of all six files: '_Test A+B Analysis Screencap.png', attached to this post and also in the payload linked above.
*-Re: 'Test B - Straight to ALAC no DSP.m4a':I performed test A then test B (in that order).
Bizarrely, this file, although only a no-DSP straight Convert,
also exhibits the gain boost and audible distortion as 'Test B - Straight to ALAC w AV+VL+CP.m4a'.
The only reason I can think of that happening is ... to prepare Conversion for 'Test A - Straight to ALAC w AV+VL+CP.m4a', I entered the DSP Studio part of the Convert options and engaged AV+VL, as the filename indicates.
Then, when I prepared to produce 'Test B - Straight to ALAC no DSP.m4a', I did as that filename tells, and turned OFF 'Apply DSP...".
However, that didn't work; It's as if there's a bug in the ON/OFF switch(es) for DSP in Conversion Options. ?