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Why is audio playback -5db down from "pure" players such as Adobe Audition?

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MarcVRML:
I've noticed this problem on every version of MC I've used, where audio playback for multichannel tracks is actually 5db lower than the volume level I get in Adobe Audition.

Groove and Audition both demonstrate the same gain in playback, when compared to MC29. But more importantly, to my ear it sounds like the loss of that 5db has also removed some punch and attack from the music which increasing the volume on my external amp doesn't restore.

FYI I'm not using volume correction or adaptive volume, and the problem seems to be limited to multichannel audio which I've ripped losslessly to FLAC.

If I open the track in Audition, playback is just fine with great dynamic range (as you'd expect from an editing tool) and no peaking.

The same track played in MC29 or previous versions is -5db down.

2-channel audio however is not, which means that for any multichannel track, I need to nudge my amplifier up a few notches.

I've tried using Flex ASIO, WASAPI, DirectSound, et al, have verified the volume controls (including windows mixer) are maxed.

I've performed MC's audio analysis but as stated I'm not using any form of volume correction.

I've also tried this with and without the JRSS mixer active, as well as using various different Windows audio settings from simple 2 channel stereo up to 7.1 and Atmos. Same result each time.

It's as if playback is being limited for multichannel audio, in a way that doesn't happen for stereo.

I understand that there is inherent headroom applied for additional audio processing within the MC algorithm but to be frank, this is driving me nuts!

I've attached a log and a pic of the audio path.

Any ideas? Or is this fixed in MC30?

Thanks!!

mattkhan:
No pic attached?

MarcVRML:
Hi Matt, sorry - pic attached to this reply.

Also, more info - I've been able to isolate the root cause :
I use DSP Studio set to :
Output Encoding : None
Sample Rate : (everything changed to 48Khz except 48Khz source material which is listed as "no change")
Channels : 7.1
Extra Channels : None
Mixing : JRSS Mixing (recommended)
For Stereo Sources, only mix to 2.1 : OFF
Move center to front L/R : OFF
Detect stereo sources in surround : ON
Subwoofer : Silent (use room correction to redirect bass to sw)

With the above setup, feeding the system 6-channel FLAC audio results in the 5db drop.

However, when I switch to the following settings, the problem immediately goes away and I'm up to full volume, undistorted again ...
Channels : Source Number of Channels

However, whilst this sounds terrific, it completely removes all the benefits for my other 2-channel music of the JRSS mixing, which does an awesome job of upmixing to 7.1 (which is the native number of channels I operate on my Windows system).

I've also confirmed that the 5db dip occurs in 2-channel audio as well, as long as the output channels are set to 7.1. As soon as they're set to "source number of channels", volume shoots up and dynamics feel great.

Hope that helps!

Best,

Marc

Matt:
Would you be willing to try the latest MC30 and see if the problem is still there?  Thanks.

MarcVRML:
I'd be happy to if you could arrange for an upgrade?

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