Playing around with that. It's apparently a smart dsp algorithm that equalizes playback levels. Doesn't seem to affect the dynamic range of individual tracks, just the average volume. I found the tool whilst tap dancing thru the menus and thought I'd give it a shot. Just selected the entire library and let er go. Each track gets a database entry, and each track is adjusted per that entry on playback if you enable volume leveling in the DSP options window. You can also flip a software switch so the feature will run automatically on any new rips. From CD anyway.
The results are all over the map, as I'd expect considering the many original sources. All show reduced decibel settings between maybe -3.5db and -15db. And also as you'd expect, the playback volume is definitely down. Er ... duh, right? <G>
I also found a feature that allows you to compensate for that. In the volume leveling window, select "fixed" in the ADJUSTMENT dropdown, then enter a value that works for you. In my case, +8 balances the average listening level back to where it matches my other stereo components. The tweaks made per the audio analysis database entry for each track are still applied, so using my original example, a -3.5db setting would actually result in +4.5db on playback. Theoretically. Anyway ... looks interesting.
Couple questions - there's not a lot I can find that goes into the internals of the audio analysis. Replay gain ... I get that. The rest of what I see in the database are geek to me - peak level I sort of understand, but what exactly are "BPM" and "Intensity"?
Also, I would have thought I could just select a track in the database window and delete the setting entry. Handy for tracks that are supposed to be quiet. Only option I get is to delete the track completely from the library. Huh. Looks like maybe my only option there is to manually turn off volume leveling when I'm listening to that sort of music? Maybe there's a database editor that I'm missing?
