music playback software audio leveling

[acarroll123]

I have many cds that have been transferred to an external hard drive. I want to compile a playlist that can be played via usb in my car. The problem is that the audio levels transferred to the usb are all over the place when played in my vehicle. While my online research has led to many music playback software programs (including: "6 Free Software Every Audiophile Should Download" by Cliff Heyne at Audioholics - 2013), none mention if they can 'equalize' or set a standard audio level when transferring the playlist to an external (usb) drive. Can someone suggest a transfer software/program that can set/establish a playback level on playlist when transferred to a usb?
Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[lovinthehd]

What head unit, it doesn't have such a feature?

 

[acarroll123]

"Head unit"? Am unfamiliar with that. The external hard drive is connected to a MacMini computer (as server). Using Plex and JRiver for playback through Marantz electronics. Please advise further. Thank you

 

[lovinthehd]

"Head unit"? Am unfamiliar with that. The external hard drive is connected to a MacMini computer (as server). Using Plex and JRiver for playback through Marantz electronics. Please advise further. Thank you

Head unit is basically your receiver/processor in your car's audio system....You run a Mac in the car?

 

[acarroll123]

No, I do not 'run a Mac in the car'. The unit is a standard Nissan system with Bose speakers. Don't know the "name/brand" of the 'head unit' in the car.

 

[lovinthehd]

No, I do not 'run a Mac in the car'. The unit is a standard Nissan system with Bose speakers. Don't know the "name/brand" of the 'head unit' in the car.

It's a custom unit, hard to know whose then (Bose maybe which isn't encouraging). Some still have a feature for balancing loudness among different tracks....

 

[acarroll123]

Will check the unit and manual tomorrow morning and let you know. Appreciate your interest, concern and replies. Thank you

 

[Eppie]

I have many cds that have been transferred to an external hard drive. I want to compile a playlist that can be played via usb in my car. The problem is that the audio levels transferred to the usb are all over the place when played in my vehicle. While my online research has led to many music playback software programs (including: "6 Free Software Every Audiophile Should Download" by Cliff Heyne at Audioholics - 2013), none mention if they can 'equalize' or set a standard audio level when transferring the playlist to an external (usb) drive. Can someone suggest a transfer software/program that can set/establish a playback level on playlist when transferred to a usb?
Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

Only method that I'm aware of is MP3 Gain software which is free on Windows. The process of adjusting volume so that the levels are relatively the same is called normalization. When I rip CDs to FLAC or MP3, I use Exact Audio Copy software which has normalization built in. You can set peak and minimum sound levels as a percentage when ripping CDs.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have many cds that have been transferred to an external hard drive. I want to compile a playlist that can be played via usb in my car. The problem is that the audio levels transferred to the usb are all over the place when played in my vehicle. While my online research has led to many music playback software programs (including: "6 Free Software Every Audiophile Should Download" by Cliff Heyne at Audioholics - 2013), none mention if they can 'equalize' or set a standard audio level when transferring the playlist to an external (usb) drive. Can someone suggest a transfer software/program that can set/establish a playback level on playlist when transferred to a usb?
Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

As eppie says you need to normalize the Wav. files. Digital programs are made up of Wav. files. They should be engineered to a standard. The common ones are AES in USA and EBU in Europe. However the db. difference is very small. Programs can normalize a whole batch of files at once quickly. There really should not be differences in the levels like you describe. This is because of ignorant boneheaded engineers not willing to adhere, or ignorant of agreed standards. So what you need is a Wav.file editing program, on a pc. I think there are some inexpensive ones out there now. Then you put the files into Wav.files on your PC and make a batch file to normalize and then transfer it back to your USB drive.

 

[acarroll123]

It's a custom unit, hard to know whose then (Bose maybe which isn't encouraging). Some still have a feature for balancing loudness among different tracks....

 

[acarroll123]

I checked both the owners and navigation manuals, and the unit itself. There is no brand name provided. The only name that appears on the screen when the system is turned on is "NISSAN".

 

[acarroll123]

Only method that I'm aware of is MP3 Gain software which is free on Windows. The process of adjusting volume so that the levels are relatively the same is called normalization. When I rip CDs to FLAC or MP3, I use Exact Audio Copy software which has normalization built in. You can set peak and minimum sound levels as a percentage when ripping CDs.

 

[acarroll123]

Thank you for the information. An internet search reveals several MP3 normalization software (https://amvidia.com/mp3-normalizer; .https://mac.softpedia.com/get/Audio/MP3-Normalizer.shtml etc.) products.
Thanks again for the information.

 

[acarroll123]

As eppie says you need to normalize the Wav. files. Digital programs are made up of Wav. files. They should be engineered to a standard. The common ones are AES in USA and EBU in Europe. However the db. difference is very small. Programs can normalize a whole batch of files at once quickly. There really should not be differences in the levels like you describe. This is because of ignorant boneheaded engineers not willing to adhere, or ignorant of agreed standards. So what you need is a Wav.file editing program, on a pc. I think there are some inexpensive ones out there now. Then you put the files into Wav.files on your PC and make a batch file to normalize and then transfer it back to your USB drive.

 

[lovinthehd]

I checked both the owners and navigation manuals, and the unit itself. There is no brand name provided. The only name that appears on the screen when the system is turned on is "NISSAN".

Worth a look, may not have such a feature....

Recording it with something like Eppie suggested is the way to go, then....

 

[acarroll123]

Thank you for the information/input.