Level Volume when Ripping

[w00dbutcher]

Should level volume be used while ripping to mp3, or should the mp3 be ripped then use MM to level volume after?

[Lowlander]

If you want to level you should do it during ripping as it's one less step.

[w00dbutcher]

Do most of you level volume?

[Dreadlau]

I do. I level all my tracks at 93dB ( Mp3Gain.dll algorithm )

I never have to touch the volumes controls thanks to that.

[Lowlander]

I don't, I use Analyze Volume instead. With MediaMonkey being able to level when syncing to portable devices and level when streaming over DLNA (MediaMonkey 4) I don't require the tracks to be leveled and thus choose the safer option of not leveling (it could introduce audio artifacts).

[Dreadlau]

and thus choose the safer option of not leveling (it could introduce audio artifacts).

Never heard of that.

Do you have a link about artifacts introduced by using Mp3gain?

[Lowlander]

It's an assumption based on the warning when you Level Track Volume. I assume the same applies when ripping. So just to be safe I don't do it.

[w00dbutcher]

I have the CD's so If I dont like it with level I could just redo them I suppose.

[Dreadlau]

I think Leveling is completely safe. It just changes the volume.
If you level it too high, you can level it lower after. And it will be the same as before. ( no clipping induced )

From http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/faq.php :

Does normalizing the mp3 degrade its quality?

No. MP3Gain does not decode and re-encode the mp3 to change its volume. You can change the volume as many times as you want, and the mp3 will sound just as good (or just as bad!) as it did before you started.

There are only two dangers I can see with leveling.
1. You loose the information of the initial volume.
2. If you level by track instead of leveling by album, you can mess up a bit the intended variety of track volumes of the album.
Probably better to use album leveling if you listen mostly to classical music.

[Dreadlau]

I have the CD's so If I dont like it with level I could just redo them I suppose.

Another possibility is to use MP3Gain : http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/download.php
Instead of Mediamonkey.

from http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/faq.php#lossless :

What do these "tags" in the new Beta version do?

Store analysis and undo information inside the mp3 itself.

BTW: Would be nice if Mediamonkey could implement undo volume leveling from MP3gain.

[w00dbutcher]

Ill try MP3Gain and see how it goes.

You guys have a lot of good info thanks for the help.