How to normalize your MP3s
While they're not quite as unique as snowflakes, each MP3 has its own characteristics. People use different encoders on music from all kinds of sources, resulting in wildly varying volumes from song to song. For a smooth listening experience that will let you hear an entire playlist without adjusting your volume knob, you should normalize your MP3s.
Normalize is a pro audio term meaning just what it sounds like. Normalizing software looks at an audio waveform, finds the parts of the wave that don't have as much amplitude as other sections, and juices them up. But you don't need to be a recording engineer to normalize your MP3s; in fact, it's quite easy, whether you want to do so as you create a new file or work on a previously encoded file. But as you can see below, processing previously encoded MP3s is more involved than normalizing as you rip from CD.
If you know of any normalizing shareware for the Macintosh, please let us know.
Required attention span: 45 minutes
Follow these simple steps
 | Encode Normalized MP3s Step One
Launch MusicMatch Jukebox, insert CD. Step Two
Go to the Options menu, then to Settings. Next, click the Recorder tab, and then the Advanced button (located near the upper right). In the Normalization box, select 98 percent, or some other number close to 100. Selecting a percentage higher than 100 will most likely result in quality loss due to ugly-sounding digital distortion. Step Three
In the same Recorder tab mentioned in Step Two, choose 128 kbps in the box on the upper left (unless you prefer another setting). Then click the Song Directories button, and select the location where you want the normalized MP3 to go. Note: If you're new to encoding, check out the tips found in our tutorial on turning CDs into MP3 files. Step Four
Make sure the other preferences are right, check off the songs you want to encode in the bottom recording panel, and let 'er rip by pressing the Record button. The normalized MP3 will show up in the folder you selected in Step Three. | | Normalize Existing MP3s Step One
Run your MMWave 2K software. Step Two
You need to convert the MP3s into WAV files before you can normalize them. Navigate to one or more MP3 files or playlists (M3U files), and double-click whatever songs you're going to normalize. A list will form in the right panel. We recommend converting as many files as possible simultaneously, since it's faster than doing each song separately. Step Three
Set up your preferences by clicking the icon with gears on it (second from right). Choose the Output directory--we suggest using a new folder on the desktop, so that nothing gets lost. Click the Decoder tab, and choose a low percentage (40 or so) if you're going to run other applications. Choose a higher percentage (up to 80) if you aren't going to run anything else while decoding. We recommend the latter, unless you have less than 32MB of RAM. Then click the OK tab. Step Four
Click the Wave Normalizing Wizard icon. Under Options, select Set Normalizing Level, and choose 98 percent. Point to the WAV files you just created in Step Three, using the Add File(s) button. Click Normalize. The normalized WAV files will be written over the old ones, which is good because these files take up lots of space. Step Five
Launch MusicMatch Jukebox. Click Options, then File, and select Convert. At the bottom of the window, select WAV in the Source Data Type field and MP3 CBR as the Destination Data Type. Choose 128 kbps, or whatever bit rate you prefer. Choose your Source (where the WAVs are currently) and Destination (where the MP3s should go) Directory in the top two boxes. Highlight the normalized WAVs you wish to convert back to MP3, and press Start. Step Six
Relax, and don't use your computer for anything else. When your system is done converting all of your files, delete the WAVs; they take up tons of disk space. Your normalized MP3s will be in the folder you selected as the Destination Directory. | |
Next steps
- While this tutorial uses MusicMatch and MMWave, there are other programs available that can handle encoding and normalizing. Visit CNET Download.com to explore the possibilities.
Tutorials
CNET's quick guide to free media jukeboxes In the endless battle of the Windows-based PC vs. the Mac, at least one thing's for certain: if you're a Windows user, choosing the right audio jukebox software involves wading through a plethora of choices. Luckily, we're here to help you in your quest. MP3 player buying guide The MP3 player market covers a range of shapes, sizes, features, storage capacities, file formats, and download services. Amid such variety, how are you to choose? That's where we come in. This guide will help you pick the perfect player. Which MP3 player is best for me? These days, there are almost as many types of MP3 player as there are types of MP3 listener. Take our MP3 player personality test to find out which one suits you best. Burn an audio CD Online music stores let you pick out the exact songs you want, without leaving the comfort of your home. Just don't expect to get a CD out of it--you'll have to make that yourself. Find out how to do so with these step-by-step instructions for burning a CD from iTunes. Turn your CDs into MP3 files One great reason to get into MP3 encoding is so that you can put together an online mix and send the location to your friends. But whatever your reason, you'll need to be able to encode MP3s for free and without a lot of undue hassle. Turn vinyl LPs into CDs Turning your records into CDs is a great idea, and it's completely legal under the Fair Use provision of the American Home Recording Act. Record an Internet radio show Ever wish you could set up a timed recording for a radio show as you would for a TV show? If your favorite radio programs are available online, you can. Burning Down the House: Ripping, Recording, Remixing, and More! This book teaches you how to do all sorts of new stuff with your digital music, from setting up your own Internet radio station to remixing your favorite songs.
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