Listening Levels on iPod - A Guide to Using SoundCheck

[Kartman_Canada]

After reading Aquatika's response to my query and browsing this entire thread, I had a look at my MP3 database again...

These are all LAME ripped via Audiograbber and external LAME encoder. After importing my collection into iTunes v4.7 via the add directory function, I then enabled the SoundCheck feature.

My original post to this thread was prompted because I noticed that iTunes had "touched" all of my MP3 files, causing the time/date stamp to be modified accordingly.

Last night, I opened one of these files in Helium2 which is how I maintained my MP3 database before being introduced to iTunes. Now, when I browse the ID3 tag info, there is a parameter (in the MP3 and not in the iTunes database) called iTunNorm.

What I find interesting is that, when I docked my iPod, iTunes didn't try to D/L everyone of the MP3s again (they'd been changed, remember).

Perhaps the ID3 info has been updated but iTunes only updated the file database on the iPod (and not the files themselves).

Sorry... my knowledge of the interaction between the iPod and iTunes is still limited... I'd really like to understand how iTunes and the iPod work together. Also, it'd be nice to have a way for iTunes to "refresh" itself by rescanning a directory that has previously been added to the library.

Comments?

[filrkaye]

I cleared my ipode and started to import just my cd collection to itunes with the sound check enabled and imported those files to my ipod with the soundcheck on..I used acc 192(as most people have recommended when tranfering from cd) and when I play the songs back from various cd on the ipod I still get a volume difference when shuffling. It is rather an inconvenience to have to adjust the volume all the time depending on what cd is being played? Anybodyhave some ideas..are you find the same thing?

[Jesse Hollington]

Originally posted by Kartman_Canada
What I find interesting is that, when I docked my iPod, iTunes didn't try to D/L everyone of the MP3s again (they'd been changed, remember).

Perhaps the ID3 info has been updated but iTunes only updated the file database on the iPod (and not the files themselves).

Well, since the iPod doesn't actually read any of the ID3 tag information from your MP3/AAC files themselves, I suppose there would really be no point in recopying the files. All iTunes really needs to do is update the iPod's tag information database for those files. This is actually a nice feature for most people, as it saves retransferring your music files themselves every time a tag changes.

However, this does raise an interesting point. If the files themselves aren't being updated, then if you were to copy the files FROM your iPod using iPodUtil or a similar utility, you wouldn't necessary get the most up-to-date tag information, unless the utility in question reads the iPod database and re-writes the tags while it's transferring the songs from the iPod.

[Jesse Hollington]

Originally posted by filrkaye
I cleared my ipode and started to import just my cd collection to itunes with the sound check enabled and imported those files to my ipod with the soundcheck on..I used acc 192(as most people have recommended when tranfering from cd) and when I play the songs back from various cd on the ipod I still get a volume difference when shuffling. It is rather an inconvenience to have to adjust the volume all the time depending on what cd is being played? Anybodyhave some ideas..are you find the same thing?

Did you remember to turn the Sound Check feature ON on your iPod?

You can find it under Settings from the main menu.

[filrkaye]

I did turn the sound check feature on on the ipod.

[Jesse Hollington]

Originally posted by jhollington
However, this does raise an interesting point. If the files themselves aren't being updated, then if you were to copy the files FROM your iPod using iPodUtil or a similar utility, you wouldn't necessary get the most up-to-date tag information, unless the utility in question reads the iPod database and re-writes the tags while it's transferring the songs from the iPod.

Some quick testing revealed that for most tag modifications the songs are in fact retransferred to the iPod (although for just one or two tracks it happens so fast you don't even notice it sometimes).

[Jesse Hollington]

Originally posted by filrkaye
I did turn the sound check feature on on the ipod.

Strange. Since you're importing from CD, the SoundCheck processing should be done at import time.

If you look at the properties of a track in iTunes, and select the Summary tab, do you see a Volume field? (it should be below the "Last Played" field).

This is where any volume adjustments done by Sound Check are normally shown.

[aquatika]

I opened one of these files in Helium2 which is how I maintained my MP3 database before being introduced to iTunes. Now, when I browse the ID3 tag info, there is a parameter (in the MP3 and not in the iTunes database) called iTunNorm.

Interesting, iTunNorm is the Soundcheck info field.
All my MP3's were ripped with Exact Audio Copy and Lame, I imported them into iTunes (as you did) and let it scan the files for Soundcheck purposes.

None of my MP3's have had the iTunNorm field added to the tags (I checked in Foobar), but Soundcheck still works both on the iPod and on the PC.
Weird, just when you think you have got to the bottom of it iTunes throws you another loop.
This Soundcheck is a complicated process by the looks of it, the trouble is that no-one really knows much about it or about iTunes interaction with the iPod via the database, as Apple like to keep tight lipped as far as I see.
That's why I've been trying to play around with it and see what it is doing but there seems to be no rhyme nor reason to it's adjustments.

filrkaye,

I don't know what is happening with yours, if you imported your CD's using iTunes and then transferred those files to your iPod then it should just be a case of enabling Soundcheck on your iPod for it to work. Bear in mind that Soundcheck is not perfect and some music does still show volume differences.
Do you hear any difference at all when listening to the iPod and you enable/ disable Soundcheck ??

[filrkaye]

I do notice a volume change when I disable the soundcheck on the ipod. What I cannot figure out is that I have Dave Matthews or U2 discs that I have transferred to the ipod and some of the discs there is a sound difference between some of them ..some are more softer than others so I have to increase teh volume on those songs.

[contrara111]

Does anyone notice that with sound check enabled, you have sort of a reverse sound volume effect? Say with it enabled, a song that's very loud and heavy on the bass (such as "Slither" by Velvet Revolver) will actually not sound as loud as compared with say, an older song or a song not that heavy on the bass (such as "Murder By The Numbers" by The Police). This is what's going on with me. With sound check off it's the other way around of what I just described. Can anyone justify this?

[TheMiz]

Wow I have my sound check ( marked on ) on in both my iTunes and iPod and I nave never seen any "Determine Song Volume"

[Anointed]

Would having Sound Check enabled correct any distortion that sometimes comes when using different iPod EQ settings?

[asnamara]

What is the Sound Check option on the iPod, couldnt find any docs on it from apple.
And does it have anything to do with iTunes volume adjustments?

Thanks, Cheers,
asnamara

[aquatika]

Would having Sound Check enabled correct any distortion that sometimes comes when using different iPod EQ settings?

I doubt it, for that you would be better to use MP3Gain.

What is the Sound Check option on the iPod, couldnt find any docs on it from apple.

Soundcheck is Apples way of making all your music (iPod or iTunes) roughly the same volume using precalculated values. It does this automatically when enabled.
iTunes volume adjustments are different in that it is applied manually by the user and only works on the music that has been adjusted ie it does not give blanket coverage of all music unless it is applied to all.

[flatso]

if you manually adjust the volume in the Get Info options screen does that increase the volume on the ipod the next time you like up?