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Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

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Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#31

Post by diggan »

not_your_vase wrote: post #5

1 - Get an amplifier that has a "Night Mode" function. It has been a basic function on most AV-receivers in the past decade+, assuming you don't buy the most pedestrian model. It compresses the dynamic range of the sound, to avoid the loud parts waking up the neighbors while you can also hear the conversations. Of course here you are looking for an investment of between $350 and $inf. Buying secondhand can save big b…

> 1 - Get an amplifier that has a "Night Mode" function

Well, or get a compressor/limiter that you can jank into any signal chain, so you don't have to buy a whole new amplifier. You can find cheap compressors/limiters for like under $100 I'm sure.

Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#32

Post by diggan »

ajb wrote: post #8

This can be done in software, eg https://askubuntu.com/questions/31580/is-there-a-way-of-leve... for linux. I guess that you're asking for hardware because the source device is not under your control. In theory you could use any device with a line in to process the audio. However for watching movies that may be suboptimal as any significant delay would cause lipsync issues. That's probably something you need to check…

Not that OPs use case seems latency sensitive, but it can be good to know for others. If you go this route, you'd have to set things up very carefully as latency balloons up quickly if you pipe things outside>computer>outside. If you're just looking for reducing the dynamic range, cheap compressor for sub-$100 would do the trick without adding much latency.

Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#34

Post by pimlottc »

neom wrote: post #13

And just in case for fun, you want to know about the other end of the spectrum from the recommendations you'll likely get, here is the Rolls Royce version of what you're asking about: https://teenage.engineering/store/tx-6

When it comes to hifi audio, $1,000 doesn't get you the Rolls Royce version of /anything/

Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#35

Post by NDizzle »

Maybe it's because I'm a bit older school, but I turn these kind of things off traditionally. In my experience they degrade sound quality. There might be higher end (or the technology made its way down to affordable) that don't degrade the quality, but I'm not taking any chances with the amount of coin I have put into my setup.

Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#36

Post by ryandrake »

memco wrote: post #26
PaulHoule wrote: post #21

It's been a problem w/ Hollywood movies since "home theater" came out. That is, a really boomy soundtrack adds to the emotional impact when you are in a closed room but in an open space where people come in and out (where there average TV is) it's totally inappropriate. Systems like Atmos that decompose the sound track into components might help but they're likely to get used for the wrong reason -- in the last 10 ye…

I know there have been multiple complaints that a theater in my area has the volume too loud. The staff reply is that it’s supposed to be loud. Gives the “you’re listening wrong !”vibes.

Makes you wonder: Who actually wants this (the loudness)? Theaters (and sound mixers) must think it's more profitable to blow people's eardrums out. Are customers really demanding this?

Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#37

Post by rollcat »

not_your_vase wrote: post #5

1 - Get an amplifier that has a "Night Mode" function. It has been a basic function on most AV-receivers in the past decade+, assuming you don't buy the most pedestrian model. It compresses the dynamic range of the sound, to avoid the loud parts waking up the neighbors while you can also hear the conversations. Of course here you are looking for an investment of between $350 and $inf. Buying secondhand can save big b…

> 2 - Use a PC for your video needs.

I would like to second this recommendation. I've put my work desk in the living room; the 43" screen doubles as a (non-smart!) TV; instead of futzing with remotes I have a wireless mouse, an on-screen keyboard, and a macOS/iOS shortcut to switch the display between 2x (couch mode) and 1.5x (desk mode), which could also take care of audio routing, DND, lights, etc.

Using a real mouse + virtual keyboard is so much faster than ANY remote I've ever used, and if you're not into clicking, you can type with a "real" wireless keyboard[0]. Another upside, is you get to watch things in the browser - with a proper ad blocker - instead of half a dozen confusing TV apps. Setting everything up takes a bit more effort than plugging a stick into an HDMI port, but it immediately starts paying off.

[0]: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/microsoft-all-in-one-media... via friend's recommendation, they have a very similar setup with a projector and MS Windows.

Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#39

Post by yellow_lead »

rollcat wrote: post #37
not_your_vase wrote: post #5

1 - Get an amplifier that has a "Night Mode" function. It has been a basic function on most AV-receivers in the past decade+, assuming you don't buy the most pedestrian model. It compresses the dynamic range of the sound, to avoid the loud parts waking up the neighbors while you can also hear the conversations. Of course here you are looking for an investment of between $350 and $inf. Buying secondhand can save big b…

> 2 - Use a PC for your video needs. I would like to second this recommendation. I've put my work desk in the living room; the 43" screen doubles as a (non-smart!) TV; instead of futzing with remotes I have a wireless mouse, an on-screen keyboard, and a macOS/iOS shortcut to switch the display between 2x (couch mode) and 1.5x (desk mode), which could also take care of audio routing, DND, lights, etc. Using a real mou…

Ive been using KDE Connect for years now, on many different devices and OS. Highly recommend. Basically a remote mouse and keyboard on your phone. The latency is very good too.

Re: Ask HN: Seeking device to normalize audio output for consistent volume levels

#40

Post by ulnarkressty »

I have the same issue with late night talk shows / live comedy shows where the audience cheering is way louder than the host's voice. At some point I tried an AI model to detect and lower the volume of these parts, but didn't get that great detection with the limited training dataset that I labeled manually. IMO Youtube or other streaming platforms should offer this option.
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