Why are my MP3 bounces so loud?

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Level 1

0 points

Why are my MP3 bounces so loud?

I could be asking an embarrassingly stupid question here.
I made some very short 5 measure piano demo tracks using the ESX24 Steinway piano. The out put levels are quite low (-13) but at a good volume for playback on my system.
When I bounce the tracks to mp3 they come out way too loud for my purpose which is website audio playback. I want to make sure that my web visitors don't get blasted by unnecessary loud sound.
Why don't the mp3's come out at the same volume as the Logic Pro playback?
My home studio system runs through Motu 828mkII.
I get confused with all the level controls. There is one on the Motu, there is another on my Mac preferences sound settings and more on any device like iTunes I play the mp3 through.
What should my settings be so I create mp3's that have a comfortable mid-range playback volume?
I'm quite OK with the music, but inexperienced making audio for internet use.
Any help would be much appreciated.
George B

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jun 19, 2009 5:43 AM

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Answer 1

Bee Jay

Level 6

10,900 points

Jun 19, 2009 5:50 AM in response to music4all

When they are played back as mp3 files, they are coming through your system volume, which may be set to something entirely different to how you're monitoring in Logic.

You have no control over the listeners system volume control either, so bottom line is you can't control the playback volume of something offered on a website. If you want the file volume to be smaller, turn down the output fader in Logic and then bounce, and you'll get a quieter file.

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Answer 2

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 19, 2009 6:06 AM in response to music4all

As Bee Jay says, you can't control the level on a website visitor's system, so the standard advice is to set the levels to peak at zero (which you can do with the Normalize function).

To try & set levels at less than that, purely in the interests of 'comfort', is more likely to annoy the end user than to please them — since they want their levels to be as predictable as possible (just as you do).

If everyone uses different levels in their website audio files, then the site visitor can't easily establish a comfortable listening level +for themselves.+

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Answer 3

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,428 points

Jun 19, 2009 7:27 AM in response to music4all

Didi you have Normalize checked when bouncing?

UNcheck it. It will look for the loudest peak and add volume to the whole file so that that peak is exactly at 0 dB. If your file peaks at -12 dB, it'll bounce 12 dB louder.
Also, set your systems' main volume (System Preferences>Sound) to maximum and leave it there. Turn the Alert Sounds (Sound Effects) volume down, to taste.

regards, Erik.

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Answer 4

Caramby

Level 4

1,523 points

Jun 19, 2009 7:51 AM in response to Eriksimon

I love it when we contradict each other! But of course we're really just providing alternative options. (I'm sure the OP would ask further if it was at all confusing.)

🙂

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Answer 5

music4all Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 19, 2009 2:35 PM in response to Caramby

Hi,
Thanks for your quick reply.
The secret seems to be in having normalize ticked or un-ticked.
I decided to take the middle road, by bouncing the tracks again with a slightly higher output level but with normalize unchecked as suggested below.
This gives me mp3s that don't jump in my face.
What will happen on the web visitors playback system I don't know as you say but I'd rather have them peak at -10 and be safe.
Your help is much appreciated.
regards
George B

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