How can I normalize my computer's audio levels?

[SiliconJon]

I need to get my audio [output] normalized system wide. I hate trying to watch a movie late in the day as so many go from screaming to whispering. And having the remote control handy takes some enjoyment out of watching.

Anybody know of any software that can do this for me?

[Buzioid]

Is this for movies? or Music? or what?

[dr_roberts49]

I would be interested in this too. I'm assuming he's talking about movies. Here's an example. You're watching a war movie, and one minute, two of the actors are whispering to each other, so you jump up the volume to hear what they're saying. Suddenly, they come under fire, and your neighbors might think there's a terrorist attack. It's not always the case, but it would be nice to find a solution. I personally only have this problem when using my 5.1 speakers, and not my headphones.

Robert

[JohnE.]

Do you mean for the TV out or for DVD playback? Most DVD software has settings for this, might have to hunt for it though. For TV out you could try a hardware compressor, something like an Alesis NanoCompressor maybe?

JohnE.

[nurdonsite2]

I think SB live 5.1 sound cards have a setting for this in the Creative Surround Mixer. its under the "special effects" catagory.

[SiliconJon]

Whoah, lost this thread!

Well, it's main purpose would be for watching video from my PC, mostly DVD & DivX. One, I can't stand how most movies' soundtracks are strictly for the theatre, from wondering what they just said, to spilling your popcorn from the deafening bang of a freagin' toilet seat. Another issue I have, which I am slowly fixing manually, is some of my old digital encodes have drastic volume differences. I don't have time to rencode them all, nor do i really want to.

Just something to normalize that all...and if the Live5.1 has the software (played with many, but don't recall that), that would be worth the investment...rather cheap card, but my media PC's aren't much muscle anyway.