[FFmpeg-user] FFMPEG loudnorm - linear normalization

[Clayton Macleod]

On Mon, Mar 7, 2022 at 7:15 PM CMG DiGiTaL <cmarciog at gmail.com> wrote:

> Input Integrated:    *-12.9* LUFS
> Input True Peak:      *+0.1* dBTP
> ...

I want (*-10.0* LUFS and *-0.5* True peak) to normalize the file.
>

Yeah, this is what I suspected.  You've got source files that are below
your desired target volume, and they're already near/at/beyond the clipping
point.  This means it is impossible to turn the volume up with a simple
linear operation and not have clipping.  To meet your -10 target you need
to turn that -12.9 source up by 2.9 dB (nearly a 100% increase!) and the
source appears to already be clipping, given what the TP value is in this
example.  The only way to make this louder is to use dynamic compression in
the process, and thus your dynamic range will be reduced.  That's just part
of the deal.  You can't compress peaks without reducing dynamic range.
Compressing peaks reduces dynamic range by definition.

If your goal here is to match volumes so you never have to adjust the
volume on your amplifier you'll have to come up with a target volume that
is lower so that most/all of your sources will have to be turned down
rather than trying to turn some of them up.  At least, if you want to avoid
having to use dynamic compression in the process.  Turning things down a
little bit in the file isn't a big deal since you can (presumably)
compensate in the playback system by turning the amplifier up.  You'll lose
less than you will by turning things up in the file and using dynamic
compression in the process.

-- 
Clayton Macleod
If no one comes from the future to stop you from doing it, then how bad of
a decision can it really be?