Audio dynamic Range Compression

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I recently had to replace my beloved Corsair SP2500 speakers when the sub died. One thing i really loved about the SP2500 was it had a setting that compressed the dynamic range of music being played. Most of the music I listen to (Classical) has a wide dynamic range that can go from a whisper to ear splitting (and neighbor disturbing) and that dynamic range compression was a Godsend. Sadly, none of the replacements I considered (I chose a pair of self-powered JBL 305P MkII studio speakers) had provisions for dynamic range compression like the SP 2500 did. None of my player software has dynamic range compression. I currently use Media Monkey for music but plan on switching to the Plex Media Server someday for playing all my ripped music and movies.

 

Does anyone know of a software or hardware solution for getting dynamic range compression that is compatible with both Win 7 and Linux.

[tikker]

Windows has a "Loudness Equalization" option in the enhancement tabs of the speaker properties, maybe that can be of some use? Can't think of anything for linux though.

[anothertom]

On windows you can use voicemeeter / VM banana, as it takes virtual inputs from a tube programs. You can then use the various processing to adjust to taste.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

2 minutes ago, tikker said:

Windows has a "Loudness Equalization" option in the enhancement tabs of the speaker properties, maybe that can be of some use? Can't think of anything for linux though.

That just boosts the volume of the lower frequencies when overall volume is lowered to overcome the effect of less bass compared to the other frequencies when volume is lowered. It does nothing to compress dynamic range.

[tikker]

4 minutes ago, Lady Fitzgerald said:

That just boosts the volume of the lower frequencies when overall volume is lowered to overcome the effect of less bass compared to the other frequencies when volume is lowered. It does nothing to compress dynamic range.

I'm sure it's probably not a proper implementation and possible something a bit different, but It does the trick for me usually, thought, bringing footsteps and explosions a little closer together in movies, that kind of stuff.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

17 minutes ago, tikker said:

I'm sure it's probably not a proper implementation and possible something a bit different, but It does the trick for me usually, thought, bringing footsteps and explosions a little closer together in movies, that kind of stuff.

I'm using loudness equalization so I don't lose any bass when I reduce the overall volume but it does not provide dynamic range compression. It's not even close.

[an actual squirrel]

The loudness equalization enhancement is dynamic range compression

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/audio/loudness-equalization-dsp

[Lady Fitzgerald]

4 minutes ago, an actual squirrel said:

The loudness equalization enhancement is dynamic range compression

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/audio/loudness-equalization-dsp

I'm sorry but that is pure bunk, at least for Win 7. That's NOT how it works on my computer.