Dynamic Range Compression (Volume > 100%), and save volume on exit

• Mar 18, 2015 - 15:02

There has been much discussion of playback volume in the past:
#37576: Default and max playback volume much too *loud*
General Discussion: Playback Volume
General Discussion: Level again
Support Forum: Output Volume
Stack Exchange: How do you increase the default volume of MuseScore?

Dynamic Range Compression (DRC) has also been suggested before: http://musescore.org/en/node/37576#comment-163266

I find the default playback volume is still much lower in MuseScore 2.0 RC than in other programs (I'm running Ubuntu 14.10). It would be helpful if MuseScore saved the Master Volume setting (Play Panel) on exit to avoid having to manually adjust it on start-up.

However, increasing the volume manually is only a partial solution to begin with, because at high volumes many of the louder instruments (e.g. Trumpet) get clipped and the sound is horribly distorted. To prevent this, I propose that the Master Volume should have a percentage number above it (like the tempo does) and it should allow volumes greater than 100%, achieved using Dynamic Range Compression.

Proposed Volume Controls:

Volume less than 100%: No Dynamic Range Compression.
Volume at 100% (default): No DRC, loudest instrument only just clips (i.e. 0dB).
Volume greater than 100%: DRC used to increase apparent volume without clipping.
Selected volume is saved on exit. (As a global MuseScore setting, not as property of the score).

The user could be warned via a tool-tip or in the manual that increasing the volume above 100% enables DRC. I think we can all agree that too much DRC is undesirable, but clipping or not being able to hear the audio is far worse!

Comments

joseph.brandenburg.98

• Mar 18, 2015 - 21:05

I don't really understand the rest of it, but I DEFINITELY want musescore to save the volume at exit. For anything less than an orchestra I have to turn the volume up just to hear things, every time. It's not particularly annoying, but it would be nice if the default volume was a little louder so that I didn'y have to go back and change it every time.

shoogle

• Apr 23, 2015 - 23:48

I discovered it is actually possible to set the default volume from the Synthesizer (View → Synthesizer). That solves one aspect of the problem, but Dynamic Range Compression would still be very useful for these reasons:

To allow sections marked "ppp" to be audible without making "fff" deafening.
For use with poor quality speakers/headphones.
For listening in a noisy environment (e.g public transport).
For when quietness is appreciated (e.g. late at night).
To prevent distortion due to clipping - a real problem, especially with the brass instruments.