How To Increase The Volume Of MP3 Files

[Sizzers]

Is there a simple way for a simpleton to increase the volume of an MP3 file?

Since an OS update to my phone notification volumes – specifically messaging – have become considerably lower and barely audible (a potential known issue), so looking at this as a possible fix.

Many thanks.

 

[steve_1979]

Audacity is a free and easy to use program which allows all sorts of editing of digital music files. I've found it very useful for lots of music editing including changing the volume of tracks, removing long silent sections at the end of tracks and occasionally tweaking the EQ on badly mastered tracks. Clicky

 

[Sizzers]

Hi Steve, and many thanks for the reply.

I had thought of Audacity and looked at it again and thought....WHOA! Essentially I just want the ability to increase the volume of ringtone files which I've already created as simply as possible and Audacity really doesn't look as though it fits the bill for simplicity! It may not exist, but I'm just looking for a very basic programme where I select a file, a couple of clicks to increase the db level and done.

Thanks again.

 

[Roundhead 5000]

I use an app called Speakerboost which gives me an added 40% or so extra output, which is adjustable to your preference, so you can add what you like up to the maximum 40..... I have an S4 and a Z1, and I have it on both phones. Though I only use it on the Sony, which seems to have the lower output of the two. I got the app from Google play and it was free.

Obviously this is android, and you don't say what phone you are using so I apologise if this is not what you're looking for.

 

[Sizzers]

I use an app called Speakerboost which gives me an added 40% or so extra output, which is adjustable to your preference, so you can add what you like up to the maximum 40..... I have an S4 and a Z1, and I have it on both phones. Though I only use it on the Sony, which seems to have the lower output of the two. I got the app from Google play and it was free.

Obviously this is android, and you don't say what phone you are using so I apologise if this is not what you're looking for.

Hi, and thanks for the pointer.

I did try it from your suggestion (as I have others) without any effect. The problem has occurred since updating from JB 4.3 to KK 4.4.2 where the messaging tone is now pretty inaudible, even with the stock tones. It's obviously a bug within the software but I was hoping there was a relatively simple programme to boost the db level to see if it was fixable that way.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

[Sizzers]

Hey Steve!!!.....I really do appreciate your time for the walk through with that!!!

I've used LAME along with EAC in the past so I'm not unfamiliar with it, but I'll leave it a few days until I've got some proper time to myself to give it a go. If it doesn't do the job then it's definitely Google's fault.

Thanks again Steve.

 

[steve_1979]

It looks daunting at first but it's really quite simple. :type:

Just install Audacity from here: Clicky

Then install the LAME MP3 encoder for Audacity from here: Clicky

Step 1 - Open the audio file in Audacity.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/v1_zps699ca03d.jpg

Step 2 - Click on the 'Effect' menu and select 'Amplify'.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/v2_zps8974613e.jpg

Step 3 - For the maximum possible volume move the slider until the new peak amplitude is 0.0dB and click on OK.

(You also have the option to go even loulder still if you select 'allow clipping' but bare in mind that this will have a detrimental effect on the sound quality).

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/v3_zps3c028d00.jpg

Step 4 - Notice that the wave is now bigger than before showing that the volume has been increased.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/v4_zpsde8b60a7.jpg

Step 5 - Click on the 'File' menu and select 'Export'.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/v5_zpsfd3e5837.jpg

Step 6 - The 'Export File' window gives you options to choose where to save the file, what file type you want to save it as (MP3, WAV ect) and the bit-rate you want to use. You just need to select MP3 and press 'Save'.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/v62_zpsaeb0a0ba.jpg

Step 7 - Audacity then lets you change the metadata tags on the saved MP3 if you want. Just leave these as they are and click on OK and you're done.

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff512/steve__1979/v7_zps1d61b8a6.jpg

 

[steve_1979]

Happy to be of help (I've become remarkably efficient at pressing 'print screen' and posting pictures over the last couple of years since I started posting on this forum :roll: ).

Hopefully increasing the amplitude will be enough to do the job for you but if it isn't there is another option for increasing the volume even further by reducing the dynamic range using the 'Compressor' option in the 'Effects' menu. This will have a detrimental effect on the sound quality but if used sensibly it will be less detrimental than increasing the volume into clipping. Just use the default setting and make sure that the 'Make-up gain for 0dB after compressing' checkbox is ticked.

When reducing the dynamic range there is a compromise between having the best sound quality and having maximum volume. But if it's only for your phone ring tones then you'll probably be able to get away with reducing the dynamic range quite a lot as the sound quality won't be much of an issue. If you don't mind fiddling around a bit you could try a bit of trial and error with the sliders to see what results you can get. If you do try a bit of trial and error with the compressor settings don't forget to click on 'Undo' each time you try it though.

HERE is a description of what the various sliders in the 'Dynamic Range Compressor' window do.

 

[steve_1979]

How did you get on with those MP3's Sizzers?

 

[KristopherTucker]

Purpose of using that mp3 file.

 

[rainsoothe]

Mp3 was hip back in 2014, when this thread was started ...

 

[Gray]

Mp3 was hip back in 2014, when this thread was started ...

For some of us it was never an option.

 

[Al ears]

I am going to lock this thread as it's ancient.