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I have a video file which most of its sound is too quiet. I analysed it with FFmpeg (ffmpeg -af volumedetect) and it gave me the following stats:

n_samples: 1240911872
mean_volume: -31.9 dB
max_volume: -0.0 dB
histogram_0db: 76
histogram_1db: 319
histogram_2db: 681
histogram_3db: 2580
histogram_4db: 8232
histogram_5db: 18019
histogram_6db: 33747
histogram_7db: 60315
histogram_8db: 100737
histogram_9db: 158403
histogram_10db: 242167
histogram_11db: 361734
histogram_12db: 527198

The max volume is already at 0dB so I can't just increase the volume, otherwise it will distort the loudest parts.

How can I increase the mean volume without clipping the peaks?

I say Reinstate Monica
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GetFree
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1 Answers1

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Yes. What you will need to do is "dynamic range compression", followed by an overall boost of volume level do bring the peaks back up to 0dBFS. Any of a large number of sound editing programs can do this. Audacity (free) simply calls the tool "Compressor" and it does have the gain compensation feature. Here's their help page: http://manual.audacityteam.org/index.php?title=Compressor

Jamie Hanrahan
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