Is there an app that automatically adjusts volume?
With the proliferation of audio listening across different devices and platforms, maintaining a consistent volume level can be challenging. Audio volume often fluctuates due to differences in recording levels, audio compression, device speakers, and ambient noise levels. This means that a song played at one volume on your phone may be drastically louder or quieter when played in your car or on a different set of headphones. Having to manually adjust volume constantly can be frustrating and disruptive to the listening experience.
This is where automatic volume control apps come in. These apps use audio processing technology to analyze the loudness of audio in real-time and adjust the volume up or down as needed to maintain a consistent perceived volume level. The goal is to provide a seamless listening experience across different audio sources without annoying or even dangerous volume spikes. By automating volume adjustment, these apps aim to create an optimal and effortless listening experience no matter what device you are using or environment you are in.
How Volume Fluctuates in Audio
One major reason for fluctuating volume levels between songs, videos, and other audio is differences in how the original audio was recorded and encoded. Audio that is recorded at a lower level or more lightly compressed/normalized will have a lower volume than audio recorded hotter or with heavier compression.1 This means the volume can vary wildly between different songs, videos, and audio sources that were recorded and mastered differently.
Streaming services like YouTube, Spotify and others typically normalize audio to some degree, but major fluctuations can still occur between tracks. This is because they utilize different normalization targets and algorithms. For example, Spotify targets -14 LUFS for normalization while YouTube Music targets -13 LUFS.2 So audio mastered for Spotify may sound louder on YouTube Music and vice versa.
Overall, differences in initial recording levels and encoding are a major reason why volume can fluctuate noticeably during listening sessions as different audio sources get played back to back.
Manual vs Automatic Volume Control
Hearing aids generally offer either manual or automatic volume control. With manual volume control, the user adjusts the volume themselves by manipulating the volume wheel or button on their hearing aid. This allows them to directly control the loudness at any given moment. However, it requires the user to constantly monitor and tweak the volume as needed. Environments and audio sources are often unpredictable, so finding the optimal volume can be difficult.
Automatic volume control uses advanced technology and algorithms to automatically adjust the volume based on the ambient noise level. This allows the hearing aid to seamlessly adapt the volume for an optimal listening experience. The user does not have to manually turn the volume up and down. However, some users prefer the fine-tuned control and predictability of manual volume adjustment. Automatic systems can sometimes misjudge or over-adjust the volume.
In summary, manual volume control gives users more direct control but requires constant monitoring and adjustment. Automatic systems provide effortless adaptation but may not always adjust optimally for the situation. The ideal option depends on the user’s specific hearing needs and preferences.
Source: https://www.aceaudiology.com.au/hearing-aid/adjust-hearing-aid-volume-guide/
Popular Apps that Adjust Volume
There are several popular Android apps that can help adjust and control volume levels automatically.
Some top options include:
- Volume Leveler (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=opotech.musicvolume&hl=en_US&gl=US) – This app normalizes the volume across songs and videos so there are no sudden volume spikes.
- Precise Volume (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phascinate.precisevolume&hl=en_US&gl=US) – Provides granular volume control and audio profiles to customize volume for different situations.
- Volume Booster GOODEV (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodev.volume.booster&hl=en_US&gl=US) – Boosts overall volume beyond system maximums for louder audio.
- Volume Control (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=netroken.android.persistfree) – Provides an on-screen volume slider and more precise volume control.
These apps offer customizable options to automatically adjust volume levels in different situations for a consistent listening experience.
How Automatic Volume Control Works
Automatic volume control works by using audio compression, normalization, and limiting to dynamically adjust the volume of audio playback. Here’s an overview of how these techniques work:
Audio compression reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal. It brings down the loud peaks and brings up the quiet parts to create a more consistent volume level. Audio compression helps prevent dramatic or sudden volume jumps in playback. Many streaming services use compression to normalize audio volume across different songs and videos (Office Sound Masking System).
Normalization aims to standardize the overall loudness of audio. It analyzes the peak and average loudness of the audio and then adjusts the gain to hit a specific target level. This evens out volume differences between songs or segments of audio. Automatic volume control apps use normalization to maintain a steady volume as the audio content changes (What does AVC mean in Miscellaneous? Automatic Volume Control).
Limiting prevents the signal from exceeding a set maximum level. If a loud peak occurs, limiting will quickly turn down the volume to keep it within the limit. This prevents clipping or distortion from overly loud sections. Limiting works as a safeguard in automatic volume control to smooth out any remaining spikes in loudness (setup questions | Hyundai Genesis Forum).
Considerations and Limitations
While automatic volume control can provide convenience by adjusting loudness, there are some situations where it falls short:
Automatic volume leveling works best with consistent audio input. It may struggle to adjust volume smoothly when there are sudden spikes or drops in loudness, which can lead to abrupt perceived changes in volume (1).
Noise filtering in automatic volume controllers can sometimes cause audio artifacts or affect sound quality, especially with music that has a wide dynamic range (2). The compression can make quiet sounds too loud and loud sounds too quiet.
Automatic loudness normalization works most accurately when applied across full tracks or programs. When loudness is adjusted continuously, it may pump volume up and down unnaturally during songs or scenes (3).
Apps that adjust system-wide volume do not affect volume differences between individual apps and programs. The overall loudness will be normalized but relative volume across media players remains variable.
Platform differences between mobile operating systems can affect the implementation and accuracy of automatic volume control apps. Results may vary across iOS and Android.
While useful in many cases, automatic volume adjustment cannot fully replace manual audio level setting in situations that require precise control.
(1) http://www.r-type.org/articles/art-372.htm
(2) http://www.apsguide.org/chapter4_volume.cfm
Tips for Proper Volume Setting
Setting proper volume levels is crucial for creating a balanced, clean mix. Here are some best practices for setting volume levels:
Aim for an average volume level around -18 to -12 dB on your master output meter. This leaves enough headroom to avoid clipping or distortion when sounds peak. Loud sections can briefly go up to -6 dB (source).
Set relative volume levels for each track based on their role in the mix. Lead vocals and kick drum should be the loudest elements. Background instruments like pads can sit much lower in the mix (source).
Use compression to control dynamic range rather than just boosting volume levels. This will help instruments sit in the mix without becoming too loud or soft (source).
Listen on multiple speakers and headphones to check your mix translates. Don’t rely just on studio monitors which may have a different frequency response.
Take breaks when mixing and come back with fresh ears. Your ears fatigue over time, making it hard to set accurate volume levels.
Trust your ears over meters when setting volumes. Meters are useful guides but can’t replace critical listening skills to get the right balance.
Platform Differences
Volume control apps function slightly differently across platforms like iOS, Android, and desktop operating systems.
iOS
On iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, there is a built-in Volume Leveler option under Settings > Music that can automatically adjust playback volume across songs and videos. This feature normalizes volume so that no individual track is louder or quieter relative to others. However, the effectiveness of the Volume Leveler can vary across different media players and streaming apps.
Android
Android does not have a universal volume leveling feature built into the core OS. However, the Google Play Music app includes a Volume Leveler option to normalize playback volume. Some other Android music apps may also have volume normalization settings. For system-wide control, there are third party volume leveling apps that can work across various media players.
Desktop
Desktop operating systems like Windows, MacOS, and Linux require installing third-party apps to enable volume leveling. Options include software like SoundLock, Audio Balance, and Volume Leveling Normalizer. These work across many desktop media applications to stabilize volume differences between songs, videos, games, and other audio sources.
Future Innovations
One exciting area of future innovation in automatic volume control is the use of AI and machine learning to create smarter, more adaptive systems. For example, research by Amazon has explored using deep learning neural networks to analyze audio input and dynamically adjust gain and compression in real-time. Their proposed AVC system was able to learn effective gain control strategies and adapt quickly to different audio contents. As AI and machine learning advance, we can expect to see automatic volume controls that are even more responsive and tailored to individual users and listening environments.
These intelligent systems could monitor factors like ambient noise levels, the specific device being used, and user preferences to optimize volume output. Machine learning techniques like reinforcement learning could enable AVCs to improve their strategies over time through trial and error. And by processing large datasets, deep learning algorithms may be able to model the intricacies of human perception of loudness and volume adjustments. The end result will be automatic volume controls that require less manual oversight and provide a more seamless listening experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are some great apps available that can automatically adjust audio volume, there are still limitations to this technology. The apps discussed can help normalize loud and quiet sections, but they may not work perfectly across all content. Manual audio adjustments may still be needed at times. For best results, try using automatic volume apps alongside manual audio settings, noise-cancelling headphones, and listening in quiet environments. Automatic volume control apps provide helpful convenience, but aren’t a flawless solution. With future innovations, we may see even smarter audio normalization technology. For now, manage expectations and utilize these apps as just one audio enhancement tool among many.