Can we increase dynamics?

Hi Kijanki,

Sony Sound Forge Pro 10, which is a high quality professionally oriented audio editing program, includes a "graphic dynamics" effect, which allows the user to arbitrarily define a curve of output level vs. input level (the curve actually being a set of straight lines between as many break points as the user wants to define). Attack and release times and other parameters are also user definable.

It is a Windows-based program costing around $375. There is also a Mac version that is available, as well as a consumer oriented version at a far lower price, but my suspicion is that only the Windows version includes that particular function.

In principle, I'm sure that function would provide what you are looking for, aside from the fact that it won't do a batch convert of multiple files. However, I would expect that determining a curve and other settings that would give good results would involve a lot of trial and error, and I would imagine that different curves and settings would often be required for different recordings.

You can download a trial version of the program. If you choose to do that, before doing any editing of an audio file that is of any importance to you BE SURE to first use the program's "File/Save As" function to save the file under a different name. Otherwise you would risk making changes to the original file that you don't want and that can't be undone.

I have extensive experience with slightly earlier versions of that program, and I've always been extremely pleased with it, but I haven't had occasion to use the "graphic dynamics" function.

Best regards,
-- Al

Al, thank you. I will check version for the Mac. I could always install dual boot. I'm a little worrying about dynamic range limitation of CDs (96dB) unless filtering (that increases resolution) is involved. I will investigate hardware digital domain Berringer that Elizabeth mentioned (thank you), but Sound Forge is a program I can have fun with.
Markpao, thank you for the warning. I will be very careful especially because Hyperion Sound, manufacturer of my speakers, pretty much bankrupted - no replacement drivers.

There are a number of plug-ins for Audacity. Haven't used them myself. From what I've understood so far, there are two basic types, peak and full spectrum. The latter makes louder louder and quieter quieter but is also associated with what's called "breathing". Compression algorithms have gotten complex over the last couple decades. Restoring to origional is overly optimistic.

http://forum.audacityteam.org/index.php

Ngjockey, Looks like it might be more complicated than I anticipated. Perhaps it is not worth to invest a lot of money in hardware but rather play with programs (keeping original file intact, as Al suggested).

It's very possible that the reason the JBL speaker blew out was due to lack of amplifier power which caused severe clipping distortion causing the woofer to distort.

In other words, the more dynamic range you have the more amplifier power you need... every time you increase volume just 3dB your amp has to double the power delivery to play without distortion or clipping. If it can't then you'll be blowing your speakers.

And as the dynamic range increases the average level decreases... so in order to maintain the same average level the volume will need to be raised... again necessitating more power.

I bet you thought this was going to be easy! Good Luck.