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Von Manteuffel · 07-30-08, 05:51 PM

There are a couple of freeware programmes I've found indispensible.

First is MediaCoder http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/ It's very easy to use and quickly converts a whole batch of files between audio formats. You can set the bitrate to determine file size. I tend to use 128 kps MP3s for gramophone files and "mid" quality .ogg for in game music files. In SH4 I go as low as 24 kbs for radio files, as I like the "low quality" feel it adds.

The other is MP3Gain http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/ This only works with MP3s, but is a very quick way of controlling, normalising and levelling out the volume of a batch of sound files.

If you want .ogg files, simply convert them to MP3s with Media Converter, normalise the level of the files as a batch with MP3 Gain - I've found that 94db works well in the game without having to fiddle too much with the sound controls - then just convert them back to .ogg. They'll keep the level you've set.

Those two plus Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ and you can do anything you want with audio. Audacity is non-destructive and can be used as a convertor, but on a single file-by-file basis. I use it to edit music and sound files and then export, or save them to the format I want.

I've found it's always best to try to have all the sound files in a particular part of the game at the same bitrate etc. but I've never had any problems with having .ogg in-game music and MP3 gramophone tracks - provided that all the in-game files, or all the gramophone tracks are in the same format and are at the same bitrate. After all, the game itself uses both .ogg and .wav files for sounds.

As far as the .wav in-game sound FX are concerned, there would appear to be some form of volume control built-in to the game, but I haven't found it yet. E.g. the sound of the torpedo-tube doors opening is always very muted, no matter how "loud" you make the actual .wav file. You can use Audacity to work on individual files, increasing their volume to try to overcome this. I've found that, for example, the "fire" sounds are too low for my taste, so I used Audacity to increase their volume. There are, of course, limits before the sound files start to "clip" but you still have a fair amount of control. I suggest using Audacity to change the volumes of the two files you mention and see how it goes by trial and error. If you copy and rename the originals, they'll always be there to revert to if it doesn't work to your satisfaction.

Hope this helps. If you need anything further, please let me know.

07-30-08, 05:51 PM	#11
Von Manteuffel Commander Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 473 Downloads: 411 Uploads: 0	There are a couple of freeware programmes I've found indispensible. First is MediaCoder http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/ It's very easy to use and quickly converts a whole batch of files between audio formats. You can set the bitrate to determine file size. I tend to use 128 kps MP3s for gramophone files and "mid" quality .ogg for in game music files. In SH4 I go as low as 24 kbs for radio files, as I like the "low quality" feel it adds. The other is MP3Gain http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/ This only works with MP3s, but is a very quick way of controlling, normalising and levelling out the volume of a batch of sound files. If you want .ogg files, simply convert them to MP3s with Media Converter, normalise the level of the files as a batch with MP3 Gain - I've found that 94db works well in the game without having to fiddle too much with the sound controls - then just convert them back to .ogg. They'll keep the level you've set. Those two plus Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ and you can do anything you want with audio. Audacity is non-destructive and can be used as a convertor, but on a single file-by-file basis. I use it to edit music and sound files and then export, or save them to the format I want. I've found it's always best to try to have all the sound files in a particular part of the game at the same bitrate etc. but I've never had any problems with having .ogg in-game music and MP3 gramophone tracks - provided that all the in-game files, or all the gramophone tracks are in the same format and are at the same bitrate. After all, the game itself uses both .ogg and .wav files for sounds. As far as the .wav in-game sound FX are concerned, there would appear to be some form of volume control built-in to the game, but I haven't found it yet. E.g. the sound of the torpedo-tube doors opening is always very muted, no matter how "loud" you make the actual .wav file. You can use Audacity to work on individual files, increasing their volume to try to overcome this. I've found that, for example, the "fire" sounds are too low for my taste, so I used Audacity to increase their volume. There are, of course, limits before the sound files start to "clip" but you still have a fair amount of control. I suggest using Audacity to change the volumes of the two files you mention and see how it goes by trial and error. If you copy and rename the originals, they'll always be there to revert to if it doesn't work to your satisfaction. Hope this helps. If you need anything further, please let me know. Last edited by Von Manteuffel; 07-30-08 at 06:02 PM.