Software to balance/normalize audio output?

[jnelsoninjax]

Due to my hearing disability, I can only hear from the left side, and that is helped by a hearing aid, but lately I have been struggling to hear certain things like YouTube videos, and even with headphones. I'm also discovering that some of the videos audio is messed up and only plays to the right channel, which when listening with headphones, makes for a rude surprise. I have tried to enable mono mode via ease of access, but the volume is insanely low, and the system volume is at 100%. Is there any program that I can use that might help with this issue?

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

 

I wonder if there is a mixer or perhaps even a USB DAC that would allow you to merge multiple channels into a mono stream?  

Perhaps this is a question to ask on a hi-fi audio-specific forum?  They might have some suggestions.

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

 

[jnelsoninjax]

  On 30/08/2020 at 06:52, goretsky said:

Hello,

 

I wonder if there is a mixer or perhaps even a USB DAC that would allow you to merge multiple channels into a mono stream?  

Perhaps this is a question to ask on a hi-fi audio-specific forum?  They might have some suggestions.

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

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Thanks for the reply, do you happen to know any forums that I might ask in?

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Are you looking to just move the balance over to one side? I thought that was built into Windows? Or do you want it so that it remembers the balance for one application/site and then switches back to stereo for other applications/sites?

[jnelsoninjax]

  On 30/08/2020 at 15:00, Nick H. said:

Are you looking to just move the balance over to one side? I thought that was built into Windows? Or do you want it so that it remembers the balance for one application/site and then switches back to stereo for other applications/sites?

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Ideally I want something that enhances the volume, it is becoming harder for me to hear some of the sounds from the system, and more specifically, YouTube. I can not hear in stereo, so that is why I am asking about volume enhancers, I have the system balanced to the left already, but some older YouTube videos have an audio track that only plays on the right channel.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

So how about this.  Use the windows audio controls to push all the balance over to your good side.  But then you want to adjust it so you can hear some things more?  How about trying this?  https://www.nchsoftware.com/deskfx/index.html

 

[Jonathans]

I use VoiceMeeter (https://www.vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/index.htm),  it works great for shifting sounds (L/R Balance as well as F/B Balance) as well as providing a graphic equalizer.

 

It might be a bit overkill for what you want to do, but it should work.

 

Also if your sound card drivers support it there is a native method for doing normalization in windows itself... 

[MS Bob 11]

Use the open source Equalizer APO (https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/) along with a separate open source GUI for it called Peace: https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/. It works at the global system level for all audio output through Windows (except Windows Audio Session API exclusive mode) as an equalizer and volume amplifier (but don't raise beyond 8 dB or it causes clipping/distortion).

 

 

It takes advantage of one of the most significant advances in Windows Vista and later over XP - software-based digital signal processing for all outputted audio so you don't have to pick a particular media player.

 

To quickly adjust the balance between left and right speakers, I recommend the freeware Winaero's SimpleSndVol: https://winaero.com/blog/control-your-windows-system-volume-and-balance-from-notification-area-system-tray/

 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Microsoft BOB™ 10

[Nick H. Supervisor]

  On 31/08/2020 at 12:03, jnelsoninjax said:

Ideally I want something that enhances the volume, it is becoming harder for me to hear some of the sounds from the system, and more specifically, YouTube. I can not hear in stereo, so that is why I am asking about volume enhancers, I have the system balanced to the left already, but some older YouTube videos have an audio track that only plays on the right channel.

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So for Youtube (or sound from your browser in general) I found this extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/volume-booster/ejkiikneibegknkgimmihdpcbcedgmpo

 

I haven't tried it. It also notes that if you're using earphones/headphones then you shouldn't go past the 1/4 mark unless you want distorted sounds.

[jnelsoninjax]

  On 31/08/2020 at 13:00, Nick H. said:

So for Youtube (or sound from your browser in general) I found this extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/volume-booster/ejkiikneibegknkgimmihdpcbcedgmpo

 

I haven't tried it. It also notes that if you're using earphones/headphones then you shouldn't go past the 1/4 mark unless you want distorted sounds.

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Thanks, but I only use Firefox

[jnelsoninjax]

  On 31/08/2020 at 12:22, Code Name: Lockdown said:

So how about this.  Use the windows audio controls to push all the balance over to your good side.  But then you want to adjust it so you can hear some things more?  How about trying this?  https://www.nchsoftware.com/deskfx/index.html

 

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Thanks for the suggestion, I downloaded the program, and it does not seem to do anything at all, despite the fact I enabled it for the speakers.

  On 31/08/2020 at 12:43, Jonathans said:

I use VoiceMeeter (https://www.vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/index.htm),  it works great for shifting sounds (L/R Balance as well as F/B Balance) as well as providing a graphic equalizer.

 

It might be a bit overkill for what you want to do, but it should work.

 

Also if your sound card drivers support it there is a native method for doing normalization in windows itself... 

Expand  

I'll look into that program, and my speakers do not have the option

  On 31/08/2020 at 12:51, Microsoft BOB™ 10 said:

Use the open source Equalizer APO (https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/) along with a separate open source GUI for it called Peace: https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/. It works at the global system level for all audio output through Windows (except Windows Audio Session API exclusive mode) as an equalizer and volume amplifier (but don't raise beyond 8 dB or it causes clipping/distortion).

 

 

It takes advantage of one of the most significant advances in Windows Vista and later over XP - software-based digital signal processing for all outputted audio so you don't have to pick a particular media player.

 

To quickly adjust the balance between left and right speakers, I recommend the freeware Winaero's SimpleSndVol: https://winaero.com/blog/control-your-windows-system-volume-and-balance-from-notification-area-system-tray/

 

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I recall using a program like this before, but it never worked for more then a few days (possibly same issue with the NCH software @Code Name: Lockdownsuggested?)

[MS Bob 11]

You have to reboot after installing Equalizer APO. It mentions that you have to reboot. I have used it for years with no issues on Vista, 7, 8.1 and 10. If you are hard of hearing, you may have to raise the volume after reboot by around 8-9 dB or so. Also make sure in Windows Sound Settings, the option "Allow applications to take exclusive control of the device" is unchecked otherwise another app can lock the audio via WASAPI exclusive mode. System wide equalizers only work in WASAPI shared mode.

[jnelsoninjax]

  On 31/08/2020 at 12:43, Jonathans said:

I use VoiceMeeter (https://www.vb-audio.com/Voicemeeter/index.htm),  it works great for shifting sounds (L/R Balance as well as F/B Balance) as well as providing a graphic equalizer.

 

It might be a bit overkill for what you want to do, but it should work.

 

Also if your sound card drivers support it there is a native method for doing normalization in windows itself... 

Expand  

Try as I may, this program does nothing at all, I have rebooted the computer, and chose the speakers as the output device.

  On 31/08/2020 at 12:51, Microsoft BOB™ 10 said:

Use the open source Equalizer APO (https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/) along with a separate open source GUI for it called Peace: https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/. It works at the global system level for all audio output through Windows (except Windows Audio Session API exclusive mode) as an equalizer and volume amplifier (but don't raise beyond 8 dB or it causes clipping/distortion).

 

 

It takes advantage of one of the most significant advances in Windows Vista and later over XP - software-based digital signal processing for all outputted audio so you don't have to pick a particular media player.

 

To quickly adjust the balance between left and right speakers, I recommend the freeware Winaero's SimpleSndVol: https://winaero.com/blog/control-your-windows-system-volume-and-balance-from-notification-area-system-tray/

 

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Again, I have rebooted, and I can not get this program to do anything. I put all the sliders up all the way, and there is no change in the audio.

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

 

The first two that come to mine are https://www.avforums.com/forums/ and https://www.head-fi.org/forums/.  You could also try emailing the folks at https://danclarkaudio.com/ (former coworker of mine—has his own headphone business now).

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

 

  

  On 30/08/2020 at 14:53, jnelsoninjax said:

Thanks for the reply, do you happen to know any forums that I might ask in?

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[MS Bob 11]

  On 01/09/2020 at 01:20, jnelsoninjax said:

Try as I may, this program does nothing at all, I have rebooted the computer, and chose the speakers as the output device.

Again, I have rebooted, and I can not get this program to do anything. I put all the sliders up all the way, and there is no change in the audio.

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Did you check if Exclusive mode is on on your PC? It has to be off in Audio device properties -> Advanced tab. You are the only person for whom it's not working otherwise usually I have shown it to hundreds of thousands of people who got it working.