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Topic: Is VDJ's sound output naturally lower than other programs?

This topic is old and might contain outdated or incorrect information.

The reason I ask this....I was editing a track in Audacity, playing it a the program's full volume w/o distortion. I then played the same track in VDJ (the track that I initially imported into Audacity, prior to any editing) and the volume was significantly lower and dare I say, less punchy. The volume on my computer and studio speakers never changed, and the gains of VDJ were set at teh highest possible level before distortion set in. The master on VDJ was also set to max.

I have noticed this volume difference in other situations too, comparing VDJ to regular CD playback, and to Serato. Keeping all the variables equal, VDJ puts out a less punchy, lower volume. Does this sound right, and is there something that can be done about it? (besides boosting the external mixer's gain)

Thank you
 
Posted Sat 20 Feb 10 @ 1:29 pm
after you edited it, was the volume normalized in any way..

When VDJ analyzes the track it brings its peak to 0DB. so if ANY part of that track goes above 95% normal it will bring the volume of the entire track down.

The opposite can happen also, VDJ seems to have a set maximum gain it can apply when analyzed.. if the peak DB is too low, it can only bring the song up so much..
 
It also depends on what sound card your using. If your using the PCs default sound card for Audacity, and say an RMX for VDJ there could very easily be a big difference in sound output.
 
I've had this issue too. At some gigs, even when I have the volume levels at max, the club owner will come to me and say he wants it louder, and that other djs using different programs have it louder.

I suspect is might be because I use a Hercules RMX mixer, which at the end of the day still draws its power from my laptop via USB.

Perhaps if the Herc had a separate A/C power source too it might also help boost the audio.

Just my two cents...
 
you just cant use those types of usb mixers in club settings. club systems are made to be driven and need a higher sound output. i notice every time a "rmx" type equipped dj comes to the club it never sounds full. i use a zero4 for midi and soundcard/mixer and i have no issues with sound quality.
 
hippydog wrote :
after you edited it, was the volume normalized in any way..


Sorry, I wasn't specific enough. I took the original track from my desktop and dragged it into VDJ. I took the same original track from the desktop and dragged it into Audacity. Without any editing, I played both tracks simultaneously, and Audacity was much louder and punchier. I was using internal speakers at the time.
 
Can you take a screenshot of the performance panel in the virtualDJ config.
 
 
Ok as I thought you have manually changed the settings after moving the performance slider so the slider position now ("best Quality") means nothing and that's why the sound is not good ;-)

Please let the slider sets the values for you and just select your own latency after that (I advise you "auto").
 
also make sure you have the auto gain control in VDJ turned off.


It does not matter how hot the track is recorded VDJ will take it to 0db. Programs like winamp and Audacity play the files as they are with no adjustment by the software.

Rusty
 
What if you ran files with the the auto gain set to...Auto+Remember. How do you make it forget? I posted on another thread in progress about this very same topic and no one responded. Thought I'd try here. I'm switching over from PCDJ and the files when played through VDJ are as descibed...flat and less punchy. Using old program, windows media player, etc...sound quality is noticable different.
 


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