Ableton Forum

Ok. I have been recording my vinyl into Live. I have set the bass, middle and treble to 0db on the mixer and adjusted the Gain on the mixer until I see it clipping in Live and then just turn it down a notch.
I have also downloaded MP3's from Beatport for the first time. The problem is that when the volume is set to 0db in Live it is way to loud. I only have the volume up half way! I have downloaded other stuff and it is the same!
When I recorded my vinyl it was just about right on the 0db when I played it back but I recorded them as .wav files - is this the problem - the MP3's need altering or what.
Can someone also advise on recording vinyl into Live. Should I be setting the bass middle and treble to 0db on the mixer and keep the volume just under clipping level.
I know this is a lot but please help - this is the final problem before I start DJing live with Live5[/b]

hi, try to normalize the vinyl rec (with a wave editor, like wavelab... if you cannot afford it download the free-and-really-lowend audacity). it keep the sound (almost) unalterated to the "right" volume...

Has anyone else had volume problems with volume levels from downloaded MP3.

what do you mean, "way too loud"? Are the mp3s clipping, even when the master is set to 0db?

Exactly! I have downloaded them and when I ply them I have to set the volume half way. It begins to clip any higher! I have downloaded other stuff from the internet and the same happens.

are you using any effects on your master out?

Have you checked out your internal routings?
Check the audio too and audio from menus.

If there is a double routing then this could happen.

Greetings

IME mp3s do clip, probably because of the lower dynamic range vs. a wave file. I have taken a wave file, that was limited at .1 db, converted that to mp3 and the mp3 was clipping. The reason they are so loud is probably because they have been compressed like crazy to begin with, then converted to mp3, so the are not only super loud, they are clipping as well. Once a digital files is clipping the damage is permanent, there is no much you can do but turn the volume down.

Yes, I did A/B testing with beatport material, and the clipping in some tracks, mostly heavily compressed trance tracks, was present in the MP3 converted versions. It's not always there, but it's a risk when purchasing MP3 files, especially for playback on big systems. --Kent