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Audio Volume Normalization & Re-Encoding

Avoid volume jumps when switching between loud action movies and quiet acoustic tracks. RideStream offers two complementary tools: a real-time Dynamic Audio Normalization setting that levels loudness during playback, and a new batch Normalize Audio Volume feature that re-encodes your files to a permanent, consistent loudness.

Android & Windows LUFS / EBU R128 Re-Encoding

Two Ways to Normalize Audio

DYNAMIC (SETTINGS) ⚡ Real-time playback
BATCH (PER PLAYLIST) 💾 Re-encodes files
DYNAMIC FILES 🔊 Originals untouched
BATCH OUTPUT 🎯 Fixed LUFS target

Dynamic Audio Normalization (Playback Setting)

Enable Dynamic Audio Normalization in Settings ⚙️ to level loudness in real time while you listen. RideStream measures each track's loudness using the EBU R128 loudness standard (LUFS) and ReplayGain-style gain adjustments, then applies balanced gain so every song and movie plays at a consistent volume.

  • Prevents clipping: digital peaks are kept under control so loud tracks don't distort.
  • Zero file changes: your original files are never modified.
  • Best for: everyday listening where you simply want consistent volume between tracks.
💡 When Is the Dynamic Setting Not Enough? If you play the same media through a strict playback pipeline (e.g., Bluetooth car stereos, dedicated players, or sharing files with other apps), the real-time setting only applies inside RideStream. For permanently even volume on every player, use the batch re-encode feature below.

Normalize Audio Volume (Batch Re-Encode)

The Normalize Audio Volume action re-encodes audio (and video) tracks in a playlist to a permanent, consistent loudness using an FFmpeg-based EBU R128 loudness filter. It's designed for exactly the cases where the dynamic setting isn't enough: you get files that sound level on any device, app, or stereo.

  1. Open the playlist you want to normalize.

    Any mixed playlist containing audio and/or video files works. Supported formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG/Opus, M4A/AAC, and video (MP4, MKV, AVI, and more).

  2. Tap the volume icon / Normalize Audio Volume.

    From the playlist screen, tap the normalization button to open the dialog.

  3. Choose a target loudness level (LUFS).
    STANDARD (RECOMMENDED) 🎯 -16 LUFS
    MUSIC 🎧 -14 LUFS
    CINEMA / SOFT 🎬 -18 LUFS
    • Standard (-16 LUFS): balanced default, ideal for mixed audio & video playlists.
    • Music (-14 LUFS): slightly louder output, tuned for music tracks.
    • Cinema (-18 LUFS): preserves a wider dynamic range, tuned for film soundtracks.
  4. Pick a destination and start.

    You can write the normalized files into a new playlist (a copy — your originals are preserved), or replace the current files in place (the normalized versions replace the originals).

  5. Done — level, everywhere.

    RideStream re-encodes each track with the EBU R128 loudness filter (including true-peak limiting), so the result plays at a consistent volume in RideStream and in any other player.

⚠️ Re-Encoding Note Normalizing is a re-encode operation: audio is re-encoded (e.g., to AAC/MP3) and, for video, the audio stream is re-encoded to AAC while the video stream is preserved (or re-encoded as a fallback). This is intentional and how permanent loudness adjustment works.

Which One Should I Use?

JUST CONSISTENT LISTENING ⚡ Dynamic (Settings)
CAR STEREO / OTHER PLAYERS 💾 Normalize Audio Volume
MIXED AUDIO + VIDEO 🎯 Standard (-16 LUFS)

In short: use Dynamic Audio Normalization for effortless daily listening, and use Normalize Audio Volume when you need the loudness baked into the files themselves — like for Bluetooth car audio or sharing media with other apps.

Next Steps & Related Guides