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Lossy Audio Compression => MP3 => MP3 - General => Topic started by: Cabal468 on 2009-10-28 03:14:43

Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Cabal468 on 2009-10-28 03:14:43
I just installed Win7 and TRIED to install MP3Gain but I received an error saying I was missing a file called mscomctl.ocx.  Does anyone know if there is a fix/workaround for this or, if not, is there is a similar program that does work with Windows7 (I hate to use anything else though since MP3Gain has served me well for years!)?

Thanks!
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kwanbis on 2009-10-28 05:18:40
just search for the file on google, and put it on program's folder.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Cabal468 on 2009-10-28 05:21:17
just search for the file on google, and put it on program's folder.
Kwanbis-Thanks for the reply!  I've tried that and it says that the file is incompatible with my OS...I really should have put that in my initial comment! 
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: john33 on 2009-10-28 11:57:31
As I understand it, the support of old VB6 apps within Windows 7 is as yet unresolved so this and many others will not run.  Copying this and other required files will only cause conflicts.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: ExUser on 2009-10-28 13:52:35
foobar2000 has similar functionality built-in these days, however. You don't get all the options of MP3gain, but the core still exists.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kornchild2002 on 2009-10-28 14:02:55
I am able to get mp3gain to run under Windows 7.  However, my main issue is that I cannot drag-and-drop files from iTunes.  I could do this on Windows XP but I can't do it on my Windows 7 computers.  This means that I have to manually hunt down each and every file through the "Add File" option in mp3gain.  Needless to say, it takes a while just to add 12 songs from one album.

I would be interested in using foobar2000 so long as it can gain both mp3 and mpeg-4 AAC (LC) files for iTunes and iPod compatibility (I don't want to use ReplayGain and then convert the values to Soundcheck as I also want to play these mp3 and AAC files on other devices with the adjusted volume, not just my iPod).
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kwanbis on 2009-10-28 14:21:16
As I understand it, the support of old VB6 apps within Windows 7 is as yet unresolved so this and many others will not run.  Copying this and other required files will only cause conflicts.

I just installed W7 since i got a complimentary license.

The folder i used on XP still works.

I'm running x86.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: john33 on 2009-10-28 15:04:12
Hmmm, now I'm slightly puzzled! What I wrote above was based upon Googling the problem but having now just installed it on my Win 7 Ultimate x64 system, it works perfectly OK! Not sure what to say now except that may be this was addressed in the most recent updates? Only a guess as I've only just installed and run MP3Gain.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Cabal468 on 2009-10-28 15:17:49
Hmmm, now I'm slightly puzzled! What I wrote above was based upon Googling the problem but having now just installed it on my Win 7 Ultimate x64 system, it works perfectly OK! Not sure what to say now except that may be this was addressed in the most recent updates? Only a guess as I've only just installed and run MP3Gain.

Well, that ruins my theory that perhaps it was the (Home Premium)64bit version of the software that was screwing it up...even though it worked fine on my Vista 64bit.  I have the latest mp3gain version...are you using the XP mode to get it to work or are you just running it in native mode?
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: john33 on 2009-10-28 15:40:13
Hmmm, now I'm slightly puzzled! What I wrote above was based upon Googling the problem but having now just installed it on my Win 7 Ultimate x64 system, it works perfectly OK! Not sure what to say now except that may be this was addressed in the most recent updates? Only a guess as I've only just installed and run MP3Gain.

Well, that ruins my theory that perhaps it was the (Home Premium)64bit version of the software that was screwing it up...even though it worked fine on my Vista 64bit.  I have the latest mp3gain version...are you using the XP mode to get it to work or are you just running it in native mode?

I'm running 1.2.5, I simply ran the installer and loaded folders and files of mp3s. It's running in native mode.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Cabal468 on 2009-10-28 16:26:30
Ok...Call me an idiot and poke me in the eye!  I downloaded mp3gain again but, THIS TIME, I downloaded the full install with VB included and it works like a charm!  Thanks to everyone who replied and sorry for my stupidity...:-D
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: john33 on 2009-10-28 16:38:23
Ok...Call me an idiot and poke me in the eye!  I downloaded mp3gain again but, THIS TIME, I downloaded the full install with VB included and it works like a charm!  Thanks to everyone who replied and sorry for my stupidity...:-D

Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Ficklefinger on 2009-11-11 09:23:18
Thanks for this thread Cabal468. I made the same error and came to this forum looking for a solution. Works fine with VB. This is what forums are all about! Excellent stuff guys.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: AtaqueEG on 2009-11-26 01:23:47
foobar2000 has similar functionality built-in these days, however. You don't get all the options of MP3gain, but the core still exists.


I use MP3Gain to homogenize all my music's volume to 95dB, with MP3Gain's "Album Gain" setting. With XP I never got any error message, but with Win7 I have been getting some "there where x error" messages at the end of the process. I try to view the log, but the file is always blank, a blank text file.

I know foobar2000 can apply MP3Gain data to MP3 files, but I am under the impression that it uses the 89dB setting which I, to be honest, find unusably quiet. How can I use foobar2000 to apply MP3Gain the way I want it to?

Please help me, I know this is an old thread, but maybe you'll pick it up.

Thanks.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: greynol on 2009-11-26 01:36:07
How can I use foobar2000 to apply MP3Gain the way I want it to?

I think you have to edit the replaygain data manually.  I hope I'm wrong, because MP3Gain is painfully slow compared to foobar2000 when it comes to RG scanning.

EDIT: One option to speed things up is to use foobar2000 to apply RG and then use metamp3 or MP3Gain (if you can get it working) to apply a constant gain.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: ExUser on 2009-11-26 02:07:54
Actually, foobar2000 v1.0 beta has an option to change the "Target MP3 alteration volume level", found in Advanced prefs under Tools > Replaygain Scanner.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: AtaqueEG on 2009-11-26 02:19:58
Actually, foobar2000 v1.0 beta has an option to change the "Target MP3 alteration volume level", found in Advanced prefs under Tools > Replaygain Scanner.


Whoa! Really? I gotta look for it when I get home! (not on my machine right now)

UPDATE: It totally does. It is a little faster than MP3Gain (I did try with two albums only, so I guess a little increase in speed will prove to be much more significative when processing more albums). I didn't think it was possible to love foobar2000 any more, but I guess this little program is the gift that keeps on giving.

Seriously, fb2k is taking over my entire music process. It had already supplanted EAC as my ripping/encoding app and has been my tagging app for ages. MP3Gain served me well for six years, but I think it is time to give it a rest (as I did with XP). Now if only I could find a way to add album art with fb2K (this is a question BTW )
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: me7 on 2009-11-26 10:34:09
Actually, foobar2000 v1.0 beta has an option to change the "Target MP3 alteration volume level", found in Advanced prefs under Tools > Replaygain Scanner.


Awesome. Does it also have an option to undo the changes like mp3Gain? If it does, then I can finally send mp3Gain into retirement.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: а.п.т. on 2009-11-26 12:07:45
Is that option really relevant to MP3 only? If this is the case, then there will be volume differences between different file formats, isn't it?
In this case maybe it would be more useful to leave the target volume as it is and apply preamp instead (Playback -> Preamp -> With RG info).
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Sylph on 2009-11-26 21:12:55
Actually, foobar2000 v1.0 beta has an option to change the "Target MP3 alteration volume level", found in Advanced prefs under Tools > Replaygain Scanner.


Could you explain this to me: I set that to 96 dB and did so in MP3Gain. When I scan with foobar2000, one track has -9,57 dB, but -3,0 dBin MP3Gain. If the target level is the same, shouldn't both show the same values?  And if I select a file in foobar2000 and go to Properties > Properties, I can't manually edit the ReplayGain tag.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: [JAZ] on 2009-11-26 21:24:30
The replaygain tag is always against the reference dB. In MP3Ga it shows the gain it needs to apply for the reference you specify. They are not equivalent.

What is important is that both do it right, although you may think it differs:

The gain is applied to the file. Then, the tag tells what would a replaygain-aware player need to use to play at it at the reference dB (the standard one, 89).

If you want foobar2000 to play the mp3 at the reference you put in mp3gain, you need to change the setting in preferences-playback, with RG info, and increase the slider to the reference you want.

Anyway, the preffered solution is do the opposite, reduce the slider for the non-replaygained files.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Sylph on 2009-11-26 21:50:47
OMG, I didn't understand this.  Or not in a way I want to.


The replaygain tag is always against the reference dB. In MP3Ga it shows the gain it needs to apply for the reference you specify. They are not equivalent.


OK, so MP3Gain value shows the gain I need to apply. What does the foobar2000 tag in Properties show?

What I also don't get is: I changed my target in foobar Preferences > Advanced > Tools and set it to the same level as MP3Gain. When I go to Scan Per-File Track Gain, shouldn't it then also show the same value as MP3Gain (if I haven't applied the gain to that track previously, if it was untouched)?

What is important is that both do it right, although you may think it differs:

The gain is applied to the file. Then, the tag tells what would a replaygain-aware player need to use to play at it at the reference dB (the standard one, 89).

If you want foobar2000 to play the mp3 at the reference you put in mp3gain, you need to change the setting in preferences-playback, with RG info, and increase the slider to the reference you want.

Anyway, the preffered solution is do the opposite, reduce the slider for the non-replaygained files.


So what you're saying is... Let's say I scan a file using MP3Gain, which is set to 96 dB. Then I apply the gain. Then foobar2000 shows that as -9,57 even though the applied gain was -3,0. So foobar is telling me it's -9,57 because the slider in Playback Preferences is set to 0,0 (89 dB)? If I set it to 96, it'll change? Isn't that counterproductive, changing the value for those with RG info?

Doesn't it have to do with the value in Preferences > Advanced > Tools?
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: AtaqueEG on 2009-11-26 23:19:48
Actually, foobar2000 v1.0 beta has an option to change the "Target MP3 alteration volume level", found in Advanced prefs under Tools > Replaygain Scanner.


Could you explain this to me: I set that to 96 dB and did so in MP3Gain. When I scan with foobar2000, one track has -9,57 dB, but -3,0 dBin MP3Gain. If the target level is the same, shouldn't both show the same values?  And if I select a file in foobar2000 and go to Properties > Properties, I can't manually edit the ReplayGain tag.


MP3 files can only be ReplayGained in increments of +/- 1.5db. So 96dB won't do. It has to be 95 or 96.5. My guess is that MP3Gain is having problems with this. Hope this helps.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: AtaqueEG on 2009-11-26 23:23:47
Is that option really relevant to MP3 only? If this is the case, then there will be volume differences between different file formats, isn't it?
In this case maybe it would be more useful to leave the target volume as it is and apply preamp instead (Playback -> Preamp -> With RG info).


Yes it is only relevant to MP3.

IIRC there is no such thing as MP3Gain for other formats (there is AACGain, but, meh), MEANING an app that does actual changes to the volume of a file, based on ReplayGain measurements. Just tags and preamp won't do to me.

Also, I asked about this because MP3 is all I have listened to on a regular basis since 2002, on my computer, on my car, on my iPod. I want them to be 95dB average, because that is what I found out works best for me.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: [JAZ] on 2009-11-27 20:24:52
Uhg... I will try to explain it again:


File1.mp3:
MP3Gain Scans it and tells you the loudness it detects for that file.  x dB's.

You then tell MP3Gain to apply a change in the gain to that MP3. You tell MP3Gain your desired *target*  y dB's.
If y is bigger than x, MP3Gain increases the loudness of the file. Else it reduces it.


Now you have File2.mp3 which is the File1.mp3 but MP3Gained.
You now scan with Foobar2000 instead and says it has a Replaygain of z dB's.
Foobar goes to play this file, reads the replaygain, reads the playback gain ( g dB's) it has in preferences, does z +  g and applies this as the gain.



Now, in numbers:

File1.mp3 : TrackGain : +98dB
MP3Gain set to 96dB
Mp3Gain (tries to) reduce the file by 2 dB. Since it can only change with 1.5dB increments, it just applies -1.5dB.


Foobar2000 scans the File1.mp3 , it detects +98dB, which means -9dB of replaygain. (The target for replaygain is 89dBs).
You set foobar2000 playback gain to 96dBs. That is +7dB on the slider.
Now foobar does -9dB + 7dB = -2dB to play this file. (Actually, your desired value, which MP3Gain could not set) 


If foobar2000 had scanned File2.mp3, and MP3Gain had applied a gain of -1.5dB,  Foobar2000 would detecte the file to be +96.5dB, and the replaygain would have been -7.5dB.
If we add again -7.5dB + 7dB = -0.5dB.  Mp3Gain had reduced it by 1.5dB and Foobar2000 reduces 0.5dB more to get your desired value, which MP3Gain could not get.



I would like to end saying that this playback gain setting of foobar works for all the formats. One slider is for those formats with replaygain ( musepack, mp3, vorbis... ), and the other one for the rest.

My setup is +3db (92dB) for replaygain, and -4dB for non-replaygain formats.


Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: AtaqueEG on 2009-11-28 00:37:23
Great explanation, JAZ, should be saved for future reference!





(¡Que buena explicación, tio! Perdón, no hablo catalán )
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Sylph on 2009-11-28 13:24:30

Uhg... I will try to explain it again:


File1.mp3:
MP3Gain Scans it and tells you the loudness it detects for that file.  x dB's.

You then tell MP3Gain to apply a change in the gain to that MP3. You tell MP3Gain your desired *target*  y dB's.
If y is bigger than x, MP3Gain increases the loudness of the file. Else it reduces it.


Now you have File2.mp3 which is the File1.mp3 but MP3Gained.
You now scan with Foobar2000 instead and says it has a Replaygain of z dB's.
Foobar goes to play this file, reads the replaygain, reads the playback gain ( g dB's) it has in preferences, does z +  g and applies this as the gain.



Now, in numbers:

File1.mp3 : TrackGain : +98dB
MP3Gain set to 96dB
Mp3Gain (tries to) reduce the file by 2 dB. Since it can only change with 1.5dB increments, it just applies -1.5dB.


Foobar2000 scans the File1.mp3 , it detects +98dB, which means -9dB of replaygain. (The target for replaygain is 89dBs).
You set foobar2000 playback gain to 96dBs. That is +7dB on the slider.
Now foobar does -9dB + 7dB = -2dB to play this file. (Actually, your desired value, which MP3Gain could not set) 


If foobar2000 had scanned File2.mp3, and MP3Gain had applied a gain of -1.5dB,  Foobar2000 would detecte the file to be +96.5dB, and the replaygain would have been -7.5dB.
If we add again -7.5dB + 7dB = -0.5dB.  Mp3Gain had reduced it by 1.5dB and Foobar2000 reduces 0.5dB more to get your desired value, which MP3Gain could not get.



I would like to end saying that this playback gain setting of foobar works for all the formats. One slider is for those formats with replaygain ( musepack, mp3, vorbis... ), and the other one for the rest.

My setup is +3db (92dB) for replaygain, and -4dB for non-replaygain formats.



That's all great and I understand it. The only problem is that bolded line: I changed that to 96 dB in foobar2000.

That is... If I scan File 1.mp3 (98.5 dB) with MP3Gain, it will show -1.5 dB. But I don't apply the gain.

Then I scan with foobar, it should show the same (because targets are the same and the gain hasn't been applied in MP3Gain). That's what I don't get.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: lvqcl on 2009-11-28 14:28:38
"Target MP3 alteration volume level" is just what it means: target volume level for MP3 files alteration.
If you choose "Apply Track/Album ReplayGain to MP3 Data" foobar tries to make the loudness of this mp3 file to be as close as possible to the "Target MP3 alteration volume level".

Example: your track has replaygain_track_gain = -9.57 dB. (Its loudness is 89+9.57=98.57 dB).
1) Target level = 89 dB. After applying track gain to MP3 Data the loudness of this file will be 89.54 dB, and replaygain_track_gain = -0.54 dB.
2) Target level = 96 dB. After applying track gain to MP3 Data the loudness of this file will be 95.56 dB, and replaygain_track_gain = -6.56 dB.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: Sylph on 2009-11-28 17:25:25
"Target MP3 alteration volume level" is just what it means: target volume level for MP3 files alteration.
If you choose "Apply Track/Album ReplayGain to MP3 Data" foobar tries to make the loudness of this mp3 file to be as close as possible to the "Target MP3 alteration volume level".

Example: your track has replaygain_track_gain = -9.57 dB. (Its loudness is 89+9.57=98.57 dB).
1) Target level = 89 dB. After applying track gain to MP3 Data the loudness of this file will be 89.54 dB, and replaygain_track_gain = -0.54 dB.
2) Target level = 96 dB. After applying track gain to MP3 Data the loudness of this file will be 95.56 dB, and replaygain_track_gain = -6.56 dB.


I expect I'll get accused of spamming and trolling, but this is precisely what I ask. Shouldn't foobar2000 and MP3Gain show the same values of gain if their targets are the same?
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: lvqcl on 2009-11-28 18:27:11
Foobar2000 target value (for RG calculation) is always 89.0 dB. AFAIK.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kwanbis on 2009-11-28 20:57:06
Actually, foobar2000 v1.0 beta has an option to change the "Target MP3 alteration volume level", found in Advanced prefs under Tools > Replaygain Scanner.

Lets suppose i use 89 as the value, scan a track, and then "apply track mp3 gain data to track". So an mp3 is left at +0.01dB.

Now, if i change the value to 95, shouldn't the file be increased by ~6dB? Cause if it does, it is not working.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: lvqcl on 2009-11-28 21:11:11
Well, it works here. beta2.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kwanbis on 2009-11-28 21:36:11
Well, it works here. beta2.

I have just installed b2a.

If i re-scan, after changing the replaygain value, it is not updated on my %__Replaygain_track_gain% column, unless i apply the gain to the mp3.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: lvqcl on 2009-11-28 22:21:51
If i re-scan, after changing the replaygain value, it is not updated on my %__Replaygain_track_gain% column, unless i apply the gain to the mp3.


I think it's intended. Why should fb2k change gain values? Target loudness for RG calculation is always 89 dB.

Or do you mean that ALL mp3 files should be altered?
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kwanbis on 2009-11-28 22:53:56
If i re-scan, after changing the replaygain value, it is not updated on my %__Replaygain_track_gain% column, unless i apply the gain to the mp3.


I think it's intended. Why should fb2k change gain values? Target loudness for RG calculation is always 89 dB.

Or do you mean that ALL mp3 files should be altered?

When you scan for the first time, a ripped file, ti shows on the %__Replaygain_track_gain% column, the calculated value.

If i re-scan, after changing the replaygain value, it does not changes, unless i apply it to the mp3.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: [JAZ] on 2009-11-29 09:58:10
kwanbis, this is the expected logic.

Replaygain has to be always against the same reference, not one which the user decides. Else, the file would need to contain which reference the user decided to use, and add yet another calculation.


So that's why when the mp3 doesn't change, the replaygain tag doesn't change either.  The name is clear: "Target MP3 alteration volume level".


There's a thing that I assume is understood, but I will add it just to be sure:

File 1.mp3 MP3Gained at 89dB (and applied), and same file, copied to File2.mp3 and MP3Gained at 95dB (and applied).

In Foobar2000, they will both play at the same loudness, since both will contain replaygain tags against the reference.

Only non-replaygain aware players will play them at different loudness.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: crlf42 on 2010-02-20 18:22:31
Ok...Call me an idiot and poke me in the eye!  I downloaded mp3gain again but, THIS TIME, I downloaded the full install with VB included and it works like a charm!  Thanks to everyone who replied and sorry for my stupidity...:-D



http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/style_...ault/crying.gif (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/style_emoticons/default/crying.gif)

I'm running W7 x64 and I tried full install with VB included and I have this msg:

"The version of this file is incompatible with the version of Windows you are using.
Contact the software editor to know if you need x86 (32bits) or x64 (64bits)."

All are you in W7 x86 ?

Thanks for help.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kwanbis on 2010-02-20 18:48:35
All are you in W7 x86 ?

I'm.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: crlf42 on 2010-02-24 17:08:20
All are you in W7 x86 ?

I'm.



So what ??

Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: kwanbis on 2010-02-24 17:27:25
All are you in W7 x86 ?

I'm.



So what ??

You asked who where running W7 x86. I'm.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: AtaqueEG on 2010-02-24 18:30:41
Me too.

Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: crlf42 on 2010-02-26 17:34:56
All are you in W7 x86 ?

I'm.



So what ??

You asked who where running W7 x86. I'm.


I understood.  Do you know a solution for mp3Gain with W7 x64 ?
In any way, we'll need of that for the future.
Thanks.
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: crlf42 on 2010-03-24 16:21:42
All are you in W7 x86 ?

I'm.



So what ??

You asked who where running W7 x86. I'm.


I understood.  Do you know a solution for mp3Gain with W7 x64 ?
In any way, we'll need of that for the future.
Thanks.


OK. I understood. I used DAP (Download Accelerator Program) to load MP3gain and sometimes this truncate the loading.  Mp3gain was not completed and cannot be installed.
This closed this item. Sorry for disturb. MP3gain works fine at very great speed.
crlf42
Title: MP3Gain and Windows 7
Post by: RogerG on 2011-03-12 23:36:56
I'm running MP3Gain under Win7 Pro x64. I have tried to do Track gain. But MP3Gain freezes during the process of applying the gain. For me it is unusable.