Boost audio in an existing mpeg?

[bigblue]

Hi -

I've got some Sage recordings I made a while ago that have low audio levels. I was hoping someone could recommend an app that would allow me to boost the audio levels without having to recompress the file. I'd prefer not to lose any video quality if I can help it. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[korben_dallas]

I'm pretty sure you will have to recompress the audio since higher amplitude will mean more dynamic range. I can't recommend a tool (I'm sure someone else here can), but the process would be to extract the mpg video and mp2 audio, convert the audio to wav or pcm, make the necessary changes, convert it back to mp2, then throw it and the mpg video into a file writer.

[willemse]

I use Studio 8 from Pinnacle for eliminating commercials and to increase the sound level from the Sage recordings. Make new Mpeg output which I re-play with Sage

[src666]

Actually, you probably won't need to recompress. You just need to split the audio and video streams to different files, adjust the audio, and re-combine them. I used to do this with a tool called Womble all the time to prepare ReplayTV shows recorded at the low-quality setting for DVD. I know there are other tools that can do the split/combine, so a search on Doom9 might be in order.

[bigblue]

I've successfully split the file, but what would you recommend to raise the volume level in the audio file? Searched Doom9 but so far haven't found anything. Tried coolEdit but can't seem to take in mpeg audio files, only wavs. I could convert to wav, but I'm hoping there's a utility that will let me boost the volume without converting to wav first.

[src666]

What format is the split file in? If it's at all MP3 compatible, you might try MP3Gain.

[dvd_maniac]

I use Besweet for this purpose. I split the file using TEMPGenc's Mpeg tools. Then I run the mp2 file through besweet and use the Max Gain option. Then I use TEMPGenc's mpeg tools to remux back into MPEG-2 file. Only takes me about 5 minutes for an hour episode...

[bigblue]

MP3Gain won't read the resulting audio file. I split it using Womble. The file has a .mpg extension, and will play in Media Player. But MP3Gain throws an error when I try to load it.

[src666]

OK, I figured MP3Gain would be a long shot - it's been a LONG time since I did anything with these files, and couldn't remember the format.

[korben_dallas]

dBpowerAmp is free and will convert .mp2 audio.