Ability to store/display optimal volume level per track, just as a reference

[jasonw75]

It would be wonderful to specify an optimal volume level for each track—as a reference only, not to automatically adjust the volume—and have this displayed in the UI. This would allow listeners to manually set the volume to the previously determined optimal level as a track begins playing.

Optimal volume settings can vary significantly between tracks, so having a reference value would make it easier to achieve the intended listening experience, especially when not sitting in the ‘sweet spot,’ where volume perception can differ.

Previously, when using iTunes/Audirvana on a Mac, I would use the ‘beats per minute (BPM)’ field for this purpose. I’d listen to a track, decide on the ideal volume, and type that value into the BPM field. Although this wasn’t its intended use, it served nicely as a reference displayed in the track list. Without it, switching between tracks with very different optimal volumes could easily result in accidentally blasting the listener.

Currently, I work around this by recording track numbers and volume levels in a Google Sheet and splitting the screen on my iPad between Sense and the sheet. While functional, this is clunky, and a native solution would streamline the process considerably.

 

[Stephen Healy]

It would be wonderful to specify an optimal volume level for each track—as a reference only, not to automatically adjust the volume—and have this displayed in the UI. This would allow listeners to manually set the volume to the previously determined optimal level as a track begins playing.

Optimal volume settings can vary significantly between tracks, so having a reference value would make it easier to achieve the intended listening experience, especially when not sitting in the ‘sweet spot,’ where volume perception can differ.

Previously, when using iTunes/Audirvana on a Mac, I would use the ‘beats per minute (BPM)’ field for this purpose. I’d listen to a track, decide on the ideal volume, and type that value into the BPM field. Although this wasn’t its intended use, it served nicely as a reference displayed in the track list. Without it, switching between tracks with very different optimal volumes could easily result in accidentally blasting the listener.

Currently, I work around this by recording track numbers and volume levels in a Google Sheet and splitting the screen on my iPad between Sense and the sheet. While functional, this is clunky, and a native solution would streamline the process considerably.

Perhaps the underlying mechanism here is a 'Notes' one, if you need to keep some specific prompts or information to the album. To that end, do keep in mind that any PDF files (which you might be able to convert from Google Sheets?) that are kept in the folder with the album will be viewable on the BOOKLETS tab on the album.
It might be a bit cumbersome, but you could also make use of the Tags system per album, to keep these references.
If agreeable, I'd suggest keeping this request open for some kind of 'Notes' function where users can add info on an album at their discretion.

 

[jasonw75]

Well, that would be a bit helpful, but what I was really referring to is a way to see that value in a list/playlist. You can see the list position number at the left, and the icon, track name, artist, but just not the volume level. I seldom listen to a whole album at a time. Normally, it's a random mix of tracks that can have different, and sometimes vastly different, optimal volume levels. Alternatively, if the notes could be accessed via a button in the playlist row (track level), then although that would require a (single) button click to see the volume level (or whatever else is in notes), that would help.

What I envisioned was a number that could appear near the three dots, or the heart icon, or at least be only a click away (perhaps in the popup that appears when clicking the three dots?). Thank you!

 

[Fitman-NJ]

Well, that would be a bit helpful, but what I was really referring to is a way to see that value in a list/playlist. You can see the list position number at the left, and the icon, track name, artist, but just not the volume level. I seldom listen to a whole album at a time. Normally, it's a random mix of tracks that can have different, and sometimes vastly different, optimal volume levels. Alternatively, if the notes could be accessed via a button in the playlist row (track level), then although that would require a (single) button click to see the volume level (or whatever else is in notes), that would help.

What I envisioned was a number that could appear near the three dots, or the heart icon, or at least be only a click away (perhaps in the popup that appears when clicking the three dots?). Thank you!

Short of having something like you're describing (which would be preferred to begin simply from requiring fewer clicks), I've been adding an optimum volume note to the end of the "Album Title" line using the "Edit Album" function. When playing back a track from that album using the "Queue," I click on the three dots to the far right of the track title, then click on "Track Info," which displays, among other things, the Album title with the optimum volume extension. Although "cludgy," this works if you're satisfied with a single volume that you can target for all of the tracks on the album (Note: I do listen to complete albums fairly frequently, so I can find "that number" during my first listen). I guess that you could edit each track title in the same way if "optimal" varied from one track to the next. I don't use playlists much, but I think it would work for them as well.