Real time audio normalisation / limiting

Question

I'm looking for a software solution to normalise real-time audio output, basically just the standard audio out for the system. In simple terms I want to set a volume level then have the sound from applications automatically boosted or reduced to that level via some sort of audio filter or plugin.

More particularly, I want a hard volume output limit, a set level it will never go above. So essentially I want to collar audio volume between given floor and ceiling values.

I've looked at similar questions and answers, like this one:

Automatically adjust the volume based on content?

The consensus seems to be to use a compressor with a fast look-ahead limiter (LADSPA plugins). I have set this up and its not really doing the job, the volume will still spike massively without hitting a limit, and more than that the par level seems to drift which is annoying. Either I just don't know how to configure the plugins (i've tried several values but the documentation is VERY sparse) or I just need a much more aggressive solution.

I'm using pluseaudio on xubuntu.

Any ideas?

If you're interested, the use case is for viewing twitch streams, where audio balancing can be very hit and miss, and streamers will often suddenly yell into their mic with no warning.

Have you tried the limiter or the other compressor mentioned in the comments? — danzel, Jul 12 '18 at 15:53
I tried to make the TAP plugins but it fails. I don't normally compile from source so its possible i'm doing it wrong. — DeepFried, Jul 14 '18 at 15:26

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 27 '18 at 10:14

1

OK, so just for other peoples benefit, this is the best solution I have found myself:

A program called PulseEffects. its GUI based and runs as an application so its easy to start and stop without having to fiddle with config files. It also allows you to easily stack multiple effects, like compression, automatic gain, a limiter etc and you can apply it application by application, so if you want it on for Chrome but not spotify thats easy to do.

answered Sep 27 '18 at 10:14

DeepFried

170

Is it called easyeffects nowaways? https://github.com/wwmm/easyeffects – Melroy van den Berg Sep 09 '21 at 19:42
Don't forget to install and start pipewire instead of pulseaudio: https://pipewire-debian.github.io/pipewire-debian/ – Melroy van den Berg Sep 09 '21 at 20:01

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 16 '18 at 21:37

0

VLevel - LADSPA plugin and command-line filter

answered Jul 16 '18 at 21:37

nik gnomic

611

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 09 '21 at 20:06

EasyEffects (which does require Pipewire however), which is a newer version of PulseEffects.

I think it's great software product!

Effects available:

Auto gain
Bass enhancer
Bass loudness
Compressor
Convolver
Crossfeed
Crystalizer
De-esser
Echo Canceller
Equalizer
Exciter
Expander
Filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject modes)
Gate
Limiter
Loudness
Maximizer
Multiband compressor
Multiband gate
Noise reduction
Pitch
Reverberation
Stereo tools

Real time audio normalisation / limiting

3 Answers3