Request: Some sample Compressor settings for VLC

[loninappleton]

There has been some confusion on my part between Normalization in VLC and the controls available in the Compressor options.

For those new to this: Compression settings can be found in two ways (even this is duplication and somewhat complex:

Start > VLC > Tools : Effects and Filters > Compressor tab

Or:

Start > VLC > Tools >: Preferences > Audio > Show Settings All (display Button at bottom of Screen) > Audio > Filters > Compression.

Wow. This opens up numeric settings instead of the slider system described at Effects and filters.

I have seen some sample settings but I may be overdoing it in trying to correct for loudness. It may also be that I'm expecting too much which is a subjective hearing component.

This Lifehacker discussion with a link to a very good Reddit on the subject of Compression is a good place to start.

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/06/ho ... ally-loud/

Also to the VLC team: Can conflicts arise between Normalization and Compression?

Are there settings which, if set too high, simply defeat the purpose of these tools which control loudness and softness of sound?

I have begun by setting Threshold and Makeup Gain. Makeup Gain is supposed to raise the volume floor. Threshold on the other hand is supposed to lower the maximum volume of explosions and the like. But I've found that I can set Makeup Gain quite high and Threshold (a Minus setting) quite low with minimal changes. I was using a physical DVD in my dvd player and VLC for playback. I intend to rip to a file and see if there is some difference in the 5:1 vs. stereo setting in VLC. Again, I don't know if the physical dvd maintains it's 5:1 sound in playback.

Also it is important when making these adjustments to set speaker selection for stereo rather than 5:1. The loudness effects tend to come from the sides of a surround setup.