Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use AACGain to Fix Uneven Volume Nothing ruins a great playlist faster than constantly reaching for the volume knob. One track plays too softly, forcing you to turn it up, only for the next song to blast out your speakers.
This issue happens because different audio files are recorded and mastered at different loudness levels. Fortunately, you can fix this permanently using AACGain.
This guide will show you exactly how to normalize your audio files step-by-step. What is AACGain?
AACGain is a free, open-source command-line utility. It acts as an extension of the popular MP3Gain software. While MP3Gain only supports MP3 files, AACGain adds support for AAC (.aac) and MPEG-4 (.m4a, .mp4) audio formats.
Unlike standard normalizing tools that compress the audio dynamic range, AACGain uses the ReplayGain algorithm. It analyzes how loud the human ear actually perceives the track to be. It then adjusts the volume metadata directly inside the file.
This process is entirely lossless. It changes the volume without re-encoding the file, meaning your audio quality remains exactly the same. Prerequisites and Installation
To get a user-friendly experience, you should pair the AACGain command-line tool with the classic MP3Gain graphical user interface (GUI).
Download the latest version of MP3Gain (the zip or installer version). Download AACGain.
Unzip the AACGain download package to find the file named aacgain.exe. Rename aacgain.exe to mp3gain.exe.
Copy this newly renamed mp3gain.exe file and paste it into your MP3Gain installation folder, replacing the original file.
By doing this, the MP3Gain interface will now use the AACGain engine, allowing you to process M4A and AAC files alongside your MP3s. Step 1: Add Your Audio Files
Launch the MP3Gain application. You can add files using two methods:
To add individual songs: Click the Add File(s) button at the top left and select your tracks.
To add entire folders: Click the Add Folder button to import a whole directory of music at once.
Your selected tracks will appear in the main display window. Step 2: Choose Your Target Volume
At the top of the interface, look for the field labeled Target “Normal” Volume.
The default value is set to 89.0 dB. It is highly recommended to leave it at this default setting. While 89 dB might sound quiet compared to some modern commercial tracks, this level provides enough “headroom.” Headroom prevents clipping, which is the harsh digital distortion that occurs when an audio signal gets too loud for your speakers to handle. Step 3: Analyze the Audio
Before changing any volumes, you need to see how loud your files currently are. You have two analysis options:
Track Analysis: Select this if your files are a mix of standalone songs from different artists. It evaluates each song individually.
Album Analysis: Select this if you are processing a full music album. It analyzes the album as a cohesive unit. This ensures that a quiet acoustic intro track stays softer than a loud rock song on the same album, preserving the artist’s original intent.
Click the Track Analysis or Album Analysis button. The software will scan your files and populate the “Volume” and “Original Max NoClip Gain” columns. Step 4: Apply the Gain Adjustments
Once the analysis finishes, look at the results. The tool will show you exactly how many decibels it needs to add or subtract to reach your target volume.
Click either Track Gain or Album Gain (matching the analysis method you used in Step 3).
AACGain will quickly modify the global gain metadata inside each audio file. The process takes only a few seconds per track. When it finishes, you will see the updated values in the “New Volume” column, all hovering close to your 89.0 dB target. Step 5: Test and Enjoy
Close the application and load your newly leveled tracks onto your phone, computer, or media player. Play through your files to confirm they now stream at a smooth, uniform volume level without any distortion.
If you ever change your mind, simply reload the files into the program and select Modify Gain from the top menu, then click Undo Gain Changes to restore your files to their exact original states. If you want to tweak this guide, let me know:
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