How to make an MP3 louder

[rgelb]

Hello, I am trying to make an MP3 sound louder, but having a bit of trouble. I am using the Amplify effect and while it does make it louder, it also causes the sound to crackle a bit.

So, should I be even using the Amplify effect? Is there a better way? Is there a fool-proof way of making the sound louder?

Thanks.

[allencmcbride]

When you select the "Amplify" effect, the amplification level is automatically set to the maximum you can do without clipping (clipping makes crackling sounds). So unless you're pushing the slider up higher than where it automatically sets itself, I don't know why amplification would introduce crackling. If amplifying as much as you can without clipping doesn't make a track loud enough, the next option is the Compressor effect. (There are lots of versions of dynamic range compressors out there that you can install as plug-ins, too). Compressors can make quiet parts louder while keeping louder parts the same (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression).

Also be aware that if you import an MP3 into Audacity, edit it, and then re-export it as an MP3, you will lose quality. It's better to do any Audacity editing on an uncompressed file, and then compress it when you're done. If you don't have access to the uncompressed original, you might want to look into tools other than Audacity that can alter MP3 files without decoding and re-encoding them. I don't know much about such tools, but this Google search might get you started: http://www.google.com/search?q=amplify+ ... e-encoding.

--Allen