# melcom's FFmpeg Audio Normalizer

Open-source audio normalization powered by FFmpeg, LUFS and True Peak processing. Built for music production, podcasts, gaming audio and large batch workflows - without requiring command-line knowledge.

## Requirements

To use melcom's FFmpeg Audio Normalizer, the complete FFmpeg suite is required:

- `ffmpeg.exe` - Audio analysis and normalization
- `ffplay.exe` - Audio preview playback
- `ffprobe.exe` - Reading technical audio information

Recommended download:
github.com/BtbN/FFmpeg-Builds/releases
Recommended package:
`ffmpeg-master-latest-win64-gpl.zip`

After extracting FFmpeg, configure the path to the FFmpeg folder inside the application's options menu.

## Getting Started

1. Launch `AudioNormalizer.exe`.
2. Open:
   `File -> Options`
3. Select the folder containing:
   `ffmpeg.exe`, `ffplay.exe` and `ffprobe.exe`
4. Use "Add Files" or "Add Folder" to populate the processing queue.
5. Select your desired LUFS preset, True Peak limit and output format.
6. Choose an audio character preset. Transparent is the default and applies no additional coloration.
7. Click:
   "Start Normalization"

During processing, the log window displays the current status, FFmpeg output and processing progress in real time.

## Normalization Modes

### Linear (2 Passes)

Recommended for music production, mastering and archival work. The audio file is analyzed during the first pass and normalized with a fixed gain during the second pass. This preserves the original dynamics as accurately as possible.

### Dynamic (1 Pass)

Recommended for speech, podcasts, streams and broadcast material. Loudness differences are actively balanced during processing.

## Presets & Audio Character

### LUFS & True Peak Presets

- The application features clear, modern, and easily understandable preset profiles for all common streaming and broadcast guidelines.
- Default / Streaming Safe (-1.0 dBTP) is a strong default choice for most streaming platforms.
- Lossy Codec Safe (-2.0 dBTP) provides additional headroom for MP3, AAC and OGG exports.
- No Limit / Risky (0.0 dBTP) should only be used when the destination format explicitly allows it.

### Mastering Character

Transparent

Pure loudness normalization without additional sound shaping.

Cohesive

Adds gentle compression and subtle soft clipping for a tighter overall mix.

Punchy

Delivers stronger impact, more energy and more noticeable dynamic processing.

Aggressive

The strongest processing mode for dense, sharp or aggressive electronic material.

## Quality & Metadata

### Audio Quality Preservation

When exporting to WAV or FLAC, the original sample rate and bit depth are preserved automatically. No unnecessary downsampling is performed.

### Metadata & Tags

Artist, album, title, year and additional metadata are copied automatically to the normalized output file.

MP3 files automatically use the ID3v2.3 standard for maximum compatibility with Windows Explorer and hardware players.

## Additional Notes

If a process is interrupted or an error occurs, temporary working files are automatically removed.
Missing `ffprobe.exe` does not affect normalization itself, but disables technical audio information and duration detection.

## About This Help File

This project was created by melcom and released under the MIT License.

Project website:
melcom-creations.github.io/melcom-music