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Prevent music playback distortion in iTunes Apps
In hindsight this seems like an obvious hint. I've noticed on my new 12" Powerbook (and this goes for other Apple portables, too) that the sound distorts on certain pieces of music. This occurs at high or low volume levels, on speakers or on headphones

After simply accepting this situation for quite a while, I finally realised that the sound levels were too simply too high on some albums. Or possibly the Apple hardware was emitting sound levels that were too high. Either way, it is easily solved. Sound level is, of course, not volume level. It means that the peaks of the sound waves are higher than your speakers can handle.

To solve this problem, use the equaliser in iTunes. Choose the Flat setting and drop the Preamp to -6 DB. Voila; the 12" Powerbook sounds amazing on any albumn (and really folks, this is the best sounding Apple ever).
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iTunes "Soundcheck"
Authored by: thinkyhead on Apr 01, '03 03:04:11PM

In the iTunes Preferences is an option under Effects called Soundcheck. When you enable this option iTunes scales the volume of all tracks to be around the same relative level. I'm not sure if this helps with the distortion caused by small speakers, but try it and see if it helps.

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iTunes "Soundcheck"
Authored by: WillyT on Apr 01, '03 09:26:04PM

As I read the hint the distortion isn't from the small speakers but caused by overloading the level out of the equalizer.

Try pulling the volume fader down then pushing the preamp fader up to hear what this sounds like. Much worse than just a crappy speaker! (unless your playing an mp3 of your guitar solo)



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iTunes "Soundcheck"
Authored by: Pasco on Apr 02, '03 02:05:32AM

Instead of messing around with the equalizer settings, try turning off the "Sound Enhancer" feature in iTunes. I also had major problems making my MP3's sound good in iTunes, trying all kind of tricks with the equalizer and "Sound Check" which didn't help much, until I unchecked the Sound Enhancer feature.....

Turning it off helpes A LOT!!!......give it a try..

Hava a nice day folks and keep up the good work rob!!
:-)



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Adjust the volume per song
Authored by: Anonymous on Apr 02, '03 04:43:51AM

In iTunes you can adjust the volume per song. Select the song(s) and go to "File/Show info...".

It's this volume that iTunes automatically adjust when you activate the "Soundcheck" effect.

And do try to turn of the "Sound Enhancer" as other already has suggested.



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Prevent music playback distortion in iTunes
Authored by: Mr. X on Apr 02, '03 01:23:00PM

actually , the sound check "feature" could be the source of distortion for some... At some point I'd get terrible distortion on Chopin Nocturnes... I guess it was too melo compared to the Propellerheads or other stuff I have in my collection... I don't think the sound check thing is ready for prime time... I'd turn this off first if you get distortion, especially on soft, not loud, music files. As soon as I turned it off, Chopin was fine again... :)



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Prevent music playback distortion in iTunes
Authored by: torndownunit on Apr 02, '03 04:52:49PM

I have actually found the "Sound Enhancer" causes some of the distortion problems. My Mac is hooked to my stereo, so the problem isn't specific to small speakers. The Sound Enhancer seems to really affect files that have been "downcoded". I keep it shut off and it seems to help. I am going to try turning off the Soundcheck option as well. These are 2 cool features, it's too bad they don't work better.



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Prevent music playback distortion in iTunes
Authored by: vincek on Apr 02, '03 05:56:58PM

The problem is not the Mac. It is the greedy music industry.

Read this article. If you are passionate about music you will find this trend disturbing.

http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.nsf/articles/8A133F52D0FD71AB86256C2E005DAF1C



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Rushfan



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