Is there a function like "automatic gain"?

[JEJ]

I like a range of music from the 70's to the 90's and old CD's tend to sound a lot lower than new ones. This is very annoying because I have to adjust the volume each time a "newer" song plays and then adjust it back when the old songs play again.

Is there a feature in Rockbox to avoid or at least minimize this annoyance?

[Febs]

Yes.  Read the section in the manual regarding Replaygain.  It's in the chapter regarding Playback Settings.

[yapper]

Note that Rockbox can use information in your music files to achieve the effect you require through ReplayGain, but you will need to use an external (PC-based) program to add the information to your music files first.

There is a description here: http://www.bobulous.org.uk/misc/Replay-Gain.html explaining how to do this. I've not read the article completely, but at a glance it seems to be correct.

[JEJ]

Thanks so much. I'll play around with the settings and if I get stuck I'll ask again.

[Febs]

You'll see this in the manual, but you'll need to use a program to scan your files and add the Replaygain information.  I use foorbar2000 for this:  http://www.foobar2000.org/

[robin0800]

Do you know of a Linux program that can do replay-gain?

[Febs]

I checked the Hydrogen Audio wiki, and it links to this article, which you may find useful:
http://www.bobulous.org.uk/misc/Replay-Gain-in-Linux.html

[soap]

Do you know of a Linux program that can do replay-gain?

I'll admit to using Foobar2000 through WINE.

[AlexP]

I'll join soap in recommending foobar under wine - I use it too.  Replaygain on linux just isn't well supported.

[JEJ]

I had been procrastinating on this for 2 1/2 months because most of my music is on a 4 GB smdcard and I would had have to erase them all, fix them in the computer and then doing the tedious task of copying them to the Sansa's HD and then in batches moving them to the card.

Now with upgrade to the new RB version I did this to the files in the Sansa (HD and card). Another great advantage of the USB support.