Maximum Volume Setting in *.sms File?

[meeshu]

One can adjust the relative volume level within *.sms files by changing numbers under the VolumeCurve( statement.

For MSTS, I understand that the maximum number is limited to 1.0. But what is the maximum volume number allowed under ORTS? Can it exceed 1.0?

Sample volume statement -

ORTS_sms_volume_a.png

[OSRFan]

I have set volume levels above 1.0 for some horn wavs that are too quiet. I'll have to check, but one is set to 1.5. I always assumed it could be done.

[meeshu]

Yes. I think values higher than 1.0 can be used as seen in my screenshot. But not sure how high you can go? Experimentation time, I think.

[niknak]

I use 2 in some settings. I was once told on the forum that any increase over 1 only increases the distance that the sound is heard, rather than the volume.

[meeshu]

I've tried 2 for the volume value, and I think this does appear to increase the volume. But values greater than 2 do not seem to increase volume (noticeably).

[R. Steele]

I've tried 2 for the volume value, and I think this does appear to increase the volume. But values greater than 2 do not seem to increase volume (noticeably).

I've always read ( in the threads ) that Vol value 1.0 in an sms file equals 100%. That's as high as it goes. Usually someone recommend using audio software ( goldwave -- or one of the open software audio programs ) to adjust the volume characteristics of a particular wave file. I have no experience with this.

[meeshu]

Basically that is correct. It is my understanding that values such as 0.5 indicate volume is at 50% of original sound wave, and 1.0 indicates volume is at 100% of the original sound wave.

But, according to this recently discovered post - https://web.archive.org/web/20090701.../sms_doku.html it is mentioned that values up to 2 are and have been used to indicate that the original sound wav is played back at 200% of the original volume. And from my brief testing, it seems that the volume of sound waves does increase when using values up to 2.

It also seems that values in excess of 2 do not increase the volume any further (difficult to be certain as it is a somewhat subjective test, and not a scientific test by using sound level meters).

Yes, one can increase the volume (level) of original sound waves using audio editors which is very easy to so. However, many sound waves are already at their or near their maximum levels. If trying to increase sound levels further on these sound waves, then clipping and distortion will occur leading to basically an unusable sound wave.

[Erick_Cantu]

Your understanding is correct; full scale is the maximum volume that can be represented in digital audio. The same principle applies to SMS files. Don't get me wrong - sometimes global volume levels for a stream or an SMS above 0 can be useful for setting the gain level between streams or across an SMS when the author doesn't want to mess with volume curves that are already good but too low in volume overall, but, in general, when you enter values higher than 1.00 for the global volume level, you're not actually going to make things louder, you're just going to cause clipping and fighting between streams, which might elevate the average volume level in some cases, but usually comes at the cost of sounding like garbage.

Generally, it's better to lower the volume of anything that's too loud than raise the volume of anything that seems too quiet. Anyone who thinks otherwise simply doesn't understand how digital audio works.

[eric]

Before 200% was a thing...

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[niknak]

Before 200% was a thing...

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Spinal Tapping.......