GRUMPYOLDGUY
1000+ Head-Fier
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actually I thought it was the opposite.
I was under the impression that when your computer volume set at 100% that is the normal volume of the track and that is when you are getting nominal line level output. any volume changes below 100% is digital attenuation (reduction of the strength of the signal). when you digitally reduce the signal, sometimes the result has to be rounded off. aka 4-bit value of 13 halved by digital attenuation would result in 7 (since 4-bits words has to be represented by whole numbers), so that is not as accurate as the original 15.
I believe you can get digital clipping is if the software processing the amplitude of the signal goes beyond largest positive value that can be represented. aka when a value of 2000 is doubled to 4000, but the maximum value that can be represented is only 3000. but I don't think that would happen with most recorded songs unless you artificially alter the signal strength.
There are programs that can push the digital volume beyond the 100% and that is when you get issues with clipping and distortion. Programs like MP3gain would be an example would digitally alter the signal to boost volume which can lead to distortion. Sound enhancements like loudness equalization or "set volume for all songs the same" options can push songs above 100% which can create distortion, so best turn it off those enhancements.
what I've always heard was to max source, max media player (only to 100% as some programs can go above that with >100% settings or dB boost settings), and control volume with amp only.
basically the concept is that you want to leave the digital volume alone and only play with the analog volume control. (edit: and if you are worried about software processing, then perhaps have the media player volume a bit lower but I am unsure about this)
however, I am not an expert on the topic, so I would love to read other people's thoughts.
Have you generated a test file, played it out at max volume, and recorded it so if it really is at full scale or gained?
I haven't. So I wouldn't risk it.
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