So far as I understand both concepts of volume "normalization" for playing back of audio files ...
- the free public domain ReplayGain method invented by David Robinson
- the Microsoft patent of volume leveling
... they are not compatible.
A volume-levelled music file will have a different playback volume curve than a replay-gained music file.
The volume-levelled curve (minimizes the distance between peak value and average value (... how is that "average" calculated?)) seems to be rather different from the aurally loudness curve used by ReplayGain.
Will say ... the "mapping function" between the volume related audio data in the file and the volume related data played back is different between both concepts.
The MS volume-leveling method behaves somewhat like an audio volume compressor or limiter, where "the mapping function includes a first portion and a second portion;applying the first portion of the mapping function to audio data in the audio file when the amplitude of the audio data does not exceed a threshold value; and applying the second portion of the mapping function to audio data in the audio file when the amplitude of the audio data exceeds the threshold value.".
The volume leveling method modifies the dynamic range of the audio data at decoding time.
In short, it limits the audio dynamic. It lowers the peaks and raises the quiet passages.
(Maybe it helps to think of an AGC Automatic Gain Control.)
The ReplayGain method is intended to balance the aurally loudness (german: Lautheit) of one music file in relation to other audio files.
The ReplayGain method provides two options:
- calculate a loudness index related to the files within an album
- calculate a loudness index related to all files regardless of their context.
There are no changes to the audio dynamic.
I'm not sure about the audible effects which might occur, when both methods will be applied simultaneously.
Microsoft:
Patent application number: 20090323986
http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20090323986
To Use Dynamic Range Control
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd743806(VS.85).aspx
Google search for "Apparatus for Audio Normalization"
http://www.google.de/search?q=Apparatus+fo...o+Normalization
Replay Gain - A Proposed Standard by David Robinson
http://www.replaygain.org/
DD.20100703.0657.CEST
Edit.
DD.20100703.1930.CEST