How do I stop Spotify from auto adjusting volume?
Spotify uses a feature called volume normalization to adjust the playback volume of songs so that there is less variation between louder and quieter tracks. According to this Reddit post, volume normalization aims to standardize volume across tracks so that users don’t have to adjust their device’s volume as much when switching between songs.
This feature exists because the mixing and mastering of different songs can result in huge differences in perceived loudness. Songs with highly compressed and limited mastering will sound much louder than those mastered more dynamically. Volume normalization helps offset these differences so playlists have a more consistent volume.
Understanding Spotify’s Volume Leveling
Spotify uses volume leveling or audio normalization to adjust the loudness of songs so they have a more consistent volume level when played in a playlist or album (Source: https://support.spotify.com/us/article/audio-normalization/). This prevents the volume from getting drastically softer or louder when transitioning between songs.
The way Spotify accomplishes this is by analyzing each song and lowering the volume of louder parts that exceed the target loudness level. It also boosts the volume of quieter sections to meet the target level. This is an automated process applied to all songs on the platform.
The goal is to even out volume differences between songs, especially between newer loud mastered songs and older quieter recordings. It creates a more uniform listening experience rather than having to adjust the volume constantly (Source: https://support.spotify.com/us/article/audio-normalization/).
Why Spotify Changes the Volume
Spotify uses a feature called volume leveling or volume normalization to automatically adjust the volume between songs and podcasts. This aims to provide a more consistent listening experience so that users don’t have to constantly change the volume when switching between different content (1).
Volume leveling works by analyzing the loudness of audio files and then adjusting the gain to target a similar average volume. This prevents very loud or very quiet tracks from being disruptive by making them play at more moderate levels (2). Songs and podcasts can vary widely in how they were mixed and mastered, so normalization helps smooth out the volume differences.
While convenient in theory, Spotify’s volume leveling doesn’t always work perfectly in practice. Many users complain that it makes quieter songs even more quiet or boosts loud songs to uncomfortable levels. However, the intent behind the feature is to provide a seamless listening experience across diverse content.
Sources:
(1) https://community.spotify.com/t5/Desktop-Windows/Fluctuating-volume-levels-during-a-track/td-p/386256
(2) https://www.reddit.com/r/truespotify/comments/11b19rz/spotify_changes_my_volume_on_mobile/
Disabling Volume Leveling on Desktop
The process to disable volume leveling on Spotify desktop is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps:
1. Open the Spotify app on your desktop and click on the Edit menu in the upper left corner. Select Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, click on the Playback tab.
3. Under Volume Leveling, uncheck the box next to “Enable volume leveling.” This will disable the normalization feature that balances out the volume across songs and albums.
4. Click OK to save the changes.
Once volume leveling is disabled, you will notice the volume differences across tracks are more pronounced. This allows you to hear the music as the artist originally intended, without any audio adjustments from Spotify (1).
Disabling Volume Leveling on Mobile
To turn off volume leveling on mobile devices like iPhones or Android phones, go to your Spotify app’s Settings. Tap on “Playback” in the list of settings. Here you will see a toggle switch for “Volume leveling.” Tap on the toggle to switch it to the off position. This will disable Spotify’s audio normalization feature on mobile devices. Make sure to tap “Apply” to save your changes. You may need to restart the Spotify app for this setting to take full effect. Now your music playback volumes should remain consistent with the original audio levels.
As noted in this Reddit thread, turning off volume leveling can help avoid compressed dynamics and provide a more accurate listening experience, especially for high quality audio recordings: Spotify PSA: turn off volume normalization. Just keep in mind you may encounter more variation in volume across tracks after disabling normalization. But for most audiophile listeners, a bit of volume adjustment is worth retaining the original dynamics.
Using a Volume Booster App
One way to increase the volume of your Spotify music beyond the normalization level is by using a third-party volume booster app. Apps like VolumeBooster are designed specifically to override the volume limits set by streaming services like Spotify and give you more control over loudness.
Volume booster apps work by intercepting the audio signals from Spotify before they reach your speakers or headphones. The app then amplifies the volume to your desired level. This allows you to boost quiet songs and albums on Spotify to be much louder than what Spotify’s normalization would permit.
There are volume booster apps available for both desktop platforms like Windows and Mac, as well as mobile platforms like iOS and Android. Popular options include Volume Booster, Boom, Volume+, and Audio Amplifier. Most offer customizable volume sliders so you can fine-tune the loudness boost.
The main benefit of using a third-party volume booster app is that it gives you granular control over the volume level on Spotify, bypassing Spotify’s built-in normalization. This makes it easy to amplify soft albums or podcasts episodes to your preferred loudness. Just be careful not to boost the volume too high for extended periods, as it could damage your hearing or speakers.
Adjusting the Volume Yourself
One way to override Spotify’s volume normalization is to manually adjust the volume on each track or podcast episode you listen to. When you turn up the volume higher than Spotify’s normalized level, it will stay at that louder volume rather than getting reduced.
To adjust volume manually, simply use the volume slider or volume buttons on your device while a song or podcast is playing. Drag the slider to the right to increase loudness. This tuned-up volume will then stay applied to that particular track or episode, essentially overriding the normalization.
According to Spotify’s own loudness normalization support page, “Any manual adjustments by a user take precedence over normalization.” So turning up the volume on your end is an effective way to beat the normalization (source).
The downside to manual volume adjustment is that you have to do it for every track. But for many listeners who want consistent louder volume, taking the time to turn each song up is worth it.
Equalizer Settings
One way to adjust the playback volume on Spotify is by changing the equalizer settings. The equalizer allows you to boost or cut certain frequency ranges to customize the sound profile (Equalizer, n.d.). When volume leveling is enabled, Spotify may reduce the overall volume, especially for songs with a lot of bass or treble. By lowering the bass or treble EQ bands yourself, you can prevent Spotify from normalizing the volume as much. Alternatively, if you find the sound too flat, try increasing the mid-range frequencies or boosting the bass and treble bands slightly. This gives you more control over the frequency balance rather than relying on Spotify’s normalization. Just be careful not to overdo the EQ adjustments as too much boosting can degrade the audio quality. The ideal settings depend on your headphones and musical preferences. Experiment with small EQ changes until you find a customized sound you enjoy.
Overall, adjusting the EQ gives you some ability to shape the sound profile on Spotify, working around its normalization processing. Lowering the bass and treble ahead of time can prevent sudden volume changes. With a more balanced EQ setting, Spotify won’t have to turn down the peaks as much. So while you can’t disable volume leveling completely, some strategic equalizer adjustments can help minimize its impact.
Premium Account Options
Spotify Premium provides additional volume control options compared to the free version. Premium users can adjust the volume normalization setting, which helps balance the volume across tracks and albums. This feature aims to prevent songs from being noticeably louder or quieter than others when listening on shuffle or autoplay.
To disable volume normalization on desktop, go to Settings > Playback and toggle the “Enable volume leveling” option off. On mobile, go to Settings > Playback > Volume level and select “Loud”. This will turn off Spotify’s volume adjustment and play songs at their original and maximum volume levels.
Premium users also gain access to the full equalizer within Spotify, allowing manual adjustment of bass, mid, and treble levels. The equalizer can help boost quieter tracks or find the optimal sound profile for different audio equipment. To access it, go to Settings > Playback on desktop or mobile.
Lastly, Spotify Premium allows playback at higher quality bitrates up to 320 kbps, compared to 160 kbps for free users. The improved audio quality provides a richer, smoother listening experience. So upgrading to Premium provides more than just an ad-free experience – it unlocks additional volume and audio controls for a personalized sound.
Conclusion
Spotify’s volume leveling feature normalizes the volume across songs and albums to provide a more consistent listening experience. While this can prevent drastic volume spikes, some users find it reduces dynamic range or overrides their own volume preferences.
If you want to disable volume leveling on Spotify, the main options are to turn it off in the app settings on desktop and mobile, use a third-party volume booster app, manually adjust the volume yourself song-by-song, or modify the equalizer settings. Premium users can also turn off volume normalization in account settings.
Overall, Spotify aims to balance optimal listening quality with user control. While volume leveling is meant to improve the average user’s experience, power users have multiple ways to customize volume settings to their taste. Just be aware that disabling normalization may lead to more variation in loudness across tracks.