[LAU] digital volume sounds better at 0 dB?

[Bearcat M. Sandor]

Julien Claassen wrote:
> Hi!
>   I can't really tell, what exactly should happen. But a digital 
> volume is best kep around 0DB (no attenuation). Easy to explain: In 
> digital sound, all the samples are numbers (usually integer, meaning 
> just whole numbers).
>   So the smaller you compress the realm of numbers (say from max 32768 
> to 50%), the differences in volume you can perceive are not as fine. 
> If you get really low down, the sound should be quite ugly. something 
> akin to distortion, if amplified.
>   I don't know about your bassy audiofeeling, but mayhap that's a side 
> effect,I just don't see, because I'm stupid when it comes to the finer 
> points. :-)
>   Kindly yours
>           Julien
>
> --------
> Music was my first love and it will be my last (John Miles)
>
> ======== FIND MY WEB-PROJECT AT: ========
> http://ltsb.sourceforge.net
> the Linux TextBased Studio guide
> ======= AND MY PERSONAL PAGES AT: =======
> http://www.juliencoder.de

Julien,

Thanks. That information is what i had suspected. I suppose i should 
clarify what i mean by 'better bass'. I mean less smeared. There is a 
leading edge to a cello string pluck that is not as present when the 
sound card attenuation is turned down.