Chromecast Audio - Volume Ceiling or Volume Leveling of Tracks Played in YouTube Music Randomly Low?

[DZLRULZ]

I am using 2 separate Chromecast Audios that have been in place for years, working fine.  I have been recently experiencing what seems like incorrect volume leveling of tracks.  In many cases, the tracks on the same album have very different volume ceilings; meaning Track 1 is 100% volume and Track 2 is something like 60-70% volume.  Track 3 may be 100% or 60-70%.  This seems to affect any album that I have tried.  I end up having to keep adjusting the volume, which is terrible for usability.  

I really enjoy using these to cast music with voice commands from another Google Home device or from my phone, so I hope there is a simple fix / way to revert to the proper volume leveling.

Cast Firmware: 1.56.281627 

For reference, the same tracks played from YTM with Bluetooth or USB-C DAC from a phone are all leveled properly.

This error seems to have started about 2 weeks ago, maybe 3.

Thanks.

[Dan_A]

Hi DZLRULZ,

That certainly hasn't been easy for you ― are both your Chromecast Audio doing the same volume change at the same time? Are they in an audio group? Album aside, have you tried recreating your concern by first playing a random song then have it play another random song? Does the next random song change volume?

Let’s go ahead and reboot both your Chromecast Audio for 3-5 minutes. Also, try the steps on this link about changing sound settings, especially the full dynamic range. Kindly include this article for more details about surround sound.

Keep me posted.

Best,

Dan

[DZLRULZ]

They are not in an audio group, they are in separate rooms and sourcing audio for completely different speaker systems.  

I had already tried various sound settings and full-dynamic range seemed to have no effect on the volume shifts.  Both systems are full-range with low/mid/high drivers and set to full-dynamic-range as they should be.  

I have not tried random songs, but the same songs when played from my Android phone with USB-DAC have no volume shift, they sound normal.  Source in all cases is YouTube Music.  

An interesting event:  Songs are seemingly playing all at the same volume level now, but they are all low.  Same albums, same setups, same CCA firmware.  I had to adjust the gain on my mixer higher to peak at 0.  None seem too loud, but all are lower volume now.  I did not change anything on the sources.

[Dan_A]

Hi there,

That's interesting indeed! Is it happening on all songs on other music platforms other than YouTube? Are you able to change the volume while both Chromecast audios are on the same volume level? And when you said low volume, how low is it when 10 being the highest?

Thanks,

Dan

[Jeran]

Hey there CLKc,

Do you have any more questions or need any additional help? 

Thank you,
Jeran
 

[Jeran]

Hey DZLRULZ,

Do you have any more questions that we can address? If not, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread in 24 hours.

Just checking up,
Jeran
 

[DZLRULZ]

I do not believe I changed anything, this error was a result of the way the audio stream was processed by Chromecast Audio; and I would propose that the volume leveling should be a user-selectable option in the software, not forced on us.

Thanks.

[Dan_A]

Hello again,

Could you play a different song or artist that's not from your playlist. Before doing that, reboot your Chromecast Audios first including your WiFi to refresh its connection.

Tell me how it goes.

Beset,

Dan

[Dan_A]

Hi there,

I wanted to follow up and see if you still need help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Regards,

Dan

[Dan_A]

Hello everyone,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we'll be locking this thread if there is no update within 24 hours. If you need assistance or want to discuss topics, feel free to start a new thread.

Cheers,

Dan