Feature request sent to YouTube

Feature request for playlists.

Because different videos can feature dramatically different sound levels, I was wondering if a "volume control" could be added to the playlist editing functionality so I could equalize the levels on a playlist? I envision this working exactly like the "Replay Gain" metadata tag for MP3 files (the source material is untouched, but the player adjusts the volume up or down based on the tag). Conversely, if you wanted to get fancy, just including an optional "normalize audio" check box for playlists would be more usable by people without audio production experience. This is a simpler UI for YouTube users, but would require all videos to have their audio scanned at some point (maybe when added to a playlist with this feature enabled if it hasn't been done before, or for new videos as they are uploaded going forward?) and then storing the normalization information as meta data. To introduce the feature, a "generate normalization tag" could be a manual feature for people that wanted to use it on older videos (so only videos people listen to would have this done). If this meta data was on most (or even all) YouTube videos, users could choose that all videos they watch have normalized audio (by selecting that in their Settings). The video player would just have to recognize that meta data tag and adjust the volume automatically and accordingly. I understand that YouTube may be doing active normalization of audio levels on at least newer videos as they are uploaded, there are problems with older videos it seems, and sometimes even normalized audio next to other normalized audio sounds quieter or louder, so I still think this would be a useful feature. Lastly, even if there was just a manual "flag for normalization" for videos that haven't had it done already, that would be a very helpful feature (and it would only need to be done once per video).

My latest creative project

Launched on May 2, 2021: The Passionate Friar on YouTube!

Here's a link to Show #1:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcbc6Su4uUe8yi__EUq4eGpA16m6bqTwx

And the description I wrote for it (by way of introduction):

The Passionate Friar is a radio show on YouTube that you can watch! Every Sunday at 8PM, I will post a new 1 hour show that will take you on a curated audiovisual journey with a mix of the music and videos and thoughts of well known and lesser known bands, artists, creative performers, and visionaries with an emphasis on great sounding music and, where feasible, innovative visual productions.

Because of my radio roots, the focus of the show is on the audio experience, and the goal is to be able to enjoy the ride with or without needing to look at a screen. With that said, I do hope to also bring you exceptional video productions because, well, this is YouTube and there's tons of great stuff to see. A caveat: if there's a song/audio I want to play and there's no video for it, I'm going to use the audio-only version (usually it will have a still or if I'm desperate, ugh, a slide show) so I can still share it with you. My segments are recorded live and in real-time, and presented without edits, as I watch the videos myself; and then inserted into the playlist to form the show. It's the closest I can come to a live broadcast, with no safety net and no do-overs, in this new format I have chosen to work with.

I did a weekly show on CKCU 93.1 FM in Ottawa, Canada for over 7 years, but voluntarily hung up my headphones on Feb. 7, 2018. I have dearly missed doing radio since then and believed I would always end up returning to the FM airwaves, but have grown restless waiting for the opportunity. I thought about podcasting or streaming or even doing an underground production, but the licensing aspect was always going to be a thorny issue (either trying to secure licenses for what I played, or dodging enforcement if I was going pirate). On Apr. 24, 2021 I came up with this idea for "Radio On YouTube" (I've talked to a few people and they seem to think this is a new idea, but I stand to be corrected... I can say that if I'm late to the game, fwiw I did come up with it independently).

The core of the idea is to duplicate the live broadcast radio experience as much as possible. The show will be written and produced, and then presented live just as I would my radio show (recorded live, in real time, and unedited). Instead of spinning vinyl or CDs, I am "spinning" YouTube videos. The format does come with some vexing limitations: I can't voice over the music on its way in or out, I can't mix the tracks into each other (one video stops and only then the next starts, often with a short pause), and a lot of videos for songs feature additional sounds or audio modifications not in the "album track". I hope that does not detract too much from the production, and maybe YouTube will one day introduce proper mixing features (overlaying and fading the end/start portions of videos to allow for slicker production)? That'd be cool and would open up a whole new world of possibilities on the platform!

As for my former FM radio show, as I write this, several are still available "on demand" (they age out eventually due to music licensing restrictions for the station), and all my playlists are available if you want suggestions on "new to you" music to check out.

https://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/371/index.html?filter=all