From db01209f7765c33c09776704f66fc3ec05ee380c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: =?UTF-8?q?Sebastian=20Kr=C3=BCger?= <valknar@pivoine.art>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:23:33 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] feat: implement professional logarithmic dB scale for level
 meters
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Converted level meters from linear to logarithmic (dB) scale to
match professional audio software behavior and human hearing.

The Problem:
- Linear scale (0-100%) doesn't match perceived loudness
- Doesn't match professional DAW meter behavior
- Half-volume audio appears at 50% but sounds much quieter
- No industry-standard dB reference

The Solution:
- Convert linear amplitude to dB: 20 * log10(linear)
- Normalize -60dB to 0dB range to 0-100% display
- Matches professional audio metering standards

dB Scale Mapping:
  0 dB (linear 1.0)    = 100% (full scale, clipping)
 -6 dB (linear ~0.5)   = 90%  (loud)
-12 dB (linear ~0.25)  = 80%  (normal)
-20 dB (linear ~0.1)   = 67%  (moderate)
-40 dB (linear ~0.01)  = 33%  (quiet)
-60 dB (linear ~0.001) = 0%   (silence threshold)

Implementation:
- Added linearToDbScale() function to both hooks
- useMultiTrackPlayer: playback level monitoring
- useRecording: input level monitoring
- Formula: (dB - minDb) / (maxDb - minDb)
- Range: -60dB (min) to 0dB (max)

Benefits:
✅ Professional audio metering standards
✅ Matches human perception of loudness
✅ Consistent with DAWs (Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton)
✅ Better visual feedback for mixing/mastering
✅ More responsive in useful range (-20dB to 0dB)

Now properly mastered tracks will show levels in the
90-100% range, matching what you'd see in professional software.

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 lib/hooks/useMultiTrackPlayer.ts | 20 +++++++++++++++++++-
 lib/hooks/useRecording.ts        | 24 ++++++++++++++++++++++--
 2 files changed, 41 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/hooks/useMultiTrackPlayer.ts b/lib/hooks/useMultiTrackPlayer.ts
index 2bdd6bc..6b923ad 100644
--- a/lib/hooks/useMultiTrackPlayer.ts
+++ b/lib/hooks/useMultiTrackPlayer.ts
@@ -51,6 +51,23 @@ export function useMultiTrackPlayer(tracks: Track[], masterVolume: number = 1) {
     setDuration(maxDuration);
   }, [tracks]);
 
+  // Convert linear amplitude to dB scale normalized to 0-1 range
+  const linearToDbScale = (linear: number): number => {
+    if (linear === 0) return 0;
+
+    // Convert to dB (20 * log10(linear))
+    const db = 20 * Math.log10(linear);
+
+    // Normalize -60dB to 0dB range to 0-1
+    // -60dB or lower = 0%, 0dB = 100%
+    const minDb = -60;
+    const maxDb = 0;
+    const normalized = (db - minDb) / (maxDb - minDb);
+
+    // Clamp to 0-1 range
+    return Math.max(0, Math.min(1, normalized));
+  };
+
   // Monitor playback levels for all tracks
   const monitorPlaybackLevels = useCallback(() => {
     if (!isMonitoringLevelsRef.current || analyserNodesRef.current.length === 0) return;
@@ -73,7 +90,8 @@ export function useMultiTrackPlayer(tracks: Track[], masterVolume: number = 1) {
         }
       }
 
-      levels[track.id] = peak;
+      // Convert linear peak to logarithmic dB scale
+      levels[track.id] = linearToDbScale(peak);
     });
 
     setTrackLevels(levels);
diff --git a/lib/hooks/useRecording.ts b/lib/hooks/useRecording.ts
index a120a2b..a43cc13 100644
--- a/lib/hooks/useRecording.ts
+++ b/lib/hooks/useRecording.ts
@@ -66,6 +66,23 @@ export function useRecording(): UseRecordingReturn {
     selectedDeviceIdRef.current = deviceId;
   }, []);
 
+  // Convert linear amplitude to dB scale normalized to 0-1 range
+  const linearToDbScale = React.useCallback((linear: number): number => {
+    if (linear === 0) return 0;
+
+    // Convert to dB (20 * log10(linear))
+    const db = 20 * Math.log10(linear);
+
+    // Normalize -60dB to 0dB range to 0-1
+    // -60dB or lower = 0%, 0dB = 100%
+    const minDb = -60;
+    const maxDb = 0;
+    const normalized = (db - minDb) / (maxDb - minDb);
+
+    // Clamp to 0-1 range
+    return Math.max(0, Math.min(1, normalized));
+  }, []);
+
   // Monitor input level
   const monitorInputLevel = React.useCallback(() => {
     if (!analyserRef.current) return;
@@ -87,13 +104,16 @@ export function useRecording(): UseRecordingReturn {
         }
       }
 
-      setState((prev) => ({ ...prev, inputLevel: peak }));
+      // Convert linear peak to logarithmic dB scale
+      const dbLevel = linearToDbScale(peak);
+
+      setState((prev) => ({ ...prev, inputLevel: dbLevel }));
 
       animationFrameRef.current = requestAnimationFrame(updateLevel);
     };
 
     updateLevel();
-  }, []);
+  }, [linearToDbScale]);
 
   // Start recording
   const startRecording = React.useCallback(async (): Promise<void> => {