# mp3rgain
[](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
[](https://www.rust-lang.org)
[](https://crates.io/crates/mp3rgain)
[](docs/compatibility-report.md)
**Lossless MP3/AAC volume adjustment - a modern mp3gain replacement written in Rust**
mp3rgain adjusts MP3 and AAC volume without re-encoding by modifying the `global_gain` field in each frame. This preserves audio quality while achieving permanent volume changes.
## Features
- **Lossless & Reversible**: No re-encoding, all changes can be undone (MP3 and AAC)
- **ReplayGain**: Track and album gain analysis for MP3 and AAC/M4A
- **Zero dependencies**: Single static binary (no ffmpeg, no mp3gain)
- **Cross-platform**: macOS, Linux, Windows (x86_64 and ARM64)
- **mp3gain compatible**: Drop-in replacement with identical CLI
- **GUI Application**: Native desktop app for drag-and-drop workflow
## Installation
### macOS
```bash
brew install M-Igashi/tap/mp3rgain
```
### Windows
```powershell
winget install M-Igashi.mp3rgain
```
### Linux
```bash
# Debian/Ubuntu (.deb package from GitHub Releases)
# Download from: https://github.com/M-Igashi/mp3rgain/releases
sudo apt install ./mp3rgain_*_amd64.deb
# Arch Linux (AUR)
yay -S mp3rgain-bin # CLI (pre-built binary)
yay -S mp3rgui # GUI application
# Nix/NixOS
nix profile install github:M-Igashi/mp3rgain
```
### Cargo
```bash
cargo install mp3rgain
```
### Manual Download
Download binaries from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/M-Igashi/mp3rgain/releases).
## Quick Start
```bash
# Normalize a single track (ReplayGain)
mp3rgain -r song.mp3
# Normalize an album
mp3rgain -a *.mp3
# Manual gain adjustment (+3.0 dB)
mp3rgain -g 2 song.mp3
# Undo changes
mp3rgain -u song.mp3
# Show file info
mp3rgain song.mp3
```
## GUI Application
A native GUI application (`mp3rgui`) is available for users who prefer a graphical interface.
**Features:** Drag-and-drop, track/album analysis, one-click gain application, clipping warnings, progress indicators.
**Download:** [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/M-Igashi/mp3rgain/releases)
- `mp3rgui-macos-universal.tar.gz` (macOS)
- `mp3rgui-linux-x86_64.tar.gz` (Linux)
- `mp3rgui-windows-x86_64.zip` (Windows)
> **macOS users:** If you see "mp3rgui cannot be opened" warning, run:
> ```bash
> xattr -cr /path/to/mp3rgui
> ```
## Command-Line Options
| `-r` | Apply Track gain (ReplayGain) |
| `-a` | Apply Album gain (ReplayGain) |
| `-g <i>` | Apply gain of i steps (1 step = 1.5 dB) |
| `-d <n>` | Modify target dB level (use with analysis) |
| `-u` | Undo gain changes |
| `-k` | Prevent clipping |
| `-R` | Process directories recursively |
| `-n` | Dry-run mode |
| `-o [fmt]` | Output format: `text`, `json`, `tsv` (default: tsv if no argument) |
Run `mp3rgain -h` for the full list of options.
## Documentation
- [Roadmap](docs/roadmap.md) - Development plans and upcoming features
- [Security](docs/security.md) - Memory safety and CVE analysis
- [Compatibility Report](docs/compatibility-report.md) - Verification against original mp3gain
- [Technical Comparison](docs/COMPARISON.md) - Comparison with similar tools
- [Use Cases](docs/use-cases.md) - Integration examples (beets, headroom, etc.)
## Why mp3rgain?
The original [mp3gain](http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/) has been unmaintained upstream since ~2015 (though distribution maintainers continue to apply security patches). mp3rgain is a modern, memory-safe replacement written in Rust.
mp3rgain implements the **ReplayGain 1.0 algorithm** (89 dB reference level) for full compatibility with the original mp3gain. Loudness values will differ from EBU R128/LUFS-based tools (foobar2000, loudgain, ffmpeg loudnorm).
## Library Usage
```rust
use mp3rgain::{apply_gain, analyze};
use std::path::Path;
let frames = apply_gain(Path::new("song.mp3"), 2)?; // +3.0 dB
let info = analyze(Path::new("song.mp3"))?;
```
## Contributing
Contributions welcome! See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
## License
MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE).
## See Also
- [Original mp3gain](http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net/)
- [headroom](https://github.com/M-Igashi/headroom) - DJ audio loudness optimizer