Charlie / Guitarhacker:

Do your comments refer to songs you are working on as background for recording or for "live" playing??

As per Notes' "insights", I seldom do any compressing but, like him, I'm using my MP3s for playing "live". If it's a BIAB or RB file, I'll record it using Audacity and do the normalizing there before exporting as an MP3.

If the file has just one or 2 wild spikes, I use the Effect > Amplify function to tame them. If there are many spikes (say drum hits), I go back to the original BIAB/RB file, and tweak the track(s) to better fit in the mix.

All of that being said, I don't worry too much about it, as I'm not "playing out" professionally, i.e. for $$, only for "volunteer" entertainment.

Thanks to all of you for your comments.
All valuable information.
I'll let you know how I make out with MP3Gain.

LLOYD S