Audio-signal processing apparatus and method

Each of audio signals divided into several frequency bands are amplified per frequency band in accordance with gain characteristics that covers a sound-level range from a lowest level to a highest level of each signal. The range has a low range from the lowest level to a first level, a high range from a second level to the highest level, and an intermediate range from the first to second levels between the low and high ranges. The intermediate range has a transition point having a sound level higher than the first level but lower than the second level. Each signal is amplified such that a sound level of each signal is increased from the first level to the sound level of the transition point and then lowered from the sound level of the transition point to the second level in the intermediate range in accordance with the gain characteristics. The amplified audio signals are added and outputted.