Currently we have a haphazard mix of linear (0 to +/- 1.0) and dB labels. For example:
- Track Gain: Linear
- Amplification: dB
- Track scale (default): linear
- Meters (default): dB
- Pan / Balance: linear
- Normalize: dB
- Generators (built-in): Linear
- Contrast: dB
- Plot Spectrum: dB
My suggestion is that we have a setting in Preferences where the user can choose either dB or linear (0 to +/- 1.0), and then amplitudes are consistently shown in that form within the Audacity interface.
Here is a mock-up with “dB” selected. Note that this suggestion is only about how the numbers are displayed.
Some of the proportions look a bit weird in this image, which is due to the originating screenshot being made on a fairly high dpi display, and is not related to this proposal.