Dynamic compression works very well for me, attached is the settings that I have it, BUT for some reason it always makes the first second of my audio extremely quiet. It doesn’t do this for any other section of the audio, just the very first second. I can’t figure out how to fix it! Any thoughts? Thank you so much!
First and Last segments of a compressed show are always challenging. The business of making any point the show harmonious with the segments before and after stops working.
Does it work better if, as a test, you put a second of silence before the show and then compress?
Koz
I’ve just tried inserting a second of silence before the recording and it still has this problem. thanks, though!
Using the same settings as you it’s not happening here.
This is the first 1.5 seconds, before and after compression:
So Steve, it doesn’t happen every time. I can’t really predict when it’s going to happen, or what circumstances are different when it does happen. It’s always my voice, always at the same cadences. I think it MIGHT be happening when my first word is louder? Because when I say everything very monotone at the same level, it doesn’t happen. It seems like maybe I have to start every track speaking quietly… but that really doesn’t seem like it makes sense.
If you could post a short sample that demonstrates the problem (just a few seconds in WAV or FLAC format), then we may be able to see what is going on.
See here for how to post an audio sample: https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/how-to-post-an-audio-sample/29851/1
Great idea! Here is one I just did. This is the before and after of compression.
You’re so helpful, Steve, thank you so much!
Look in “Help > About Audacity”. What version number is your Audacity?
This is the “after” that I’m getting using Audacity 2.1.0
Steve you’re a brilliant genius!! that MUST be the problem. Before I download this, though… will it re-set all of my settings? I have everything just the way I want it…
Thank you!
Furthermore, if I update will I lose my installed pluggins? Thanks
On Mac, the Audacity version you have can be found at Audacity > About Audacity… . It’s always best to give us your version of Audacity and Mac version to begin with.
Installing 2.1.0 will not change settings that are comparable with the Audacity version you have now. Settings for features that have been changed since your old version may not necessarily be respected.
If you have weird behaviour in 2.1.0, then you can quit Audacity, open Finder, type:
~/Library/Application Support/audacity/
and in that “audacity” folder, delete the “audacity.cfg” settings file.
Gale
That depends how you install and what format these plugins are.
If you try to merge the new Audacity folder with the old one, Mac will ask you what to do. “Keep newer” or similar will let you keep files that are already in the Audacity Plug-ins folder. “Replace all” or similar will delete all plugins that are not shipped with 2.1.0.
If you are concerned, copy the third-party plugins that are currently in the Audacity Plug-ins folder to your Desktop. Drag the entire Audacity folder from /Applications or wherever you have it to Trash. Install 2.1.0 then copy your plugins back into the Audacity Plug-ins folder.
Audio Unit plugins are installed on the system and Audacity will continue to see those however you install Audacity.
Gale