Files exported are louder than the original

Audacity 3 Help Forum
1

Thanks for your help.

I have thousands of jazz recordings in a database. I’m selecting, and then importing, then editing, then exporting to my portable hard drive.

However the exported songs when played are much louder than the originals. Turning down the play back level at any stage in the process does nothing.

I can lower the level in Amplification and Compression, but that takes quite a bit of trial and error.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Kevin

2

The volume shouldn’t get changed “accidently”. There is a gain slider (and a balance slider) to the left of the waveform and sometimes that accidently gets moved.

Of course Amplify, Normalize, or other effects can change the volume so it depends on what kind of “editing” you’re doing.

You can check the peak level before you do any editing or anything by running the Amplify effect. Amplify will default to whatever change is needed for normalized/maximized 0dB peaks. i.e. If it defaults to +3dB, your peaks are currently -3dB. Then you can just make a note and cancel the effect without making any changes.

As the last step after editing you can run the Amplify or Normalize effect to set the peaks back where they were.

Do that before you export because if it’s too loud (if the peaks go over 0dB) the exported file can be clipped (distorted). If you re-import and lower the volume that doesn’t fix pre-existing clipping.

Or… Audacity can’t measure LUFS loudness but you can check your original file with the Yoiulean Online Loudness Meter .

Then again as the last step you can run Audacity’s Loudness Normalization to match the original LUDS level. After setting the loudness it’s a good idea to check for (potential) clipping by running Amplify again to check the new peak levels. If the peaks are over 0dB run it and accept the volume reduction t prevent clipping. Otherwise, it’s just a check and you can cancel the effect.

…Unlike Amplifying or normalizing, dynamic compression is non-linear and it changes the sound.

3

Doug,

Thanks very much, I’ll experiment with all your suggestions!

Kevin