Hi everyone. I’m new to this forum and to Audacity. I installed Audacity on my 2012 Macbook Pro with Catalina OS. 2.6GHz quad i7, 16MGh 1600 DDR3. I have tried several test recordings and I have 2 problems. First, the waveform generated looks nothing like a proper waveform, it looks a bit like an expanded form but I checked and it’s not extended. Second, the people listening to my online can barely hear my voice even when I have the gain set about 75%. I also have low output sound in my studio even with the output power maxed. Anyone have suggestions? Thanks for helping a confused newbie!
it looks a bit like an expanded form
Right Click (Control+Click) on the left-hand range bar and make sure it says Linear and not dB.
DB range is misleading because that shows you the whole 60dB (or 90dB) range of sound. Linear only shows you roughly the loudest 24dB and that’s the one you have to satisfy for general audio production.
This is about what a normal sound recording should look like in Linear display.
I predict you’re going to find your blue waves are almost a flat line in linear display and that’s why they sound quiet.
barely hear my voice even when I have the gain set about 75%.
What’s the microphone or recording system? It’s not unusual for a home microphone volume control to work cranked all the way up, and even then could use some more.
There’s tricks with some microphones.
Koz