Recording/Playback at a Specific dB level

[Hett87]

What I am trying to do is record a section of audio at a constant volume, and then be able to play it back at specific dB levels. I'm not sure how appropriate this question is, but if anyone could help I would be very greatful!

[kozikowski]

<<<record a section of audio at a constant volume >>>

Live audio? Can you buy the performers a cup of coffee and can they drink it?

That first step pretty much lets Audacity out. Audacity will not apply filters in real time, so if the performers get louder, Audacity will get louder.

Carefully controlled recording volume and music recording tend to be different because recording compressors and processors usually mess up music, but that's how it's done. Ir you can record the performance with all its variations and apply compressors later to even out the volume. That's a snap. Chris's Compressor is a grand master.

After you figure out how to record your performance, then you can use the Audacity Amplify tools to present the work at any dB level you want, including overload.

So what's the actual job and who is the actual performer?

Koz

[Hett87]

Its ok I dont need to do it in real time, it is for recording the stimuli for an experiment. Basically, all it will be is a section of narrative, that I will need to play back at different volumes. I just need to be able to specify the dB level of playback to correlate with the dB of an individuals minimum threshold of hearing capability.

[kozikowski]

Old fashioned VU meters were a lot better at this than digital peak meters. That's why VU meters hung around in hearing tests and research for years. They would tell you approximate loudness.

Anyway, once your "show" is on the timelilne, Effect > Amplify and you can pick any gain or loss you wish and you can do it in one dB jumps. Again, not in real time. Effect, wait, play. I think you may be able to do it in 0.1 dB steps, but nobody can hear that. Many people can't hear a 3dB change in volume.

Then you UNDO and change the level to a different value. Again, not in real time. It's not like changing the attenuator knob on a hearing testset. You may find it good to create a number of shows at different levels and present them as needed. That will be faster.

You can stack several shows one over the other on new tracks (in Audacity 1.3) and use the solo buttons at each track and spacebar play to rapidly switch.

Koz

[Hett87]

Many Thanks, I will give it a go!

[collin17]

how can I turn down the recording levels , they are coming in to loud and distorting and unable to listen to at any time wheather play back or recorded, these are all vinyl 45s

[steve]

If you are using a USB turntable, look underneath it and see if there is a volume control.

[collin17]

If you are using a USB turntable, look underneath it and see if there is a volume control.

no volume control any where it is a usb turntable made by tevion is there anything i can add to the usb cable

[steve]

Have a look in the Windows Control Panel in the "Sounds and Audio Devices" section. Look in the Audio tab and in "Recording > Volume", see if you can set the level there.