Audacity Forum

What is the output level? I saw the term, but I'm not sure where it is located in Audacity.

And while I'm here, what should I set Audacity to when recording just people talking? Stereo?

If your goal is to produce a sound file, then there is no "output level." The volume is controlled by whoever plays the file. While you're producing the show, the output level is set by your headphone volume control.

Human voices are unstable while they're performing, so you have to leave a bit of room for them to get loud without distorting. I peak voices around -6 or so. Sometimes -10 or more if I know the performer if going to be dramatic.

A little low level can be easily cured in Audacity. A high level kills the show. There is no cure for overload or clipping.

I produce everything in Stereo, even a single person talking or performing. If the show really is one "thing" or performer, you can reduce the tracks to mono later for storage and take up half the amount of drive space with no damage. Stereo is what most people are expecting when they ask you to record a voice. This is particularly important if you have to combine that voice with other production material, most of which will almost certainly be in stereo.

Koz

How do you set or know what voices peak at?

The 10,000 foot view of that is you watch the sound level meters or indicators. That's why almost every recording device has some means to look at the level.

This is the reason there is no such thing as a simple Microphone to Line Level adapter. It's too easy to create serious show damage that way.

In my case, I make sure that the microphone and the sound mixer are in relatively safe territory (by looking at the meters and flashing lights) and then apply the signal to my Mac (PCs need an additional USB sound adapter for this). Then I use the Audacity red recording meters to set everything else. the computer will overload first, so if I keep the computer (Audacity) meters out of trouble, everything should be fine.

What kind of show and equipment do you have?

Koz

I'm doing a live human performance in front of a good microphone. This process has produced several good recordings for clients. If you're recording anything else, the rules can change a little -- but not a lot.

Producing a good recording in a nightclub is a college level course.

Koz

Well, I'm producing a podcast. I'm not 100% sure what equipment my cohosts have, but I'm using a Dell Studio 17 Laptop with a Plantronics headset to record.

Joseph Witchard wrote:How do you set or know what voices peak at?
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I'm using a Dell Studio 17 Laptop with a Plantronics headset to record.

A USB headset? When you record you should see a wiggly blue waveform appear on the recording track. The waveform should NOT touch the top or bottom of the track. Ideally it should use at least half of the height of the track for the loudest sounds.
Adjust the position of the headset microphone so that it picks up your voice well without getting blown on - the usual position is to have the microphone close to the corner of your mouth.