Audacity Forum

I'm having trouble figuring out how to insert the compressor plug-in as an insert. I want to compress AS I record and not apply compression after I record. I give up trying to figure this simple process out and I'm used to using Logic Pro!

Audacity does not support real-time effects while it is in data capture mode (recording). All effects have to be applied after the data capture.

It's just the way it is - it would take a lot more more processing power - and huge amounts of programming effort from the developers to support real-time effects while recording.

WC

Thanks WC. I'm trying to find a freeware audio editor so my girlfriend can do some interview recording with her Powerbook. Do you know of one that will do the following: provide simultaneous recording of two mono tracks while using a compressor on the inputs, mac compatible, free.

Use Logic Pro?

I recorded the whole vocal track for a theatrical short using a PowerBook and Audacity (and a quiet room), but I did it with an external sound mixer. Macs tend not to have microphone inputs, so if you start out life with just two reasonable quality microphones and a PowerBook, you can't get there from here.

Any small stereo mixer should do this for you. Pan the microphones left and right and Audacity will give you a stereo show easily split off into two mono tracks, interviewer on one side and talent on the other. I record a company-wide meeting each week like this; lecturer one one side, questions on the other.

The mixer is where you put the auto compressor.

Some will tell us you can use USB microphones, but that violates one of your requirements. Audacity will only recognize one "Sound Device" and each USB microphone looks like one device.

Oh, and you need to deal with the fact that PowerBooks wait until the worst possible time for the internal fan to kick in. That's not very loud until you get into a very quiet room struggling to hear somebody with mic fright.


I know people who use a Mini DV camcorder for this. Many support external microphones and all have auto leveling. Leave the lens cap on and park it in your run bag with two wires snaking out. 60 minutes a pass until the batteries run out--and it gives you time code for later editing.

Koz

I'm pretty well-versed in recording and already have 2 higher-end condensers and a 2-channel usb powered mic preamp/audio interface I bought specifically for this. My main interface is a MOTU 896HD. I'm trying to make this totally portable so that one will not work besides it weighing like 15 lbs. Neither the Mac nor the interface need ac power. That's why I'm wanting to use a compressor plug-in as a channel insert through software. I'd throw Logic on her laptop but Logic is quite a beast and she has never messed around with audio software. This is why I was looking into something simple like Audacity. I will be using long runs of Mogami mic cables so the laptop fan will be in another room. I just now realized that maybe Garageband will do what I need. Off to take a look...plus that's already on her machine.
Thanks,
Eric

Synthfreek,

have you considered portable digital recording devices? The Zoom H2 has beev much discsussed on the formus recently - IIRC stevethefiddle wrote about buying one and posted a clip of sound recorded with it.

WC

I did look into a few of those as well. I'd like the Marantz myself.

Maybe a little more background on this project will shed some light. My girlfriend has several relatives who are in their 90's who she'd like to document some of their amazing stories so she can have something to remember them by. They will not be around much longer.

Since I have a Macbook and some good mics I figured a little usb/firewire mic pre interface and some freeware software would be the best bet. I can also use this interface myself if I want to do some field recording. As it turns out it looks like Garageband will do what I need and it's already installed on the machine so I'm just going to set up a recording template and teach my girlfriend how to use it. I'm sure I won't have a problem since I've been using Logic for 5 years now.

Eric

<<<I figured a little usb/firewire mic pre interface >>>

Judging by all the USB and data problems posted here, that wouldn't be my first choice. Analog mixer with headphone connections and plug it into the MacBook Line-In. Keep that in your back pocket for when you post back here that your USB MicPre doesn't want to work reliably.

There is a forum posting I'm working on where an Edirol USB interface shows up in the Mac Systems Panels--but not Audacity, and there's no reason why not. It just doesn't.

There is another posting of someone having trouble with a USB interface to a turntable. We gave up and I gave her all the part numbers to do it completely analog (US$35). I expect it to work first time out--not weeks later.

Koz

I've got everything installed and working fine. Not sure how to use a mixer with batteries though. I want this to be totally portable and not have to rely on an electrical outlet. Oh well...I just did some test recording and it works fine.