Is there Auto Level Control in 1.3x (Beta)

[Arch]

Is there an Automatic Level Control on Audacity 1.3.x when recording? I thought I read this somewhere on Wiki or the Forums. Currently using (occasionally) 1.2.6 version, and like what it does. OS is Windows XP SP2.
I tried to use the Envelope feature in 1.2.6 but I couldn't seem to tweek it properly. I looked at some of the features in 1.3.11 but I am not knowledgable enough to tell for sure.

I'm thinking of installing 1.3.11 if I have some sort of Automatic Level Control on the Input. Please help me find this information either on Wiki or Manuals, etc.. Thanks....Arch

[steve]

Audacity has no Automatic Level Control while you are recording, but there are tools available that will do a similar job after you have recorded. However, it is important that you do not record too loud - the tools are not able to restore distorted sound that has been recorded too loud.

Audacity 1.3.11 is well worth the upgrade, though 1.3.12 is due out very soon (we are currently testing out the 1.3.12 "Release Candidate" and providing there are no unforeseen problems it will be out in a couple of days).

There is a plug-in called "Chris's Dynamic Compressor" which is available from here: http://pdf23ds.net/software/dynamic-compressor/
The downloaded file is called "compress.ny" - to get it, find the link that says "plugin source", then Right Click > Save As
Put the downloaded file into the Audacity plug-ins folder and restart Audacity. The effect "compress dynamics" will appear in the Audacity Effects menu.

To use the effect, select the track that you want to process, launch the Compress Dynamics effect from the Effects menu, set the "Compress Ratio" to about 0.7 and click OK.