Master Volume for multiple tracks?

[kwmonster]

After I record several tracks and get them mixed how I like, I see the levels are spiking. I don't want to have to individually adjust each track. Is there just a master volume where I can lower everything all at the same time? I see a button that says MASTER but it doesn't do anything.

I looked all over the forum and couldn't find this question, sorry if i'm repeating it.

[steve]

I looked all over the forum and couldn't find this question, sorry if i'm repeating it.

No problem - it's a good question.

There's a couple of possible "solutions":

As you are using Audacity 1.3.12 (if you're using an earlier version you should update), you can mix tracks and have them (temporarily) go over 0 dB without distorting provided that the project "Default Quality" setting is "32 bit (float)". See "Edit menu > Preferences > Quality" and ensure that the "format" is set to "32 bit (float)".
So all you would need to do is to "Mix and Render" (Tracks menu) all of the tracks into a single track, then use the "Amplify" effect to bring the peak level down to 0 dB (or a little below 0 dB).

Another method is to select All of the audio (Ctrl+A) and then use the "Amplify" effect and apply a small amount of negative amplification to all of the tracks. If the same number of (negative) dBs amplification is applied to all track, the relative loudness of each track will be unchanged.

[kwmonster]

Steve, thanks! The Mix and Render trick is a pretty good workaround.

I noticed when I adjust volumes with the sliders or the envelope feature I get good results, but when I push the audio down with the Amplify effect it sort of garbles the sound after I export to MP3. I wonder what I'm doing wrong there? I record in 44100Hz. It seems to be the worst on acoustic guitars.

It sure would be nice if there was a master volume slider though. It seems like there's supposed to be one...maybe on the new 1.3.12 version, but it doesn't do anything (for me anyway).

Thanks again Steve!

KW

[steve]

It sure would be nice if there was a master volume slider though.

I've posted this as a "feature request" here: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 20&t=45231
If you would like to add your support or make any comments about this, please feel free to do so in the new topic.

[kwmonster]

Steve
thanks sir