New to 1.3

[Joseph Witchard]

After two years of having no time to get this done, I'm looking into doing the third episode of my website's podcast, as soon as I'm done with my surgery at the end of this month.

First off, I've never once used 1.3, so I'm wondering if there's anything new I need to be aware of in relation to the questions I asked in http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 12&t=14203.

Second, I have a couple of new questions. I listened to our second episode on my iPod, and the volume of our voices didn't seem to be loud enough compared to the other podcasts I listen to at that volume setting on my iPod, all of which sound perfect. What's the best way, either in recording or post-recording editing, to make our voices not too loud and not too soft? Also, how do you reduce the size of MP3 files? Keeping in mind, of course, that I don't really know the typical file size of a 30-60 minute podcast.

Thanks!

[steve]

First off, I've never once used 1.3, so I'm wondering if there's anything new I need to be aware of in relation to the questions I asked in http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 12&t=14203.

That topic meanders across several subjects, so I don't know "which" question you are asking about.

When recording, aim for a peak recording level of about -6 dB (half the track height).
After recording (and any mixing), Amplify the track up to -1 dB.
If the track is still not loud enough you will need to use "dynamic compression" to make it louder. http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Compressor

For speech only MP3s - make the track mono - make a back-up WAV file - Try "Variable bit-rate, Quality 9". If the sound quality is not good enough (only you can judge), then try quality=8 (larger file size + better quality). Increase the quality setting as necessary until you find the smallest file size that is "good enough" quality.

[Joseph Witchard]

How do I do all that? And thanks.

[steve]

See here: http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Tuto ... _Recording

[Joseph Witchard]

What should I set the track to when saving it as an MP3 with soundtrack music (like intro/outro music)? Still mono?

[steve]

Podcasts are usually best in mono as that allows the file size to be smaller, so faster download for the audience, faster upload for you and less bandwidth for your server.

If you Import a stereo audio file, then it will make a stereo audio track in Audacity, regardless of the recording settings. To make a stereo track into mono, select the track then "Tracks menu > Stereo Track to Mono".

When you Export a project that contains only mono tracks and assuming that you have not adjusted the pan position of any tracks, then the Exported file will also be mono.

There's quite a good tutorial for making a podcast: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Creat ... h_Audacity

[Joseph Witchard]

Good tutorial. Thanks

I have a couple of co-hosts who record with me over Skype, then I edit the whole podcast together into one file. Should we save our individual tracks into a .wav file before editing them all together into an MP3?

You said amplify to -1 after recording and mixing. You meant Amplification, right? Not New Peak Amplitude?

[steve]

You said amplify to -1 after recording and mixing.

Like this:

Amplify_002.png (18.34 KiB) Viewed 754 times

[Joseph Witchard]

Thanks Should my friends and I save our individual tracks as wavs before mixing the whole file into an MP3?