Multitrack playback bug

[Ianpb]

if a compensation feature were included then that could make the software more perfect than the modern mixing desk, and maybe many would prefer it that way. It would seem that whether you use the current method or a compensated method, either could have it's advantages and disadvantages, and therefore this feature could perhaps be made switchable. The fact is that progress will not occur with a "that's how it is" attitude.

That's why I pointed you to the "Feature Requests" to compensate for changing levels on tracks or increasing the track count. So if you don't like those ideas please write a couple of sentences that describes your proposed feature. And it's still not a bug that tracks add to the volume level. Gale

It would be really lame just to put out a feature request without thrashing out the pros, cons, and feasibility.

[Ianpb]

If Audacity is, as you say, merely a multitrack recorder

We probably shouldn't go too far down that pathway. Audacity is an Editorial Environment Production Manager. It's natural saved outputs are Audacity Projects not sound files. If you want a sound file bad enough, you have to Export one. Direct comparisons to physical processes and equipment can get cloudy and messy in a hurry.

Koz

What does that have to do with it? Two of Audacity's features are as a audio multitrack recorder and as an audio mixer. I would imagine many people use Audacity for music production before they move on to more advanced commercial products.

[steve]

Many people use Audacity alongside other music production tools, but I think that the point that Koz was making lies in his final sentence. Audacity does not aim to emulate hardware - if that's what you want then perhaps Reason by Propellerhead would suit you better. Audacity is a tool, which for many users provides a simple means to produce music recordings, podcasts, transfer vinyl to CD and many other uses. For other users it can be an extremely powerful tool for audio creation, manipulation and analysis. However you use it, it is a tool, (or perhaps better described as an integrated set of tools), but unfortunately providing free tools does not automatically turn everyone into master craftsmen.

[Gale Andrews]

It would be really lame just to put out a feature request without thrashing out the pros, cons, and feasibility.

So go ahead, if it's not possible currently to condense your idea into a couple of sentences.

At least one of the (former) Audacity developers was quite keen on an optional "Mix and scale" feature and there was some discussion about that and other ideas similar to those you see in the Wiki Feature Requests.



Gale

[Ianpb]

Many people use Audacity alongside other music production tools, but I think that the point that Koz was making lies in his final sentence. Audacity does not aim to emulate hardware - if that's what you want then perhaps Reason by Propellerhead would suit you better. Audacity is a tool, which for many users provides a simple means to produce music recordings, podcasts, transfer vinyl to CD and many other uses. For other users it can be an extremely powerful tool for audio creation, manipulation and analysis. However you use it, it is a tool, (or perhaps better described as an integrated set of tools), but unfortunately providing free tools does not automatically turn everyone into master craftsmen.

I use Mixcraft as my main advanced music creation software, but what has that to do with it? Audacity also provides a recording and mixing facility, and it does work for less demanding music production, but it could do with some improvement. I thought that was the idea of open source projects! It seems like many users would rather keep Audacity just as they know it rather than constantly improving it, but that is a recipe for stagnation and decline.

[steve]

it could do with some improvement

Please refer to the three posts by Gale Andrews.

[whbjr]

I created a track with a continual note being played by an electric organ, and noted the level at around -30.
I then copied this track and played both at the same time, this time the reading was about -24.
I then made six further copies of the first track, thereby now having eight duplicate tracks all at the same level, and when played together the output level was now about -12.

Am I missing something here? "I kept adding tracks, and it kept getting louder." I would call that A Good Thing, whether I was using software of the 21st Century or an analog-technology studio system of the 1970s (where I learned this craft).

If someone wants and auto-leveling button, that's great, but I'd consider that a big change from every system I've used in the past 40 years. (BTW, it pains me to admit that I've been at this for 40 years...)