When I record multiple files there's an automatic bass boost

[Passion4Muzik]

I have Windows XP and the latest version of audacity beta. I use the program for singing. Sometimes when I record additional parts, the playback is "bass boosted" or the sound is too intense in an area where there are harmonies. I used to use the old version on a different computer and that never happened. How do I put an end to this?

[steve]

(Topic moved to "Audacity 1.3.x")

I used to use the old version on a different computer and that never happened.

That was probably due to other factors and not the version of Audacity.

When you mix multiple tracks together, those tracks are in effect added to each other, which makes the resulting mix louder than the individual tracks (the mix is equal to the sum of the parts).

To prevent the mix from going into distortion, you must reduce the level of the individual tracks. If you use the track volume sliders to do this, then the process of reducing the levels is "non-destructive" (it does not actually change the audio data in the individual tracks).

To maintain the same balance between the tracks, apply an equal reduction to all tracks. For precise adjustment, double click on the track input slider and type the required level in the text box.

When you playback the mix, keep an eye on the playback level meter to make sure it does not hit 0.0dB (the maximum). You can grab the meter toolbar with the mouse and drag it around and resize it to make it easier to see. I have the meter toolbar stretched full screen width.

[kozikowski]

I'm betting you're not recording your microphone the second time. You're recording Mix-Out or other computer summation services. So what you're really doing is recording your own performance plus re-recording the original performance a little late. If you do that trick just right, the high frequencies will cancel out and the lows will survive.

This is the juggling act between being able to hear the drum and cue track playing back while you're singing, but not have it go back into the recording.

Mess around inside the Windows Control Panels...

Windows Control Panel
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel

I would have bet there was a tutorial on how to do this, but not that I could find. The Windows tutorial tells you how to record internet music on your PC. That's the exact opposite of what you want. If you do that all the time, then you have to close those sound pathways because I'm betting that's what's messing you up.

Koz

[Gale Andrews]

I'm betting you're not recording your microphone the second time. You're recording Mix-Out or other computer summation services. So what you're really doing is recording your own performance plus re-recording the original performance a little late...Mess around inside the Windows Control Panels...

Windows Control Panel
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel

I would have bet there was a tutorial on how to do this, but not that I could find....
Koz

This FAQ points you in the right direction.


Gale

[Passion4Muzik]

I also found out that I should be normalizing tracks before mixing them. I don't understand the reason, but sometimes the vocals on my tracks were low on the screen instead of being in the middle. When I normalize everything, I don't get that "bass boost" effect I spoke of and it doesn't matter how many tracks I have or mix as long as they are normalized. I uncheck the decibel level when I normalize as well.