(Using Windows 10 and Audacity 2.2.2) Question: What settings, processes, procedures, or methods need to be used to achieve an overall RMS measure between -23dB and -18B MS using Audacity software?
The Amplify effect turns the volume up or down. Amplifying by +6dB will amplify both the peak and RMS by +6dB (unless you run into clipping*). Entering a negative value (attenuation) will bring them both down by the same dB amount.
With linear amplification/attenuation the ratio (difference) between peak and RMS (or peak and average) is constant.**
Compression and/or limiting (especially limiting) can bring-up the RMS level without boosting the peaks. (This process will also boost the background noise.)
If you have some obviously-loud parts, you an “manually fade-down” the volume with the Envelope Tool.
*Audacity itself won’t clip, but WAV files, CDs, your analog-to-digital converter and digital-to-analog converter are all hard-limited to 0dB and if you try to go over, you’ll get clipping (distorted flat-top waves).
** Since decibels are logarithmic, the difference is a ratio.
Can we assume you’re reading for audiobooks?
There are some specialized tools you can use to get there.
Audiobook Mastering 4.
https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/audiobook-mastering-version-4/45908/1
This also features handy analysis tools to see if you meet audiobook sound submission standards. 18-23 is only one of the three readings.
Koz
These tools are for post production processing. Audacity doesn’t do any processing during recording.
Let us know how it goes.
Koz