How to get specific envelopes w/Envelope Tool?

[dgpretzel]

I would like to create a specific amplification profile for a track, but don't know how to do it.

I have an audio track. I would like to specify certain points along the track for certain levels (or, more precisely, certain changes in levels). For example, I would like to start at the current level. Then, starting at a certain point, and continuing to the next point, I want to fade up the level by 6 Db. Then I want it to remain at that level until the next point. At the next point I want to suddenly drop the level by 3 Db. Etc., etc.

The control points in the Envelope Tool would be perfect for this, except that I don't know how to specify them quantitatively. I mean, I can't see how to move a control point so that it changes the amplitude by specific numeric amounts.

Might anyone know how to do this?

Thank you.

DG

[Trebor]

... want to fade up the level by 6 Db...I can't see how to move a control point so that it changes the amplitude by specific numeric amounts ...

Try viewing the waveform with the dB scale.

[dgpretzel]

Thank you, Trebor. I do that-- it's the only way I view my waveforms. But, you have to eyeball and guestimate... I think. Is there a readout somewhere that displays the dB level as you move the control point up and down? If not, then, it seems to me that you have to eyeball the vertical scale. That might get me within 5 dB of any particular value (if I'm lucky).

What I would like to learn is either:
1) There is a way to script the envelope profile I want; or
2) There is a way to display accurately the current value of the control point dB level.

Thank you.

DG

[dgpretzel]

I did some more searching, and saw that macros can be created in Audacity.

I need to learn about this capability. Maybe it is the answer to what I would like to do.

DG

[dgpretzel]

Well, that didn't take too long.

I could be misunderstanding big time, but, it appears that the macro ability is for menu items, and not "Tools" themselves. Since envelopes and control points are set by direct use of the cursor, and not by menu selections, I'm thinking that Macros just don't apply to something like creating an envelope with control points set at specific points in time, and at specific levels. Actually, specific relative levels-- like the "Adjustable Fade" effect.

I welcome any comments.

Thank you.

DG

[dgpretzel]

I've started to use "plan B".

I've carefully put labels at the places I want to change levels (either suddenly, or gradually by using Adjustable Fade). BTW, I'm doing this with spot mics from piano, xylophone, and other instruments in a wind ensemble that can use a little help in reinforcing them so that they have better definition in the context of the larger ensemble. Then, after the labels are placed, I go back and, segment by segment, apply the Amplify (or Adjustable Fade) Effect to achieve what I want.

Suggestion: Might be a nice feature to have a special class of labels (maybe call them triggers) that you can place, and they invoke effects. Sort of a graphical way to program automated Effects.

Regards,

DG

[Trebor]

What I would like to learn is either:
1) There is a way to script the envelope profile I want ...

There is a plugin called dynamic mirror which will copy the envelope of one file (template?) onto another ...

[steve]

Suggestion: Might be a nice feature to have a special class of labels (maybe call them triggers) that you can place, and they invoke effects. Sort of a graphical way to program automated Effects.

One of the long term plans for Audacity is to have "controller tracks" of some type (may be an "overlay" on audio tracks). The idea being that it can change parameters of an effect at specified points in the track. For example, you turn on an effect at 10 seconds, and turn it off again at 20 seconds, or you could change an effect gradually. No-one is working on this yet, but there's general agreement among the development team that we would like something along these lines eventually.

[dgpretzel]

Thank you.

Nice to hear about the future plan you mentioned.

Regards,

DG