me again- Losing sound qaulity when exporting to MP3

[TheKillerQueen]

Before exporting, save the project, then:
Ctrl+A (select All)
Tracks menu > Mix and Render
Effect menu > Amplify
File menu > Export.

If the result is still not loud enough, use a compressor and/or a limiter on the one-track mix down and export a new (louder) version.

If you want to return your project to "multi-track", use "Edit > Undo" or Ctrl+Z to step back through the Undo history.

Hi Steve,

The mix and render with amplify actually made it about a quarter quieter. What do you mean on how to use the compression? Sorry I'm new to the whole effect sort of stuff.

Thanks again

[steve]

The steps that I gave will give the highest level possible for the current mix without clipping (distorting) because the "Amplify" step brings the level of the mix up to a peak level of 0 dB (and attempting to go higher than 0 dB causes distortion.
To get "louder" than that, you need to use "dynamic range compression". In effect, this means "squashing" the waveform so that the loud bits and quiet bits are closer to the same volume (louder) volume.

When you look at the waveform, do you see a few spikes that are a lot bigger than most of the rest of the audio? (a screenshot or audio sample could help here).

[TheKillerQueen]

That does make sense. Heres the mix and rendered waveform

[steve]

Those big spikes at just after 1 minute and around 1:30 are close to 0 dB and so prevent the Amplify effect from making the track louder without clipping those spikes.
What you could do is to use a "limiter" to limit those spikes to say -6 dB, which would then allow the track to be amplified by an additional 6 dB without clipping.
There is a plug-in called "Brick Wall Limiter" that will do both the "limiting" and the amplification in one step. It is available here: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 98#p150498
Instructions for installing plug-ins: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Downl ... g_Plug-ins

Try the Brickwall limiter with left and right set to 6 and the "hold" at the default setting.

[TheKillerQueen]

Those big spikes at just after 1 minute and around 1:30 are close to 0 dB and so prevent the Amplify effect from making the track louder without clipping those spikes.
What you could do is to use a "limiter" to limit those spikes to say -6 dB, which would then allow the track to be amplified by an additional 6 dB without clipping.
There is a plug-in called "Brick Wall Limiter" that will do both the "limiting" and the amplification in one step. It is available here: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 98#p150498
Instructions for installing plug-ins: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Downl ... g_Plug-ins

Try the Brickwall limiter with left and right set to 6 and the "hold" at the default setting.

Thanks Steve, Brickwall has made it a tiny bit louder. I still have to have it turned all the way up, but its now a good volume.

I mix and rendered then used Brickwall. I still would like it 25% louder, but I dont want to ruin anything by overdoing it.

Amplify wont let me click on OK on anything + -17db, and if i add that before Brickwall then its quiet again

[steve]

What are those spikes?

[TheKillerQueen]

What are those spikes?

They are the multi voice effect (4 voices) for my chorus. Im not keeping that, im actually looking for a more megaphone type of effect but having no luck

[steve]

That is the part that is causing the mix to be quiet - "Amplify" will not allow you to push those above 0 dB. If you can find a suitable sound to replace those that does not have such huge spikes then you will be able to amplify the rest much more.
For a megaphone type effect, try a combination of the Equalization effect with the "telephone" setting and the "Leveller" effect with a "heavy" setting.

[TheKillerQueen]

That is the part that is causing the mix to be quiet - "Amplify" will not allow you to push those above 0 dB. If you can find a suitable sound to replace those that does not have such huge spikes then you will be able to amplify the rest much more.
For a megaphone type effect, try a combination of the Equalization effect with the "telephone" setting and the "Leveller" effect with a "heavy" setting.

Ah i see. I have tried loads of different ways of using levels, telephone effects, allsorts , but i can never get it to sound right. I can never get the levels just right.Its not me giving up. its just me getting demoralised that things arent working how i envision them in my head