Audacity Forum

Long time lurker, first time poster!

I'm working on a stereo drum track which was recorded live. The volume of the right channel is more or less consistent throughout but the left one varies. I want to make the peaks of the left track all the same as the volume increase during certain parts is quite jarring. I've attached a picture to show what I'm talking about. I assume I need to use some sort of compression but could anyone give me some instructions?

Also, as it stands, the left track is quieter than the right. How can I bring the volume of the left track up so it matches the right track?

Many thanks.

The Compressor effect would be it. Compression can be tricky and every situation is different, so you'll have to experiment. You'll want a fairly fast attack time, and since compression reduces peaks you'll need to use the Make-up Gain option. Try to make the adjustments by ear... It's rarely a good idea to go by the look of the waveform.

You can also try the Hard Limiter effect. Again limiting will also reduce the peaks, so you'll probably want to use some make-up gain. (This time, you'll need to use the Amplify effect for make-up gain.)

Also, as it stands, the left track is quieter than the right. How can I bring the volume of the left track up so it matches the right track?

. Select one quiet channel and apply the Amplify effect.

Note that 0dB is the "digital maximum" (although Audacity can temporarily go higher because it works in floating-point). So it's usually best to reduce the loud channel rather than boosting the quiet channel. I'd recommend the following procedure:

1. Select the loudest-sounding channel and reduce the volume (by ear) to match the quieter-sounding channel.

2. With both channels selected, apply the Amplify effect. The default setting will adjust the volume as needed for "maximized" 0dB peaks. Note that since both channels are being adjusted together, only one channel may hit 0dB. (The peak level does not correlate well with perceived loudness, so matching the peaks won't necessarily match the loudness.)

I want to make the peaks of the left track all the same as the volume increase during certain parts is quite jarring.

Sometimes drums (and music in general) are supposed to be dynamic and exciting! ....To me, the left channel looks better than the right channel, and the right channel looks like it's been limited. But like I said, you shouldn't go by the look of the waveform, you should go by the sound. And, the modern trend is highly compressed & limited recordings for that constantly-intense, constantly-loud, sound.

The easiest way to adjust the left/right balance is to use the track "pan" slider. http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/au ... s.html#pan

Fantastic! Found exactly what I was looking for thanks!