Can't get ACX plug-in to appear in plug-in list (OS Big Sur)

[Numenal]

Any help appreciated. Using Audacity 2.3.3 After downloading the ACX check, didn't see it under Tools ---> add/remove plugins. Dragged it from my Downloads to Audacity's plug-in folder and changed the name so that it didn't end in "txt" but rather "ny" Tried both "ny." for the ending and "ny" without the period after it. Still didn't show up on the plug-in list. Have run out of ideas.

[kozikowski]

Audacity 2.4.2 is the latest stable build. That's recommended. There were some recent legacy versions with unfortunate problems.

https://www.audacityteam.org/

Attached is the latest ACX-Check (there have been two).

ACX-Check.ny

(4.39 KiB) Downloaded 18 times

Sometimes the Mac insists on "helping you" by adding bits and pieces to the filename. Not recommended.

Tools > Nyquist Plugin Installer.

It shows up under Analyze, not Effects.

Do you have your audiobook voice mastering down yet? Any trouble getting your studio to work right? Everybody goes straight for the microphone but if you have a good, quiet, echo-free room, most microphones work.

Koz

[kozikowski]

One more. Even if you do succeed in installing, you still have to Analyze > Add Remove.

Koz

[Numenal]

I just downloaded Audacity two days ago but I guess it wasn't the most recent?

I will look into that.

My recording area is very quiet. Kind of a room within a room. I have been practicing my narration to minimize the usual problems. Thanks for the info!

When you say Analyze ---> Add/ Remove, does that mean I don't have to implement the ACX download by going to Tools ---> Add/ Remove?

[steve]

"ACX Check" is a "Nyquist Plug-in".
Installation instructions are here: https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/ins ... st_install

[Numenal]

I understand that it's a Nyquist plug-in and I've gone over those instructions a few times. Thanks!

[kozikowski]

It is two steps.

Tools > Nyquist Plugin Installer puts ACX-Check in the right place on the Mac so it's available to Audacity to use. Analyze > Add Remove Plugins makes it available for you to use it.

A good quiet room is a terrific start.

You can use the Audacity bouncing sound meter and blue waves to set your voice volume.

This is approximately what it should look like for a general, average recording.



Home microphones generally come in quieter than that because too loud—maxing out either the blue waves or the bouncing sound meter creates overload damage and it's fatal.



Creating dead flat blue waves isn't good either. Those are usually too noisy

See how yours works.

Koz

[Numenal]

Thanks! What you've provided should give me the necessary components for a good setup.

I have additional layers of noise-reduction within the room.

[Numenal]

Also, quick question: why does Audacity have Add / Remove Plugins under three menu headings: Effects, Analyze and Tools?

[kozikowski]

Add / Remove Plugins under three menu headings:

Not everybody installs one plug-in. Some people arrive with suitcases of different plugins, but they only need them all in one service. Having them all appear everywhere wouldn't be useful.

Koz