Can I increase the volume of a wav file?

[relztrah]

I use Audacity 2.0.5 with Puppy Linux (Tahrpup) to download podcasts, split them into tracks, and save the tracks on a flash drive. I then stick the flash drive into my FM radio transmitter that plugs into the cigarette lighter of my car and plays the wav files through my car radio. I wouldn't have to split the file into tracks but my daily commute is usually 15-20 minutes so I can hear a complete hour-long podcast in pieces.

This works great except that the wav files are not loud enough, even with the volume on my car radio turned all the way up. Is there a way to increase the volume either when I import the mp3 file into Audacity or when I export it as individual tracks to the flash drive?

[kozikowski]

I do it with Chris's Compressor.

https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/chriss ... -audacity/

This is a volume manager that can be set to simulate the transmitter sound processors at an FM station.

For a long time I recorded a radio show off the air in real time so I could listen in the car at the wrong time. It was a little ratty, but OK for me. One day I discovered the wonders of digital download and all the FM transmission noises went away...and so did the transmitter processing. Turns out one performer liked to mumble in his beer and the other had a laugh which would crack travertine marble.

I run Chris Compressor on the show with the first value "Ratio" moved from 0.5 to 0.77. All the other settings default. It produces a louder show with no wild volume swings.

It's possible if your original is really low volume there might not be enough for Chris to chew on, but it's worth a shot.

Chris designed it so he could listen to opera in the car.

Koz

[relztrah]

OK, thanks. I'll give it a try. Thankfully the compressor download page also has installation instructions.

[Gale Andrews]

OK, thanks. I'll give it a try. Thankfully the compressor download page also has installation instructions.

You have an old version of Audacity, so there is no Effect > Manage... (or Effect > Add / Remove Plug-ins) as in recent Audacity versions.

In your case, restart Audacity after placing the "compress.ny" file in usr/share/audacity (assuming you are using a packaged version of Audacity). That is best done in a terminal as root.

Or create a "plug-ins" folder (no quotes in the name) in ~/.audacity-files/. Show hidden files and folders if using a graphical file manager, so you can see see ~/.audacity-files.


Gale

[relztrah]

You have an old version of Audacity, so there is no Effect > Manage... (or Effect > Add / Remove Plug-ins) as in recent Audacity versions.

That is correct.

In your case, restart Audacity after placing the "compress.ny" file in usr/share/audacity (assuming you are using a packaged version of Audacity).

did this. Compress.ny appears to be a text file. Is that correct?

That is best done in a terminal as root.

I dragged and dropped.

Or create a "plug-ins" folder (no quotes in the name) in ~/.audacity-files/. Show hidden files and folders if using a graphical file manager, so you can see see ~/.audacity-files.

I have a directory .audacity-data but I don't see a directory named .audacity-files.

[Gale Andrews]

It is easiest for us to read your replies if you could use quote tags. You get one set of quote tags automatically if you press the QUOTE button to reply.

In your case, restart Audacity after placing the "compress.ny" file in usr/share/audacity (assuming you are using a packaged version of Audacity).

did this. Compress.ny appears to be a text file. Is that correct?

Yes. All the plugin instructions are in plain text so the plugin is user-customisable if you know what you are doing.

That is best done in a terminal as root.

I dragged and dropped.

It is safer not to run your file manager as root.

Or create a "plug-ins" folder (no quotes in the name) in ~/.audacity-files/. Show hidden files and folders if using a graphical file manager, so you can see see ~/.audacity-files.

I have a directory .audacity-data but I don't see a directory named .audacity-files.

You have to create the ~/.audacity-files directory too.

The disbenefit of placing plugins in /usr/share/audacity is that if you update your Audacity package, the plugins you added may be removed.


Gale

[relztrah]

...if you know what you are doing.

Well, quite honestly I don't, but I appreciate your help nonetheless.