I began with low recording levels. I’ve since acquired a Cloud Lifter that solves this original problem, but still have a bunch of audio that I need to prep for an audio book.
Here’s what I’ve done to the audio:
Noise reduction (12, 2.00, 3)
Normalize (-3.2)
Manually removed noise between speech
For some reason when I try to apply Compressor, the levels hit the roof in the higher peaks.
My question is: where should I go from here? I want to level out the volume, as some parts are too low, and some too high…
Leveler?
Thanks for any help!
Robb
Equipment:
Rode Procaster mic (with pop filter)
Focusrite 2i2
Sony MDR-V6 headphones
Windows 10, Vaio laptop
Audacity settings:
Host: windows direct sound
Playback device: Focusrite USB (Focusrite USB Audio)
Recording device: Focusrite USB (Focusrite USB Audio)
Channels: 1 (mono)
Default sample rate: 44100 Hz
Default sample format: 32-bit float
Don’t use the Leveler effect unless you want to add a distortion effect.
It’s generally best to use compression effects on audio that has been normalized to 0 dB.
The “based on Peak” settings in the Audacity Compressor gives “upward compression” (evens the level upward toward 0 dB), so you will probably want to Amplify the track back down to a lower level after applying the Compressor effect.