Improving waveform dB vertical scale

[Unlikely]

I agree that the current list of options for dB range has a bit of a gap:
<snip>

In case it is of use to anyone, I've attached a patch that fills that gap to give:

<snip>

Hi Steve,

Excellent.

I have no idea how a patch file would be applied to the 2.0.5 version...

Please advise.

[steve]

I have no idea how a patch file would be applied to the 2.0.5 version...

To apply a patch it is necessary to build Audacity from the source code. Setting up a Windows computer to do that is quite a long and involved task, but not so on Linux (I don't know about Mac OS X). There are instructions for Windows Linux and Mac on the Audacity wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Developer_Guide

[Unlikely]

I have no idea how a patch file would be applied to the 2.0.5 version...

To apply a patch it is necessary to build Audacity from the source code. Setting up a Windows computer to do that is quite a long and involved task, but not so on Linux (I don't know about Mac OS X). There are instructions for Windows Linux and Mac on the Audacity wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Developer_Guide

No problem, a long time ago I compiled code and I have some concept of the drill.

Not something I'll set up for anytime soon as that's a welcome addition, but not something worth the effort for me at this time. Hope it makes it into the next official release.

Thanks.

[Gale Andrews]

What I would like is an option for dB on the "normal" linear view (as is more usual in other audio editors), but that's not easy either.

Can you explain more? I don't know what you mean. Have you asked for that before?


Gale

[Paul L]

What I would like is an option for dB on the "normal" linear view (as is more usual in other audio editors), but that's not easy either.

Can you explain more? I don't know what you mean. Have you asked for that before?


Gale

I thought steve meant a relabelling of the vertical scale of Waveform view, with nonuniformly spaced dB markings?

[steve]

Can you explain more? I don't know what you mean. Have you asked for that before?

Same as the "normal" waveform view, but instead of the vertical scale showing absolute (linear) values, it shows dB values, as in the mock-up below.
It may have been the first thing I ever asked for.

dbscale.png (133.82 KiB) Viewed 1618 times

[Unlikely]

Can you explain more? I don't know what you mean. Have you asked for that before?

Same as the "normal" waveform view, but instead of the vertical scale showing absolute (linear) values, it shows dB values, as in the mock-up below.
It may have been the first thing I ever asked for.

And for someone like me, I have the scale set to -96dB because -60 is not low enough, but I really would prefer something in the -72 dB range.

I'll love to see the "goldie locks" option:

-60 is too small,
-96 is too big,
-72 would be "just right"

I record audiobooks, and my room averages -62 dB when it's set for recording. I like seeing exactly where it is in case there is a fan I forgot, or another noise in the area that is just below the -60 threshold. I currently see those issues on the meter, but I'd rather have the 72 dB range spread over the meter rather than the -96. (I do have the meters pulled larger than the default, but still...)

In other words, if we could have something in between the current options, that would be great, but I understand there may be issues beyond the obvious.

[steve]

And for someone like me, I have the scale set to -96dB because -60 is not low enough, but I really would prefer something in the -72 dB range.

I'll love to see the "goldie locks" option:

-60 is too small,
-96 is too big,
-72 would be "just right"

I record audiobooks, and my room averages -62 dB when it's set for recording. I like seeing exactly where it is in case there is a fan I forgot, or another noise in the area that is just below the -60 threshold. I currently see those issues on the meter, but I'd rather have the 72 dB range spread over the meter rather than the -96. (I do have the meters pulled larger than the default, but still...)

So is your vote for this: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 20#p249620

[Unlikely]

<snip>
So is your vote for this: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 20#p249620

Yes, that would be a win for me. I just went to that topic, I don't see how you "vote", but it would help me.

[steve]

I don't see how you "vote"

You just have

When activity on this thread ends, any votes expressed will be counted and logged on the Audacity wiki.
Voting does not mean that a feature will be implemented, but provides a guide for the Audacity team as to what features users would like to see.

Adding options for -72 and -84 dB seems reasonable, useful, and straightforward to implement, so I'll go for +1.