How to standardize the decibel level in audio files?
Dec 28, 2012
What are the best ways to standardize the loudness of audio files? I record using Audacity, and see that there are ways to adjust the output volume, though Audacity has more bells and whistles than I know how to use. These are being imported into Storyline.
One of people doing voice has a soft voice and the other is much louder. Plus there are various sound effects that I've imported to the project.
I see that there are ways in Storyline to adjust the volume of a sound file. But it seems that the best practice would be to output these files and open them where I can see the actual decibel level.
As it is now, my project requires the user to adjust their system audio volume as the various mp3 files play. So, obviously a correction is needed.
What is a good decibel level to adjust to? What is the simplest way to do that over multiple files in Audacity?
2 Replies
Hi, Meryem
http://www.conversationsnetwork.org/levelator
Hi Meryem,
Levelator (as mentioned above) is fine is all the audio is in one file. In most cases however, this is not the way things are.
I appreciate that it is not much help at this point, however, before starting a multi-voice recording I try and get everyone synched up on how they will produce sound, at what volume etc.
In Audacity (v2.0.2), you can do this by the looks of it using the "chains" functionality, (see the thread at http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=23284 and also at http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Batch_Processing). I've never used this, so not sure of the details, however, the Audacity forums are very good.
Before you try anything like this, always take a backup copy of your files!
It's worth trying to learn a few functions of Audacity, there are hundreds, (more than we would ever need), but e.g. Normalisation, Equalisation and Noise Removal are very useful.
Very often, I just make soundtracks the same volume "by eye", and it works, so...
1> Find the "perfect track"
2> Import another into it, and the adjust the volume, using "Amplify", until you know the setting required.
3> Try a Chain using that setting, and see what happens!
Very often these things are trial and error. (for those of us who do not really understand the science of sound anyway!)
You could try pinging a PM over to Andy Bowyer who is a member here - he'll probably be able to suggest some ideas too, tho' not sure if he is an Audacity user or not). He understands all this stuff....
Hope that helps.
Bruce
This discussion is closed. You can start a new discussion or contact Articulate Support.