Developing a consistent, clean audio feel in Audacity (Windows)

[Collegelax]

Just got my home recording studio upgraded based on this exact setup:
http://www.podcast411.com/mixer.pdf

Now the next step in upgrading my podcast audio is in post production. Specifically in Audacity for Windows. I've never used any of the plug-ins.

In any given podcast - I use a variety of tracks that are inported a different audio levels. Some voice tracks, some recorded Skype Interviews, some pre-recorded songs or bumpers.

What specific steps do you use to get better audio in Audacity?

I've read that you are suppose to use these steps in this order:
Equalization
Noise Gate
Compression
Limiting

but I'm not really certain how to apply these filters to a multi-track Audacity file.

Thanks!

[pwfenton]

It's a mistake to think that you are "supposed" to use any of these things. The real goal would be to make your original recording sound so good that none of those things are needed. These plugins should never be used routinely, unless maybe your recordings routinely have deficiencies that make using them necessary. In every case they should only be used when there is a recognizable need for them, and only when you can't solve the problem by making a better original recording. For instance, on a voice track with annoying background noise, using a noise gate only eliminates the noise in between the words. When you speak, the gate opens and the noise is heard along with your voice. The result is often disappointing, and unnatural. It would be far better to eliminate the source of the noise when you record, rather than try to correct it later. Virtually every kind of "noise reduction" technique applied after the fact comes with a cost.

Don't get me wrong, I use these techniques every day, because I work with so many different sources that are all out of my control. However, I rarely use them on my own podcast, and that's one of the main reasons that so many people think my podcast "sounds" good. It is far better to get "good sound" before you press "record".

When you do use plug-ins like the ones you list, it is very important that you understand how they work and what they are doing. The program Cool Edit used to come with an extensive primer on the fundamentals of how digital recording works. It could have been a stand alone book. Sadly most people just skipped it, and went straight to the "instructions". You should try to find a copy.

[Collegelax]

Understood. But I don't know what else to do when you have different tracks coming at a variety of audio levels - spoken word, bumper, recorded song, Skype interview.

[Yotto]

For what it's worth, I use, in order:

Noise Removal at the lowest setting that gets rid of background noise. Usually around 25-30%
Amplify manually each track and even on portions of tracks to get them roughly in the same range. The goal here is to not blow your ears out on any part, but be able to understand what everybody's saying.
Compression using the same settings on each track. I find 20db - 3/1 - 1ms to be good settings. Explore the ranges though for what's best for you. It *IS* possible to overcompress.
Amplify again because Audacity's compressor sometimes *lowers* the volume of your tracks. This time, though, you can confidently amplify each track, not just portions, because the audio's pretty well the same levels.

In each step, I listen to the track to make sure it's good.

As PW said, it's infinitely better to not have to do this stuff, but some of us don't have recording studios. Have I mentioned that I'm in the process of building mine now? :) :) :)

[Collegelax]

I guess one of the big problems is that I the volume on my own recorded voice is so low. Yet all other pieces are so much louder (Skype Interviews, Songs, Bumpers).

If I bump up the level & gain on my own recorded voice, it picks up a ton on unwanted extra noise.

[WyethDigital]

I guess one of the big problems is that I the volume on my own recorded voice is so low. Yet all other pieces are so much louder (Skype Interviews, Songs, Bumpers).

If I bump up the level & gain on my own recorded voice, it picks up a ton on unwanted extra noise.

Then it sounds like something in your set-up or your environment isn't configured correctly. Where are you recording, and what kind of control over your environment do you have? How many adaptors are you using? Are they the correct kind or shielded enough? Same question for your cords.

As for environment, often times we become accustomed to the everyday sounds around us. Refrigerators, furnace blowers and other noise becomes invisible to us. There could also be hidden noise sources, like fluorescent lighting or other electrical appliances creating interference. Take stock of all that and eliminate what you can.

Eric

[dpeach]

I just read this article about compressing in Audacity. It is worth a read.

http://software.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=06/03/17/1633214&from=rss

[WyethDigital]

I just read this article about compressing in Audacity. It is worth a read.

http://software.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=06/03/17/1633214&from=rss

But just remember, as pointed out by PDub, effects should be used sparingly (and preferably in post). As my co-producer (and the hostess of our show), Madeline, likes to say about cooking: You can always add ingredients, but you can't take them back.

Eric