Using Audacity to increase overall loudness of Riffworks son

[jtman]

Hi all,

Just downloaded Audacity to work on my mixed Riffworks songs. I've read over and over that you can use this program to increase the overall loudness of your recordings.

I'm happy with the mix of my Riffworks songs but they seem a bit quieter than other recordings. Could someone please point me in the direction of a previous post or give me a brief idea of how to boost the entire song's volume in Audacity. I know how to import the file, where do I go after that to affect loudness?

Thank you in advance for your help,

jtman

[GuitarSlinger]

In Audacity I believe "amplify" is what you want. This will make it as loud as possible without any clipping. I believe you have to highlight your file by clicking it and turning it grey, then select amplify from the tools? menu.

Sorry have not used it for a while.

[mickeymix]

Save to WAV then import to Audacity. Highlight the entire track (click and drag the stereo WAV or Ctr A) then click effect. and amplify. Adjust the bar , click the allow clipping box and Voila! If it's too loud, click the undo button and try a lower level.

[jtman]

Thank you so much guys for your quick response and help.

This forum is awesome.

jtman

[bvandy]

I've noticed when using Audacity to amplify, that the software adds much unneeded gain on every frequency of the entire track. You should also try equalizing the track to boost only the signal frequencies that need to come through a little more before amplifying the entire track. I use a software called Wave Pad Sound Editor. It's also free and way easier to use than Audacity. Like Audacity, it supports saving file as mp3 format. It's a nice piece of software.

Please correct me if I'm wrong in saying that if you have your levels set properly for each riff and bounce you produce in riffworks, you shouldn't need much post production amplification.

Take care all,

~Vandy

[jtman]

Thanks Vandy,

Where can I download this Wave Pad Sound Editor?

Jtman

[ianthemac]

Google Wavepad & Download

[blue4u]

softer...NOT louder

[Charvelguy]

I've noticed when using Audacity to amplify, that the software adds much unneeded gain on every frequency of the entire track. You should also try equalizing the track to boost only the signal frequencies that need to come through a little more before amplifying the entire track. I use a software called Wave Pad Sound Editor. It's also free and way easier to use than Audacity. Like Audacity, it supports saving file as mp3 format. It's a nice piece of software.

Please correct me if I'm wrong in saying that if you have your levels set properly for each riff and bounce you produce in riffworks, you shouldn't need much post production amplification.

Take care all,

~Vandy

I would agree with that.. the eq and compression should be pretty close & well enough to where you need it for most premaster levels.

[Rotund]

Just curious. I know I have seen some posts from gator in regards to these topics "Audio Engineering" and I have checked out numerous websites as well as watching instruction videos on "How to" do this. I know there is actual science behind sound and there are fundamentals that physically cannot be ignored in production. When it comes to loudness it is my understanding that it is based on genere or taste and that the goal is to get the final as close to 0dbc without clipping and mudiness. There are many software tools out there that will give us professional quality and accomplish that. If it is somewhat subjective at that point (as I really don't like the extremely loud mixes and I have posted a few here lately) but is there a site that a person can subject themselves to to get good feedback and some instruction on "the results" that are not a rip off, 20k college, or BS from untrained ears. I don't have the cash to invest as a profession but as a hobby I would like to get more involved in that aspect of this. Ideas? Riffworld is prime for this side of things if the thread is monitored and kept in line? Riffworks has a lot of the same tools built in but to rifflink with all of them enabled makes it a load on some with limited bandwidth so the tendancy is to export and repost. I love the positive environment and breeding ground for creativity but I spend to much time on this trying to get "good" at it and need some feedback. I think haha

[GuitarSlinger]

Alot of people don't like the loudness treatment as heard on everything mainstream nowadys. But it can be particulary useful for noisy listening environments. Like listening in the car or noisy public places. People with treated listening spaces don't really need it, and the audio will suffer for them being compressed to snot.

Thats really what mastering is all about, compromising the audio to work in all different environments and speakers. So thats really what the mastering is, a compromise of your great sound to work on things like boomboxes, mp3 players, car stereos, and all other not so hifi devices.

I would say if your music is only for you and your studio speakers, then the whole mastering process is not really needed and only makes it sound less dynamic on the good stuff.

[Timejunkie]

Check out www.har-bal.com cool tool!
There is a good tutorial there as well....

Cheers!

[Rotund]

cat's get these sometimes.

[Les]

+1 El "Redondo" from Tejas

[caballo]

como puedo obtener otros ritmos de bateria ya que tengo una version demo