Page 1 of 1

Volume matching....

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:04 pm
by Togglehead
Hey guys...im ahaving a little trouble using the volume match tool.

I have a very long audio file (approx 90mins) of mono classical music for a music hold for my cvompany. The problem is, there is a gain cutoff and anything below a certain volume wont be heard. However, if i just increase the whole track's volume, the large crescendos will be WAY too loud for comfortable listening.....

I'd like to make the whole audio track as close to tthe same volume as possible, but everytime i use the match volume function, it just increases ALL of the audio....HELP!

=]

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:46 pm
by Blandine Catastrophe
For that, you need to use the compressor/limiter. Eventually, you can shape the volume prior to compress, to boost large sections of pianissimo. If the timing for the volume changes is long enough, it will remain unnoticed, because the audition has its own adjustments.

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:49 pm
by piano nick
Togglehead:

Blandine's recommendations are good. Compression has to be handled carefully - I've seen songs that had the life squeezed out of the dynamics by applying too much.

You might try Reduce Peaks under the Compression setting - if you just have a few high volume dynamics this may work. It will require some experimentation.

PN

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:15 pm
by Togglehead
good suggestions guys.....i'll get back with ya to update on progress....=D

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:52 pm
by DougDbug
You can also try Auto Gain, which included with the optional GWVoice Plug-In. This is also a type of dynamic compression. Compression makes the quiet sounds louder, and/or the loud sounds quieter.
The problem is, there is a gain cutoff and anything below a certain volume wont be heard.
And, that's a special type of expansion called a noise gate. Expansion makes the loud parts louder, and/or the quiet parts quieter.

NOTE: The GoldWave Compressor/Expander window does not stick to the above definitions, so you might need to look at the preset descriptions to make sure you are "going in the right direction".
I've seen songs that had the life squeezed out of the dynamics by applying too much.
I agree. :evil: COMPRESSION IS EVIL! :evil: But, we're talking about "music on hold" over the telephone... In this case, compression might be the ideal solution.

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:24 pm
by piano nick
Doug:

Good point about "on hold" music (which I find annoying personally).

If one wants their music to "cut through" everything (noise in a bar or restaruant), then more compression can be appropriate.

These days, commercial tracks use heavy compression and limiting and then the radio stations "re-butcher" the music.

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:09 pm
by Togglehead
I hate it too....and especially what we're using.

All good advice....and i think the compression is the way to go...i did some playing around with the "reduce loud parts" preset and then overall volume increases......i'll let you know how it goes.

Another thing though....same project. Im getting some static when downsampling to 8-bit 8,000Hz mono......i expected a dramatic decrease in sound quality, as i deal with conversions like this all the time. However, this time im getting some static too....perhaps thats based on WHAT im sampling...not HOW im doing it....

Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:54 pm
by Togglehead
Well guy the compression worked perfectly....thanks for the advice.

Anything on the other issue?