I had the same issue when I was starting out - I still always have to amplify my files afterwards in Audacity. What I do is first, select the whole thing and "normalize" (which you'll find in the "effects" menu, I just use the pre-set settings), and then I "amplify" by whatever number Audacity suggests. You might not have to normalize first, actually - I do bc a lot of the time if you have variations of volume in your file, or spikes in your waveforms etc, it will oversaturate when you amplify (that box you have to tick to override the automatic settings). If you normalize first, your waveforms will look "smoother" and then you can go in and amplify more.
If that isn't enough, my only other suggestion is that maybe you"ll need to try and figure out a way to project your voice a bit more as you're reading?
Those are my immediate thoughts! I hope it helps, and good luck! :))
I ended up getting a USB mic because I got a really loud hum on a headset mic and not the greatest sound and the internal PC mic was even worse.
As above - you can use Audacity to amplify - just make sure you perform a noise removal to get rid of background noise before you amplify so you're not upping the background noise too.
Here is a quick basic starter tutorial that includes noise removal, amplify and normalize.
I'll have to try both! I think I just assumed Amplify would amplify the ambient noise as well but I guess if you are then removing it - Audacity might have an easier time of getting rid of the ambient noise if it's more discernible! :)
There's a great website, auphonic that allows you to upload your files and it will normalize your volume to standard loudness level, and it also has great noise removal to help with the background noise. I made a tutorial on how to use it. Unfortunately, since I made that tutorial, they've implemented a pay scale on the site, but you get to process 2 hours/month for free.
Mic Gain?fffinnagainSeptember 30 2014, 01:13:16 UTC
Have you tried adjusting the gain on your audio input? (horizontal slider with a little microphone icon, it controls the amplification of the sound as it comes into audacity) In audacity, the gain defaults to the minimum, which sucks unless your mic position is optimal. Before starting to reading, its good to adjust the gain so your comfortable speaking voice ranges over most of the sound level meter (red animated bar, also little mic icon) without reaching the top. With the right gain level, you shouldn't need to amplify or normalize the recording. Dynamic range should be limited by the mic set up, not the audio editor.
Audacity's amplify seems to warp my sounds after I do noise removal. I've found a work around for boosting sound that works for me and doesn't distort.
I use the compressor. Then base boost. Then treble boost. And then noise removal. If it's still a bit quiet, I duplicate the track before exporting and that gives me the added volume.
Hey, mab. I had some distortion on my podfic The Merryweather Hotel in the middle section after I did some bulk editing, mostly I think from the noise removal. (And I saved it before listening to the results and couldn't get back the original. Was very mad at myself for that, so now I check my results before saving.) Anyway, I found that if I turn down the Noise Removal amount, then there's almost no distortion. In other words, it might be trying to remove too much.
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I had the same issue when I was starting out - I still always have to amplify my files afterwards in Audacity. What I do is first, select the whole thing and "normalize" (which you'll find in the "effects" menu, I just use the pre-set settings), and then I "amplify" by whatever number Audacity suggests. You might not have to normalize first, actually - I do bc a lot of the time if you have variations of volume in your file, or spikes in your waveforms etc, it will oversaturate when you amplify (that box you have to tick to override the automatic settings). If you normalize first, your waveforms will look "smoother" and then you can go in and amplify more.
If that isn't enough, my only other suggestion is that maybe you"ll need to try and figure out a way to project your voice a bit more as you're reading?
Those are my immediate thoughts! I hope it helps, and good luck! :))
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As above - you can use Audacity to amplify - just make sure you perform a noise removal to get rid of background noise before you amplify so you're not upping the background noise too.
Here is a quick basic starter tutorial that includes noise removal, amplify and normalize.
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Good luck!
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I use the compressor. Then base boost. Then treble boost. And then noise removal. If it's still a bit quiet, I duplicate the track before exporting and that gives me the added volume.
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