Achieve any loudness level for your audio - sound better series - part 5

(To read the Previous post of this Sound Better series, »> Click here.)

A louder sound is the better sound.

It is a common perception, and there is some truth behind it. But there is an opposite saying.

Too loud sound destroys the audio quality.

So that means it is about the balance of the loudness. It is so important that the guidelines are pretty clear on this.

Now, different guidelines talk in different terminology, and people get confused about that.

For example, for audiobook narration, it is defined as -3 dB Peak and RMS between -18 to -23 dB.

For voice-over, you can follow the audiobook narration guidelines. For Podcasts, it is defined in Lufs, not RMS.

Different podcasting platforms vary the requirements of the Lufs a bit, but the philosophy is the same.

Your audio loudness should be pleasing, comfortable, and align with other’s volume levels.

Controlling your audio loudness is your first step to your audio goal. If you can’t process your audio to the perfect loudness level, you may have to pay a heavy price.

For example, your voice-over audition will not get the chance to be selected.

Your audiobook narration will be rejected.

Your content will lose views due to poor loudness level and hamper your credibility.

Your podcasts will be ignored! I can go on and on.

But the main thing is how we process the audio to the desired loudness level.

The formula is straightforward and applies to any audio editing software. I call it “Compression Sandwich“.

You have to apply the Compressor effect sandwiched between 2 Normalize effect.

It’s like this:

• Normalize

• Compressor

• Normalize

You can use some other effects in between the first Normalize and the Compressor, but the second Normalize has to happen immediately after the Compressor.

That’s why you will see me recommending this effect sequence on my YouTube videos and Courses:

1. Normalize

2. Noise Reduction

3. EQ

4. Compressor

5. Normalize

You may ask why there can be other effects between the first Normalize and the Compressor and why the second Normalize should be after the Compressor.

Well, the first Normalize effect raises the audio level to a standard for the next processing.

Different audio recordings will have different peak values.

If you have to apply a compressor based on the recording's original peak, you must find the best compressor settings every time.

If you fail to find ideal compressor settings, the effect may not even work as you intended.

It’s tedious and problematic and destroys the chance of automating audio processing through Macros or Presets.

The purpose of immediate Normalize effect after the Compressor is different. A compressor effect always changes the peak level of the audio by a fair Margin.

If you do not apply the last Normalize, the loudness level of your audio will be all over the place.

You may now ask why we are not using a Normalize effect just before the compressor like this:

1. Normalize

2. Noise Reduction

3. EQ

4. Normalize

5. Compressor

6. Normalize

You can use this sequence, and it will work almost the same as the previous sequence.

Effects like Noise Reduction or EQ, does not alter the peak by a big margin usually. The compressor effect works mainly based on the EQ.

If the peak of the audio does not change that much after the first Normalize, it is not necessary to apply the Normalize just before the compressor.

So if there is a Normalize effect applied beore applying the compressor, it will be okay even though you use some other effects before the compressor.

If you feel all these sentences are too technical, just use any of the above effect sequences to make your sound better.

That would ensure you are following the Compressor Sandwich technique.

However, sometimes people confuse the purpose of the Normalize and the Compressor effect.

If I say it in plain terms, Normalize controls the louder point of the audio. All other parts are adjusted according to how much adjustment you made with the loudest point.

The compressor effect, on the other hand, controls the average loudness of the audio. We mainly use the Compressor effect to increase the overall loudness of the audio.

So the purpose of the Compressor and Normalize is not the same. We need both.

I mentioned in an earlier post that Normalize has no side effects if you use it multiple times. It does not alter the inner quality of the audio data.

But that is not true for Compressor as well as other effects. The compressor alters the inner quality of the audio data.

Using the compressor multiple times or in the wrong settings may make your recording sound unnatural.

So, learn the compressor settings well. In fact, make some effort to learn the Compression Sandwich technique well.

Then, you will have no worries about the loudness of your audio.

You can learn the compressor sandwich technique from the Sound Better video.

Or you can take the Macros if you are using Audacity to see how I professionally use it.

If you use Adobe Audition, you can take the Presets. From Adobe Audition Presets, you will find the proper Compressor settings.

You can also take the Voice Over Bundle or Audiobook Narration Bundle to learn audio editing at a professional level.

Whatever path you choose, make sure to learn the Compressor Technique well.

To read the Previous post of this Sound Better series, »> Click here.