If you are a podcaster, you know how important it is to have good audio quality in your recordings. One of the factors that affects how your listeners perceive your sound is the audio volume level, or how loud or soft your voice and other sounds are. In this article, you will learn how to adjust audio volume levels in a studio recording using some basic tools and techniques.
Adjusting audio volume levels is not just a matter of preference or taste. It can also have a significant impact on your podcast's clarity, consistency, and professionalism. For example, if your audio volume level is too low, your listeners may have trouble hearing you or miss some important details. If your audio volume level is too high, your listeners may experience distortion, clipping, or ear fatigue. Moreover, if your audio volume level varies too much within or between episodes, your listeners may have to constantly adjust their volume settings, which can be annoying and distracting.
A podcast has to be heared clear and loud enough. You are being listened by people while in a car, in a gym, waling down the street, in a bus... All of them, noisy environments. If you make an interview, and your voice level is too different from your guest, one of the two is being not listened well. As every person has a different loudness speaking, you have to set every person gain and loudness to get a result in which every people sound the same volume no matter which was their speaking levels. You can do it while recording or in post production, but editing has limitations, so you usually have to work while and after recording.
When recording in a studio, aim for an optimum audio level. Each person has different energy levels and throw of voice. The idea to adjust and match the audio levels is to achieve uniformity in audio levels for each speaker. Never keep the volume level too low, because in post you'll end up with removing background noise (room noise) that's baked in.
Adjusting volume levels is not just about personal preference; it's about ensuring your listeners have a smooth, enjoyable experience. When levels are too low, your audience strains to hear, risking them missing out on the good stuff. On the flip side, if it's too loud, it can sound distorted and hurt their ears. Consistency is key. Of course, as a podcaster, you want your listeners to focus on your content, not adjusting the volume knob.
Adjusting audio volume levels in a studio recording for a podcast is vital for clear sound. Start with good equipment and record in a quiet space. During editing, ensure consistency in volume levels across tracks. Use software to normalize volume and compress peaks. Consider automation for dynamic adjustments. By fine-tuning volume levels, you'll craft a professional-sounding podcast.
Before you start adjusting your audio volume levels, you need to understand some basic audio volume metrics that can help you measure and compare your sound. The most common ones are peak level, average level, and loudness. Peak level is the highest amplitude or volume that your audio signal reaches at any point. Average level is the average amplitude or volume of your audio signal over time. Loudness is a subjective perception of how loud or soft your audio sounds to the human ear, which depends on factors like frequency, duration, and context.
Many people confuse peak level with average level. When you see the wave of your audio file, if your peaks are very strong and the distance of amplitudes between peaks and the rest is big, then you probably are mastering too low when you normalize the sound. So, it can be useful for you compresing the wave before normalizing. Try to get the loudness of the whole elpisode inside reasonable levels, with no excesive peaks.
Dynamic Range: Assess the difference between the loudest and quietest parts of your audio, ensuring it's not too compressed or too dynamic. RMS Level: Measure the root mean square level of your audio signal, providing insight into its overall loudness and consistency. LUFS: Use loudness units relative to full scale to maintain consistent volume levels across different devices and platforms, enhancing listener experience and engagement.
A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a software application that allows you to record, edit, and mix audio files. You can use a DAW to adjust your audio volume levels in a studio recording, as well as perform other tasks like trimming, cutting, fading, adding effects, and exporting. There are many DAWs available for podcasters, such as Audacity, GarageBand, Adobe Audition, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools. To use a DAW, you need to import your audio files, create tracks, and use tools like meters, waveforms, and faders to monitor and manipulate your audio volume levels.
Track Organization: Arrange your audio tracks logically within the DAW interface, grouping similar elements together for efficient editing and mixing. Automation: Utilize automation features to dynamically adjust volume levels over time, enhancing transitions and emphasizing key moments in your podcast. Metering Tools: Monitor your audio levels using built-in meters to ensure they remain within optimal ranges, preventing distortion and maintaining clarity. Plugins and Effects: Experiment with various plugins and effects within your DAW to enhance your audio quality and creatively manipulate volume levels for desired impact. Bonus: Check out this plugin called 'Clear' earlier known as Goyo. Works like a charm.
Manually adjusting audio volume levels in a studio recording can be a time-consuming and tedious process, but it gives you more control and flexibility. To do this, you should first listen to your audio to identify any parts that are too loud or too soft, or that have sudden changes in volume. Then, select these parts and use the gain or volume tool in your DAW to increase or decrease the volume level. Alternatively, you can use the envelope tool to create smooth transitions between different volume levels. Additionally, check your peak level and average level meters in your DAW to make sure that your audio does not exceed the maximum level or fall below the minimum level. Finally, listen to your audio again and compare it with other episodes or podcasts to see if it sounds consistent and balanced.
Pre-Recording: Monitor the volume before recording. Make sure you do a test recording to understand if any changes need to be done to the input volume. Try to aim for optimum levels. Not too low, not too loud. Post: Use the DAW to make adjustments to the levels. Use good monitors to make adjustments.
Adjusting audio volume levels in a studio recording can be done automatically, using plugins or software to analyze and normalize the audio. This method may save time and effort, but it can also lead to less control and quality. To adjust audio volume levels automatically, you need to select a plugin or software that can adjust your audio volume levels according to a specific standard or target (e.g. Auphonic, Levelator, Loudness Normalizer, LUFS Meter). Then, import your audio files and apply the plugin or software to them. The plugin or software will scan your audio and adjust the volume level to match the standard or target; some plugins or software will also compress, limit, or equalize your audio for sound quality. Finally, export your audio files to listen and see if they sound good and meet your expectations. Additionally, you can check the loudness meter in your DAW to see if your audio meets the recommended loudness level for podcasting (around -16 LUFS).
Adjusting your audio volume levels in a studio recording is not a one-time process; testing and improving your audio volume levels regularly is essential to ensure your podcast meets your standards. To do this, use headphones and speakers to listen to your audio in different environments and devices. This will help you identify any issues or inconsistencies you may not notice otherwise. Additionally, seek feedback from your listeners or other podcasters for honest and constructive opinions on how your audio sounds and how you can improve it. Finally, keep learning and experimenting with different tools and techniques; there are many resources and tutorials online that can help you refine your audio editing and mixing skills.