The all-new "HELP! I have an Audacity problem" thread

Shasta · Post by **Shasta** » October 16th, 2020, 3:24 pm

Thank you. Actually, I was about to post to say I figured out the problem. When I clicked on the green arrow at the far left I checked "Update display while playing" and that did the trick.

BeckyWTX · Post by **BeckyWTX** » December 20th, 2020, 12:45 pm

New user of Audacity.
After editting recording BEFORE Normalize Effect the volume of the saved mp3 is 88.8dB. AFTER Normalize Effect used on the recording then saved as mp3 Volume is 92.1 (beyond Librivox range limits.)
We're always supposed to Normalize the recording, right? Suggestions/guidance?
Thank you pros!
BeckyWTX

Post by **TriciaG** » December 20th, 2020, 12:52 pm

If you're at the right volume without normalizing, then don't normalize. You don't need it. (And as your experience shows, normalizing doesn't always get you to the target volume.)

I don't normalize at all - neither normalize nor amplify - because my input volume is right in the target area.

KevinS · Post by **KevinS** » December 20th, 2020, 1:12 pm

BeckyWTX wrote: ↑
December 20th, 2020, 12:45 pm
New user of Audacity.
After editting recording BEFORE Normalize Effect the volume of the saved mp3 is 88.8dB. AFTER Normalize Effect used on the recording then saved as mp3 Volume is 92.1 (beyond Librivox range limits.)
We're always supposed to Normalize the recording, right? Suggestions/guidance?
Thank you pros!
BeckyWTX

Normalize only sets the peak amplitude (and, optionally, corrects any DC bias.)

TriciaG is correct. Why use it if you don't need to?

I still use the two steps of ReplayGain, however. I don't really need to, but sometimes my settings get thrown off. Using Zoom always shifts my volume down, for instance. I don't always remember to correct this. Still, the visuals should warn me about a low volume, but I'm kind of dense when it comes to all this.

Post by **Rapunzelina** » December 20th, 2020, 2:24 pm

BeckyWTX wrote: ↑
December 20th, 2020, 12:45 pm
New user of Audacity.
After editting recording BEFORE Normalize Effect the volume of the saved mp3 is 88.8dB. AFTER Normalize Effect used on the recording then saved as mp3 Volume is 92.1 (beyond Librivox range limits.)
We're always supposed to Normalize the recording, right? Suggestions/guidance?
Thank you pros!
BeckyWTX

If you'd like to use Normalize to remove the DC offset, you can uncheck the second check-box, so Normalize will not change the volume at all. Just check the first check-box only.

Bookworm360 · Post by **Bookworm360** » February 3rd, 2021, 1:17 pm

Hello everyone,
I FINALLY get my microphone back, plug it in, and... discover that it will not even turn on. It is a Samson Q2U USB. Any tips on reactivating a microphone?

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » February 3rd, 2021, 1:24 pm

Bookworm360 wrote: ↑
February 3rd, 2021, 1:17 pm
Hello everyone,
I FINALLY get my microphone back, plug it in, and... discover that it will not even turn on. It is a Samson Q2U USB. Any tips on reactivating a microphone?

i see that this particular mic has an on off switch. Is it definitely switched to on? (i know that seems like a silly question but thought it best to check lol

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » February 3rd, 2021, 1:26 pm

Bookworm360 wrote: ↑
February 3rd, 2021, 1:17 pm
Hello everyone,
I FINALLY get my microphone back, plug it in, and... discover that it will not even turn on. It is a Samson Q2U USB. Any tips on reactivating a microphone?

Also, i'm guessing it's not showing up at all in your system preferences? it's not just audacity it's not showing up in?

Bookworm360 · Post by **Bookworm360** » February 3rd, 2021, 1:28 pm

Precisely. And yes, it is on(and yes, I have made the mistake before. Thanks for the reminder!

)

Bookworm360 · Post by **Bookworm360** » February 3rd, 2021, 1:38 pm

Aand now it is working!!

Never mind, but thanks anyway.

JayKitty76 · Post by **JayKitty76** » February 3rd, 2021, 1:41 pm

Bookworm360 wrote: ↑
February 3rd, 2021, 1:38 pm
Aand now it is working!! Never mind, but thanks anyway.

Hi Bookworm,
I haven’t been able to reach you by PM (you’ve turned off your private messaging). I know you’ve had a lot of RL busyness lately, but we’re trying to finish up Little Men.... I was wondering if you could finish with Emil as soon as possible.

(I know you were having mic issues and stuff so glad to hear that that’s resolved.)
Thank you!

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » February 3rd, 2021, 1:42 pm

That's good because i didn't have any other ideas lol. I have a macbook air too but i've never had anything like that happen

Bookworm360 · Post by **Bookworm360** » February 3rd, 2021, 2:05 pm

JayKitty76 wrote: ↑
February 3rd, 2021, 1:41 pm

Bookworm360 wrote: ↑
February 3rd, 2021, 1:38 pm
Aand now it is working!! Never mind, but thanks anyway.
Hi Bookworm,
I haven’t been able to reach you by PM (you’ve turned off your private messaging). I know you’ve had a lot of RL busyness lately, but we’re trying to finish up Little Men.... I was wondering if you could finish with Emil as soon as possible. (I know you were having mic issues and stuff so glad to hear that that’s resolved.)
Thank you!

I was just on my way to upload them!!

They will be here within 20 minutes!

wib66 · Post by **wib66** » February 4th, 2021, 10:38 am

Hi all wondering if you can help me. I have uploaded the newest version of audacity and for some reason when I play back my recordings it speeds them up and makes my voice funny any advice gratefully received.

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » February 4th, 2021, 10:41 am

wib66 wrote: ↑
February 4th, 2021, 10:38 am
Hi all wondering if you can help me. I have uploaded the newest version of audacity and for some reason when I play back my recordings it speeds them up and makes my voice funny any advice gratefully received.

There's a slider in the top right, next to a green 'play' button. Has this been altered somehow? It should be set at 1.00x