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Capping Overall Audio Level
I need to cap my overall audio level to -6 db. Before I add my voice-over and music tracks, I pre-cap them at -6 db. in an audio editor. But, of course, mixed together in Vegas8, the overall output level is something greater than -6 db.
Is there a way, within Vegas, to set the “overall” audio render output level? Or, do I need to first render out the audio portion, cap it in an audio editor, then return the new capped audio track to the project (replacing the previous multiple audio tracks)?
Can PCM WAV files be rendered multiple times without suffering quality loss?
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12 Replies
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Short of using a compressor/limiter, why not just lower the master output level as desired?
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Thanks for your reply, Mike.
I know how to control individual audio tracks, but how does one access “master” controls for multiple audio tracks?
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Dale, the master output level is the faders on the Mixer tab (View – Mixer if it’s not currently displayed).
Lower these to -6 (readout is at the bottom of the faders) and you’ll get what you want. -
I can see that with the “Master Control Consule”, I can apply Audio FXs to all audio tracks (combined), but I don’t see Normalize as one of those FX options.
Basically, I am trying to Normalize the master audio output at -6 db.
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I must be misunderstanding, but when I lower the Faders in the Mixer to -6, it seems to lower the overall volume by -6 db —as opposed to capping them at -6.
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My misunderstanding Dale.
When you said “cap my overall audio level to -6”, I thought you meant limit (i.e. lower) it.
You want to normalize it so I think Sound Forge (or equivalent) would be your best bet for this. -
Mike, I am no doubt useing the incorrect terms, but it gist of it is that I need my final output render to not exceed -6 db.
After looking through the various audio FXs, in Vegas8, it appears that there must be a way to set this master cap, but I haven’t quite figured it out, yet. There was an audio filter (forget which one) that nearly capped the master output at -6, but it let a few spots exceed (so, close doesn’t count).
If anyone could kindly explain to me which filter I should be applying to the master audio, I would greatly appreciate it.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t think that there would be any harm (quality loss) by rendering my multiple (uncompressed) WAV files out into an audio editor, than apply the -6 db Normalization. Then, re-entering this (now) single audio track, back into my Vegas project.
I am assuming that uncompressed WAV files will not degrade with renders. Is this right?
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Dale, with the help of a co-worker (an audio guru), I generally use the Wave Hammer plug-in to do what you’re asking about.
Don’t ask me about settings though as he usually flies through it and says “here ya go”.
Hopefully some other audio expert (DSE or Rick) can comment on this. -
It does appear that when the Wave Hammer is applied to the Master Audio—using its preset “Limit at 6db and Max”, with the Volume Maximizer set at -6 db —it does the job.
I’ll have to experiment with this, some more.
Thanks, Mike!
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Dale,
Take a look at this link. They have a free VST Limiter called the W1. It is designed to work much like the Waves L1 Limiter which is a great peak limiter. Install the dll file under
c:program filesvstplugins. After file is there you can open
vegas and select the add audio effects button on the master fader. Look under VST and add W1 to your effects. Now all you have to do is highlight ceiling and pull slider down to the max level that you want.Now let’s understand what is happening here. A peak limiter as the name suggest removes the peak levels from your audio.
Depending on your source material this can be a good thing or a bad thing. Some limiting can allow you to raise your average audio level without digital overs. To much limiting can suck the life right out of your audio and completely removes any dynamics that your recording had.The workflow that I would suggest for you is to use the peak limiter only to catch thoose stray peaks and up your overall level a bit. To do this, first adjust your mix so that the level is pretty close already to the peak level that you want. You can allow it to go over a bit. Now patch in the W1 Limiter and set it’s ceiling level to the maximum level you want.
Your done.Now to one of your questions regarding quality lose issues by moving your wav file between different programs and saving it a few times. As long as you keep it all as a wav and do not change your sample rate and bit depth you will loose practicly no quality.
I think you will like the peak limiter appraoch as long as you don’t get to aggressive with it.
Regards, Rick
Link to W1 Limiter
https://www.yohng.com/w1limit.html
Rick Mac
Director of Audio Production
TCT Network – Directv 377
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