Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
is immediately useful is a live input level indicator. By clicking once in the meter area designated in Figure
8.5, you can see how much sound is coming through your microphones. If the bar reaches the end of the
meter, you're clipping. The level for your chosen input (microphone, line in) can be conveniently set to the
right of the input meter.
RECORD
INPUT METER
LEVEL CONTROL
Figure 8.4
Audacity's main controls
Figure 8.5
The input meter and microphone level controls
To record a take, press the record button, have everyone stay silent for a couple of seconds, then have your
actors speak their lines. When they are fi nished, wait a second or two again and press the stop button. The
pauses are there to give Audacity's built-in noise reduction fi lter something to work with later.
A recording that looks something like Figure 8.6 is what you are aiming for. It shows a solid input level with
no clipping. Figure 8.7 shows a recording made with too little input. Notice how the waveform is smaller
and barely reaches a third of the way toward the outer edges of available volume space. The audio tools can
amplify it, but it's better to start with a stronger signal. Turn up the input level and try another take. Figure
8.8 shows clipping in the indicated areas. This take is trash. Turn down the input levels and try it again.
Depending on what equipment you are using, there might be several places along the way that you can adjust
the levels: mic inputs, mixing board outputs and mix controls, and computer or digital capture inputs.
Figure 8.6
A good audio take
THIS AREA, WHICH REPRESENTS
VOLUME, IS WASTED
Figure 8.7
Input levels are set too low
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