Lowering audio peaks

VMP wrote on 11/15/2013, 6:35 PM

Hey guys,

http://v-mp.com/Files/sonyforum/Audio-peak.jpgThis is a screenshot of a file in sound Forge.[/link]
Sony

I am trying to compress/lover the peaks which are only above - 6.0 dB (the part between the two green lines). How can this be done? Adding compression/normalizing or the wave hammer affects all the part of the audio also the lower ones. It boosts the total volume. I want the volume to stay the same and only reduce the peaks above -6.0 db.

I have found one way to do it but I am sure that there is a much easier and faster way to do it.
In wave hammer, enabling 'Bypass compressor' lovers the top peaks and leaves the rest the same. But it only reduces like 0.5 dB at a time. I am working with 30-60 minute length audio files .
Otherwise I would just use an envelope.
So I am looking for an automated peak reducer which only affects the highest peaks .

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 11/15/2013, 7:00 PM

Wave hammer is a perfectly acceptable tool for this. You probably need to adjust the threshhold to -6.0dB, and increase the ratio to a much higher amount, like 50:1 or more. This will make it act like a limiter.

If you disable the auto gain compensation then it won't increase any of the levels that are below the threshhold.

VMP wrote on 11/15/2013, 7:29 PM

Thanks Chienworks that does the trick.

Volume maximize tab:
In the volume maximize tap of the Wave Hammer I have set the output level to -06 dB that then compensates the volume change back to normal. This way the total volume of the file stays the same. And only the peaks are reduced. I hope that this doesn't degrade the quality of the audio.

Threshold: 0,0 dB
Output level: - 0,6 dB

Compressor tab of the Wave Hammer is now set to:
Threshold: - 0,6 dB
Ratio: 49,9:1 (Max)
Output: 0,0 dB

Do you consider this a good setting or is there an other way to compensate for the volume change in the Wave Hammer?

musicvid10 wrote on 11/15/2013, 8:02 PM

Limiting peaks and compression are two different things. "Normal" compression for most purposes would be 3:1 to 5:1. Use the waveform and your ears.

VMP wrote on 11/15/2013, 8:10 PM

Thanks musicvid, that sounds much better indeed!

wwjd wrote on 11/15/2013, 11:33 PM

http://loudmax.blogspot.com/
is handy for limiting

VMP wrote on 11/16/2013, 7:16 AM

Thanks wwjd , I am going to try it.

farss wrote on 11/16/2013, 7:43 AM

I just use the track compressor in Vegas as a limiter, there's two "limiter" presets to get you started.

Bob.

VMP wrote on 11/16/2013, 8:05 AM

Thanks Bob. I am trying them all out for comparison.