In this blog, I’ll explain how the Audacity Compressor works and how it can make your voice sound better.
A common problem, particularly with podcasts, is that guests’ voices are often all over the place. Sometimes they’re loud, sometimes they’re quiet. A Compressor can even that out and make it all sound a consistent volume.
Understanding Compression and Why It Matters
Compression is one of the most powerful tools in audio editing, especially for anyone working in podcasts, voiceovers, or video content. Think of it as a way to smooth out the rollercoaster of sound levels in your audio. Without compression, your listeners might find themselves constantly adjusting the volume—turning it up when someone speaks softly and then scrambling to lower it when someone else comes in too loudly. A good compressor ensures that your audio is not only balanced but also polished, creating a professional sound that keeps your audience engaged.
Diving Into Compressor Using Audacity
Start by selecting all your audio by double-clicking it, and then select Compressor in the Effects menu.
Usually, I find that a Threshold of -20 dB works well. This is the point at which the Compressor kicks in and starts working, so anything above this level is going to compress down.
We can leave Noise Floor as it is at -60 dB. As for Ratio, the bigger this is, the bigger the compression we’ll get. I find that 3:1 usually works pretty well for this. Attack and Release Time we can leave as they are at 0.10 secs and 1.0 secs respectively.
Fine-Tuning Your Compressor Settings
While the default settings in Audacity’s Compressor tool work for some scenarios, experimenting with these parameters can give you better control over your sound. For instance:
- Threshold: Think of the threshold as the gatekeeper. Lowering the threshold captures more of your audio for compression. If your audio has a lot of loud peaks, adjusting this setting slightly can create a smoother result.
- Ratio: If your audio still feels uneven, try increasing the ratio. A 4:1 or 5:1 ratio can be ideal for highly dynamic content, like interviews with varying speaking styles.
- Attack and Release Time: These settings determine how quickly the compressor reacts and releases after compressing. A shorter attack time can make your audio sound tighter, but too short might introduce unwanted artifacts. Play around with these to match the pacing of your audio.
Monitoring Your Audio Levels
Make a note of these settings and it should level out your audio quite well. The Playback Level meter in the top right will confirm to you that everything is at a consistent volume level.
You can also watch me showing this method on my YouTube video:
If you are a podcaster, voiceover artist, audio editor or YouTuber, check out my Audacity course for beginners, and if you are creating an online radio show, podcast, radio imaging, or simply want to make your voice sound better, get hold of my free Audacity presets now.
Take Your Audacity Knowledge To The Next Level
I regularly publish blog posts and videos about Audacity and teach you how to become a master. Here are some further reading suggestions for you:
- Audacity Podcast Tutorial – Quickly Edit A Podcast And Sound Great!
- Multitrack Recording in Audacity
- Best Audacity Settings for Blue Yeti Mics
- How To Isolate Vocals In Audacity
