Verify processed audio in Audacity

Audacity Try it →Watch full video →Mike Teaches Audacity · Jan 2026

Demo summary

The processed file is dragged back into Audacity and re-analyzed with the ACX Check tool to confirm that all parameters (Peak, RMS, and Noise Floor) now pass.

Step-by-step

Drag the processed audio file into Audacity
Select the waveform of the processed track
Go to Analyze and select ACX Check
Verify that Peak Level, RMS, and Noise Floor all show a pass status
Solo the processed track and loop it to listen for noise floor reduction

Watch out for

The peak level must be within parameters (e.g., -3.25 dB) to pass ACX standards

Tips

Compare the processed waveform against the original to visually confirm changes
Note the specific dB drop in the noise floor to ensure it matches your intended settings

Highlights

“this file here as an MP3 should be ready to upload to ACX whenever we're ready to do that”

All demos from “15 - NEW! RMS Leveling via Auphonic for ACX Audiobooks”

1:563:40Analyze audio for ACX compliance in AudacityThe narrator uses Audacity to check the noise floor and peak levels of a recording using the ACX Check plugin to identify which parameters fail requirements.Audacity· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
6:283:42Configure Auphonic RMS leveling presetThe user walks through the Auphonic web interface to create a preset, setting the loudness target to -20dB RMS and the peak level to -3dB for ACX standards.Auphonic· AI Mastering
10:101:59Process and download audio in AuphonicThe narrator creates a new production in Auphonic, uploads a WAV file, applies the ACX preset, and downloads the processed MP3 file.Auphonic· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
12:091:30Verify processed audio in AudacityCurrentThe processed file is dragged back into Audacity and re-analyzed with the ACX Check tool to confirm that all parameters (Peak, RMS, and Noise Floor) now pass.Audacity· AI Mastering
Watch “15 - NEW! RMS Leveling via Auphonic for ACX Audiobooks” →

AI Mastering

11:220:24Final normalization and ACX checkThe user performs a final normalization to -3 dB and runs the ACX Check plugin to verify that the peak, RMS, and noise floor meet professional standards.Master Editor
15:230:37Final normalization and ACX checkThe final step shows re-normalizing the audio to -3 dB and using the ACX Check tool to verify that the peak, RMS, and noise floor levels are within professional limits.Master Editor
11:550:53Using Master Effects and LimitersThe demonstration shows how to apply a limiter to the master bus in Audacity to prevent clipping across all tracks simultaneously.Joe at Claricast
20:032:17Use the Limiter effectA demonstration of applying the Limiter effect to smooth out loud spikes and increase the overall vibrancy of the audio.Dewi Jenkins
12:091:30Verify processed audio in AudacityCurrentThe processed file is dragged back into Audacity and re-analyzed with the ACX Check tool to confirm that all parameters (Peak, RMS, and Noise Floor) now pass.Mike Teaches Audacity