Audacity: Normalize vs Amplify comparison

Demo summary
The narrator compares the Amplify and Normalize effects side-by-side on the same track to show the difference in peak handling.
Step-by-step
- Highlight the entire audio track
- Go to Effect and select Volume and Compression
- Select Amplify
- Adjust the amplification value (e.g., to 10.1)
- Click Apply to see the bolded peaks
- Undo the effect to test the alternative
- Go back to Volume and Compression and select Normalize
- Click Apply and compare the sharpness of the peaks to the Amplify effect
Options
- Adjust amplification decibels to a custom level like 10.1 instead of the default
Tips
- Use Amplify over Normalize to get smoother, less harsh audio peaks
- Aim for around 10.1 for amplification as a 'good spot' for clear audio
Highlights
“To me amplify wins hands down. It smooths out the peaks of the audio. It's not so harsh compared to normalize.”
All demos from “Audacity 3.7.7: Beginner Tutorial | EVERYTHING You Need to Know!”
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