Normalize audio in Audacity

Demo summary
The narrator demonstrates how to select a track and apply the Normalize effect in Audacity, adjusting the peak amplitude to -3 dB to establish a consistent volume baseline.
Step-by-step
- Select the entire track by double-clicking inside it
- Go to Effect > Volume and Compression > Normalize
- Change the Peak Amplitude value to -3 dB
- Click Apply to process the audio
Options
- Use the default preset (-1 dB peak amplitude)
- Use the ACX Check tool to measure technical levels before normalizing
Watch out for
- The ACX Check tool is an external plugin and is not installed in Audacity by default
- ACX standards require a peak level of -3 dB
Tips
- Use -3 dB instead of -1 dB to meet professional ACX standards for voiceovers and audiobooks
- Normalize to -3 dB to establish a reliable baseline for easier processing later
- Remember that in negative decibels, numbers closer to zero (like -3) are louder than lower numbers (like -12)
Highlights
“Setting the peak to minus3 makes later processing much easier.”
All demos from “How to make your audio sound good in Audacity - 2026”
2:412:23Normalize audio in AudacityCurrentThe narrator demonstrates how to select a track and apply the Normalize effect in Audacity, adjusting the peak amplitude to -3 dB to establish a consistent volume baseline.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
5:581:03Apply one-click audio macros in AudacityThe user shows how to use the 'Apply Macro' tool in Audacity to instantly improve raw vocal recordings using pre-configured processing chains.Audacity· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
8:321:19Reduce background noise in AudacityA two-step demonstration of noise reduction: first capturing a noise profile from a silent section, then applying the effect to the entire track with specific sensitivity and smoothing settings.Audacity· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
9:560:36Apply Filter Curve EQ in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates applying a 'low roll-off for speech' using the Filter Curve EQ to remove unnecessary low-frequency noise from a voice recording.Audacity· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
10:420:34Compress audio dynamic range in AudacityThe demonstration shows how to use the Compressor effect in Audacity, starting with a lead vocals preset and manually adjusting the threshold and ratio for a balanced sound.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
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.Audacity· AI Mastering- Watch “How to make your audio sound good in Audacity - 2026” →
AI Audio Editor
22:520:11Moving audio clips with handles in Audacity 3.1The narrator demonstrates how the addition of visual handles allows users to drag and move audio clips horizontally without switching to a dedicated 'Time Shift' mode.Tantacrul
24:490:17Applying real-time effects stacksThe narrator demonstrates opening the effects panel on a track to stack VST or Audio Unit plugins non-destructively.Tantacrul
43:120:38Using the redesigned Graphic EqualizerThe demo shows the improved legibility of the equalizer, including decibel popups when dragging sliders and the ability to draw curves across multiple sliders.Tantacrul
0:560:14Accessing the Master Effects Channel in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to open the effects panel by clicking the effects button on a track and locating the new Master Channel to apply a real-time compressor to the overall mix.Audacity
0:270:44Apply EQ filters in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to select audio and apply Bass Boost, Treble Boost, and Low Roll-off for Speech using the Filter Curve EQ effect in Audacity.GuideRealm
1:110:20Configure audio compressor in AudacityThe user shows how to navigate to the Compressor effect in Audacity and input specific values for threshold, noise floor, and ratio to normalize the audio.GuideRealm
0:510:15Prepare audio track in AudacityThe user demonstrates how to trim, zoom, and duplicate an audio waveform in Audacity using keyboard shortcuts and UI handles to prepare for processing.Mike Russell
1:081:41Apply Filter Curve EQ in AudacityThe demonstrator walks through opening the Filter Curve EQ, setting a flat default, and manually adjusting handles to boost high-end crispness, roll off low-end rumble, and reduce nasality.Mike Russell
3:060:12Normalize audio in AudacityThe user shows how to navigate to the Volume and Compression menu to apply a -1 dB normalization to the selected audio track.Mike Russell
3:180:32Apply Compressor settings in AudacityThe demonstrator configures the Audacity compressor by adjusting threshold, makeup gain, and ratio settings to flatten the vocal dynamics.Mike Russell
3:500:09Second normalization pass in AudacityA second normalization step is demonstrated to bring the compressed audio back to the target -1 dB level.Mike Russell
4:080:17Apply Limiter in AudacityThe user demonstrates applying a limiter effect with a -5 dB threshold to chop off high-end peaks and finalize the audio levels.Mike Russell