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Normalize audio in Audacity

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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

  1. Select the entire track by double-clicking inside it
  2. Go to Effect > Volume and Compression > Normalize
  3. Change the Peak Amplitude value to -3 dB
  4. 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”

  1. 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.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  2. 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.AudacityAI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
  3. 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.AudacityAI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
  4. 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.AudacityAI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
  5. 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.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  6. 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.AudacityAI Mastering
  7. Watch “How to make your audio sound good in Audacity - 2026” →

AI Audio Editor

  1. 4:311:04Record audio in AudacityA walkthrough of recording a first track, including checking preferences, using the red record button, and managing multiple tracks with the pause and stop functions.Dewi Jenkins
  2. 17:272:36Apply Compressor effectThe user shows how to use the Compressor effect to even out volume and add punch to a vocal track.Dewi Jenkins
  3. 22:202:41Normalize vs Amplify comparisonThe narrator compares the Amplify and Normalize effects side-by-side on the same track to show the difference in peak handling.Dewi Jenkins
  4. 28:470:46Import audio filesShows three ways to bring external audio files onto the Audacity timeline using menus and keyboard shortcuts.Dewi Jenkins
  5. 29:330:32Split audio clipsDemonstrates how to use the right-click menu to create a split point in an audio track.Dewi Jenkins
  6. 30:260:46Zoom in and out of waveformsDemonstrates using Ctrl + Scroll and the magnifying glass tool to navigate the audio timeline.Dewi Jenkins
  7. 6:311:35Non-destructive editing and clip dragging in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to use the new clip handle bar to drag audio segments and how to recover deleted sections using the non-destructive trim tool.Joe at Claricast
  8. 8:101:04Copying smart clips between Audacity sessionsA demonstration of copying an audio segment from one project and pasting it into another as a 'smart clip' to retain editing flexibility.Joe at Claricast
  9. 10:001:53Applying real-time effects in AudacityThe narrator shows how to add live, non-destructive effects like EQ, compression, and reverb to a track while monitoring the output and visual response.Joe at Claricast
  10. 12:521:00Time stretching and pitch shifting clipsThe narrator demonstrates using the Alt/Option key to drag the edge of a clip for time stretching and using keyboard shortcuts to shift pitch independently.Joe at Claricast
  11. 13:550:30Switching timeline to beats and measuresA walkthrough of changing the timeline ruler from seconds to musical beats and measures and enabling the snap-to-grid feature.Joe at Claricast
  12. 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.Master Editor
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