MAutoVolume: can this be done (assigning a target volume)?

[alexis1]

Hello - when I'm looking at an overly dynamic vocal phrase, implicit in my thinking is of course that there is an average "mid-level" volume I'd like it to be at (though usually not exactly midway between the loudest and softest parts of the audio). Furthermore there is almost always part of the vocal phrase that is actually *at* that desired volume.

So, I was wondering if there is anyway to inform MAutoVolume that " **this** section of audio is at the average volume level I'd like to make the entire vocal phrase be more like"?

Thanks for any thoughts!

[MeldaProduction]

Hi there, it actually wouldn't make much sense - the plugin doesn't need to care about that. All that you need to do is to set the input gain to a reasonable value so that the Gain meter is ideally as close to 0dB as possible in average. In a way that does what you asked for actually, but it's not 100% needed. It merely prevents the input signal to be too high / low in level, so that the plugin wouldn't be able to fix it properly anymore due to the "Range" parameter, which basically states that the plugin may not perform more then +/- specific gain value.

[alexis1]

Hi- thank you for your response!

... In a way that does what you asked for actually ...

Ok, just to clarify in my mind - does MAutoVolume lower the peaks to a volume that approximates some average value of the audio? And similarly , does it raise the softer/less loud audio to that average value?

... If not, how does it determine how much, and in which direction, to process the audio?

Thanks again!

[MeldaProduction]

It cannot know an average. In fact you wouldn't know an average unless you'd analyze the whole song before. But you do NOT need that! That's my main point. MAutoVolume adjusts the loudness to a predefined value, you may call it average even though it is not. All you need is to use the input gain to just place the input to some reasonable values (it's likely that you won't need to touch it at all) and output gain to the desired loudness - that said input gain in a way controls what you call "average level" and output gain controls desired output loudness.

[alexis1]

It cannot know an average. In fact you wouldn't know an average unless you'd analyze the whole song before. But you do NOT need that! That's my main point. MAutoVolume adjusts the loudness to a predefined value, you may call it average even though it is not. All you need is to use the input gain to just place the input to some reasonable values (it's likely that you won't need to touch it at all) and output gain to the desired loudness - that said input gain in a way controls what you call "average level" and output gain controls desired output loudness.

That's very helpful, thank you.

Re: the predetermined level ... how is that determined by MAutoVolume? Is it always X dB for every audio clip? If not (i.e., if it is song-specific), how does it choose the predetermined level when inserted on the track?

Sorry for all the questions, I do use it as you suggest (input/output controls), but knowing myself I'll be able to use it better if I'm able to understand it a bit more.

Thank you!

[MeldaProduction]

No problem . And yes, there is some hardwired value, which seems to work nicely for mixing, making most audio materials a bit below 0dB peak level and being nicely loud.

[alexis1]

No problem . And yes, there is some hardwired value, which seems to work nicely for mixing, making most audio materials a bit below 0dB peak level and being nicely loud.

Thank you!!