I have 7 sessions of video/audio presentations each being 3 hours long. Does anyone have any ideas of a simple and time effective way to apply compression to the audio?
The files are roughly 1 to 1.5 gig each. Not terrible; but not overly simple to work with at times either.
Some of the speakers are fairly loud and project well. Others are more quiet. And of course the MC does a few LOUD shout outs to the crowd.
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by HearToLearn; 10/17/1905:20 AM.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
Unfortunately, unless you have a supercomputer, you will probably need to break those 7 clips down to more clips to allow you to open them in the DAW that you use. Whatever compression settings you end up using, you'll need to save those to a preset so you can apply them to the other clips. What video editor are you using? Are you just splitting the audio out in your video editor, then handling the compression in an audio editor? Does your video editor have an audio tool to handle compression right in there so you don't have to use a separate DAW?
Looking forward to hearing your responses on this.
Hi I guess that is the video size not the sound file. As Steve says this is some task , Do you still have the sound available from a separate track in the original videos, Was it ever available post video production as an audio recording or did the camera embed it in the video. Or has it already been rendered into the composite video MP4 file or what other movie format you use.
Worse case would be to record the sound off the clip then work on the audio do not change its time of cut in any way . but you should be able to compress . You would then have to make a new Video from your original with the sound muted, Then overdub your new Audio in Sync. This is why it is so important not to edit the sound or video while they are separated. Let us know how you get on Mike
Once the audio is broken out from the video and open in your preferred audio software program.
Here's how I think I'd approach it with the information you've provided so far:
. Set your DAW's waveform zoom levels so you can easily distinguish between high passages and low passages in the waveform. . Highlight the higher passages and apply negative amplification to lower the gain of the high section to be more in level with the lower sections without losing vocal clarity. It's trial and error. Use your ears and work your way through the entire file. In this step, you're manually adjusting the overall track gain. . Normalize the entire file to -6 to -12 db . Lightly compress the entire file to further tame peaks and gently level the amplification edits. . Apply a limiter to bring the overall level up.
This should allow you to equalize the volume levels without raising up the noise floor and ambient background noise to much.
Worse case would be to record the sound off the clip then work on the audio do not change its time of cut in any way . but you should be able to compress. You would then have to make a new Video from your original with the sound muted, Then overdub your new Audio in Sync. This is why it is so important not to edit the sound or video while they are separated.
Mike, I'm a little confused on your answer on this one. Some of the video editors I've worked with allow you to split off audio from the video clip so you wouldn't have to lose a generation of the original to a copy. I swap in updated audio files all the time with Cyberlink Power Director video tool. That one also has a nice audio sync feature that allows you to sync up original and edited audio tracks to the frame before you delete the original.
HI Steve Yes indeed some video editors are very good, at teasing it out. But getting hold of the audio separately from some previous merges and interleave into the video, Is not always easy. Great if you have a separate in sync Audio recording from the film but that’s the stuff of movies and Clapperboards lol. Spent a bit of time as a film extra over the years on odd occasions. So a bit spoilt for sound on film and video production. None the less the original task should be a possibility with care.
Ok, reporting back. I ended up using a number of ideas from the post. Overall, I simply dragged each video into a daw, added compression to the audio track end exported with the effect. Then I imported that track into the video editor and muted the original audio track. It was very easy to line up because I didn't change anything in the audio beyond compression.
It really is one of those pull it in, walk away, save and walk away. It takes time for sure.
I used less taxing software to help speed things up...Reaper and Vegas. I'm running Win 10 w/ 64 Gig of ram, so not the most but not a Timex Sinclair 1000 either. I'm hoping some of you will laugh at that.
Thank you VERY much for the helpful suggestions. I, at best, had ideas. It's so much better starting with words of wisdom like I got here. Experience is type of thing. I greatly appreciate it.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
Audacity could probably do this for you. I never tried on a long clip though.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
I'm hoping some of you will laugh at that.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean