There are several things that you can do
in Audacity to improve your voice recording.
We'll be showing you how to use the following tools.
Use our clickable sections below
to keep track of what step you're on during this tutorial.
Be careful when using our suggested effects.
Overdoing these can cause your voice
to become too boomy or grating.
First, let's add some fullness and presence to your voice
using two different EQ methods in Audacity.
In order to process your audio files
using the methods described,
double-click your audio file to select the section
that you want to clean up.
We'll start with Audacity's bass and treble effect.
It's a quick way to add some presence
to your voice recording.
Go into the effect menu and select "Bass and Treble."
Try increasing both the bass and the treble just a bit
to increase your volume level,
no more than 2 to 3 dB.
Click "Start Playback" to hear your effect.
And when you're satisfied, click "Apply."
Another method is using Audacity's filter curve EQ.
This will give you more nuanced control
over the frequencies in your recording.
Make sure your audio is still selected,
then go into the effect menu and select "Filter Curve."
The filter curve EQ allows you to select a frequency range
so that you can make more granular adjustments
based on your preference.
Click on the graph to insert points
at the frequencies you wish to adjust.
For the low end, let's start somewhere
between 100 to 130 hertz.
Insert your points,
and then drag them up or down to adjust
the gain of that frequency range.
Don't add more than a couple of decibels,
or it will sound too gloomy.
Click on the preview button to test your effect.
It may take a second or more for Audacity
to prerender the effect,
depending upon the length of your audio.
For the high end, do the same for the upper frequencies.
Try starting around 2.5 kilohertz
and bringing that up just a bit.
Again, your adjustment should not be
above 3 decibels at the most.
Once you're satisfied, click "OK."
Another method of improving voice quality
is to use a compressor.
This type of processor helps even out
the differences in amplitude
over the length of your recording.
Select your audio file,
go into the effects menu,
and select "Compressor."
Set the threshold to about -30 decibels.
Set the noise floor to about -50 decibels.
The ratio should be set to about 2:1 to 3:1 or so,
higher if you really want that in-your-face radio voice.
The attack and release should both be set
to very short times.
And, finally, make sure that
the "Make-up gain for 0 dB after compressing"
option is selected.
Again, you can preview the effects
to make sure you are satisfied with the changes.
Then click "OK."
The final thing you can do to bring out your voice
is to normalize it.
This is a process that brings your recording
up to its fullest potential without adding distortion.
Make sure your audio is selected.
Go into the effects menu
and click on "Normalize."
Ensure that both the "Remove DC offset"
and "Normalize peak amplitude to" options are selected.
Set the "Normalize peak amplitude to" setting
to about -1 dB.
You can preview this to hear it,
and then click "OK."