When recording audio, you want to ensure you can optimize your dialogue while effectively removing unwanted background noise. Background noise is distracting, making it difficult for the listener to hear and concentrate on your audio. There are many ways you can remove background noise, but one of the best is the Speech Volume Leveler effect in Adobe Audition. Using Adobe’s Speech Volume Leveler, you can ensure your audio is always crisp, level, and clear, free of unwanted background noises.
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What Is The Speech Volume Leveler Effect?
The Speech Volume Leveler effect in Adobe Audition allows the person recording to create a level sound from all the contributors on different levels inside a track. With the Speech Volume Leveler, you can reduce background noises and allow the dialogue to come through crisply, a benefit that is especially appreciated when the recording conditions are either not controlled or prone to excess noise. Typically, if you are recording by yourself in a well-controlled environment, you won’t need to use this effect; rather, you could simply normalize the audio to 0db and use a Dynamic processor to achieve the sound you’re seeking.
Related: How To Use The Noise Gate In Adobe Audition
When Can I Use The Speech Volume Leveler Effect?
Many people are eager to produce the highest quality audio and are happy to utilize any tools at their disposal. Although it may seem like a good idea to use the Speech Volume Leveler effect while recording, it’s not an available feature, and for a good reason. If you were to use this effect (or any other for that matter) while recording, it becomes stuck on the recording, and you’re unable to remove it after. That means if you don’t care for the way it makes the recording sound, you’re stuck either keeping it or being forced to redo it completely. However, this restriction doesn’t apply to multitrack recordings; if you record audio in the multitrack view, you are able to add the Speech Volume leveler to your effects chain and hear its effects during playback. In this view, you can remove the effects from the chain and hear your original recording as-is, without the added effect.
How To Use The Speech Volume Leveler Plugin
There are two ways to use the Speech Volume Leveler plugin while editing, in the track, or on an individual clip. Both methods are incredibly easy and produce fantastic results.
In The Track
Click on “Track Effects,” scroll down to “Amplitude and Compression,” then choose Speech Volume Leveler. That’s it! Now your entire track will have the balancing and leveling effect necessary to increase its quality.
In An Individual Clip
When adding the Speech Volume Leveler to an individual clip, you simply select the clip, go to “Effects,” and select “Speech Volume Leveler.” You can also go directly to the effects rack itself and once again select Speech Volume Leveler.
When Should I Use The Speech Volume Leveler Effect?
Knowing when to use the Speech Volume Leveler effect is completely up to your personal preference. It’s not required to create an incredible recording, especially under controlled conditions, but there are rarely ever tracks that can’t benefit from even slight sound leveling or noise reduction. If you find your audio is uneven, with areas where the dialogue is significantly softer than the rest of the track, making it all one volume is incredibly beneficial. Additionally, if there are high levels of background noise or distortion, the Speech Volume Leveler effect can reduce it, making the dialogue stand out. Another example of when you may choose to use this popular effect is when there are instruments or multi-person exchanges on the track. When using instruments, you may find one stands out louder than the rest, drowning them or the conversation out. By breaking down the track into clips, you can use the Speech Volume Leveler to make all the instrumentals the same volume level, making the track sound more cohesive. With multi-person dialogue, the Speech Volume Leveler effect is helpful for those with differing speech volume levels, making it easy for the listener to hear everyone without straining.
Related Questions
Q: Can I Use The Speech Volume Leveler While Recording?
A: Sometimes, You can only use the Speech Volume Leveler on multitrack recordings, not on a single track.
Q: Can I Use The Speech Volume Leveler Effect On One Clip?
A: Yes, you can use the Speech Volume Leveler effect on a single clip or on the entire track of your recording.
Q: Is The Speech Volume Leveler Effect Plugin Difficult To Use?
A: No, the Speech Volume Leveler effect plugin is quick and easy to use, requiring only a few clicks, and you’re done!
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Summary
If you’re ready to clean up your recordings and take them to the next level, the Speech Volume Leveler effect is a simple and quick way to do it. The Speech Volume Leveler effect allows you to balance audio, remove background noise, and level the different volumes within your recordings to create a cohesive and level recording.
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