Lowering dB to below -3

[mrobbins11]

Hello all!

I'm an audio book Producer for ACX, but I have yet to figure out how to make my job easier. The audio file's Total RMS must be between -23 and -18 dB, which raises the True Peak significantly. I was wondering if there was any way of targeting all of the "wave crests" (my sound wave vocabulary is limited, sorry) that exceed -3 dB and making them all lower to about -4 dB all at once? Currently, I'm going to every single crest and lowering the dB by hand.

So basically, is there any way to lower all crests above -3 dB at once?

Thanks in advance!

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

I went through the ACX requirements and how to meet them a while back, in this thread: Re: ACX audiobook submission requirements 60dbRMS, -3db & -23db -18db RMS - hopefully this will give you some pointers.

As far as the compression requirements are concerned, you should look at the Craig Jackman video linked to later in the thread: Dynamics processing - YouTube Don't worry about it being a different version of Audition - the Dynamics Processor hasn't changed.

[Mike Russell · Accepted solution]

Effects > Amplitude and Compression > Hard Limiter...

A hard limiter will stop any peaks over any level you set. In this case there is a preset called Limit to -3db. Click it, apply, you're done!

If the voice sounds too crunchy and compressed lower the Input Boost in the effect. Take it down from 6 dB to 0 dB and then you'll only be cutting peaks (the process you were doing by hand before)