For eLearning Creators: What are the basic steps to using Adobe Audition to Amplify and Normalize Narration?

Report · Mar 04, 2016

I have created a four Part eLearning session that the client enjoys. However, the narration volume varies across the Parts and even within some Parts the volume of one slide may be noticeable louder than another. I have purchased a month subscription to Adobe Audition CC 2015 to simply amplify and normalize narration volume across the four Parts. While Adobe Audition is obvious a power tool, I am trying to establish some basic steps to amplify and normalize volume. I cannot find any basic learning materials or videos regarding this process. Below are the steps I have determined so far. Please correct me.

Step. 1. Identify the audio in the Library

Step 2: Right mouse click on the audio to select Edit in Adobe Audition. You receive a screen like the one below:

Step 3: Amplify the audio by going to Effects > Amplify and. Compression > Amplify. You receive a screen like the one below:

Step 4: Now, your task is to get the volume between -6 and -6. I am lost here! So, I just play around until adding 10 seems about right and I get the below and save it.

Step 5: Now, your task is to normalize the audio so there are no big highs and lows. I normalize by going to Effects > Amplify and Compression > Normalize. You receive a screen like the one below:

Step 6: Okay, I am back to simply guessing at the percentage to use to normalize around -6 / -6. I use 80%, it sounds okay and I have the an audio like the one below:

Step 7: I now need to save the file in a location where I can find it. I save it to the same destination as the original slide audio. I close Adobe Audition.

Step 8: Within Adobe Captivate, I double click on the original audio file and either import, or update the original audio with the Adobe Audition audio.

Step 9: I listen to and then save the slide.

Is this the correct procedure. Seems like I am doing a lot of guessing.

Thanks!

Report · Mar 10, 2016

I'd suggest you compare the results of your process with the Preset called: "Clean Up and Level Voice Over."

This preset involves the use of three filters: Adaptive Noise Reduction, Speech Volume Leveler and Hard Limiter."

You must verify the setting for Process: "Selection ONLY" or "Entire File," and click Apply.

I apply it once, immediately after recording and saving, and save as to maintain the original source.

It seems a simpler workflow, but I'm not certain that it will give better results than your more detailed process.

Report · Mar 16, 2016

Thanks, I am going to try this method and compare.

Report · Mar 10, 2016

You can set up a bunch of "effects" and batch process an entire folder of audio files. You can also Match Volume.

I would make a copy of the folder just to be safe.

Unless you are an audio expert, it is kind of guessing. Just be aware that amplification boosts everything, including noise.

Report · Aug 25, 2016

Mike Russell has a pretty good video that might help. How To Make Your Voice Sound Better (Secrets Revealed)