How do you monitor and adjust audio levels and quality during and after editing?

1 Why audio levels and quality matter

Audio levels and quality are essential aspects of any audio production. They affect how your listeners perceive your message, your mood, your style and your professionalism. Audio levels refer to the volume and balance of your sound sources, such as voices, instruments, effects and background noise. Audio quality refers to the clarity, richness and consistency of your sound, as well as the absence of unwanted distortion, clicks, pops and hiss. Monitoring and adjusting audio levels and quality during and after editing can help you avoid common problems such as clipping, peaking, distortion, noise, phase issues, panning errors and more.

2 How to monitor audio levels and quality during editing

One of the most important tools for monitoring audio levels and quality during editing is a pair of headphones or speakers. You should use a high-quality and reliable set of headphones or speakers that can reproduce the full range of frequencies and dynamics of your audio. You should also avoid using earbuds, laptop speakers or other low-quality devices that can mislead you about your audio levels and quality. Another essential tool for monitoring audio levels and quality during editing is a meter. A meter is a visual representation of your audio signal that shows you the amplitude, peak, RMS, LUFS and other indicators of your audio levels. You should use a meter to check that your audio is not too loud or too quiet, that it does not clip or distort, and that it meets the standards and specifications of your platform or format. You should also use a meter to compare the levels of your different sound sources and make sure they are balanced and consistent. A third important tool for monitoring audio levels and quality during editing is your ears. You should listen carefully to your audio and pay attention to any issues or problems that you can hear, such as noise, distortion, clicks, pops, hiss, phase issues, panning errors and more. You should also listen to your audio in different environments and devices, such as headphones, speakers, car stereo, phone, etc., to check how it sounds in different contexts and scenarios.

3 How to adjust audio levels and quality during editing

Once you have monitored your audio levels and quality during editing, you need to adjust them to improve your audio. Depending on your software and preferences, there are many tools and techniques that you can use to adjust the levels and quality, such as gain, faders, panning, equalization, compression, and effects. Gain is the amount of amplification or attenuation applied to the audio signal. Faders are sliders that allow you to control the volume of each track or channel. Panning is the process of positioning your sound sources in the stereo field. Equalization is the process of adjusting the frequency spectrum of your audio signal. Compression reduces the dynamic range of your audio signal. Effects are additional processes that modify or enhance its sound. When adjusting audio levels and quality, it’s important to use these tools carefully and selectively to avoid over-modifying or altering your sound too much.

4 How to monitor audio levels and quality after editing

After you have edited your audio and adjusted its levels and quality, you need to monitor it again before exporting or publishing it. This is because some changes or errors may have occurred during the editing process that can affect your final audio output. For example, you may have introduced some noise, distortion, clicks, pops or hiss in your audio; you may have created some phase issues, panning errors or gaps in your audio; you may have exceeded the maximum level or violated the standards or specifications of your platform or format; or you may have missed some details or problems that you did not notice before. Therefore, you need to monitor your audio levels and quality after editing using the same tools and techniques that you used during editing: headphones or speakers, meters and ears. You should also listen to your audio in different environments and devices again to check how it sounds in different contexts and scenarios.

5 How to adjust audio levels and quality after editing

If you find any issues or problems in your audio after editing, you need to adjust them before exporting or publishing. The type and severity of the issue or problem will determine which tools and techniques you use to adjust your audio levels and quality. Automation is the process of creating and applying changes over time. Envelopes are graphical representations of automation that show changes over time. Exporting is the process of converting your audio project into a single file. When exporting, choose the appropriate settings and options for your audio file, such as format, sample rate, bit depth, codec, channels. It is also important to respect copyright and ownership of your audio sources and follow the rules and regulations of your platform or format.