Fixing Incorrect RMS Levels
You may receive an email stating that your audio tracks have incorrect RMS levels. Each track must measure between -23dB and -18dB RMS. RMS stands for Root Mean Square. Keeping your RMS between -23dB and -18dB ensures your audio isn’t too loud or too quiet, creating a polished finished product, and a smooth listening experience.
-
Open Audacity: If you haven't already, download and install Audacity from the official website (https://www.audacityteam.org/). Launch Audacity once it's installed.
-
Import Your Audio File: Click on "File" in the top menu and select "Open" to import the audio file you want to edit.
-
Select the Entire Audio Track: Since you want to adjust the RMS level of the entire audio track, press "Ctrl+A" (Windows/Linux) or "Command+A" (Mac) to select the entire waveform.
-
Measure the RMS Level: To measure the current RMS level of the audio, go to the "Analyze" menu and select "Measure RMS." This will provide you with the RMS level in dB.
-
Apply the Appropriate Gain: To adjust the RMS level to meet the requirement, you'll likely need to apply gain to the audio. Go to the "Effect" menu and select "Amplify."
-
Apply the Gain: In the "Amplify" dialog box, enter -6 into the "New Peak Amplitude (dB) box. Click the "OK" button to apply the gain.
-
Check the RMS Level: After applying the gain, measure the RMS level again using the "Measure RMS" effect (as mentioned in step 4). Ensure that the new RMS level falls within the specified range of -23dB to -18dB RMS.
-
Export Your Edited Audio: Once you're satisfied with the changes and the RMS level is within the required range, you can export the edited audio by clicking "File" > "Export" and choose the appropriate export settings.
Keep in mind that applying gain can introduce noise or clipping if done excessively. It's important to use your ears and monitor the audio quality while making these adjustments. If the audio quality deteriorates or you encounter clipping issues, you may need to apply less gain or consider other editing techniques, such as compression, to meet the RMS level requirement while maintaining audio quality.