Reduce maximum amplidute without affecting sub-max sounds?

[stebbinsd]

When I'm choosing background music to use in my videos, the songs will often have varying levels of amplitude. However, I need my background music to be relatively stable throughout video. I don't want the music so loud that it overshadows my voice or sound effects, but I also don't want the low points in the music to be so soft that the audience can't hear the music at all.

Is there a way for me to reduce the maximum amplitude of my audio track to a certain maximum decibel level without affecting any audio that was already beneath that decibel level to begin with?

Also, is there a way for me to do the opposite? To amplify portions of the audio track that are below a certain minimum decibel range, to bring them up to the minimum, without touching any audio that's already above that decibel level to begin with?

Perhaps I could put those two effects together to ensure that my audio tracks are always within a certain decibel range.

[borate]

Suggest that you check into the WavePad forum.  Compression or Auto Gain may be helpful.

[stebbinsd]

So VideoPad doesn't have these effects?

I can see Compression in VideoPad. But I can't seem to figure out how to make it work like I want it.

[borate]

WavePad integrates well with Videopad.  Right-click the audio track and there should be an "edit with WavePad" item.

Once the desired result is achieved, if it can be, the saved file can be imported into VP.

[stebbinsd]

But I would have to purchase another license key to do that, wouldn't I?

[borate]

Here's the company's statement...

Get it Free. The free audio editor is available for non-commercial use only. WavePad free audio editing software does not expire and includes many of the features of the master’s version. If you are using it at home, you can download the free music editing software here. You can always upgrade to the master’s edition at a later time, which has additional effects and features for the serious sound engineer.

[stebbinsd]

I'm not seeing any option for a compression effect. https://i.postimg.cc/tTgrjmsV/WaveOad.png

Where is it?

[borate]

Load a file, click the LEVELS button on the toolbar.  More help in the WavePad forum

[stebbinsd]

I noticed that VideoPad has a compression audio effect.

https://i.postimg.cc/qvcqC1D5/Compressor.png

Can you just teach me how to get the effect I want using that instead? How do I set the maximum decibel level, and how so I set the minimum decibel level?

[Nationalsolo]

Hi

http://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/videopad/win/effects_audioeffects.html

You can also manually set the volume levels along a sound clip in Clip preview. Grab the blue line at any point and drag it up or down to increase or decrease the volume by creating keyframe points. In the Compressor effects option you can set the maximum dB level using the threshhold control.

Nat