It Sounds Sweeter with Two

Ever recorded a podcast or lecture with two or more speakers?
How ’bout the sound?
Everyone spoke at the same level, right?
Really? No quiet talkers and they all talked in to the mic.
I wish.

Afterwards, have you tried even out all those levels?
It’s a pain.

Want some help?

The fine people at The Conversations Network, a listener-supported non-profit podcast network, have a wonderfully FREE tool called Levelator that might just help. It’s specifically optimized for speech and works to correct uneven volume levels. Just drag & drop a WAV or AIFF file (sorry, no MP3 or AAC) into it’s window and it does the rest.

I just tried it with a test file and it really works. Listen here:

30 second sound bite before using Levelator

30 second sound bite after using Levelator
Notice how you can clearly hear Dee’s correction about basements. Good stuff.

Give it try.
It’s free and available for Mac, Windows, and Linux (Ubuntu).

To find out more about The Conversations Network and to download Levelator, just go to http://www.conversationsnetwork.org/

About Ian Aberle

Ian Aberle is an Adobe Creative Educator and the Senior IT Communications Specialist & Trainer for the Office of Information Technology (OIT). For over 25 years, he has helped the SMU community use technology and implement digital and web media through multiple roles with the Digital Commons, SMU STAR Program, and now OIT. Ian enjoys photography and road trips with his family in his free time.

View all posts by Ian Aberle →

1 Response to It Sounds Sweeter with Two

Emilie Oclair says:

June 25, 2011 at 17:05

I think youve produced some truly interesting points. Not too many people would really think about this the way you just did. Im definitely impressed that theres so substantially about this topic thats been uncovered and you did it so well, with so substantially class. Very good one you, man! Actually fantastic things right here.