Is Your Audacity Recording Too Quiet?
Have you noticed your Audacity recording volume is too quiet since the update to version 3.1? You are not alone! This is a problem for people with some interface units that have 2 mic inputs, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, the Steinberg UR12, the older M-Audio Mobile Pre, etc.
So you are using a really good microphone plugged into a recording interface that has 2 mic inputs, and it’s plenty loud enough in headphones. It’s even plenty loud for Zoom or in any other recording program. But for some reason, when you try to record in Audacity WITH THE EXACT SAME SETTINGS, you get a super quiet recording level. It might look something like this:
Just to give you an idea of what level this audio SHOULD have been, I used the EXACT SAME SETTINGS for a recording using Adobe Audition. I then imported the AA one into Audacity so you could see how different they are. See the pic below:
If you want the stats to compare, the Audacity version had an average level of -30.33 LUFS (Loudness Unit Full Scale). The Adobe Audition version’s average level was -20.47 LUFS. Remember in digital audio, things are measured in negative numbers. and the closer to zero you get, the louder it is. So this is a 10 dB difference! That means Audacity is lowering the level of the incoming signal by 10 dB. That is a lot.
This was a mystery to me, and only started happening when I updated Audacity to version 3.1. I’ve heard similar stories from others who are using interfaces with 2 mic inputs. [UPDATE: A very similar problem has been happening in Camtasia software for years and I only now realized it as the same basic cause. The solutions and workarounds in this post work for both programs (and, I’m sure, any other program with this issue).
So Why Is This Happening?
After many days of searching for causes, I found the cause. Audacity has a weird conversion thing it does when it sees a stereo signal coming in, AND you choose the option (in Audacity) to record in mono. There is a dropdown in Audacity’s toolbar where you choose between “1 (Mono) Recording Channel,” and “2 (Stereo) Recording Channels.
It makes total sense that if you are recording a single voice into a single microphone plugged into a single microphone input on a recording interface, you’d choose “Mono.” Because, well, you’re recording a mono thing!
If you thought that – like I did – you’d be wrong. First of all, this isn’t ALL Audacity’s fault. It turns out that most 2-input interface units send all audio to the computer as stereo signals by default – regardless of how many mics you have plugged in. That means Audacity sees a stereo signal, even when you THINK you’re sending it a mono signal. That is the first issue.
But then Audacity does something odd. Since you have chosen “1 (Mono)” in the Audacity toolbar, it thinks you are recording a mono signal. But since it is getting a stereo signal from the Scarlett interface, it sees a discrepancy. And it thinks it needs to reduce the input level…by a LOT.
I’ve read that it’s trying to cut it in half. But since my result was a one-third reduction (-30 dB vs -20 dB), I’m not sure that is correct. But either way, the result is a much-reduced level. And that leads to the small, hard-to-hear waveform in the Audacity track.
And BTW, this is NOT just an Audacity thing. I’ve been having trouble with Camtasia (screen recording software) recording only on the left side for years! But I didn’t realize this was the same problem. Some software programs just want to see stereo input if they are hooked up a 2-channel/2-mic input interface.
What Do I Do?
Let’s start with what NOT to do.
- Do not turn up the gain knob on the interface. You run the danger of overloading it, which would result in distorted audio EVEN WITH a small waveform. The problem isn’t the hardware. It’s the software.
- Do not just increase the level of the audio in Audacity after the fact with the Amplify effect or the volume control on the track. The first reason for this is that you are likely to increase the background noise for that audio. But secondly, this will get to be a huge pain. If you always have to record something, and then add the step of “turning it up” as a matter of course, it is a lot of wasted effort.
So What DO I do?
Now that I know what I should not do, what are the things I should do to solve the problem?
The Workaround
There is a way to actually record at the proper level. But it involves sort of tricking Audacity. Before you record, tell Audacity you’re recording a stereo signal. Technically you are, because the interface is sending a stereo signal even for a single voice. So change the selection in the dropdown from “1 (Mono) Recording Channel” to 2 (Stereo) Recording Channels.
This will result in a 2-channel “stereo” track. But all the audio will be on one channel. See the picture below:
This was with the microphone plugged into “Input 1” on the interface, which is the one on the left. If you plug the mic into Input 2, this flips. The audio would be on the bottom (right channel), with silence on the top part of the track (left channel).
So once you’ve got the 2-channel/stereo track recorded in Audacity, the channel with the audio on it will be full volume. Yay! That’s the first part of the workaround. If you leave it like this, you’ll only hear the audio out of one speaker or the other.
So the second part of the workaround is to split the stereo track into two mono tracks. This is super easy. Just click on the dropdown menu in the stereo track’s control panel on the left where it says “Audio Track.”
Then click on “Split Stereo To Mono.”
This will result in two mono files. One will have the audio. The other will be blank.
The final step in the workaround is to simply delete the blank track by clicking on the “X” in the upper left corner of the track control panel on the left. this will leave you with a single mono track with your voice (or whatever you were recording) at the proper level. This workaround may have sounded complex. But in reality, it takes like 10 seconds to do it.
The Fix
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of splitting and deleting every track every time you record, worry not. There is a fix.
In Windows (where this problem seems to be most prominent), navigate your way to “Manage Audio Devices.” Probably the fastest way to do get there is to right-click on the speaker icon in the far right of the taskbar. Select “Sounds.” Then in the panel that shows up, click on the Recording Tab.
Once there, click on your interface, which should be the default (green check mark). Then click on “Properties.” In the Properties panel, click on the Advanced tab. You’ll see a dropdown menu that will probably have “2 channel, 24 bit, 44100 (or 48000) Hz (Studio Quality)” selected as the default. Change that to “1 channel, 24 bit, 44100 (or 48000) Hz (Studio Quality).” Hit “Apply.”
Once that is done, go back to Audacity and make a new recording. Make sure to select “1 (mono) recording channel” before you do. And now you’ll get the full volume/level of audio in your mono recordings!
Of course if you DO want to record in stereo at some point, you’ll need to reset the Windows Sound setting back to 2 channels.
One problem I know of with the “fix” above is with the Steinberg UR12. For some reason, Windows will not let you change from “2 channel…” to “1 channel.” I don’t know why that is. But if I figure it out, I will update this post.
[UPDATE] I DID find another solution that will work for Steinberg and any other interface with 2 microphone inputs. It’s an XLR mic cable splitter. I bought the one pictured below for 10 bucks from Amazon – Cable Matters XLR Splitter Cable, Female to 2 Male XLR Y Cable:
Just plug your mic cable into the male end of this splitter. Then plug both female ends into your 2-channel, 2-mic input interface (one for each mic input). This solves the problem without needing to go into Windows Sound settings and changing channel output. And it also means you don’t have to switch the setting back to 2 channels when you DO want to record in stereo.
I hope that helps you cure any headaches or bouts of stress this issue may have caused you when recording a mono vocal in Audacity 3.1.
This issue randomly happened to me 2 days ago and no matter what i do, i can’t get my original audio volume back. It is very annoying. Should i just purchase another audio interface?
What interface are you using? And yeah, once it’s already recorded, there isn’t much you can do except raise the gain and do noise reduction. Then at the very least, the next time your record, tell Audacity to record a stereo file and do the work-around in the article.
Using a Scarlett Solo 3rd generation. the problem has even persisted into new recordings, where the gain is so low that it is almost in audible
If you’re using a Solo, then the issue is almost certainly not anything addressed in my article. The problem only happens when your interface sends a stereo signal to your computer, which the Solo does not. But just to make sure, try telling Audacity to record in stereo anyway, and see if you get wave forms on both sides. And if it is louder. If you’ve tried everything else in the article, I’d recommend trying a different recording program. Any other recording app – even the built in one in Windows (voice memo or something like that?) should do the trick. If you get the same problem, then the problem is probably in Windows. What version of Windows are you using? Your output level might have gotten turned down somehow.
It does seem to help with my Scarlett Solo. Perhaps because it has a second input used for an instrument?
That seems strange to me. But I’m glad it helped. And I’m not entirely sure if the solo sends a stereo signal. I’ll look into that!
Yep. Problems all started with Audacity 3.4.
All I need to do is record interviews from MP3s and off the web.
Wow! This is so obscure and works beautifully. None of the other videos, etc. explained it so well AND with such a relatively easy fix
Audacity coders – hint for 3.5 / 4.0.
Blessings upon you, Ken Theriot, and many thanks for saving me from going “crazy for weeks.”
So glad it helped!
Hi Ken,
Thanks for this. I have had this problem in Audacity 3.1.0 on a Windows 10 PC. In Windows Direct sound option, very low wave form, compared to much better level in Studio One Version 5. Using Audient iD4, with one Mic output, on around 3 o’clock on the gain.
I’ve noticed in Wasapi the volume level is much healthier, and a better volime, but sometimes exceeding peak level, which is no good. I notice you have MME as the setting in your Audacity example. Of course in post you can add a a bit of limiter etc… But, in terms of a raw sound level it’s not good. On my dropdowns in the Sound Settings, there is no option chanel 1, in the Advanced tab?
I shall keep an eye on your posts. Thanks again.
Hi Claire. What kind of microphone and interface (if applicable) are you using?
Hi Ken,
I was just looking this up again. My mic is a Sennheiser MK 4, and I use the Audient id4. Yes, as I said the issue isn’t so bad in a raw file on Studio One. Wondering if its y cables?
Thanks,Claire
Hi Claire,
This would all depend on what interface you are using. For me, the issue stems from using an interface with 2 inputs, which outputs a stereo signal REGARDLESS of whether you have only 1 mic. What interface are you using?
I actually have a similarly timed, similarly reduced volume but different. Mine is stereo
I actually have a similarly timed, similarly reduced volume but different. Mine is stereo the mic is stereo, but its still doing really reduced volume. I even tried shifting to mono with no improvement.
What kind of interface are you using? Also, does the level seem reduced when recording into any other program?
I have noticed that my husbands audio records with less volume than mine. For quite awhile, I thought it was his position to the mic but now I realize it is the lower pitch of his voice. We have 2 microphones into a scarlett 2i2 using audacity in stereo mode. Is there some kind of compensation I need to make before recording for his lower voice?
Thank you!
Kim
Though possible, I really don’t think there should be that much of a level difference based on lower or higher frequencies. Is absolutely EVERYTHING the same in our setup. For example, are you using the same computer and mic and interface with the same Windows settings? Or do you do something different with a different computer, etc?
Hey Ken,
Thanks for walking through the issue and the fixes. I am using Audacity 3.2.5 on a Windows 11 computer. My computer is hooked up to a Mackie ProFX16 mixer. The previous computer had a very old version of Audacity and was recording in mono. I am now experiencing the same issues you described above, however, when I record both channels are identical instead of having one channel with full volume and one with no volume. I also attempted to adjust the mic settings but only have options for 2 channel set up. Any advice?
Thanks,
Evan
Did you try looking in the Windows sound settings? Changing to “1 channel, 24 bit, 44100 (or 48000) Hz (Studio Quality)?
I must say I didn’t expect to find the perfect solution to exactly my problem after fiddling around with my new 2i2 – thanks a lot! I was already wondering if my (strange) setup with a 48V to 3-5V adapter I use for my headset-mic somehow was to blame for the recording being “internally” clipped way before it actually reached max volume in audacity, but now it all makes sense.
Thanks again for your info on this!
So glad this helped with that problem. It drove me crazy for weeks until I finally fixed it.
Hi wondering if you can please advise? Very new to podcasting but I have definitely noticed a volume issue with Audacity. I have Windows 11 pro, a Samson Q2U mic and a Focusrite 3rd gen 2i2. I tried your audio hack but I couldn’t notice any difference.
Regarding your advice: In the Properties panel, click on the Advanced tab. You’ll see a dropdown menu that will probably have “2 channel, 24 bit, 44100 (or 48000) Hz (Studio Quality)” selected as the default. Change that to “1 channel, 24 bit, 44100 (or 48000) Hz (Studio Quality).” Hit “Apply.”
Which section are we supposed to be changing? My input for the microphone doesn’t allow a 1 channel selection?
Thanks Chrys
Hi Chrys,
You have a USB mic, so the issue I described likely isn’t your problem. BUT, with USB mics, Windows almost always default to turning down USB mic input gain by a LOT. So if you go to Windows Manage Audio Devices (see my video here https://youtu.be/0-WGkbhf6zw for that). In the video go to around the 46-second point. It shows – even using a Samson Q2U – how to fix the issue, which is probably what’s going on for you.
I am recording internally (sound from the computer) and always record in Stereo, and it still comes out two times more silent than it was actually played. There is something wrong with the whole program, I don’t think there is a solution for this.
You’re using Audacity to record system sound?
Oops. Should read “issue is so obscure, and your solution works beautifully.”
Lei, I do the same thing. After recording I normalize my 2nd channel (the one recorded). This seems to help to bring back the volume to match channel.
I actually turned the computer off and then turned it back on and that fixed the issue!
Wow! What kind of interface are you using?