There are many ways to enhance the audio of music or video, but this technique gives you full control and avoids sharing data with third parties. This skill is easy to learn and can be applied to whatever audio or video editing software you use.
What You Need
To enhance the audio of music or video, you will need the right software. We will be using a free audio editor and a free video editor, both of which are great pieces of software that have been around for decades.
If you just need to enhance an audio file, use Audacity and follow the first set of instructions. If you have a video and want to increase the audio volume, follow the second set of instructions for Davinci Resolve.
The technique for enhancing audio is simple and not tied to any specific software, so if you already use an audio or video editor, you can apply this technique and get the same results.
How to Boost Audio Using Audacity
Boosting the volume level of audio using Audacity is incredibly simple, and it’s a very handy audio editing trick to know.
Open Audacity and then drag your audio into the workspace. Press the space bar to play the audio and look at the playback volume at the top right of the window. Note the loudest volume level it reaches – it’s a good idea to test this on the loudest part of the audio. The volume numbers run from the lowest -54 to the loudest 0 db, anything higher than that will distort the audio.
Press the space bar to play the audio, then move the slider towards the + sign to increase the audio volume and make it louder. As you move the slider, pay attention to the playback level at the top right of the window, and you’ll see the volume increase.
Set the gain level so that the playback volume is close to 0 dB but not higher. Aim for between -12 and -6 dB for a good volume. Always check the loudest part of your audio to make sure it doesn’t go above 0 dB and start to distort.
When you’re satisfied with the audio level, highlight the audio track by clicking the name of the audio region, then click File > Export > Export as WAV (or Export as MP3). Rename your file and click Save.
When you compare the old audio file to the new one in Audacity, you can see what a difference it makes. One has a barely noticeable waveform while the other has visible volume peaks and troughs.
If you like this software, don’t forget to check out all the other great creative uses of Audacity that make it more than just a great audio editor.
How to Boost Audio of a Video Using Davinci Resolve
The process for boosting audio for a video is the same, but instead of audio editing software, we’ll be using a video editor. It’s simply a matter of finding the gain control inside the software you’re using, and with a lot of free video editors you can grab any one of them and apply this technique.
Open DaVinci Resolve and start a new project. Drag and drop your video into the editing timeline, then click on the Audio tab at the bottom of the screen. It’s easy to find as it’s represented by a musical note.
Once you’re inside the audio editor window, enlarge the waveform using the two sliders in the toolbar just above the audio. This will help you see the thin white line that runs horizontally across the audio region.
Click and hold on the white line and drag it up or down to change the gain of the audio. To increase the volume, drag the line up. You’ll just need to do this while looking at the volume meter labeled 1, which you’ll find at the top right of the window and also to the right of your audio region.
By using the right tools and adjusting a few key settings, you can boost the audio of music and videos without compromising sound quality. Use these techniques to make your favorite tracks and videos louder while keeping them distortion-free.