Re: [Audacity-devel] Mixer, new toolbar: prototype 3
A free multi-track audio editor and recorder
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From: Anthony A. O. <Ant...@ep...> - 2002-07-26 10:14:41
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>> Another random feature idea - what about making the individual channel >> gain sliders have an "automatic" mode where they magically decrease >> themselves if the channel output clips? >Well, the only software gain controls would now be in the individual >tracks. And individual tracks always know their maximum sample value, >so it would be very easy to limit the gain. Can't say automatic gain reducton is a great thing to have. You'd be implementing a limiter with infinite release time. Having the program do something behind the users back like this is not enough. You need to indicate to the user, you've changed something. A red lED(blinking?) with a tooltip that reads 'Clipping Indicator - right click for options' and three behaviours. Automatic gain reduction (either through a limiter algorythem, remember the one I sent you ?, or by lowering the actual gain control of the track) Indicate Clipping only (and of amount with a xdB number that needs to be set to avoid clipping, doubleclicking on this figure will change the gain control of the track by the indicated amount. This might confuse the amateurs the first couple of times they see a negative dB value. Example: track overshoots by 0.5dB -> LED lights up, a figure of -0.6 dB shows up next to it. User double-clicks on value -> gain control is lowered by 0.6 dB ) OFF , No indication - some people with endless speaker supply might like this. needs a warning about the dangers of clipping to sound quality, equipment and human ears. This clipping indicator would need to be on any gain control. I reckon you wanted to have dB figures show up next to any software gain control(optional), so you might also just underlay the dB figures with light RED colour(blinking?), and simply indicate the amount of overshot. Same behaviour otherwise. This would be a little more screenspace saving. Would still need the tooltip though. An entry in the prefs or a View menu could control behaviour. (limiter, automatic control of track/master gain control, manual control by double-click by user). At this point I'd like to mention an important anti-fiddle-more-than-needed feature for gain controls of tracks. Make 'em All-selectable and All-movable at the same time. So if the master VU meter indicates clipping, the user can grab all faders(gain controls of tracks) and pull 'em down by the same dB amount. That's one of the reasons btw, that logarythmic metering should be used right from the start. You want to pull down a bunch of tracks by equal amounts ? Doesn't work in %. You'd be calucating your ass off all day. With logarythmic, all you do is change by equal amounts of dB and you're ready. What do you think ? Tony |