RMS Level

Glenda-Taylor wrote on 5/9/2025, 9:12 PM

New on Sound Forge 17, on Windows 11, with a Blue Snowball mike, drivers updated, recording an audiobook. My ACX check gives me an error only on RMS level. I can't find where to see any RMS level setting or adjustment anywhere. I see on this site information about Sound Forge 17 Pro, but mine is apparently not Pro. I have been told that RMS level for audio book should be -18 to -23. Clueless! Any help?

Comments

rraud wrote on 5/10/2025, 11:20 AM

Welcome to the Magix Sound Forge users community @Glenda-Taylor, I think the 'ACX Export' will adjust the level automatically. I am not sure, but you 'may' have get the RMS level in the ballpark' with volume, normalization, compression and other tools. The dialog file I checked was only a few dB out of ACX compliance and the export procedure changed the level some for compliance. The ACX tools (check and export) appear to be the same in SFAS and SFP, In any case, I do not use the ACX tools much except for test purposes.

Glenda-Taylor wrote on 5/10/2025, 2:10 PM

Thank you. I am working with the volume while recording now. I am assuming normalization, compression, etc. comes after recording. Do you know what effects are altered other than loudness when the ACX export tool is used? This has been a steep learning curve for me, though I have been blithely recording for years on Sound Forge for podcasts without knowing about ACX or RMS etc... Audio book a new creature, apparently.

rraud wrote on 5/11/2025, 10:54 AM

I am assuming normalization, compression, ect. comes after recording.

Yes. and you really have no choice when recording directly to Sound Forge ..unless you record through analog outboard gear or your A/D interface has processing . Otherwise it cannot be applied directly whilst recording ,, though it can be monitored through an effects chain in SF Pro. (View> Record Options)
IMO Wave Hammer is a good compressor/limiter which has two stages, a regular compressor and a volume maximizer (brick-wall limiter). However, WH can add distortion if used to excess.. which can be desirable in some music projects.