AudioMultiCut logoAudioMultiCut

Gain, normalize, compress

Raise quiet recordings, set a target peak, and smooth loud moments before export.

Preparing the audio engine...

How to use Gain, normalize, compress

Use this after the edit is chosen and the file needs to be easier to hear. It raises quiet recordings, controls peaks, lifts soft parts, and adds compression when loud and quiet moments are too far apart.

What to click

  1. 1Upload the audio and look at the original versus processed waveform.
  2. 2Start with the master compression amount only if the recording has very uneven loud and quiet parts.
  3. 3Use gain and normalization for overall level, then quiet boost for sections that still disappear.
  4. 4Play while adjusting, hold Before to compare, then export the processed audio when it sounds natural.

Best use cases

  • Voice memos, lessons, interviews, and rehearsal notes recorded too quietly.
  • Clips where soft speech disappears but loud words or music peaks are already high.
  • Making several exported clips feel closer in level before sharing.
  • Quick listening cleanup when full mastering tools would be more work than the file deserves.

Control guide

Gain

Raises or lowers the whole file by a fixed amount.

  • Default: 0 dB.
  • Range: -12 dB to +18 dB.
  • Affects: everything equally.
Normalize

Moves the loudest peak to the target level.

  • Default: on.
  • Affects: the overall level after gain.
  • Use it to raise quiet files without crossing the peak ceiling.
Peak

Sets the ceiling used by Normalize.

  • Default: -1 dB.
  • Range: -6 dB to 0 dB.
  • Example: -1 dB leaves safer headroom than 0 dB.
Quiet boost

Lifts softer parts below the Boost below threshold.

  • Default: 0 dB.
  • Range: 0 dB to +30 dB.
  • Affects: low-level sections more than loud sections.
Boost below

Sets what counts as quiet for Quiet boost.

  • Default: -42 dB.
  • Range: -72 dB to -18 dB.
  • Higher values affect more of the recording.
Compression amount

Reduces the gap between loud and quiet parts.

  • Default: 1.8:1.
  • Range: 1:1 to 12:1.
  • Use less for natural speech, more for uneven recordings.
Threshold

Sets the level where compression starts.

  • Default: -12 dB.
  • Range: -48 dB to -3 dB.
  • Lower threshold means more of the file is compressed.
Attack

Controls how quickly compression reacts.

  • Default: 8 ms.
  • Range: 1 ms to 120 ms.
  • Fast catches peaks; slow keeps more punch.
Release

Controls how quickly compression relaxes.

  • Default: 180 ms.
  • Range: 30 ms to 800 ms.
  • Longer release usually sounds smoother.
Hold before

Temporarily switches playback back to the original.

  • Affects: monitoring only.
  • Use it to check whether the processed version is actually better.
Format

Chooses the exported file type.

  • Default: MP3.
  • Options: MP3, WAV stereo, WAV mono.
  • Use WAV stereo when left/right detail matters.
When this is not the right tool: This is not a full mastering suite. If you need exact LUFS delivery, multi-band mastering, restoration, or music mix decisions, use a dedicated audio editor.