Lopsided Waveforms and DC Offset: One Of These Is Not Like The Other

The Audacity Channel

I'm squeezing out another pre-launch episode to talk about asymmetric, or lopsided waveforms vs DC offset. Is a lopsided waveform the same as DC offset? I've noticed in some recent recordings I've done for a new online course I'm teaching that some of the waveforms are a little lopsided. This isn't usually a problem unless it's extreme where clipping could occur on one side of the waveform when applying gain or loudness normalization. For me, it was being caused by my dbx 286S audio processor in my recording chain. More specifically, it was being caused by activating the high-pass filter in the dbx 286S. I disabled the high-pass filter and it solved the problem. If you use the dbx 286S like I do and are seeing lopsided waveforms, this might be the solution you need.
Links talked about at the end of this episode:

• The Audacity Bootcamp Online School
• Beginning Audacity: Step-by-Step
• ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity

Hardware I used in this video (NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases).

• Audio-Technica ATR 2100 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone https://amzn.to/3Tx7UAA
• DBX 286s Microphone Pre-Amp Processor https://amzn.to/3CMt4EV
• StarTech.com 4U 19″ Desktop Open Frame Rack https://amzn.to/3fWrE1E
• ZOOM H6 All Black (2020 Version) Portable Studio https://amzn.to/3rIpfdl
• 2022 MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro processor and 32 GB memory
• Audacity Version 3.2.1

Other Places You'll Find Me:

1. The Audacity Bootcamp online school for podcasters and ACX audiobook narrators. The school consists of the following online courses:
   • Audacity Step-by-Step: Beginner to Advanced
   • ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity
   • Audacity Version Updates
2. The Learn Audacity YouTube Channel
3. The Learn Audacity Homepage
4. The Audacity Channel on YouTube
5. Facebook

• Contact Me

บท

1. Topic Intro (00:00:00)

2. My Lopsided (asymmetrical) Waveforms (00:00:21)

3. A Digital Waveform History Lesson (00:01:30)

4. Editing Lopsided Waveforms (00:03:31)

5. Causes of and The Solution to My Lopsided Waveforms (00:04:15)

6. Just Launched! Beginning Audacity: Step-by-Step (00:08:10)