What is audio ducking?

Audio ducking is a technique used in audio production to automatically lower the volume of one audio signal based on the presence of another audio signal. This is commonly done to ensure that one audio signal is prioritized over another, particularly in situations where there might be multiple audio sources competing for the listener's attention.

One common application of audio ducking is in broadcasting, where background music or sound effects may need to be automatically reduced in volume when a voiceover or dialogue is present. This helps to ensure that the voiceover remains clear and intelligible to the listener, without being drowned out by other audio elements.

Audio ducking can be achieved using various tools and techniques, such as side-chain compression, which allows one audio signal to control the gain reduction of another signal. This is often used in music production, radio broadcasting, podcasting, and video editing to create a more balanced and dynamic audio mix.

Overall, audio ducking is a useful and versatile tool that can help to improve the clarity and intelligibility of audio productions by automatically adjusting the volume levels of different audio elements in real-time.