Which audio processing technique reduces sound levels for background music to emphasize an important voice-over announcement?

The technique that effectively reduces sound levels for background music in order to emphasize an important voice-over announcement is ducking. This audio processing method automatically lowers the volume of a background audio source when a primary audio source, like a voice-over, is present.

Ducking is particularly useful in situations such as announcements in public venues where speech clarity is crucial. By dynamically adjusting the background music's volume, the listener's focus is directed towards the voice-over without significant manual intervention, making the announcement clearer and more audible. This technique enhances the overall listener experience in settings such as broadcasts, events, or presentations where communication is key.

In contrast, while compression manages the dynamic range of audio signals, filtering modifies specific frequencies without directly changing overall volumes in relation to other audio sources, and equalization adjusts frequency levels to change the tonal balance, none of these approaches specifically focus on the interaction between background music and voice-over announcements in the way ducking does.