Depending on how much time I want to spend working on clapping has a definite bearing on how I go about this. That said, personally I find a noticeable volume change or an unnatural compression just as disturbing to my recording so I cannot go that route. I have tried many solutions over the years, but while there is more than one way to go, it seems all of them take more time that I really want to spend these days to get it right, especially if I have recordings piling up. Usually I play with the volume and go in stages with a few things I have learned from years of doing this, but recently it dawned on me while listening, that clapping was a harsh treble sound, so I have been playing with the EQ in Soundforge and happened on a setting that allows me to reduce volume and harshness in the clapping sections and "warming up" the clapping makes it far less disturbing. I saved the settings that I liked and have been going with that and am pretty happy with the results. My beginning and endpoints are still important for the best results, but it appears that my clapping can now be somewhat louder than what I used to deem acceptable, if it is not harsh and as a result it seems quieter. The more I use this method the more I may decide to tweak or see how far I can push that envelope with out it being noticed, but I like the approach and throw it out there for others to think about trying.