[Hidden-tech] Requesting Audio Editing tips

[B. Kimo Lee]

Hi Will,

You're right, normalize will boost everything. On second thought, I  
think you'll need to use a combination of compressor/limiter/ 
normalization filters. A compressor would compress the difference  
between the loudest and softest parts of your recording (dynamic  
range). And a limiter would place a ceiling on audio spikes above a  
certain threshold. Audacity has a compressor, that will also allow  
you to set a threshold, as well as adjust the attack time, which is  
how much time ensues before the compressor kicks in. It also  
normalizes too.

Good luck,
Kimo




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On Feb 19, 2008, at 1:51 PM, Will Loving wrote:

> Thanks Kimo, I’ve been playing with a Normalizing filter in one  
> program I have but it still takes the loudest spike as the top end.  
> I’ll try some others and see if I get better results.
>
> Will
>
> Will Loving, President
> Dedication Technologies, Inc.
>
>
>
> on 2/19/08 12:17 PM, B. Kimo Lee at bklee at azurelink.com wrote:
>
>> Hi Will,
>>
>> I'm no super expert on this, so take this with a grain of salt.  
>> You can try applying a "normalizing" filter to your track. That  
>> should stop the foot percussion from pegging. That's a start... I  
>> know Audacity has a normalizing filter in its effects list. Have  
>> fun! Just like Tom said, getting the best quality original is  
>> always preferred. Btw, the Shure site has some good educational  
>> articles in their Pro Audio support area on how to mic different  
>> types of venues for best quality recording.
>>
>> Hope that was helpful,
>> Kimo
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>> On Feb 18, 2008, at 5:16 PM, Will Loving wrote:
>>
>>>    ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>>>    ** You too can help the group
>>>    ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>>>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>>>
>>>
>>>  I’m looking for a quick tip or two from anyone who might have  
>>> experience with audio editing on improving some live recordings  
>>> I’ve been making recently at contra dances (with the permission  
>>> of the musicians, of course). I’m using a Zoom H4 digital  
>>> recorder  ( http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm? 
>>> prodID=1901 ) which does an excellent job, but my lack of  
>>> experience with post-production is becoming clear as I try to  
>>> figure out how to improve the overall recording and deal with  
>>> some issues particular to the kind of music I’m recording.
>>>
>>>  I’ve posted two short clips (uncompressed WAV) that illustrate  
>>> what I’m trying to work with, the wonderful band Nightingale, and  
>>> particularly Keith Murphy’s Québéquois style foot percussion.
>>>
>>>  http://dedicationtechnologies.com/loving/music/PercussionClip1.wav
>>>  http://dedicationtechnologies.com/loving/music/PercussionClip2.wav
>>>
>>>  The foot percussion is too loud and creates spikes throughout  
>>> the waveform. What I’m hoping for is someone to say something  
>>> like “try setting the EQ to ....” or “use a compressor (or  
>>> limiter) set to (approx)...” Any suggestions on improving overall  
>>> quality would also be welcome. At some point I’d love to sit down  
>>> with someone who really knows this kind of editing and get a more  
>>> solid foundation, but for now I have to learn it in bits and  
>>> pieces due to time constraints.
>>>
>>>  I’m on a Mac, and my available tools are Soundtrack 1.5 which  
>>> I’m somewhat familiar with, Audacity which I’m a little familiar  
>>> with but find pretty clunky compared to Soundtrack, and possibly  
>>> an old copy of Amadeus. I also have the latest GarageBand but  
>>> have never used it for Audio editing. My preference would be to  
>>> continue with Soundtrack, but I’m open to trying something else  
>>> (probably GarageBand). I’m guessing that the filter settings will  
>>> be similar regardless of the app...
>>>
>>>  Many thanks in advance.
>>>
>>>  Will
>>>
>>>  Will Loving, President
>>>  Dedication Technologies, Inc.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  --
>>>
>>>  William M. Loving
>>>  Dedication Technologies, Inc.
>>>  7 Coach Lane
>>>  Amherst, MA 01002-3304   USA
>>>  will at dedicationtechnologies.com
>>>  Tel: +1 413 253-7223   (GMT –5)
>>>  Fax: +1 206 202-0476
>>>
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>>
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
>
> William M. Loving
> Dedication Technologies, Inc.
> 7 Coach Lane
> Amherst, MA 01002-3304   USA
> will at dedicationtechnologies.com
> Tel: +1 413 253-7223   (GMT –5)
> Fax: +1 206 202-0476

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