Topic: Opinions, please.

[Josephine]

What is the "preferred method" when editing a recording where the beginning is all "messed up"?  I recorded a Dr. John show last month that came out great with the exception of the first song.  While I did record the entire show, the first song is really bad -- my mics were getting all jostled around, the band had their levels off, you name it.  This lasts for a couple minutes and then, after that, the rest of the show sounds great.

How should I edit this show:  Leave the first song in (so it is the entire show) or cut it out (so it all sounds good)?

Thanks for your help.
 

[leegeddy]

i would fade it in from the point where it's good and document why the fade in was necessary.

marc

[Steve J]

i would fade it in from the point where it's good and document why the fade in was necessary.

marc

I like to archive my masters so that I have the 'complete' show; but if I were going to distribute the show, I think Marc's suggestion is spot on.



Edit: spelling

[SkaGuitarOAR]

Also depends how long the first song is, if  its some short song, then I would just cut it to get a better quality and explain why the complete show isn't there.

[Brian Skalinder]

I'd leave it alone, keep it complete, but note the problem in the info file.  Different people have different tolerances for what they consider "listenable".  Let the listeners decide - if it drives them nuts, they can just skip to the next track.  If it doesn't, they can listen and enjoy.

[Chuck]

What is the "preferred method" when editing a recording where the beginning is all "messed up"?  I recorded a Dr. John show last month that came out great with the exception of the first song.  While I did record the entire show, the first song is really bad -- my mics were getting all jostled around, the band had their levels off, you name it.  This lasts for a couple minutes and then, after that, the rest of the show sounds great.

How should I edit this show:  Leave the first song in (so it is the entire show) or cut it out (so it all sounds good)?

Thanks for your help.
 

Is there another source out there that you could "patch" it with.
That's another option.

[Josephine]

Thanks for all the advice.
I don't know of another source, though I did record this at the Hollywood Bowl, a fairly large venue.  I'd be quite surprised to learn I was the only "one."

I also got very good recordings of B.B. King and Shemekia Copeland that same evening.  It was the B.B. King Bluesfest.  Now I'm teaching myself (trial & error) how to edit.     Boy, there is MUCH to learn.

I've also got a couple George Thorogood shows which I recorded.  Both will require significant "tweaking" during the editing phase.    I'm hoping they can be salvaged as I'm certain I was the only "taper" at both shows and I'm a BIG collector of his live shows.  I've got a WHOLE BUNCH to learn before I dare tackle these shows.

 

[gewwang]

I get the cable bumps pretty regularly when stealthing - esp during the beginning of the tape. If it happens in one channel or the other, you can edit it in soundforge/cooledit/wavelab and make it sound listenable.

[Josephine]

The "noise" on the beginning of my Dr. John recording sounds almost as if someone is blowing directly into the mics.   This happens nearly a dozen times during the first couple minutes of the recording.  Pretty bad.    I'm so new at taping, I can't even tell you what caused it.  I can only guess it was my movement, because once I got settled, it never happened agian.    Unfortunately it is on both tracks so I can't patch one with the other.  (I did discover that function in my Soundforge program . . . . pretty cool.)

[gewwang]

The blowing in the mics sound must be your caps rubbing up against something. Are they in a hat or shirt?

I'd suggest editing those noises down in both channels using a fade out/fade in and then just noting it in the info text. I'd rather have a complete source minus those parts than an incomplete source.

[Josephine]

The blowing in the mics sound must be your caps rubbing up against something. Are they in a hat or shirt?

I'd suggest editing those noises down in both channels using a fade out/fade in and then just noting it in the info text. I'd rather have a complete source minus those parts than an incomplete source.

You're right.  Sounds like the way to go.
I know when I listen to an incomplete recording, I'm always left wondering what I missed.

(I had the mics attached to the outside of a purse.)   

[Humbug]

(I had the mics attached to the outside of a purse.)   

Dunno how high your purse is, but you may be surprised by the difference even raising the mics a foot can do, both to sound levels and clarity. I stealth every week or two and have the mics mounted on my collar a few minutes before the band come on, then all I have to do is press the record button.

Not knocking your technique, just making a suggestion. You can ignore it if you're unhappy getting the mics up.

[BobW]

I vote for fade, as well.

BTW, never forget that often bumps/ noises are only in one channel, so the channel-swap overdub can fix alot of trash.
That is, copy over the offending noises with the same time segment of the clean channel.
Temporary mono is better than noisy stereo.

[Josephine]

(I had the mics attached to the outside of a purse.)   

Dunno how high your purse is, but you may be surprised by the difference even raising the mics a foot can do, both to sound levels and clarity. I stealth every week or two and have the mics mounted on my collar a few minutes before the band come on, then all I have to do is press the record button.

Not knocking your technique, just making a suggestion. You can ignore it if you're unhappy getting the mics up.

Humbug, I have no "technique."  lol  That's why I'm here (at taperssection).  I need all the advice I can get at this stage and your suggestions on stealthing, or anything else for that matter, are welcome and most appreciated.

I'll be taping again this Friday and plan to "wear" the mics above my ears.  The big trick for me will be remembering that it's NOT okay to dance . . . . 



 

[Humbug]

Humbug, I have no "technique."  lol  That's why I'm here (at taperssection).  I need all the advice I can get at this stage and your suggestions on stealthing, or anything else for that matter, are welcome and most appreciated.

I'll be taping again this Friday and plan to "wear" the mics above my ears.  The big trick for me will be remembering that it's NOT okay to dance . . . . 

I have two reasons why I go shoulder rather than head mounted:

1. I have short hair / don't wear a hat so I like to stay less visible

2. I cant keep my head still enough for a whole gig. I've tried spectacle mounted once (open taping at a Mule show in NY), and it came out OK. But I find this reduces my enjoyment of the show too much, and it is possible to boogie gently while stealthing, without affecting the sound.

Best of luck..

Humbug