Topic: Need some expert help with this recording.....please

[pepper]

I recorded a gig on saturday,and have a couple of problems.The first problem is the banter between songs cant be heard really unless i turn up my stereo loud.The second problem is,there were two sets to this gig and the second is quite a bit quiter than the first,even though i was in the same seat and the mic was more or less in the same place.I have no experience with boosting and audio enhancment and would like it if someone with experience might have a look at the recording to see if they can do anything with it.If anyone would be up to the challenge of improving this recording then id be eternally grateful.
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[keepongoin]

what software do you have for audio editting?  You can add gain or lower signal strength in almost all of the decent software packages.

[pepper]

This recording needs serious attention by someone who knows what theyre doing really.I dont know what im doing that is why im asking for help from someone who has some some experience.

[Humbug]

Without wanting to be at all rude, this sort of basic editing should be in every tapers arsenal, you shouldn't need to be asking for others to do this for you.

Let me know what editing program you have and I'll talk you through it. If you don't have one, download Audacity. Its free, and easy to use.

[pepper]

Sorry for not knowing what im doing.Ive noticed on here with some people,they try and make others with less knowledge inadequate.There was a time when every single person on here didnt know what they know today.All i was asking for was help with one recording,i wasnt asking for the world.I expect there are loads of things i have yet to learn,and audio cleaning/enhancing is one of them.I just dont like this "you should know" attitude,why should i know?if i dont know i dont know.

[Roving Sign]

Step 1 - Download Audacity

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Step 2. Tell us more...is the recording on your computer, disc, MD, cassette? -

You'll need to transfer your recording to your computer...

[Brian Skalinder]

Sorry for not knowing what im doing.Ive noticed on here with some people,they try and make others with less knowledge inadequate.There was a time when every single person on here didnt know what they know today.All i was asking for was help with one recording,i wasnt asking for the world.I expect there are loads of things i have yet to learn,and audio cleaning/enhancing is one of them.I just dont like this "you should know" attitude,why should i know?if i dont know i dont know.

No need to apologize for not knowing what you're doing.  You're absolutely right that at some point we all were less knowledgeable.  But I think Humbug's  central message is spot on.  I read his message not as "I can't believe you don't know this stuff, you should know it", but rather as "you will run into these issues again, and you're better off learning how to perform these functions yourself".  Yes, it will take time to learn how to do it properly, and that probably means you won't be in a position to seed the recording instantly.  But learning the skill set yourself will prove far more useful in the long run than having someone else do it for you. 

That's how must we've all made the transition from not-knowing to knowing - by doing, not by having others do for us.

[Humbug]

Brian, thanks for explaining that. I come across as a little blunt sometimes, and I'm really just trying to help.

Its scary starting stuff sometimes, but often once you get going easier than you think. I personally would love to be able to work on DVDs, and the very thought of starting daunts me. But I guess its not too hard!

[pepper]

I understand what youre saying humbug.


Here is a sample of the concert with major hiss problems.I was told there was nothing i could do about it .So if anyone would be kind enough to listen to the sample,and let me know if anything can be done with this recording id be very grateful.Just click where it says"play the song" in blue.Opinions,suggestions welcome.


 http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=3446245&q=hi

[Humbug]

I understand what youre saying humbug.


Here is a sample of the concert with major hiss problems.I was told there was nothing i could do about it .

Actually, you can do something with it. I downloaded part of the song (bloody difficult, I ended up "recording" it to my pc). I then ran a few seconds through Vinyl restoration in Soundforge. Just a quick playabout, I'm not pretending I'm a Soundforge or editing expert. Listen to the clip, the bit I modified is around 6 seconds in and lasts 4 seconds.

So someone with a bit more know-how than me should be able to help clean it up.

A question you should also be asking is whats causing the hiss?

[pepper]

Thanks humbug,i really appreciate your time listening to the sample.Even what you did seems a big improvment,so im grateful.

[pepper]

Well the main reason for the hiss is the amount i raised the recording when putting it onto my pc.The first set of this concert seems fine,but still needs a bit of a attention.For some reason the second set seems quite a bit quieter in comparison,i was seated in the same palce,and the mic was clipped to me in the same place on my jacket.Maybe the levels have a lot ot answer for,im really not 100% sure.

[Brian Skalinder]

Well the main reason for the hiss is the amount i raised the recording when putting it onto my pc.

If you outline all your recording and transferring gear and the exact process by which you get the music from your recording gear onto your PC, maybe someone will identify the gear or process that's introducing the hiss.  That's the ideal solution - prevent the hiss from occurringon future recordings. 

[pepper]

Well i recorded it with a sony mz-nh700 md,and used a sony ecm-719 mic.I recorded in lp2 mode as i usually do,and went line in as usual.As far as any other settings on my md are concerned i dont know,i just have it set in lp2 mode and go line in.When transferring from md to pc this is what i do.I connect my md to pc using a lead that plugs into my md headphone socket.Then the other end of the lead plugs into my pc's mic socket.I save it in magix audio and save as wav.Thats all i do with the recordings i make as i dont have any experience with de hissing them,which seems to be the biggest problem.I dont know if that info will be helpful.

[Roving Sign]

When you do the transfer - make sure you have the headphone volume set at least 80% of max. Keep it a set level. If you run it too quiet  - that can increase hiss. Also - make sure any "Bass Boost" or Loudness/EQ switches are off.

Be sure to be using the the Line Input on your computer - sometimes this is the same as the mic in - double check.

Perhaps open the Windows volume control and mute anything you arent using...

If you are ok making wavs with Magix Audio - good...you might want to try recording them in Audacity - since you will end up there anyway...

If you havent yet - just open a wav in Audacity - and play around a bit..