Topic: Can I save this recording?

[mattb]

I taped Harmonius Junk on Friday at my local bar, which was a fun show. The recording came out pretty nice except for this one really fucked up lady who would let out a really loud "Wooo!" about every ten seconds. She's all over the recording and is possibly more annoying on tape than she was in person (which was a lot).
Here's an mp3 sample.

I was hoping maybe I could use some kind of filter or eq to lover her in the mix, but I'm not sure how to tell what frequencies to go for and how that would affect the rest of the recording. I have Audition 1.5 if anyone has any tips for me. Thanks!

[Brian Skalinder]

I don't think it's bad at all;  I think it's fine as is.

In trying to edit you'll likely find that the frequency range for the wooo-girl overlaps the frequency range for the music, which means any attenuation you apply to the wooo-girl will also attenuate the instruments within that frequency range as well.

[mattb]

I don't think it's bad at all;  I think it's fine as is.

In trying to edit you'll likely find that the frequency range for the wooo-girl overlaps the frequency range for the music, which means any attenuation you apply to the wooo-girl will also attenuate the instruments within that frequency range as well.

That's kind of what I was thinking, but hoped someone had a better idea or fix than what I could come up with. Thanks!
Maybe you had to be there to find her as annoying as I do. She even wooo's in time with the music at some parts. 

[danlynch]

I don't really see how you can fix that without compromising the music.  But man, she is annoying as all hell, especially around the 2:00-2:30 mark on your sample.  Its like every 3 seconds at that point.   

[Nicola Fankhauser]

hi

normally, you'd want to cover what was going on during that concert, and that includes crowd noise. while I know how annoying this sometimes can be, it is part of the show. on the other hand, we all know some people don't know how to behave while artists are perfoming on stage.

personally, what I just did with one of my last shows is to lower the crowd cheers between songs, so that it sounds more balanced.

regards
nicola

[nasarius]

I tend to agree with Nicola. While it may have an unfortunate effect on listening enjoyability, the crowd noise is just one of those things you can't really control, like the venue's sound system and mix. Look at it this way: you documented the show as best you could. Since I have omnis, my strategy is usually to park myself right next to a PA, so any Wooo!-ing is feeble compared to a reasonably loud show. This should be even more effective with cardioids, if you don't mind getting an essentially mono recording.

[mattb]

Yeah, I know all that. And as much as I want to preserve the event, I also want a listenable recording, probably even more so. Thanks.
I can seed this if anyone is really interested, and otherwise I think I won't bother. I'll just make discs for the band and the bar.

[danlynch]

You know I'm reading my earlier reply and I sound like a dick.  This is an really excellent recording, Matt.  It totally kicks.  The annoying drunken screamer is a reality that we all have to deal with on a regular basis.  At least she wasn't singing along to every song at the top of her lungs like I've had on some of my recordings. 

I don't think you should be discouraged by the woo-hoo woman--as some people listening to this may be able to filter it out in their mind.  I think you notice it more because it annoyed you at the show, and we notice it because of your question about it made us focus on the noise.

The reality is that you took a difficult situation and still pulled an outstanding recording.

[Nicola Fankhauser]

hi

I listened again to the song while working and suddenly found my foot tapping. I fully agree with the last poster that the song you recorded kicks ass, just as it is.

regards
nicola

[mattb]

Thanks, and no offense taken. If I ask for opinions, that's what I expect to get.
So I take it if I seeded it, at least a couple of you would download it? I may rethink that decision. When I gave a copy to the owner of the bar today I mentioned the screamer and she described the woo-woo lady to a T (and she wasn't there that night). She said her husband who was there said that lady put 16 shots of Patron on her tab that night! She also wanted more but they were out. Ain't small towns great? 

[Nicola Fankhauser]

hi

I'd definitely leech the whole show and seed it longer, if I really like it.

regards
nicola

ps: it's sometimes the technically imperfect that catches your eyes or ears...

[mattb]

hi

I'd definitely leech the whole show and seed it longer, if I really like it.

regards
nicola

ps: it's sometimes the technically imperfect that catches your eyes or ears...

It's up. Enjoy!