Ugly waveform after applying hard-limiter (screen caps and samples included)

[fandelive]

Hello,

I'm just starting with post-processing. I have a OO7 audience recording that I'd like to improve. My goal is to limit clappers and wooooooo girls in order to be able to normalize waveform based on actual music.

So I've tried an hard-limit filter on selected parts. I think it sounds OK, but the waveform becomes pretty ugly...

I've joined screen caps and before/after samples. I'd like to have your opinion: should I keep using the hard-limit filter, or are there safer ways to limit woooooooooooooo people in post?

Thanks!

[ycoop]

Looks like you're limiter is setting a hard cutoff. You may want to try using compression instead of limiting.

[heathen]

For small passages I often use Audacity's envelope tool.  If the program you're using has something similar, maybe give that a try. 

[capnhook]

For small passages I often use Audacity's envelope tool.  If the program you're using has something similar, maybe give that a try.

^ What heathen says.  Once you get the knack, it's fast and easy.

[Gordon]

envelope here as well but in wavelab.

[ilduclo]

I use envelope in cool edit. Definitely the way to go, both UP (for quiet music/talking) and DOWN (for loud applause)

[opsopcopolis]

I'm a limiter/compression person. I don't see any problem with hard limiting peaks like clapping or random very loud crowd reacts

[capnhook]

I think that the problem with just hard limiting the peaks is that reducing the relative RMS value of the applause is what really matters.  You need an envelope adjustment to accomplish this.

[ilduclo]

I'm a limiter/compression person.

[opsopcopolis]

I think that the problem with just hard limiting the peaks is that reducing the relative RMS value of the applause is what really matters.  You need an envelope adjustment to accomplish this.

Not really. The envelope tool in these programs is just volume automation. Assuming the applause is louder than the music, and that is what you're trying to correct, a well set compressor will get the job done.

At the end of the day, it really depends on your workflow. I don't normalize, I amplify on the output stage of my limiter, allowing the limiter to basically all the work. If I needed to do something destructive so that I could normalize the file at the end, it might be different. That being said, I'm pretty lazy, and automating all the applause sounds like a major PITA

[if_then_else]

From my point of view, the OP only set a too aggressive threshold and - if available in his DAW or VST plugin - he also should have used a longer look-ahead period.
For surgical (hard-knee) limiting - such as the occasional clappers etc. - I use Fabfilter Pro C2. (Pro L2 only for limiting the master.)

• The key is to enable oversampling and lookahead.
• Moreover, disable auto-gain, set the gain level to 0.
• Eventually, choose an appropriate threshold level.
• Apply to the impacted section of the waveform.
• If the peak appears to have been "chopped off", adapt the threshold level (i.e. set it to a less aggressive level) and repeat.

[strangerinusall]

With iZotope it is possible to reduce most of the disturbing factors. My version is based on hard-limiter-before.mp3, no further EQ etc. From here you can refine the sound according to your taste.
However, in my opinion this only makes sense with the original recording.

[Sloan Simpson]

I think that the problem with just hard limiting the peaks is that reducing the relative RMS value of the applause is what really matters.  You need an envelope adjustment to accomplish this.

Not really. The envelope tool in these programs is just volume automation. Assuming the applause is louder than the music, and that is what you're trying to correct, a well set compressor will get the job done.

At the end of the day, it really depends on your workflow. I don't normalize, I amplify on the output stage of my limiter, allowing the limiter to basically all the work. If I needed to do something destructive so that I could normalize the file at the end, it might be different. That being said, I'm pretty lazy, and automating all the applause sounds like a major PITA

Agree with this. I'd never automate anything from an audience recording unless the stand gets kicked hard and needs an isolated HPF.