Topic: need some help fixing unbalanced levels

[prof_peabody]

I've taped a couple shows where either because of venue layout, or assigned seating I end up with a somewhat unbalanced recording (one channel being generally ~ 3db greater than the other).  I'm guessing I can just boost one channel to match the other.  Right now I'm using audacity to do my transfers, and although it works, I'm not that happy with it.  I couldn't figure out how to adjust the level of a channel after the transfer...  I have cash to put up for a better commercial package, so any recommendations there are welcome.

In one case I'd be tempted to center the recording, but I'm guessing that may not be such a great idea with phasing issues and such.  In this case, it's a small club recording (with good stereo effects) with the vocalists sound almost entirely in the left ear.

If you're interested, I put a sample up here:

sample

Thanks!

[RedRocketSr]

don't know audigy, but i use cool edit 2000 and the normalize function will bring all levels to whatever you set them to.

[RebelRebel]

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

I've taped a couple shows where either because of venue layout, or assigned seating I end up with a somewhat unbalanced recording (one channel being generally ~ 3db greater than the other).  I'm guessing I can just boost one channel to match the other.  Right now I'm using audigy to do my transfers, and although it works, I'm not that happy with it.  I couldn't figure out how to adjust the level of a channel after the transfer...  I have cash to put up for a better commercial package, so any recommendations there are welcome.

In one case I'd be tempted to center the recording, but I'm guessing that may not be such a great idea with phasing issues and such.  In this case, it's a small club recording (with good stereo effects) with the vocalists sound almost entirely in the left ear.

If you're interested, I put a sample up here:

sample

Thanks!

[prof_peabody]

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Sorry... typo up there.... I'm using audacity.   

[RebelRebel]

thats a pretty basic function, I am sure audacity does it as well as any other, no?

If there are other things you are unhappy with about audacity, may I suggest Soundforge 8 or Wavelab 5(or 6)? I prefer wavelab for 2 ch stuff(for multi, sequoia/samplitude)

you can find them all on ebay or through other channels.

[prof_peabody]

thats a pretty basic function, I am sure audacity does it as well as any other, no?

If there are other things you are unhappy with about audacity, may I suggest Soundforge 8 or Wavelab 5(or 6)? I prefer wavelab for 2 ch stuff(for multi, sequoia/samplitude)

you can find them all on ebay or through other channels.

It's probably just my Sunday stupids...  Can you tell me where to look to boost the right channel?  I see how to do it during the transfer with the little sliders on the right, but they don't seem to do anything after the fact.

[RebelRebel]

http://www.edhsonline.org/other/audacity/audacity_step04.html

it is amplify i believe..

thats a pretty basic function, I am sure audacity does it as well as any other, no?

If there are other things you are unhappy with about audacity, may I suggest Soundforge 8 or Wavelab 5(or 6)? I prefer wavelab for 2 ch stuff(for multi, sequoia/samplitude)

you can find them all on ebay or through other channels.

It's probably just my Sunday stupids...  Can you tell me where to look to boost the right channel?  I see how to do it during the transfer with the little sliders on the right, but they don't seem to do anything after the fact.

[prof_peabody]

Another dumb question... How do I select just the left channel?

[prof_peabody]

Another dumb question... How do I select just the left channel?

Nevermind... I just found split tracks...  Alright I think I'm good now.  Finally I can send a copy to the band....

[RedRocketSr]

How do I select just the left channel?

you shouldn't have to. normalizing will 'adjust' both channels automatically so that they are the same

[prof_peabody]

How do I select just the left channel?

you shouldn't have to. normalizing will 'adjust' both channels automatically so that they are the same

The problem here is that I'd have to pick a good % value for normalizing.  I tried 98%, may 95% would be better.  I got the levels a little hot for the first two tracks, but then I got it just right (clipping from time to time, left channel only).  Maybe I should put in the time and break out all the points where I adjusted levels, then normalize each seperately.  Would that be the best strategy? +Ts

[RedRocketSr]

I got the levels a little hot for the first two tracks,

right, that's why normalizing is what you want to do. it will correct the hot levels and the lower levels. I normalize at 95% almost always.

[prof_peabody]

I got the levels a little hot for the first two tracks,

right, that's why normalizing is what you want to do. it will correct the hot levels and the lower levels. I normalize at 95% almost always.

The heat at the start isn't a problem and in theory doesn't need to be normalized.  If I apply normalization to the session as a whole it will diminish the levels throughout most of the recording.  The first part that's hot would come out ok, the rest would be too quiet.  In this situation blindly applying normalization degrades the quality of the recording.

[RebelRebel]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=53916.0

normalizing brings up levels, but it isnt always the best idea...

[prof_peabody]

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=53916.0

normalizing brings up levels, but it isnt always the best idea...

That's why I was kind of leaning to adding a fixed boost to one channel.