Sound peak

Michael Chen · October 7th, 2003, 02:44 AM

Hi all,

I am wondering if there's anything I could do in the post to take out this problem.

I recorded some interview, using a handheld mic, at times, when the person speak louder than normal, it peaks and it causes some sort of electronical noise on the XL1s.

Is there anything I could do in post or am I screwed ?

Ronald Brummitt · October 7th, 2003, 08:21 AM

What type of NLE are you using in post? If you have a program like Sound Forge or Noise Reduction you may be able to restore the clipped peaks. I am new (less than a year) to NLE, but have had the same problem on my VX2000. Sometimes audio sounds OK through the headphones and then when I capture the footage the sound levels are way to high. The New Program from Adobe - Audition, also has the ability to restore clipped peaks. I am learning that setting things up from the beginning will greatly reduce this problem. Even if levels are a little low for shooting, it is far easier to raise volume than try to work with bad audio in post.

Federico Dib · October 7th, 2003, 08:38 AM

Not to disencourage or anything... but that "electronical noise" sounds to me like "digital distortion"... which I´ve been told there is no way to fix it..

So this is the time were an expert jumps right in and tells me I´m wrong...

But I had a problem like that a few years ago... we were editing on some Sony Linear Editing board... and we could not fix a digital noise that appeared because of some guy spoke to loud for the levels we had on camera.
But then again that was a few years ago....

Ignacio Rodriguez · October 7th, 2003, 09:19 AM

Actually Federico you are probably right, digital peaking sounds very harsh. That is why it's a good idea to always use analog limiting or compression (auto level) if you do not have time to check levels properly. Dynamic range and noise levels on most new semi-pro and pro cameras is very good so it's better to have levels too low than too high... similar to the concept that is is better to underexpose than to overexpose DV.

Federico si tienes tiempo échale un ojo a http://www.canal.cl/ ;-)

Michael Chen · October 7th, 2003, 10:12 AM

I tried using a lower level before, but the sound level was too low.
Increasing it causes all the enviromental noise to boost up as well. (all the pssss sound)

And i try to keep it at the optimum level most of the time, but in that particular shoot, i had to handheld while monitoring the sound level at the same time which is tough.

I guess i am screwed huh.

I am using avid to do my editing. I have zero knowledge in sound editing, so there may be an option there for me in this case.

May i know what is the name of the option that is normally used for this sound peak problem?

Can the bypass option solve this or is that under another option?

Gints Klimanis · October 7th, 2003, 01:42 PM

Hi,

How far is your microphone from your speaker? This is the major determinant of the speaker level vs. the environmentla noise level. Are you using the right type of microphone for your situation? If you are using a microphone with directional properties, the speaker will need to be in the right spot and hold their head there. Regarding environmental noise, are you talking about the actual amience or noise, the latter is probably the psss you describe. Some mics have a battery. Is it fresh?
You should be able to record a subject speaking at normal levels.

You can reduce the "environmental" noise. Search for some threads on noise reduction.

Michael Chen · October 8th, 2003, 07:37 PM

Got down the sound peak noise when I lower the high frequency level to -20db.

Too bad it can't be taken out completely, but at least it sounds better now.

Mike Rehmus · October 10th, 2003, 03:27 PM

Sound Forge's Noise Reduction plug-in has a function to correct flat-topped sound waveforms that works quite well. You can download a demo setup to try it.

October 7th, 2003, 02:44 AM	#1
Michael Chen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 163	Sound peak - problem Hi all, I am wondering if there's anything I could do in the post to take out this problem. I recorded some interview, using a handheld mic, at times, when the person speak louder than normal, it peaks and it causes some sort of electronical noise on the XL1s. Is there anything I could do in post or am I screwed ?

October 7th, 2003, 08:21 AM	#2
Ronald Brummitt New Boot Join Date: May 2003 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 7	What type of NLE are you using in post? If you have a program like Sound Forge or Noise Reduction you may be able to restore the clipped peaks. I am new (less than a year) to NLE, but have had the same problem on my VX2000. Sometimes audio sounds OK through the headphones and then when I capture the footage the sound levels are way to high. The New Program from Adobe - Audition, also has the ability to restore clipped peaks. I am learning that setting things up from the beginning will greatly reduce this problem. Even if levels are a little low for shooting, it is far easier to raise volume than try to work with bad audio in post. __________________ Ron

October 7th, 2003, 08:38 AM	#3
Federico Dib Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Barcelona Posts: 312	Not to disencourage or anything... but that "electronical noise" sounds to me like "digital distortion"... which I´ve been told there is no way to fix it.. So this is the time were an expert jumps right in and tells me I´m wrong... But I had a problem like that a few years ago... we were editing on some Sony Linear Editing board... and we could not fix a digital noise that appeared because of some guy spoke to loud for the levels we had on camera. But then again that was a few years ago.... __________________ Messenger Boy : The Thessalonian you're fighting, he's the biggest man I've ever seen. I wouldn't want to fight him. Achilles : That is why no one will remember your name.

October 7th, 2003, 09:19 AM	#4
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Yes, that is why it's better to go low... Actually Federico you are probably right, digital peaking sounds very harsh. That is why it's a good idea to always use analog limiting or compression (auto level) if you do not have time to check levels properly. Dynamic range and noise levels on most new semi-pro and pro cameras is very good so it's better to have levels too low than too high... similar to the concept that is is better to underexpose than to overexpose DV. Federico si tienes tiempo échale un ojo a http://www.canal.cl/ ;-) __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

October 10th, 2003, 03:27 PM	#8
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Sound Forge's Noise Reduction plug-in has a function to correct flat-topped sound waveforms that works quite well. You can download a demo setup to try it. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

October 7th, 2003, 10:12 AM	#5
Michael Chen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 163	I tried using a lower level before, but the sound level was too low. Increasing it causes all the enviromental noise to boost up as well. (all the pssss sound) And i try to keep it at the optimum level most of the time, but in that particular shoot, i had to handheld while monitoring the sound level at the same time which is tough. I guess i am screwed huh. I am using avid to do my editing. I have zero knowledge in sound editing, so there may be an option there for me in this case. May i know what is the name of the option that is normally used for this sound peak problem? Can the bypass option solve this or is that under another option?

October 7th, 2003, 01:42 PM	#6
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Hi, How far is your microphone from your speaker? This is the major determinant of the speaker level vs. the environmentla noise level. Are you using the right type of microphone for your situation? If you are using a microphone with directional properties, the speaker will need to be in the right spot and hold their head there. Regarding environmental noise, are you talking about the actual amience or noise, the latter is probably the psss you describe. Some mics have a battery. Is it fresh? You should be able to record a subject speaking at normal levels. You can reduce the "environmental" noise. Search for some threads on noise reduction.

October 8th, 2003, 07:37 PM	#7
Michael Chen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 163	Got down the sound peak noise when I lower the high frequency level to -20db. Too bad it can't be taken out completely, but at least it sounds better now.