Audio Tape help... at DVinfo.net

J. Clayton Stansberry · November 25th, 2003, 10:04 PM

I have in front of me a "Tone Master" 60 minute Type I audio tape that I have captured in FCP. The audio is absolutely horrible and I have to make the most of it. I have applied the dolby filters through my deck into the computer and now don't know what to do with it to make it any better. Any suggestions??? Yikes!!!!!!

Martin Garrison · November 25th, 2003, 10:32 PM

I use Cool Edit Pro's(Now Audition) noise reduction and hiss removal. I'm not terribly familiar with Mac audio software, but I'm sure there are similar plugins.

If you have a PC handy, you might burn a wave to CD, download the audition tryout, and see if that gets you where you need to be.

Bias makes a program called soundsoap. I don't think they have a demo though.

Jay Massengill · November 26th, 2003, 09:17 AM

Are you certain the original tape was recorded in Dolby? I would capture it both ways, with Dolby on and off during playback. Then determine which version you can fix with your available plug-ins or other software.
Often, especially if the original wasn't recorded with Dolby, you can get better sounding results with no Dolby on playback and simply using a high roll-off to attenuate the tape hiss.

J. Clayton Stansberry · November 26th, 2003, 10:59 AM

Jay,

I know for a fact the tape wasn't recorded in Dolby. I had the Dolby Noise Reduction on. It reduces the "hiss". Do you still think recording it with this off and then applying a high-roll off filter is the best way to go?

Thanks!
Clay

Jay Massengill · November 26th, 2003, 03:34 PM

It depends on the material. Applying the Dolby will definitely reduce the hiss, but may also have too great an effect on the sound as a whole. The only way to know is try it both ways and see what "sounds the best" in the end. People will accept some hiss if the sound isn't garbled, especially if you are careful about fading in and out at transitions. If the sound is noticeably affected by the Dolby, that's a little harder for the listener to let go of.

November 25th, 2003, 10:04 PM	#1
J. Clayton Stansberry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 316	Audio Tape help... I have in front of me a "Tone Master" 60 minute Type I audio tape that I have captured in FCP. The audio is absolutely horrible and I have to make the most of it. I have applied the dolby filters through my deck into the computer and now don't know what to do with it to make it any better. Any suggestions??? Yikes!!!!!! __________________ I understand everything about nothing.

November 26th, 2003, 10:59 AM	#4
J. Clayton Stansberry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 316	Jay, I know for a fact the tape wasn't recorded in Dolby. I had the Dolby Noise Reduction on. It reduces the "hiss". Do you still think recording it with this off and then applying a high-roll off filter is the best way to go? Thanks! Clay __________________ I understand everything about nothing.

November 25th, 2003, 10:32 PM	#2
Martin Garrison Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 173	I use Cool Edit Pro's(Now Audition) noise reduction and hiss removal. I'm not terribly familiar with Mac audio software, but I'm sure there are similar plugins. If you have a PC handy, you might burn a wave to CD, download the audition tryout, and see if that gets you where you need to be. Bias makes a program called soundsoap. I don't think they have a demo though.

November 26th, 2003, 09:17 AM	#3
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Are you certain the original tape was recorded in Dolby? I would capture it both ways, with Dolby on and off during playback. Then determine which version you can fix with your available plug-ins or other software. Often, especially if the original wasn't recorded with Dolby, you can get better sounding results with no Dolby on playback and simply using a high roll-off to attenuate the tape hiss.

November 26th, 2003, 03:34 PM	#5
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	It depends on the material. Applying the Dolby will definitely reduce the hiss, but may also have too great an effect on the sound as a whole. The only way to know is try it both ways and see what "sounds the best" in the end. People will accept some hiss if the sound isn't garbled, especially if you are careful about fading in and out at transitions. If the sound is noticeably affected by the Dolby, that's a little harder for the listener to let go of.