Audio Problem at DVinfo.net

Martin Kornfeld · January 31st, 2007, 06:33 AM

Hi Folks Revision to make point clearer. Long story below. Is there an audio processing technique that will bring more presence to roomy sounding audio recorded with on-camera mic? I know it's not likely but thought I'd give it a shot in case there is a fix.
Thanks in advance.

Hi Folks,
I was doing some interviews and b-roll with my new cannon xh-a1. Between interviews I shot some b-roll and disconnected xlr inputs from lavs and switched menu setting to "xlr off so camera would pick up nat sound. Client is 'producer from he** and was pushing me to the limit all day and since this was first time with camera I forgot to switch back to xlr on position to go back to lavs for next interview. (Not an excuse, just an explanation.)
I haven't had a chance to listened back to interview yet but I'm sure it sounds very 'roomy and hollow'.
To make a long story short does anyone know of or had experience with any way to do the proverbial 'fix it in post' - somehow using eq or some kind of processing to significantly reduce 'roominess' sound?

Thanks in advance for any of your answers.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 31st, 2007, 08:48 AM

Obviously there is no way to make it match the properly recorded audio.
However, by using a combination of EQ and compression, and finding the hot points of the room, you can diminish the room somewhat.
I've posted a short recipe here a couple of times, but can't find the posts and don't have time to type the entire workflow right now. I'll see what I can find later today if no one else posts the recipe.

Bill Ravens · January 31st, 2007, 10:51 AM

Try this....
www.har-bal.com
A little practice with it, and perhaps some guidance for Earle or Paavo, since you're new at it, and you can work miracles.

Martin Kornfeld · January 31st, 2007, 11:01 AM

Thanks guys I'll check out har-bal. Douglas it will be great to see your recipe from you or anyone else who has it.
Anyone else with solutions will be greatly appreciated.

Martin Kornfeld · January 31st, 2007, 11:14 AM

Douglas, Just a thought, and I hope this doesn't violate forum policy, but if my producer wants to, can I send copy of tape to you for you to do, of coarse for a fee? I' not looking to match other properly recorded audio just looking to try to salvage interview.

Marty

Martin Kornfeld · February 1st, 2007, 10:01 AM

Thanks all for your helpful comments. Client left town and seemed ok with situation and would have her audio guy take care if it.

Ty Ford · February 2nd, 2007, 05:04 AM

This is perhaps the most frequent "problem" asked about in audio.

Let's have a short "Morbidity and Mortality" session here to see how we can keep this from happening again.

First, this problem can always be prevented by wearing headphones; not only during setup, but during the shoot.

Second, this problem can always be prevented by wearing headphones; not only during setup, but during the shoot. :)

If you don't currently wear headphones during shooting. This problem will eventually happen to you and, no, there is no real cure for the problem. Anything you do, any processing you use, will not match the original audio. Unless your original is also pretty darn bad.

Your only real solution, as someone else mentioned, is the "reshoot filter." :)

Actually, forget everything I just said. I really like it when this happens because they client chooses another shooter next time and I get hired to make sure the audio is really good. It's not a big source of revenue for me, but this kind of work usually comes in several times a year. I haven't lost one of those clients yet.

Regards,

Ty Ford

January 31st, 2007, 06:33 AM	#1
Martin Kornfeld Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 49	Fix Audio Problem? Hi Folks Revision to make point clearer. Long story below. Is there an audio processing technique that will bring more presence to roomy sounding audio recorded with on-camera mic? I know it's not likely but thought I'd give it a shot in case there is a fix. Thanks in advance. Hi Folks, I was doing some interviews and b-roll with my new cannon xh-a1. Between interviews I shot some b-roll and disconnected xlr inputs from lavs and switched menu setting to "xlr off so camera would pick up nat sound. Client is 'producer from he** and was pushing me to the limit all day and since this was first time with camera I forgot to switch back to xlr on position to go back to lavs for next interview. (Not an excuse, just an explanation.) I haven't had a chance to listened back to interview yet but I'm sure it sounds very 'roomy and hollow'. To make a long story short does anyone know of or had experience with any way to do the proverbial 'fix it in post' - somehow using eq or some kind of processing to significantly reduce 'roominess' sound? Thanks in advance for any of your answers. Last edited by Martin Kornfeld; January 31st, 2007 at 07:37 AM. Reason: To make question clearer

January 31st, 2007, 08:48 AM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Obviously there is no way to make it match the properly recorded audio. However, by using a combination of EQ and compression, and finding the hot points of the room, you can diminish the room somewhat. I've posted a short recipe here a couple of times, but can't find the posts and don't have time to type the entire workflow right now. I'll see what I can find later today if no one else posts the recipe. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 1st, 2007, 10:01 AM	#6
Martin Kornfeld Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 49	Thanks Thanks all for your helpful comments. Client left town and seemed ok with situation and would have her audio guy take care if it.

February 2nd, 2007, 05:04 AM	#7
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	This is perhaps the most frequent "problem" asked about in audio. Let's have a short "Morbidity and Mortality" session here to see how we can keep this from happening again. First, this problem can always be prevented by wearing headphones; not only during setup, but during the shoot. Second, this problem can always be prevented by wearing headphones; not only during setup, but during the shoot. :) If you don't currently wear headphones during shooting. This problem will eventually happen to you and, no, there is no real cure for the problem. Anything you do, any processing you use, will not match the original audio. Unless your original is also pretty darn bad. Your only real solution, as someone else mentioned, is the "reshoot filter." :) Actually, forget everything I just said. I really like it when this happens because they client chooses another shooter next time and I get hired to make sure the audio is really good. It's not a big source of revenue for me, but this kind of work usually comes in several times a year. I haven't lost one of those clients yet. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

January 31st, 2007, 10:51 AM	#3
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	Try this.... www.har-bal.com A little practice with it, and perhaps some guidance for Earle or Paavo, since you're new at it, and you can work miracles.

January 31st, 2007, 11:01 AM	#4
Martin Kornfeld Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 49	Thanks guys I'll check out har-bal. Douglas it will be great to see your recipe from you or anyone else who has it. Anyone else with solutions will be greatly appreciated.

January 31st, 2007, 11:14 AM	#5
Martin Kornfeld Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 49	Douglas, Just a thought, and I hope this doesn't violate forum policy, but if my producer wants to, can I send copy of tape to you for you to do, of coarse for a fee? I' not looking to match other properly recorded audio just looking to try to salvage interview. Marty