Isolating and suppressing sounds in post

[eco_bach]

Hi
I really need expert help from an audio expert in post processing of this audio recording of bells (change ringing).
http://vimeo.com/42167906
pw bells


What I need to do is suppress as much as possible the sounds of the ropes and pulleys(obvious once you listen to the clip) while at the same time enhancing the sounds of the bells.


Not sure what is possible and any help-feedback appreciated!!


I am using both Audacity and the latest Adobe Audition CS6 for most of my audio post work.
I'm familiar with basic compression, noise reduction and equalization techniques but have had no luck so far.


ps: No I can't re-record

 

[Alex H.]

ps: No I can't re-record

And that's about your only option... that, or re-creating the sounds in post using library sounds (not recommended).

The problem is that everything is recorded as part of a mixed signal, so it is very hard (read: next to impossible) to remove one part of the signal without removing the other part.

 

[Noiz2]

Actually if your trying to remove what I think you are, that clicking kind of sound (I'm on earbuds on a laptop) which is probably the rope creak, then iZotope's Rx might be able to just remove them. They are in a different spectrum from the bells so they should be pretty removable. It's really hard to tell till you try but my experience would lead me to think you had a good chance.

Generally you don't want to try and enhance the bells. You want to remove what you don't want and that will have the same effect but in a much more natural sounding way.

I would go in and use the spectral repair tool in Rx and after you get as much of the ropes out as you can then maybe some judicious EQ cuts in the "mud" range (mid range tending to the lower freq's, may clear up the bells.

 

[Noiz2]

Oh and the Rx pass is going to take time. It will only work on 10 sec or so at a time so...