Problem with Audio file. help!

FoxAdriano

Well-known member
Hi,
I have a problem with the voiceover of my documentary. The sound engineer was sick, so the speaker recorded the voice directly. Then he sent me an Audio file in Wav.The real problem is that there are peaks of sound, but not only that, sometimes the voice is higher and lower than the previous voice. I would spend many hours to be able to manage the entire voiceover with my video editing program, Edius 11. Can anyone tell me if there is a program that can fix that file in just a few steps? Unfortunately, I am not an audio expert at all and I am afraid of making a mistake. Sometimes I use Audacity, but only to increase or decrease the volume of the Audio files. Can you tell me if Audacity is enough to fix that badly recorded file? It is a Waw file recorded at 32bit. If it were a little too complicated, could you help me and do these steps?
Now I post a file snippet. Can you tell me if the problems the file has can be fixed?
https://we.tl/t-ztPqNfHtzH
I ask this only if you are an Audio expert and can do this in a short time, otherwise I would not want to disturb anyone.
Thanks for some info.
 
The file you posted doesn’t sound bad to me, but I’m not in my studio at the moment and just gave it a quick listen. Not sure what you mean by “peaks”… is there clipping/distortion somewhere?

Any variance in level just sounds to me like the natural dynamic range of his voice. You can apply some compression to tame the peaks and raise the dips a little.

You said this was recorded in 32-bit, though. Any reason that was done? I’ve looked around online and can’t find any mention of Edius 11 being able to handle 32-bit audio, so I wonder if any “peaks” you’re hearing are due to improper playback. It may be that you need to use Audition to convert the file to 24-bit/48kHz, which may also include level recovery to bring the peaks down below clipping.

I’ll see if I can find some time today to actually download the sample and see what can, or needs to be, done.
 
Alex,
first of all, thanks for your time. Edius 11 handles 32bit. I attach a pic. No problem. But if 32bit is a problem, we could convert it to 24-bit/48kHz.
I attach another file, maybe you will understand better my problem: https://we.tl/t-jD5qwYmuEe
First of all, thank you for your availability. Edius 11 handles 32bit. There are no problems. But if 32bit is a problem, I could convert it to 24-bit/48kHz.The Audio file sounds like you said, not bad. As for the peaks, I do not hear any distortion. Since I do not know how to handle an Audio file, I see in the waveform of the clip many high peaks and then the voice drops a lot and then suddenly rises. Many dozens of times, maybe hundreds of times I will have to raise the volume manually and many other times lower it manually.I mean only this with the term "peaks". I repeat, I have no audio experience. Is it possible with an Audio program to automatically raise the voice and lower it where it is too low? THANK YOU!!
 

Attachments

  • Edius 11.jpg
    Edius 11.jpg
    184.6 KB · Views: 1
Last edited:
Why don't you have the speaker record it again? Sometimes the best solution when a job has been done poorly is to just go back and do it over. I bet it would take less time.

Also, did you let the narrator record it without you present or listening to the performance remotely? No direction given on his/her performance???? I'd never accept a VO file that I didn't direct. Go back and record it again.
 
No Doug, I was with him when he recorded. I just want to say that I need a filter that modulates the "peaks" of that Audio file. I would like to slightly improve it in the way I described. I'm just looking for this. I'm not satisfied for this reason.
 
Sorry, when you said "Then he sent me an Audio file in Wav" it sounded like you were not present at the recording.
If you were there directing and monitoring, why is the recording so bad? Did you watch the levels and have headphones on?
My advice is still to do it over again.
 
Last edited:
Sorry, when you said "Then he sent me an Audio file in Wav" it sounded like you were not present at the recording.
He did the rendering when I left and sent me the file. Yes, I had headphones on when I recorded. But when you have to attach the different vocal pieces, then there are slightly different volumes. For this reason I needed a slight leveler. OK!!
 
OK!!
Iit just seems like about 90% of your posts are asking for help to fix problems because you didn't do things right in the first place. It is much easier to learn to do things correctly and only have to deal with the occasional "fix it post" problem. But obviously, you don't care about that. You'd rather blunder ahead and then try to patch things up later. Next time, why don't you ask for advice BEFORE you attempt do something and maybe the outcome will be better. If that advice offends you, so be it. OK!! :)
 
Advice is welcome because I have to learn more every day. Damn if I accept advice. Sometimes it seems that I am reluctant to accept it, like now with the Audio file. But I sponsor all my trips and I don't earn anything. I am a solo traveler who tries to make professional documentaries and doesn't sell them. I am not a technician, unfortunately I don't like studying very much heheheh, I prefer to be in the field. Others prefer to study. ;) Not everyone likes to do the things I do because they are difficult to live. I am not young, but the passion of making documentaries around the world excites me. I can't think that there are small ethnic groups in remote areas around the world that still perpetuate ancient rites and that one day will disappear. But unfortunately I learn things on the spot. For example, 20 days ago I was in Africa in a tent, the heat was suffocating. I travel with my tent. I had to perform a ceremony/rite that was held at 1pm and I was alone. I always travel alone. Maybe some of you would have preferred to stay at home and study. I was there.
 

Attachments

  • c.jpg
    c.jpg
    257.2 KB · Views: 5
  • d.jpg
    d.jpg
    357.7 KB · Views: 5
You are to be commended and admired for taking on new adventures and getting out in the field where the real work of documentary shooting is done. I hope you will post a link to the finished piece when you are done. All I'm saying is that if it is worth your time and trouble to travel to exotic locations and endure uncomfortable conditions, wouldn't it be wise to invest a little more effort --before you depart -- into mastering the skills that will help you achieve even better results. That's all I'm saying. There are things you can do/learn that will make your life easier and your documentary even better. Rather than spend time trying to fix problems, try spending a little more time avoiding them in the first place. It would be for your benefit. You can't avoid all problems, but you can reduce their number. Are you familiar with the saying "A stitch in time saves nine"? That means it is 9 times harder to fix problems than if you avoided them in the first place.
 
Mr. C., I'm curious why you suggested that item. How does that item help with Mr. Adriano's issue of leveling off the dynamic range of his recording?

I don't have any solutions for you Mr. Adriano other than Mr. H's suggestion to use a compressor. But for what it's worth, which is nothing, I don't hear any problems with the recording. I would think any reduction in the dynamic range of the recording would make the speaker less..... well, dynamic. Me thinks that would make it monotonous and boring.
 
Hi,
I have a problem with the voiceover of my documentary. The sound engineer was sick, so the speaker recorded the voice directly. Then he sent me an Audio file in Wav.The real problem is that there are peaks of sound, but not only that, sometimes the voice is higher and lower than the previous voice. I would spend many hours to be able to manage the entire voiceover with my video editing program, Edius 11. Can anyone tell me if there is a program that can fix that file in just a few steps? Unfortunately, I am not an audio expert at all and I am afraid of making a mistake. Sometimes I use Audacity, but only to increase or decrease the volume of the Audio files. Can you tell me if Audacity is enough to fix that badly recorded file? It is a Waw file recorded at 32bit. If it were a little too complicated, could you help me and do these steps?
Now I post a file snippet. Can you tell me if the problems the file has can be fixed?
https://we.tl/t-ztPqNfHtzH
I ask this only if you are an Audio expert and can do this in a short time, otherwise I would not want to disturb anyone.
Thanks for some info.
I see the problem / s. all easily fixable. Good it's a 32-bit float file! Starts off with the peak levels being up to +4.8 so it looks like the original record session was too hot. #1 I reshaped and reduced to -3.0 with a soft limiter. #2 The new file was then processed with some compression and normalizing to -1.0dB. I could happily use it now.

PM me if you want the file. (y)

Chris Young

 

Attachments

  • WAV files 1280 comp.jpg
    WAV files 1280 comp.jpg
    224.3 KB · Views: 5
Might want to invest in a 32bit audio recorder
Mr. C., I'm curious why you suggested that item. How does that item help with Mr. Adriano's issue of leveling off the dynamic range of his recording?

I don't have any solutions for you Mr. Adriano other than Mr. H's suggestion to use a compressor. But for what it's worth, which is nothing, I don't hear any problems with the recording. I would think any reduction in the dynamic range of the recording would make the speaker less..... well, dynamic. Me thinks that would make it monotonous and boring.
From my understand he had someone record themselves without him monitoring. 32bit recorder would allow for the greatest flexibility in post to adjust gain and apply any filter such as a compressor that's used commonly to provide a more consistent louder level. There are other recorders that allow you to bake in a compressor if you don't want to do post processing.
 
Hi Chris,
how are you?
I am very curious to ask you 2 questions about that Audio file of mine that you worked on.
1) Did you voluntarily increase the bass to the voice?
2) Did you also increase the volume?
Thanks for clearing my curiosity and thanks for your answer.
 
I did a number of things. De-clipped and reshaped the waveforms and then yes a bit of EQ and normalization along with a compressor / limiter. I just felt it gave his voice a bit more balance punch and presence. I think you said that was okay?

Chris Young
 
The file is fine and again: I don't know how to thank you.
Maybe a bit less EQ would have been better for me.
But it's fine and ... thanks again.
 
Back
Top