[WriteLog] Trimming Audio Files & Spacers

[Alfred J.Frugoli (KE1FO)]

I personally use Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) which is free and was reviewed in a recent NCJ or possibly QST/CQ.  

I too have found that you can cut stuff from the middle of recordings, but you've got to be careful that all your recordings end up with a similar pace and tone.  For a while there I had a pretty ramped up CQ message and exchange wave files and then some very low key letters/numbers that made the automation sound that much tackier!

Good luck to all in Phone SS.

73 de Al, KE1FO (in the "not so rare anymore" VT section)

> 
> From: Eric Hilding <dx35 at hilding.com>
> Date: 2004/11/15 Mon PM 11:00:10 GMT
> To: writelog at contesting.com
> Subject: [WriteLog] Trimming Audio Files & Spacers
> 
> *** Re-Threaded from:  Special Wish List Request ***
> 
> Jerry, W6IHG inquired:
> 
>  > The use of spacer files implies to me that you have some method of trimming
>  > any sound clip to the bare minimum so that you then can "space" several
>  > clips together. Most of us are struggling with just trimming the heads and
>  > tails off these clips so that they don't sound robotic.
>  >
>  > Can you share how to visually trim these files to the bare bones (so that
>  > spacers could be used) and what software you use?
> 
> Sure:
> 
> 1. Partly Visual in an editor
> 2. Partly Gut-feel in listening
> 
> In the visual trimming, I look for a spot just to the left of one of the 
> waveform peaks on the left, and to the right of one where it 
> flatlines.  Sometimes, you can trim more off than you think, but this is 
> where having different length "spacer.wav" files will play an important 
> role for fine tuning.  You also have to "listen".
> 
> Another trick in editing is that you can actuall trim stuff from *within* 
> the .wav file to speed or tighten up diction!!!  I experimented more with 
> this the other night, but sometimes it would take 2 or 3 whacks in order to 
> elminate splice sound "clicks" & "pops".  Ya just gotta 
> experiment-experiment-experiment.
> 
> I use SAWStudio for recording & initial editing (it's a ProTools Clone, but 
> doubt most want to spend $2,500 for it).  Then I use an old version of 
> CoolEdit for quick trimming experimentation...I think Adobe now has this 
> product.  I know others use Goldwave.  You can use any decent editor as 
> long as you have a GOOD display of the audio waveform, and can expand it 
> horizontally for real fine audio surgery.  I haven't gotten into the latter 
> yet due to other "stuff".
> 
> I'm hoping to maybe put together a "Flash" animated editing demo on this 
> subject, but that probably won't happen until after the 1st of the year.
> 
> Unfortunately, due to bizz demands and then dabbling in too many small 
> contests over the past months, my own Monster fullcallsign.wav recording 
> project has beendelayed, so I will (embarrasingly) be sounding very 
> "Robotic" in the Phone SS from K6VVA (Sat.) and N6IJ (Sun).  This #&^! 
> throat infection hit me again, but if it clears up enough by tomorrow 
> night, I hope to at least get a few pre-records done but think I'll be out 
> of time for the real fine-tweaking before SS.  "Oh well"... "next time".
> 
> So advance apologies for what may be real tacky sounding voice automation 
> this go 'round, especially using individual letters ;-(   But with the 
> incredible capabilities Wayne has added to WriteLog for this stuff, the 
> future looks bright!
> 
> 73...
> 
> Rick, K6VVA
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> WriteLog mailing list
> WriteLog at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
> WriteLog on the web:  http://www.writelog.com/
>