Audio Assistance

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by P.G. Holyfield on May 12, 2008 at 12:48pm

Do you have a Mac or a PC? Garage Band is a good starting choice for a mac. Audacity is a free option on a PC. I use Adobe Audition for the pc.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda Burks on May 12, 2008 at 12:57pm

I do have a PC forgot to stick that into my post. I am definatly going to try it cause I have tried using Propaganda and Power Sound Editor. Both kept freezing on me which sux. I am running vista not sure if that makes the difference?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Sharpe on May 12, 2008 at 1:53pm

I know this will sound a bit odd. Which version of Vista? There are 5 major versions of Vista and some of those have two flavors, 32 or 64 bit.

Some software can be very temperamental (not working properly or at all) on the wrong Flavor. Usually this software works with the Hardware.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda Burks on May 13, 2008 at 12:14pm

OH and its Windows Vista Home Premium but i dont know if it is 32 or 64 can you tell me where to find that out?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Sharpe on May 13, 2008 at 1:26pm

Right Click on " (My) Computer" on Star Menu or Desktop, Propeties, should say What your PC and Your OS Type is.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda Burks on May 13, 2008 at 2:06pm

AHH i see hehe 32 bit ()8)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Geene on May 12, 2008 at 2:38pm

Wave Pad---it's free and it's excellent. I use it, check out www.geenerees.vox.com

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MisterP on May 12, 2008 at 2:48pm

If you have the money then invest in Sony Sound Forge. Extremely good and allows you to edit and modify to your hearts content. Audacity is a good free alternative.
Choose your recording venue with some care. A room will echo like a drainpipe on a recording even when it sounds fine in normal use. One tip is to surround the reader with racks of clothes or curtains to deaden the sound. Also be aware of external noise. The neighbours shouting the dog barking, the plane overhead will all be picked up and a rerecording will be necessary.
If you are rerecording then use the same microphone and try to have all those clothes and soft furnishings placed as they were originally. A different mic will be all too noticeable as will a reader who is not in the same frame of mind. If you think I'm sounding a bit daft then fine, but I am giving you the benefit of experience here.
Having a microphone is jut one step in the chain, make sure it is suitable for speech recording. Many mics have been designed for lead singers to scream into at rock concerts and the response is no good for speech recording. When recording be aware of popping. Popping occurs when the reader pronounces words beginning with P or containing double Ps. You can cure this by getting the reader to read at an angle to the mic head so the hard P sound goes to one side or you can place a foam cover over on the mic or use a screen.
If you are using a USB mic then be aware of recording levels and make sure you can tweak them easily. Preferably invest in a good quality 5 channel analogue mixer. You should get a good one for well under £50/$100/€75. You can then feed that straight into your pc. If you have the budget then invest in a dedicated sound card.
You might be forgiven for thinking that I'm trying to sell recording equipment. It is a truism to say that you get what you pay for and investing in good equipment will pay dividends.
Most of all be prepared to spend a long time editing your recordings and always work on copies of the original recordings so you can start all over if you really make a mess. I spent three months getting my recordings just right, and I suspect that I am not the only one to have done this.
Best of luck.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nathan Lowell on May 13, 2008 at 2:26am

Audacity. It's free, simple, reliable, and it works.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Don't forget to grab the LAME library in order to do mp3 files.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda Burks on May 13, 2008 at 12:08pm

Wow all this great advice hehe. ATM i am starting to get to the final edit of my book...I THINK. I do appreciate everything you guys are saying and will take all of the information to heart.
Blessed Be
Brenda
PS i am currently seeking people to read my fifth draft. if you are interested please email me at arthurnguienevere@gmail.com

▶ Reply to This