This is a follow-up of sorts to my post about how to track out live concerts for CD burning, using Audacity.
This post describes how to mix two sources in Audacity (v1.2.6), such as a soundboard and an audience recording of the same concert. These instructions should work fine on a mac or a PC running Audacity. Probably Linux too, though I have never tried it.
1- Run the masters so the levels peak below -3.0 dB on each if you can, so you can mix them without having to lower volume to avoid clipping peaks. Run them both at the same sample rate. Bit depth is not as important to match. Name each file descriptively including the type of source (Foobar2008-04-29-SBD-24bit.wav, Foobar2008-04-29-DPA-24bit.wav or some such)
2- Go to AUDACITY>PREFERENCES> QUALITY and set your default sample rate and bit depth to the desired settings (44100 with the desired output bit-depth). PROJECT>IMPORT both sources into audacity and FILE>SAVE your work.
3- Use the double-headed arrow "TIME SHIFT" tool in the top left corner (<-->) to line up the files as near as possible to the start of the music. Find a sharp peaking impulse like a drum hit or some other peak to line up and zoom in until they are as precisely aligned as possible.
4- If you think you need to do any EQ or level changes on either source, do this now. You can use EFFECT>AMPLIFY to tell you how high each source peaks. If each source peaks higher than -3.0dB at any point, you will get clipping on the mix, so you'll need to lower levels to avoid this. It is also possible to have one source higher than the other and still clip peaks. I am good but not great at math, so hopefully some other folks can chime in with suggestions and comments regarding levels. I think I have it right, that 2 signals of -3.0dB will add up to peak at -0.0dB so you want to stay below that.
5- Go to the end of the files and figure out how much they have drifted apart. Do some math* to figure out how much you need to use EFFECT>CHANGE SPEED to get them lined up (see below for my method of calculating the percent change)
6- I suggest shortening the longer file rather than stretching the shorter one, but it probably doesn't matter. Use the EFFECT>CHANGE SPEED to do that.
7- Check the alignment to make sure the sources stay together. If they are not correct, use EDIT> UNDO SPEED CHANGE and try step 6 again. When they are correct, FILE>SAVE your work again. As long as you keep the file open, you can UNDO past the file save operation, but once you close and open it again, you can't go back past the saved version.
8- Check the mix for sound by using the MUTE function on each track during playback to make sure it sounds good. Adjust the gain for each track if needed by using the +......- slider on the left of each track for coarse adjustment, or EFFECT>AMPLIFY for finer control.
9- Go to AUDACITY>PREFERENCES > QUALITY > HIGH-QUALITY DITHER and select"Triangle Dither" Edit: On second thought, I don't like the dither. Select "None."
10- FILE>EXPORT AS WAV (or AIFF) to make the mixed file. FILE>SAVE again. If you think you might need to make further adjustments after checking the completed file, keep this project session open so you can UNDO back. Name the file something descriptive like Foobar2008-04-29-MIX-24bit or Foobar2008-04-29-MATRIX-16bit so you can distinguish it from each source file.
11- FILE>OPEN a new Audacity project document and PROJECT>IMPORT the newly created mix file. EFFECT>AMPLIFY to check that all peaks are below -0.0dB. If this plugin does not offer to boost levels, then you probably have clipped a peak somewhere, and you will want to go back to the original files and lower the levels of one or both sources to preserve your dynamics and avoid flattening out peaks. If you have a little headroom and it sounds good, then you have successfully mixed your sources.
12- If you want to track for CD's, then VIEW>SET SELECTION FORMAT > CDDA min:sec:frames 75fps and then EDIT>SNAP TO> SNAP ON to allow you to cut tracks without "sector boundary errors." Select tracks in order by using EDIT> MOVE CURSOR TO TRACK START (I go into preferences and give it a keyboard shortcut to make this easier) then shift-clicking on the end of each track, then EDIT> SPLIT each track apart in order, making sure to split the final track too.
13- FILE> EXPORT MULTIPLE (NUMBERING CONSECUTIVELY) to WAV (or aiff) in your selected target directory.
14- Compress these files losslessly using your favorite FLAC encoder, and upload to your favorite sharing website, and post in the KICKDOWNS thread here so we can check it out.
15- please let me know if this is unclear or can be improved upon. 8)
* oh shoot, now I gotta figure out how to tell you the math part! My apologies for the half-assed nature of this part of my method. :-[ Go to VIEW>SET SELECTION FORMAT > SAMPLES (SNAP TO SAMPLES) so you can measure the length of your program in samples. Measure the total length from your sync points early in the file to the desired sync points late in the file. You will get different numbers for each file since they are probably not lined up perfectly due to slight variances in the clock chips of the two recorders. Make a note of each of these numbers. Subtract one from the other to find out the number of samples of drift at the end, and write this number down. Divide the length of the longer one by the length of the shorter source and you will get a number close to but greater than 1.0000000. Let's use an example where you have exactly one second of drift at the end of exactly one hour at 48KHz. The longer file is now 172,848,000 samples and the shorter one is 172,800,000 samples. Divide the long one by the short one and you will get 1.0002788. (If I am getting this right, then) this tells you that you that you need to speed change the longer file by -.02788%
Damn I hope I got that right. Please won't someone troubleshoot my math and let me know the best way to do this??? :o
This post describes how to mix two sources in Audacity (v1.2.6), such as a soundboard and an audience recording of the same concert. These instructions should work fine on a mac or a PC running Audacity. Probably Linux too, though I have never tried it.
1- Run the masters so the levels peak below -3.0 dB on each if you can, so you can mix them without having to lower volume to avoid clipping peaks. Run them both at the same sample rate. Bit depth is not as important to match. Name each file descriptively including the type of source (Foobar2008-04-29-SBD-24bit.wav, Foobar2008-04-29-DPA-24bit.wav or some such)
2- Go to AUDACITY>PREFERENCES> QUALITY and set your default sample rate and bit depth to the desired settings (44100 with the desired output bit-depth). PROJECT>IMPORT both sources into audacity and FILE>SAVE your work.
3- Use the double-headed arrow "TIME SHIFT" tool in the top left corner (<-->) to line up the files as near as possible to the start of the music. Find a sharp peaking impulse like a drum hit or some other peak to line up and zoom in until they are as precisely aligned as possible.
4- If you think you need to do any EQ or level changes on either source, do this now. You can use EFFECT>AMPLIFY to tell you how high each source peaks. If each source peaks higher than -3.0dB at any point, you will get clipping on the mix, so you'll need to lower levels to avoid this. It is also possible to have one source higher than the other and still clip peaks. I am good but not great at math, so hopefully some other folks can chime in with suggestions and comments regarding levels. I think I have it right, that 2 signals of -3.0dB will add up to peak at -0.0dB so you want to stay below that.
5- Go to the end of the files and figure out how much they have drifted apart. Do some math* to figure out how much you need to use EFFECT>CHANGE SPEED to get them lined up (see below for my method of calculating the percent change)
6- I suggest shortening the longer file rather than stretching the shorter one, but it probably doesn't matter. Use the EFFECT>CHANGE SPEED to do that.
7- Check the alignment to make sure the sources stay together. If they are not correct, use EDIT> UNDO SPEED CHANGE and try step 6 again. When they are correct, FILE>SAVE your work again. As long as you keep the file open, you can UNDO past the file save operation, but once you close and open it again, you can't go back past the saved version.
8- Check the mix for sound by using the MUTE function on each track during playback to make sure it sounds good. Adjust the gain for each track if needed by using the +......- slider on the left of each track for coarse adjustment, or EFFECT>AMPLIFY for finer control.
9- Go to AUDACITY>PREFERENCES > QUALITY > HIGH-QUALITY DITHER and select
10- FILE>EXPORT AS WAV (or AIFF) to make the mixed file. FILE>SAVE again. If you think you might need to make further adjustments after checking the completed file, keep this project session open so you can UNDO back. Name the file something descriptive like Foobar2008-04-29-MIX-24bit or Foobar2008-04-29-MATRIX-16bit so you can distinguish it from each source file.
11- FILE>OPEN a new Audacity project document and PROJECT>IMPORT the newly created mix file. EFFECT>AMPLIFY to check that all peaks are below -0.0dB. If this plugin does not offer to boost levels, then you probably have clipped a peak somewhere, and you will want to go back to the original files and lower the levels of one or both sources to preserve your dynamics and avoid flattening out peaks. If you have a little headroom and it sounds good, then you have successfully mixed your sources.
12- If you want to track for CD's, then VIEW>SET SELECTION FORMAT > CDDA min:sec:frames 75fps and then EDIT>SNAP TO> SNAP ON to allow you to cut tracks without "sector boundary errors." Select tracks in order by using EDIT> MOVE CURSOR TO TRACK START (I go into preferences and give it a keyboard shortcut to make this easier) then shift-clicking on the end of each track, then EDIT> SPLIT each track apart in order, making sure to split the final track too.
13- FILE> EXPORT MULTIPLE (NUMBERING CONSECUTIVELY) to WAV (or aiff) in your selected target directory.
14- Compress these files losslessly using your favorite FLAC encoder, and upload to your favorite sharing website, and post in the KICKDOWNS thread here so we can check it out.
15- please let me know if this is unclear or can be improved upon. 8)
* oh shoot, now I gotta figure out how to tell you the math part! My apologies for the half-assed nature of this part of my method. :-[ Go to VIEW>SET SELECTION FORMAT > SAMPLES (SNAP TO SAMPLES) so you can measure the length of your program in samples. Measure the total length from your sync points early in the file to the desired sync points late in the file. You will get different numbers for each file since they are probably not lined up perfectly due to slight variances in the clock chips of the two recorders. Make a note of each of these numbers. Subtract one from the other to find out the number of samples of drift at the end, and write this number down. Divide the length of the longer one by the length of the shorter source and you will get a number close to but greater than 1.0000000. Let's use an example where you have exactly one second of drift at the end of exactly one hour at 48KHz. The longer file is now 172,848,000 samples and the shorter one is 172,800,000 samples. Divide the long one by the short one and you will get 1.0002788. (If I am getting this right, then) this tells you that you that you need to speed change the longer file by -.02788%
Damn I hope I got that right. Please won't someone troubleshoot my math and let me know the best way to do this??? :o
Labels: AUD, Audacity, Audio Editing, DAW, Digital Audio, FLAC, Matrix, Mix, Music, Sample Rate Conversion, SBD, WAV
posted by morst at 3/24/2010 07:47:00 PM -
0 comments
I just created these CVB "personas" for firefox v3.6. They're like "themes" but you don't have to re-start firefox to see how they look.
Camper Van Beethoven Moonscape
Camper Van Beethoven Starfield
Camper Van Beethoven Moonrocks
One for Cracker just for good measure!
Crackersoul
And a Monks Of Doom persona too!
Monks Of Doom
Camper Van Beethoven Moonscape
Camper Van Beethoven Starfield
Camper Van Beethoven Moonrocks
One for Cracker just for good measure!
Crackersoul
And a Monks Of Doom persona too!
Monks Of Doom
posted by morst at 2/22/2010 08:38:00 PM -
0 comments
I didn't go to the same shows you did this year, so here's my perspective on the ones I liked! Your mileage should vary, especially in California!
Top 11 shows of 2009
Cracker Feb 6th - Palatine IL - Durty Nellie's - first time played for Time Machine
http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker2009-02-06.matrix
UMRKWU March 9 - Chicago IL - Martyr's Joe's Garage LIVE on stage, featuring Mary AND a Central Scrutinizer!
[[bit torrent download at bt.etree.org]]
Cracker with Ike Reilly April 19 - Chicago IL - Metro
http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker2009-04-19.matrix
Bottle Rockets May 2nd - Champaign IL - High Dive - they shot a professional DVD that night. They played really well. DVD should come out in the spring maybe?
Cracker May 16 - Troy IL - Erinstock Cracker in your friend's living room for her 50th birthday party. Video webcast. Can't beat that!
http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker2009-05-16.KM140
Pitown V - Sept 11-12
[[list of all shows on archive.org from pitown 2009]]
Daytrotter Barnstorm October 9 - near Lodi WI - Treinen farm barn - Dawes was the highlight for me.
Steely Dan Saturday November 14- Milwaukee WI - Riverside Theatre complete Royal Scam to start it off
Mother Hips with Backyard Tire Fire November 20-21 - Chicago IL - Schuba's
http://www.archive.org/details/MotherHips2009-11-20.matrix (links at bottom of this page for the other three sets)
Ike Reilly November 26th - Minneapolis MN - First Ave
Backyard Tire Fire December 19th - Bloomington IL - Daddio's with Tommy O'Donnell, Miles Nielsen, Joe Kennedy, Andy Fraser, Tony SanFilippo etc http://www.archive.org/details/BTF2009-12-19.matrix
Honorable Mention:
Bellrays - they Rock
Rock Plaza Central - they have a great sound and don't remind me of anyone else
Dawes - favorite new band I heard this year
Ed Anderson solo - didn't know he played solo shows but he's just fine on the acoustic!
Reason For Leaving reunion show in Madison - they should play more often as RFL.
Harmony Riley reunion show in Rockford - they should play more often
Top 1 best sounding that is not on my "favorites" list but it was pretty cool:
Alexi Murdoch April 12 at Majestic Theatre in Madison, mixed by Radioheads's sound engineer
Top 1 least fun? Steely Dan in Milwaukee November 13th performing Aja with the guy next to me singing along the entire way. And the people in front of me talking during the instrumental portions. Aargh. Royal Scam the next night was great though.
Top 1 guest appearance not listed in my top 10 shows - the saxophonist joining Dawes on October 24 at the High Noon Saloon. Very cool jam.
Top 9 albums of 2009 (no particular order)
Cracker - Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey (SItLoMaH)
The Mother Hips - Pacific Dust
Dawes - North Hills
McCabe & Mrs. Miller - Time For Leaving
The Dangers - self titled
Magnolia Electric Co - Josephine
Bottle Rockets - Lean Forward
The Felice Brothers - Yonder Is The Clock
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - self titled
Honorable Mention may go to Ike Reilly but his album is MP3 only until next spring, so I don't have it. The songs are good though. Heard all but one live in MN, and some again in Chicago
Top 11 shows of 2009
Cracker Feb 6th - Palatine IL - Durty Nellie's - first time played for Time Machine
http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker2009-02-06.matrix
UMRKWU March 9 - Chicago IL - Martyr's Joe's Garage LIVE on stage, featuring Mary AND a Central Scrutinizer!
[[bit torrent download at bt.etree.org]]
Cracker with Ike Reilly April 19 - Chicago IL - Metro
http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker2009-04-19.matrix
Bottle Rockets May 2nd - Champaign IL - High Dive - they shot a professional DVD that night. They played really well. DVD should come out in the spring maybe?
Cracker May 16 - Troy IL - Erinstock Cracker in your friend's living room for her 50th birthday party. Video webcast. Can't beat that!
http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker2009-05-16.KM140
Pitown V - Sept 11-12
[[list of all shows on archive.org from pitown 2009]]
Daytrotter Barnstorm October 9 - near Lodi WI - Treinen farm barn - Dawes was the highlight for me.
Steely Dan Saturday November 14- Milwaukee WI - Riverside Theatre complete Royal Scam to start it off
Mother Hips with Backyard Tire Fire November 20-21 - Chicago IL - Schuba's
http://www.archive.org/details/MotherHips2009-11-20.matrix (links at bottom of this page for the other three sets)
Ike Reilly November 26th - Minneapolis MN - First Ave
Backyard Tire Fire December 19th - Bloomington IL - Daddio's with Tommy O'Donnell, Miles Nielsen, Joe Kennedy, Andy Fraser, Tony SanFilippo etc http://www.archive.org/details/BTF2009-12-19.matrix
Honorable Mention:
Bellrays - they Rock
Rock Plaza Central - they have a great sound and don't remind me of anyone else
Dawes - favorite new band I heard this year
Ed Anderson solo - didn't know he played solo shows but he's just fine on the acoustic!
Reason For Leaving reunion show in Madison - they should play more often as RFL.
Harmony Riley reunion show in Rockford - they should play more often
Top 1 best sounding that is not on my "favorites" list but it was pretty cool:
Alexi Murdoch April 12 at Majestic Theatre in Madison, mixed by Radioheads's sound engineer
Top 1 least fun? Steely Dan in Milwaukee November 13th performing Aja with the guy next to me singing along the entire way. And the people in front of me talking during the instrumental portions. Aargh. Royal Scam the next night was great though.
Top 1 guest appearance not listed in my top 10 shows - the saxophonist joining Dawes on October 24 at the High Noon Saloon. Very cool jam.
Top 9 albums of 2009 (no particular order)
Cracker - Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey (SItLoMaH)
The Mother Hips - Pacific Dust
Dawes - North Hills
McCabe & Mrs. Miller - Time For Leaving
The Dangers - self titled
Magnolia Electric Co - Josephine
Bottle Rockets - Lean Forward
The Felice Brothers - Yonder Is The Clock
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit - self titled
Honorable Mention may go to Ike Reilly but his album is MP3 only until next spring, so I don't have it. The songs are good though. Heard all but one live in MN, and some again in Chicago
posted by morst at 12/31/2009 06:22:00 PM -
1 comments