Haushinka
11-06-2007, 06:39 AM
For anyone who produces fandubs and radioplays, you've probably noticed how everyone has VERY different mic qualities, and it can make your production lack a uniform and/or professional feel. Since I started experimenting with filters and compression many have asked for advice on how to do it, so I decided it would be easier to make a topic with screenshots explaining. ^^ This is for Adobe Audition users. Unfortunately, you don't really have this option in Audacity. I can't say for sure on Goldwave since I haven't used it.
First off, do your basic mixing and volume leveling---sound effects, music, and voices. The compressor will fix some of the volume equalization, but it won't do miracles, so try to get everyone's volumes as close to each other as possible. If anyone's lines are fuzzy, you may wish to do some noise reduction as well because filters can amplify static. When you're finished, your window in Multitrack will look something like this:
http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/images/screenshots/01.jpg
Now, go to File-->Export-->Audio Mixdown. After you save, your mixed file should automatically appear in the Edit window:
http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/images/screenshots/02.jpg
Select the entire file, then go to Effects-->Amplitude-->Multiband Compressor. A window like this will appear:
http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/images/screenshots/03.jpg
Play around with the slider bars and keep previewing til you bring out what you like in the sound. Make sure the audio doesn't peak---if it does, lower the "gain" slider until you don't see any red in the meters. The above is the custom setting I used for my latest fandub, so if you'd like, you can start with that and then adjust as needed to fit your production.
When you're done, save your file. If it's a radioplay...you're done! If it's a fandub, just use that as the audio track and merge it with the video using the program of your choice. Overall, you will find that this gives your final mix a much more professional sound.
First off, do your basic mixing and volume leveling---sound effects, music, and voices. The compressor will fix some of the volume equalization, but it won't do miracles, so try to get everyone's volumes as close to each other as possible. If anyone's lines are fuzzy, you may wish to do some noise reduction as well because filters can amplify static. When you're finished, your window in Multitrack will look something like this:
http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/images/screenshots/01.jpg
Now, go to File-->Export-->Audio Mixdown. After you save, your mixed file should automatically appear in the Edit window:
http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/images/screenshots/02.jpg
Select the entire file, then go to Effects-->Amplitude-->Multiband Compressor. A window like this will appear:
http://suzumiya-haruhi.net/images/screenshots/03.jpg
Play around with the slider bars and keep previewing til you bring out what you like in the sound. Make sure the audio doesn't peak---if it does, lower the "gain" slider until you don't see any red in the meters. The above is the custom setting I used for my latest fandub, so if you'd like, you can start with that and then adjust as needed to fit your production.
When you're done, save your file. If it's a radioplay...you're done! If it's a fandub, just use that as the audio track and merge it with the video using the program of your choice. Overall, you will find that this gives your final mix a much more professional sound.