Centering the waveform

[kirkm]

Hello,

Recording from a particular sound card causes the recorded wave shape
to be vertically off center in CEP. It doesn't seem to affect the audio but I would like to center it, if possible.

Anyone know if this is possible, or what causes it? I'm guessing some kind
of impedance mismatch.

Thanks - Kirk

[superspit]

Originally Posted by kirkm

Hello,

Recording from a particular sound card causes the recorded wave shape
to be vertically off center in CEP. It doesn't seem to affect the audio but I would like to center it, if possible.

Anyone know if this is possible, or what causes it? I'm guessing some kind
of impedance mismatch.

Thanks - Kirk

either way...DC Bias adjust might be useful there???...tick the box.???

[RawDepth]

Yeah, mine does it too. Even with DC adjust enabled, it still does it a little. Mostly with the more "low end heavy" tracks like bass guitar.

I'm guessing it's because of the cheap gear we use now-a-days.

[andyhix]

Someone smarter than me can probably clear this up, but I beleive as long as the rest point (i.e. when there is no sound) is at zero, it's not a DC issue. Some wavs are just more lopsided in one direction. the wav is just a representation of how the air moves. Think of a speaker: if it's got an aggressive push in one direction, and maybe a relaxed pull back in the other direction, the wav is gonna be lopsided. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong....

[kirkm]

Thanks Guys, DC Bias adjust fixed it immediately and perfectly.

Cheers - Kirk

[superspit]

Originally Posted by kirkm

Thanks Guys, DC Bias adjust fixed it immediately and perfectly.

Cheers - Kirk

haha!...knew it would.....!...or wouldn't!...

[visa]

how do you adjust the DC bias?

[superspit]

Originally Posted by visa

how do you adjust the DC bias?

hi Visa,

options>device properties>wave in>ADJUST TO ZERO DC WHEN RECORDING

oh yeah...be sure to enable it for each and every sound card you have on-board....using that drop-down menu.

There you go kokomo.....nb...it doesn't appear to have any adverse effects when always on/enabled, regardless of card quality or type, so it's relatively safe to leave on/enabled, in my experiences with this particular software.
Hope that helps.
Cheers.

[superspit]

Originally Posted by andyhix

Someone smarter than me can probably clear this up, but I beleive as long as the rest point (i.e. when there is no sound) is at zero, it's not a DC issue. Some wavs are just more lopsided in one direction. the wav is just a representation of how the air moves. Think of a speaker: if it's got an aggressive push in one direction, and maybe a relaxed pull back in the other direction, the wav is gonna be lopsided. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong....

Hi Andy,
those was a very interesting points you made; but I'm not too sure that it's not actually a DC volts issue, or one that represents 'air movement'.
I believe the waves you see have more to do with voltage/sample representation than that of 'physical movement'.....let's leave that to our trusty speakers to take care of.
Cheers mate.

[andyhix]

Originally Posted by superspit

Hi Andy,
those was a very interesting points you made; but I'm not too sure that it's not actually a DC volts issue, or one that represents 'air movement'.
I believe the waves you see have more to do with voltage/sample representation than that of 'physical movement'.....let's leave that to our trusty speakers to take care of.
Cheers mate.

Yeah, I pretty much only very slightly knew what the hell I was talking about, hence all my disclaimers and invites for others to correct me. However, on wavs with DC voltage problems that I've seen, there is always noise around zero (on one side), even when there is no music. It sounds like the OP got it taken care of, and it was in fact a DC prob. I was just trying to point out that a lopsided wav might not ALWAYS be that, though.
Cheers back at ya.

[Farview]

Andyhix is right. It's only a DC issue when the resting point (silence) is not sitting on zero.

There are a lot of instruments and voices that have more energy in one direction than they do in another. This can also be cause by compression, depending on the settings.

If you use DC offset to center the waveform and it wasn't a DC problem, you will create a DC problem. You will notice a click when you start and stop the audio in a silence. This can also damage speakers if bad enough.

Look at the resting point and get that to zero.

[superspit]

Originally Posted by Farview

Andyhix is right. It's only a DC issue when the resting point (silence) is not sitting on zero.

There are a lot of instruments and voices that have more energy in one direction than they do in another. This can also be cause by compression, depending on the settings.

If you use DC offset to center the waveform and it wasn't a DC problem, you will create a DC problem. You will notice a click when you start and stop the audio in a silence. This can also damage speakers if bad enough.

Look at the resting point and get that to zero.

fair.....though I have never 'created' an issue by leaving the DC Bias box checked, in practical terms.
Good thread!!

[ikon]

you could also go into amplfy and use the preset amplfy to 0 it will center the wave

[avedic123]

i'm glad i stumbled on this thread. i've had that problem for a long time.....