Fair assumption but I don't think I am (although saying it is good advice). If I were working with analogue tape, I'm not sure what I'd do. I suppose I'd have no choice but to apply compression afterwards - though, isn't digital editing supposed to give us more flexibility and control over the recording afterwards?
Approaching the task digitally allows choices which, to you, would appear as though I'm trying to "
Tame each transient into some homogenic level..." and that's not really what I'm trying to achieve. Rises and falls in speech volume give this piece it's expression. I wouldn't want to destroy that by homogenizing the volume levels.
I can assure you, it's not my first priority to get everything looking nice and orderly on the screen (again, good advice). I'm trying to correct how it
sounds, not the way it
looks. Some of the spikes spoil an otherwise nice speech and it so happens, that when I look at them, I can see it in the waveform. Isn't that one of the given bonuses with digital editing? I suppose not everyone would agree. I guess it can easily distract someone new to sound editing.
The reasons I can think of that anyone would make these assumptions is because I opened my post with a visual illustration of how the waveform appears to my ears and complained that my waveforn didn't look as I expected it to. I'm aware that the viz gives me only a rough snapshot of the sonic reality but, short of making MP3s and getting you to listen, it seemed the easiest way to illustrate my problem.
Don't get me wrong... I'm not offended or anything.
I just want to set the record straight, that I'm not trying to edit my sounds on visual information alone, or take the life and breath out of my actors' performance, just because technology allows.
Actually, I think I would benefit greatly from owning an analogue reel tape deck. I agree it might offer good extra training for the ears, but for the other hassles it would bring to this process.
Now I am beginning to think I'm trying to correct volume too early in the process. Maybe you are right about me getting too 'microscopic' at this stage. I've always felt as though most people in here do things more efficiently than I do - making less fuss about little things, to start with - then polishing things up afterwards. I'd like to gain the kind of confidence I see around me in here. That's why I come here.
That aside, I'm reading your instruction on compression use. I find that really helpful, thanks mate!
Regards
Dr. V
I mean, do I need a better reason?
