What processing for bootlegs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kartikbala
  • Start date Start date
K

kartikbala

New member
Hiall,

I just recording my band's live concert using a videocam, and I was wondering generally what kind of processing can I use to make the audio more "listenable".

Basically there's not much bass, and some of the instruments are too loud (keys especially). Is this somewhat akin to mastering where I have to apply an FFT and isolate the frequencies.....what the hell am I saying??!?!

Help me plss...

KB
 
A daunting task. I've tried my hand at this with some stuff I did in a college band. Seems like you can make it sound different very easily, sometimes even make it sound better. Hardly ever make it sound good. :(

What software or hardware do you have?

There are lots of options. Help narrow it down a bit. Are you using your computer to edit it or outboard gear?
 
Im using a computer to edit. I have SoundForge 4.5 with Waves plugins. Thas abt all I have!!!

Thanks for ur help!

KB
 
Ah! (Sigh of relief) There's some hope.

Hmmm...do you have a multiband compressor or limiter? If you don't MDA has a free VST one. (Sorry, I don't have a direct link but you can find it and all kinds of plug-in stuff here)

That's what I had the most success with. I can't give you too much specific advice because it *really* depends on your source material, but...

I play with adjusting the bands and solo them to find out what instruments and sounds are where in the spectrum. Then fuss with whatever setting you have until you get a feel for how things are changing.

Take breaks often. Listen on different speakers if you can. Never process destructively unless you have your original file backed up. Listen to the original track every now and then just to keep your perspective- its easy to go overboard.

Also, you can use several of those plugs in a row with razor thin bands to spot fix things.

If you haven't figure this out already, in the future you might want to use an external mic on that camera if you can afford one. Almost anything that you can afford after saving for a month will be lightyears ahead of the little mic in the camera and pics up motor sounds, hand sounds, etc.

Good luck,
Chris
 
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