Subject:Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Posted by: shelterhead

Date:8/5/2003 11:09:47 PM

I'm recording most of my vinyl to cd. Any advice on making the recordings as quiet as possible and also with as much gain as possilble. Should I normalize or compress? Should I use noise reduction before or after compressing or normanlizing? What should the settings be when I use these tools?

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:8/6/2003 8:56:14 AM

When recording, try to get your peaks in the -3dB to -12dB range. Noise reduction should be used first, taking the noise print from a silent section between tracks. The recordings are probably already pretty well compressed so you shouldn't have to compress them again. If you do feel the need, don't use it for anything more than to tame the occasional very large peak. Normalize last, probably each track separately.

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: RiRo

Date:8/7/2003 12:48:36 PM

What chien said.

Also, putting vinyl to CD requires a clean record to start with. While NR has some great abilities, it helps to very carefully clean the record. If the label means nothing to you, just soak it in dishwashing liquid for a few hours and rinse well, dry with a lint free cloth. A guy makes a gizmo that will protect the label, and I have one and it works great. If that interests you reply to me and I'll jump through the hoops to find out what the giz is called and where to get it.

Having done a few hundred records now, I'm learning that, as Chienworks said, on the processing side, less is more, and if you get a really clean recording, get it cleaned up with NR and normalize it, it should give the best results.

RiRo

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: captn_spalding

Date:8/7/2003 2:20:04 PM

RiRo: I've used a Nitty Gritty machine to clean records for years. One reason was to save the label. I'd be inerested in you label saving gizmo.

..spalding

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: MJhig

Date:8/7/2003 2:45:59 PM

I'm not disagreeing with any of the previous posts.

Here's my method of converting my vinyl to CD using Sound Forge. This works well for me.

First and probably most important is to make sure the LPs are as clean as possible, the stylis, turntable, preamp and connections are in excellent shape of course.

Keeping in mind "less processing is more"...

Set the recording level peaks at about -6 to -3 dB. This makes the Plugin Chainer settings work without much tweaking.

Record the whole album as one file, this way the relationship remains intact between tracks as it was originally mastered.

Set up a Plugin Chain this way in this order;

Click and Crackle Removal (More conservative, for vinyl recordings) > Graphic EQ (Really don't do much here, just roll off Freq's below 20 Hz and compensate for LPs cutting everything below 7 kHz by -3 dB) > Wave Hammer (using the preset "Limit at -6 dB and maximize, change it to output level - 0.3 compressing just enough to compare to today's CDs).

Highlight the hottest part of the file, open the Plugin Chainer, preview that selection adjusting the volume fader on the Graphic EQ until the attenuation level (red meter) on the Wave Hammer Volume Maximizer page shows about 3 dB. This saves an extra process (normalize) on the data.

If there is no blank space between songs;

Place the cursor at the start of the audio in the file.

Press "m" to insert a marker.

Press the spacebar to start playback.

Press "m" again at the crossfade location to insert another marker. Repeat to the end.

Click Special > Regions List > Markers to Regions, when prompted click yes or ok.
In the Regions List window highlight a region click enter to edit name.

Click tools > Extract Regions and save them to a folder and burn them all in your burning software using DAO (disk at once) to prevent spaces between tracks.


If you have blank space to eliminate between songs;

Press "[" at the start of the song.

Press spacebar to start playback.

Press "]" at the end.

Press "r" to create region and name it.

Repeat to the end.

Click tools > Extract Regions and save them to a folder and burn them all in your burning software using DAO (disk at once).

Sorry for the edits, this is a C&P of a previous post and had to adapt it.

MJ

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: RiRo

Date:8/11/2003 2:27:31 AM

http://tinyurl.com/jmih

That takes you to an ebay link of the gizmo I use. It is the Groovmaster, and the seller is the inventor/manufacturer of it. I have no interest in his business, and only recommend it because I bought one and love it.

RiRo

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: shelterhead

Date:8/26/2003 6:26:47 PM

Thanks for the replies. What cleaning solutions do you use? Or just plain ole soap n water?

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: DouglasClark

Date:9/2/2003 10:14:23 AM

shelterhead...some useful links on LP cleaning & solutions

- http://www.care-and-feeding-of-vinyl.com/html/cleaning.html

- TNT How-to: record cleaning devices and fluids
(includes recipes for LP cleaning fluid)
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/fluids.html

- Musical Surroundings, on cleaning solutions
(includes comments on various ingredients in cleaning solutions)
http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/rrl.html

- Sleeve City - commercial record cleaning products
http://www.sleevetown.com/vinyl-cleaning.shtml

I make my own LP cleaning solution with distilled water, isopropyl alcohol, a little detergent & photoflo. Works OK, but proper brushes and rinsing is the key...unless you have a vacuum record cleaner.

Thanks MJ for your detailed description. Another detailed description of LP conversion procedure (for CoolEdit/Audition, but useful with others editors) is at
http://www.a-reny.com/iexplorer/restauration.html

Douglas

Subject:RE: Noise Reduction, Normalization, and Compression

Reply by: Frenchy

Date:9/17/2003 10:03:14 AM

mjhig:

Thanks for this very infomative and detailed post. I've finally gotten around to tweaking my setup to obtain decent recordings (bad ground-loop problems for a while), and used your plug-in chain and settings as a great starting point to "clean up" those vinyl recordings.

Much appreciated

Frenchy