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Subject:How to repair hot audio
Posted by: Xavion Kron
Date:3/18/2010 6:51:05 AM

I'm working on a video project and the presenters sound as if the mic was 1 inch away from there mouths. The audio is distorted and I was wondering if Sound Forge has the tools to repair something like this?

Any help would be appreciated.

Subject:RE: How to repair hot audio
Reply by: jackn2mpu
Date:3/18/2010 11:13:19 AM

If the waveform is flat-topped as seen in SF, you might have some success with the 'restore clipped peaks' function but I doubt it. Basically you're hosed. Sorry.

Jack

Subject:RE: How to repair hot audio
Reply by: musicvid10
Date:3/18/2010 8:24:35 PM

The one solution I know of is to reshoot, but with a proper sound check first.

Subject:RE: How to repair hot audio
Reply by: rmetal
Date:3/22/2010 9:06:45 PM

try some eq...if you can find the frequency where the distortion is you might be able to reduce it....probably in upper mids...if it is digital clipping it can be tough...if it was recorded too hot then reduce the volume of the audio track quite a bit...it might be overdriving the audio gear you playing it back through and adding to the problem

Subject:RE: How to repair hot audio
Reply by: musicvid10
Date:3/22/2010 10:32:47 PM

try some eq...if you can find the frequency where the distortion is you might be able to reduce it

Clipping produces square-wave tops -- the distortion occurs at the corners and is broadband, not frequency specific, therefore it can't be reduced by equalization, only colored, along with the program audio.

Message last edited on3/22/2010 10:33:47 PM bymusicvid10.
Subject:RE: How to repair hot audio
Reply by: R0cky
Date:3/23/2010 11:25:45 AM

Izotope RX has a tool to try and repair this. It can improve it a lot depending...but will never make it perfect. I think they have a demo you can try.

Subject:RE: How to repair hot audio
Reply by: rmetal
Date:3/24/2010 12:26:56 PM

I don't believe it was said that the waves had "square-wave tops" only that they were "distorted" which means the problem could have come from an analog source such as a mixer or pre-amp...and if that is the case one might have some success with EQ. It is worth a try and not at any huge expense of time/effort like a "re-shoot" would involve (if that is even possible).
rmetal

Subject:RE: How to repair hot audio
Reply by: jackn2mpu
Date:3/24/2010 2:36:37 PM

rmetal
There's no way any eq will take care of distortion of any kind. Not overload distortion, not harmonic distortion or any other distortion.

Jack

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