Preset or Canned Equalization Curves -Sound Forge - PC

Subject:Preset or Canned Equalization Curves Posted by: JeffB Date:7/17/2001 10:38:33 AM Sorry if this has been asked before, but I have done several searches of the forums here with poor results. Are there reference equalization curves that can perform specific tasks such as enhancing a voice that is competing with ambient noise in a crowded room? Perhaps I could work the other way, and use a preset curve to muffle or diminish the ambient noise. I'm not looking for perfection here, I just need to enhance a speech that was recorded from across the room. If someone has packaged a library of such curves, I would be happy to pay for it. I know that miking the person actually speaking would have been best, but that was not possible due to my limited preparation time and the fact that several family members gave speeches in quick succession. I also know that trial and error will work eventually, but I would like a good starting point. And if there are standard equalizer settings for these type of tasks, the I would prefer to not re-invent the wheel. TIA, Jeff
Subject:RE: Preset or Canned Equalization Curves Reply by: jgalt Date:7/17/2001 6:44:34 PM Hi. I'm not an expert but I have a suggestion. Highlight a short section of the speaker's waveform. Do a spectrum analysis on it. Use paragraphic equalization to boost that part of the frequency spectrum. You'll have to estimate the octave bandwidth needed. I usually make 2 passes when doing frequency changes - divide the total wanted by 2, make 1 pass with 1/2 of total, reverse the file and make another pass with the 1/2 still required. Doing it this way cancels much of the phase shift that occurs with doing frequency equalization. Good luck!
Subject:RE: Preset or Canned Equalization Curves Reply by: JeffB Date:7/17/2001 10:14:53 PM Thanks for the tip. I will try it out tonight. I wasn't aware of the possibility of a phase shift being introduced by frequency equalization. I guess I better try and get smart on this stuff before I go too much farther into this project. Thanks again, Jeff
Subject:RE: Preset or Canned Equalization Curves Reply by: JeffB Date:7/17/2001 11:02:37 PM Whoops! As a follow-up to my last reply, I didn't mention ('cause I'm stupid) that I'm running SoundForge XP 4.5. That means the spectrum analysis and the paragraphic equalization are unavailable to me. Since XP is supposedly designed for a novice/home user, I expected that there would be a straightforward way to clean up the audio in mismanaged recordings that are typical of amateurs like me. Perhaps there is, but I cannot find it. And I'm not really in the mood to plunk down 400 bucks for SF 5 to get this gratis project finished. Thanks again for your help, Jeff

Subject:Preset or Canned Equalization Curves

Posted by: JeffB

Date:7/17/2001 10:38:33 AM

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I have done several searches of the forums here with poor results.

Are there reference equalization curves that can perform specific tasks such as enhancing a voice that is competing with ambient noise in a crowded room? Perhaps I could work the other way, and use a preset curve to muffle or diminish the ambient noise. I'm not looking for perfection here, I just need to enhance a speech that was recorded from across the room. If someone has packaged a library of such curves, I would be happy to pay for it.

I know that miking the person actually speaking would have been best, but that was not possible due to my limited preparation time and the fact that several family members gave speeches in quick succession. I also know that trial and error will work eventually, but I would like a good starting point. And if there are standard equalizer settings for these type of tasks, the I would prefer to not re-invent the wheel.

TIA,

Jeff

Subject:RE: Preset or Canned Equalization Curves

Reply by: jgalt

Date:7/17/2001 6:44:34 PM

Hi. I'm not an expert but I have a suggestion. Highlight a short section of the speaker's waveform. Do a spectrum analysis on it. Use paragraphic equalization to boost that part of the frequency spectrum. You'll have to estimate the octave bandwidth needed. I usually make 2 passes when doing frequency changes - divide the total wanted by 2, make 1 pass with 1/2 of total, reverse the file and make another pass with the 1/2 still required. Doing it this way cancels much of the phase shift that occurs with doing frequency equalization. Good luck!

Subject:RE: Preset or Canned Equalization Curves

Reply by: JeffB

Date:7/17/2001 10:14:53 PM

Thanks for the tip. I will try it out tonight. I wasn't aware of the possibility of a phase shift being introduced by frequency equalization. I guess I better try and get smart on this stuff before I go too much farther into this project.

Thanks again,

Jeff

Subject:RE: Preset or Canned Equalization Curves

Reply by: JeffB

Date:7/17/2001 11:02:37 PM

Whoops! As a follow-up to my last reply, I didn't mention ('cause I'm stupid) that I'm running SoundForge XP 4.5. That means the spectrum analysis and the paragraphic equalization are unavailable to me. Since XP is supposedly designed for a novice/home user, I expected that there would be a straightforward way to clean up the audio in mismanaged recordings that are typical of amateurs like me. Perhaps there is, but I cannot find it. And I'm not really in the mood to plunk down 400 bucks for SF 5 to get this gratis project finished.

Thanks again for your help,

Jeff