[carol m]

I'm practicing with the Effects of Audacity and would like some feedback (!) if anyone is willing.

I am using the Tip Toe Blues lesson and have tried a few recording alternatives. I have interference from my playback CD player/tuner that I use so its hard to hear whether the Noise is on the recording or just what's coming through my CD player/speakers. I still get it even through headphones too.

Each sample is only 30secs or so long, and all from the original recording.

When I use 'Remove Noise', on the original, it goes muffled and also distorted on all of the 3 basic sample options. Adding +3 gain seems to fix the muffling effect of Noise Removal but I think there is still some distortion from using Noise Removal? I would like to know if the samples without Noise Removal are 'clean' enough to not bother with Noise Removal, or how do I remove noise without distortion.

Also, the last one I have tried out a few effects, and this result seemed to be the best, but there is an interference/buzz that happens at about 10 secs into it which wasn't there before I fiddled with it. I did noise removal on the last sample but it didn't get rid of this interference blip.

I am trying to achieve a smooth sound (not tinny especially in the upper string) and with good tone in my playing. How much can you improve the tone with the recording, and how, or do I just have to achieve that direct with my playing 'skills'?

Any feedback and tips are appreciated, thanks

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by carol m

So what would the separate effect 'Normalise' do?

All normalize means is that it puts the largest peak to a certain value (usually 0dB - but some normalize functions will let you choose which value to set the highest peak to). It is the same thing if is a separate effect or a check box in the compressor.

The normalize box in the compressor will do this "after" compressing the signal. So the compressor lowers the level of the peaks and then the normalize puts the highest of the new (compressed) peaks at 0dB. Normalize is always the last thing you want to do. In other words, once you normalize you don't want to add any more effects because adding more effects will change the volume level and will likely put it over 0dB and cause clipping.

.......but hey, Reaper is 'next'....or maybe after Kristal!! You have been warned

Honestly, if you plan on eventually ending up with Reaper, you're much better off just going straight to Reaper.

The recording process is exactly the same for pretty much any multitrack recording program, all you need to know is how that particular program works. You'd be better off learning how to use it right away than trying to "build up to it" with other programs, because you're just going to have to change what you learned in the other programs anyways. Things you learned in previous programs may not apply to the next one. The more time you spend with one program the better you will get at it.

The only time I would recommend starting out with something else than what you intend to use is if you were looking at a very expensive program to start out with. Then I would probably suggest something else that's less expensive just to test the waters in recording so you're not wasting money if it doesn't work out.

But since Reaper is only $40 (almost what it costs me to fill up my gas tank in a week ), then there's no reason not to use it IMO.... Especially if this is what you want to end up using.


Once I'm out for Christmas break (only 3 1/2 weeks to go ) I'll finish up my recording software tutorial, which will hopefully take some of the mystery out of Reaper and other recording programs.

-tkr

[carol m]

Thanks for that explanation Tekker.

Quote: Honestly, if you plan on eventually ending up with Reaper"
I don't really have a plan...as such, but I'm learning heaps from all the time, and that's always good.

I've been investigating the source of my 'noise' but I'll start a new thread for that because its a separate topic really.