Audio Editing and Optimizing Techniques

Introduction

• Speaker: Amish from Audio Imperfect
• Focus: Sharing secrets of audio recording and editing process including equipment and techniques.
• Emphasis on watching the entire video for full context.

Importance of Source Quality

• Everything starts at the source.
• High-quality gear cannot fix poor source audio (e.g., a talent with a cold).
• Example: Improve guitar sound by replacing old strings.
• Two ways to improve source audio:
  1. Room Acoustics: DIY acoustic treatment with affordable materials.
  2. Microphone Distance: Closer proximity minimizes room reverb but can increase bassiness.

Demonstrations

Room Acoustics

• Comparison between DIY treated room and untreated room:
  • Cheap acoustic foam and everyday items like thick curtains can significantly improve audio quality.
  • Non-treated rooms result in noticeable reverb making audio unusable.
  • Example: Demonstrations with the Zoom H1 microphone.

Distance from Microphone

• Closer microphone results in cleaner audio by increasing the direct sound over reflected sound.
• Example with Zoom H1 settings:
  • Demonstrates increased audio clarity and reduced reverb when the microphone is closer.
  • Beware of excessive proximity effect causing boominess.

Equipment Recommendations

• Microphones

  • Neumann U87 Ai: Too high-end for most users; more of a novelty and collector’s item.
  • Neumann TLM-102: More affordable with negligible difference on platforms like YouTube.
  • Samson C01U Pro: USB microphone, highly recommended for beginners.

• Audio Interfaces

  • Focusrite Scarlett 8i6: Chosen for additional inputs/outputs and loopback feature.
  • Loopback Feature: Allows internal routing and recording of desktop audio.

Audio Editing Process

• Software Used: Adobe Audition; RX8 Advanced from iZotope.
• Sample Editing Workflow:
  • Noise Removal: Using RX8’s Spectral De-noise; sample clean noise and apply learning.
  • Amplify: Ensure consistent levels (-12 to -6 dB range).
  • EQ and Compressor: Using parametric equalizer to improve clarity and multi-band compressor for balanced audio.
  • Mouth Noise Removal: RX8’s Mouth De-click.
  • Breath Noise Control: RX8’s Breadth Control, typically reducing by -14 dB.
  • Sibilance Reduction: Using RX8’s DS plugin.
  • Additional Filters: Fine-tuning with more parametric equalizers, focusing on removing unnecessary high frequencies (above 16k Hz).

Creating Presets

• Creating and saving personalized presets for consistent audio quality with different recordings.
• Suggests adjustments tailored to individual voices and environments.

Conclusion and Final Tips

• Final Steps in Editing:

  • Normalize audio levels post-editing.
  • Hard limiting to remove excessive peaks.

• Emphasis on ongoing adjustments and learning.

• Acknowledge costs of software/hardware and need for continuous trial and error.

• Support Request: Encouragement to support through Patreon to keep content free.

• Ending thanks and call to action for feedback and further support.