forums : Producing

Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

I'm wondering if anyone edits MP3's after buying them, or what peoples feeling are on the subject?... Has anyone on here ever bought an MP3\WAV and then ran it threw a amp, limiter, or a compressor to improve the overall volume and loudness of the track? Has anyone ever edited the into of a track to extend it for easier mixing?

I was talking with a cat online from overseas and he said he runs most of the digital tracks he buys threw some processing to increase the volume and even has changed the into to accommodate his DJ skills. He said he buys the WAV file if possible to give more head room for "improvement".

I thought that was kind of strange... never heard of anyone doing this before. I always thought the producer or label would have done all they could to insure the track was the best quality it could be... seems strange that a DJ\Small-Time producer would think he was more knowledgeable about the end processing of a track then the Pro who made it.

Just curious if anyone does this and what kind of results they got

[ trench - 13 Mar 2008 12:42 ]

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

ive used a limiter to bring up the volume a bit

never really changed the track though

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

ive also used waves X-Crackle in some of the quiet spots of my older vinyl to reduce the clicks and pops

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

I don't have any authority to speak on the subject, but limiting/compressing the signal destroys its dynamic range. In the club that probably dont matter much cause the dancers just dont care.... but part of the audiophile inside me died when I heard of someone willingly participating in the loudness war.

I bet your friend gets ear fatigue a lot when hes mixing, probably doesnt even realize it. "Why do I feel this way... ah well..."

[ luciphercolors - 18 Mar 2008 23:50 ]

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

**********
According to luciphercolors ...

I don't have any authority to speak on the subject, but limiting/compressing the signal destroys its dynamic range. In the club that probably dont matter much cause the dancers just dont care.... but part of the audiophile inside me died when I heard of someone willingly participating in the loudness war.

I bet your friend gets ear fatigue a lot when hes mixing, probably doesnt even realize it. "Why do I feel this way... ah well..."

**********
dynamics shnynamics :teef: hehe

and when limiting the ripped vinyl... im only using it to boost the volume... im not limiting the track so it turns into a brick... the actual limiter is not limiting anything except the occasional peak which might occur 4-5 times throughout the track.

as far as ear fatigue goes... thats headphone volume.. not track volume

[ shook - 19 Mar 2008 07:21 ]

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

Just say no to transcodes!

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

You should just not limit it, because limiting affects the FINAL, MASTERED track. What you should do is just use a good preamp and make sure you record the signal in as loud as possible without clipping.

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

I've been used to playing vinyl for so long... most records have a similar level of sound from record to record (with some exception)

with digital there seems to be more of a dramatic change in volume from track to track depending what label\artist put it out. Even more so when you start throwing your own productions and productions of other up and coming artist in there that don't have as much hardware and knowledge as the big boys. It get hard to keep a consistent level.

I'm starting to see the advantages of slightly limiting a track and pushing up the volume to get it resting consistent with other tracks in your set. Like Shook said, just a little for the few peaks that would clip when amped up.

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

why not just normalize it or something? run it through replaygain

Re: Editing or Processing your Digital Collection

Nothing wrong with a little remastering in my opinion. I've had to do it to both Digital and Vinyl releases. And not for the 'make it so loud your ears bleed factor'......more so the 'who the f*ck mastered this beautiful tune like a turd factor.'

I don't see anything wrong with it personally. There are many times when things are done in haste and other times when it's not even the fault of the artist but that of whomever does the final mastering and 'pressing' of the track.

jmo.

edited for a ps.

ps: how I go about doing it is a completely different story. I've done everything from some serious digital trickery to requesting originals from the artists.

[ racypher - 20 Mar 2008 08:55 ]