Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.resohangout.com/archive/56259
Dogwood - Posted - 01/29/2022: 05:34:51
I've been working with Audacity recently, I'm trying to get a good sound and mix, anyone who may be using Audacity I would appreciate some tips and tricks. I have no expectations about the recordings, not gonna be studio quality, but any tips and tricks for getting something better than my first few goes. Thanks!!
lap dog - Posted - 01/29/2022: 08:03:13
I’m an occasional Audacity user, creating backing tracks so I can practice leads against them. Important to use a quality audio interface like Focusrite with quality analog mics (can even be phantom powered condensers) to get decent digital audio. A lot of effects and digital editing in Audacity which are handy to remove mistakes.
Dogwood - Posted - 01/29/2022: 09:44:37
Yes, there are many bells and whistles. Using it to create jam tracks is mostly what I have done so far. I tend to use way to much reverb, just discovered yesterday how to adjust that easily. I also recorded a bunch of tracks with all my other instruments, guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass, mandolin, dobro...I can't help myself so I need to learn some discipline, keep things simpler. I have a yeti blue mic, which works well. I am also conscious of the fact that this is not a recording studio. I would like to get the best recording quality I can so that I don't cringe at what I am hearing. Thought I would ask if anyone out there is using or has used Audacity. I think it can be really good learning tool. Since there are no jamming situations going on now, at least I can do it this way and begin to hear what I might actually sound like in a real jam situation...Thanks for the input.
Dogwood - Posted - 01/29/2022: 10:13:50
Here is an MP3 file I made a few days ago, way to much normalization, so it's loud, to much reverb, to busy, timing issues, this is a basic 3 chord improve piece. I did not have enough breaks for other instruments to come through, my mastering is much to be desired, pointers welcome, I do realize this is not Austin City Limits ready. I just need some ideas and suggestions about the recording business. Thanks again..
I'm not sure if the MP3 file loaded and if it did, where?
Terry Harris - Posted - 01/29/2022: 12:31:10
Your MP3 file is on your home page
Dogwood - Posted - 01/29/2022: 13:05:05
Hi Terry I found it later in the library under the media tab, thanks.
DobroEnthusiast - Posted - 01/29/2022: 21:28:33
I've used audacity before, and though I don't have any training or professional experience with audio engineering, I can offer a few ideas that might be helpful to another beginner:
- Compressor
Compression has many uses, but as a good place to start, try using it to making a track come forward in the mix. Leaving everything else at the default setting, play around with the threshold. The lower it goes, the more quiet parts of the sound get boosted. If "Make up for 0 dB gain" is also checked, your track should end up effectively louder without an increase in volume headroom.
- EQ
A little goes a long way with EQ, and it can make things sound screwy pretty quickly. With that in mind, it can be useful if a track has a problem frequency that you can locate. For example, if a guitar is too "boomy," then a low cut might fix it, or if two instruments aren't mixing well, try giving them opposing EQ curves. I've found it can take a lot of trial and error to get good results. The Spectrogram view is useful for looking at frequencies in more detail.
- Reverb
With multiple tracks to deal with, it can be helpful to use separate tracks for reverb, making it adjustable. To add reverb this way, make a duplicate of a track, then apply reverb to the duplicate and check "wet only." You can then fade the reverb track in and out to get the balance how you want it.
Dogwood - Posted - 01/30/2022: 08:36:45
Thanks DobroEnthusiast, this is the sort of feedback I'm looking for. If I wasn't so darn thick headed I' read the manual. I suspected that I was applying the reverb incorrectly, compression I'll give that a try. I would like to just get a clean recording or two one day. Again thanks, and if you have other tips please pass them along!
BrianMac - Posted - 01/30/2022: 08:50:42
Hey Larry, another recording novice here.
One thing I've learned recording in a small area with reflective surfaces is to consider comb filtering. This is an occurrence of reflective sounds being picked up by the mic and degrading the sounds being recorded. It can occur several other ways involving latency or with more than one mic open in the room at once. Here's a couple great articles on it with sound samples.
sweetwater.com/insync/what-is-...iltering/
dpamicrophones.com/mic-univers...-avoid-it
Dogwood - Posted - 03/07/2022: 10:26:01
An update on my Audacity adventures.
I have made some progress understanding Audacity. Still have to work out a bunch of things. After hours of playing/recording I have also come to understand a great deal about my musical skills, I nearly quit playing, fortunately I didn't. What I discovered was a new understanding of my instruments and my playing. I put Audacity away for a bit. I haven't quit playing, just stopped listening to myself for now. I'll get back to recording again, just taking a break and taking time to think about how to move forward.
Thanks for the input and suggestions, they helped me in he learning process of using Audacity.
wlgiii - Posted - 03/07/2022: 11:53:10
Back in the days of cassette 4-track recording, my rule of thumb was 1 minute of finished song = 1 hour recording/mixing time. This has carried over to Audacity; handy to keep in mind when planning. Also, I concur with comments above on effects; a little goes a long way. Also, I can't quite get the reverb to do what I want, but I've gotten good results with the echo effect.
This was done on Audacity a few years ago; you can use it as a "do this" or "don't do this". (PS- Appalachian, in C6)
Edited by - wlgiii on 03/07/2022 11:53:41
Dogwood - Posted - 06/25/2022: 08:58:56
Nice recording wlgiii, really clean and clear. I had to put audacity away for a bit, I did not like what I heard. I will try again in the near future.
I was able to burn a cd with about 8 tunes which made all sound better when played on my cd player. Currently I'm enjoying the warm weather, but still picking and discovering new things. Thanks to all for comments and suggestions.
Have had a few chances to play with some friends this spring and had fun using the dobro, which is an amazing learning environment.
'BEARD DECOPHONIC 57' 12 hrs
'Using a Strap Issues' 1 day
