Equipment & software

[mysx]

Thanks El Ciego. I'll save the page so I can read again later.
I've got a serious computer problem and it might die anytime.
Just so you know if I'm gone for a while. Then please grab
all new files for me? Doesn't matter what. I want them all

[sc0tt-uk]

There's only one thing I don't get here - Why reduce the volume of the file in step 1 before you gate it? Surely with a bit of experimentation with the threshhold of your gate you'd be able to do the same thing with less time and effort?
Never tried this, so maybe i'm overlooking something obvious.
sc0tt-uk

[mysx]

I'll check it out El Ciego, I just got some problem and forgot.

Here's just a small example from Germans 603 in 2 parts. The first part
is the original and the second part is made in my new program MAGIX
Audio Cleaning Lab 11 deluxe. There's many settings and one can change
the sound in so many ways. This file is just an example on what could be
done and of course it's one of my favourites. But I thought it could be
useful for other files also, like wall recordings and more. I'll try later.

Ok it cannot be high-tech but maybe it's possible to hear better.
Always decrease the volume before you play a unknown file.
...just so you can hear more later

[mysx]

To improve files where it's almost impossible to hear anything,
I'm afraid nothing can be done but I'll try anyway, but I still
have to fix my PC.

I'm against MP3 at 64 kbps on stereo files. Now I have to prove it's true
that stereo files will be destroyed (like JPEG) and then harder to improve.
However, it's not easy. I would be grateful if you have some information
about that. The best would be a picture that shows what's happening
to the file during the conversion process.

I have to skip all MP3's under 64 kbps, RM and WMV. Sorry but they are
all too bad. I believe the best is to convert a MP3 64 kbps mono or 128
kbps stereo to WAVE PCM 44 100 khz before editing, even if MAGIX
Audio Cleaning Lab can import MP3 files. Interesting but since I'm
not very skilled, it might take some time to learn.

[mysx]

I know some are still using old equipments and cannot have better
files above 64 kbsp and I don't know what Hz it is. Should be 44, at
least for stereo I think. Necessary? I don't know but better to be safe.
There's many new equipments out there and I've still haven't found
what I want. I was thinking about to get Creative Zen Vision M until
there's something better. So I can listen to xxx sounds everywhere

But...
Creative Zen Vision M do have a harddrive and it's not very good for
travelers and hotel visitors because the battery will not last very long
and more. It would only be good for homeusers like me and I want
something for different stuff. But because there's harddrive I suspect
there might be noices on the recordings? And the price is still a bit
too high. I maybe should look for something else...

[mysx]

Did you hear any difference on Ger603_04emaxden01-diff.mp3 ?

I'm quite busy right now and the xmas is around the corner.
But I'll try to improve some hotel recordings or similar later on.

Also I hope Neo will forgive me for using one of his files as an example.
I've tried to contact him a couple of times but no response I've made
many funny loops and compilations of his files but I really don't want to
upload the same stuff again even it's different. That's why I think all
members should have better contact, where we could share our clips
and ideas. If I'm not available on MSN messenger, send a hotmail.

[mysx]

Maybe much have changed since last time we talked about MP3 players
but I've saved a copy of yeppies list of players and I'll compare when I
finally got the money... I would upgrade my computer first of all and it's
not done yet. I'm registered at a technical forum but I still cannot find
what I want. Anyway, about MP3 players, the best for me seems to be
Creative and Samsung so far but some stuff isn't very good I think.
My son recommended Sony's latest mobile that contains a lot of cool
stuff, voice recorder and a camera too but I'm not so sure about that
because it's not great to have a call when recording...
Also I don't think the quality is the best on small mobiles.
He also talked about Pocket PC ...well, I think it sounds expensive

I've seen some MP3 players here that is tested. But it's a swedish
webpage and I haven't found a similar page in english.

[El Ciego]

Sc0ttUK,

The reason for reducing the volume is that often broad-spectrum (pink) noise is part of the problem, and reducing the volume manually seems to improve results. I know what you're saying...the threshold settings should be enough, but they often are not. If anyone could offer a technical explanation....I probably wouldn't get it.

RP...you've poosted a lot here. First, hope your computer is better Second the 44.1 kHz rate is important, because it dictates the frequency range that can be recorded. The Nyquist formula...take the sampling rate and divide by two = bandwitdth in Hz.

44.1
-----= 22.05 = roughly the range of human hearing (20 Hz - 20kHz)
2 This is why a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz is used for CDs.

I hate MP3 players for recording. Their recorders are for dictation. I won't give up my minidisc until I can figure out a palmtop or Pocket PC system that a.) I can afford and b.) is usable by people without eyesight.

The system I saw, using a pocket P.C. ($225.00), a CoreSound A/D converter with phantom power for condenser microphones ($500.00), recording software ($50.00) and microphones. With sufficient flash memory, one can record clean 44.1 kHz stereo for several hours.

I've also looked at miniDAT, and while it offers great sound quality and inexpensive used gear, the recording time is insufficient.

Hope this helps.

P. .

[mysx]

Thanks El Ciego!

I'm afraid nothing can be done before next year, no upgrade and no
player. Until then I'll check out the best players/recorders there is and
maybe I should look for miniDAT also. I don't know what it is actually.
But the most important is 44.100 kHz, long recording and possibility to
use a better microphone. Yes I've posted a lot in here because I'm not
a "sexsound producer" but I would like to help the way I can, with to
improve files and search for better stuff. Also it's possible that my new
neighbors will have sex someday! However, it might be hard to record
because I live between two bigger apartments and there's no bedroom
next to mine. So I hope they'll chose another room There's a new
neighbor above and there's a bedroom. Umm... I've never tried to
record sounds from the roof before.

[El Ciego]

RP,

Your processing of the German couple file is very good! Nicely done!

Just keep in mind that you will have opportunities someday to record neighbors/friends having sex. Be a Boy Scout and be prepared...whatever you have for recording, even if it's just an old cassette recorder...keep it loaded with fresh batteries and tape, and be ready in case Inga and Sven upstairs start doing the wild thing!

[mysx]

Thanks again El Ciego! The German couple file is one of the best quality there is however but
there was some noice anyway. Then I thought I'll should try to improve some wall recordings
and more but I've had no time to listen very much lately. There could be a section for "improved
files" but I don't know if it's any good idea to upload others files. You and sc0tt-uk have been
talking about things I don't understand, like amplify and threshhold. I cannot see such words
in the program so I haven't learned that. It's hard to explain stuff in english so I just uploaded
a small sample. It would be better if someone ask me to improve his file. At least I could try...
I cannot promice any good result because I still have to learn things in MAGIX Audio
Cleaning Lab 11 deluxe.

My old recorder is broken so I have to get something else,
something cheap but still good until I find what I want.

The noise reduction in Audacity maybe sucks but it's still a great program. I use it to
remove bad sounds, delete long empty parts and for compilations and loops. Also I've
discovered some new functions that I haven't checked out yet. I'm waiting for Audacity
version 1.3.2. It's still beta, so I use version 1.2.6 until it's stable. I thought maybe
1.3.2 will be better for you? Just wait until it's finished.

"Audacity Beta version 1.3.2" from http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=629685
(they're also talking about 1.2.5 there but 1.2.6 is the latest stable version)

Usability improvements
New selection bar
New features for label tracks
Improved toolbar docking flexibility
Menu renaming and reorganization
Selection, ruler, and playback control improvements
Major improvements to some built-in effects
New Repair effect
Improved Equalization effect
Many fixes and minor improvements to other effects
Improved accessibility for the visually impaired
Improvements for screen readers, accessibility of tracks, and hot keys
Timer recording
Auto-save and automatic crash recovery
New features and bug fixes for Nyquist
Restructured Preferences dialog
Improved batch processing
File format export improvements
Intel Mac support
Many bug fixes and stability improvements

Also see: Audacity Beta 1.3.2 Notes

[sc0tt-uk]

You and sc0tt-uk have been
talking about things I don't understand, like amplify and threshhold. I cannot see such words
in the program so I haven't learned that.

If you google for something like "guide to using compression and noisegate" or something similar, you'll probably find someone who explains this better than I can, but i'll try to get you started.

Threshhold is the level that your compressor or gate will start to process signal at. So if you were to be working on a really quiet file, and you set your threshhold to 5 DB, no matter what your other controls are set too the gate or compressor wouldn't do anything, because all the sound in that file is probably way below 5DB if its quiet. If you were to lower the threshhold, start with the level of the loudest point in the file and work down from there until it sounds how you want it, your other settings will start to be noticed each time the sound reaches the threshhold.

I don't know much about software, because I'm taking these words from using hardware in studios, its probably the same for el ciego. Heres a bit of explanasion of controls you'll see all the time on hardware so you can figure out their software match.

Attack - the time it takes for a gate to open and therefore let sound pass through. It applies to other effects too.
Hold - the time that a gate stays open for or the other effect stays applied.
Release - The time it takes for a gate to close, compression to wear off, or whatever. Sometimes I've seen it labeled as decay as well.
Threshhold - we covered that one earlier.
Ratio - This is a compression thing, the higher the ratio the heavier the compression will sound, the more your sound will be squashed. A ratio of 2:1 is pretty light, right up to 10:1 which is where it gets so heavy it stops being called compression and becomes limiting. Of course, your ratio will only start working when the sound reaches the level that you've got your threshhold set too.
Gain - amplifies the sound, which basically makes it louder.
Mix - This one will mix between your processed and unprocessed sound. If you have your mix set to 50% you'll get a mixture of the original sound and the processed version both at the same level. Of course, thats another one where you've gotta change it and use your ears to tell when its right. Sometimes its called wet/dry, with the dry signal being unprocessed and the wet being what you've added.

If you were working on music with hardware, those controls and a lot of practice with a good set of ears would be enough to get you started. I don't know anything about processing sex sounds or software, so some of it might not be relivant, but hopefully some of it will help.

Once again, google it if you want to thoroughly understand, because I'm not too good at explaning this stuff.

sc0tt-uk

[mysx]

Thanks sc0tt-uk! I'm using google very much but I didn't know what to search for or I didn't understand
what they was talking about. It's because software and hardware is quite different. I think I understand
now and I shouldn't mix it all together. The hardware is the most important of course but there's many
files that might need to be improved. There's better stuff out there today and maybe it will be easier to
get what we want in the future. Until then I'll try to fix some of the old files.

[yeppie]

Thanks Sc0tt, excellent work!

Although I´m far from being an expert in audio editing, what I did understand from your explanations seems to be very exact. There is no big difference between what your hardware does and what you can do using software like audacity or adobe audition. They even use the same labels for the different editing functions.

yeppie

[mysx]

he he yeppie. I said software and hardware is quite different and you
said there's no big difference. I maybe don't understand what you mean
but I meanth the names for some functions are different and it's confusing
me. With good hardware and the right settings you don't have to improve
any files but I know it's impossible in some situations. How to record
sounds from a roof for instance?