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Home: Video University Forums: Audio For Video:
Audio help needed: Removing "Echo"

RT Steele
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May 4, 2008, 3:00 PM

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Audio help needed: Removing "Echo"	Can't Post

I'm still trying to figure out what happened to the groom's lav mic (Wireless Senn G2). It quit during the processional. And damn... if this wasn't one of the few times I didn't double the him up with an iRiver. Unsure

*I think* I switched his mic off when I lifted the cam strap to put it over my neck and it caught on the toggle switch on my XLR adapter.

The priest was wearing an iRiver but his mic level was at 38 otherwise he'd have clipped it. However, this is too low of a setting to catch the couple. (I might try mixing it though).

Thankfully, the priest used a handheld mic so the guests could hear the vows and I got all this through another mic in the choir loft. The problem is there's just so damned much echo.

Here's a sample (MP3):

I use Audition 3 as my sound editor and have tried many dynamics filters but am not having much luck reducing the echo. I know it's impossible to remove completely but I'd like to get it cleaned up a bit. If anyone would care to have a go at the 48/16 WAV file (23mb) I'd really appreciate it.

Or... give me some clues as to where to start with this thing in Audition.

Thanks peeps!

- RT

MLiebergot
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May 5, 2008, 1:10 PM

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Re: [RT Steele] Audio help needed: Removing "Echo" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Ok, Rick got your message, here I am, how can I help...
Unfortunately there isn't anything I can think of to reduce echo in an audio clip. I use Sony Soundforge 9 so I'm not familiar with Adobe Audition.
But if Audition has the capability, then maybe try noise gating and maybe some compression to the low end of the clip. That, or try to EQ some out, but that is highly unlikely to work.
Actually, the audio doesn't sound that bad to me.
Yes there's echo, but all of the vocals are clearly legible.

And for a redneck wedding, as you call it, they will probably not even notice or comment on the echo.

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

RT Steele
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May 5, 2008, 1:55 PM

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Re: [MLiebergot] Audio help needed: Removing "Echo" [In reply to]	Can't Post

But if Audition has the capability, then maybe try noise gating and maybe some compression to the low end of the clip.

This bit of info is helpful. Thanks bro!

I'm still trying to figure out what the hell went wrong with the Senn G2. At first, I just thought the groom's mouth might be blocked with the handheld shoved in his face but that's unlikely. I'm now thinking something happened when the priest turned on the handheld mic just before the couple started to speak because I can hear the groom plainly before and after the vows.

Damndest thing. But were it not for that handheld, I'd be royally screwed.

- RT

Mark Foley
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May 6, 2008, 5:56 AM

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Re: [RT Steele] Audio help needed: Removing "Echo" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Rt,
There is no magic process to remove natural echo/reverb...as doing so will have too much impact on the original source. With your sample, one channel has more direct audio (use that) and the other has the reverb information (kill that).

_________________________
Mark

RT Steele
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May 6, 2008, 9:10 AM

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Re: [Mark Foley] Audio help needed: Removing "Echo" [In reply to]	Can't Post

With your sample, one channel has more direct audio (use that) and the other has the reverb information (kill that).

You nailed it Mark. I discovered this late last night. How embarrassing. Blush

The left channel contains the groom's mic feed while the right channel comes from the singer's vocal mic up in the choir loft. And up in that loft were the mother of all church speakers which picked up the minister's handheld and subsequently dominated the whole audio clip.

Eliminating the right channel (choir loft) just leaves the groom's lav mic. Still some minor echo in there but that was just the acoustics of the church doing its thing. I'm just glad my G2 peformed correctly.

It's just been a while since I used dual wireless units and forgot I had 2 channels to split Blush

.

- RT

Mark Foley
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May 6, 2008, 4:32 PM

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Re: [RT Steele] Audio help needed: Removing "Echo" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Quote

Still some minor echo in there but that was just the acoustics of the church doing its thing

Actually...I like a little bit of nat reverb/echo to give it some "real feel"...however, I usually add artificial reverb to have a bit more control over the final outcome....

Don't feel embarressed over audio stuff....they only reason I may know a little bit about the stuff is that I screwed up plently of times.... Smile

_________________________
Mark

Scott S
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May 6, 2008, 5:57 PM

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Re: [RT Steele] Audio help needed: Removing "Echo" [In reply to]	Can't Post

You need a compander to get rid of reverb....look for it in your audio plugins. I doubt you have one but they can be purchased thru 3rd party sources...

http://www.soundhack.com/shapers.php

I wouldn't touch your sample though...most people won't even notice.. I've been a somewhat hobbiest audio engineer for over 20 years and I've come to the conclusion that 95% of the population can't hear the way I do so don't waste your time on that sample since it's not that bad when you consider your audience.

If it was for their new live double album I would say tweak away. Wink

Actually, a quick fix for your audio...lose the right channel (delete it) and pan the left channel to center... Use some camera audio (stereo) to fill in the ambient sound. Your right channel is only the reflected sound. That should clean it up considerably. Don't know what you're working in but this should be doable right in your timeline..

(This post was edited by Scott S on May 6, 2008, 10:49 PM)

RT Steele
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May 6, 2008, 10:15 PM

Post #8 of 8 (154 views)
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Re: [Scott S] Audio help needed: Removing "Echo" [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Scott, thanks for adding to this post. I'm going to look into some of those things if not for this clip, maybe others.

Actually, a quick fix for your audio...lose the right channel (delete it) and pan the left channel to center..

Yep. I worried for nothing it seems. After I started this thread I realized the left channel contains the groom's lav like it should. The right channel just washes it out when listening to them both.

- RT