Audio Workflow at DVinfo.net

Rick Thornquist · June 17th, 2009, 11:27 AM

I'm looking for a little help on how to process the audio from some interviews.

I used a Zoom H4 to capture the audio and now I want to do some noise reduction, reduce the dynamic range, brighten it up, and then adjust the loudness so that all the interviews are around the same level.

I've been scouring the web and though I found lots of tips on this and that, but I haven't been able to find a workflow that tells me what to do in what order.

I'm using Adobe Audition 3. Can someone help me with a quick workflow on how to process the audio in this situation?

Battle Vaughan · June 17th, 2009, 01:32 PM

The workflow you describe would be noise reduction - compression - equalization - normalization....but audio is more art than science, I suggest there's no canned workflow that will work magic, the help of an engineer with good ears would be the best way to handle this efficiently if you are inexperienced at it and the work is worth the investment....my two centavos..../Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

Rick Reineke · June 17th, 2009, 02:07 PM

For interviews and such, I normally use (if needed) "NR> EQ> Multiband comp.> Peak limiter."
I even-out levels manually, so the comp/limiters do not get hit too hard.

Rick Thornquist · June 22nd, 2009, 06:53 AM

That really does help, guys, thanks!

June 17th, 2009, 11:27 AM	#1
Rick Thornquist Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 41	Audio Workflow I'm looking for a little help on how to process the audio from some interviews. I used a Zoom H4 to capture the audio and now I want to do some noise reduction, reduce the dynamic range, brighten it up, and then adjust the loudness so that all the interviews are around the same level. I've been scouring the web and though I found lots of tips on this and that, but I haven't been able to find a workflow that tells me what to do in what order. I'm using Adobe Audition 3. Can someone help me with a quick workflow on how to process the audio in this situation?

June 17th, 2009, 01:32 PM	#2
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	The workflow you describe would be noise reduction - compression - equalization - normalization....but audio is more art than science, I suggest there's no canned workflow that will work magic, the help of an engineer with good ears would be the best way to handle this efficiently if you are inexperienced at it and the work is worth the investment....my two centavos..../Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

June 17th, 2009, 02:07 PM	#3
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	For interviews and such, I normally use (if needed) "NR> EQ> Multiband comp.> Peak limiter." I even-out levels manually, so the comp/limiters do not get hit too hard.

June 22nd, 2009, 06:53 AM	#4
Rick Thornquist Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 41	That really does help, guys, thanks!