Improve "over edited" file

[Kalum]

Hello all,

I am working on my very first podcast.

To be precise I am about to put online my second episode.

I am almost done but, after listening to an mp3 export with my phone (instead of my desktop), I find that I have been heavy handed with the editing.

I have removed numbers of 'hummm', sigh and other hesitations from our conversation.

I feel like those edits are noticeable and that it sounds a bit too much like sentences are a collection of words taken from different conversations (changes of tone etc.).

Not sure if my explanation above is clear.

Maybe it is a bit obvious because, for some reason, it feels like we speak faster than usual (I am considering slowing/pitching back sections) or maybe it is because I know myself those editing are there and someone else wouldn't notice them so much.

Would anyone have something to recommend to improve the file a bit ? Something to improve the transitions between words maybe?

Next time I will be less heavy handed with my editing but I don't feel like starting again from scratch on this one



Thanks in advance for your help.

[steve]

Would anyone have something to recommend...

My recommendation would be "publish and be damned". Treat it as a learning experience. Trying to improve an over-cooked dinner is unlikely to be a good use of time - better to spend that time on making the next one better.

[Kalum]

I hear you well and clear Steve

However, I was hoping there would be final thing I could/should do to be kind on my first listeners' earing.

Following further research, I think I will try using the following tonight and then publish the damn thing indeed.

http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=87216

[kozikowski]

it feels like we speak faster than usual

You are. Each time you cut out an Ummm or Urrr, the sentence gets shorter. And yes it's exactly like patching together miscellaneous words from the last two weeks trying to make it sound natural. The rhythm, cadence and breath control of sentences is burned into the gaps between words. Mess with it at your peril. It's one of the big things that makes telephone automated voices sound funny.

Welcome to the first AudioBook. This is where you get to the end of the first reading, realize how much better you got over the last six weeks, how sucky the first part was, and read it all over again.

It's a very newbie thing to wear holes in the magnifier/zoom controls constantly editing every word. You may get away with that if you need to do that once in a half-hour podcast, but not multiple times a sentence. That will sound like a hatchet job. Because it is.

Instead of publishing, use this as the class on how not to read or present. Stop Umming. Theatrical "Hollywood" voices are not just recognizable for their pitch and quality, they can also read. There's no shortage of posters demanding we tell them how to "Make Me Sound Like XXX performer." Sorry. There's no "Acting" setting.

This is also where ad-lib podcasts fall apart. With no general script to follow, there's no direction or show concept if you have to do it again.

If you're going to do non-repeatable, ad-lib podcasts, leave the errors in. Concentrate on content. There are podcasts where the performers have natural comedic timing. They could read the phone book and make it sound funny.

You know what your third podcast is going to be about right? Not the second one, the third one. How much time did it take you to produce this one?

Koz

[Kalum]

I don't get what you mean with your first audio book.

I didn't ask or expected to find a magical way to sound great. Just maybe something that I would have missed that might have improved things a tiny bit.

Indeed speaking is a skill, mastered by actors, but not me or my guests. I hope to improve my own speaking and interviewing skills along the way.

Sorry but your post is more condescending than helpful.

I am indeed also learning about content and hope to improve along the way.

Episode 2 made obvious the importance to stick to discussing one subject if a couple people or to interviewing a single person. Doing a single thing (not playing a board game AND having a discussion).

In any case, I will put it online no matter what.

I believe I improved things a tiny yesterday. I need to add the credits of the used creative commons songs I used and then I will put it online (this weekend).

The third podcast is already recorded. It's the interview of a single person with a related side "interview" intermission.

Number 4 should be yet another interview. I need to give it some thoughts and hope to have more feedback/comments in the meantime.

[kozikowski]

I don't get what you mean with your first audio book.

Your post is remarkably similar to people on their first audiobook. They get to the end and realize how much better they got over time and experience and want us to improve, through software, the first half of the book to match the second. Probably not. The successful people read it again, effectively making that their second book.

What did you do to improve the presentation? I know this seems like a Help Desk, but it really is a forum/sharing.

You dug yourself a hole with the editing. You can't just put silent snippets back in between words to restore graceful timing because the sudden blanks will be noticed. You can put Room Tone (normal background sound) in and hope it matches. People have done that. By that time you might be further ahead recutting the original recording.

Where are the shows?

Koz

[Kalum]

I did the following:

Inserted blank snippets here and there as breathing space (not great but better)

I slowed a couple sections (change speed + change pitch with opposite value) - In addition to the excessive editing, we did indeed actually spoke at a rather excited and excessive speed.

Still need to record the end song credit and to put this online tonight (GMT). If that doesn't take too much time, I will try adding a "Room tone" as you suggest before finally exporting it.

The first episode of the podcast can already be found here.

https://rolistespod.wordpress.com/

This weekend I will also set up my RSS and other required tidbits so it can be found via Itunes and other podcast platforms (any to recommend?).

Hopefully with that in place and 2 episodes available, I will receive more feeback/comments (didn't get much so far - but otherwise positive.

Can't wait to edit my recordings for Episode 3, and to record Episode 4

PS: Speaking of quality of sound, here's another warning. We have obnoxious French accents. Beware !

[Kalum]

The Episode 2 mentionned above is now OUT!

Thanks for your advice. Please feel free to comment both on the audio quality and content (although the later is still very messy).

https://rolistespod.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/episode-02-mess-up-arrow-luchadores-asian-restaurants/

I also now have an RSS feed which is still need to have go through Itunes:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheRolistesPodcast

Cheers

[kozikowski]

Please note we are not intentionally delaying your posts. The forum makes us authorize new posts for a while.

I will try adding a "Room tone" as you suggest before finally exporting it.

It's one of the odd problems with not using a studio. When the studio people stop talking, the sound channel becomes dead quiet. When the home recordist stops talking, they get fan noises, echoes, street sounds, etc. etc. Collectively "Room Tone." If you're careful, the presentation can sound much better by adding Room Tone seconds rather than dead silent seconds. This is an ACX AudioBook recommendation. I didn't make that up.

It still isn't easy, but your possibility of success goes up.

And just because of the odd way you said that... I'm suggesting adding tiny room tone snippets instead of the silent snippets between words. Not to the whole show.

Koz

[kozikowski]

You know the joke everything sounds better in French? "I broke my leg and my car is on fire." sounds wonderful in French.

[in English]
"That sounds great. I'd like two of those, please."

My only objection to the show (so far) is the echo. When you introduced Episode Two, I thought you were applying echo special effects to the presentation. You're not are you? The room really does sound like that.

I liked the bit where you interrupt gameplay by giving each other English lessons. That was unexpected comedy.

Koz