The upper track shows a crossfade of white noise using the current Audacity "“Cross Fade In” and “Cross Fade Out” effects.
The lower track shows the same noise being crossfaded using an alternative “Equal Power” curve (For the technically inclined it uses a “1/4 cycle Cosine” curve).
You will notice that the RMS level (pale blue) is pretty well constant throughout in both cases.
The most obvious difference is that the second track has a more gradual transition into and out from the cross-fade region. This is because the currently shipped version has a more abrupt start to the fade-in and a more abrupt end to the fade-out than the alternative version.
What difference does it make to the sound?
That is the $65,000 question.
Try it yourself with some real audio recordings and find out.
Here is a pair of plug-ins for “Version 2” of the Cross Fade In and Cross Fade Out effects. They can be installed in the normal way and will appear next to the normal shipped versions in the Effect menu. crossfadein.ny (203 Bytes) crossfadeout.ny (223 Bytes)
The difference is quite subtle.
Can you tell the difference?
Do you have a preference?
You can rename the two files before you put them in the Audacity plug-ins folder, or alternatively let your operating system choose a new name when you paste them in.
You probably won’t like my answer because though I like Cross Fade In and Cross Fade Out as shipped, I don’t usually use them to make a cross fade - I prefer a linear cross fade because I often like to lose a little volume in the transition. But cross fading white noise or music with Steve’s new Cross Fade In and Cross Fade Out, I think the result is a bit more continuous or smooth than with the shipped effects (if equal power is the aim). I doubt you would notice the difference without side-by-side comparison.
I much prefer the extra force at the start of the shipped Cross Fade In/end of the shipped Cross Fade Out. I like to have a fade that sounds as if it is not done electronically but as if it was an acoustic performance. The attached is typical of something I may want to fade out - a two-second final note of a choir in a church followed by half a second of reverb, at which point I cut it. In reality, applause starts where I cut it and the reverb goes on for another half second. The shipped Cross Fade Out sounds much more natural for what I want, Steve’s replacement has very little volume right at the end and is clearly an “effect”.
I asked for opinions so I’m perfectly happy (delighted) to hear anyone’s opinion.
I’ll keep that in mind when I re-look at (real) crossfade effects.
The aim of these Cross Fade In/Out effects is to produce a transition when crossfading that is as “smooth” as possible. I’m glad that you agree that these fades give the desired effect.
Thanks for the comment.
I wouldn’t use this “Cross Fade Out” effect for performing a fade out on that audio either, but that is not what the “Cross Fade Out” is designed for.
I probably would use this Cross Fade Out effect if I was cross-fading that audio with another piece of music.
These fades could be used in a new version of Cross-Fade-Classic.
Generally I prefer the sound of a crossfade made with these fade types than what Cross-Fade-Classic currently uses or to the linear fades or the currently shipped Cross Fade In/Out, though for power users it would be nice to offer a choice). This is a “classic” shape for crossfades so it would be highly appropriate for the “Classic-Cross-Fade” effect.
For a one click cross-fade effect (such as the “Classic”) the choice of fade type is obviously important.
For a crossfade effect that has an interface, then the “generally works best” (whatever that might be) should be the default.
