Aligning 2 tracks ...if one has different speed

[admire]

Hi!

My problem is about recording a piano player & singer IN THE SAME TIME by 2 differet microphones (connected to 2 diferent PCs). 1st microphone took the voice from the singer, 2nd one was close to the piano. Now, I would like to mix the 2 different tracks adjusting proper balance between them.

I tried to aligne them "manually" but I experienced important problem - it looks like the 2 tracks recorded with slightly different speed so if I aligne the beginning then I can hear that music doesn't match at the end.

So my questions is how to aligne the 2 tracks so they match together?

And by the way - I am beginner in audioediting so could you please recomend me some turtorial for music aligning in AUDACITY (I don't know why manual doesn't cover this subject).

Thank you a lot for your help!
Marek

[Gale Andrews]

My problem is about recording a piano player & singer IN THE SAME TIME by 2 differet microphones (connected to 2 diferent PCs). 1st microphone took the voice from the singer, 2nd one was close to the piano. Now, I would like to mix the 2 different tracks adjusting proper balance between them.

I tried to aligne them "manually" but I experienced important problem - it looks like the 2 tracks recorded with slightly different speed so if I aligne the beginning then I can hear that music doesn't match at the end.

That is expected because the two computer sound devices will have slightly different clock speeds.

So my questions is how to aligne the 2 tracks so they match together?

You cannot align them until you make them the same speed. Click in the track name of the track that is dragging behind (too slow). Choose "Set Rate". Make a note of the rate that is currently checked, click "Other..." and type a rate very slightly higher than the rate that was checked. Click OK. You may have to experiment with the correct rate to get the tracks aligned.

please recomend me some turtorial for music aligning in AUDACITY (I don't know why manual doesn't cover this subject).

Rather than align tracks that have been recorded at different speeds, record them at the same speed, either by recording the piano track first then the voice as an overdub, or buy a sound card or mixer with left and right inputs.


Gale

[admire]

Thank you for help!

Choose "Set Rate". Make a note of the rate that is currently checked, click "Other..." and type a rate very slightly higher than the rate that was checked. Click OK. You may have to experiment with the correct rate to get the tracks aligned.

So the result will be similar if I use Effect -> Change speed ?

Rather than align tracks that have been recorded at different speeds, record them at the same speed, either by recording the piano track first then the voice as an overdub, or buy a sound card or mixer with left and right inputs.

Yep... but I cannot repeat the session

So could you please write a few words about aligning in Audacity or send me a link? Or maybe there is other soft which can handle that (cool-edit, adobe audition, other)?
Marek

[Gale Andrews]

Choose "Set Rate". Make a note of the rate that is currently checked, click "Other..." and type a rate very slightly higher than the rate that was checked. Click OK. You may have to experiment with the correct rate to get the tracks aligned.

So the result will be similar if I use Effect -> Change speed ?

You can use either Change Rate or Change Speed. Change Rate is lossless and has the advantage that you can just try another value if the first does not work without undoing the first change. Change Speed resamples and is slightly lossy so you should (in my opinion) undo a Change Speed before trying another value. On the other hand it's less navigation to get into Change Speed, and you will still by definition be resampling one track or the other (once) when you export if you rate change one of them.

I cannot repeat the session So could you please write a few words about aligning in Audacity or send me a link?

Already answered that. The tracks will never line up along their whole length until they are at the same speed. So you have to Change Rate or Change Speed on one of the tracks.



Gale

[admire]

Already answered that. The tracks will never line up along their whole length until they are at the same speed. So you have to Change Rate or Change Speed on one of the tracks.

Yes, that is clear but I just would like to understand how to use this AUDACITY "ALIGNE" tool for the future (assuming that there is no problem with speed). Besides after I manage to "equalize" the speed by Rate setting then I will have to alligne tracks anyway. I've been thinking if there is any soft which can handle tracks aligning automaticly by scanning them and fixing in proper position ???

[Gale Andrews]

I just would like to understand how to use this AUDACITY "ALIGNE" tool for the future (assuming that there is no problem with speed).

Audacity has Tine Shift Tool, perhaps you were already using it? Press F5 on your keyboard then click in the track with your mouse and drag. Release when the track is in the correct place. You may want to zoom in (hold CTRL + press 1) in order to align the tracks correctly:
http://audacityteam.org/help/faq?s=recording&i=sync



Gale