Newbie question or two

[imaginedtruth]

I've recently started trying out and learning Audacity using the 1.3.x beta. I have a .mp3 of a cover song that I really like by one of my favorite performers. However, since it was recorded during a live show, there's a lot of audience noise, which unfortunately also includes a few instances of screaming high pitched little girls all over the audience. I would just try to find a alternative, but that is not possible at the moment.

I realize that there is no way to clean up the song to studio quality, but I would like some suggestions, tips, and advice of what I could attempt to filter out the audience and occasional high pitched screams the best that I can, while hopefully maintaining the performer's voice and the music as well as I can.

If it helps, the instruments during the song are a pair of drums and a electric guitar. What makes it somewhat challenging is that it's a song that hit's both high and low notes. It's a cover of Don't Stop Believing by Journey. Again, I know it's unlikely I'll get the file I have perfect, but anything I can to do get it at least as close as I can to be able to enjoy would be a big plus. Thanks in advance.

Anyone who is more of a expert that might be willing to take a shot at it, I'd be more than willing to email it if anyone would like. Thanks again,.

[kozikowski]

One of the reasons some bands allow recording is they know it's almost impossible to get a good capture from the audience.

Nobody is going to be competing with their CD or iTunes purchases.

You can't take the screams out because there's no band underneath them. You'll just get a hole in the show, and you would have to do it note by note. There is no "Make It Better" filter.

Everybody who tries recording like this overloads something and that's permanent, too. You can't sit in front of killer band speakers with a camcorder and not damage something.

The bow on top is the MP3 file. MP3 creates its own damage and that's permanent, too. The file gargles, bubbles and honks and the damage gets in the way of sound filters.

Koz

[kozikowski]

It's a cover of Don't Stop Believing by Journey.

Somebody who tried to capture a Flash Mob of a Glee cover from the audience?

Koz

[imaginedtruth]

lol no it wasnt Glee

and I know its not possible to get the file perfect, and incidently as far as i know, that band never released that cover on iTunes or on CD, so I wouldn't consider it piracy. I just need some help to try to clean up the file as well as i can

[kozikowski]

Anyone who is more of a expert that might be willing to take a shot at it, I'd be more than willing to email it if anyone would like. Thanks again.

How big is it?

Koz

[waxcylinder]

... that band never released that cover on iTunes or on CD, so I wouldn't consider it piracy...

But their record company would, as would the outfits that collect royalties (the PRS in the UK) - so just be careful what you write on an open public forum