Noise removal

[RayJ]

I've just begun making .wav copies of old 45's on ION turntable which I then drag to my iTunes. I have been "normalizing" and using the "noise removal" effects tools. When I copy a record using the noise removal tool the sound is very hollow sounding compared to using only the "normalizing" effect. Is this what I should hear? Is there something else I should be doing? Just what is the use for the "noise removal" effect tool?

[kozikowski]

Noise Removal, as good as it is in Audacity 1.3, isn't applicable here. NR is if you want to subtract a constant, annoying hum, hiss, or buzz from your show. Occasional clicks and pops don't count.

There are several pop and click removal programs available, some as tools inside Audacity.

http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... ck_Removal

Koz

[RayJ]

Koz,

Thanks for the quick response. I apparently over used this effect. Further, is the any more I should/could be doing after normalizing to help make my old 1940's 45's and more recent LP's sound as good as they can?

Ray

[kozikowski]

Yes, but not in Audacity. Wash your records thoroughly. There is a posting on here somewhere about how.

Here's pieces...

======================
When I do a master transfer of records, I literally scrub them with dish washing up soap and warm water. Rinse carefully in distilled water which drys and leaves nothing behind. No alcohol or other chemicals.
======================

Then make sure your turntable is clean and well adjusted. Tracking and pressure set OK? Relatively new stylus? Is this one of the turntables where you can set the speed and is it OK?

Please tell me you're not using a USB turntable.

Koz

[waxcylinder]

Ray,

I started out using manual repairs in 1.2 by redrawing bad waveforms (need to zoom well in) - and in 1.3 I used the Repair effect. But eventually gave up the manual approach as it was too time consuming.

Instead, follwing a steer from Koz, I expolored and bought an excellent little piece of software called ClickRepair developed by a retired Australian mathematician called Brian Davies. See this thread that I initiated on the subject: http://audacityteam.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=1994

If you go to Brian's site you will see that he also has created some additional noise removal tools. I have tested these on LP recordings that were obviously made from 78s and theye worked well too. I did not have enough of these recordings to need to purchase the NR tools.

You do get a 21-day trial period before you need to buy- which should be plenty of time to see if these tools work for you.

WC

[RayJ]

Koz,

I am washing with solution suggested by library of congress of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol (80/20) solution.

And, yes, I am using an ION USB turntable because it has gotten so many favorable comments for ease of use. I do have an old Danon turntable I could use but have not seen any advice as to using same, IE, connecting to computer and using what software for editing. Any comments?

Ray

[waxcylinder]

I started out my vinyl migration withan ION iTTUSB - I finally gave up on it and relegated it to the attic as it was giving me far too much wow and flutter.

Instead I resurrected my older Technics deck out of the attic, gave it a good service and treated it to a new cartridge. Plugged to to PC via a phono pre-amp (to get the necessary RIAA equalisation) - the I go into the PC via an external soundcard, but you can go direct to the computer's line in (if you have one) from the pre-amp. MUCH better results than from the ION ....

As to which software - continue to use Audacity for your recording and editing.

WC

[kozikowski]

<<<I am washing with solution suggested by library of congress of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol (80/20) solution. >>>

I need to have a chat with my friends at the LOC. Alcohol, although it probably won't harm the record, does not dry "clean." Alcohol leaves a residue or film and when we use it to clean electrical contacts, we have to make sure and scrub the film off after everything dries. You can't scrub the film off if it's stuck in the grooves.

Koz