RECORDING LOW BACKGROUND MUSIC W/ VOICE

[steve]

You should be able to save an Audacity Project and when you reopen it, it should look and sound the same as when you saved it.
If it doesn't, then you're probably doing something wrong.

This part of the manual explains everything about Audacity Projects. Perhaps after reading this you may be able to work out where you're going wrong.
http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Audacity_Projects

when I try to listen to that Wav file that i recorded on Aud. in Media Player, to see what kind of quality sound it has there, it has some kind of echo or vibration added that was not there when I last listened to it in Audacity soon after finished recording it, is that normal?

It's probably because Windows Media Player is trying to "enhance" the sound to make it sound "better". Go through all of the Windows Media Player settings and turn off all effects and enhancements. Alternatively, use a better audio player such as Foobar2000 (it's free http://www.foobar2000.org/). Another good free player is WinAmp (there's also a non-free version that has a couple of additional enhancements).

(PS. I am biased - I enthusiastically dislike Windows Media Player and iTunes ).

I also noticed that if i record under the Stereo option (preference>recording) and 16 bit, and save the voice recording as a simple AUP file, when I reopen it in Audacity, static noise is added and quality is worse than before saving it, but if I record on Mono, quality is the same

If you are recording a mono microphone, it is generally best to record it in mono.

[cosmiclight22]

Thank you so much for the great advises, that is great!!
Yes, I think you are right about Media Player settings, the echo decreases a little when I remove the bass boost and some other enhancements, thank you!!!!

Now about that question on Audacity project saving, I am going to read into the link you referred me to,, thank you!!!

however I already read through it once before, and that is why I had to ask you guys for help, as I was explaining to Bill, I am not really familiar with tech terms, I do not know much about compressing or uncompressed files or how to save as uncompressed file, it is very confusing for me, sorry!!!
But I will limit myself to only one question now, about this subject, so it will be easier for you to reply:

1) When I finish recording, and my goal is to save it as a WAV file, before i click on FILE>EXPORT> AUDIO> WAV ---
am I supposed to save the recording as an AUP project in Audacity first---- then reopen it in Audacity, and then save it (export it) as a WAV file?
Is that the correct way? ---or is it OK to just export it as a WAV file---(in Audacity) -- immediately directly soon after recording it? I did it directly, without saving it first as a AUP file, was it wrong? Yes? No?


Other question:
2) Once it has become a WAV file, can I re-open it in Audacity? and how? By clicking on OPEN it from my hard drive? or by clicking on IMPORT?
I have tried both, but as said, it does sound different, lot of echo and static that was not present before I turned it into a WAV

3) Is it normal that it sounds worse and with lots of statics or is it because I am missing a step? What am i missing?

4) About the Stereo or Mono options, I am using a Stereo mic,( Samson Q2U), which is best settings to record with it?
And do you have any suggestions why it sounds better when I record on Mono? What step am I missing?

I know is a lot of questions, but with your awesome help I am learning more and more and I have already accomplished a lot, thank to you
Anna

[steve]

The Audacity Project only needs to be saved if you want to do more work on it at a later date.

A common work-flow is as follows:

1) Record
2) Export the unedited recording as a WAV file (this is a back-up copy).
3) Edit and process the recording as desired
4) Export the finished audio as a WAV file - use a different file name to step 2 (this is the final version)
5) Check that the exported "final version" plays correctly.
6) Close Audacity without saving.

This method is fine as long as you are sure that the "final version" (step 5) is exactly how you want it.

Once it has become a WAV file, can I re-open it in Audacity?

No you can't "open" a WAV file. Audacity does not work directly on audio files. Audacity only works with Audacity Projects.

or by clicking on IMPORT?

Yes. You can Import an audio file into an Audacity Project.
If you Import the file into a NEW Audacity Project, it should sound identical to the original project.
I'm not sure what you are "missing", or if you are doing something "extra" that you shouldn't be doing.

I am using a Stereo mic,( Samson Q2U)

The Samson Q2U is not a stereo microphone. It is mono.
I realise that it has a stereo headphone socket on it, and if you plug in stereo headphones to that socket you will hear the sound on both left and right, but what you are hearing is a mono signal that is being played into both sides of the headphones.

as I was explaining to Bill, I am not really familiar with tech terms

As this is the first time that you have ever done any of this, it's to be expected that some of terms and descriptions will sound like some strange alien language. However, you seem to be getting there and it will all become clear as you gain experience.

[cosmiclight22]

OK, thank you for the answers I think the saving part is clear now.......you were right,
sound does not change if I reopen the file as a AUP project, and you were right about
Media P sound enhancements, I removed the enhancements so the sound is the same, thank you

and thank you for...the encouraging words, I think my other barrier is also due to that Italian is my first language, but I am doing my best

I did not know Samson was a mono, So thanks
1) As you are familiar with Samson Q2U, and it is a cardioid mic, do you have any tips of how to avoid for it to pick up my breathing in
the recording, and avoid the Pops when I pronounce the P and the F?

2) I have tried to talk through the side of it (rather than from on top of it), few inches away, and it is much better but then I have
to talk louder and even if I do, volume is not so high, even if quality is great

3) So far, the volume of the speaker and mic in Audacity, is on about 5 or 6 (almost middle)
if I increase the volume of the speaker and of the mic , in Audacity, before recording, then yes, I get a louder recording,
but, on the other hand, after recording, a white noise comes up in the background, or more Pops (it might also depend on the fan of my laptop going on and off)?? ---

3) On the other hand if I leave it on 5 or 6, then the quality is really, really good, but there is not much volume, even in Media Player or my I-pod
I have experimented with the Amplify feature and even the Compressor feature in Audacity, different numbers, yes i get a really much louder effect, but then, here too, a loud white noise is added in the background, so quality deteriorates

I do not think is the mic's fault,, I wonder if it is because in Audacity Preferences I choose Samson also for the playback option, should I choose my PC speaker for the playback ?
Would you help?
Thanks
Anna

[steve]

do you have any tips of how to avoid for it to pick up my breathing in
the recording, and avoid the Pops when I pronounce the P and the F?

Don't worry too much about the breathing, it shows that you are alive.
To combat the popping, use a pop filter:


To make one, all you need is a ladies stocking and a wire coat hanger - look on Google for other designs "DIY pop filter"

I have tried to talk through the side of it (rather than from on top of it), few inches away, and it is much better but then I have
to talk louder and even if I do, volume is not so high, even if quality is great

I've not used a Samson Q2U, but this type of microphone is designed to be used "on axis" - that is, you talk into the end of it. Try that again when you've made or bought a pop filter.

So far, the volume of the speaker and mic in Audacity, is on about 5 or 6 (almost middle)

In the middle is ideal. If you go above that there is a very good chance that occasionally the waveform will reach the top/bottom of the track - it should never do that as that will cause irreparable distortion. After you have recorded but before you Export your recording, apply the "Amplify" effect to give it a bit of a boost. If you're using Audacity 1.3 (recommended) the default settings in the Amplify effect will amplify the sound as much as possible without distortion. Do not select the "allow clipping" option. That box should not be ticked.

I wonder if it is because in Audacity Preferences I choose Samson also for the playback option, should I choose my PC speaker for the playback

If you want to be able to hear yourself in your headphones while you are recording (it's not essential that you do that, but many people like to), then you need to play back through the Samson. Don't play back through speakers while you are recording as it is likely to cause either an echo, or could cause a very loud unpleasant noise. Always use headphones when recording with a microphone and not speakers.

[cosmiclight22]

Thank you soooo....much I was worrying so much about the breathing, did not know it was not that important

That is so interesting, a filter, the reason why I did not research that subject is because all filters are sooo... expensive, now with your suggestion that is resolved, i will try the "home made one" and record with it
About my mic, yes, I use it on an axis,

Could you explain what "you talk into the end of it" means? Sorry, language barrier again!!!
Does it mean talking in front of mic? like in the picture you posted?

you think that if I talk in the mic- in the right position (not from the side)-- the playback volume should be higher then?

About Amplify feature, as I was mentioning, I have tried it (with different numbers options in the sliders) but the result was horrible, because, while enhancing the volume on one hand --on the other hand a loud static white noise is added in the background, after applying the Amplify feature

Will the filter help eliminate that?

Another thing: so far the quality of the recording has been great, except that volume is too low,
--when I listen to a recorded file In Audacity , and I turn up the volume in Audacity while I listen, even just by doing this simple action, a loud static noise appears that was not there before turning the volume up,
I still do not know what is causing this, the static noise should not appear just by turning up the volume, right?

I am going to do more exploring after I make the filter
If that still happens, i wonder if I might attach a mini file for you to hear what I mean and maybe help you better figure out what it may be?
Thanks so much
Anna

[billw58]

Could you explain what "you talk into the end of it" means? Sorry, language barrier again!!!
Does it mean talking in front of mic? like in the picture you posted?

No, in the picture the person is talking into the side of the microphone.

About Amplify feature, as I was mentioning, I have tried it (with different numbers options in the sliders) but the result was horrible, because, while enhancing the volume on one hand --on the other hand a loud static white noise is added in the background, after applying the Amplify feature

In the Amplify dialog http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Amplify do you have "Allow Clipping" checked? If so, the "noise" you are hearing could be clipping distortion. On the other hand it could be that your recording volume is so low that it is very noisy to begin with, and amplifying the recording just allows you to hear the noise better.

Another thing: so far the quality of the recording has been great, except that volume is too low,
--when I listen to a recorded file In Audacity , and I turn up the volume in Audacity while I listen, even just by doing this simple action, a loud static noise appears that was not there before turning the volume up,

How are you turning the volume up? With the Gain Slider in the Track Control Panel? http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Audio_Tracks#panel It could be that you are turning up the volume so loud that clipping occurs. http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Digi ... o#clipping

Check your playback meters http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Mete ... #annotated Does the red "Clip" line appear?

-- Bill

[steve]

Could you explain what "you talk into the end of it" means? Sorry, language barrier again!!!
Does it mean talking in front of mic? like in the picture you posted?

The picture with the "pop shield" is using a different type of microphone. That type of microphone is designed for talking into the side of the microphone.

Here's a Samson Q2U on a table-top microphone stand. This type of microphone picks up sound from the end rather than from the side. Notice that it is angled upward so that it will point directly at the the persons mouth when they start using it.

i wonder if I might attach a mini file for you to hear what I mean and maybe help you better figure out what it may be?

Yes indeed.
Just a couple of seconds will be enough. Very short WAV files may (up to about 6 seconds) be uploaded directly to the forum (see "Upload Attachments" below the message composing text box). Please ensure it's a WAV file and not an MP3.

[cosmiclight22]

Thanks so much
everything makes sense, I will do as you suggest, all the steps
and you might b right, I might be allowing clippings so will look better into that and see if I can figure out,

By the way, where is the END OF THE MICROPHONE? I am confused,

I am still having hard time figuring out what "talking through the end" (that you want me to do) means
Is the end- the very back of the mic? But how could that work?
Are you saying I should turn the mic around?

Or shall I TALK IN THE FRONT and position my mouth right in front and a little above the mic?

I appreciate your patience
Thank you
Anna

[steve]

where is the END OF THE MICROPHONE?

This guy is singing into the end of the microphone, which is correct for this type of microphone.