How do I reduce "BLARING"?

[jwfilion]

I am new to Audacity and am having problems with removing blare from my audio. To be specific, I am putting several hours of Art Instruction VHS tapes onto DVDs for a friend, using VirtualDub to capture them on my computer. However, no matter what audio levels I use during capture, the final result seems to blare at me through the pc speakers. The audio is fine on the tapes, but after capture, it is difficult to here any voice clearly. I generally rip the audio from the video and do any repairs necessary, such as noise reduction, but even reducing volume doesn't remove the distortion. I see that you can actually add blare in Audacity, but how do you remove it?
I am not a pro at A/V, so any help will be greatly appreciated!

[kozikowski]

Let me predict the past. You have the VHS stereo output connections adapted to the Mic-In of your Windows laptop computer?

Those two connections are incompatible with each other -- so much so that distortion is added to the show before Audacity has a chance to do anything about it. All you're left with is making the distortion louder and softer, you can't get rid of it.

Here's one way around that. The Behringer UCA-202 makes a new, high quality stereo input for your computer.

http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/UCA202.jpg

Koz

[jwfilion]

Sorry, I should have posted my set-up for recording the tapes, but basically, you are right. I use an RCA to 1/8" phone jack adapter from the VCR to the line-in on my HP pc. I should also point out that this is not just a problem with analog VCR, but also occurs when recording digital programs from my PVR to my pc. Thanks for your response. Guess I'll have to get one of those. I just thought if you can add blare in Audacity, you could also remove it after the fact.

[kozikowski]

from the VCR to the line-in on my HP pc.

You need to be really careful with the words when you're in a help forum. We live in fine details. Does your laptop say specifically you have a stereo Line-In connection (sometimes blue), or are you assuming that? Do you have a pink Mic-In as well, or does your laptop switch between them? Some do.

My "sample" Windows Laptop has no blue Stereo Line-In.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/ ... pSound.jpg

If your machine switches, you need to make sure you're switched to the right thing. Being in "Mic" when you need to be in "Line" will cause the distortion you got. If it turns out you really have only one connection, then the $30 USD stereo adapter may be the cheapest way out.

Koz

[jwfilion]

My HP desktop has a blue line-in and also the mic. It is switchable, but it is definitely set to line-in. I'm going to look for this device you spoke of.

[kozikowski]

We have HP machines at work and they have separate Stereo Line-In connections and they work well. Don't write any checks yet.

I think we're up to finding out what you call "Blaring."

Select and Export as FLAC a short segment of music featuring blaring. Upload it here on the forum with the "Upload Attachment" tools at the bottom of this page.

Koz

[jwfilion]

To me, blaring is a sound level so loud that a lot of definition is lost or muffled, in the playback. The VCR had no levels control for this. The record levels on my pc ( RealTec Audio ) didn't seem to have any effect. The clip is the start of a "How to paint Lakes & Rivers" tape. A few seconds of narration. Hope this helps.

[jwfilion]

Thanks for your replies. I believe I have solved the problem of the recording levels with another VCR, a different make and model. My friend gave it to me to try out and apparently, the output levels are lower, enough to remove the "blare", It does not fix the existing recordings, but I will redo them. Again, thanks.