Remastering audio?

Cosmos Studio · Post by **Cosmos Studio** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:46 am

I'm using audio from an older band, and unfortunatly you can tell it was originally a record (just from the way it sounds). I did rip the audio from an anthology collection CD put out officially, but unfortunatly it doesn't sound like that ever actually remastered any of it from the original recording... it just sounds dull compared to newer audio sources.

So, the questions I have are (1) Should I leave it as it is, because it is an older song and actually does sound that way? or (2) Should it be remastered to make everything have that extra punch?

If the 2nd solution sounds the best, how would I go about remastering it to bring the song out in digital format, instead of sounding like a record? Thanks!

Gepetto · Post by **Gepetto** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:54 am

Leaving it as is or remastering depends on the feel you're hoping to get for your amv. Remastering sounds better, but maybe keeping the original version would add a certain something to the video.

If you choose to remaster, be aware that it is extremely complicated. And it isn't something that can be taught through a forum because since the original recording is analogic audio, there isn't a "generic formula" or specific guide on how to do it. Editing for every song will be different and what works for one will very likely screw up another.

In that case, I suggest you try finding an audio-specific forum to ask around in because I'm pretty sure most of the people here lack the know-how (not that I'm insulting anyone, but the problem just doesn't come up very often so we don't really have to learn).

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

gangstaj8 · Post by **gangstaj8** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:18 pm

Plus, any kind of cheap and easy remastering is very likely to give you subpar results, and you'll end up being happier with the original audio anyway. Although, I was very pleased with the free trial of Adobe Audition.

I've been archiving old records and tapes by transferring them digitally onto CD. I use Audacity's noise removal effect to help clean up the pops and hisses and it usually gives me decent results. This is hardly remastering, but you may want to experiment with it a little bit to see if you like the results. Good luck.

shiro_clanclan · Post by **shiro_clanclan** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:33 pm

I have a similar problem, but a different source.

I'm using an original WAV file from a game that came out around the early 90s. Listening to the file now, it's really... low quality. Mainly because it's 8-bit 11kHz.

I know that just converting it to something higher won't magically improve its audio quality... but it's not like there's a better version of the file out there. It wasn't a big game, and this is the original WAV from the disc.

My question is--how can this be improved? I use GoldWave as my audio editor... but I've never tried to make something like this sound clearer. I don't know where to start.

For reference, here is the file I'm working with:

http://rapidshare.de/files/25776125/NEMESIS1.rar.html

And for inquiring minds, the game is "Nemesis," from an old package of shareware games by Komodoware. The creators of the intro theme are here:

http://www.scvs.com/services.php (scroll down to "Sound/Music")

Thanks in advance, all.

Gepetto · Post by **Gepetto** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:01 pm

Does the game maybe have an OST that you could purchase? If the song is there it might sound better.

shiro_clanclan · Post by **shiro_clanclan** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:49 pm

Nope, no OST... like I said, it was an old and not-well-known game. I wish there had been an OST, I would've snatched it up in a heartbeat. >.<

maciko · Post by **maciko** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:29 am

send me the track and I'll master it for you, if you lack confidence check out my webby it might give you some idea as to my experience.

shiro_clanclan · Post by **shiro_clanclan** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:59 am

The track should still be available here:

http://rapidshare.de/files/25776125/NEMESIS1.rar.html

Just click "Free" and wait... it'll ask to type in a confirmation code, type it and there ya go.

I know, it sucks. But it's one of the better file upload sites I know of.

That aside, thank you very much! If your site is any indication, the end result will be quite awesome. ^-^

maciko · Post by **maciko** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:29 am

just e-mail it.

shiro_clanclan · Post by **shiro_clanclan** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:12 pm

E-mail sent. Thanks again.