Yes, I Was missing something in the Cool Edit software that I'm
using, and that was ...how to use it. As Martyn kindly pointed out, I
need to highlight the amount of wave to fade, which I wasn't doing,
letting the software decide for me,,,thus the long line fades on the
entire segment...I appreciate this key piece of advice.
--- In Rob Danielson <>
wrote:
>
> Bill--
> There's probably nothing to gain by inserting a mic preamp or
trying
> to perform fades in the field unless you enjoy manipulating small
> knobs in the dark and limiting your options for some reason.
> (Seriously, someone probably does! :-))
Hi Rob,
I agree there is nothing to gain. It doesn't sound as good,
and I hate fiddling with small knobs in the dark. Setting my levels
and taking the recorder off and back on pause is all I want to
handle, making what I'm hearing a more enjoyable experience. I was
hoping I could resolve the finer points after recording, with the
software. I'm also learning to use the editing software less , as far
as noise reduction that produce unnatural effects. I little bit of
the EQ curve usually does it.
> Most natural settings don't present huge dynamic ranges. When I'm
> planning to record in one setting for a while, I adjust the record
> level with about -15 to -25 dB "headroom" to account for louder
peaks
> and leave this level "fixed" unless something very unexpected crops
> up. This tends to make the saturation levels of the recording(s)
> very consistent and the creation of inaudible cross fades are
easier
> to realize. (There are several discussions about "record level"
> strategies in the archives)
>
> In Cool Edit, use the "power fade" setting for cross-fades (opposed
> to linear fades) to keep the "program" volume from dropping in the
> middle of the fade. If you make the edit point on the incoming
> material at the very start of a percussive event like a twig snap,
> you can make the cross fade duration very brief, just a few
> milliseconds can be enough.
>
> As you observe, linear (straight line) fades can sound predictable
> and mechanical, especially long ones. You can usually craft a fade-
in
> "curve" and a fade-out "curve" with volume automation (or use an
> envelope function) that seems more in sync with the internal
rhythms
> of the recorded material. Rob D.
All very helpful advice and much appreciated. My future recording
samples will benefit from this knowledge. I'll be checking the
archives for past discussions on the topic, as suggested.
Regards,
Bill
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