> I've got some ambient nature sounds recorded and my workstation set up
> with field monitors. I'm ready to start processing the files. I'm
> finding audio post processing books, website howtos, etc. hard to find
> for nature recorders. Is there anything out there specific to what we
> do? If not, what's the next best alternative?
Think of it as a symphony, but nobody notices if parts of the score are edi=
ted out so it's easier.
> I've got some Sandhill Crane recordings along an interstate. So I
> need to learn how to minimize the interstate background noise.
Other than simple high-pass filtering, noise reduction processing is a slip=
pery slope that rarely satisfies with natural sounds. Not that it isn't val=
id for film or video production purposes, where the clip may be mixed with =
other sounds to create a sound track. I'm talking about straight nature rec=
ordings. Record a lot, use the good parts, file the rest.
> For my
> prairie recordings I'll need to cut some sounds out, like commercial
> flight sounds or a car driving by. Basically I need to learn what a
> typical workflow entails and how to execute the steps.
Edit out the interruptions. Set up an A-B roll (also called checkerboard) e=
diting session; a stereo pair for A, a stereo pair for B, you have complete=
control of cross-fades which are symmetrical (power law) most of the time =
but not always.
> I'm using a MAC and thinking about trying the Adobe Audition beta.
Looks promising. Haven't touched the multitrack mode you'll need for A-B ro=
ll editing.
> Any help is appreciated. I recently took up photography and there's
> tons of material out there for self learning. Unfortunately the same
> doesn't appear to be true for nature recordists.
We're a much smaller field. Which is odd, considering that every film or vi=
deo production depends utterly on a good sound track. It's a visually-orien=
ted culture. Maybe that's a cliche--after all, all the young people running=
around with earbuds are enjoying sonic space, not visual.
-Dan
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