Feedback wanted...

[artfuldodger]

Posted my first legal podcast today- subject Jackie Mittoo. Anyway, I say legal because I took a crack at using some mixing software finally, would like to know what those who have experience with this kind of thing think. Any feedback, tips, ideas (man, once you get started with this stuff it is limitless innit ?)pictures of dildos- whatever... is appreciated. Like I said, this is the first time I have used it, so it may be a little choppy and I definately kept the tricks down to a minimum.
If you don't have experience with mixing software, give it a listen anyway, I think it is a hell of a set of one of the greatest musicians to ever sit down at an instrument ;D
Cheers
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[Freddy C]

Well, I did what you told us Dave, and downloaded it. I've only played the first 20 minutes as yet -about 3 times and just through the laptop's mediocre speakers but I've determined a couple of things:

+ive: the tunes are great (naturally)
-ive: some skipping and sound issues

With respect to the negative, I've made a list of points where I'm hearing stuff so you can check. It's mostly skips (could be the pressing) and a few digital noises. Here are the times:

6:12
6:17**
6:36
6:39
6:42**
6:49
6:54
6:59
7:37
7:39**
7:54**
9:04
10:07
11:04
11:11
11:28
18:41-18:58

The ones I've marked (**) are where there is a sort of digital 'chirp' (is this clipping because the levels are slightly high?), the others sound like skips. Also If you check at about 10:31, Summertime comes in quite quietly, maybe quieter than you intended.

Hope this is of some use, Dave. What software are you using? Anything free that I can download and play with? I fancy a new toy. (Ignore that bit, Zoki!)

[artfuldodger]

Hey Freddy- thanks for going through it. The program is called Audacity and it is free, and you can get tons of effects for it (that I will forever be trying to figure out).
I encountered skipping as well when playing it through Podomatic's player. I think I am going to see if I get the same when I download it (downloading my own cast- silly). Definately makes sense as it is third gen reformatted by the time it hits the broadcast. I will also take a look at those levels. Of course I like the red, but I had thought I had gotten myself out of those before I put it up.
Thanks for paying such close attention- this input will definately give me something to work with. I found one break that was sketchy- what were your impressions on those? Glad you liked the tunes, but with a subject like Jackie it's a no brainer isn't it?
Anyway, thanks for exactly what I asked for an then some- that is why I love this place- back to the files
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[artfuldodger]

Ooohhh no! Freddy- you are so gracious. After hearing it 100 times before I posted it, I converted it and posted, not thinking that the conversion would be a problem. It apparently is, as all these artifacts are from that process or uploading it- off to figure out what went to hell and I will repost soon.
Thanks for your look and grace, as when I listened to it I spit beer all over the computer and yelled a stream of profanity that is still circling my house...you never want to see your baby come out with three eyes and that is surely what it sounded like. Like I said, when I find the fix I will let ya know
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[kalcidis]

What software did you use to convert it with?

[Freddy C]

You missed the bit where AD mentioned "Audacity", Kal.



Dodger - I didn't mean for you to pull the podcast but I can relate to how you feel about what has happened with it (that was not your own doing).

Using computers can be exasperating. A quotation that has bean** been overheard from me several times as I sit by the PC:

"A computer is the sole item we are prepared to tolerate in our houses that only works some of the time".

In other words, anything else would be chucked out with extreme prejudice. ;D



edit: I can't believe I wrote 'bean'. ;D ;D Another purpose of computers/the internet .. to make us look daft.

[kalcidis]

Oh! I thought arty dodger exported a .wav from Audacity and used another program for the wav to mp3 (such as razor lame).

[artfuldodger]

Oh, I know Freddy- I had too, as I have this obsessive side, been working on it since 6AM and I think I have figured out what happened.
As for chucking the thing out the window- well, I have been close MANY times
Kal- Lame is converting it (not well at this point), but that conversion is built in to the software...
meaning, I think, that I have to make the software work if I want to use it to mix. However, I think I will use another program to stitch the parts together- we'll see what I get when I am done
Previously, I had done it in two sections as the first got cumbersome to handle (locking up). One is ten minutes and the other is 45...so far the ten minute section is fine, so I am thinking smaller chunks, convert, then stitch together

[artfuldodger]

Well, this approach seems to have worked- listening now and the fades and effects are the only real obvious things that stick out
At about 46 mins I tried out an effect that I like, but my wife says is annoying- I apologize if she is right on that. Anyway- if you guys still have some time to hear some Mittoo...seems the only pops clicks and burps left are from the originals (and that is as it should be).
So far- the worst of it is that the songs I used from Wishbone are WAYYYY to high and I had a hell of a time getting them down (and failed)-fortunately one is at the end where it sounds less out of place...Dry Wine is just going to blow someones ears out (maybe I should put a disclaimer on the page
Cheers
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[kalcidis]

Perhaps mp3gain can help you with the sound level problem?
mp3gain.sourceforge.net/

[artfuldodger]

Kalcidis- Your an ace man...I am going to save this for the next one, but it will definately come in handy
Damn this is a great board

[benj42]

Calm down, Dave, take a deep breath and TURN THAT PC OFF... NOW!