Filtering scratches and skips

[rminolfo]

Hello,
Does anyone know the name of a bonified computer program for PC (not Mac) that alllows you to edit out scratches and skips. I took a gander at the monster someone has advertised here that hooks up between computer, and mixer/turntables, but I heard from a DJ years ago there is a program that does it that can be installed on computer? Thanks!

[Bernie]

Look at Adobe Audition

[originalbigm]

If your looking for a not bad free program try.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[judydoggie]

One of the finest hardware/software units available is Digidesign's ProTools. There're three versions; one with four inputs; 12 inputs and then a very high-end studio version with a mastering console and a shuttle dial that's really nice.

The advantage: The software can be installed over and over again on ANY computer (so long as it satisfies the somewhat exotic requirements of the program) -- then you plug the hardware and a humongous (80 gig or more) stand-alone hard-drive into your PC using a FireWire connection and Voila! - you have for about $3,000 what used to cost about $180,000 when building a recording studio (for the signal processing and digital storage components).

The disadvantage: It takes a while to learn (Berklee College of Music offers an on-line Certificate program for $7,000 that'll have you recording and mixing like a pro in six months time). And it's expensive. Once you realize the magnificent quality of the output of this equipment, you may end up buying (as did I) a pro-CD burner and pro-CD players at $4,000 and 1,800 apiece from Sony Pro Audio. And then there's microphones, cables, oh, and Mackie pro studio reference speakers at the very least $2,200 apiece.

NOW HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS...

Go to Sony.com if you already have a GOOD turntable and a GOOD soundcard installed in your computer (good idea to see if it's set-up for THX - you won't need it for just stereo; but it's an indicator that the audio quality's going to be better).

Once at Sony.com for about $700 you can buy SoundForge. You record your records onto your hard disc and then process them (very easy-Sony's help facility will take you right through it) and you'll even be able to adjust the degree to which it removes the pops and clicks without, let's say, taking out an intentional finger-snap, etc.

Yours, Loquaciously,

Paul - a.k.a. Judydoggie

[K-Bee]

Audacity is highly recommended....for a free program it's quite amazing although the options are limited compared to the likes of Cool Edit Pro (which I believe is now the same as Adobe Audition).

[BrunoRepublic]

Adobe Audition is the way to go IMO. It's very reasonably priced, and quite powerful. I can get the best results from this program, although that is by using a variety of manual processes... one-click processing doesn't cut it.

[discohunter]

I use SoundForge. I get rid of the pops & clicks manually. It can be time consuming, but the end result is taht it doesn't damage the overall sound quality - you're just getting rid of the pops & clicks.

I used to have another program, but with this one it was preset. That is, you adjust to what degree you want it set to (depending on how bad the record is) and press a button. It would then do a "sweep" of the song. Sometimes it worked ok, but didn't really like it, as usually you lost the sound qyuality. The song would often end up soundinh muddy.

Luckily, much of my 12" is in good to great nick, with some even being like new.

discohunter