[78-L] Sound remaster an restoration/where to start

[P G C]

Thanks Don, It is nice to see that what I am doing (like it) is not so bad.
But the way you put it in plain english was great.

I'll continue to experiment, each record restoration is like a new baby from "Jurasic Park", it has similar tasks, but different adjustments.

 
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From: don ward <dward7 at earthlink.net>
To: 78-L Mail List <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:59:24 PM
Subject: Re: [78-L] Sound remaster an restoration/where to start

You ask about a tutorial for restoring records... the best tutorial in the world is to take your wave file and try all the different filters your programs have  and  listen to what they do. You will find that some make the recording sound better and some just  screw up the sound and you know to eliminate those. Trial and error is a great teacher  you remember  what is good that way  and bad  LOL.
From my own experience ill share  what i have found to be practical way to start to clean up old recordings.
I did not say  restore... to restore  would suggest making it like new and  thats not possible. So the next best thing is to clean up the recording  so it is listenable.
After you have a wav file on your computer.. (I like to make my working file a flat transfer, i.e no riaa equalization).  This may be hard to do  with all the built in preamps now days in components.
My first step in cleaning up a recording is to reduce or eliminate clicks from scratches. You may use a  click filter or  eliminate them by hand either by erasing/editing them out.
Second would be to reduce the surface noise this can be done with filters or  hi-freq roll off. The more you reduce the hi-end you take life out of the sound and it will become dull and lifeless.
There are selective filters that reduce  noise frequencies  with very narrow band  filters, or digitally identify the noise part of wave form and reduce it.
Third is equalization so you  have a balanced sound from your resurrected recording. Dont worry about matching some recording curve.... your  cleaning process has totally messed that up any way.
Thats why i like doing flat transfers. Use your ears with a  good set of speakers and when it sounds right you will know it !
I know i have over simplified  all the processes  but for the novice i hope this provides a starting point.... 
dnward


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