Audio Editing Overview

Process to Convert Spoken Word to Digital Format

Overview:

You will work on some or all of the portions in bold and pray about the rest

Details:

Recording is converted into .wav file format

Source Process Time to Process Quality
Audio CD Rip content to .wav format 3-6 minutes
Depending on computer		 Excellent
Live Record on hard drive Real Time
30-90 minutes		 Very Good
DAT Tape
 Play into computer Real Time
30-90 minutes		 Good
Cassette Play into computer Real Time
30-90 minutes		 Fair - Poor
Depending on cassette quality
Save file with proper name and append -orig to the end. For example 60-1PE-001-005-orig.wav.

Digital .wav file is cleaned up

First call up the original file (with the -orig ending) and save it (File ? Save As) as the proper file name without the -orig ending at the end of the name. This gives us a copy of the original file before any editing to go back to.

Sound Volume Adjustment:

First compress peaks ("clip restore") and normalize to -1dB with zero adjust.

If noise reduction is required (i.e., background noise > -42dB and is distracting), then follow the following process:
  • Find a section of pure background noise.
  • Teach this to the computer.
  • Adjust amount of reduction at various frequencies (usually a lot at below 300kHz).
  • Test at beginning, middle and end.
  • Start noise reduction.
  • Save the resulting file

Editing for Space:

  • 1.0 second silence in the beginning and end.
  • No pauses greater than 3 seconds.
If recording from cassette, insert 5 seconds of silence at the tape flip with 0.5 second tone of 440Hz at -18dB.

Editing for Content:

  • Remove all content that is specific for a particular place or time as long as it does not detract from the message.

Editing for Anomalies:

Remember, the Holy Spirit inspired the original message. We only want to remove what could be distracting and hinder the work of the Holy Spirit.
  • Remove the error in places where there is a repeat and/or restatement following the error.
  • Remove excess stuttering

Cleaned digital file is compressed

File ? Save Copy As MP3. Save 2 files as Fast and High Quality as follows:

  • First file, Filename.mp3 at 64 kbps.
  • Second file, Filename-16.mp3 at 16 kbps.

Tag The MP3 file

You can use mp3 tag studio or any other program you desire for tagging. Make sure you check the tag afterwards. It is easy to make a mistake!
  • Title: Scripture Reference "Message Title"
    For example: Revelation 18:1-5 "Burning Bright For Jesus"
  • Copyright: Date Taught
    For example: 20100508 Calvary Chapel of Vista
  • Genre: Bible Study 
  • Comment: Excellent 

Original and Cleaned Digital .wav File and Compressed Files Are Archived

One message worth of files will usually fit on a single CD. Seven messages' files will often fit on a single DVD. We make 2 sets of these archives. One set remains at church, the other set is archived offsite.

For each message, put in a folder with: the date of the teaching, the -orig.wav, the edited .wav, and both of the MP3 files. If you are burning a single message on a CD, then you do not need a folder for each message. If, however, all the files for one message do not fit on a single CD then put the -orig.wav file on its own CD.

Tutorials

FAQs

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