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Posted by: sdpinc Mon 8 Jun 2009, 01:08

OK so here is a odd question for you all that I am hoping someone might know. I am working on a project editing large talk radio shows and web casts audio files. They are all voice recordings spanning 20 to 30 mins long of a host, and a few guests talking back and forth, like any other radio show. These shows were recorded live onto one sound file. I have been asked by a friend to take each of these sound files, open them up using a sound editor and cut out the "silences" in the conversations. You know the pauses between speakers, the semi dramatic pauses and so on. If for a non profit charity connected with health care, so they are trying to archive all of these broadcasts, but to have them play much more effectively making a 20 min segment into say a 15 min.

Not sure if I am explaining it right or not. Basically I'm looking for a program (for the Mac) that I can open a large sound file, (aiff / wav / mp3) then have it automatically look for "silence" of a certain duration and then automatically remove it from the entire sound file that I can then go ahead and save on the FTP for future people in need.

Any help would be appreciate as this would save a TREMENDOUS amount of time and effort.
sdpinc@comcast.net

Posted by: deaconblue Tue 9 Jun 2009, 06:26

hey sdpinc,

If you have a newer Mac you should have GarageBand as a default installation (iLife suite). While it is not designed for this, you can use it to effectively edit recorded files and then export them. While it is not automatic, it is definitely a worth while choice for a sound editor.

Good luck.

deacon

Posted by: rynn Tue 9 Jun 2009, 06:28

Free http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/mac
Trial 14 days http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://www.bias-inc.com/downloads/freeTrials/

Posted by: lunar 1 Tue 9 Jun 2009, 09:16

Don't know of any plugins or stuff that's free, but both Logic and Adobe Audition have 'strip' or 'delete' silence functions that should work. And I'd be amazed if Protools didn't have something along these lines as well. Plus there's always 'time-stretching' (used to shorten, of course)... I'd caution though, it's quite easy to make your recordings a real chore to understand: Have you ever really listened those high-speed disclaimers at the end of sleazy commercials? Unless these interviews are with folks from the Slow Talkers Of America, whacking out 5 minutes from 20 may be a tad optimistic. -G'luck

Posted by: mortalengines Tue 9 Jun 2009, 17:00

I remember that PT definitely does have a strip silence function. On my PC, Sound Forge had a detect silence function as well. You may want to look up Audacity on Google, as their beta version may offer a function not unlike what you are looking for as well.

www.reverbnation.com/mortalengines

Posted by: blackface Tue 9 Jun 2009, 18:00

HEY BRO ...DONT WORRY
YOU JUST NEED A "GATE" TO DO THIS

ITS CALL NOISE GATE.

PEOPLE USE THIS USUALLY FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE ....FOR KICK DRUM ( FOR LEAKS) OR VOCAL
OR WATHEVER YOU NEED IT 4

NOISE GATE

GOOD LUCK

BLACKFACE

Posted by: davemoser Wed 10 Jun 2009, 01:44

QUOTE (sdpinc @ Sun 7 Jun 2009, 19:08)

OK so here is a odd question for you all that I am hoping someone might know. I am working on a project editing large talk radio shows and web casts audio files. They are all voice recordings spanning 20 to 30 mins long of a host, and a few guests talking back and forth, like any other radio show. These shows were recorded live onto one sound file. I have been asked by a friend to take each of these sound files, open them up using a sound editor and cut out the "silences" in the conversations. You know the pauses between speakers, the semi dramatic pauses and so on. If for a non profit charity connected with health care, so they are trying to archive all of these broadcasts, but to have them play much more effectively making a 20 min segment into say a 15 min.

Not sure if I am explaining it right or not. Basically I'm looking for a program (for the Mac) that I can open a large sound file, (aiff / wav / mp3) then have it automatically look for "silence" of a certain duration and then automatically remove it from the entire sound file that I can then go ahead and save on the FTP for future people in need.

Any help would be appreciate as this would save a TREMENDOUS amount of time and effort.
sdpinc@comcast.net

I use the Bias LE program to do exactly this chore. I bring in the sound file and view the wave for the gaps, click and drag over the dead spot, hit delete, on to the next. I leave a second or so to make the pause sound natural. This is also a good time to change the gain when someone is too close or off mic. Or delete the spot when the mic is bumped.

Not automatic, but it doesn't take too long.

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