distorted sound

[nolimits72]

I was rushed in setting up for a presentation and was unable to do a sound check, plus I had forgotten my headphones to listen in as I recorded a presentation. I had a microphone connected to the video camera and what do you know but the audio setting was set to full blast (well they might as well been). Now that I am trying to edit the video the the speaker sounds distorted like from a very bad and too loud PA system.

I am using Final Cut Express 4. Does anyone have any suggestions on anyof the audio filters that may help the sound?

Thanks

[tedanderson]

The only thing you can do is see if anyone made a tape or CD audio recording and then sync up to the video.

Filters can remove certain noises, frequencies, severe fluxuations in the volume level, and sometimes they can even reduce ambient sound but once the sound is distorted at the camera level, there isn't anything else you can do.

[cmchamp]

Nothing in FCP, and nothing that I have on hand either.
C.

[WORDpictures]

Sorry no good news. That's why it's good practice to always record from two audio sources to have a back up if possible (i.e. sound board and shotgun mic either direct to the camera or recorded by someone else to a separate device).

[kbob]

If there was a separate audio recording made, that's going to be much use than fixing what's already on the video's audio track.

As you've heard, digital clipping sounds horrible-essentially like a cheap am radio driven too loud, when it's comprehensible at all. You might salvage some of the audio, but it likely will never sound right.

If you have a cd or other audio recording, realize you'll likely need to sync it in more than one place along the video-don't expect to just get it right once at the beginning and let it run.

[nolimits72]

thank you everyone for your replies. I think I will have to do the best I can with what I got and write it up as a hard lesson learned.

unfortunately it was a remote location so I did not have any other equipment with me but the camera.

1. Don't be in such a rush
2. Bring headphones
3. If possible have second audio source

[tedanderson]

Bring a pocket voice recorder to use as your backup. Just sit it on top or near the the FOH and even though it will not be studio quality, it will be good enough to save yourself from an audio disaster.

I've been burned many times by sound technicians who swear that they know what they are doing even though they aren't giving me an adequate audio feed. So aside of this and your situation, its wise to have a backup for whatever could go wrong.

[richard19]

Originally Posted by tedanderson

Bring a pocket voice recorder to use as your backup. Just sit it on top or near the the FOH and even though it will not be studio quality, it will be good enough to save yourself from an audio disaster.

I've been burned many times by sound technicians who swear that they know what they are doing even though they aren't giving me an adequate audio feed. So aside of this and your situation, its wise to have a backup for whatever could go wrong.

i agree with your suggestion tedanderson!

[Paris MkVI]

I use one of those pocket recorders as a backup device and it works like a charm. It makes a WMA file that I can pull right into the PC through USB. It has saved my backside on a couple of different occasions.

And if you end up not needing it, no big deal, just delete the file. Most of these units can record a quality stereo track for as long as four hours, maybe more. Mine will do 4½ hours of 20-20k stereo.

It's a helpful puppy and they're cheap now.