Editing Software

Editing Software allows you to alter your original audio. Some of the more popular  programs, like Pro-tools, can be quite expensive. If you are new to audio, we suggest learning on the absolutely free program Audacity. You can learn more about Audacity in one of our monthly workshops. If you can’t attend, Vocalo created a fun exercise you can do on your own. You can also find a great Audacity Guide at Transom.com.

Voice Editing

Edit at the zero crossing. Look at the wave shape that your audio makes. If you were going to draw a horizontal  line straight across the middle of that audio, it would most likely be your zero crossing. Most programs mark this point with the number zero at the side. This place is the best place to make cuts of your audio. So if you want to cut out the phrase “She told me to do it!” look for a zero crossing right before and right after that phrase. That’s where you should begin and end your edit.

Be Aware of half Breaths Sometimes when we are editing we are only paying attention to the words. Be sure to listen to the breath too. Don’t give someone just half a breath, or we will be able to tell it is edited.

 Be Aware of Double Breaths If an interviewee said “I never want to see him again (breath) Or even talk to him (breath) He is out of my life.”  And you cut out “or even talk to him” then you would have two breaths next to each other. Be sure to cut one of them out.

 Be True to the Voice When you are editing a persons voice be sure to try and keep the rhythm of how they talk. One person may take long pauses, another person may speak at the speed of light. So while you may want to cut some “ums” and “huhs?” still allow the person to sound like themselves.

 Don’t go overboard An audio expert once said that editing is like plastic surgery, a little bit may make things seem better, but too much is just freaky.

Using Music

You can Use Music to Highlight If you are using music underneath a voice, and then suddenly cut the music out, the next thing the voice says will sound really important.

Avoid Music with a Voice In general avoid putting songs with a voice underneath someone speaking. The human ear has a hard time separating the voice in the song, from the voice of your speaker

Music and Copyright  You are allowed to use short clips (generally 30 sec and under) of songs without paying copyright. But you can also access a huge wealth of creative commons music, free to use in any length at CCmixter.

 Upload Music Free Version If you have a version with music in it, vocalo suggest you also upload one with out music in it. This will make it easier to use on air, if we want to mix it with something else.

Trouble Shooting

 Want to fix that annoying “popped p” sound? Want to try and get rid of that annoying fridge sound in the back? Many of these things are possible in editing programs, but it varies from program to program. Here is a list of guides for various programs. If you are at a real loss, give us a call and maybe we can solve the audio problem together.

Audacity An editing program, free for download on the web, we use this in our workshops at Vocalo.org. This guide may also  help with some trouble shooting. 

Garage Band A program that comes with most new mac computers

Pro-Tools A higher end editing program, that is great but expensive.