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Popcorn204 · Location: USA Posts: 4

I want to try to use Cool Edit to revitalize some Big Band LPs from ages gone bye. In the raw form they are as flat as a pancake. Should I add some reverb or use an echo chamber to add some life to them? Just what is the difference? What other tweaks should I add? Any suggestions are very welcome. A big thanks in advance.

ozpeter · Location: Australia Posts: 3200

Strange, until I saw your post I'd never actually tried the 'echo chamber' effect as far as I recall. I'd characterise echo as being individual reflections or repetitions of the sound. Reverberation is smoother and more diffuse reflections, produced from a complex array of interacting surfaces. The former you'd get if you clapped your hands loudly among lofty alpine peaks, the latter you hear if you did the same in a cathedral (just before they asked you to leave).

In a way, the obvious answer is to try both. Echo chamber might help to make it sound like the musicians had been recorded in a different room but without extending such reverb as there might already be on the recording. But if you use Full Reverb, you could achieve a smoother effect, perhaps with longer die-away of the reverb, but if you experiment with the 'Early Reflections' tab in Full Reverb (you could think 'initial echoes') you get a bit of the best of both worlds.

See if you can find a single percussive sound to compare and contrast the two effects (a drum hit, or just record some slow handclaps, or record the metronome running slowly) - that will quickly illustrate the differences very clearly.

- Ozpeter

Bobbsy · Location: United Kingdom Posts: 327

Some good advice from Oz there. Echo and Reverb are really just different versions of the same thing. However, from my understanding of what you want to do, I'd agree that Reverb is the better starting point for you.

As Oz implies, it's always worth tweaking the settings in Reverb to customise the effect exactly how you want it--and the only way to do this is to try things!

However, as a couple of starting points, for your big band sound you might use either the Full Reverb/Theatre(Crisp) or Full Reverb/Small Club presets, then play from there.

Bob

Popcorn204 · Location: USA Posts: 4

Thanks Ozpeter and Bob.

The Full Reverb/Theatre(Crisp) preset is a help but not the complete answer.

I've played Trumpet in Big Bands and Concert Bands for sixty years and I'd like to have the feeling of "presence" when I play the sound files on a modern system.

I don't want to re-kindle the debate about making "old" recordings sound "new". I just want to enjoy some memories. I'm trying to overcome that "sounds like they are holding their nose when the speak" syndrome. In other words open them up a bit so they don't sound as though they are being play on an old Edison Gram-o-phone.

VoodooRadio · Location: USA Posts: 3971

If you like the "Full Reverb/Theatre(Crisp) preset", try applying that and fiddle with the "wet/dry" mix. Try more, try less and see if you can find a balance that suits your taste. Shy

Bobbsy · Location: United Kingdom Posts: 327

Yup...have a play with the wet/dry balance and also the early reflections as mentioned by Oz.

If the preset I mentioned seems to be going the right direction, use it as a starting point, but then tweak it to get the sound you want!

Bob