0db over distortion fixes?

[jlsgear]

Hi all,

I am mixing a track that has 2 phrases that very briefly go to RED (over) on my digital desk. I can hear the distortion, although its very brief.

Question is: How would one get around this?

ie. Mask it with a fader ride ... or some other trick?

Problem is, to re-record the phrase such that it wouldn't stick out would be tough ... since I don't have the original LDC condenser mic and pre anymore ... as a matter of fact I don't currently have any LDC'S ... just large ribbons.

Of course, the other option is to redo the entire vocal track ... something I'd like to avoid cause I really like this one (-;

Any advice would be appreciated,

jls.

[dave-G]

If you're in ProTools, there's a free AudioSuite utility from BombFactory called ... uh .. umm .. "Clip Removal" ... oh .. here: http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?...00&itemid=4158

I had a problem similar to yours, but with some splattery clips on a bass DI track. I tried it and got results that were better than I expected. If I had to guess, I'd say it reduces the gain enough to leave headroom to simulate a rounded waveform where the flat-top was.. Thus, it can create gain-staging issues, but might be worth a try.

-dave

[jlsgear]

Thanks ... but I am not in PT ...

Perhaps I could do the same thing by editing that track at that moment ... pull it down and round out the waveform by hand ... ugggghhh.

But maybe the cure is worse than the desease in this case (-;

jls.

[JonCraig]

Originally Posted by jlsgear

Thanks ... but I am not in PT ...

or go to your friend's place ('cause he has PT). or find some engineer you trust on here, and pay him a little dough to do it for ya.

--jon

[Chris Parsons]

Just swipe that note from another similar point in the song. No one has to know

[lucey]

or draw the waves

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by jlsgear

Hi all,

I am mixing a track that has 2 phrases that very briefly go to RED (over) on my digital desk. I can hear the distortion, although its very brief.

Question is: How would one get around this?

Try a decrackler program. Often they can soften or interpolate the distortion, amazingly well. If that doesn't work, Cedar Retouch, zeroing in on the high frequency distortion region, reduce that region by 2 to 6 dB (whatever works) and it can be very effective.

If none of those works, write Tony at Cedar in England or find someone with their SUPERB Declipping program. He'll declip it with the Cedar tool, and if it's very short duration you might convince him to do it for no cost.

BK