Challenging sound isolation and suppression..not sure what is possible

[James B.]

Hi
I really need expert help from an audio expert in post processing of this audio recording of bells (change ringing).
http://vimeo.com/42167906
pw bells


What I need to do is suppress as much as possible the sounds of the ropes and pulleys(obvious once you listen to the clip) while at the same time enhancing the sounds of the bells.


Not sure what is possible and any help-feedback appreciated!!


I am using both Audacity and the latest Adobe Audition CS6 for most of my audio post work.
I'm familiar with basic compression, noise reduction and equalization techniques but have had no luck so far.


ps: No I can't re-record:(

[Doug Beatty]

Sorry to say that there's no way to get those noises out. You can try to mask it with a low pass filter and EQ and you'll have a 'better' sounding result.

In Audition, you can try to isolate and paint out the clicks with the auto-heal tool as well.

[Elsie N]

Got a message that it was a private video so I couldn't listen. Don't know if this will help but sometimes changing the speed (faster) of the bells ringing will enhance them. Or, if you can record just the ringing of a bell (drowning out the ropes and pulleys), you can come back in and silence everything and then place the bells ringing in the appropriate place to coincide with the video. Other than that, I got nuthin'.

[soren k jensen]

Have a go with the newest Izotope. Maybe the graphical editing of frequency areas will help some

[Marc Wielage]

I would ask if the sound can be completely replaced with different bells from a sound library. If it has to be completely accurate, the only solution is to re-record them with a professional, positioning great microphones in a way that minimizes or eliminates all extraneous sounds.

Great sound effects gatherers are very talented and very well-paid.

[sander kamp]

I had a quick try in iZotope RX and the clicks stand out quite clearly as you can see in the picture so you can encircle them and replace or attenuate them. Doesn't completely eliminate the sounds but certainly helps. Probably worth a try and might be cheaper then rerecording.

I am no audio expert though...

[Marc Wielage]

If it's just strong clicks with spikes, there's a chance of eliminating them. The question is how many artifacts this process will introduce. There's always a price to pay, even with tools as sophisticated as iZotope RX Advanced.

CEDAR is another good tool that can do miracles in some cases:

http://www.cedar-audio.com/

James, send me a PM and I'll point you to a couple of sound editor/friends of mine who might be able to come up with a demo for you. It might never be ideal, but there may be ways to make the sound you have usable.

[Nick Gardner]

I second the just use some other church bell track opinion. I can think of no reason not to unless that particular church is paying for the piece, or it is a show specifically about those particular bells.

Nick