The audio enhancement processes that I have learned are some of the accomplishments of which I am most proud as a forensic expert. Audio enhancement is both an art and a science; and as an audio forensic expert with 30 years of experience, I can tell you with confidence that no two assignments are the same. This knowledge has helped me develop a structured approach to objective audio enhancement.
In the following post I would like to help you better understand proper audio enhancement techniques through an objective and structured approach. On average, I enhance between 200 and 300 audio recordings per year. For each assignment, I use the knowledge and skills I have gained from past experiences to effectively enhance the recording. I believe I have developed a strong understanding and talent for audio enhancement.
When I first receive an audio recording from a client, I begin my enhancement process by listening through the recording several times. Critical listening is key for identifying different sections of the recording. When I refer to sections, I mean portions of the audio that have different characteristics such as levels, frequency ranges, or signal to noise ratios. For example, the first section may have two people talking quietly with a lot of street and car noise in the background. The next section may have a more audible conversation with a train passing far off in the distance. The third section may have no background noise at all but the lower frequencies of the people talking are suddenly louder. Each section of the audio recording has different characteristics and will need different processes to correctly enhance them.
Most audio editing software allows you to add a marker to the timeline based on your cursor’s current location. During playback, using a hotkey relative to the software, I can add markers while listening through the recording in order to identify the in and out of each section. This can ensure that I do not use a processor that may hinder other portions of the audio. Once the sections have been established, I can apply different plugins to each section as needed.
Understanding the different tools used in both analog and digital audio editing laid a strong foundation for my career as an audio forensic expert. For example, what audio enhancement tool should I begin with? What order should I apply the processors to acquire the best results? Should I start with noise reduction or equalization? Is compression or normalization more applicable to this audio recording? These are important questions to consider when beginning the enhancement process. The plugins I use are based on the critical issues I hear in each section. The order of the processors can be key in producing a clean and balanced product.
Typically noise reduction will be the first step in the structured approach. This prevents the noise from becoming an issue in further processing. Compression will usually be applied next to raise and balance the level of the section or overall recording. Equalization can now be applied to the less noisy, balanced signal. Gates and further compression can also help remove unwanted sound or boost the desired sound. While this is a good structure to follow, it may not be right for every situation. If there is an exceptional amount of background noise, a gate can be helpful before most of the other processors, especially compression. Occasionally equalization is also better as the first executed process. By drastically cutting a small range of frequencies, unwanted overtones in the human voice can be removed from further processing. Each recording can require any number of processors to reach the desired results; in some cases, I may add as many as ten different plugins before I am satisfied with the results.
Many of our clients at Primeau Forensics will say that they attempted to enhance their audio recording on their own and were unsuccessful. I explain that the audio enhancement process requires experience as well as a structured, scientific approach in order to produce effective results. Audio editing software is only a tool used in the enhancement process and owning a program does not give you the experience and skills necessary to enhance audio recordings like a professional.
The structured approach to objective audio enhancement comes from experience. It is based on years of hands-on work with audio enhancement as well as observing sound recordings and the critical issues that interfere with the desired sounds. Please contact Primeau Forensics for your free consultation.
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