View source for Testing: LP/tape transcription

{{ednote|
* '''Peter 01Apr15:''' Ready for review and "merciless editing".  
** '''Gale 02Apr15:''' Are these timing tests or just to see if the functions work? I suggested adding some of these actions to [[Testing: timing tests]].   
***'''Peter 03Apr15:''' This is specifically '''''not''''' a timing test it is a functionality walkthrough based on a common Audacity use-case.
* '''Peter 01Apr15:'''I deliberately decided not to embed this in a table as some of tests have text that would probably be too long for this, thoughts?
** '''Gale 02Apr15:''' Perhaps the number of each section would be sufficient for a table. 
***'''Peter 03Apr15:''' I'll look into that, it could be a useful reporting mechanism.
}}
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{{note|This test is designed to cover the steps used to transcribe an LP or tape - or more details of the steps involved in this test workflow please see [http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/sample_workflow_for_lp_digitization.html this page] in the Manual.}}
{{advice|Work with Audacity set to a project rate of 44100 Hz and 32-bit sample format.  these are the default quality settings, but use {{menu|Edit Preferences}} to check and reset if necessary. }}

===1. Recording levels===
Use monitoring to adjust and set your recording levels - aim for a peak of -6 dB or 0.5 on the waveform.

===2. Capture===
Record one side of an LP/tape or 30-45 minutes of FM broadcast.

===3. Raw master backup===
Export a WAV for this recording at 32-bit float ''(not 16-bit)''. 

===4. Remove DC offset===
Use {{menu|Effect > Normalize}} to remove any DC offset. Use no amplitude adjustment at this stage.

===5. Reduce subsonic rumble and low frequency noise===
Use {{menu|Effect > High Pass Filter...}} with a setting of 24 dB per octave rolloff, and a cutoff frequency of 20 - 30 Hz.

===6. Remove clicks and pops===
* First use Audacity's Repair effect on up to 128 samples]]. ''Ideally this will be on an identifiable click - but actually you are just testing the operation of the Repair function.''
* Then select the entire project and use '''Effect > Click Removal'''.

===7. Reduce hiss and high frequency noise===
*Use {{menu|Effect > Noise Reduction}}'s  '''Get Noise Profile''' to obtain a noise sample.
*Then use {{menu|Effect > Noise Reduction}} on the entire project with the default settings:
*#Noise reduction - 12 dB 
*#Sensitivity - 6 
*#Frequency (smoothing bands) 0

===8. Place the song labels===
Mark the approximate label points by eye/ear.

===9. Silence the inter-track gaps===
Use the shortcut {{shortcut|CTRL + L}} or add silence with {{menu|Generate Silence}} to edit the inter-track gap to around 2 seconds.

===10. Fade Ins/Outs===
*Use {{menu|Effect > Fade In}} and {{menu|Effect > Fade Out}} at the beginning and end of the songs. Normally fade outs should be longer ''(typically a few seconds)'', and fade ins, if required, quite short ''(typically a fraction of a second)''. 
*Also use {{menu|Effect > Studio Fade Out}} to fade the end of some songs.

===11. Adjust label positions===
Adjust the label positions to be  0.5 seconds before the start of the each track. To move the label, drag it by its center circle.

===12. Track names===
Edit the labels for the song names.

===13. Amplitude adjustment===
Normalize the amplitude of the recording using {{menu|Effect > Normalize}} with '''Remove DC offset''' un-checked i.e. "off"
*initial run with '''Normalize stereo channels independently''' checked "on" and with maximum amplitude set to -3dB
*second run with '''Normalize stereo channels independently''' checked "off" and with maximum amplitude set to -2dB
*now use {{menu|Effect > Amplify}} with a '''New Peak Amplitude''' setting of -1dB

===14. Compression===
Use{{menu|Effect > Compressor}}, with default settings, on the entire project.

===15. Export a set of WAVs===
Use {{menu|File > Export Multiple}} to produce a set of WAVs for each song at 44100 Hz 16-bit PCM stereo. Dithering should be set to the default '''Shaped''' in Preferences.

===16. Export a label file===
Use {{menu|File > Export Labels...}} to produce a text file of the labels.



[[Testing|'''|<''' Testing]]