Digitizing mono vinyl: using phase-inversion to reduce noise Options

[alfienoakes101]

Hi.

I have been using a long-winded process to reduce some extraneous noise when digitizing mono vinyl sources. With Sound Forge, I have been subtracting the difference between the two channels of my records, on the assumption that most of it is noise, and the resultant files are usually audibly better.

1. Invert the phase of one of the two channels on the original .wav file (1.wav).
2. Convert to mono by mixing the channels.
3. Save the difference (noise file) as a mono .wav file (2.wav).
4. Re-open the original "stereo" file (1.wav).
5. Convert to mono by mixing the two channels.
6. Save the sum as a mono .wav file (3.wav).
7. Open original "stereo" file (1.wav).
8. Open difference (noise) file (2.wav), copy it and overwrite onto left channel of 1.wav.
9. *edit* Invert noise channel.
10. Open sum file (3.wav), copy it and overwrite onto right channel of 1.wav.
11. Convert to mono by mixing the two channels.
12. Save changes to 1.wav.

Is there an audio editor that will allow me to subtract the difference of a stereo file in a single step, as it would save me a lot of time, and allow me to hear instantly whether the audio is significantly improved, without having to get confused by extra files? If I could work in flac, that would be even better.

If found the link below that references and old version of Cool Edit, but I gather that's been discontinued.

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....mp;#entry344060

Thanks.

This post has been edited by alfienoakes101: May 3 2007, 00:38

[pdq]

The noise in the two channels can be highly correlated. The left and right channels of the signal are encoded in opposite sides of the groove and result in needle motion at 90 degrees to each other, but anything in the groove that causes the needle to move horizontally, such as dust or a scratch, creates equal and opposite noise in the two channels. If the motion is not exactly horizontal then there is only partial cancelation, and if the motion is vertical then the noise adds instead of canceling.

[Wook]

The noise in the two channels can be highly correlated. The left and right channels of the signal are encoded in opposite sides of the groove and result in needle motion at 90 degrees to each other, but anything in the groove that causes the needle to move horizontally, such as dust or a scratch, creates equal and opposite noise in the two channels. If the motion is not exactly horizontal then there is only partial cancelation, and if the motion is vertical then the noise adds instead of canceling.

I agree, except that it is vertical movement that represents the difference signal (i.e "out of phase") otherwise summing the two channels of a mono signal would also cancel the actual signal as well as the noise.

You say that "anything in the groove that causes the needle to move horizontally, such as dust or a scratch, creates equal and opposite noise in the two channels": surely the mono signal also causes the needle to move hoizontally and would, by your reasoning, also be cancelled.

I still have a problem with the term "Out of phase" when applied to noise but I think "inversion" is what is really meant here.

The best way to play a mono recording must be with a mono cartridge that cannot respond to vertical movement.

[pdq]

The noise in the two channels can be highly correlated. The left and right channels of the signal are encoded in opposite sides of the groove and result in needle motion at 90 degrees to each other, but anything in the groove that causes the needle to move horizontally, such as dust or a scratch, creates equal and opposite noise in the two channels. If the motion is not exactly horizontal then there is only partial cancelation, and if the motion is vertical then the noise adds instead of canceling.

I agree, except that it is vertical movement that represents the difference signal (i.e "out of phase") otherwise summing the two channels of a mono signal would also cancel the actual signal as well as the noise.

You say that "anything in the groove that causes the needle to move horizontally, such as dust or a scratch, creates equal and opposite noise in the two channels": surely the mono signal also causes the needle to move hoizontally and would, by your reasoning, also be cancelled.

I still have a problem with the term "Out of phase" when applied to noise but I think "inversion" is what is really meant here.

The best way to play a mono recording must be with a mono cartridge that cannot respond to vertical movement.

Yep, got that one backwards. Thanks for the correction.