There was some recording done using Reaper software but once I got it home I couldn’t really get the files to play or even open properly. So, here’s my question.
Can I just take the raw .wav files and use a different program that I understand like Goldwave or Audacity. Will anything be lost?
And. It’s just a guitar and voice but the guitar is really low and it was recorded with one mic so it’s all on the same track. Anything I can do to bump that up?
Asked by n00b
February 27th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Answering the second question – Audacity has an Amplify menu item under the Effect menu which will boost the volume. I just used it today to make a very quiet recording louder. This is the easiest, most straightforward thing to do.
On the first question – I have not tried this personally and so am reluctant to say “yes, go for it” especially with it being so late in RPM…you should be okay though make sure you have two (yes, two) backups/copies of your stuff __in addition__ to the files you will work on before trying it out in Audacity. Try it out, and worst comes to worst, you have your backup copies available.
Good luck!
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February 28th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
I’m pretty sure Will is right – the Wav files should be transferable to any other mixing program.
I’ve only ever used an ancient version of Cool Edit – that has a master volume control and it also has a thing called “hard limit”in the amplification options which softens loud parts and amps up quiet parts so everything a consistent volume. I’m sure there some equivalent to these features on Audacity or other programs.
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February 29th, 2012 at 11:40 am
Following up, I used Audacity to mess with the levels in my final tracks – it is simpler and more obvious than Reaper. It asks you if you want to edit the files directly in their source directory or make a copy…I chose to edit in place. If you don’t want Audacity project files in the same directory, export the WAV files instead of saving the project. Audacity will rename the old files so nothing is lost. It works well. Good luck!
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February 29th, 2012 at 11:46 am
One more thing…again…don’t forget to make your backups first!
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February 29th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Hi. I’m the original poster here and i’m just the tech monkey and not the artist.
While fighting with Reaper I realized that there had been two mics used so I had two .wav files for each take. I backed up like nobody’s business and then just popped them into Audacity and cut and spliced. It’s super low-fi but the songs are great. Thanks for all your help and especially Elling for putting up with my pestering and never offering to google that for me.
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