Soundtrack Pro - is it me or the software?
by Bob Cole
on
Oct 15, 2009 at 2:25:55 am
Two questions about STP, because I would really like to make it work better in my FCP editing toolkit:
1. I have tried Noise Reduction in Apple Soundtrack and Adobe Soundbooth. The Adobe product was far more effective, as well as easier to use. Is STP's Noise Reduction really that bad, or am I just not using it properly?
2. Is there a good tutorial or guide to the round-tripping between FCP and STP? It seems like a great idea, but I find the choices of scripts and projects, and saving-as quite confusing. I don't understand what is actually happening to the original files, and how to revert to the original mix in case I go too far in STP.
Re: Soundtrack Pro - is it me or the software? by Paul Figgiani on Oct 16, 2009 at 10:10:05 pm
Bob,
With regard to Round-tripping, you have 2 options:
Send to STP Audio File Project
Send to STP Multitrack Project
If you select a single clip in Final Cut, Send to Audio File Project opens the file in the STP file editor. Your edits will update dynamically (upon saving) in Final Cut.
If you send the *entire* sequence out as a Multitrack Project, you need to save your changes in STP, Export the project, and prior to doing so - select the "Send Files to Final Cut Pro Sequence", located in the "After Export" pop up in the Export dialog.
That's about it.
As far as noise reduction, if you are not happy with the results in STP, I suggest looking into something like MR Noise by Wave Arts, or RX by iZotope.
Re: Soundtrack Pro - is it me or the software? by Bob Cole on Oct 17, 2009 at 3:18:21 am
Thanks Paul for the excellent explanation.
My recurrent issue is the ubiquitous HVAC system which can't seem to be shut off, and which penetrates all our sound blankets.
Is there any way, within STP or Soundbooth, to visualize the spectrum of the noise? I'd really like to be able to see the "room tone" frequencies so I know exactly where on the spectrum the noise is residing.
I'd like to look into MR Noise and RX. Of the two, do you recommend one over the other? RX seems to be standalone, whereas I'd have to have a host for MR Noise (and I assume STP won't host it).
The Frequency Spectrum View. It's available in both the File Editor and the lower File Editor in the MultiTrack view.
As far as the Noise Reduction Apps, I use MRNoise. I use Bias Peak as it's host. Yes it is a plug, and it is available independently. So there is no need to purchase the entire Master Restoration Suite. This plugin supplies artifact free noise reduction.
RX is available as both a stand alone app or individual plugins.
Bias Peak - which? by Bob Cole on Oct 18, 2009 at 11:54:48 pm
Thanks again! That Frequency Spectrum view is most helpful. I've been playing with MR Noise and it is excellent.
Looked at the Bias website, and have one more question: would you recommend having Soundsoap in my bag of tricks? There is a "SoundSoap 2 and Peak LE 6 Bundle" which looks good.
Re: Bias Peak - which? by Paul Figgiani on Oct 20, 2009 at 12:49:47 pm
Bob,
If you pick up MRNoise you don't need Sound Soap. On the other hand the basic version of SS might be worth while if cost is an issue. In terms of results I'm not sure if it is any better than what STP offers.
