Using the sample editor to remove a click

[andyr]

Hi. I must have bounced an audio file with a bad punch in it. I have one xylophone note with a glitch about 3/4 in from the initial attack. I should be able to bring that file into the sample editor, isolate the bad portion, and cut it out, shouldn't I? I guess I could go back and try to find the original file, but it was bounced a long time ago and since I save my projects with new dates as I go, it would involve some deep searching, and I may have deleted the original from the audio bin somewhere along the line. Plus, I would like to understand how to use the sample editor. I generally do my editing in the arrange window, but I haven't had much luck with this problem. Can someone advise me how to use the sample editor to fix this? I've been trying to figure it out. I got as far as selecting where the signal peaks, but nothing I've tried from then on has been successful.

 

Thanks!

 

Andy

[fuzzfilth]

Option-2-click the Region in the Arrangement. This will open a separate window of reasonable size for the Sample Editor.

In the Sample Editor, zoom in close enough to locate the click.

Switch to View>Show As Sample&Hold

Switch to the Pencil Tool, sharpen it and go ahead.

Note that you are causing permanent changes in the source file, so if you're just practicing your aim, work on a real copy of the file.

 

Christian

[andyr]

Option-2-click the Region in the Arrangement. This will open a separate window of reasonable size for the Sample Editor.

In the Sample Editor, zoom in close enough to locate the click.

Switch to View>Show As Sample&Hold

Switch to the Pencil Tool, sharpen it and go ahead.

Note that you are causing permanent changes in the source file, so if you're just practicing your aim, work on a real copy of the file.

 

Christian

 

Thanks Christian. I have been experimenting on a copy of the original file - I had that part right! I'll give this a try.

 

Andy

[andyr]

Christian, I've tried what you suggested, but I haven't had much luck, and I have questions:

 

1) When I open the sample editor I see two wave forms, one above the other. The clip I'm working on is mono, so this threw me. I can edit either waveform, or both, but why should I have two?

 

2) When I search for the peak and zoom in, in the area shown (where the noise is), the lines actually dip below 0. I would have thought they would be way above 0.

 

3) I can use the pencil tool and move the lines around all I want, but it has no effect on the sound. I must be missing a final step - telling the machine to process what I've done, maybe?

 

4) I tried using the Silencer, following the exact instructions in the manual (don't want anyone to think I'm too lazy to crack open the manual! I've been looking stuff up in the manual and another tutorial book all morning!) Anyway, it doesn't work.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks,

 

Andy

[andyr]

also, I notice you said to change the view to "sample and hold" - I don't actually have that option, though I do have "samples." I assume it's the same thing, but it did make me wonder if we are both talking about working in Logic 8. Maybe you have a different version? I don't know if that would have an effect on any advice you might give, but I thought I'd mention it.

 

Thanks again...

[David Nahmani]

Hello Andy,

 

1) When I open the sample editor I see two wave forms, one above the other. The clip I'm working on is mono, so this threw me. I can edit either waveform, or both, but why should I have two?

There are two displays in the sample editor: a small waveform overview display at the very top which always shows the entire audio file, and a big main waveform display at the bottom which shows the area highlighted in white on the waveform overview display.

 

If the main waveform display shows two waveforms, that's because you are looking at a stereo audio file.

 

2) When I search for the peak and zoom in, in the area shown (where the noise is), the lines actually dip below 0. I would have thought they would be way above 0.

Any particular reason why you'd have thought that? If not, then there's nothing to be surprised about, as sound generates a waveform that can go on either side of the 0 line.

 

3) I can use the pencil tool and move the lines around all I want, but it has no effect on the sound. I must be missing a final step - telling the machine to process what I've done, maybe?

No, the process is instantaneous and destructive. When you let go of the pencil tool, the audio file is changed. Maybe you're not properly previewing the same file you're editing? Or maybe you're not previewing the same area of the file you just edited?

 

4) I tried using the Silencer, following the exact instructions in the manual (don't want anyone to think I'm too lazy to crack open the manual! I've been looking stuff up in the manual and another tutorial book all morning!) Anyway, it doesn't work.

It doesn't work.. meaning what? What happens when you try? Nothing? Do you get an alert?

[andyr]

Hello Andy,

 

1) When I open the sample editor I see two wave forms, one above the other. The clip I'm working on is mono, so this threw me. I can edit either waveform, or both, but why should I have two?

There are two displays in the sample editor: a small waveform overview display at the very top which always shows the entire audio file, and a big main waveform display at the bottom which shows the area highlighted in white on the waveform overview display.

 

If the main waveform display shows two waveforms, that's because you are looking at a stereo audio file.

 

2) When I search for the peak and zoom in, in the area shown (where the noise is), the lines actually dip below 0. I would have thought they would be way above 0.

Any particular reason why you'd have thought that? If not, then there's nothing to be surprised about, as sound generates a waveform that can go on either side of the 0 line.

 

3) I can use the pencil tool and move the lines around all I want, but it has no effect on the sound. I must be missing a final step - telling the machine to process what I've done, maybe?

No, the process is instantaneous and destructive. When you let go of the pencil tool, the audio file is changed. Maybe you're not properly previewing the same file you're editing? Or maybe you're not previewing the same area of the file you just edited?

 

4) I tried using the Silencer, following the exact instructions in the manual (don't want anyone to think I'm too lazy to crack open the manual! I've been looking stuff up in the manual and another tutorial book all morning!) Anyway, it doesn't work.

It doesn't work.. meaning what? What happens when you try? Nothing? Do you get an alert?

 

David, I'll go back and try again, having read your advice. Maybe I don't have the right part of the file selected. The Silencer did seem to be have some effect on the overall sound of the clip, it just didn't tame the spike.

Thanks,

Andy

[fuzzfilth]

1) When I open the sample editor I see two wave forms, one above the other. The clip I'm working on is mono, so this threw me. I can edit either waveform, or both, but why should I have two?

A mono file shows two waveforms, one for the overview of the entire file and one below for the actual edit, like this:

 

http://home.arcor.de/fuzzfilth/Other/sampleedit/mono.png

 

A stereo file give you three waveforms to look at, one overview and two channels to work on, like this:

 

http://home.arcor.de/fuzzfilth/Other/sampleedit/stereo.png

 

If you're looking at three waveforms, you're in a stereo file.

 

the lines actually dip below 0. I would have thought they would be way above 0.

Waveforms go from -100% to +100%

I can use the pencil tool and move the lines around all I want, but it has no effect on the sound.

You're sure you are listening to the section you edited, or the edited file at all ?

change the view to "sample and hold" - I don't actually have that option

I'm pretty sure you do. This from Logic 8:

 

http://home.arcor.de/fuzzfilth/Other/sampleedit/sh.png

 

Christian

[David Nahmani]

The Silencer did seem to be have some effect on the overall sound of the clip, it just didn't tame the spike.

Thanks,

Andy

If we're talking about Functions > Silence, it should silence the selection and replace its waveform by a flat line (on the 0 line). You should definitely see and hear it, it's not exactly a subtle process. Make sure you select the correct section first?

[andyr]

I see the "sample and hold" option now, but it is grayed out. How can I activate it?

 

Thanks...

[David Nahmani]

Zoom in very close, then enable it. There would be no point enabling it unless you're zoomed way in, which is why it's disabled right now.

 

FWIW I don't think you need to enable it.

[fuzzfilth]

FWIW I don't think you need to enable it.

I think that especially newbs are easily alienated by the SE's pencil tool because the waveform display pretends to be of much higher resolution especially when zoomed in quite close, when really it isn't, and thus your artful paintings come out totally different each time. S/H display shows what's actually there, and not a niced up version of it.

 

Christian

[andyr]

David and Christian, between your posts and some advice from a local friend I now know what to do with the sample editor. Before I completely understood what to do, I found a workaround for my particular problem, so it is solved. But now I'm actually looking forward to the next time something similar comes up, so I can get in there and use the SE to fix it. It probably won't be long. Once again, Logic pro Help comes through. I find having a conversation much more helpful than only consulting the manual. I only wish I was enough of a power user that I could actually help someone out from time to time, instead of aways being on the receiving end! Thanks again. I do appreciate it.

Andy