Getting rid of large spikes in live recordings

robinbowes · February 2023

I've started recording a few gigs from the audience, using a Shure MV88 mic plugged directly into my iPhone, using the Shure MOTIV audio app.

It works very well, and I'm really pleased with the sound quality (once I've post-processed it in Logic!).

However, there are a few overload spikes over the course of the gig, mostly from nearby audience members clapping too loud on top of the microphone.

What's the easiest/best way to reduce these? Can I somehow edit the waveform and just reduce the max amplitude? They're only very short sections, and in the middle of crowd noise, so I don't need to be too precious about it, but I'd like to keep things as invisible as possible.

This is what it looks like in Logic - you can see the obvious spikes:

Image: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8AFs-inLyiilV_1DVsvVVvGgTTNAlvyYPB18Nxp7g_Rg6MODdNwjg_MGJtIdvMFS_7AAFJeqEFcXZ4EnrPMCxEzNdGLjbJg-TgDYUaAO1PHRM6K4Yoi187g6XswolHYSfi7REv64dhgJAnmBKLxCURvwA=w965-h976-s-no

R.

LastMantra · February 2023

A limiter or you could go through it all automating level/compression?

I'm no expert just seem obvious, someone will come along with a better solution I'm sure.

Stratavarious · February 2023

Yep…. You can zoom right in, select the spike waveforms and then just reduce the amplitude just of that section. Try it on a copy. I do that for things like claps.

We generally do all our band recordings through the desks with mics on amps and kick and drum overheads to avoid room and audio effects.. we just mix in some ambient.

PolarityMan · February 2023

A clipper might work here as it won't force down any if the rest of the audio.

thermionic · February 2023

I’ve done this many times to get rid of the worst pops of vinyl records. Zoom in as close as possible and redraw the spike to be in line with what’s on either side.

robinbowes · February 2023

Thanks all - I've discovered the Logic Audio File Editor - it does just what I need (zooming in and re-drawing the spikes).

Stratavarious said:

We generally do all our band recordings through the desks with mics on amps and kick and drum overheads to avoid room and audio effects.. we just mix in some ambient.

To be clear, these are me recording other bands I've paid to go and see. When I record my own band, I record 24 tracks of audio direct into Logic! Good idea to mix in some ambient as well - I shall consider putting up an ambient mic or stereo pair.

Cheers,

R.

octatonic · February 2023

Izotope RX- declick.

It is MAAAAGIC.
If you need me to run them through it I am happy to- just message me.

octatonic · February 2023

robinbowes said:

Thanks all - I've discovered the Logic Audio File Editor - it does just what I need (zooming in and re-drawing the spikes).

That is the old school way of doing it.
I haven't done it in about 5 years I reckon.

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Getting rid of large spikes in live recordings

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