Notes from X's Art of the Let's Play Audio Editing for Video Game Recordings

Notes from X's Art of the Let's Play Audio Editing for Video Game Recordings

Source video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIO1W4INxE

I watched the above video by davidr64yt (a.k.a. "X") and made these notes. I'm going to use these to create my own work flow. There's a lot of good advice and reasoning in his video so I suggest you watch it. I took these notes so I wouldn't have to re-watch the 1.5 hour video again to remember how to do some of things mentioned in it.

Record separate commentary/narration using Audacity (or Dxtory's separate audio track) from the game sound. If using FRAPS, use Audacity for your voice instead of FRAP's mixing both game and voice into a single track.

Work in Audacity starting with the voice over/commentary/narration track.

1. Eliminate Spikiness:

 Select whole track, Effect -> Compressor...

 Find your own settings (ex. from X: -20db threshold, ratio 6.5:1, X uses a Koss SB45 headset). Compressor increases volume on track so best to start recording at a quiet volume if your microphone supports that.

2. Eliminate Background Noise:

 Select a quiet section of audio, Effect -> Noise Removal...

 Click Get Noise Profile.

 Select whole track, Effect -> Noise Removal...

 Again, Find your own settings (ex. from X: 15db reduction, 1.79 Sensitivity, Frequency smoothing 130, Attack/decay time 0, Noise remove)

 Click OK.

It's a good idea to save frequently and here is a good time if you haven't already.

3. File -> Export... as WAV file your narration/commentary.

4. Add exported WAV file to your video editor (X uses Premiere Elements which I don't recommend due to its bugginess, try Sony Vegas instead) and place it on the video timeline. X's video actually shows some of the audio import bugs of an older version of Premiere Elements.

5. Play narration along with game to get an idea of how they sound together. X's example shows his game audio is still too loud and overpowers his voice narration. This will be fixed in Audacity after extracting the game audio track.

6. Extract game audio as a WAV file using your video editor or another tool for use in Audacity.

7. Import the extracted/exported WAV of the game audio into Audacity.

8. Select whole game audio track. Effect -> Compressor...

 Find your own settings (ex. from X: -35db threshold, ratio 5:1, check compressed based on peaks).

9. With whole game audio track selected still, Effect -> Amplify...

 Find your own settings (ex. from X: -20db, That's negative 20 (not positive) Tip: you can use the gain slider to temporary change the gain to see what your offset for amplifying should be). A negative amplification will bring the total volume of the track down (and bringing the game audio volume to a better, more balanced, level which goes nicely with your narration).

10. Preview game audio with narration for balance again. How do they sound together? Anything too low or too loud?

11. Export game audio from audacity. Remove original audio from video editor and replace with imported game audio we edited.

Good time to save your work :)

12. Watch/Listen to entire video in your video editor and make notes of any places that need emphasis or de-emphasis. Mute any parts of your narration that need muting such as when talking over a NPC.

13. When overall balance is good go back to Audacity.

 Be sure to have your game track up top and voice over/commentary underneath the game track. Select the entire game track for the autoduck effect. Autoduck decreases game audio when you're talking (when there is audio in the bottom/lower/commentary track).

 Effect -> Autoduck... A subtle effect is better. Find your own settings. (ex. from X: -3db, probably not more than -5db).

14. Export finished game audio as WAV.

15. Re-import finished game audio back into video editor.

16. Maybe lower game audio again a bit if still slightly too loud (can do in video editor adjust gain negative db slightly.)

17. Using notes file, emphasizing quiet parts. X does this by creating key frames in Premiere Elements and the audio volume fades up and then down. Use subtle fade increases/decreases in volume of about 1-3 db.

18. Listen using speakers...make possible adjustments to audio if it sounds different from using headphones.

19. Pay attention to details. Watch final video and make final adjustments.