Is there a simple way toedit MP3 files?
Tue, Mar 19 2013, 7:19PM
I have a considerable number of BBC broadcasts stored in MP3 format (mainly live operas) which I would like to edit by removing spoken intros, interval talks etc. The recent MET Don Carlo broadcast has substantial chunks that I'd like to ditch and keep only the music.
Is there a simple piece of software that can achieve this? I have downloaded a couple of programmes (Audacity, AVS) but, excellent though they may be, they offer a very complex range of functions, none of which I'll need in a month of Sundays.
Has anyone any recommendations, please - with the emphasis firmly on simplicity?
Wed, Mar 20 2013, 1:47AM
#2
RE: Is there a simple way toedit MP3 files?
It depends if you have a Mac or not. I use a program called Fission (http://rogueamoeba.com/fission), but it's Mac only. It gives you lossless editing of mp3 and other audio files, including also normalising the volume of an entire piece (if it was recorded at too faint a volume), you can cut things out, etc. I use it all the time, it's perfect for the purpose.
If you have a Windows system there might be something similar around, but I don't know about it.
Sat, Apr 13 2013, 7:51PM
#3
RE: Is there a simple way toedit MP3 files?
Belated thanks, both, for those replies. I don't have a Mac, so have downloaded the Directcut programme and will have a crack at it in the coming week.
Thanks again.
Sat, Apr 13 2013, 8:57PM
#4
RE: Is there a simple way toedit MP3 files?
JKH
Can I ask what software/procedure you use for recording these broadcasts? I have been looking for something to do this for a while now, but haven't managed to find anything that works.
thanks
Jane
Sun, Apr 14 2013, 11:34AM
#5
RE: Is there a simple way toedit MP3 files?
JKH
Can I ask what software/procedure you use for recording these broadcasts? I have been looking for something to do this for a while now, but haven't managed to find anything that works.
thanks
Jane
Jane, I use a programme called Total Recorder which is pretty simple to operate, records in a numer of formats, including lossless. I can record the BBC Radio HD transmissions and results are very good indeed. I can't actually remember now whether it was free, but if it did cost anything, it would have been a fairly nominal sum.
My other method is to record via Freeview onto a Yamaha hard-disc recorder and CD writer which is useful for longer operas.
As a last resort, I use a free programme called Radio Downloader from which it is possible to donload anything that is currently on the BBC iPlayer (in fact is much easier to use than iPlayer) though the downloads are 128-192K, so not quite up to the quality of the HD feed. However, they are eminently listenable nonetheless - performance depending, of course!
A quick Google will bring any of these up, they are quite popular, I understand.
Sun, Apr 14 2013, 12:37PM
#6
RE: Is there a simple way toedit MP3 files?
Thanks, JKH. I will have a look for these today. I have looked for this sort of thing a few times before, but always ended up with something that doesn't quite work and/or gunks up my laptop with frustratingly resilient freeware.
Jane
Wed, Apr 24 2013, 5:38PM
#7
RE: Is there a simple way toedit MP3 files?
if u do this a lot then may be worth getting hold of Sound Forge Audio Studio (9.0 or above) Can prob find a copy on Ebay and does a good job. Not expensive either & very simple to use. Just select which section of the file u want to remove using the mouse and delete. Probably the best cheap sound editor of its type. I use it all the time for the same job u have, but in my case radio4 Xtra shows
http://i.imgur.com/sGzWvWH.png
eg
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-SOUND-FORGE-AUDIO-STUDIO-9-RETAIL-MINI-BO...
like the ones u mention does have lots of fancy tricks, but u dont need to use them, but does allow very precise edits
It will also record.
There is a freeware called Mp3DirectCut which may be what you are looking for.