'Radio Edit'

Stiffler wrote on 5/12/2002, 2:15 AM

I have a song (not mine) that has some R-rated language on it. Is it possible for me to do some editing in VV to 'cut' the swear word out without noticing anything? I only want to use this music in my own home movies.

I wonder how the radio stations edit the songs?

I'm just pondering at this point how (and if), it can be done.

If it is a huge deal, I probly won't do it.

Just wondering, Jon

Comments

VinceG wrote on 5/12/2002, 5:46 AM

Not possible, Jon. You have to have the individual vocal tracks to do that.

Most artists who have explicit lyrics in their songs and want radioplay record 2 different versions in their recording studio. They will send the radio version to the radio station. Radio stations do not get uncensored versions of CDs and then edit them. They don't have the equipment, time or know-how to do it. This is all done in the record label's studio.

Now if you want that dreaded "bleep" sound... this you can do with Vegas. Just insert an audio track of a "bleep" sound and copy it wherever there is foul language you want to cover up.

Chienworks wrote on 5/12/2002, 6:44 AM

If you have tons of time and patience, you can use the same "bleep" technique, but instead of the bleep sound, find a section of the song that sounds musically similar but doesn't contain that word. Copy and paste that section overtop of the offensive word. If you get really good at it, the results might not be that noticeable to casual listeners. I had to do a lot of this recently with a video i edited for some high school students, however it only worked well because there were a lot of other sounds going on in other tracks at the same time to help cover it up.

Be forewarned though, this can take a lot of time and trials, and the result is never going to be perfect.

fongaboo wrote on 5/12/2002, 10:27 PM

isn't reversing the offensive sections an industry standard as well?

Stiffler wrote on 5/13/2002, 12:08 AM

...Now I know how they do it.

Sounds like it is not worth it for what I want.

Thanks.

Caruso wrote on 5/13/2002, 12:29 AM

If the vocals occupy a certain spectrum of the frequency range, you might be able to use one of Vegas' EQ pluggins to mute the vocal at just that point, perhaps, as suggested above, substituting another less offensive section and blending it in.

It wouldn't be that difficult to lay down two sound tracks of the section in Vegas, sync them up, and work your "magic." Would probably be fun, also.

On the other hand, if every creature and his/her mate is screeching venom at the top and bottom of their lungs, then, you won't be able to isolate sufficiently to mask the vocals in the original. Even then, beeping (or some form of it) might not be so tough.

If this selection is being used as background to other video, you could, perhaps, work in some other sound that would cover the offending language, yet, pass for sound flowing from or complimenting the video.

Whether any of this is practical or not depends on how frequently the no-no words occur in your selection.

My 2-cents.

Caruso

Stiffler wrote on 5/13/2002, 1:50 AM

Thanks, Caruso...I know a little about audio, but not much compared to all you guys in this forum. I'll try all the suggestions and see what happens.

I really think what ever I want to do (anything), it can be done with Vegas.

Thanks all,

A happy Vegas user.