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Topic: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file? (Read 3664 times) previous topic - next topic

Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here, but I was wanting to make a CD as a Valentine's Day present for my boyfriend. I don't have a CD burner or anything. I was hoping maybe there was a way to use the nwc file and convert it another program maybe where I can add in my voice. I've just recently thought about this. I was just going to set up a tape recorder next to the computer and play back the music and sing with it that way, but the quality would be horrible. Is there a way to do what I'm wanting to do or am I just wishing? Any help would be extremly appreciated.

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #1 –
Any good wav editor would work for you. My editor of choice is CoolEdit from Syntrillium Software (both the 1.53 Win3.x version and CoolEdit96). The process involves:

1: Recording your nwc file as a wav file,

2: Recording your voice via the mic input on your soundcard as another wav file,

3: Mixing the two wav files.

The process could be combined into a single step, where you record your voice along with the playback from nwc, but might be harder to get the mix right. The separate approach lets you play with relative levels "after the fact."

There are also (generally quite expensive) "virtual studio" programs from Steinberg (Cubase) and 12-tone Systems (Cakewalk) which allow even more flexibility. The learning curve can be quite steep on these, however.

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #2 –
Thank you so much Fred! I'll probably go with the first method for this week, since the second one is too expensive and the whole idea was for us to NOT spend money on each other this year. After I get the files made, is it possible to transfer it to a CD or am I still going to have to use a tape player to get it so he can use it? Do I just save the files to the disk? I need it so that most any car or truck CD player will be able to recognize it. Sorry for all the questions, but I'm kinda new to this whole area of computers.

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #3 –
Dear Fred,

I also aprreciated your reply to Missy... But, being a novice, I don't even know how to record my files as MIDI. I have only been using Nc to write, playback and save scores.

How do you record files as MIDI, how do you convert them into .wav files, and how do you get that to come up on CoolEdit?

I've recently downloaded the trial verstion of CoolEdit 2000, and don't know where to begin on either of these programs.

Frustrated,
Aurura

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #4 –
Dear Fred (again),

Please "scratch" that last message I sent off. I actually found out for myself how to make the recording and .wav file (quite unexpectedy). The only delima I have now is how to compress the file to its smallest size while storing as much of the quality as possible. I know that, since I'm trying to merge voice and .nwc file in CoolEdit, my answer is problably in CoolEdit. But maybe it might also have something to do with how I save the file in Nc?

So far, I've tried saving it as a compressed nwc file. Should I try some alternative that you may know of?

Thanks for Your Time,
Aurura

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #5 –
Now that you have a (very big) wav file, you've got an actual sound representation of your performance - be it from midi (or NWC), voice, whatever. There are several ways of reducing the size (and compromising quality to varying degrees). The most popular right now is MPEG Level 3, aka "mp3". I believe that CE2000 has an mp3 codec built-in, you should be able to "Save As..." and select MP3. If not, there are various MP3 encoders available for free or cheap on the net.

If you intend to publish on mp3.com or other mpeg repository, you should record your original wav at 44.1 kHz, stereo, 16-bit. When you encode the mp3 it should be stereo, 128 kbps. To play MP3's, you can use WinAmp, Media Player II, or any of a host of other similar players. Have fun!

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #6 –
Hi;
Use the windows sndrec32(comes with windows) start/run sndrec32.exe, or in the accessories media or entertainment folder depending what version of win U have 95/98, this will record 1 minute clips ideal for emailing, it also can change the vol and add echo if you wish. To play a file and record over it simulataneously, simply open the file you want to play and at the same time or slightly before, start sndrec, it will then record what is playing in windows and also record the input from the mic same time over top.
A headset and mic are recommended for noise and quality control. Settings can be done in the windows volume controls. This works best with a duplex sound card, most pc's have this. In control panel , multimedia, set the recording to sb16 or whatever you have that is equivalent, and set the playback to windows sound sys playback.This allows duplex functions to enable on the sound card. In Volume control, properties, make sure the correct items are checked off to record and playback. Go to properties/recording and check either line in or mic, if you do not it wil not record from the mic, wav output,fm output and wav synth can also be used to control sound quality and vol.
For longer length recording, Total Recorder or N-Track studio can be used, also there is a feature in NeroBurning software called NeroWave Editor that is very useful for adding effects or using equalizer, wave corrector can be used to remove clicks or hiss. N-Track will also create a mp3 file from wav files(smaller size). As these are demo progs available on online, the use the full features, cracks are available at astalavista.box.sk. to make them full featured.

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #7 –
In order to make a file smaller, the "depth" of the sampling determines the amount of information stored and the file grows larger with more information.
To make a file smaller(assuming it's 44100, stereo)open sndrec32 and the file you wish to size, then go to the top "file" menu,select properties, then use "all formats" press the "convert now" button and a new window will open, select Radio Quality/PCM/22050 8 bit mono 22 kbs, then press OK to close windows til you are back at sndrec32, then select file "save as" and give it a new name so you do not lose the original. When you check file size, it will now be much smaller than the original, this file can then be turned into an mp3 to again make it smaller. There will be some loss of quality as the format is changed.

Re: Merging NWC files w/ a voice file?

Reply #8 –
Wav basically records any type of sound"as it is", Midi is strictly a musical instrument interface, where all sounds are interpreted as musical tones relative to the instrument selected. The computer generally contains sample sounds that are used to create the sound from the information collected, for example if you use a midi card and plug a keyboard into the Pc, it will record the impulses and paly them back to you as a midi file. If you use an editor such as cakewalk and create a music score, the pc will go into it's library of stored sounds and then play back the same notes to you. Professional sound cards generally use what is known as a "wave table" this being a collection of sample sounds of high quality for a variety of instruments much better than the standard windows library, this reproduces the sound better and allows a full range of instrumentation, rather than just a few, resulting in more original fuller sound on playback.

Here's where it's a bit tricky, the amount of sound samples and instruments that are stored determine how it sounds, if the PC only has a sample for piano, then everything played back comes out as piano, if it has samples for piano,guitar, banjo, fiddle,drums, then they can be all used or mixed together or different tracks made and each has its place to play a song.
This can then be played and recorded as a wave file, Generally wave files are mono or stereo tracks.In midi, instruments can be added or left out, in wave, only the total sound can be edited, unless each instrument is recorded to a separate track, then mixed together.
With Midi files, text tracks can also be added as in karaoke files where the lyrics display as the music plays.

To relate this to recording your voice and what the difference is between wav and midi, when you record voice as wav, it plays back sounding like voice, exactly as it's recorded. If the same is recorded as midi, the voice is then translated to an instrument sound like piano(common) and what you sang then sounds like piano notes, or what ever instrument is selected, there is no voice sound at all.
Midi can also be transposed (key changed) or pitch shifted,as well, speed and timing can be changed, where wav files generally do not allow this. If you are using Cakewalk for instance, the midi recorded can also be shown as music notation, it will show the recorded sound as music notes, this being handy for editing if desired to correct wrong notes.