Perfecting a Restored Soundfile

"To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer." DART XP Pro, as any automatic restoration system, is not error-proof, especially if the processed audio material is 'difficult' (large number of clicks and scratches, low signal to noise ratio).

All decisions made by the outlier detector are stored in a detection file <filename.det> associated with the renovated soundfile <filename.wav>. Detection files are automatically loaded on the screen upon completion of the restoration and are available for inspection. As a user, you have the power to overrule verdicts of the detector, i.e. you can force the system to accept some fragments of the material as is, while replacing some other ones.

For mono recordings, detection alarms are shown in the upper part of the detection file, labeled 1 - all set bits mark samples which were classified as outliers and scheduled for reconstruction. The lower part, labeled 2, is reserved for large scale interventions. For stereo recordings, four binary signals are displayed - the first two referring to the left channel and the remaining two associated with the right channel.

If you want to correct the renovated soundfile in a fast and efficient way, try the following steps :

1. Using a combination of Play all, Play window and Play local, identify and mark as precisely as possible, the trouble area.

2. By visual inspection, try to localize the fragments of the renovated signal that might be the source of audible distortions.

3. After spotting the fragments of the signal which were mishandled by the system, make the necessary changes in the binary detection file and choose the ReTouch command from the Restore menu. Alternatively, change the detection threshold and perform local run (DeClick Plus window or block) of the restoration program.

4. If you are satisfied with the results, move on to another trouble area.

If you want to declick the signal in the manual mode, i.e. without running DeClick Plus prior to using ReTouch, proceed as follows :

1. Choose the Duplicate command from the Restore menu (DART XP Pro will create a destination soundfile identical with the source soundfile and an empty detection file).

2. Mark fragments scheduled for replacement in the detection file and run ReTouch.

About detection errors

Localizing disturbances

Editing a detection file

Retouching a soundfile

Using ReTouch

Advanced restoration techniques