Smart Editing

input file : active soundfile

output file : active soundfile

processing mode : local

Muting and cutting are perhaps the simplest means of eradicating short lived audio artifacts. Both techniques are extremely simple - after selecting a block of samples that contains a disturbance one may attempt to either mute or remove the unwanted part of the signal. If the selected fragment is sufficiently short and if block boundaries are chosen appropriately chances are the disturbance will be removed- the effect owed to the inertia of our auditory system and high redundancy of audio signals. The success of the local muting/cutting techniques depends critically on a careful selection of block boundaries. Local muting may introduce discontinuities at both block edges usually heard as clicks. Cutting may also introduce discontinuities (if signal values at both block edges don’t match). Additionally, it may disturb the periodic structure of the processed signals leading to audible distortions of another kind. Basically, local muting and cutting are trial and error techniques - sometimes many attempts ought to be made before an entirely satisfactory solution to the problem at hand is found. The smart editing tools make the search faster - by performing it in an intelligent way, and the results easier to evaluate - by using the previewing option.

Finally, Smart mute, Smart cut and Crossfade cut are useful tools for localizing short-lived disturbances difficult to spot by other means. If after muting/cutting a specific fragment of the signal the disturbance is not audible it must be contained inside the selected block.

Smart mute

Smart cut

Crossfade cut