VHS Audio Too Loud Crackling

[junx0r]

Hi everyone, first post here. Been trying to get my VHS tapes backed up like a lot of people here. I've managed to do pretty well with the video portion, thanks to lots of help from reading old posts here, and articles and what not.

But here's my problem: The audio crackles like the volume is turned up too loud. It's not the player, because I've tried 2 VCRs, and they play normal ones fine, and this tape horribly.

The audio only crackles when someone talks, not during blank spots. I've tried the noise reduction in audacity with no luck (but it did take care of the typical VHS hiss). Any ideas? Thanks!

[samijubal]

Is it a recording or retail tape? If it's a recording, it sounds like the audio bias wasn't correct on the VCR that recorded it. If so there isn't anything you can do, the audio was recorded that way.

[junx0r]

Yeah, it's a recording, and from '91 at that. I mean, I can live with the fact that the audio sucks, but if there's a way to filter it, maybe just cut it down some, that would be sweet. I'm checking out an old version of cool edit pro with 60 day trial right now.

edit: I just realized, I didn't give any mention to what I was doing! I am converting to DVD, so software filters are entirely possible.

[yoda313]

Do you have an external graphic equalizer for a stereo system? You could try hooking that up between your vcr and your computer. Than you can do a live equalization of the sound output from the vcr to the computer. Might work.

[junx0r]

I don't have anything like that unfortunately... But I guess as a last resort I'll look into buying one.

cool edit pro let me edit some of the noise down, but it's still there. It's just for personal use, so maybe I'll just hold on to the original copy, one day get a hold of one of those things, and just live with the DVD having somewhat poor sound for now.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks for the idea! While I didn't have an equalizer anywhere, I DID have an old receiver from my dad's turntable. Hooked it up, and the sound is better than I ever expected. I guess the PC just couldn't take the high signals from the bad tape? Anyway, it works, so thanks!

[yoda313]

I DID have an old receiver from my dad's turntable. Hooked it up, and the sound is better than I ever expected. I guess the PC just couldn't take the high signals from the bad tape? Anyway, it works, so thanks!

Glad you found an alternative. Sometimes hardware options work better than software options. Or at least offer an alternative.

[Rudyard]

Just for something else to look for, I had the same problem and the solution was in my capture program to simply adjust the audio line capture volume (or even in the sound card, audio line in volume properties).

Once I reduced these the the distortion and crackle was gone and I had happy capturing.

Hope it helps someone!