Live Recording Repair | So the whole event can be heard

An event happens once, but the sound recording often is not what you hoped. Clipping, uneven levels and background noise can mostly be improved a great deal in post.

The hard part about live recording is that there is no second chance. The desk settings, the microphone placement, the audience reaction, the reverberation of the venue — none of it can be done again at the time, and the problems usually only surface back at the computer.

BoFrame repairs recordings from all kinds of live events, including concerts, talks, press conferences, conferences, ceremonies and company functions. The aim is simple: to make what is said and sung on stage clearly audible.

What we can handle

  • Clipping and distortion: clipping distortion caused by excessive sound pressure, especially on drum hits and applause
  • Volume jumping up and down: speakers at different distances from the mic, or large level differences between several speakers
  • Audience noise drowning out the speaker: talking, footsteps, chairs, coughing
  • Excessive venue reverberation: the echo of sports halls, auditoriums and high-ceilinged spaces
  • Equipment noise: projector fans, air conditioning, mains hum, microphone feedback
  • Two sources out of sync: the time offset between the camera audio and the desk recording
  • Sound on one side only: unbalanced left and right channels, or no signal on one of the tracks

Multitrack material gives a better result

If several recordings were made at the same time, please send them all — the difference is noticeable:

  • A line-out recording from the mixing desk: the cleanest signal, and usually the best main source
  • Separate recordings from lapel or handheld microphones: useful for reinforcing the clarity of the voice
  • The camera's built-in audio: lower quality, but it keeps the full atmosphere of the room and works well as ambience

We align these sources and mix them, taking the strengths of each: the clean signal carries the content, the room recording keeps the sense of being there.

There is a limit to how much can be recovered from badly clipped sections (where the waveform has already been flattened) — the signal that was cut off was never recorded. We listen to the file first and tell you clearly which sections can be improved and which can only be made less harsh.

Common situations we are asked about

  • A talk or conference to be turned into an online course, a YouTube video or a transcript
  • Recordings of concerts and launch events that need to be published
  • Company annual events and awards ceremonies made into an event film
  • Press conferences or interviews to be archived and supplied to the media
  • Wedding speeches and the key moments of a reception

Post-production we can take on at the same time

Material from a live event usually has more than just sound problems. We can also handle multi-camera editing, subtitles, highlight edits and colour grading within the same project; if what you need is a complete event film, say so on the enquiry form and we will assess the whole thing and quote for it.

How to send us your files

Put the files on Google Drive and share the folder with us — we can only tell what is possible once we have looked at them. Assessment is free.

1

Create a folder

ComputerIn Drive: “New” → Folder, then drag your files in

PhoneDrive app: “+” → Folder → Upload

2

Turn on sharing

ComputerRight-click the folder → “Share” → “Anyone with the link”

PhoneHold the folder → “⋮” → Manage access → “Anyone with the link”

3

Send us the link

ComputerClick “Copy link”, paste it into an email or LINE

PhoneTap “Copy link”, paste it into LINE

4

Tell us what is wrong

One line is enough: will not open, noisy, volume jumps around…

Knowing the symptom lets us give you a more accurate assessment

Not sure how? Just message us on LINE and we will walk you through it.

The repair process

Every file is damaged differently, so the process starts with looking at it — not with a price.

Send the files

Upload the original files to Google Drive and share the folder link with us. Please send files that have not been through any other software — repair works best that way.

A real assessment

We open the file and actually listen to it and watch it, work out what caused the damage, and how far it can be improved. Every file is different, and this step cannot be guessed at from experience. The assessment stage is free.

Report and quote

We tell you what we found and how much improvement you can expect, and send a quote for you to decide on. If we judge that it cannot be handled, we will say so directly rather than take the job on regardless.

Payment, then work begins

We start work once the quote is agreed and payment is complete. When it is finished we deliver the files through Google Drive, along with a before-and-after comparison for you to check.

Frequently asked questions

I only have the camera's built-in audio — is there any hope?

There is a chance, but the improvement will be smaller than with a line-out recording from the desk. Built-in camera microphones are usually far from the stage and weakly directional, so the room makes up a large part of the sound. We will listen first and tell you clearly how far it can be improved.

Can clipping really be fixed?

Mild to moderate clipping can be rebuilt effectively, and the result sounds a great deal better. But if the waveform has been completely flattened for long stretches, what we can do is make it less harsh; the original signal cannot be fully restored.

Can you take the audience talking out?

Continuous background noise (air conditioning, low-frequency rumble) can be suppressed effectively. Occasional, sudden talking that overlaps the frequency range of the voice is harder, and usually has to be handled section by section; we assess how much of it there is before deciding on an approach.

Which files should I send?

Please send every usable audio source you have: the desk recording, radio-mic recordings, and the camera files. Multitrack material makes the result noticeably better. If there is only one source, we can still assess it.

Once the audio is repaired, can you put it back with the video?

Yes. We re-sync the repaired audio with the picture and export it, delivering a video file you can use directly.

The event has just finished and the deadline is tight — what then?

Please tell us the delivery date you need when you first get in touch. For urgent work we check whether we can fit it in, and only reply that we can take it if we can; we will not agree first and then keep you waiting.

Want us to take a look at a file first?

Upload the original to Google Drive and send us the folder link. We will assess it and tell you how much it can realistically be improved.

Chat with us on LINE