[Elecraft] optimizing recorded audio

[Tony Estep]

Some have the Elecraft audio recorder to send their call in a contest or
pileup, but others no doubt use their control software to send recorded
audio. I use MixW (I've plugged it before on here -- great program), but all
control software can send a .wav file to your K2 or K3. But don't just make
a .wav file and play it back; process it for maximum talk power.

I have been using Audacity to record and process these files. It's a
wonderful program, free and open source. Get it from:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

being sure you get the right version for your OS.

After you get it going (very simple and clearly explained by a quickstart
help file), record your message. Then you can optimize it to taste, and here
are the tricks I've found to work for me:

First, compress it. Use moderate or light compression and repeat until you
notice some compression, but stop before it's really dense.

Then use the effect called "leveller." This will selectively compress voice
peaks and is extremely effective at making the audio punchy without seeming
to change the natural sound.

Finally, go to "change tempo." This can make your recording play faster or
slower without changing pitch. Don't change the beats, but rather trim the
time length of your recording. A little bit goes a long way. For example,
when I recorded my call the clip was about 3 seconds long. Cutting it to 2.6
seconds got rid of inter-syllabic pauses etc and made it sound urgent but
didn't introduce any unnatural sound.

Then export it as .wav, and you're ready to rock n roll in the phone
pileups.

73,
Tony KT0NY