Looking at the waveform below, there is a "bleeding". Is this ok or is something that should be fixed? If so, how?
Thank you!
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This looks like a DC Offset, but can't be because, that results in the whole waveform being above/below the unity line. It seems very strange that your waveform has a higher amplitude in one direction. Maybe a faulty diaphragm on your microhone which is more sensitive in one direction than the other. Not sure if that's possible but it's my best guess! Hope this helps. Cheers– Fred PearsonCommented Dec 2, 2011 at 23:58
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Thanks Jay! Actually this was generated by a software synth and I guess results like this are normal.– CliqCommented Dec 3, 2011 at 13:09
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4 Answers
if your ears say it sounds good, it's probably good.
+1 to Rene, the audience won't be looking at your waveform.
Does anyone know what causes this, though? I've had some waveforms that look like their centre axis is well below where it should be. It doesn't bother me, as long as it sounds fine, but i wonder what causes it.
answered Dec 2, 2011 at 23:20
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2This is a DC Offset. It is a problem however, as because the centre of the waveform isn't on unity gain, you lose headroom. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure what causes it though - I'd hazard a guess that somewhere in your chain, a direct current is getting into your audio signal path, which is offsetting it by the amount of the DC. Hope this helps! Commented Dec 2, 2011 at 23:53
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1Thanks @Fred! The DC offset clips i mentioned came from a VO artist's home studio, so i'll let him know next time. Commented Dec 3, 2011 at 0:54
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1I'm not sure it applies to my issue (doesn't look like), but I found these explanations about DC offset to be pretty good: musicmasteringonline.com/members/content/view/303/32– CliqCommented Dec 3, 2011 at 13:13
I used to get similar waveforms off their centre axis as you've described, and would get rid of the DC offset by running the wave through a destructive high pass filter at 0hz. Think for me it was caused by ineffective grounding of my (at the time quite rubbish) mixer, though not entirely sure about that.
I've seen this many times, no matter if it where through my Lynx-systems, as close to perfectly reproducing as one can get in recording, or my fieldrecorders. As far as I can tell it seems to be due to two reasons;
First of all, for a sonic waveform to get negative, the source must vibrate both positive and negative. As far as I know the air only moves in the very direction it's shoved, and SHOULDN'T, though mind you this is just my theory, be able to blow back unless it's actually pulled back into a negative part-cycle. Most, if not practically every, physical item that resonates does so both back an forth, thus both compressing and expanding the air it moves.
Secondly, I often see this on heavily distortet electro-acoustic material, as well as some very unsymetrical waveforms. It might very well be a matter or energy. The more something resonates in one direction with high energy, the more it has to compensate on the other side of the cycle, though in amplitude, to make up for the same energy.
Personally I think it's a total combination of the two. Only pulses can be made to go in only one direction, and pulse and square-waveforms aren't exactly common in nature. At least not in a pure state.
answered Dec 3, 2011 at 13:13
