Improving on downloaded music

[dnmilikan]

I initially posted this on another forum and thought that I would here too for the benefit of those who wish to use the process.

For those that may be inclined to download music for personal use...

Using the free Youtube downloading utility and using the free NCH Switch utility, one can convert the mp4 format to wav format. Once converted to wav format one can import the wav format to Audacity (free) and selecting the two tracks one can copy them and create a new stereo track... pasting the copied tracks to the new stereo track. By soloing the new tracks one can offset the start by 30-50 miliseconds and flesh out the stereo sound. I usually offset the db gain between the first and second pair of tracks by 3-4 db and offset the pan by 30-40 percent between the pairs. Adding a bit of echo and boosting the bass can enrich the sound quite nicely. I have worked with six tracks using this process to end with a very nicely mixed and balanced stereo track. (When exporting the file the multiple tracks are mixed down to two tracks.)

Donald Miller