[mythtv-users] Removing laugh tracks from recordings

[Brad DerManouelian]

On May 4, 2006, at 2:12 PM, Brian Wood wrote:

>
> On May 4, 2006, at 12:04 PM, Anu Mathew wrote:
>
>> No, I was not. It is more like a wish, which many people (I spoke to)
>> seem to share.
>>
>> Years ago, ripping ads was almost impossible, but it is possible
>> now...
>>
>> Hopefully, one day...!! :)
>>
>> Thanks..!!
>>
>> On 5/4/06, Brad DerManouelian <myth at dermanouelian.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>
> There is equipment available that purports to remove vocal tracks
> from music, for "Karaoke applications. I have no idea how well it  
> works.
>
> Theoretically an application of the same technology might at least
> reduce the level of the offending laugh track, it would be harder
> because the content is similar to dialog which you would want to keep.
>
> Probably beyond anything we can economically do right now, but as you
> say today's impossibility might be tomorrow's Blue Light Special at K-
> Mart.

All that equipment can do is give you some EQ presets that reduce the  
volume of frequency ranges that vocals typically fall in. It ends up  
making all the audio sound very bad. The only way it would sound  
acceptable as a "karaoke track" is to crank the vocals on whomever is  
singing over it so you don't notice how bad the music is - you can  
concentrate on how bad the vocals are. ;) I would find it more  
annoying to watch a program that is constantly going into/coming out  
of mute because of laugh tracks. In fact, it would make laugh tracks  
even more noticeable since the volume would constantly be dipping and  
coming back.

Now if we can just convince tv studios to send the laugh track on a  
separate channel, we're in business. :)