[LAU] Audio File to Graphic Thumbnail in Command Line?

[Kevin Cosgrove]

I have a huge number (about 2400) of 0.5GB WAV files from live 24
track recordings.  10-40% of the tracks on some recording sets
are not needed, an unused vocal mic stashed off stage.  I have
been using the RMS function in SOX by command line to help me
determine which files are not useful.  A low RMS level tends to
indicate less usable signal.

But, this doesn't always work.  For instance, it can miss that
great minute long harmonica solo during the hour long show.
Peak levels don't help, because frequently a drummer will slam
something loudly enough to falsely mark the file as useful, when
it's actually not.

Looking at the audio waveform with Ardour or Audacity seems
foolproof.  But, it's also way too much work to use a GUI
application on that many files.

I would like to run a script or program on the set of files and
produce something like an Audacity or Ardour waveform graphic to
be stored in a PNG (or similar) associated file.  Does anyone
know of something close to out-of-the-box ready to do this?

I did find these possibly helpful links.

http://www.network-theory.co.uk/docs/octave3/octave_263.html

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Waveform_Viewers-Plotting_Large_Analog_Data

Thanks...


--
Kevin