Due to short time frames and small production budgets, audio for video is often not well recorded. As a result, certain unwanted noises often plague producers during post-production. A common noise in recorded audio for sound effects and dialog is an annoying hum or rumble at the bottom end.
Certainly many of the software plugins on the market that filter out noise work very well. Though, under a tight deadline, it may prove impossible to seek out, purchase, and learn the functions of whatever new plugins you may find. As an easy alternative, use the standard eq and reverb plugins provided in your video or audio software.
Use standard package plugins and the following tips to eradicate nasty noise from the bottom end of your audio recordings:
First, use a Single Band EQ to try and cut out the offensive hum. This type of EQ will cut out all sound below or above a certain frequency. For example, since low rumbles generally occur around 60 Hz, you can use a Single Band EQ to cut out everything below 80 Hz which will remove the hum without adversely affecting the dialog.
Second, use a Parametric EQ to "notch" targeted areas by using a very small width of the sound spectrum to decrease a specific tone and its octaves, such as 60 Hz, 120 Hz, and 240 Hz. By targeting only small areas of sound one hopes to rid the offensive noise while preserving the surrounding frequencies.
Next, a Parametric EQ can also be used to boost the wanted audio. Boosting the desired frequencies will give them prominence over the unwanted noise and thus redirect the listener's attention from the noise. For instance, put a small hump in around 5 Khz will amp the human voice over a lower rumble.
Finally, one can use reverb on the entire mix once the lower rumble has been cut out. This can reduce the "tin can" effect that might result from minimizing the lower end.
While the above tips are very basic and will not by any means eliminate the problems of poorly recorded audio, they will definitely improve the sound of a poor recording when the dialog and hum are vying for the listener's ear.
Certainly many of the software plugins on the market that filter out noise work very well. Though, under a tight deadline, it may prove impossible to seek out, purchase, and learn the functions of whatever new plugins you may find. As an easy alternative, use the standard eq and reverb plugins provided in your video or audio software.
Use standard package plugins and the following tips to eradicate nasty noise from the bottom end of your audio recordings:
First, use a Single Band EQ to try and cut out the offensive hum. This type of EQ will cut out all sound below or above a certain frequency. For example, since low rumbles generally occur around 60 Hz, you can use a Single Band EQ to cut out everything below 80 Hz which will remove the hum without adversely affecting the dialog.
Second, use a Parametric EQ to "notch" targeted areas by using a very small width of the sound spectrum to decrease a specific tone and its octaves, such as 60 Hz, 120 Hz, and 240 Hz. By targeting only small areas of sound one hopes to rid the offensive noise while preserving the surrounding frequencies.
Next, a Parametric EQ can also be used to boost the wanted audio. Boosting the desired frequencies will give them prominence over the unwanted noise and thus redirect the listener's attention from the noise. For instance, put a small hump in around 5 Khz will amp the human voice over a lower rumble.
Finally, one can use reverb on the entire mix once the lower rumble has been cut out. This can reduce the "tin can" effect that might result from minimizing the lower end.
While the above tips are very basic and will not by any means eliminate the problems of poorly recorded audio, they will definitely improve the sound of a poor recording when the dialog and hum are vying for the listener's ear.
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