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.
Software plugins that remove noise from audio abound and some function very well. However, under a fast approaching deadline, one may not have the time to find, purchase, and learn the nuances of a new plugin. For these situations, simply turn to the default equalization and reverbs provided in your audio or video editing software.
Use standard package plugins and the following tips to eradicate nasty noise from the bottom end of your audio recordings:
Use a Single Band EQ first to cut out the unwanted rumble. A single band EQ will filter out all audio above or below a specified frequency. You can cut out, for example, all frequencies below 80 Hz in order to erase much of the rumble, which occurs at 60 Hz, without harming dialog tracks.
Next, target a very small width of the offending sound spectrum by using a Parametric EQ and "notching," which decreases a certain frequency and its octaves such as 80 Hz, 160 Hz, and 320 Hz. One preserves the surrounding audio by being able to target a small area of audio.
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.
By using the above tips, while they will not completely fix poorly recorded audio, one can vastly help the quality of a recording in which a undesirable low end frequency is compromising the other elements in an audio mix.
Software plugins that remove noise from audio abound and some function very well. However, under a fast approaching deadline, one may not have the time to find, purchase, and learn the nuances of a new plugin. For these situations, simply turn to the default equalization and reverbs provided in your audio or video editing software.
Use standard package plugins and the following tips to eradicate nasty noise from the bottom end of your audio recordings:
Use a Single Band EQ first to cut out the unwanted rumble. A single band EQ will filter out all audio above or below a specified frequency. You can cut out, for example, all frequencies below 80 Hz in order to erase much of the rumble, which occurs at 60 Hz, without harming dialog tracks.
Next, target a very small width of the offending sound spectrum by using a Parametric EQ and "notching," which decreases a certain frequency and its octaves such as 80 Hz, 160 Hz, and 320 Hz. One preserves the surrounding audio by being able to target a small area of audio.
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.
By using the above tips, while they will not completely fix poorly recorded audio, one can vastly help the quality of a recording in which a undesirable low end frequency is compromising the other elements in an audio mix.
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