How to Clean Up Sound Effects by Removing Low-end Noise
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.
There are certainly many software plugins that remove noise and some work quite well. However these softwares often require a bit of study, which may impossible during a tight deadline. Instead, simply use the basic equalization and reverb plugins provided in your video or audio editing software.
Use these procedures in tandem with your default plugins to help rid your audio recording of unnecessary and distracting noise:
Initially you can try using a Single Band EQ to attempt to erase much, if not all, of the unwanted hum. Using such an EQ you can take away all the audio below or above a certain frequency. For instance, since a low end rumble from an air conditioner emits around 60 Hz then by placing a Single Band EQ at 80 Hz one can most likely eradicate most of the unwanted noise without damaging any voice tracks.
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.
Secondly, you can boost the desired audio also by using a Parametric EQ. This will give the wanted audio prominence over the unwanted audio. Once can boost the dialog at 5 hz slightly, for example, to give it prominence over a low 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.
There are certainly many software plugins that remove noise and some work quite well. However these softwares often require a bit of study, which may impossible during a tight deadline. Instead, simply use the basic equalization and reverb plugins provided in your video or audio editing software.
Use these procedures in tandem with your default plugins to help rid your audio recording of unnecessary and distracting noise:
Initially you can try using a Single Band EQ to attempt to erase much, if not all, of the unwanted hum. Using such an EQ you can take away all the audio below or above a certain frequency. For instance, since a low end rumble from an air conditioner emits around 60 Hz then by placing a Single Band EQ at 80 Hz one can most likely eradicate most of the unwanted noise without damaging any voice tracks.
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.
Secondly, you can boost the desired audio also by using a Parametric EQ. This will give the wanted audio prominence over the unwanted audio. Once can boost the dialog at 5 hz slightly, for example, to give it prominence over a low 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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Check out SFXsource's sound effect library and hear excellent sound effects and production samples here, Sound Effects Library and download free sound effects and music loops here, Free Sound Effects and Loops
posted by Marcondes Allen at 11:58 PM
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