Steps for Removing Low-end Noise from Sound Effects for Video
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by: SFXsource
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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 these procedures in tandem with your default plugins to help rid your audio recording of unnecessary and distracting noise:
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.
Secondly, a Parametric EQ can be used to "notch out" the unwanted noise by decreasing a thin width of audio frequencies and its octaves such as 60 Hz, 120 Hz, and 240 Hz. The advantage of using a Parametric EQ is that one can notch out the offensive noise without hurting wanted audio.
Third, use a Parametric EQ to boost the desired audio slightly. By doing so, it will be prominent over the noise and take the listeners attention away from the unwanted hum. For example, boost a bit at 5 Khz to raise the human voice over a low hum.
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 demo grehere, sound effects and production tracks here, Sound Effects Library and download free sound effects and musical loops here, Free Sound Effects and Loops
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