Noise removal

[jdrake90]

Hi,

I'm currently recording skype conversations using audio hijact pro, editing them in audacity, and then using levelator to fix any level issues. I do a lot of professional video editing, and when nicer software isn't available, I've had great success with audacity. Some people may not like the program, but it does what I need it to do (editing wise). However, I'm looking for a program with either an excellent noise removal plugin, or a program dedicated to this task. Audacity does ok... but it often makes the audio have a fishbowl sound.

What do you recommend? (preferably in the 20-30 buck range or free;-)

Jdrake90

[dpeach]

Are you using the "stable" version of Audacity? The beta version (which seems as stable as the stable one) does MUCH better with noise removal than the stable one.

[Rasheed]

Thanks for that tip, dpeach! The new beta of Audacity is an overall improvement over the stable version, not just for noise removal.

[WyethDigital]

It's out of your price range, but SoundSoap (http://xserve1.bias-inc.com:16080/products/soundsoap2/) (now on version two) is excellent. I use it all the time.

Eric

[jdrake90]

It's out of your price range, but SoundSoap (http://xserve1.bias-inc.com:16080/products/soundsoap2/) (now on version two) is excellent. I use it all the time.

Eric

I've been using the beta version of audacity... and the noise removal works GREAT. Since I can adjust the attack and such.

Jdrake90

[Rasheed]

Of course, nothing beats removing noise at the source, with a good quality silent microphone (high signal/noise ratio), and a hardware compressor/noise gate, or even a hardware compellor if you find one second hand. Placement of the mic is also very important. The closer to the source of the sound, the better (although not too close; you don't want to hear ever breathe and other bodily sounds of the speaker).

[RobotsLove]

On the others suggestion, I really don't like soundsoap since for an expensive plugin, it didn't reach the level of clairity as Adobe Audition's built-in noise reduction. It is among the cheaper plug-ins along with Voxengo's Redunoise but I don't know if any of the programs you use support VST plug-ins.

I've seen single noise reduction software plug-ins cost easily close to $2000, it's not one of the cheaper signal processing tools.

The best thing to do is to consider where your background noise is coming from and reduce that as much as possible naturally.

[Yotto]

As a checklist, here's what I did to remove the need for noise reduction:

1) Decent mics
2) USB connection to the comptuer from mixer (this could likely be done with a decent sound card)
3) Hide the computer (I put my laptop behind a wall of pillows. Not under pillows, that could cause it to burn out)
4) Turn off the AC or heat (I know, but it gets you to record quickly )
5) Close the windows and door, and make sure everybody in the house is quiet.

I haven't had to use Noise Reduction since doing this. and I am sooooooooo happy about that :)

[Rasheed]

make sure everybody in the house is quiet.
I think that is the hardest one for me and many people, I guess (pets, children, neighbors, visitors, etc.).

I would like to add a sixth point: turn off your phone and cell phone (especially smart phones, which can introduce electronic noise), and other appliances (refrigerator) and devices (ticking clocks, watch alarms) that may give out unexpected noises when you least expect it.

[johnbraduly]

It's out of your price range, but SoundSoap (http://xserve1.bias-inc.com:16080/products/soundsoap2/) (now on version two) is excellent. I use it all the time.

Eric

Thanks you, SoundSoap (http://xserve1.bias-inc.com:16080/products/soundsoap2/) is great

[X Pat Radio]

I try not to get noise in to start with. The noise removal tool in Adobe Audition works for me.