Steps for Removing Low-end Noise from Sound Effects for Video
Since commercial and corporate video production budgets can often be small and executed under a short time frame, the recorded sound may suffer. During post-production, as a result, producers may encounter some terrible audio problems. One common dilemma is a low-end noise or hum that permeates dialog and other ambiance recordings.
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 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.
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.
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.
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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