The audio side of video is often not well recorded due to small production budgets and short time frames. Therefore, during post-production, producers can be assaulted by a series of previous sonic missteps. An annoying rumble or hum in the low end is a common problem in audio recorded for video.
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.
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.
Fourth, after cutting out the lower end, a bit of reverb can be used on the mix. Such an effect can wash over and warm up a “tin can” feel that might come from taking out the bottom 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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