Cleaning up audio

[ssandheinrich]

This question isn't specifically for video editing but I am sure this is the best place to ask this. I have some audio cassette tapes that I would like to digitize using Vegas. These tapes are a conversation between two people and there is a lot of background noise and the recording is somewhat faint. Is there a tutorial on how to clean this up and make it more understandable?

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

There are lots of tutorials about using Audacity (free) ;-

http://opensource.com/life/14/10/how-cl ... g-audacity

[Francesco Carzedda]

I have digitalized some audio with a simple cable connected to the input minijack door of the motherboard:



I too recommend Audacity, filters are very fine.

[Steve Grisetti]

It's actually very difficult to clean up this kind of audio, ssandheinrich. That's why even Hollywood moviemakers have to sometimes call the actors back in to re-record dialog for scene shot around too much background noise.

There's really just not substitute for a good clip-on or handheld microphone that's very near the mouths of the people you're recording.

But there's really no way to isolate one sound in a noisy scene and make it louder without making every other sound in the scene louder also.

[MrGrunthunter]

It's actually very difficult to clean up this kind of audio, ssandheinrich. That's why even Hollywood moviemakers have to sometimes call the actors back in to re-record dialog for scene shot around too much background noise.

There's really just not substitute for a good clip-on or handheld microphone that's very near the mouths of the people you're recording.

But there's really no way to isolate one sound in a noisy scene and make it louder without making every other sound in the scene louder also.

Steve,
Do you know of a 'decent' boom type microphone that can be worn while recording and narrating videos 'real time' so I can away from all the camera handling noise I'm experiencing with my little GoPro camera? I would like to find something under the $100 mark. I bought a ZOOM H1 that I was planning on narrating to using a lapel mic but I think it would be more convenient to record the audio directly to the camera memory. I haven't tried using the H1 in the field yet and have been a little concerned with having to make sure I definitely have the camera and H1 powered on at the same time (typical type of glitches that can pop up) or having a battery crap out on one of them and not knowing it

[Steve Grisetti]

Go Pros aren't really noted for their audio. And do they even have a microphone input so that you can plug a remote microphone into them?

It might be smarter to record your audio with a separate device and then combine it with the Go Pro video in a video editor. That's not that hard, if you use a clapper or have someone clap so that you can synch up the audio and the video.

Here's one of the best recording devices available for under $100. (Even cheaper if you buy a used one.)
http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Handy-Portab ... o+recorder

[MrGrunthunter]

Thanks Steve,

Actually I just bought one of those last month and will be giving it a try soon. If you're familiar with them, do you know if there is a way to turn off the internal speaker? I had some bad audio on my last video and needed to narrate it afterwards. I connected up a set of 'ear buds' and plugged the H1 into my computer so I could play back the video and narrate an new audio track at the same time. What I discovered happening was that the old audio would play back out of the H1's little speaker while I was trying to us it. I ended up having to unplug it from the computer and then record my 'new' audio into the H1's memory card and then import it into Sony Movie Studio. It worked out but I just had to go through some additional steps to complete my project.

[Steve Grisetti]

Sorry, MrG. I've read about but never actually used the Zoom audio recorders.

But I expect a few Muvipixers have. Let's see if they post their thoughts -- although it might be worth starting a new thread with Zoom in the title in our Audio sub-forum so it will get its own attention.

[sidd finch]

Steve is correct about cleaning up audio. It is very difficult to pull off. I have found success by taking a multilayered approach. Taking the audio and copying to multiple tracks including and original copy with no editing and then manipulating the tracks individually and outputting as one track. The finished product is better that original but as the old saying goes...... junk in = junk out.

Steve is also correct that the GoPro audio is terrible. Even with an external mic connected it is bad. I have connected everything from a Rode NT3 to a Rode Video mic to a Shure lavaliere and Sony lavaliere mic's. All of those are less than desired.

I have had success using the Blue Microphone "Mikey" with an old ipod classic.

If you are interested in using your smartphone there are a number of nice mic options for smartphones like the zoom IQ6 and the Tascam IM2

For me quality audio means using a dedicated audio recorder. There are an array of pricing options.

Sidd