How Can I Edit Out A Crying Baby From A Video?

[rocknrollchick5]

Ok, so my best friend, who is a pianist ( he plays piano for the chorus that I sing in), wrote his own version of Silent Night and performed it during the intermission of our Christmas concert. We all gathered around to listen in the back, and everything was going perfectly. Then out of nowhere this little baby starts throwing a temper tantrum. It lasted for a good 90 seconds. The good news is, it wasn't during the part where my friend was at full power in his solo. It was at one of the more quiet parts. The bad news is, the kid was louder than the piano was and way above his pitch. My dad had recorded my friend's solo for me so I can enjoy it whenever I want to. So I've been listening to it back, and seeing if I could possibly edit the baby out. Now I have absolutely NO EXPERIENCE with video/audio editing AT ALL. I've tried using a few programs such as Audacity, Magix Movie Editor Pro, Wavsaur, the one from Adobe, SoundSoap (I also have it in audio form), programs to turn songs into karaoke, and AV Music Morpher Gold. I haven't gotten anywhere. Like the times I have gotten the parts with the kid out of his song, I've also taken his piano out too and there's nothing but pure silence. (Yeah, there's my brilliant video and audio editing skills at work!) So yeah, I know I have absolutely no control over what random sounds come out from the audience, be it coughing, screaming kids, or sneezing, but could someone please teach me how to remove some of them? (not so much the random audience noises, just that kid's temper tantrum.) I want to add his solo to my annual Christmas mix Thanks!

[Vidd]

It may be possible to remove the crying without damaging the piano, but the way you describe your editing skills, you may not have much success. There really is no magic tool that works automatically. It requires specialized software and skill to get it perfect.

For the best result in your case, you could ask your friend to play that part of the song again and record it (try to match the room setting). Then you could replace the 90 seconds of the baby crying with the new recording. Use an audio editor to match the levels. Or have your friend play the whole song again and record it and use that for your mix.

[redwudz]

If you can't re-record, I would try Audacity with the Low Pass filter. If the kid was higher frequency, you may be able to reduce his level a bit, but don't expect miracles.

You could also try the notch filter, but it depends on the range of frequencies involved.

With Audacity, experiment a little. Just try some different filters, but do it on a copy, not a original. If you don't like the result, you can undo the filter or even revert it back to the original.

Unfortunately, filtering usually removes more than just the problem audio. Less is usually better.

You could also post the problem part of the audio here as an attachment and some of our members might give it a try.

And welcome to our forums.

[budwzr]

Get an old Bing Crosby Xmas album with the same song, and overdub the whole thing. You might have to adjust the speed and pitch a little, especially when the baby chimes in.

[davexnet]

Perhaps if the OP could upload a section showing the problem it may help in the brainstorming.

[rocknrollchick5]

I'm gonna try and upload my friend's solo for you guys to take a look at (and hear this kid). Maybe you'll have better luck than me at trying to figure this out . Thanks again

[aedipuss]

the human voice(even babies) is in the lower middle of the normal human frequency range from about 300 to 4000htz. if you remove it you lose most audio except high harmonics. either live with the kid or make a new recording.

[budwzr]

That's not a baby crying, that's some kid throwing a tantrum.

Anyway, you should have put your recorder on or near the piano. Even if you remove the tantrum, the recording is no good.

[Noahtuck]

Call CSI!!!
Anyone of them, they can do it like it was recorded without any other distracting noises in a studio!!

[p_l]

Unfortunately, at this point the only options for "editing" the unwanted baby crying are a judicious but improbable use of a combination of the following technologies.








Otherwise, just chalk it up as another charming manifestation of life's rich pageant. In fact, the original Christmas most likely also included a baby crying at some point.


Beautiful piano arrangement, by the way.

[budwzr]

That's kind of weird. That second picture. What are you? Some kind of perv?

Every once in a while around here a lurking weirdo (or three) pops out of the woodwork, WTF?

[Cornucopia]

I understood it - preventative medicine, or Morning-after...
What's the matter, you don't get the joke? (and the "Time Machine", too)

I liked the "original Christmas had a baby crying at some point". That was choice! Merry Christmas.

@OP,
Everything the others have told you so far are correct. At this point, it's like trying to put the water back behind the dam.

ESPECIALLY if you aren't already WELL versed in that sort of thing. Best to either live with it or ask your friend to do a re-recording specifically for you...

Scott

[p_l]

Every once in a while around here a lurking weirdo (or three) pops out of the woodwork, WTF?

Yup...

[Noahtuck]

That's kind of weird. That second picture. What are you? Some kind of perv?

Every once in a while around here a lurking weirdo (or three) pops out of the woodwork, WTF?

HELLO!!!!!!!! McFly!!!!!!

Time Machine, go back in time, stop the kid from having a tantrum, redo the recording, make it perfect ahead of time because you know what is going to happen......

DERR LOUIE!!!!!!
LOL!!!

P.S.
Why does the 2nd picture make you think of "perv" ?
Have you been offering children candy/suckers from your van ??
LOL!!!

[rocknrollchick5]

I wish I could ask Dave to do a replay of the song. I mean he's such a sweet guy and I'm sure if I did ask him to replay the song for me he would, especially since since we're friends and all and I explained my situation and everything. He'd totally understand. But I'd hate for him to go thru all that trouble just to 'redo' a perfectly good recording (even tho there's that kid throwing a temper tantrum). I don't want to be selfish here. I'd REALLY hate to do that to him even more (do a replay) since I know how busy he is and stuff. He teaches 7 college music classes, gives concerts (both piano and vocal), PLUS he plays piano for MY chorus as well. So he's always really busy. I'd really hate to do that to him. I'd rather just try to get advice from people on how I can possibly fix the version I provided. Not make it harder on him by having him redo the song.

[HoosierGuy]

Unfortunately, at this point the only options for "editing" the unwanted baby crying are a judicious but improbable use of a combination of the following technologies.








Otherwise, just chalk it up as another charming manifestation of life's rich pageant. In fact, the original Christmas most likely also included a baby crying at some point.

Oh man, joke of the year. Way to go!

[budwzr]

OK, I finally get it. Harharhar. Jules Verne/Birth Control. I thought it was a sled.

Hahaha, the "McFly" was good too. Ah, the good old days.

No, didn't need to hand out candy, had too many chicks in the back of the van, that was always rockin', so don't come knockin'.

I had my new 8-track quadrophonic sound system too.

[budwzr]

I liked the "original Christmas had a baby crying at some point". That was choice! Merry Christmas.

What does Christmas have to do with a crying baby? Better brush up on your history.

[budwzr]

I'd rather just try to get advice from people on how I can possibly fix the version I provided. Not make it harder on him by having him redo the song.

That's certainly understandable, but the problem is the "wanted" sound has a very low level, and the "unwanted" sound has a very high level due to your proximity to the audience rather than the piano.

So that makes it a very poor candidate for restoration, unless you want the fidelity of AM radio.

However, to impress the neophytes, Scott excluded, I'll take another look at it.

[p_l]

I liked the "original Christmas had a baby crying at some point". That was choice! Merry Christmas.

What does Christmas have to do with a crying baby? Better brush up on your history.

(click me!)

[MOVIEGEEK]

I liked the "original Christmas had a baby crying at some point". That was choice! Merry Christmas.

What does Christmas have to do with a crying baby? Better brush up on your history.

I'd like to buy a clue for $1000 Pat.(that's a Wheel of Fortune reference for those who don't get it)

As for the audio I tried cleaning it up in Audacity but it's a lost cause, the kid cries over the music so the noise filter wouldn't work. Next time put the recorder closer.

[p_l]

To the OP,

I'm surrounded by professional and amateur classical musicians. I'll bet that if you ask your friend nicely, he'll be flattered that you enjoyed his rendition so much you'd like to make a good recording of it. I'll bet that he tries to find a moment in his schedule to play it again for you. You can even offer him a copy of the recording as a token of your appreciation.

[rocknrollchick5]

To the OP,

I'm surrounded by professional and amateur classical musicians. I'll bet that if you ask your friend nicely, he'll be flattered that you enjoyed his rendition so much you'd like to make a good recording of it. I'll bet that he tries to find a moment in his schedule to play it again for you. You can even offer him a copy of the recording as a token of your appreciation.

Like I said, ASKING him isn't the problem. (trust me, he KNOWS I love his playing. We walk out of practice together every single week and I always tell him what an excellent job he did. And it makes him so happy. So there's no problem there.) I know if I asked him to, he'd play that song for me in a heartbeat. The problem is trying to find time to see him (I don't have his number or anything and I can't drive, but he lives like 25 minutes away.) And I am NOT gonna have someone take me over to his house especially since he's always so busy and be like 'hey, can you play me your solo, I wanna include it in my annual Christmas mix (even tho that part would probably flatter him)' It's just messed up. I could never have the heart (or the guts ) to do that. That's why I want to try to fix the one I have. Kid or not, it's still brilliant.

[netmask56]

I have had a number of my clients over the years asking why I can't remove a particular audio interference when " I saw it done on CSI blah blah blah". Methinks CSI should be classified as SciFi & detective or maybe the producers can be sued for false and misleading product content! I particularly love the way they can remove a voice in total isolation to the natural background ambience. LOL

[budwzr]

I tried to take a second listen, but a neighbor's cat started to take a dump on my front lawn, so I had to trap it and take it to the pound.

These friggin' urban cats nowadays don't even bother to dig a hole anymore.

I have one of those spring-loaded box traps, so I just put a can of that cheap tuna from 99 cent store in it, as bait, and they go for it within an hour. It's humane, but if they don't have a collar or ID chip, they go in the euthanasia room at the pound, real quick.

[HoosierGuy]

I listened to it. I also thought the recorded music was a little weak. I would ask him to do it again but with no audience members. Then take the recording and find an audio track that has audience sounds in it and edit it together.

[p_l]

OK, Clint.

[lingyi]

Your insistence on trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear is doing an injustice to the artist. The vast majority of musicians would want to be represented in the best way possible. As suggested, set another date with the artist to play his masterpiece. Take the time to properly set up a mike or mikes to capture his brilliance in all its glory.



Or is it that your increasingly suspect relationship with “Dave” who is “your best friend”, and while you know all about his busy schedule, where he lives, and “We walk out of practice together every single week…”, yet you don’t have his phone number or the nerve to ask him to replay his masterpiece. Perhaps your relationship is not what you claim it to be?


Could it be “Dave” doesn’t know you recorded him and you plan to include him on YOUR Christmas mix. Therefore your reluctance and increasingly detailed explanations of why you can’t properly capture another of his performances? Hmmm….

[rocknrollchick5]

Or is it that your increasingly suspect relationship with “Dave” who is “your best friend”, and while you know all about his busy schedule, where he lives, and “We walk out of practice together every single week…”, yet you don’t have his phone number or the nerve to ask him to replay his masterpiece. Perhaps your relationship is not what you claim it to be?


Could it be “Dave” doesn’t know you recorded him and you plan to include him on YOUR Christmas mix. Therefore your reluctance and increasingly detailed explanations of why you can’t properly capture another of his performances? Hmmm….

I don't know why you're acting so weird towards Dave. And YES that IS his actual name. So I don't appreciate you putting these random quotes around his name and stuff. I said it once, I'll say it again. That IS his real name (I didn't use a different one.), he IS my best friend, (I don't appreciate the quotes around that statement either. You're making me look like I'm a liar. And let me tell you something. I am a VERY BAD LIAR. You're making ME look bad, and most importantly, you're making HIM look bad. You don't know either of us. Everything I am telling you is the absolute 100% truth. That man is my best friend in the whole entire world. Even tho I've only known him for a little under two years. We became FAST friends. We talk about anything and everything together, joke around together, we have so many inside jokes I've practically lost count, he's very protective of me, he always makes sure I have a ride home because I can't drive so he always makes sure I get home safely, and he'll wait with me until my ride arrives. And he always makes sure I have a smile on my face when I leave. If I'm upset or scared he calms my nerves and makes me feel better. He knows ALL my deep dark secrets and I know all of his. We go to each other for advice, and we love being in each others' company.) If I told him that I used his solo in my annual Christmas mix, I know exactly how he would react. He would be flattered. He'd be absolutely ecstatic.

[jagabo]

I tried to take a second listen, but a neighbor's cat started to take a dump on my front lawn, so I had to trap it and take it to the pound.

These friggin' urban cats nowadays don't even bother to dig a hole anymore.

I have one of those spring-loaded box traps, so I just put a can of that cheap tuna from 99 cent store in it, as bait, and they go for it within an hour. It's humane, but if they don't have a collar or ID chip, they go in the euthanasia room at the pound, real quick.

You're luring your neighbors' cats to your yard so you can kill them? That's humane?

And... the recording is a lost cause. Give up and ask the guy to play the piece again. Do some tests first so you have everything adjusted before he shows up. Pianos are amongst the hardest instruments to record because of their dynamic range.