Distorted audio from VHS tape

[KortschKo]

Hello everyone,

I have a question for you. I've got many VHS tapes, and I would like to use the audio, however I've got some problems with the quality. Well, some are hissing, and it's not a problem at all, I can easily handle this with Sound Forge, however some of these audios are really distorted. Well, I'm not sure how to explain but you can hear clicking and crackling. These can be really random, but they can occur during speeches and higher pitch sounds like phone ringing and so on.
Can you explain me in detail how to get rid of these crackling and clicking?

Thank you very much!

[davexnet]

Can you upload a small sample showing the problem, perhaps 10 - 15 seconds

[KortschKo]

Yes, don't be surprised, it's not English.

[davexnet]

Yes, don't be surprised, it's not English.

I don't know what the problem is to be honest, usually associate distortion with the level being to loud,
but this clip shows a good wave form with normal levels.

How does it sound when you watch this section directly from the VCR plugged into the TV?
Is it the same poor quality ?

[KortschKo]

Yes, it is the same poor quality when I watch it directly from the VCR.
Don't you have any ideas how to enhance?:/

[davexnet]

Yes, it is the same poor quality when I watch it directly from the VCR.
Don't you have any ideas how to enhance?:/

Ok now we see the real problem, thought it was a capture issue based on your first post.

I'll see if I can do anything, but I'm not an audio editing expert. Perhaps some other posters
will also have some ideas.

[Cornucopia]

Not having heard it, I can't be sure, but here's something to consider:

VHS audio can be standard linear tracks (mono or stereo), or they can be Hi-Fi (FM-modulated) tracks. Or both.
On decks that prefer the Hi-fi tracks (obviously with tapes that are encoded with Hifi), one has to also adjust the tracking for the hifi track (mistracking of hifi tracks exhibits a sound very similar to what you describe). This may be in tandem with the standard tracking, or it may be using the same tracking control but need adjustment AWAY from the ideal for the video's tracking, or it may be an independent, separate tracking control altogether.
This may fix you issues if you have these kinds of tapes.
If you do have these kinds of tapes but you don't have a proper deck to correctly adjust hifi tracking, you may be able to drop it back to selecting the linear audio tracks (and live with the hiss).

Scott

[davexnet]

IF Scotts suggestion does not help, there may be something you can do in Sound Forge that may help a bit.
When I listen to it, the worst thing is that it has a harsh, screechy sound - you can clearly hear it at just past the 7 second
point on the clip you provided

In Sound Forge, open the the Parametric EQ and try to isolate just that sound. (here's a place to start - you could open up the
band width a little more to make it easier).
Once you're satisfied you can best isolate that harsh sound, switch it to filter style band notch/boost

[JVRaines]

Sounds like faulty hi-fi audio head switching. Try putting the tracking into manual and moving a few steps up or down and see if the sound clears up.