Removing or reducing ambient noise with TMPGEnc 3XP

[ROBERT BLACK]

Using TMPGEnc 3XP what is the best method and settings to remove Ambient noise(or hiss) on a video's soundtrack? Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

This is not audio editing software, so there really is no way to do it in this application. Something like SOUNDFORGE would better suit your needs.

[trock]

TMPGEnc 3XP has an audio noise gate which as Smurf mentions is not the ideal way to remove ambient noise such as hiss.

Magix Audio Cleaning lab which is a very inexpensive program dedicated to audio restoration using the excellent Algorithmix modules does a remarkably good job.

There are many other programs at various price points including - CoolEdit (now called Adobe Audition), Soundforge (if you buy its separate NR module), Dart, Waves Restoration and others and my personal favorite, the various noise reduction tools in Samplitude 7 Pro.

Look for a program that enables you to take a sample of the noise and then removes that from the signal while affecting the highs very minimally.

[lordsmurf]

Soundforge (if you buy its separate NR module),

Actually, in SoundForge, all you need to do it use the paragraphic EQ (comes with the software, no need to buy anything else). There are about 45-50 custom filters (para EQ settings) that can be downloaded at www.digitalFAQ.com.

[trock]

Actually, in SoundForge, all you need to do it use the paragraphic EQ

Filtering is no substitute for real noise reduction because EQ filters remove signal frequencies with the noise.

I've been recording professionally for the last 36 years and added audio restoration as a specialty a couple of decades ago and, while Soundforge is one of the numerous audio programs that I own, I'd never use it for noise reduction because my music clients require noise removal without any audible frequency loss to the signal and EQ filters simply can't do that.

Soundforge does have a true noise reduction module that you can purchase separately and it's not bad but there are better.

The EQ filtering method can sometimes work for spoken voice so long as you know what you're doing when restoring the frequencies or harmonics removed by the filters but I'd never use them where music was involved.

[lordsmurf]

True. You're in a unique situation. Most people never know the subtle changes in frequency. Filtering is pretty much frequency carving, but you can get away with it on converting VHS tapes to DVD, the major audience of this site.

[trock]

Yes, that's true. I guess coming from an audio background I always want to get the best audio quality possible, even when going from VHS to DVD.

But you're right, some would not hear the differences or have the kind of monitoring equipment that would make them more obvious. And filters do have their workability in some scenarios indeed.

[trock]

Robert, I just noticed that the new update of TMPGEnc 3XP adds an audio noise reduction function. I haven't tested it yet.