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  1. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    I've been using Audacity for a couple years for my very simple editing needs.

    Now I have a couple of cd tracks that have some hiss, and Audacity's Denoise function needs you to provide a sample of "just noise".
    I can't get such a sample, the leadin and leadout are perfectly quiet.
    And there are no silent spots during the track that I can use.

    So I tried Low Pass filter, but it makes the audio sound kind of muffled.

    Does anyone have a suggestion?

    Thanks for any advice you might have.
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    Most higher grade editors have a dehisser filter. You may try it, but do not expect miracles.
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  3. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    < Sigh >

    I guess I mustn't expect miracles from freeware (but I *do* love Audacity, it's done everything I've ever needed ,except this )

    A friend recommended Magix Audio Cleaning Lab, and I might try that.
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    It's got dehisser as well...
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  5. Mod Neophyte redwudz's Avatar
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    The Audacity noise removal filter is not that good for 'hiss'. Hiss is pretty much white noise or a blend of most all frequencies. The filter works OK for AC 60Hz hum and some repetitive noise. Because static or hiss sound is a wide spectrum, it's hard to filter out well. The best you can often do is use the low pass and just do light filtering. Equalizing sometimes helps as it doesn't seem to boost the lower volume noise as much. If the hiss is pervasive, overpowering the main audio information, very hard to effectively filter. Sometimes you have to just settle for an improvement, not a cure.
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  6. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    I guess I will play around a bit more in Audacity then, trying different Low Pass settings.

    To be honest, Audacity's Equalizer plugin has me flummoxed, it is not what I would call intuitive.
    I will have to hunt down some guidance on that.

    Or, of course, use a different editor that has an Equalizer that is more obvious for folks like me.
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    I suggest downloading a free VST EQ plug-in & try to cut the higher frequencies right back down, say, everything over 10-12kHz. This has been an effective hiss-removal method for me before, without any substantial detriment to the audio.

    I agree, Audacity's built-in EQ is a bit silly. Here is a list of free EQ plug-ins. Just beware that Audacity does not have GUI support for external plug-ins (yet). You need to also download the "VST Enabler" off the Audacity website, then drag & drop both it & your downloaded VST plug-ins into Audacity's plug-in folder.

    Alternatively, try WavePad's built-in noise reduction.

    EDIT: Sorry, I had VHS movie audio in my brain... For music, use a better audio editor, like Audition.
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  8. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    Mattso, Thank you for the links !
    I am downloading equalizer plugins even as I type.

    WavePad's specs sound really good, I wonder if I will change my loyalty to that . . . .
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  9. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    For me, Audition would be way beyond overkill!

    I don't have that finely tuned audiophile ear, and I'm a penny-pincher to the roots of my being.

    Audacity, dbPowerAmp products, and Media Player Classic suit me down to the ground.
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  10. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    mattso, redwudz, inXess --- THANK YOU !
    In case it might help some other new reader, I just want to report that I followed you guys' advice, and it worked out fine.

    I used 7-band "Classic EQ" from Kjaerhus Audio in Audacity, killed the frequences above 6.3 khz, lowered input on 20 khz, and it turned out ok.
    Maybe a tiny bit less crisp (?) bright (?)
    < are those the terms I want? >
    But just fine for my use.


    I'll play around with WavePad some more, but I don't think it will woo me away from Audacity. Although the preset to remove pops is tempting ....

    I like the ability to assign shortcut keys in Audacity, I set them to be the same as the ones I use in Studio 9 for video, and then I don't have to double-think when I am working in both at the same time. I always know the space-bar will start & stop playback, etc, etc.
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    Originally Posted by grannyGeek
    I've been using Audacity for a couple years for my very simple editing needs.

    Now I have a couple of cd tracks that have some hiss, and Audacity's Denoise function needs you to provide a sample of "just noise".
    I can't get such a sample, the leadin and leadout are perfectly quiet.
    And there are no silent spots during the track that I can use.

    So I tried Low Pass filter, but it makes the audio sound kind of muffled.

    Does anyone have a suggestion?

    Thanks for any advice you might have.
    Why don't you try a sample of blank cassette tape hiss. I've done this before with
    Cool Edit Pro and it works well.
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  12. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    Showtaper, thank you for the Great Idea !
    I never woulda thunk it.
    I'll try that as well.

    I'm learning so much from you all, this forum is wonderful.
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  13. Mod Neophyte redwudz's Avatar
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    Just an off comment. If you like Audacity, drop the authors an e-mail expressing this. I got a nice note back from them. I like to encourage freeware authors as much as possible. Audacity is a great program and they have put a lot of work into it for no financial gain, just because they enjoy the challenge. Freeware is an 'endangered species'. Positive feedback keeps them going.
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    Originally Posted by showtaper
    Why don't you try a sample of blank cassette tape hiss. I've done this before with
    Cool Edit Pro and it works well.
    This is how (in short) dehissing is done. May go OK if you've got the right sample and noise spectrum is similar to yours.

    Otherwise,

    to make it simple: get Sound Forge 8 Trial (should be fully functional) - download link http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/PRODUCTS/showproduct.asp?PID=961&FeatureID=8035
    and use the instructions from here to deal with your issue:
    http://www.digitalfaq.com/dvdguides/restoration/audio/soundforge/soundforge.htm
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  15. Member grannyGeek's Avatar
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    InXess, thank you. I will try that.
    Good thing SoundForge has demo version, whew ! pricey !
    I know the more expensive apps are usually expensive for a reason, most often for better features and interface.


    But on the other hand . . . .
    Redwudz,
    Just an off comment. If you like Audacity, drop the authors an e-mail expressing this. . . . . . . .. Positive feedback keeps them going.
    You are absolutely right, and I need to get in the habit of doing that more often.

    No exaggeration, 90% of the software on my computers is freeware. If I had to replace it all with payware, I would have to sell the computer to afford the new software.
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  16. Mod Neophyte redwudz's Avatar
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    It's an important subject. I don't like to get off topic in these posts, but VirtualDub and it variants; ffmpeggui, VLC media player, Audacity, ffdshow, DVDShrink, to mention just a very few, need encouragement to keep going. If you can drop them a e-mail, you might be surprised at the response. Too many of us take their contributions for granted. If they don't feel they are contributing, they may just disappear and we will feel the lose.

    Anyway, back on subject, let us know how it's going. As probably mentioned, less is better regarding filtering. It usually takes something away in the process. Sometimes you have to settle with a not so perfect audio stream or end up with one that sounds like telephone audio.
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