After 20 years, my VHS tapes with recordings from my first organized events are finally digital converted to .mp4 files. Now I want to process them properly, mainly by cutting and removing unnecessary parts, so I can share them publicly.

However, the audio needs processing first, because there's an anoying non tonal static noise - and even crackling like vinyl records in some parts - noticeable through all the vids. I know a few things about iZotope RX (latest version) because I already used it for several elements like removing background noise from vocals (with Voice De-Noise). But dealing with music would be a different story I guess. So I'm wondering if other people here, are more experienced with this program and already managed to deal with similar issues.

Obviously, I checked the manual and searched for tutorials. But it seems that there are hardly any tuts about removing noise from music available. It's mostly vocals and a capella's. Anyway, besides Voice De-Noise, the other options that could help seem to be De-hum and Spectral De-noise. But those ones have a lot more complicated settings. Of course, presets could give an idea. Same with AB'ing while just testing and doing it. But still, it's difficult to decide what settings result in the best possible processing.

To give an idea, for removing noise from vocals, this is what I normally do in Voice De-Noise (pretty straightforward): Highlight noizy area - Adaptive mode off - Learn - Reduction at default or higher, up to 20.0 dB - In case of artifacts, use Threshold - Process - Export

Now I must admit, the sound isn't that great at all, but I really want to prevent even more damage or unwanted artifacts. So, how would you approach this? Are there any 'general' settings that do the job properly? And which one of the 3 tools would be the best choice? Or are there others that even work better?

Let me know!

 

Magix Sound Forge - Audio Cleaning Lab 4
www.magix.com/us/music-editing/sound-forge/sound-forge-audio-cleaning-lab/

 

And to avoid further misunderstandings ..

Inside RX, as I'm not interested in other programs (for now)

 

automated noise removal will always compromise audio quality,
you can manually clean up with spectral editing in iZotope RX Advanced

 

1.) iZotope - RX
Removing Intermittent Noises Using RX
www.izotope.com/en/learn/removing-intermittent-noises-using-rx.html

Basically: first denoise + de-crack, then normalize and at the end EQ, possibly also use exciter. If you have to do something like this often, you won't be able to get around professional software. Particularly difficult cases are and will always be something for specialists. You need years of experience with such things to get a decent result.

2.) How To Remove Background Noise In Videos

While you should always try to fix audio issues when shooting, sometimes noise from an air-conditioner or computer fan will go unnoticed until it’s time to edit. Here's how to remove background noise in videos! -- LINKS -- (When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!) Audacity (free): https://audacityteam.org/download/

3.) How To Remove Background Noise from Video on Win/Mac/Online [3 Ways]
https://filmora.wondershare.com/video-editing-tips/remove-background-noise-from-video.html

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2022

I use this simple plugin to remove noise:
https://audionamix.com/instant-dialogue-cleaner/
try it =)

 

once izotope will add AI to their RX product range it will be endtime for a lot of companies :D

 

Haha, don't worry, the trick is to filter out the useful stuff among all the "nonsense" (to give it a more friendly name).

 

They 've already implemented AI in some modules of RX. Automated tools are a good start , but you hardly beat a pair of ears. I use RX all day long for my daytime job , so I wouldn't say it's that hard to clean a sound. Maybe the easiest way for you to do it, would be to make a preset on spectral denoise (knee, synthesis , masking etc.) all those parameters that don't need to play with all the time, and then train the module with the noise on each track and fix it

 

I think It's all laready been said now. BEAT16 won in being the fastest to state the main porcess. De-noise, de-click, eq then normalise.

Only thing I'd like to add is When your using the de-noise; remember to click the pluse next to the bypass and listen to what your removing before removing it. Personally I would use the dialog tab and manually shape the nosie curve that is being removed. There's nothing wrong in ne-noise-ing twice, first pass removing the obvious and second time for the suttle.

I don't know if this applies to VHS but if it was standard audio tape I'd suggest trying a expander (backward compressor or what ever it's called) before normalising to recreate the dynamics a bit because the storage meduim looses it to a degree. Dolby nosie reduction type A & B use to do this, but it sometimes is worth doing it a second time with the digital tools as they are more effective.

 

We're getting somewhere

 

I'd try Waves Z-Noise, X-Hum, X-Click/Crackle etc..

They're still great algos,
and X-Hum includes White/Pink/Brown noise specific presets.

 

I think you're doing the right things w/ RX, it's just difficult to really get hiss out w/o taking off some of the top end/clarity.

I actually prefer Adobe Auditions Noise Reduction to RX as I think the Noise floor "line" you can adjust is very helpful when used in tandem w/ their NR and Reduce by sliders. It's more straightforward than RX's A, B, C, D thing. I toggle it to "Output Noise only", and adjust the line during playback so all I hear is hiss (generally putting the line much higher up on the right/high side of the spectrum). You can do similar w/ RX - I just don't use their NR module much - I seem to get better results w/ Audition.

One big trick I'd mention ( sorry it's not an RX specific trick per se) would be to trial Zynaptiq's "Unfilter" plugin. That VST can do -amazing- things for old/flat VHS type audio as far as bringing back both bass and the high end detail - it's really like nothing else. I turn up the intensity/resolution on that about 3/4 of the way each, and push the EQ bar up to get almost "over cooked". But then add other VSTs after to re-EQ it or remove noise at -that point-. Depending on your source audio it may be worth trying. Their sample video:

Another plugin option is the Acon series. In-spite of their semi-lackluster GUIs the decrackle/declick/etc tools get good results. Also "Brusfri" from Klevgrand uses a completely novel method to remove noise that in some cases might yield better results than the normal big names... Tutorial via Protools Expert:

Also check out videohelp.com's forum. They have a sub-section specifically for video & audio restoration that is frequented by pros. You'll definitely get some suggestions there.

Lastly if you need great video noise reduction consider Neat Video. It's not "around" to try out, but I paid the $80 for a license a few years and it's totally worth it for the quality of results....

Good luck!!

 

I made good money with this on "upwork"