Subject:Trouble with background noise

Posted by: DanAyo

Date:4/9/2003 7:21:46 PM

We recorded the file with a Mini Disc and it was clean. I transferred the file to my hard drive via USB into SF. Now there is background noise in the file. I am hoping that it is not hard ware related noise. I transferred other files and don't remember this problem. Maybe I have a setting wrong.

I posted a portion of the wav file on the web. It is 277kb. The URL is http://www.jwtoups.com/delete.htm

Can I remove this unwanted noise with Sound Forge?

I would greatly appreciate your taking the time to help.

Thank You,
Danny Ayo

Subject:RE: Trouble with background noise

Reply by: MJhig

Date:4/9/2003 7:51:20 PM

You need to set your recording level much higher to overcome the noise floor. Your maximum sample value is -12.62 dB.

Use your soundcard's recording mixer to adjust the input level while watching the meters in SF's record window and try to get the peaks as close to 0 dB without clipping. Somewhere around -3 dB would be good. You can R-click on SF's recording meter and set it to something like -24 - 0 for a more accurate look at the upper level while adjusting.

SF's Noise Reduction would remove the noise at the level the file is now but by the time you normalize or compress the audio to an adaquate level (-.02 would be ideal) you would have noise again and possibly unwanted artifacts. You would be way ahead to re-record the audio at a reasonable level as described above.

MJ

Subject:RE: Trouble with background noise

Reply by: musicvid10

Date:4/10/2003 1:02:58 AM

The other necessity is to MUTE all other inputs to your sound card except the one you are using. Analog CD, Mic, and Line inputs are notorious for picking up noise when recording.

Subject:RE: Trouble with background noise

Reply by: DanAyo

Date:4/10/2003 6:08:27 AM

MJ, Thanks for the help.
<<Use your soundcard's recording mixer to adjust the input level while watching the meters in SF's record window and try to get the peaks as close to 0 dB without clipping. Somewhere around -3 dB would be good. You can R-click on SF's recording meter and set it to something like -24 - 0 for a more accurate look at the upper level while adjusting.
>>
I am trying to adjust the the soundcard's recording mixer, but no matter what I do it has no effect on the meters in SF. Is this because I am using USB to transfer the sound information to my hard drive. I need individual help with this, and I am willing to pay for it. You may call me at 800-688-6877

Danny Ayo

Subject:RE: Trouble with background noise

Reply by: willoughby

Date:4/12/2003 4:57:18 PM

Depending on what type of noise you're getting, often running a noise gate will clean up some background noise. I've received some good results using an attack of 1 and a release of 10 with a threshold of 35-40 for vocals.

I would be happy to hear if there's a better way to cut out bg noise using the method I described.

Subject:RE: Trouble with background noise

Reply by: jamcas

Date:4/12/2003 7:20:21 PM

It sounds like hardware noise to me. what hardware/software audio devices are you using ?

regards
Jaime

Subject:RE: Trouble with background noise

Reply by: TS

Date:4/12/2003 9:56:55 PM

For one thing, if you are transferring the information via USB your sound card is irrelevant. Q. Do you know you the file posted is only 8 bit? Is you source file only 8 bit? Typically 8 bit files sound noisy as a result of lacking definition which can be seen when magnifying the wave you see it's blocky looking. That blocky looking wave cannot be played back without an affect similar to clipping--actually creating the static effect just by being played. Your options are as follows: <1> Re-transfer the file totally 16 bit (either digitally USB or analog using line-out to line-in on your sound card) or <2> tame down what you have: (I've tested dozens of scenarios and came to the conclusion that this is the most efficient when comparing time and the end result) 2 steps, convert it to 16 bit and run the "Smooth/Enhance" at a setting of -5.

Subject:RE: Trouble with background noise

Reply by: DanAyo

Date:4/14/2003 10:11:49 AM

Thanks for all of the help. I found the problem to be when I converted the file to 8 bit. I redid the files in 16 bit and got great quality with no bg noise.

Again Thanks for the input.

Danny Ayo