Subject:clicking, crackilng sound

Posted by: vlc

Date:5/19/2009 9:33:19 AM

I have a new recording that has clicking and cracking. I have tried every tool possible to remove it and nothing seems to make any difference at all. I have not tried noise reduction because I cannot get a small enough audio sample.

If you listen to the 55 sec audio I have you can hear the clicking and crackling when the preaching is going on, but not when their is laughter or background noise.

The sample audio is located at: www.vlifecenter.org/clickingsample.

Subject:RE: clicking, crackilng sound

Reply by: musicvid10

Date:5/19/2009 9:45:55 AM

Your waveform is severely clipped. The flat-top is caused by recording at excessive levels.

Not much you can do about this, there is a clipped peak restoration filter in Noise Reduction, and Izotope has some pricey solutions, but setting your levels first is the best prevention.

Subject:RE: clicking, crackilng sound

Reply by: vlc

Date:5/19/2009 10:05:37 AM

I understand the high recording levels. We have had others in the past but never have experienced the clicking and crackling.

The flat top is actually the result of using an Alesis 3630 compressor to deal with the excessive peaks that come from the person preaching. Without the compressor it is almost impossible to control the gains.

I don't believe the clicking and cracking is from too 'hot' of a recording because we have had just as hot of a recording and not have the crackling (even though this recording was very hot). Plus I just did a very hot recording and did not have the clicks and crackling.

Taking other samples from the recording that are not peaking out (at -3) there still is the clicking and cracking. I think this had to come from something else. (maybe the batteries were low on the wireless mic)

Tried the peak restoration filter with no luck.

Subject:RE: clicking, crackilng sound

Reply by: bnjenter

Date:5/19/2009 10:10:32 AM

Try increasing the latency on your sound card. See if that helps.

Bob

Subject:RE: clicking, crackilng sound

Reply by: vlc

Date:5/19/2009 10:13:35 AM

I should mention the wireless mic was a handheld, not a lapel rubbing against a shirt.

Subject:RE: clicking, crackilng sound

Reply by: Phil Sayer

Date:6/3/2009 3:28:43 PM

I think your "flat battery" theory is highly likely. I use radio mikes for live presentations from time to time, and this is exactly the sort of sound they give out when the batteries are nearly exhausted.

It sounds quite similar to the clipping you might get when a recording is too hot, and there are quite logical reasons why they should sound so alike - though it would take ages to explain exactly why.

My only other suggestion would be to check that the radio mike receiver's antenna is aligned properly to pick up the best signal - but it's a bit late for this particular recording. Because it sounds so similar to clipped peak distortion, it would certainly be worth trying the clipped peak restoration tool, and maybe even the Click & Crackle Removal, too.

Finally, although your meters may show that nothing is peaking above 0, there may be transient peaks slipping through the limiter's net. Personally, I'd aim to be recording at a lower level, perhaps around -6dB.