How To Edit Out White Noise In A Video Recording

Whether you're creating a product tutorial, a vlog, or a podcast, one thing is certain: you want the best quality recording possible. However, capturing an audio recording without any white noise can be quite difficult. That's where this guide comes in, designed to help you learn how to edit out white noise in a video recording.

What is white noise, and why does it matter??

White noise is a constant, irritating background sound that can seep into your audio recordings. This usually occurs when recording devices, such as microphones and cameras, pick up these unwanted sounds – such as the hum from your air conditioner or the echo of footsteps nearby.

Removing white noise requires a two-step process. Firstly, we need to analyze and find the specific frequency of the white noise. Secondly, we must use noise reduction software to target and eliminate the irritating sound from the recording. The guide below will outline these steps.

Step 1: Analyze the noise using a spectrum analyzer

To identify the frequency of the white noise, a spectrum analyzer will come in handy. There are numerous free and paid spectrum analyzer apps and plugins available online, such as SPAN by Voxengo and Spectroid for Android.

Once you've installed an analyzer of your choice, play your video recording and observe the frequency where the unwanted noise is present. Take note of this frequency, as it will be required for the next step.

Step 2: Use noise reduction software

After identifying the noise frequency, we'll need to use noise reduction software to target and remove it. Commonly used tools include Audacity, Adobe Audition, or iZotope RX.

When using Audacity, one of the most popular free audio editing tools available, follow these steps:

1. Import your video file by selecting 'File' > 'Open' > 'Video Files.'


2. Select short silent portions with clear white noise.


3. Go to 'Effect' and click 'Noise Reduction.'


4. Press 'Get Noise Profile' so that the built-in algorithm can analyze the noise.


5. Deselect the portion and then click 'Effect' > 'Noise Reduction' once more.


6. Set 'Noise Reduction' to the desired percentage – usually between 12-24dB.


7. Press 'OK' to apply the effect on the entire recording.


8. Export your edited audio file by heading to 'File' > 'Export Audio.'

Note that removing white noise entirely may not be possible, so focus on minimizing its impact on your recording as much as you can. Determining the right noise reduction level may require a few tries; experiment with different settings to find the optimal result.

Conclusion

Editing out white noise in a video recording can be a simple yet effective way to improve the quality of your content. By utilizing a spectrum analyzer and noise reduction software, like Audacity, you'll have access to the tools you need to analyze and remove unwanted sounds from your audio. With a bit of patience and experimentation, you'll have your video recordings sounding crisp and clean in no time.