Removing White Noise in Pro Tools 12: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you're working with audio in Pro Tools 12, it's likely you've encountered white noise at some point. White noise is a common and annoying problem that occurs when recording or processing audio. Luckily, Pro Tools 12 has a few built-in features and options to help you easily remove or reduce white noise and achieve a clean audio track.

1. Identify the Problem: The first step in removing white noise is to determine its source. Monitor your audio track with headphones to pinpoint the specific area where the white noise occurs. Remember to note the timestamps, as they'll make it easier to locate and fix the issue in your session.

   
   



2. Use the Strip Silence Tool: In Pro Tools 12, the Strip Silence tool can be instrumental in removing white noise from your audio tracks. Start by selecting the problematic region on the track, then navigate to the Edit menu and choose the Strip Silence option. Adjust the settings and sliders to suit your specific noise level and track, then click 'Strip' to apply the change. This will remove sections of audio containing only the white noise, leaving the clean audio intact.

   
   



3. Manual Editing: If the Strip Silence tool does not completely remove the white noise, switch to the Pencil Tool (located in the toolbar) and manually draw out the noise from the waveform. This approach works best when dealing with isolated instances of white noise, as it allows for precise editing and control.

   
   

1. Utilize Noise Reduction Plugins: Pro Tools 12 offers a variety of noise reduction plugins Utilize Noise Reduction Plugins: Pro Tools 12 offers a variety of noise reduction plugins that can further assist in eliminating white noise. Common choices include the built-in X-Noise and Z-Noise plugins, as well as third-party options such as RX by iZotope, Waves WNS, and BRUIT by Le Sound. These plugins analyze the audio signal and remove or reduce any unwanted noise, while preserving the quality of the original track.

   
   



2. Test and Review: After applying any of the above techniques, listen back to your track and evaluate the results. Make sure the white noise is effectively reduced or removed, and that the overall audio quality is not compromised. If needed, perform additional edits or utilize plugins until the desired result is achieved.

   
   

By following these steps and implementing the tools available in Pro Tools 12, you can effectively remove white noise and enhance the clarity of your audio tracks.