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The Sound of Silence?
I've been experimenting, recording ticking clocks in quiet rooms. Yeah, I know, I should get out more. (-: The tick tock is fine, but the hiss of silence (as opposed to summer lawns) is quite bad. I've tried using the iPad's in-built microphone, and a very nice condenser mic plugged in via the lightning port. The latter, as might be expected, is better, but the hiss is still there.
So, far, trying to use Esspresso - professional de-esser By Klevgränd has had little effect, which surprised me. Is there any other app (maybe one I already have and just don't realize) that does a better job than Esspresso?
Ultimately, I could take this to Logic Pro X on the Mac, but if possible I'd like to work on IOS.
Comments
The hiss is coming form the microphone and/or pre-amp. The first thing to do is to try and turn down the gain, if you can. The condenser microphone is presumably either plugged in to an interface which has gain controls, or if it's a USB or MFI mic will have some kind of gain control built-in. If you lower the gain, you will will lower the noise floor and will then be able to raise the volume in post while keeping the noise down. Recording at 24 bit will help.
Otherwise the new version of Hokusai has a noise reduction function available via IAP, which takes a noise print from a silent section and uses that to remove noise.
Okay, will give that a go. Thanks very much for the tips. Ah, with Hokusai, there are three different upgrade packs. Do you happen to know which one I'd need?
recording at 24bit is a must in that case - the signal is too close the quantization limits
With microphones it's a kind of break-even calculation: high signal level + self noise (condensor types) versus low level (almost) no self noise but high gain needed by dynamic types.
In any case apply Richard's hint: stay away from cranking gain too high and apply digital amplification instead. Most preamps overly raise noise in the final range of the dial.
If this is a mobile application, the most cost effective solution would be an iRig Pre + a Triton Audio FetHead (low noise 20dB boost) and a high output directional dynamic microphone.
A Telefunken TD26 comes to mind, that can be scored for 5-20€ on German eBay.
You'll have to change the connector to XLR, though... but it's worth the effort: it's a really good microphone (my favorite for my Martin guitar)
All together is about 150 bucks estimated.
I'd also second the Hokusai IAP, the guy knows DSP very well...
cheers, Tom
Many thanks @Telefunky I already have a Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone.
Still confused by the IAP listing on the Hokusai app. There are three, and none list exactly what they pack contains. As a couple of them are about 8 quid each, I'd like to make sure I buy the right one!
which of the AT mics do you have ?
From the 2020 series only the USBi version supports 24 bit, but it's smaller sized capsule still results in relatively more noise than a large scale capsule produces.
cheers, Tom
Should be the Hokusai 2 Pro Pack. It's the only one I don't have yet. I'd be curious to hear how well the noise reduction works.
Processing your recordings with a gate in Logic X or the Pro-G in Auria should be a consideration.
Here I thought this was going to be a cover of the song lol. I rather like Disturbed's rendition.
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Okay, thanks for that. Will report back if that route proves necessary.
Out of interest, what recording levels are you setting?
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Give us time. Like many here, we have an album in production.
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Yes, I could take this to Logic Pro X, I just wanted to try and get it sorted on the iPad.
I have the USB version.
I also have to go back to work.
Later, kind gentlefolk.
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About three quarters of the way up in AudioShare, or if yiu prefer, dropping down about a quarter from max default.
let me guess:
if you increase the loudness by software, the noise seems like modulated by the clock's ticking...
that's the effect of the 16 bit conversion while the signal level gets too low
on a voice recording at regular level, you'd hardly notice it, except on the very final tails of decays
such a slightly grainy sound may even be perceived as quite nice, depending on voice
or it may emphasize a guitar amp's character on the recording
the constant hiss is a mixture of preamp and microphone electronic (white) noise
it's actually 2 differenr noise sources that overlap
cheers, Tom
You could also try processing the recorded file using a noise gate and adjusting the threshold to eliminate it.
Anyone know of an AUx/AB/IAA compatible Clock app ? Joking aside, can you not synthesize the sound instead ? Or try this freesfx.co.uk/sfx/clock or this https://audioblocks.com/stock-audio/clock-ticking-exact---looping.html
Can you share the noise you're talking about? Aside from the good advice above about amps making noise, rooms in houses are noisier than you might think just sitting there. Is the air on? Refrigerator? Lawn mower 2 blocks away, running pipes, fan in another room... it all adds up to silence when you're just sitting there in the room (thanks, lizard brain) and a whole lot of noise when you play it back through the speakers. If the point is to capture the clock alone in the room, do it late at night, turn everything off that you can within the house and move the mic closer to the clock.
I don't know much about that AT mic but if it's got a lightning/USB connector on it, it was probably made for capturing podcasts vs room audio. I'm sure spending money isn't what you're after but you'll probably be totally amazed by the sound of one of the zoom handy recorders. Older model used ones can be had for cheap. And they're stereo. If you have something that can provide 48V of phantom power, these K-Micro mics are unbelievable for $40 (for a pair!) http://www.karmamics.com/shop/K-Micro-Matched-Pair.html
you'll probably be totally amazed by the sound of one of the zoom handy recorders. Older model used ones can be had for cheap. And they're stereo. If you have something that can provide 48V of phantom power, these K-Micro mics are unbelievable for $40 (for a pair!) http://www.karmamics.com/shop/K-Micro-Matched-Pair.html
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The noise is a hiss, like the air, not any outside thing. I was recording in a small room with door closed, small double glazed windows shut and nothing else in there - or close - making any kind of sound at all.
Thanks for the hardware tip, I din't think that make is available in the UK. Or I haven't yet looked hard enough. Any idea what the nearest equivalent might be?
Joking aside, can you not synthesize the sound instead ? Or try this [freesfx.co.uk/sfx/clock]
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Yeah, I know what you say is likely the most expedient route, I just wanted to try making my own.
I have had the sound of silence in my head all afternoon, if you have auria I was wondering if you could just use the cut tool to cut out the tick tock sound or use transient markers, then slice at transient marker option if you don't fancy doing it by hand, making sure the tip and tail of each clock sound are both covered.
Then delete or silence the hiss and add a bit of room reverb to bring some of the room back in to mask the edits. Or maybe just use volume automation and a bit of reverb or delay on a send with a low pass just to take off some of the high end of the hiss. I was going to suggest using virtual ans and just painting or erasing the hiss out, but I'm not sure how natural that would sound. A gate would be the easiest option for sure.
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Nope. But I do have Logic Pro X, so could also try that route. Thanks for your helpful explanation.
Jam up has a noise gate I think it's free and can be loaded into audioshare as an iaa when your recording, I'm not sure how good it would work though. Some noise reduction tools on ios would be a welcome thing, I like some of the izotope stuff, their rx plugin pack would be great for ios.