Topic: Spectral Cleaning

[panther65]

I've been using iZotope RX for a few files of mine that have weird spikes and artifacts and it successfully removes them, but it is so darn slow that I don't think I have the patience for it. Samplitude 10 pro has a nice Spectral Cleaning feature, but it's very expensive.
Has anyone used this feature to take out individual little abnormalities in a recording,like a cough or digital bursts, but in a program that's either free or fairly inexpensive?

[Since85]

Have you used Izotope to remove claps from a recording? If so, what mode/setting do you use?

For example, should I use the click removal, but increase the delay to xxx ms?

Thanks!!

[ironbut]

If your talking about someone clapping with the beat of the music, I'd  use spectral repair. Within that module, it really depends on how big (ie. how loud and how audible the overtones are) on which setting I'd use. The small stuff (like removing a close conversation) is usually best done by breaking to down to it's smallest components (syllables) and using the replace setting. This really can take some time, but if you try and remove too big a chunk, you'll get some of the music for sure. The next step up (which would include individual claps I think) would be to use the pattern setting. You have to be careful with the settings or you'll get echoing from the areas surrounding the bit you're trying to get rid of. Sometimes, that's impossible and I'll go back and use the attenuate setting on the echo to minimize it. Sometimes, if the frequency is pretty steady and not too wide, you can use replace and do it in several bits. But even with pattern, it's better to break it down into several bit (that's how I do close coughs) and then maybe go after the overtones in a couple of big chunks.
For the most part, just like panther65 said, it takes a lot of patience. I'm still at the trial and error point so don't take my word as fact. This is just what I've been doing so far. Anything you come up with would be very welcome.

[Since85]

Thanks for the info!

What about a quiet acoustic show, and you just want to remove the claps between songs, so you get get the levels up without the much louder claps (than the musical parts) clipping?

(e.g. levels of claps between songs much louder than SPL of music, which has no claps?)

thanks!
 

[illconditioned]

Thanks for the info!

What about a quiet acoustic show, and you just want to remove the claps between songs, so you get get the levels up without the much louder claps (than the musical parts) clipping?

(e.g. levels of claps between songs much louder than SPL of music, which has no claps?)

thanks!
 

To do this I use compression (I use cleancomp VST plugin in Wavelab).  Set the "knee" of the compressor above the music.  This will reduce claps somewhat.   If you want more, you could grab each clapping region between songs and try to use an envelope to change the gain.  I gave up on this and just used the compressor.

  Richard

[anr]

I know this to be anathema to some, but I find it useful when someone has spotted me taping and deliberately claps into the mic.  That is, the claps are so intrusive as to ruin the enjoyment of an otherwise fine recording.

I highlight the offending section and apply Sony's Click & Crackle filter, part of the Noise Reduction suite.  I typically use the "Good for small sections" preset.  When applied to a longer section of applause it may create a "ripple" effect, in which case I'd say the setting is too severe.  However, if the applause is simply too high compared to the music, without annoying transients, then I use compression. 

[dactylus]

I know this to be anathema to some, but I find it useful when someone has spotted me taping and deliberately claps into the mic.  That is, the claps are so intrusive as to ruin the enjoyment of an otherwise fine recording.

I highlight the offending section and apply Sony's Click & Crackle filter, part of the Noise Reduction suite.  I typically use the "Good for small sections" preset.  When applied to a longer section of applause it may create a "ripple" effect, in which case I'd say the setting is too severe.  However, if the applause is simply too high compared to the music, without annoying transients, then I use compression. 

In Sony's Noise Reduction Suite does the "Clipped Peak Restoration" actually work reasonably well?  Is there any software that can do a good job in clipped peak restoration?   I have one or two recordings from two years back that could use a little TLC in the clipping area...

 

[anr]

I believe it does.  Like a lot of plug-ins it takes trial and error.  But I used it today on a slightly overcooked recording.  I set default parameters, then attenuation to -3dB.   The harsher the clipping, the more attenuation is required to allow the software more room to "rebuild" the peak. 

[ironbut]

Thanks for the info!

What about a quiet acoustic show, and you just want to remove the claps between songs, so you get get the levels up without the much louder claps (than the musical parts) clipping?

(e.g. levels of claps between songs much louder than SPL of music, which has no claps?)

thanks!
 

On lots of tracks rather than reset my compressor to take the "edge" off of loud applause, I start my fade out early (when the music is starting to fade anyway) and adjust the curve of the fade to lower the level of the clapping. It sounds pretty natural and when I do my last check of the cuts, I hardly ever remember which ones I did that too.

[heath]

i just sat through an a seminar about restoration tools in audition 3 at a conference i was at, and some of the tools in there looked fairly competent and the software is cheap. 

[ironbut]

Hey Heath, you must've been at ARSC too. I really liked the 'Phase view' and the laso selector. Audition has really come a long way. It doesn't have any interpolation software yet so RX is still my best choice. The latest updates are starting to have better selection tools and I've been bugging them about adding more tools that will be good for the stuff we use it for.
Glad to hear that some other members here were there.

[heath]

Hey Heath, you must've been at ARSC too. I really liked the 'Phase view' and the laso selector. Audition has really come a long way. It doesn't have any interpolation software yet so RX is still my best choice. The latest updates are starting to have better selection tools and I've been bugging them about adding more tools that will be good for the stuff we use it for.
Glad to hear that some other members here were there.

sure was.  the presentation on friday was amazing!