audio enhancement near water fountain?

D

dylansmith

Well-known member
guess there are 2 parts to this - capture and post processing.

In capture, the only practice is to place the mic as close to source as possible. any other way to improve vocal recording near a fountain? (other than dubbing)

In post-production, is there any way to enhance vocals and reduce the waterfall sound that drowns out the vocals?

Thanks!
 
That's difficult to answer without knowing specifics. For production, how big a fountain and how close is it to the subject? A lav can be effective, depending on the situation, as the torso can help absorb any extraneous sounds from behind the subject. Or, a shotgun mic can help, using the off-axis rejection to help minimize the fountain. There are too many variables to say for sure, but proximity is always the first defense (closer = better).

For post, there is some filtering but it's far from perfect. There are noise removal programs that do some pretty impressive things, but they cost quite a bit and their effectiveness depends a bit on how much information there is to work with at first (sample and bit rates coupled with proper recording levels).
 
it's a huge fountain and the subject is in it (hence the lav is not a possible option).

for post, are you referring to programmes like izotope? i don't mind paying even if it helps a bit. i'm using the rode videomic pro, with audio direct from a7rii/a6300. is there any specific tutorial that talks about removing "waterfall" background noise, or crowd noise?

I tried sampling the background noise in Audition and set threshold to 15%, in the end it sounded like i'm deep underwater.
 
Flowing water can be one of the most difficult things to filter out as it is like pink noise and has many frequencies, reverb is the other problematic sound.

There are systems on the market that can sample and then filter out using phase reverse but they can be very expensive.

You need to record everything in mono so a well placed lav mic with the subjects back to the offending source is the way to go.

If you do have to do it at the location do as you say and get the mic as close as possible ( a lav mic will be best) then after the recording is done make a track of the fountain at the same level with the mic in approximately the same place.

You can then place this recorded wild/buzz track of the fountain on a sep track of your edit an then if you anti phase it then mix it in with the interview track you may get some cancellation effect as you vary the level of the phase reversed track.
 
dylansmith said:
it's a huge fountain and the subject is in it (hence the lav is not a possible option).

for post, are you referring to programmes like izotope? i don't mind paying even if it helps a bit. i'm using the rode videomic pro, with audio direct from a7rii/a6300. is there any specific tutorial that talks about removing "waterfall" background noise, or crowd noise?

I tried sampling the background noise in Audition and set threshold to 15%, in the end it sounded like i'm deep underwater.
Click to expand...

Simple repetetive noises like a fan are easy. Complex noises like your fountain or those crowds are difficult. There is a free 10 day trial on that Izotope software, why don't you download it and give it a try?
 
#1: record the fountain by it self.

#2: shoot your project with talent in fountain.

#3: ADR session with talent in booth matching the fountain audio.

#4: mix in the solo recording of the fountain.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top