Beginner needs help

D

Denialorcoped

Well-known member
I'm making a documentary, I recorded some interviews that I need to use in the film. Used HMC150, I thought I could get by without an external mic. Mistake! I know, lesson learned.

I've used soundbooth to get rid of some of the noise and beef it up a little; it's better, but sounds kind of robotic. Is there anything else I can do?
 
I don't know anything about soundbooth, but you should seriously take a look at Izotope RX. It may just save your butt.
 
The robotic sound comes from putting too much processing on a not-so-robust recording. There's really not much you can do to make interview audio from the camera's built-in mic usable in any fashion. The only option is the "re-shoot" filter.
 
The quality of the noise removal plugin/application you use will really impact the sound quality of the resultant audio file. For example, the free Audacity program has a noise removal tool which is somewhat effective, but is really eclipsed by izotope RX and Waves XNoise. I'll be honest; having used both of these tools, I actually prefer XNoise a bit more as it doesn't add many artifacts.

Make sure you're getting a good noise profile, too. Many noise removal tools require you to capture a small portion of audio that only contains noise to use as a template for the actual noise removal algorithm. If you use a noise profile that has some non-regular sounds or dialog, it will negatively impact the quality of the noise removal algorithm.
 
And since it hasn't been mentioned, you should go back to the original and re work it (or re shoot). Once the robotic artifacts are there your not going to get rid of them. With Noise reduction more light passes are better than one heavy pass, especially if you're trying to do a lot of cleanup. In general you can't do a LOT of cleanup. So if you need a LOT of cleanup then you're probably better off leaving some dirt in.
 
I don't think the BIG problem was using the camera mice. But I think the main concern to think about is

- shut down EVERY pc, airco, refrigarator, clocks, machines, ask neighbours to stop mowing the grass, stop construction works, wait for trucks untill they have passed, wait for airplanes untill they have passed...
 
If you turn off one of the stereo channels, it may help a little too. Dialogue sounds better in mono. But there is just no fixing a recording made with the mic far away from the person talking. The further away you get, the more noise you get.
 
If you don't want the robot voice on your final product, you'll have to reshoot. Or you could try to imitate their voices and replace their dialogue yourself!
 
Yep reshoot, otherwise it'll be around forever and drive you crazy over the next few years as your technique gets better.

Think about showing the talent the existing stuff beforehand you might get better material to work with. Your call .. don't freak 'em out. :Drogar-Shock(DBG):


Sounds like you didn't have an external mic so that'll be your next question? .. Cheers.
 
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