Can distorted audio be cleaned up?
- Thread starter monster
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Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Can distorted audio be cleaned up?
Unfortunately you're probably hosed. However, there is a plug-in from Sony/Sonic Foundry for Sound Forge, I think it's called "peak restorer" or something like that, which is supposed to help try to restore overmodulated volume. It depends on how bad it is; it may be able to help some.
Unfortunately you're probably hosed. However, there is a plug-in from Sony/Sonic Foundry for Sound Forge, I think it's called "peak restorer" or something like that, which is supposed to help try to restore overmodulated volume. It depends on how bad it is; it may be able to help some.
10s
Veteran
Re: Can distorted audio be cleaned up?
I've spent hours trying to clean up a distorted audio track here & there with little luck. The tools I've used filter freqs, etc... you name it, some very nice audio tools. I haven't had much luck yet.
Distortion becomes part of the audio signal. It would be like having someone walk into your shot, ...actually they could be erased much eaisier than distortion can. :-/
I've spent hours trying to clean up a distorted audio track here & there with little luck. The tools I've used filter freqs, etc... you name it, some very nice audio tools. I haven't had much luck yet.
Distortion becomes part of the audio signal. It would be like having someone walk into your shot, ...actually they could be erased much eaisier than distortion can. :-/
fixitinpost
Well-known member
Re: Can distorted audio be cleaned up?
Adobe Audition has a feature called "clip restoration" which attempts to reconstruct the overdriven waveform. However, I have only had mixed success with it.
Adobe Audition has a feature called "clip restoration" which attempts to reconstruct the overdriven waveform. However, I have only had mixed success with it.
wabbit
Evil has Ears
Re: Can distorted audio be cleaned up?
If the waveform is just slightly clipped, you can apply some post restoration (even best case senerio will give you limited success). Most of the time if the waveform has more than one percent clipped, the restoration will sound like someone speaking with a mouth full of marbles.
If the footage is crucial and you can make out what they are saying you could turn the volume down and add subtitles.
Good luck.
If the waveform is just slightly clipped, you can apply some post restoration (even best case senerio will give you limited success). Most of the time if the waveform has more than one percent clipped, the restoration will sound like someone speaking with a mouth full of marbles.
If the footage is crucial and you can make out what they are saying you could turn the volume down and add subtitles.
Good luck.
10s
Veteran
Re: Can distorted audio be cleaned up?
After reading this I just took a clip and gave it a 10dB boost and then tried the Clipping Restoration tool. NO LUCK. It's probably good for small jobs as mentioned.
The best tool for distortion elimination is AWARENESS while recording. Most people cannot concentrate and stay awake to watch the meters, they get interested in what's going on before them and forget their job.
After reading this I just took a clip and gave it a 10dB boost and then tried the Clipping Restoration tool. NO LUCK. It's probably good for small jobs as mentioned.
The best tool for distortion elimination is AWARENESS while recording. Most people cannot concentrate and stay awake to watch the meters, they get interested in what's going on before them and forget their job.
fixitinpost
Well-known member
Re: Can distorted audio be cleaned up?
Indeed. It annoys me to no end when I am at an event and the sound guy is just goofing off and not paying attention. Fortunately for some, analog handles clipping better than digital does. I have been known to make my actors do up to five extra takes just so I could get audio that wasn't distorted. I have also noticed, as wabbit stated, that even when the waveform is partially restored, it is often not restored accurately.
Monster- It is always a good idea to have some sort of readout for audio levels. Not sure if you used a dB meter or not, but from your post, it doesn't sound like it. I've found it to be the most useful feature on a shoot, zebra stripes coming in second.
Indeed. It annoys me to no end when I am at an event and the sound guy is just goofing off and not paying attention. Fortunately for some, analog handles clipping better than digital does. I have been known to make my actors do up to five extra takes just so I could get audio that wasn't distorted. I have also noticed, as wabbit stated, that even when the waveform is partially restored, it is often not restored accurately.
Monster- It is always a good idea to have some sort of readout for audio levels. Not sure if you used a dB meter or not, but from your post, it doesn't sound like it. I've found it to be the most useful feature on a shoot, zebra stripes coming in second.