Is there a trick to cut unwanted noise automatically

[Ingred]

Sorry for my bad English, but I was wondering if there is a way to automatically cut the unwanted noises between the main signal a more time effectively and efficiently.

For example: I recorded some vocals and there are noises in between the main source and the noise and I just want to cut the noises(Like breathing, coughing, chair moving, foot stepping, etc) would there be a more less time consuming way to do this. I have been manually cutting the vocals and its very time consuming, so I was wondering if I maybe missed out on a TRICK or TIP to do this more efficiently.

[Kenny Gioia]

You can use strip silence and then add fades automatically to make it sound smooth.

How well it works depends on how loud the noise is. You'll probably still have to tweak any breaths or noises that are as loud as the vocals.

[albee1952]

Some things to consider here. No algorithm will be as accurate, or have the musical taste/skill to do this function well(and I assume you want it done well). Breathing is a natural part of singing and to remove it all might be an interesting effect, or it might make the result sound completely unnatural. I rarely remove a breath, but I will maybe highlight/separate and apply Clip Gain. Speaking of Clip Gain, I usually go thru the entire vocal performance and level it out, using Clip Gain. That makes the performance more even and it then drives my compressor plugin more consistently(which can make a big difference with "character" compressors). We sometimes get so impatient that we forget about the art and science of good recording. There are fast paths to take, but are they the RIGHT paths? To me, some things are simply worth the time it takes to make them right(not "perfect" as perfection can be highly over-rated)

[dr_daw]

+1 to what albee is talking about...

This issue reminds of when I first started recording with digital and realized I could cut out every little thing. That's exactly what I did, cut out all the breaths. Albee is right about the possibility of it sounding completely unnatural, as that was the result I got. For me, pre- clip gain, I would compress the vocal mildly maybe 2:1, maybe +3 or +6 of gain, then gate that signal with a 'natural' sounding attack and release (varied by talent/artist) and not gate out the breathing.

Don't over think it, it's all about getting a good sound to start with. IF the take is THE ONE and there's noise in it, it's meant to be. Small imperfections are what can make or break a performance, but trying to alter a 'decent' track can lead you down the dark road of 'perfection'. If the sound is terrible to begin with, no amount of time, or editing will fix it.

[chrisdee]

Originally Posted by dr_daw

I would compress the vocal mildly maybe 2:1, maybe +3 or +6 of gain, then gate that signal with a 'natural' sounding attack and release (varied by talent/artist)

You beat me to it:)

Below are some settings I start with when gating vocals to reduce breath and unwanted sounds.
You will probably need to change them a bit to suite your needs.

First is with the stock Dyn3 Expander/Gate plugin and the second is with the stock Channel Strip plugin.

[albee1952]

I also use 2 compressor plugins, back to back, but didn't want to toss too much info in one shot. Even with this, I still "level" a performance if the dynamics are too hot or cold in spots. My "go to" chain is EQ III doing a high-pass, then BF76(set for gentle compression at 4:1), then SMACK!(more compression and some character), a De-esser(only if needed) and finally a Pultec EQ1-A(to add some "air" that the compressors seem to dampen).

[Bill Denton]

Is there a trick to cut unwanted noise automatically

Yes, but killing your wife is illegal...

Sorry...I guess I'm just in one of those moods...

[ondruspat]

Originally Posted by Bill Denton

Is there a trick to cut unwanted noise automatically

Yes, but killing your wife is illegal...

Sorry...I guess I'm just in one of those moods...

[albee1952]

Hey Bill, I got a spare bedroom...............just in case

[dr_daw]

HA! That just made my Friday! Thanks Bill.