Tin Sound in an echo chamber

Special Interest Groups Audio Processing
1

I recorded from a cassette tape vocal only. I tried to use the noise removal tool and it did work . When I play back my voice, the “white” noise is not there and the voice sounds like it is in a tunnel and tinny. Sometimes I think I hear computer sounds like “R2D2” from the movie Empire Strikes Back. Could you give me some directions on how to correct this? I have other vocals on the tape with instruments and would like to remove the noise but I still have the same problem. I am very much a novice so I am in need of precise directions. I do not know all the definitions and I am surprising myself that I have made it as far as I have. Am looking for help from someone who knows what they are doing. Thank you!!!
Gypsysing

2

It is terrifically difficult to remove white or pink noise from a human voice without making the performance sound like it’s underwater or gargling.

This effect is much worse in Audacity 1.2 because 1.2 had terrible effect controls. Much better in 1.3

To give you an idea of the problem, suppose the script had the actor saying, “Shshshshsh. Be Quiet. The Bad Guys are coming!” If you were aggressively removing the background hiss, part of the dialog would vanish as well.

S_______. Be quiet. The Bad Guy__ are coming!"

If you have a removal tool with good controls, you can tune the effect to not damage the dialog too much, but there’s always some damage.

Koz

3

Thank you Koz. Can you suggest a better program? I thought that I downloaded 1.3 version --not the beta.
Gypsysing

4

1.3 is officially Beta, unreleased software. 1.4 stable is waiting in the wings. 1.3 isn’t actually as bad as “Beta” software. It’s had considerable polish on it and the last little buffing will turn it into stable 1.4.

You can install both 1.2 and 1.3 on your machine, you just can’t run them both at once.

1.2 Audacity has a noise-removal tool whose control always lives right at the bottom. If that was still too much effect, tough. 1.3 controls work much better. Apply the effect and keep turning the action down until the voices straighten up. If ever.

Koz