Clicking noises - why and how to remove?

[Ani365]

You may be the one and only good application for Noise Gate. Noise Gate suppresses any sounds lower volume than a setting. It's a common mistake to reduce background noises to zero, but I wouldn't do that. Just reduce everything 15dB or 20dB. Just quiet enough so nobody will ever find the clicks—even after mastering.

You should still find what's causing the clicking. The goal is to produce a quality audiobook by the quickest and simplest method possible.

Koz

Lets do a test. Start a recording and leave the room for about 20 or 30 minutes. Come back and stop it. File > Export a WAV (Microsoft) 16-bit > OK.

While it's open, cut out any large blue waves like any noise you may have made when you moved your chair.That should give you a field of super tiny clicks. Now select the whole track (button on the left) and Effect > Amplify > OK. That will tell you the repetition of the noise.

While that's on the timeline take a picture of it and post it here. Then File > Export a WAV (Microsoft) 16-bit. We'll want to keep that around a while for analysis.

How are you editing out the existing clicks?

Koz

Hi Koz,
I'm using "effect" - "click removal" on the highest settings which seems to do nothing, then manually deleting each click as I run through it. It's super tedious and takes forever, but seems to work (aside from any clicks that show up when I'm speaking, I can't remove those).

Thanks for the help.

Got it. Are these the correct settings? These are the settings that come up (see picture).

You said reduce everything -15db or 20db, looks like it's set to 15, is everything else correct?

Thanks for the help!

[Ani365]

Oh, and should I be doing the noise gate before or after mastering?
Thanks!

[kozikowski]

I'm using "effect" - "click removal" on the highest settings which seems to do nothing

I believe Click Removal depends on the click or pop being higher volume than the voice. Someone will correct me. I haven't used either that or Noise Gate.

I know Noise Gate's job is to suppress background sounds quieter than a set value. Noise Gate can produce odd voice problems such as clipped leading and trailing sounds on words, and it can really create damage if you like to be expressive in your reading. It can also be a red flag to ACX who is looking for distracting processing damage. That's why it's not the Magic Wand of sound correction. Also, as you found, it won't take out ticks during words.

ACX hates processing and most obvious corrections. That's why it took so long to develop Audacity Mastering. Nobody can hear it working.

The only thing is, now sometimes I'll hear a random click or crackle noise as I'm listening back, here and there, on my headphones - but it's clearly not part of the actual recording since I go back and it's gone. These two issues started around the same time. Any idea what that's about?

Are you using wireless headphones?

That's about a trip to the Apple Genius Bar or other Mac servicing. Is the machine under Support or Apple Care?

We go into these jobs with the idea that you have a good, working Mac and it can do this job in addition to all he other things you need it to do. If it's not feeling well, then it need to be repaired. If you don't, then this may turn into a constant cycle of sound damage, work-arounds, patching, and no actual finished jobs.

Koz

[Ani365]

Hi Koz,
No I'm not using wireless headphones, I'm using a nice pair of audio-techna headphones (wired) and using a fairly decent macbook (2018), no big issues I've come across since I bought it a year ago. I haven't chanced any equipment since this problem started either. I suppose it's possible there's an issue with the laptop or headphones all the sudden but it doesn't quite seem like it, I suspect it's more like I changed some setting that did it.
I did change the settings suggested in this article, which have helped actually - https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/faq ... ac_crackle
But that's the only difference I can think of...

As for the noise gate, if you have recommend settings please let me know, I ran a pass with whatever was already plugged in last night and it didn't seem to change much from a quick listen.

It's frustrating that I've run into so many problems on this journey, but I also have been able to solve so many of them because of this forum, so thanks to everyone who has been helping making my recording and quality better!

[kozikowski]

What's the microphone? I don't think you posted a Make/Model anywhere.

Re: Click Removal, Noise Gate, Punch/Copy. I'm sure they're all terrific tools, but I have no more experience with them than you do. This is where one of the other forum elves dives in and tells you what to do.

I do know that "cleaning up" a reading later is super undesirable and making a reasonable reading at the beginning is, effectively, the only way to go.

I can usually listen to noises and whip up a possible cause. I can't do that this time. I have no idea what that is.

I will have further recommendations when you tell us what your microphone is.

koz

[kozikowski]

There is this.

iPad Noise Test.

IPadNoiseTest-Edited.mp3

(1.03 MiB) Downloaded 11 times

iPhone noise test.

IPhoneNoiseTest-Edited.mp3

(1.07 MiB) Downloaded 11 times

Koz

[Ani365]

Hi Koz,
I have a Blue Yeti (not the pro).

Hmm, I listened to your sample and, though my noise doesn't sound like that, I DO have my ipad sitting right next to my mic in my mic box while reading. Perhaps that could cause some of the issues... If I set it outside the box though I have to turn my head and it's too far, so I'll have to think of a solution or do a test with the ipad outside the box instead to see if you're onto something here.

Definitely a thought...

[kozikowski]

Definitely a thought...

No, I don't really think it's that, either. These iThings have too many of the characteristics of listening to a computer change processing and shifting gears depending on how it's feeling. That swooshing sound from the iPhone is me swiping. Yours is much more like a motor clicking on and off.

think of a solution or do a test

Read a test from [gasp] paper. Leave the iPad in the kitchen. What makes me crazy about this is your studio seems to be completely well-behaved except for this one little thing.... That's most unusual.

I have a Blue Yeti

Are you using the super long cable that comes with it? The ideal length for that job is about 6 feet/2M. The one that comes is much longer, right?

Just to cover it, you have it set for cardioid (heart-shaped), number 3, I think, and you're speaking into the side grill just up from the company name.



And while you're thinking about that, shoot and process that 20 minute silence test from up the message. Don't change anything from normal. Just start a recording, go make coffee and have a cruller.

viewtopic.php?p=415182#p415182

Koz

[Ani365]

I have a Blue Yeti

Are you using the super long cable that comes with it? The ideal length for that job is about 6 feet/2M. The one that comes is much longer, right?

Just to cover it, you have it set for cardioid (heart-shaped), number 3, I think, and you're speaking into the side grill just up from the company name.




And while you're thinking about that, shoot and process that 20 minute silence test from up the message. Don't change anything from normal. Just start a recording, go make coffee and have a cruller.

viewtopic.php?p=415182#p415182

Koz

Yes, I was using the cable it came with. I actually just bought a usb cable to USB C to plug directly into my mac laptop, instead of using an adapter (I've tried to different adapters to see if that was the issue and no difference. Not sure yet if switching to the new cable has worked.
As for question 2 re: settings, yes I am using those!

As for the silence test, I did it and here is the wavform, attached pic.
The spikes you see are actually noises from my sisters, cars or planes going by. I didnt listen to the entire thing straight though, but I couldn't pick up on any clicks at all, only annoying background noises like cars and things.
If there are no clicks in the recording, it makes me think something I'm doing is making those noises.
Also - I was listening to some samples from before I moved, and I will have to go back and double check the raw files but I don't think clicking was an issue. Let me double check and report back, but if that's the case I'm unsure why that would be as my equipment and setup is the same.

Thanks for the help!

[jademan]

If there are no clicks in the recording, it makes me think something I'm doing is making those noises.

Have you ever video'd yourself while making a recording ? https://www.amazon.com/Acuvar-Universal ... 106&sr=8-2