Top Noise Reduction Plug-ins for 2022
Achieving clean audio quality is not always a simple task. Even if your recording method is flawless and your equipment is in perfect working order, undesired noise in digital audio recordings is quite common. What to do about it? Well, starting over is, of course, a way to fix this issue (even from scratch); however, it usually takes ages, and it is not always a viable possibility considering the recording costs and production schedules. It is possible to reduce noise, and it is almost an art within an art. Normally, this has been an intricate manual job, consisting of removing room noise, hiss, hum, pops, and others. No matter how skilled the editor is, the truth is that this work is tedious and it is not always possible to remove all the auditory gunk. So, for this purpose, automated noise reduction plug-ins are the way out of this problematic maze.
Now, what is a noise reduction plug-in? It is complementary software that extends the functions of web applications and desktop programs related to recording, mixing, and sound editing, whose function is, essentially, to reduce distortions and unwanted sounds, usually of high volume, which prevent to perceive properly the audio that is intended to be offered as a final product.
Let’s see some of the best 2020 noise reduction plug-ins so far.
Clarity Vx Pro
This is one of those plug-ins that, if we could show it to the sound engineers of the past decade, they wouldn’t believe such magic was possible. Clarity Vx Pro is specially designed to reduce the background noise of dialogue, allowing you to clearly hear the voices that you want to be in the foreground. It even works in real-time. This means you don’t have to edit an interview and publish it later. No. This can be used for a live broadcast, with the ease of turning a knob.
If you are familiar with this industry, you will know how much time you are saving by using a plug-in like this. On the other hand, you will be able to edit and mix dialog in context inside the DAW with other video and audio tracks playing.
Klevgrand Brusfri
Sophisticated complex sound for easy and straightforward use. Ideal for removing noise from high-volume audio recordings while maintaining sound quality. Unlike many other noise suppressors on the market (a method that, as mentioned above, often has acoustic side effects), Brusfri does not interfere with noise removal in the noise phase. Instead, different airtight doors are used to reduce unwanted noise, which is a particularly efficient solution.
Sonnox Restore
Sonnox Restore is a single plug-in that combines three VST noise reduction effects: Oxford DeClicker, DeBuzzer, and DeNoiser. Depending on your demands, you may enable or disable any of the three effects, as well as alter the control of each plug-in separately. The DeClicker plug-in allows you to selectively apply noise reduction effects, enabling you to keep sections of the audio unaffected while mending the rest. Adjust the “warmth” option in DeNoiser to “fill in” missing areas of the frequency spectrum when noise reduction is applied to a piece of audio.
Antares SoundSoap+ 5
To manipulate the parameters of the SoundSoap VST noise suppressor, a simple graphical interface is used. The plug-in presents a visual representation of the original audio on the left side of your “Wash Window” while you alter the noise reduction parameters and a representation of the treated audio on the right side. This feature makes it simple to check how much the plug-in is changing the audio. For vocal recordings, SoundSoap has a “Preserve Voice” setting that assures that plug-in noise reduction does not change the essence of the recorded voice.
Waves Z-Noise
The Waves Z-Noise VST package includes five noise reduction plug-ins, each with unique features. The Z-Noise plug-in is a multipurpose noise reduction VST, whereas X-Noise is designed to eliminate a recording’s consistent background noise. X-Hum focuses on reducing electrical noise, whilst X-Click and X-Crackle remove the pops, clicks, and crackles that are frequently found in digitally recorded vinyl. Apart from the Restoration package, The Waves also offers a high-quality noise reduction effect, which is based on the CAT Dolby 43 test gear. All of the restoration plug-ins may also be purchased separately.
iZotope Spectral De-Noise
This is a noise reduction program that comes with a comprehensive variety of functions. As in many other versions of iZotope, this one features a spectrum analyzer and a spectral repair tool in addition to the regular noise reduction click plug-in. These components allow you to Visually inspect and fix spectral data. You may isolate audio from signal and noise using the deconstruct component and then adjust each independently. This plug-in is available as a standalone application, and VST includes plug-ins for all versions; however, depending on the VST version, “Spectral Repair” requires a digital audio workstation that enables offline processing.
Now, there’s nothing like professional help. Do you have perfect vocal takes or voice recordings ruined by hissing, humming, or even very loud noises? At Enhanced Media we can help you preserve the recording and remove the noise with the highest possible fidelity, and in no time at all.
