What is White Noise and How to Remove it from Videos?
White noise refers to sound that contains a uniform distribution of power across the entire audible frequency spectrum. Just as white light comprises all visible wavelengths, white noise contains all audible frequencies blended at a similar level, giving it a hissing, consistent sound. In simpler terms, white noise resembles soft, rhythmic natural sounds like rainfall, frogs croaking, waves crashing, or wind blowing.
When reviewing videos we’ve recorded, we often hear an underlying “hissing” or “buzzing” noise. This persistent background noise is known as white noise. What causes white noise and how can we eliminate it from videos? This article explores the reasons behind white noise and recommends solutions.
Causes of White Noise
1. Environmental Sounds
Household appliances like air conditioners, vending machines, and refrigerators emit a constant low hum during operation that goes unnoticed normally. Before shooting videos, turn off nearby appliances if possible, or move further away from them.
2. Equipment Noise
Microphones, cables, mixers, computers, and other gear can introduce mechanical, electrical, and electromagnetic interference noises. Choose high-quality equipment and use manufacturer-recommended cables. Ground electrical connections to reduce buzzing.
3. Playback Device Noise
Enable microphone boost reduction on computers to decrease speaker/headphone hiss. If the issue persists, consider upgrading playback devices.
When environmental changes and equipment upgrades fail to resolve white noise, specialized removal tools become necessary. This article covers 3 categories of useful white noise removal solutions.
Software Tools for Removing White Noise
1. Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition noise reduction works for amateurs and professionals alike. Packed with advanced audio editing capabilities, a monthly subscription runs about $25 USD. The learning curve may be steep for beginners since Audition targets experts. But with time, the intuitive interface and abundant features make editing a breeze. Try the free trial before purchasing a long-term plan.
Key Features
- Edit audio samples and recordings.
- Isolate and adjust the volume of specific sounds.
- Auto remix music to fit video content.
2. Audacity
Audacity offers free, open-source audio editing. Just drag and drop files needing noise removal, select the noisy portions, and apply the Audacity noise reduction effect to erase the unwanted sounds. Despite being free, it rivals paid software in functionality, making Audacity a top pick for budget-conscious users.
Key Features
- Intuitive editing with cut, copy, and paste.
- Unlimited undo levels.
- Record audio directly from microphones.
- Multi-language interface including Japanese.
3. DaVinci Resolve
This high-performing video editor doubles as an audio workstation via the Noise Reduction tool under the Effects Library, which strips noise from clips. Simply go to Effects > Audio, drag and drop Noise Reduction onto the timeline over the noisy video segment, and check the item to clear the noise. The free version offers limited features, so consider paid upgrades for unrestricted access.
Key Features
- Optimized Cut page for faster editing.
- World-class color grading tools.
- Collaborative workflow across multiple users.
4. Filmora
Filmora excels at automatically removing noise while maintaining excellent video quality. Despite being paid software, the straightforward noise reduction workflow accommodates beginners easily. Video experts will also appreciate the polished results. Try the free trial to see if the capabilities justify the price.
Key Features
- Eliminate ambient and background noise.
- Fine-tune high/low-frequency levels.
- Fade music behind vocal dialog for clarity.
5. iMovie
Apple’s free video editor for Macs, iMovie offers several audio enhancement controls to reduce video noise. Just drag the clip onto the timeline, select it, and pick Noise Reduction & Equalizer from the Effects menu. Check the Reduce Background Noise box and tweaking the strength slider suppresses noise by deleting smaller sound waveforms. Note this feature is unavailable in the iOS mobile version.
Key Features
- Comes pre-installed on Mac OS X.
- No background noise removal on iPhone/iPad.
- Mobile Apps for Removing White Noise.
6. AudioFix
This dedicated audio/video editing app comes from experienced musicians. The 12 available filters include Wind Cut to cleanly remove white noise with just a tap. However, free users can’t export cleaned-up recordings.
Key Features
- Easy one-touch operation.
- Payment is required to save processed recordings.
7. IRIG Recorder
While the Cleanup tool reduces noise, IRIG Recorder’s Smooth Voice function shines for seamless white noise elimination. The intuitive waveform display lets you preview edits like cutting, cropping, and looping in real time. In-app purchases unlock additional capabilities.
Key Features
- Waveform visualization aids quick audio editing.
- Online Tools for Removing White Noise.
8. Audiotoolset
This free online editor quickly diminishes noise with just a few clicks. Upload the audio needing repair, select Noise Reduction, and click Reduce to automatically strip the white noise. Then download the cleaned-up file. The fully automated processing works on common formats like MP3 and WAV.
Key Features
- Handy fullscreen mode (English only).
- Supported formats limited to MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG.
9. Audo.ai
Despite the lack of Japanese localization, Audo.ai’s intuitive browser-based audio editor efficiently removes unwanted noise. Upload files or record audio directly. While completely free, the tool matches paid solutions in quality, offering an array of editing options to clean up recordings.
Key Features
- Totally free with robust features.
- English-only interface.
10. AudioAlter
This multipurpose online tool performs various audio processing tasks including white noise removal in just a few clicks, without degrading audio quality. Upload files for automatic improvement or use the recorder to capture audio to refine. With a simple and unlimited free plan, AudioAlter makes clearing noise effortless.
Key Features
- Completely free access to all audio editing capabilities.
- English-only interface.
- Enhance video clarity and improve video quality.
11. UniFab Video Enlarger AI
UniFab is an advanced AI technology that specializes in enhancing the visual quality of DVDs and videos from DVDFab. With its cutting-edge capabilities, UniFab can transform your content in several key ways:
Key Features
- Resolution Upgrade English-only interface
- Video Enlargement
- Rich Detail Enhancement
- Perfect Color Balance
With UniFab Video Enlarger AI, you can take your old DVDs and videos to a whole new level, experiencing them in high resolutions, with larger-than-life visuals, and unmatched video quality. It’s the ultimate solution for anyone looking to enhance their video content with the power of AI technology.
Conclusion
White noise stems from environmental and equipment-based factors. While mitigation strategies help, dedicated removal tools often prove necessary for professional-grade noise-free videos. The solutions listed above cover paid and free options with varying features to suit individual needs and budgets. Take time to evaluate and utilize the best tool for your projects.
