4 Replies Latest reply: Nov 28, 2013 2:10 AM by Bob Howes RSS

    Hiss removal

    mattslote Community Member

      I was filming an interview where I was using my Tascam DR-40 to record from a Sennheiser e835 wireless handheld mic. It wasn't an ideal situation, and I had to leave the mic a few feet away from the subjects being interviewed. And now, I'm dealing with the hiss that is common from these kinds of audio recorders.

       

      I'm using Audition CC, and I know how to use the hiss reduction tools available, but I had a thought. I have the in-camera audio from a Rode video mic that I was using. I'm wondering if I can use the relatively hiss free (but with echo) audio from the camera as an audible difference mask (in Photoshop terms) to map good sound from the Tascam. It's a little crazy, but I'm wondering if anyone's done this or could have a way of trying it.

       

      Thanks!

        • 1. Re: Hiss removal
          Bob Howes Community Member

          I've never tried that but I wouldn't be hopeful.  To continue your Photoshop analogy, the echo on the camera feed makes that recording equivalent to a blurry picture, not ideal for a "difference mask".

           

          I'd give the Audition Noise Reduction a try (and that's not a typo...try noise reduction, not hiss reduction).  Do your processing in several light passes rather than trying one big one--and adjust the FFT size upwards for each new noise sample.  Generally, that can do an excellent job on hiss.

           

          (As an aside, I've never had a hiss problem with Sennheiser wireless--I don't know the Tascam recorder you used but I'm surprised if it put in a noticeable hiss.  It might me time for some system testing and line up.)

          • 2. Re: Hiss removal
            mattslote Community Member

            I had fiddled with noise reduction, but I hadn't thought to try it in several passes. I'll give it a shot.

             

            The Tascam is a handheld audio recorder, very similar to the more popular Zoom H4n. They're battery powered and the built in preamps are known to cause a slight hiss. Not a problem if input levels are in normal ranges, but I wasn't getting a lot of signal.

            • 3. Re: Hiss removal
              mattslote Community Member

              Just an update on the hiss situation. Bob, you nailed it with the noise reduction suggestion. A couple passes with that and the hiss is reduced to a workable level. Thanks a ton for the advice, this is a huge help now and I'll be putting it to the test quite a bit in the future.

              • 4. Re: Hiss removal
                Bob Howes Community Member

                Thanks for coming back with your report...all too often we never hear about the successes!

                 

                (And to put a personal point on it, when I first saw your response I happened to be in hospital after major surgery--home a couple hours ago--and you made my day!)