I really don't get how to use Remove Silence...
I know that there are other ways to remove background sounds but the only one I know how to EQ and that just gets messy.
 
So on a drum track in this case (Tom). I can here other things going on but there's a lot of db space between the tom hits and the random other stuff. Could I use Remove Silence and just keep the tom hits? How would that look in the Remove Silence dialog box?
 
Also other ways to get rid of the random stuff for be great as well...
 
Peace!

I'm thinking you don't want to 'remove silence', you want to 'remove noise'   I'd use volume automation, take the unwanted stuff down until you can barely hear it, but not so abruptly that it sounds unnatural.

Put the Sonitus gate on the tom track and adjust the threshold so it only turns on when the tom hits.
Set the attack as fast as it goes, the Hold to 50 mS, and set the Release to 200 mS or what every sounds good without cutting off the tail of the tom too abruptly.
 

jamesg1213
I'm thinking you don't want to 'remove silence', you want to 'remove noise'   I'd use volume automation, take the unwanted stuff down until you can barely hear it, but not so abruptly that it sounds unnatural.

I know a lot of you folks use automation and that makes sense. I hate to Automate. lo. But thanks for the knowledge.  It all helps me build the picture of what the heck I need to do.  :)
 
 
Edit. Yeah the advice on the sound stopping abruptly is defiantly great advice on why not to use remove silence. thanks!

mikedocy
Put the Sonitus gate on the tom track and adjust the threshold so it only turns on when the tom hits.
Set the attack as fast as it goes, the Hold to 50 mS, and set the Release to 200 mS or what every sounds good without cutting off the tail of the tom too abruptly.
 

I think I will try this before automation. ;)
 
Thank you both!

you'll hate the results.
get busy learning automation,
seriously,
the shortest distance from point A to Point B

mikedocy
Put the Sonitus gate on the tom track and adjust the threshold so it only turns on when the tom hits.
Set the attack as fast as it goes, the Hold to 50 mS, and set the Release to 200 mS or what every sounds good without cutting off the tail of the tom too abruptly.

 
If you intend to be using this technique a lot, I would recommend obtaining a suitable expander-gate plugin, such as this one:
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/ProChannel-PC4K-S-Type-Expander-Gate

The Sonitus Gate isn't bad, but it won't give the same results as a decent expander-gate.

There is only one really excellent tool for that and it' s the scissors

Rob[atSound-Rehab]
There is only one really excellent tool for that and it' s the scissors

I agree, but maybe employ a fade before cut?
 
I do agree with the OP automation is a pain, but to get that professional sound, a lot of people are using it.  I have just started to get into that and making EQ holes to free up my mixes.
 
Also proper gain staging as described by Graham at the Recording Revolution:
http://therecordingrevolution.com/5-minutes-to-a-better-mix-proper-gain-staging-part-1-of-31/
 
Groove3 has some great drum recording videos as well.
 
 
 
 

To remove the noise and garbage in a track I will use 2 things. Both work extremely well.
 
First is the volume automation envelope.  I add the nodes manually and zoom in so that I can get surgical precision. Whether the automation is sloped to ease in or out, or if it's vertical for instantaneous changes, depends on the circumstance. I use both.  There's often a lot of work involved because each event requires setting 4 nodes and adjusting them accordingly.
 
Second thing I use to remove noise it the PROCESS AUDIO> MUTE .  I move the track I need to the top of the track view and enlarge it so I can see where I need to mute.  I drag the mouse on the time line to select the area.... the track is already pre-selected at this point. The track turns grey where I dragged the mouse on the time line and I hit MUTE.  I listen to the result to be sure I got it right. If not, I select UNDO and reset the area on the time line and try again.   Most often I use this particular method for cleaning up vocal tracks where I need to remove a breath or lip smack milliseconds before the vocal phrase starts. Perfect silence in this situation never hurts. And when the mic "opens up" in the track a few milliseconds before the vocal starts, it's never heard since either the music playing masks it or it's so close to the start of the vocal, the human ear/brain can not detect the sound that quickly.
 
I have used both of these methods with great success.... and even used them to remove a "pop" in a track without it being detected.  Zoom in and do what's needed. Then zoom back out.
 
BTW: I don't think I have ever used the "remove silence" function.