Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio

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stickin
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2016/01/07 02:54:43 (permalink)

Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio

Just a newbie preparing to pull in audio from reel-to-reel taped audio (dialog) from my wife's father's recordings from his service in Vietnam.
I am wondering if there is a good way to apply noise reduction to the anticipated noisy recordings.  There was a product included with SONAR X2 called "R-Mix" and I could dig that up.  But I would think the newer SONAR Platinum portfolio would include some means for applying noise reduction.
Any ideas welcome.
 

-Stickin
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    Soundwise
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 03:07:30 (permalink)
    You can use EQs, DeEssers, multiband compressor and NR plugins that come with Sonar to reduce hiss and noise. However f you need a dedicated powerful tool for restoration check also Magix Audio & Music Lab, iZotope RX5 or Sony SpectraLayers.
    #2
    mettelus
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 03:50:06 (permalink)
    Adobe Audition also has a very capable noise reduction algorithm. If this is a one-time thing you can transfer all the tapes first then run the trial of either RX5 or Audition on them. I believe both are fully functional for the trial period (Audition used to be for 30 days). Best use is to noise capture just the tape lead and then remove that noise print from the remainder of the track.

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    #3
    Sanderxpander
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 03:53:16 (permalink)
    Do yourself a favour and buy IzoTope RX5 for your precious memories. I did the same two years ago with RX3 and am still so happy I did. And I already had the Waves noise reduction suite. I used it to restore some nearly unusable cassette tapes of my parents talking to me and my brother when we were toddlers.

    RX is amazing and works well for beginners with basic settings. Even so, it is deep and powerful with the spectral editor, when you dive in. A worthy tool for your more regular Sonar work.
    #4
    msorrels
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 03:55:48 (permalink)
    RX trials and demos can't save/export.
     
    https://www.izotope.com/support/kb/index.php/kb/article/178-Demo_Trial_versions_and_serial_numbers
     
     
    post edited by msorrels - 2016/01/07 04:08:31

    -Matt
     
    #5
    THambrecht
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 04:30:43 (permalink)
    The only way is ZNoise (Waves) and iZotope RX.
    Everything else makes it worse instead of better - because you need a software who is "learning" the noiseprint.
    An EQ does not make the job.
    We digitaze thousands of tapes for customer. There is no chance to reduce noise without ZNoise or iZotope - if you want to keep high frequencies without noise.
     
     
     

    We digitize tapes, vinyl, dat, md ... in broadcast and studio quality for publishers, public institutions and individuals.
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    #6
    John
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 04:40:33 (permalink)
    I've had good results with Soundsoap 4.http://www.soundness-llc....ucts/soundsoap4/ 

    Best
    John
    #7
    patm300e
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 06:44:52 (permalink)
    I used to use this for old records and tapes:
    http://www.diamondcut.com/store/
     

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    #8
    gswitz
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 07:02:34 (permalink)
    If it were me, I'd make a clone of the track and invert the polarity of one. That gets you silence. Now, solo one of the tracks and try to get it to only have the noise you want removed using EQ and dynamics processing. Now, listen to both together. The noise should cancel from the original.

    You can repeat this technique to make a reverse noise gate on the noise only track. A reverse noise gate will give you only the soft moments and remove all the dialog.
    post edited by gswitz - 2016/01/07 07:18:59

    StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen.
    I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
    #9
    Karyn
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 07:31:43 (permalink)
    Audacity (free) comes with an effective sampling noise reduction function.

    Mekashi Futo. 
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    ChazEd
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 07:34:52 (permalink)
    Before you buy something, try Audacity.
     
    http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Noise_Reduction
     
    I use Audacity, never used this effect, but for free, it doesn't hurt. Maybe it'll work, maybe not.
     
    If it does not do what you want, then look at more expensive stuff.
     
    My 0.02
     
    EDIT: Ooops, Karyn was faster than me, sorry!
    post edited by ChazEd - 2016/01/07 07:48:34

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    #11
    Karyn
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 07:42:28 (permalink)
    I've used it before on tape hiss,  it's very effective.
     
    You select a small area with just noise and sample it, then the noise reduction effectively removes that sound from the rest of the clip.  You can vary the strength so it's not an all or nothing deal and it works very well.
     
    If you have background noise like air conditioning hum or computer fan noise it will remove that as well.

    Mekashi Futo. 
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    #12
    Pragi
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 08:19:12 (permalink)
    If this noise is permanent, you can try the following idea:
    -Look for a peace on your tracks where only the noise appears.
    -Record that on another track.
    -Turn the phase of this track
    -play both tracks  and adjust the volume of the "noise track "
    till the noise disappears - this must be at the volume  of the noise
    from original track.
    -if this works, copy the noise track till it´s as long as the original .
    -bounce both tracks
    post edited by Pragi - 2016/01/07 08:31:57

    http://piet-music.de/
    https://www.youtube.com/w...=ImFlRTzThA8&t=85s
    #13
    Pragi
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 08:21:34 (permalink)
    Sorry , just saw that gswitz had the same idea.

    http://piet-music.de/
    https://www.youtube.com/w...=ImFlRTzThA8&t=85s
    #14
    Sanderxpander
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 08:49:41 (permalink)
    I haven't tried Audacity but I tried all the Waves stuff and a few freebies that I can't remember the name of. Five minutes with RX3 and basic presets convinced me of its value. Just saying. As always, your mileage may vary.
    #15
    Atsuko
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 10:21:43 (permalink)
    +1 to iZotope RX.

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    djtrailmixxx
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 11:28:01 (permalink)
    I prefer this VST over the waves noise reduction stuff: http://wavearts.com/products/plugins/mr-noise/
    Although I have used BOTH in-line together for the best result.
     
    For stand alone, its hard to beat the iZotope RX

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    brconflict
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 12:20:08 (permalink)
    Start with the source. If you're handy with tiny screwdrivers and have some understanding of setting azimuth on the reel-to-reel tape head, you can adjust the alignment/azimuth of the reel-to-reel to get as clear of a signal as possible.
     
    Then Google some free or cheaper versions of these: http://www.waves.com/bundles/restoration
    Here's a suite that's only $99. https://acondigital.com/p.ducts/restoration-suite/
    Here's that Soundsoap offering for $149: https://sites.fastspring.com/soundnessllc/instant/soundsoap_4

    Brian
     
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    WallyG
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/07 12:28:57 (permalink)
    djtrailmixxx
    ...For stand alone, its hard to beat the iZotope RX...



    I agree. I video taped a relative's outside wedding. The audio was covered with several noise sources, including a twin engine plane flying overhead. iZotope RX5 made it all better.
     
    Walt 
     

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    stickin
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/08 02:22:33 (permalink)
    Wow... what a great community!  One day and I have some great ideas to work with!
    Thanks - all of you!  I hope to get started within the next few weeks.
    Guy

    -Stickin
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    Kev999
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    Re: Need simple noise reduction for digitizing old reel-to-reel tape audio 2016/01/08 04:30:21 (permalink)
    Karyn
    ...You select a small area with just noise and sample it, then the noise reduction effectively removes that sound from the rest of the clip.  You can vary the strength so it's not an all or nothing deal and it works very well.
     
    If you have background noise like air conditioning hum or computer fan noise it will remove that as well.

     
    Thanks for the tip. I'd never used that feature of Audacity before. I tried it today and successfully eliminated a noisy extractor fan from some vocal clips.

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