Life’s noisy…Whether you’re recording a video in your home or outside on a busy city street, there can be all sorts of unwanted noises popping up to crash your awesome video. And nothing ruins that awesome vlog or that perfect vacation video quite like the sound of traffic, blaring music, or that neighbor’s dog.
You don’t have to pour money into a soundproof studio or expensive equipment to eliminate these intruders. There are surprisingly simple ways you can remove background noise from your video and get a clear, high-quality sound.
Dealing With The Decibels
Prevention is absolutely the best step, especially in this case. It’s much easier to avoid recording unnecessary noise than trying to get rid of it post-recording. So, your first line of defense starts before you even hit the record button.
Turn off anything that creates noise: Whether it’s the air conditioner humming, the clock ticking on your wall, or even that tiny refrigerator motor noise, turn them off. You’d be surprised how many little sounds can creep into your video unnoticed until playback. Asking your neighbor about shutting down their lawnmower might not go over well, but it’s certainly worth giving it a go…the most they can do is decline.
Invest in a decent microphone: A good microphone is designed to minimize background noise while focusing on the desired sound, usually your voice. Try to go for a directional microphone, which eliminates sounds from certain directions.
Think about location: We all want those awesome beach scenes or busy city backdrops for our video but keep in mind that these locations come with their own soundtracks of waves, wind, birds, or just people’s incessant chatter. It might be worth choosing a quieter location, even if it means compromising a bit on the background.
Play around with microphone placement: A too-close mic may pick up unnecessary noises like breathing, or a too-far one may record echoey audio. Experiment with distances to find that sweet spot.
Use foam windshields: Foam covers or “windshields” help cut down on wind noise and other common invaders. Those fuzzy things you see on TV reporter’s microphones they’re more than fashionable accessories. They are a cheap and easy way to help reduce background noise.
When the Noise Sneaks Up On You
Despite your best efforts, sometimes that darn background noise sneaks in there without you noticing until it is too late. What now? Flixier is an online tool that allows you to remove noise from your video for free.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on using Flixier to remove background noise from the video:
Getting Started
- Open your web browser and go to the Flixier website.
- Click on the Get Started button on the Flixier homepage.
- Look for the Import button on the main page and click it.
- Select the video file you want to improve from your computer.
- Once your video is uploaded, double-click on it in the library to add it to the timeline at the bottom of the screen.
How to Remove Noise From Video
- Click on your video on the timeline to select it.
- Look for the Enhance Audio menu on the right side of the screen.
- In this menu, find the first drop-down list and choose Remove Background Noise.
- You’ll see a second drop-down menu. Here, pick the type of video you’re working on (for example, a speech or a music video).
- Click the Enhance Audio button.
- Wait a few seconds while Flixier processes your audio and removes the background noise.
Review and Export Your Video
- Play your video to check if you’re happy with the result.
- If you want to make more changes, you can use Flixier’s other tools to edit your video further.
- When you’re satisfied, look for the Export button in the top right corner of the screen.
- Click Export and wait for Flixier to process your final video.
- Once processing is complete, you can download the video to your computer or publish it directly.
Tips to Remove Noise From the Video With Flixier
Try out various settings: Flixier offers various presets for noise removal, like speech, live music, and studio recording. Experiment with these settings to find out which one works best for your video.
Preview is essential: Always preview the changes you made before exporting the final video. This can save you time and avoid unnecessary re-works.
Use noise removal selectively: Don’t go overboard with noise removal. Sometimes, a bit of background sound adds to the video’s authenticity and ambiance. Split the video into different parts and remove noise only where it’s required.
Export multiple versions: If you don’t know which settings will work best, remember that you can always export multiple versions with different noise removal levels. Compare the results and go for what sounds more natural.
Shh… Keep It Down!
Noise removal from video can make a huge difference in how people perceive and enjoy your content. But nothing can entirely replace the importance of good-quality original sound recording.
With Flixier’s background noise removal from video feature, give your viewers a chance to focus on what really matters: your content.