"Bringing The Noise" may be a good thing for Public Enemy, but for audio engineers, it's a different story... capturing high-quality audio during outdoor interviews can be a challenge. If you record a documentary, news segment, or casual conversation, you'll know that outdoor environments - often filled with wind, traffic, wildlife, and human activity - can introduce distracting background noise that makes it difficult for listeners to focus on the interview. Fortunately, powerful hardware tools and software plugins have become accessible for cleaning up these recordings, helping sound engineers, content creators, and producers deliver clear, professional-quality audio.
The Challenges of Outdoor Audio Recording
Outdoor locations offer authenticity and real-world context, but they come with a host of audio issues. Common background noise includes:
- Wind
- Traffic
- Nature Sounds
- Other People
Why Background Noise Removal Is Crucial
Background noise reduces audio clarity, making it harder for the audience to understand the interviewee. If the noise competes with or overpowers speech, the effectiveness of the interview is severely compromised. Whether the interview is part of a documentary, podcast, or news feature, speech intelligibility is paramount. Moreover, poor audio quality can make content sound unprofessional, undermining the credibility of the production. With so many content creators vying for attention, high-quality sound is essential for engaging effectively with your audience.
Without the right tools, audio engineers can spend hours manually editing, which detracts from the creative process and delays project timelines. Effective and convenient noise reduction software streamlines this process, allowing teams to focus on enhancing content instead of spending more time in post.
There are two ways to do this - hardware devices (used on location) or software plug-ins for your DAW. Hardware units can often cost premium money (since the reduction is being done in realtime via DSP), so budget-conscious users may find the latter to be the optimal solution.
Doing the work in-studio?
Our favorite software for removing unwanted background noise and increasing speech intelligibility include:
- iZotope RX: Known for its advanced spectral repair and noise reduction capabilities, iZotope RX is the industry standard for cleaning up audio. Its RX Voice De-noise plugin can specifically target speech while reducing distracting background noise.
- Waves NS1: This easy-to-use plugin offers automatic noise reduction, making it ideal for reducing consistent background noises like hums and traffic sounds. It's especially useful for those who need a quick and reliable solution.
- Cedar DNS One: A high-end noise suppression plugin used in professional broadcasting, Cedar DNS One excels at real-time noise removal while maintaining the integrity of the speaker’s voice. It's often used for interviews in noisy environments.
Conclusion
For outdoor interviews, where unpredictable noise is a constant challenge, using the right audio tools and plugins is crucial to maintaining professional sound quality. From traffic and wind to human chatter and nature sounds, background noise can easily overwhelm the interview itself. Fortunately, advanced noise gates, spectral repair tools, and specialized wind noise reducers can significantly improve audio clarity. By incorporating these tools into your workflow, you can clean up your recordings, ensure that the speaker’s voice is intelligible, and maintain a professional standard for your production. Whether you're working on a documentary, podcast, or news story, leveraging audio software to remove background distractions is an investment that will save time in post and enhance the overall quality of your audio content.
