traffic noise at DVinfo.net

Jim Schweer · September 25th, 2006, 04:54 PM

I have recorded an indoor conversation that has low but noticeable traffic noise in the background (heard through a closed window). If I preceed this scene with an outdoor street scene with comparatively loud traffic noise, would it desensitize the listener to the low traffic noise in the quieter scene to follow?

David Ennis · September 25th, 2006, 05:48 PM

I don't think it would desensitize me. But if a connection between the street location and the indoor setting or to one of the participants is established during the lead-in, then the sense of setting would cause me to accept the noise as part of the feature.

If there is no such connection then the lead-in would be effective initially, but might wear off after a few minutes and leave me annoyed with the noise.

Emre Safak · September 25th, 2006, 06:26 PM

It would not desensitize the viewer, it would prepare him. Just good continuity, in my view.

Jesse Redman · September 25th, 2006, 08:39 PM

Jim,

Sometimes I put some light music in (when appropriate) to cover low noise levels.

I also use a gate (built into my NLE) but it can be difficult to cut out noise and not cut off the beginning of words or make them "electronic".

Jim Schweer · September 26th, 2006, 10:29 AM

Emre, prepare is probably a better word. When I used the word desensitize I was thinking of the way a worker in a noisy factory hears those noises less after a time. More likely, if I'm lucky, the noises in the office will sound less significant and annoying when compared to those on the street.

Fred, the added street scene will introduce one of the characters entering the building. Now the interesting task will be cutting between two shots recorded an hour apart without getting instantly appearing and disappearing specific traffic noises.

Thanks, everyone, for the input.

Dan Keaton · September 26th, 2006, 10:52 AM

Another approach would be to remove the traffic noise.

In general, I find traffic noise especially difficult to remove.

I use Sony Noise Reduction 2.0, from within Vegas to remove the traffic noise. Sometimes I am able to remove the noise. It all depends on the noise and the nature of the sounds that you need to keep.

Jim Schweer · September 26th, 2006, 12:17 PM

Dan, if you remove the traffic noise than occurs while someone speaks, what do you lose from the speech?

Barry Gribble · September 26th, 2006, 12:26 PM

Use a high-pass filter, which takes out all the lower frequencies. I think you can run the cut-off frequency up to 100 or 120 Hz and cut out most of the traffic without impacting the voices at all. Play around with it until you find the frequency that works for you.

Good luck.

Dan Keaton · September 26th, 2006, 01:25 PM

With Sony Noise Reduction 2, you can take a "Noise Print" of the noise. This tool captures the frequences inherent in your noise.

Then you can reduce the levels of just these frequencies.

If these frequencies are also used in your vocals, then you may have a problem.

Since traffic noises generally cover a wide range of frequencies, removing traffic noises is sometimes very difficult.

September 25th, 2006, 04:54 PM	#1
Jim Schweer Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 60	traffic noise I have recorded an indoor conversation that has low but noticeable traffic noise in the background (heard through a closed window). If I preceed this scene with an outdoor street scene with comparatively loud traffic noise, would it desensitize the listener to the low traffic noise in the quieter scene to follow?

September 25th, 2006, 05:48 PM	#2
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	I don't think it would desensitize me. But if a connection between the street location and the indoor setting or to one of the participants is established during the lead-in, then the sense of setting would cause me to accept the noise as part of the feature. If there is no such connection then the lead-in would be effective initially, but might wear off after a few minutes and leave me annoyed with the noise. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

September 25th, 2006, 08:39 PM	#4
Jesse Redman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 182	Jim, Sometimes I put some light music in (when appropriate) to cover low noise levels. I also use a gate (built into my NLE) but it can be difficult to cut out noise and not cut off the beginning of words or make them "electronic". __________________ - Jesse XL2 - Vegas - DVDA - Sound Forge - Acid Pro - Cubase SX 3

September 26th, 2006, 10:52 AM	#6
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Another approach would be to remove the traffic noise. In general, I find traffic noise especially difficult to remove. I use Sony Noise Reduction 2.0, from within Vegas to remove the traffic noise. Sometimes I am able to remove the noise. It all depends on the noise and the nature of the sounds that you need to keep. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

September 26th, 2006, 12:26 PM	#8
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	Use a high-pass filter, which takes out all the lower frequencies. I think you can run the cut-off frequency up to 100 or 120 Hz and cut out most of the traffic without impacting the voices at all. Play around with it until you find the frequency that works for you. Good luck. __________________ Barry Gribble Integral Arts, IMDB

September 25th, 2006, 06:26 PM	#3
Emre Safak Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,447	It would not desensitize the viewer, it would prepare him. Just good continuity, in my view.

September 26th, 2006, 10:29 AM	#5
Jim Schweer Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 60	Emre, prepare is probably a better word. When I used the word desensitize I was thinking of the way a worker in a noisy factory hears those noises less after a time. More likely, if I'm lucky, the noises in the office will sound less significant and annoying when compared to those on the street. Fred, the added street scene will introduce one of the characters entering the building. Now the interesting task will be cutting between two shots recorded an hour apart without getting instantly appearing and disappearing specific traffic noises. Thanks, everyone, for the input.

September 26th, 2006, 12:17 PM	#7
Jim Schweer Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Kansas City KS Posts: 60	Dan, if you remove the traffic noise than occurs while someone speaks, what do you lose from the speech?

September 26th, 2006, 01:25 PM	#9
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	With Sony Noise Reduction 2, you can take a "Noise Print" of the noise. This tool captures the frequences inherent in your noise. Then you can reduce the levels of just these frequencies. If these frequencies are also used in your vocals, then you may have a problem. Since traffic noises generally cover a wide range of frequencies, removing traffic noises is sometimes very difficult. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia