I am using Audacity to record narration and use a pop filter. Does anybody have advice on how to mute or diminish the sound of the strong S's and Sh sounds in the narration audio files?
Hi Michael! Thanks for the feedback :). I have neem using the Noise Reduction feature to help get rid of the background noise in the pauses, but it doesn't seem to help reduce the severity of the s's and sh's in the narration.
Highlight the S, T, CH or other hard sound you want to diminish.
At beginning of phrasing, use Effect> Fade In. At end of phrasing use Effect > Fade Out. And/or use Effect > Amplify and enter a negative amount (just a wee bit).
It's not a perfect science about how much, for each CH or SH, Amplify may work better than Fade.
In Audacity, I use the same procedure that I use for reducing and eliminating Plosive P's. In the equalizer (Effect> Equalization) I created a profile reducing the equalization between 0 and 160 Hz as shown in the picture (large red highlight).
I saved that profile. Once saved, you don't need to create it every time, just select it from the list (small red highlight in the picture).
Then in the audio track, select the range with either the plosive P or the Shishing S and apply that profile. (Effect> Equalization - select the created profile, click OK).
I agree with him. If you have problems with your audio, I agree, use the Equalizer software to improve your audio.
Nevertheless, to reduce the problem of sibilance, it is always best to start with the best audio:
Use a top-notch condenser mic.
Always use a POP screen
Distance your mouth from the mic by placing your thumb on your chin and touching the pop screen with your pinky.
Practice your script and work on your tongue/tooth placement.
Create a custom equalizer setting for your voice.
Hire a voice over professional such as myself! (okay....true....shameless promotion but I do believe it always makes sense to hire a professional if you want a professional result no matter what the gig is!)
I've been using the DeEsser Audacity plugin lately and it works pretty well, but I would setup a proper equalization at the end of the process, since the DeEsser ends up 'eating' some frequencies. There is where the equalization will be helpful.
If you can control your recording session, use a compressor/limiter in order to regulate the peaks and lows that occurs while talking. If S's and SH's are present, your pop filter and your mouth might be to close to the mic. Remember, audios are waves of air pressure variation. If stand to close to the mic, you will be recording wind coming out off your mouth. Set a greater recording amplitude/sensibility and step back before narrating... Recording is key. I barely use other stuff beside normilizing the waveform after recording.
What kind of mic are you using?...sometimes that could be the root cause. Sometimes I put a foam piece over the mic itself, which helps with these issues and I spend less time with filters. I currently use a Big Blue mic
Hi, Joy: If the audio is important, I'd probably go in and do the edits manually. Select the sounds, select Amplify, then put in -6 or so. It will take it down. You can always bring it down more, say -7 or more.
Applying de-esser to a whole track tends to degrade the quality of everything.
I agree with Dan. Plugins and manual settings should be applied only to the affected zone by selecting the area containing the problem, not to the entire track.
The mic, the recording process and all other settings are definitely highly recommended, but these problems do happen in spite of all the proper setup. In my opinion these fixes are not to be relied on for every recording without proper setup, but to be used when these problems occur during recording.
Thanks everyone for providing great recommendations! I definitely will set up an equalizer profile and make sure the mic and pop filter are farther away from my mouth. I checked the thumb to chin and pinkie finger to screen measurement and my mic was way too close. These are all helpful tips. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out.
You may find this also reduces the chance of the sh noises - some voice over professional use a face rub so their face is relaxed. Sounds crazy but it works
You often find as well the first take people are a bit on edge. Try a sentence a few times to get going.
13 Replies
I haven`t used Audacity in a long time but there should be filters (either built-in or downloadable as plug-ins) to reduce noise and s sounds.
Hi Michael! Thanks for the feedback :). I have neem using the Noise Reduction feature to help get rid of the background noise in the pauses, but it doesn't seem to help reduce the severity of the s's and sh's in the narration.
Highlight the S, T, CH or other hard sound you want to diminish.
At beginning of phrasing, use Effect> Fade In. At end of phrasing use Effect > Fade Out.
And/or use Effect > Amplify and enter a negative amount (just a wee bit).
It's not a perfect science about how much, for each CH or SH, Amplify may work better than Fade.
Also, you might want to check out the plugin that`s demoed here.
In Audacity, I use the same procedure that I use for reducing and eliminating Plosive P's. In the equalizer (Effect> Equalization) I created a profile reducing the equalization between 0 and 160 Hz as shown in the picture (large red highlight).
I saved that profile. Once saved, you don't need to create it every time, just select it from the list (small red highlight in the picture).
Then in the audio track, select the range with either the plosive P or the Shishing S and apply that profile. (Effect> Equalization - select the created profile, click OK).
Thank You Ulises!
I agree with him. If you have problems with your audio, I agree, use the Equalizer software to improve your audio.
Nevertheless, to reduce the problem of sibilance, it is always best to start with the best audio:
I've been using the DeEsser Audacity plugin lately and it works pretty well, but I would setup a proper equalization at the end of the process, since the DeEsser ends up 'eating' some frequencies. There is where the equalization will be helpful.
If you can control your recording session, use a compressor/limiter in order to regulate the peaks and lows that occurs while talking. If S's and SH's are present, your pop filter and your mouth might be to close to the mic. Remember, audios are waves of air pressure variation. If stand to close to the mic, you will be recording wind coming out off your mouth. Set a greater recording amplitude/sensibility and step back before narrating... Recording is key. I barely use other stuff beside normilizing the waveform after recording.
What kind of mic are you using?...sometimes that could be the root cause. Sometimes I put a foam piece over the mic itself, which helps with these issues and I spend less time with filters. I currently use a Big Blue mic
Hi, Joy: If the audio is important, I'd probably go in and do the edits manually. Select the sounds, select Amplify, then put in -6 or so. It will take it down. You can always bring it down more, say -7 or more.
Applying de-esser to a whole track tends to degrade the quality of everything.
I agree with Dan. Plugins and manual settings should be applied only to the affected zone by selecting the area containing the problem, not to the entire track.
The mic, the recording process and all other settings are definitely highly recommended, but these problems do happen in spite of all the proper setup. In my opinion these fixes are not to be relied on for every recording without proper setup, but to be used when these problems occur during recording.
This post was removed by the author
Thanks everyone for providing great recommendations! I definitely will set up an equalizer profile and make sure the mic and pop filter are farther away from my mouth. I checked the thumb to chin and pinkie finger to screen measurement and my mic was way too close. These are all helpful tips. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out.
I hope everyone is having a great Monday!
Hi Joy, many professional speakers do voice warm ups
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb1Cv7aDXmk
You may find this also reduces the chance of the sh noises - some voice over professional use a face rub so their face is relaxed. Sounds crazy but it works
You often find as well the first take people are a bit on edge. Try a sentence a few times to get going.
Thanks Malcolm
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