SoundSoap Pro User's Guide (e).pdf - Bias

SoundSoap ProVersion 1.2

Software User’s Guide

TM

DCN: 1.2

SoundSoap Pro User’s Guideii

License Agreement/Credits iii

INSTALL LICENSE AGREEMENT

This legal document is an agreement between you, the end user (“YOU” or“LICENSEE”), and Berkley Integrated Audio Software, Inc. (“BIAS, Inc.”). BYCLICKING “INSTALL” ON THE FOLLOWING DIALOG, YOU ARE AGREEING TOBECOME BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHICH INCLUDESTHE SOFTWARE LICENSE AND THE SOFTWARE DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY(collectively the “Agreement”). CLICK “QUIT” ON THE FOLLOWING DIALOG IFYOU DO NOT ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENTCONSTITUTES THE COMPLETE AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND BIAS, INC.IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT USEOR REGISTER THE SOFTWARE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE SOFTWARE ANDTHE OTHER MATERIALS (INCLUDING WRITTEN MATERIALS, BINDERS OROTHER CONTAINERS) THAT ARE PART OF THIS PRODUCT TO THE PLACEWHERE YOU OBTAINED THEM FOR A FULL REFUND. YOUR USE OF THISSOFTWARE SHALL CONSTITUTE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANDONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED THE SOFTWARE YOU MAY NOT RETURN IT.

1. BIAS SOFTWARE LICENSE

BIAS offers two distinct license options – SINGLE USER and MULTI-USER SINGLE SITE. If you have purchased a single user license, thelicense terms in section 1a apply to you. If you have purchased a multi-user single site license (e.g. 5 user lab pack), the license terms in section1b apply to you.

1a. GRANT OF LICENSE (SINGLE USER). In consideration of payment of thesingle user license fee, which is part of the price you paid for thisproduct, BIAS, as Licensor, grants to you, LICENSEE, a nonexclusivelicense to use and display this copy of a BIAS software program (the“SOFTWARE”) and accompanying user documentation(“DOCUMENTATION”). LICENSEE may install and authorize theSOFTWARE on one COMPUTER, provided that (a) the COMPUTER isowned by (or leased to) and under exclusive control of the Licensee; (b)the SOFTWARE shall NOT be used simultaneously on more than oneCOMPUTER at a time, and (c) any COMPUTER(S) with BIAS Softwareinstalled shall not be sold, rented, leased, loaned or otherwise beremoved from the LICENSEE’s possession without first removing anddeauthorizing the Software, except as provided in Paragraph 6 (below)pertaining to “TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.” BIAS reserves all rights notexpressly granted to LICENSEE.

1b. GRANT OF LICENSE (MULTI-USER SINGLE SITE LICENSE). Inconsideration of payment of the multi-user single site license fee, whichis part of the price you paid for this product, BIAS, as Licensor, grants toyou, LICENSEE, a nonexclusive license to use and display this copy of theSoftware and Documentation. LICENSEE may install and authorize theSOFTWARE on a number of COMPUTERS equal to or less than thenumber of licenses purchased (e.g. a 5 User Lab Pack allows up to 5 BIASSOFTWARE licenses at a single SITE to be simultaneously installed,authorized, and used on up to 5 COMPUTERS at said SITE), providedthat (a) each COMPUTER is owned by (or leased to) and under exclusivecontrol of the Licensee; (b) the SOFTWARE shall NOT be usedsimultaneously on more COMPUTERS at a time than the number oflicenses purchased as part of the multi-user single site license, and (c)any COMPUTER(S) with BIAS Software installed shall not be sold,rented, leased, loaned or otherwise be removed from the LICENSEE’spossession without first removing and deauthorizing the Software,except as provided in Paragraph 6 (below) pertaining to “TRANSFERRESTRICTIONS.” BIAS reserves all rights not expressly granted toLICENSEE.

2. SOFTWARE AUTHORIZATION. You must register and AUTHORIZE thisSOFTWARE either online (via the included BIAS Authorization Managersoftware) or by phone (1-800-775-2427 +1-707-782-1866). Once theSOFTWARE is registered and AUTHORIZED, it may not be returned.

3. OWNERSHIP OF SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION. As LICENSEE,you own the media on which the SOFTWARE and DOCUMENTATIONare originally or subsequently recorded or fixed, but BIAS retains titleand ownership of the SOFTWARE and DOCUMENTATION and allsubsequent copies of the SOFTWARE and DOCUMENTATION,regardless of the form or media on which the original and other copiesmay exist. This License is not a sale of the original SOFTWARE or anycopy or sale of the original DOCUMENTATION.

4. COPY RESTRICTIONS. This SOFTWARE and the DOCUMENTATION arecopyrighted. Unauthorized copying of the SOFTWARE, includingSOFTWARE that has been modified, merged, or included with othersoftware, or of the DOCUMENTATION is expressly forbidden. You maybe held legally responsible for any copyright infringement that is causedor encouraged by your failure to abide by the terms of this License.Subject to these restrictions, and if the SOFTWARE is not copy-protected, you may make one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE solely forbackup purposes. You must reproduce and include the copyright noticeon the backup copy.

5. USE RESTRICTIONS. As the LICENSEE, you may physically transfer theSOFTWARE from one computer to another provided that theSOFTWARE is used on only one computer at a time if you havepurchased a single user license or, if you have purchased a multi-usersingle site license, on up to the number of computers for which you havepurchased a license at one time. You may not electronically transfer theSOFTWARE from one computer to another over a network. You may notdistribute copies of the SOFTWARE or the DOCUMENTATION to others.You may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile,disassemble, or create derivative works based on the SOFTWARE. Youmay not modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on theDOCUMENTATION without the prior written consent of BIAS.

6. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. This SOFTWARE is licensed only to you,LICENSEE, and may not be assigned or otherwise transferred to anyone,whether voluntary or by operation of law, without the prior writtenconsent of BIAS. Any authorized transferee of the SOFTWARE mustagree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or thetransfer shall be invalid. In no event may you transfer, assign, rent, lease,sell, or otherwise dispose of the SOFTWARE on a temporary orpermanent basis except as expressly provided herein.

7. LICENSE TO U.S. GOVERNMENT. If LICENSEE is an agency orinstrumentality of the United States Government, the SOFTWARE andDOCUMENTATION are “commercial computer software” and“commercial computer software documentation”, and pursuant to FAR12.212 or DFARS 227.7202, and their successors, as applicable, use,reproduction and disclosure of the Software and Documentation aregoverned by the terms of this Agreement.

8. TERMINATION. This License is effective until terminated. This Licensewill terminate automatically without notice from BIAS if you fail tocomply with any provision of this License. Upon termination you shalldestroy the DOCUMENTATION and all copies of the SOFTWARE,including modified copies, if any.

9. UPDATE POLICY. BIAS may create, from time to time, updated versionsof the SOFTWARE. At its option, BIAS will make such updates availableto LICENSEE and transferees who have paid the update fee and returnedthe registration card to BIAS.

10. BIAS PRODUCT SUPPORT.

Unlimited Complimentary Self Help Options

If you have questions about installing or using your BIAS products,please check the manual or user guide first, and you will find answers tomost of your questions there. If you need further assistance, please

SoundSoap Pro User’s Guideiv

check the support section of the BIAS web site, which contains answersto frequently asked questions, troubleshooting tips, and more:

http://www.bias-inc.com/support/faq/

Limited Complimentary Technical Assistance

Ninety days of complimentary technical support assistance for up tothree incidents is available with the initial purchase of Type 1 BIASproducts (Peak Pro, Peak Pro XT, Master Perfection Suite, SoundSoapPro, Deck). Ninety days of complimentary technical support assistancefor a single incident is available with the initial purchase of Type 2 BIASproducts (Peak LE, Deck LE, SoundSoap 2). The support period beginswhen the product is initially registered and authorized. Type 3 products(OEM versions) are excluded.

An additional thirty days of complimentary technical support assistancefor a single incident, beginning on the expiration of the initial ninety daysof complimentary support described above, is available with thepurchase of paid upgrades to Type 1 and Type 2 BIAS products.

To receive e-mail or telephone technical support, you will need a validserial number and must be registered for a current BIAS product. Pleasekeep your original product serial number (located on your originalowner’s certificate) in a safe place as it will be required for support.

Customers who prefer support by email, please contact:

[email protected]

Customers who prefer support by telephone, (connect and toll chargesapply), please have your computer running and close by the phone andcall us at:

+1-707-782-1865 (9AM-5PM Monday-Friday PST – excluding BIAS holidays)

Fee-based Technical Support Options

Fee-based Support is available for those customers whose supportperiod has expired or for Type 3 (OEM version) customers. Please call:

+1-707-782-1865 (9AM-5PM Monday-Friday PST – excluding BIAS holidays)

For customers living outside of North America, please contact your localBIAS distributor, or contact BIAS directly. A list of BIAS distributors maybe found at:

http://www.bias-inc.com/distributors.html

BIAS Support Policy and Hours

BIAS, Inc. support policy and hours are subject to change withoutnotice.

Sales and Non-Technical Customer Service

For product information, sales, and other non-technical customerservice, please email or call:

[email protected]: 1-800-775-BIAS (2427)International: +1-707-782-1866 (9AM-5PM Monday-Friday PST – excluding BIAS holidays)

No technical support is available at the numbers or email address above.

11. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement is governed by the law of the Stateof California, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY AND LIMITED WARRANTY

THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION (INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS FORUSE) ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. FURTHER,BIAS DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONSREGARDING THE USE, OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE, OF THE SOFTWARE ORDOCUMENTATION IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY,CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS ANDPERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU, AND NOT BIAS ORITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES. YOU AGREE TOASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, ORCORRECTION.BIAS warrants to the original LICENSEE that the media upon which theSOFTWARE is recorded and the BIAS Key (USB dongle), if applicable, are freefrom defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for aperiod of ninety (90) days from the date of delivery as evidenced by a copy ofyour receipt. Further, BIAS hereby limits the duration of any impliedwarranty(ies) on the media to the respective periods stated above. Some statesdo not allow limitations on duration of an implied warranty, so the abovelimitation may not apply to you.BIAS’ entire liability and your exclusive remedy as to the media shall be, at BIAS’option, either (a) return of the purchase price or (b) replacement of the mediathat does not meet BIAS’ Limited Warranty and which is returned to BIAS with acopy of the receipt. If failure of the media has resulted from accident, abuse, ormisapplication, BIAS shall have no responsibility to replace the media or refundthe purchase price. Any replacement media will be warranted for the remainderof the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer.THE ABOVE ARE THE ONLY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS ORIMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OFMERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THAT AREMADE BY BIAS CONCERNING THE BIAS PRODUCT. NO ORAL OR WRITTENINFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY BIAS, ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS,AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAYINCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY, AND YOU MAY NOT RELY ON ANYSUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFICLEGAL RIGHTS. YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TOSTATE.NEITHER BIAS NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THECREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE LIABLEFOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES(INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESSINTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE).BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OFLIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVELIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

This Disclaimer of Warranty and Limited Warranty is governed by the laws of theState of California, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

Should you have any questions concerning this Agreement, or wish to contactBIAS for any reason, please contact in writing:

BIAS Customer Sales and Service140 Keller StreetPetaluma, CA 94952USA

Copyright 1996–2007 BIAS, Inc.

Credits:SoundSoap Pro software: David Tremblay, Guillermo Garcia, David Ralley,Andrew Kimpton, Wayne Jackson, Steve Berkley, Eric Eizenman, Rick Sustek, BenVentura, Eric Johnson.

Audio Units™, Mac OS X™, Logic™ and Macintosh™, are registeredtrademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

VST™, WaveLab™, Cubase™, and Nuendo™ are registered trademarks ofSteinberg Media Technologies, AG.

Pro Tools™, RTAS™ & AudioSuite™ are registered trademarks of Digidesign, Inc.

Avid™ is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.

Digital Performer™ is a registered trademark of MOTU, Inc.

Sound Forge™ and Vegas Video™ are registered trademarks of Sony, Inc.

Windows XP™ is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.

Sonar™ is a registered trademark of Cakewalk, Inc.

User’s Guide:Zac Wheatcroft

Special Thanks to:Christine Berkley, Ben Hester, Jason Davies, Paul Knowles, Dan Spirlock, GabeKhofri, Ben Ventura, Lisa Stefan, Victor Cebreros, Cory Stück, Melissa Farinha,Andrew Stone, Brent Hurtig, Seamus Walsh, Gary Hobish, Jeramy Basserman,Rafael Kassier, Matt Murray of Linside Productions, Ronald Hall, Ray Legnini, TomPearson, "Dr. Fred" Bashour, James Barber, Drew Lavyne, Joris Holtackers, GlennLorbiecki, Marc Rosenberg, and all the other hard-working SoundSoap Pro betatesters.

License Agreement/Credits v

SoundSoap Pro User’s Guidevi

BIAS Product Support:

Unlimited Complimentary Self HelpOptions

If you have questions about installing or using your BIASproducts, please check the manual or user guide first,you will find answers to most of your questions there. Ifyou need further assistance, please check:

http://www.bias-inc.com/support.html

for frequently asked questions, an extensive database ofrelated articles, troubleshooting tips, and more.

Limited Complimentary TechnicalAssistance

Ninety days of technical support assistance for up tothree incidents is available with the initial purchase ofType 1 BIAS products (Peak Pro, Peak Pro XT, MasterPerfection Suite, Deck, SoundSoap Pro). Ninety days oftechnical support assistance for a single incident isavailable with the initial purchase of Type 2 BIASproducts (Peak LE, Deck LE, SuperFreq, SoundSoap 2).Type 3 products (OEM versions) are excluded. Thirtydays of technical support assistance for a single incidentis available with the purchase of paid upgrades to Type 1and Type 2 BIAS products. The support period beginswhen the product authorization code (PAC) is initiallyissued following the product registration. To receive e-mail or telephone technical support, you will need avalid serial number and must be registered for a currentBIAS product. Please keep your original product serialnumber and PAC in a safe place as it will be required forsupport. For customers preferring e-mail assistance,please use the email form available on our web site at:

http://www.bias-inc.com/support.html

Or, email:

[email protected]

For customers preferring telephone assistance, (connectand toll charges apply), please have your computerrunning and close by the phone and call us at:

+1-707-782-1865

9AM-5PM Monday-Friday PST – excluding BIAS holidays

Fee-based Technical Support Options

Fee-based Support is available for those customerswhose support period has expired or for Type 3 (OEMversion) customers. Please call:

+1-707-782-1865


For customers living outside of North America, pleasecontact your local BIAS distributor, or contact BIASdirectly. A list of BIAS distributors may be found at:

http://www.bias-inc.com/distributors.html

Product Support Options vii

SoundSoap Pro User’s Guideviii

BIAS Support Policy and Hours

BIAS, Inc. support policy and hours are subject tochange without notice.

Sales and Non-Technical Customer Service

For product information, sales, and other non-technicalcustomer service, please email or call:[email protected]

US: 1-800-775-BIAS (2427)International: +1-707-782-1866


No technical support is available at the numbers or emailaddress above.

Table of Contents ix

Contents

Chapter 1: Introducing SoundSoap ProWelcome!.....................................................................................................................................................................................................13SoundSoap Pro Features............................................................................................................................................................................13Who Is SoundSoap Pro Designed For?......................................................................................................................................................14Minimum System Requirements................................................................................................................................................................15About Your User’s Guide............................................................................................................................................................................15Help with SoundSoap Pro..........................................................................................................................................................................16Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................................................................16

Chapter 2: Installation, Registration, and AuthorizationInstalling SoundSoap Pro..........................................................................................................................................................................19Registration and Authorization..................................................................................................................................................................21Deauthorizing a Computer.........................................................................................................................................................................23Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................................................................24

Chapter 3: SoundSoap Pro User Interface & ControlsIntroduction...............................................................................................................................................................................................27A Brief Explanation of Noise Types..........................................................................................................................................................27Getting Started with SoundSoap Pro.........................................................................................................................................................28SoundSoap Pro Controls Explained..........................................................................................................................................................28Global Controls...........................................................................................................................................................................................29Launch Area.................................................................................................................................................................................................33Hum & Rumble Tool...................................................................................................................................................................................35Click & Crackle Tool....................................................................................................................................................................................39Broadband Tool...........................................................................................................................................................................................41Noise Gate Tool...........................................................................................................................................................................................45Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................................................................46

Chapter 4: Using SoundSoap ProIntroduction...............................................................................................................................................................................................49Tips for Noise Reduction...........................................................................................................................................................................49Using SoundSoap Pro................................................................................................................................................................................50Applying SoundSoap Pro Settings.............................................................................................................................................................55Using Presets...............................................................................................................................................................................................55Using A/B/C/D Comparisons (“Snapshots”).............................................................................................................................................56Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................................................................57

Chapter 5: Hands-On Tutorial

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................61Lesson 1: Removing Tape Hiss..................................................................................................................................................................61Lesson 2: Removing Clicks, Crackles, and Hiss........................................................................................................................................64Lesson 3: Removing 60Hz Hum and Background Noise.........................................................................................................................65Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................................................................71

Table of Contentsx

SoundSoap Pro User’s Guide12

Chapter 1:IntroducingSoundSoap Pro

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing BIAS SoundSoap Pro!SoundSoap Pro is a professional noise reduction plug-infor VST, RTAS, Audio Units, and AudioSuite hostapplications. It features tools for removing hum, rumble,clicks, crackle, and broadband noise – and also includesa noise gate. SoundSoap Pro is a “universal restorationsolution” – as it contains all of these powerful noisereduction tools within a single interface – and it can be“plugged-into” virtually any host application thatsupports the aforementioned plug-in formats.

SoundSoap Pro shares some of the same technology thathas makes the original SoundSoap such a popularapplication/plug-in – tools such as the intelligent noiselearning algorithm and Noise Only mode are also a partof SoundSoap Pro.

SoundSoap Pro adds the ultimate in parameter control –as well as new Click & Crackle removal tools, a globalspectrogram, and many other visual feedback tools thathelp in the audio restoration process. This powerfulcollection of controls requires a totally different userinterface, which allows access to these many parameters,but in a logical and easy to use manner. SoundSoap Profeatures a tab-based user interface, with dedicated toolsfor specific noise types. These tabs are arranged tosuggest an order of processing to the user that producesoptimal results. There is no restriction however, onusing these tools – individual tools may be toggled on oroff, depending on the types of noise present in the digitalmedia file at hand, and they may be used in any orderdesired. SoundSoap Pro also offers advanced presetcontrol – the settings for all four tools are saved into apreset, but individual tool settings may be loaded at will.

SoundSoap Pro can be used within practically any AudioUnits, RTAS/AudioSuite, or VST host – on bothMacintosh and Windows platforms. Users of Peak, ProTools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Premiere, WaveLab,Sound Forge, and many other applications that supportplug-ins may easily add SoundSoap Pro’s powerful noisereduction technology directly into their application ofchoice.

SoundSoap Pro is the perfect solution for removingunwanted hiss, room noise, rumble, electrical hum, click& crackle, and other background noise from almost anydigital media file – including digital video (DV )soundtracks, PowerPoint and other presentationsoftware soundtracks, Flash and other web-toolsoundtracks, digital audio workstation tracks, cassette,vinyl, or other analog tape recordings that have beentransferred to a computer, and other sources.

We’re sure you’ll find SoundSoap Pro to be a powerfuland useful tool, allowing you to enhance the quality ofyour digital audio and video projects.

SoundSoap Pro Features:

• Powerful, professional noise reduction

• Convenience – includes AudioSuite/RTAS, AudioUnits, and VST format plug-ins

• Easy-to-use tab-based user interface with dedicatedtools for specific noise types

Chapter 1 13

1

• Launch Tab – Contains Getting Started informationto help you quickly get up to speed withSoundSoap Pro’s controls

Global Tools (available within each tab):

-Spectrogram

-Global Presets

-Noise Only mode

-Default View Checkbox

-Processing Bypass Buttons

-Automation (parameters automatable withincompatible host applications)

-Numerical Value Entry

Hum & Rumble Reduction Tab:

-Hum Frequency Slider

-Q (Bandwidth) Slider

-Depth Slider

-Harmonics Slider

-Harmonics Tilt Knob

-Hum Meter

-Rumble Slider

Click & Crackle Tab:

-Sensitivity Slider

-Click Threshold Slider

-Crackle Threshold Slider

-Click Indicator

Broadband Tab:

-Threshold/Reduction View Slider

-Threshold Sliders

-Reduction Sliders

-Threshold/Reduction Lock Buttons (Slider Grouping)

-Meters

-Learn Noise Button

-Attack Knob

-Release Knob

-Attack Tilt Knob

-Release Tilt Knob

Noise Gate Tab:

-Attack Knob

-Release Knob

-Threshold Slider

-Reduction Depth Slider

-Visual Waveform Display

-Left, Right, & L+R Waveform Display Buttons

-Freeze Waveform Display Button

Who is SoundSoap Pro designed for?

SoundSoap Pro is designed for the demanding audioprofessional who requires high-quality noisereduction/removal, coupled with the convenience ofusing their editing environment of choice. SoundSoapPro uses advanced noise reduction technology and an


innovative user interface to provide access to a widearray of controls – allowing incredible noise reduction ina minimal amount of time, with minimal artifacts.

With access to virtually any imaginable noise reductionparameter, SoundSoap Pro offers powerful tools that areeasy to use, and should allow anyone to achieve amazingresults.

Minimum System Requirements

To use SoundSoap Pro on a Macintosh – you will need:

• G4, G5, or Intel-based Macintosh (≥500mHzprocessor recommended)

• Macintosh OS 10.3.9 (OS 10.4 recommended)

To use SoundSoap Pro on a Windows PC – you will need:

• Intel P3/P4, Athlon w/SSE Instructions (≥ 800mHzprocessor recommended)

• Windows XP Home/Professional or Windows Vista

Both:

• Compatible Audio Units, RTAS/AudioSuite, or VSThost application

• 128 MB RAM (256 or more recommended)

• 20 MB available hard drive space

For the most up-to-date info, please visit:

http://www.bias-inc.com/soundsoappro/

About Your User’s Guide

SoundSoap Pro is designed to be simple and intuitive.Your User’s Guide is designed to help you set up and useSoundSoap Pro for noise reduction/removal as quickly aspossible.

This User’s Guide assumes that you are familiar withstandard Macintosh and/or Windows operatingtechniques, including:

• Setting up, starting, and using your computer

• Choosing commands from menus

• Double-clicking, selecting, shift-selecting, anddragging with the mouse

• Opening, copying, saving, and deleting files

• Opening, closing, scrolling, moving, re-sizing, andselecting windows

If you don’t know how to perform these tasks, pleaserefer to the documentation that was included with yourcomputer, and spend a little time learning about youroperating system before going any further. This willmake using SoundSoap Pro much easier and effective.

The chapters in your SoundSoap Pro User’s Guide arearranged in the order in which you would typicallyperform tasks when the need arises to remove unwantednoise from your media.

• Chapter 1 introduces you to SoundSoap Pro andexplains some of the requirements for using it

• Chapter 2 explains how to install, register, andauthorize your computer to run SoundSoap Pro

• Chapter 3 explains the various features inSoundSoap Pro and how they are used toreduce/remove noise

• Chapter 4 demonstrates how to use SoundSoapPro

Chapter 1 15

1

• Chapter 5 contains a hands-on tutorial, with step-by-step directions on how to remove various typesof noise from the included sample files

Look for important tips and notes whenever yousee this exclamation mark

Help with SoundSoap Pro

SoundSoap Pro offers two types of help. The first type,appears in the Launch Area of the SoundSoap Prointerface. This type of help contains quick gettingstarted tips. You can vary the amount of text shown atany time by clicking the “See More” button.

The second, and more comprehensive type of help is theSoundSoap Pro User’s Guide. A .pdf edition of this

documentation is installed into:

On Macintosh systems:

/MacintoshHD/Library/Documentation/BIAS/SoundSoapPro/

On Windows systems:

C:/Program Files/BIAS/SoundSoap Pro/

Clicking the Help (“?”) Button will launch your webbrowser and take you to the BIAS Documentation page,where you can download additional tutorials onSoundSoap Pro, as they become available.

Conclusion

Now that you know a little about SoundSoap Pro,proceed to the next chapter to learn how to install andstart using it.


SoundSoap Pro’s Help button

Clicking the See More button displays more of the Getting Started Tips,or more of the Launch Screen info (licensed user, serial number, etc)


Chapter 2:Installation, Registration,and Authorization

Installing SoundSoap Pro

SoundSoap Pro’s auto-installer software makesinstallation very easy. The steps below will guide youthrough the process.

Your complete SoundSoap Pro system consists of:

• CD-ROM installer

• Serial number

• Authorization File

Before you install SoundSoap Pro, please check theMinimum System Requirements on Page 15.

To install SoundSoap Pro on a Macintosh:

1. If you are using any virus protection software, turnit off or temporarily remove it, and restart yourMacintosh.

2. Insert the SoundSoap Pro installer CD-ROM intoyour CD-ROM drive – when its icon appears onyour computer’s desktop, double-click the InstallSoundSoap Pro icon.

3. When prompted about the Installer packagerunning a program to determine if it can beinstalled, click the Continue button.

4. When the Installer dialog appears, click theContinue button.

5. Read the Software License Agreement – then clickthe Continue button to proceed.

6. Click the Agree button if you agree to the terms ofthe Software License Agreement.

7. Select the hard drive/volume on which you wish toinstall SoundSoap Pro, and click the Continue button.

8. Click the Install/Upgrade button (depending onthe configuration of your user account, you mayneed to enter your account password. If promptedfor your password, enter it and click the OKbutton. If you do not know your accountpassword, please contact your systemadministrator for assistance).

9. When the installation is complete, a message willappear indicating that the installation wassuccessful. Click the Close button to quit theInstaller. (Don’t forget to turn back on any virus-protection software that you may be using the nexttime you restart the computer).

What SoundSoap Pro installs on Macintoshsystems:

The SoundSoap Pro installer places a number of files onyour computer. The files and install location aredescribed below:

Audio Units Hosts: (Peak, Logic, Digital Performer, etc.)

SoundSoap Pro automatically installs the Audio Unitsformat plug-in into the following directory:

/Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/

Chapter 2 19

2

RTAS/AudioSuite Hosts (Pro Tools):

SoundSoap Pro automatically installs theRTAS/AudioSuite format plug-in into the followingdirectory:

/Macintos HD/Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins/

VST Hosts: (Peak, Cubase SL/SX, Nuendo, etc.)

SoundSoap Pro automatically installs the VST formatplug-in into the following directory:

/Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/

Documentation

An electronic (PDF format) version of the SoundSoapPro User’s Guide, and a Read Me file with late-breakinginformation are both installed into:

/Macintosh HD/Library/Documentation/BIAS/SoundSoap Pro/

Check the documentation included with your hostapplication for more information on where it expectsplug-ins to reside in order to function properly.

To install SoundSoap Pro on a Windows PC:

1. If you are using any virus-protection software, turnit off or temporarily remove it, and restart yourcomputer.

2. Insert the SoundSoap Pro Installer CD-ROM inyour CD-ROM drive. If the SoundSoap Pro Setupprogram does not automatically launch, double-click the Install SoundSoap Pro icon.

3. When the InstallShield Wizard for BIAS SoundSoapPro appears, click the Next button.

4. Read the Software License Agreement, and then click

the “I accept the terms in the license agreement” radiobutton to continue with installation.

5. To install SoundSoap Pro into the default directory(recommended), click the Next button ( Vista users– skip this step).

6. In the Setup Type dialog, choose the Typical option( Vista users choose the Complete option), andclick the Next button.

7. In the Select Program Folder dialog, click the Nextbutton to continue with installation.

8. In the Ready to Install dialog, click the Next buttonto continue with installation.

9. When you are finished installing, click Finish to exitthe installer.

At the end of installation, the Installer programwill instruct you to authorize the plug-in – this isdescribed later in this chapter.

What SoundSoap Pro Installs on WindowsSystems:

The SoundSoap Pro installer places a number of files onyour computer. The files and install location aredescribed below:

RTAS/AudioSuite Hosts (Pro Tools):

SoundSoap Pro automatically installs theRTAS/AudioSuite format plug-in into:

/Program Files/Common/Digidesign/DAE/Plug-Ins/

VST Hosts: (Cubase SL/SX, Nuendo, etc.)

SoundSoap Pro installs the VST format plug-in into theVstPlugIns folder of your VST host program.


Documentation

An electronic (PDF format) version of the SoundSoapPro User’s Guide, and a Read Me file with late-breakinginformation are both installed into:

/Program Files/BIAS/BIAS SoundSoap Pro/

If you would like to register and authorize SoundSoapPro at this point, launch the host program you will use(which is installed into your Applications folder bydefault), and have your Owner’s Certificate handy, andfollow the directions in the next section.

Registration & Authorization

SoundSoap Pro must be authorized to work on yourcomputer. You must register SoundSoap Pro with BIASin order to authorize it. The registration andauthorization process is outlined below.

Serial Number-Based Authorization System

SoundSoap Pro’s standard authorization system consistsof the following components:

• BIAS Authorization Manager – A simple applicationfor managing BIAS software licenses.

• Serial Number – Located on Owner’s Certificate.

• Registration Account – Your registration andauthorization information on the BIAS Server.

• Authorization Request File – A file transferred fromyour computer to the BIAS server, which adds thecomputer you are authorizing to your BIASRegistration Account.

• Authorization File – A file transferred from the BIASserver to your computer, which authorizes it to runSoundSoap Pro.

You must register with BIAS in order to authorizeyour computer – SoundSoap Pro will not launchunless your computer is authorized to run it.

The registration/authorization process provides thefollowing services:

• Registers your software with BIAS – making youeligible for technical support and product updates.

• Authorizes your computer so it can run SoundSoapPro. You may authorize up to two computers foruse with SoundSoap Pro – for example, a studio oroffice computer, and a laptop for home or mobileuse.

Keep in mind that for each license of SoundSoapPro – the software may only be used by one user,on one computer system at a time. If you haveused both of your authorizations, and need toauthorize a new computer, you will need to firstde-authorize one of the authorized computersbefore you are issued a new authorization for thenew computer.

To Register & Authorize a Computer to Run SoundSoap Pro:

1. Attempt to open SoundSoap Pro in your host program– the first time it is opened on an unauthorizedcomputer, you will be prompted to use it in trialmode, or to authorize it – click the Authorize button.

2. When the BIAS Authorization Manager appears,select BIAS SoundSoap Pro 1.x in the “PleaseChoose a Product” section – then enter yourSoundSoap Pro serial number (your SoundSoapPro serial number is printed on the Owner’sCertificate included in the SoundSoap Pro package,or on the electronic receipt from a downloadablepurchase) and email address in the appropriatefields, and click the Authorize button.

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If you use more than one email address, be sure tomake a note of which one you registered with –this will make managing your BIAS RegistrationAccount faster and simpler in the future.

3a. If you have previously registered another BIASproduct, using the same email address, SoundSoapPro will be authorized automatically – pleasecontinue to step 4.

3b. If the BIAS Registration system does not recognizeyour email address (i.e., if this is the first BIASproduct you are registering, or if you enter adifferent email address than with previouslyregistered BIAS products) – a dialog will appear,prompting you to enter your registrationinformation. Enter your registration information,and click the Submit button – a dialog will appearindicating that you have been successfullyregistered – please continue to step 4.

4. A dialog will appear indicating successfulauthorization – click the OK button, and then clickthe Done button to exit the Authorization Manager,and begin using SoundSoap Pro.

Alternate Methods ofRegistration/Authorization

If the computer on which you plan to use SoundSoap Procannot be temporarily connected to the Internet, evenfor this one-time authorization process, there are anumber of other ways to register and authorizeSoundSoap Pro.

Registering & authorizing SoundSoap Pro usinganother computer with internet access

To use this method of registration/authorization, you willneed to run the BIAS Authorization Manager program fromyour installer CD-ROM – or copy the BIAS AuthorizationManager from your installer CD-ROM to the internet-equipped computer’s hard drive and run it from there.

To register & authorize using another computer withinternet access:

1. Attempt to open SoundSoap Pro on the computerwhere it will be used (i.e., the computer withoutinternet access) – the first time SoundSoap Pro is usedon an unauthorized computer, the Welcome toSoundSoap Pro dialog appears – click the Authorizebutton to proceed to the BIAS Authorization Manager.

2. In the BIAS Authorization Manager dialog , select BIASSoundSoap Pro 1.x in the “Please Choose a Product”section – then enter your SoundSoap Pro serialnumber and email address (your SoundSoap Proserial number is printed on the Owner’s Certificateincluded in the SoundSoap Pro package, or on theelectronic receipt from a downloadable purchase).

3. Click the Alternate Authorization button – theAlternate Authorization dialog appears.

4. In the Alternate Authorization dialog, click theGenerate Authorization Request button – theSerial Number/Email Address dialog appears.

5. Confirm that the email address and serial numberare correct, and click the OK button to save anAuthorization Request File to your hard drive.

6. Transfer the Authorization Request File to anothercomputer that has Internet access (via a LAN, byburning it to CD, copying to a floppy diskette, flashdrive, external hard drive, iPod, digital camera, etc.)

7. Launch the BIAS Authorization Manager programon your internet-equipped computer.

8. In the “Please Choose a Product” section, chooseBIAS SoundSoap Pro 1.x.


Your serial number appears on the Owner’s Certificate, included in theSoundSoap Pro package, or on the electronic receipt from adownloadable purchase (not shown here).

9. Click the Alternate Authorization button in theBIAS Authorization Manager program.

10. Go directly to step 3 in the Alternate Authorizationdialog – click the Open Authorization Request button.

11. In the Open dialog that appears, locate and selectthe Authorization Request File, then click the Openbutton – this will transmit the AuthorizationRequest File to the BIAS Server.

12a. If you have previously registered another BIASproduct, using the same email address, the BIASserver will transmit an Authorization File back toyour internet-equipped computer – click the Savebutton to save this to the internet-equippedcomputer’s hard drive. Please proceed to step 13.

12b. If the BIAS Registration system does not recognizeyour email address (i.e., if this is the first BIASproduct you are registering, or if you enter a differentemail address than with previously registered BIASproducts) – a dialog will appear, prompting you toenter your registration information.

12c. Enter your registration information, and click theSubmit button, then click the OK button when thesuccessful registration dialog appears.

12d. You will be prompted to open the AuthorizationRequest File a second time – locate it, and then clickthe Open button – The BIAS server will transmit anAuthorization File back to your internet-equippedcomputer – click the Save button to save this to theinternet-equipped computer’s hard drive.

13. Click OK to exit the Authorization Successful dialog, thenclick the Done button in the Alternate Authorizationdialog, and again in the BIAS Authorization Manager.

14. Transfer the Authorization File (the file is called “BIASSoundSoap Pro 1.x”) from the internet-equippedcomputer back to the host computer where SoundSoapPro will be used (via a LAN, by burning it to CD, etc.).

15. Go directly to step 4 in the Alternate Authorizationdialog – click the Open Authorization File button.

16. In the Open dialog that appears, locate and select

the Authorization File, then click the Open button.

17. Click OK in the Authorization Complete dialog, andDone in the Authorization Manager.

To register & authorize SoundSoap Pro with noInternet access

If you do not have temporary Internet access on anycomputer, or need help with any part of theregistration/authorization process, please contact BIAS at:

US Toll-Free: 1-800-775-2427

International: +1-707-782-1866

Deauthorizing a Computer

If you need to de-authorize a particular computer thatwill no longer be used to run SoundSoap Pro, you can doso by following the steps below.

The computer running SoundSoap Pro must beconnected to the internet in order to deauthorize it.

To De-Authorize a Computer:

1. Launch the BIAS Authorization Manager from yourhard drive (or launch the BIAS AuthorizationManager program from your installer CD-ROM).

2. In the BIAS Authorization Manager, select theproduct you wish to de-authorize – the serialnumber and email address used to authorize thatproduct will be automatically recalled and will appearin the Serial Number and Email Address fields.

3. Click the Deauthorize button.

4. Click the Deauthorize button to confirm thedeauthorization process – the DeauthorizationSuccessful dialog appears.

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5. Click the OK button – then click the Done buttonin the BIAS Authorization Manager.

Conclusion

Now that you have installed, registered, and authorizedSoundSoap Pro, please proceed to the next chapter tolearn about using SoundSoap Pro.



Chapter 3:SoundSoap Pro UserInterface & Controls

Introduction

This chapter explains key SoundSoap Pro concepts andfunctions, and what each control in the user interface isused for.

A Brief Explanation of Noise Types

If you are using SoundSoap Pro, chances are you haverun into some sort of undesirable noise in your digitalmedia files. SoundSoap Pro offers many tools andprecise control, allowing you to easily and effectivelyremove practically any type of unwanted audio signal —clicks, pops, crackle, hiss, hum, rumble, HVAC systemnoise, SMPTE timecode crosstalk, camera motor noise –and many other types of noise from a wide variety ofdigital audio and video media files. Such noise can be abig distraction from the desired audio signal, resulting inan unprofessional-sounding final product.

While SoundSoap Pro can do a great deal to reduce noisefrom a file, there may be situations in which the desiredaudio signal is lower than the level of noise, making itimpossible to fully remove the noise. In cases like this,SoundSoap Pro may not entirely remove the noise, butmay be able to significantly reduce its presence. Thetypes of noise that SoundSoap Pro is designed to reduceare outlined below:

Hum

The type of noise known as “hum” is typically composedof a fundamental frequency (such as 60 Hz) and itsharmonics, and is often associated with audio equipmentbeing used on faulty electrical circuits, or equipment thatis not properly grounded.

Rumble

Rumble is a type of noise similar to hum, but typicallyoccurs at lower frequencies, usually around 40 Hz orbelow. An example of rumble would be the lowfrequency noise from phonograph turntables – oftenpresent in recordings made from vinyl records. Therumble filter may also be effective in removing othertypes of low frequency noise.

Clicks/Crackles/Pops

This category of noise is generally identified by randomabrupt transients in an audio signal. When examinedclosely in a waveform editor, these transients will usuallyappear as abrupt “spikes” which do not fit within theoverall pattern of an audio waveform. Clicks andcrackles are often found in recordings made from vinylrecords. Pops are a common result of performingcut/copy/paste type edits on audio or video media,especially when the editing platform does not accuratelymake these edits at zero-crossings (sections of the audiosignal with zero amplitude). Pops may also result from

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faulty electronic equipment, which can sometimesproduce pops at regular intervals in an audio or videorecording – or from clocking problems with digitaltransfers.

Broadband Noise

Broadband noise is any noise that is composed of abroad frequency spectrum. Tape hiss, room noise, air-conditioner noise (as well as noise from other types ofappliances, lighting systems, etc.), buzzing, white noise,and pink noise, are common examples of “broadband”noise.

Getting Started with SoundSoap Pro

SoundSoap Pro is designed to be used as a plug-in withinyour favorite AudioSuite/RTAS, Audio Units, or VST-compatible host application, on Mac OS X or WindowsXP and Vista. SoundSoap Pro was designed to provideprofessional-quality audio restoration, but also to be verysimple to use, with maximum control over parametersthat can reduce/remove the types of noise described inthe previous section.

While SoundSoap Pro does offer some level ofautomated processing, and carefully adjusted defaultsettings, it is important to understand what each controldoes, in order to use the best possible settings to addressparticular types of unwanted noise. The next sectionintroduces SoundSoap Pro’s graphical user interface.

Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with thevarious knobs, buttons, sliders, and visual feedback tools,and then move on to the next section, for detaileddescriptions on how they are used.

SoundSoap Pro Controls Explained

The SoundSoap Pro GUI (graphical user interface) wasspecifically developed to provide the ultimate in controlover a large number of parameters, while still beingintuitive to use. The interface contains many controls toreduce most types of broadband noise, hum, rumble, orclicks, crackles, and pops from most digital media files.

The interface is based around five individual tabs – eachcontains tools that address a specific noise type. Thesetabs are, in order from left to right:

• Launch/Getting Started Tips

• Hum & Rumble

• Click & Crackle

• Broadband

• Noise Gate

The recommended way to use SoundSoap Pro’s is tostart from the left side of the interface, and work yourway to the right through the tabs that contain the noisereduction tools relevant to the type of unwanted noise athand. For example, in a situation where there is hum,crackle, and broadband noise, you could start with theleft-most tab (Hum & Rumble). Once the hum isremoved, leave that tab active, and move one tab to theright, to the Click & Crackle tool. When anyclicks/crackles present are removed, leave it active, andmove along to the Broadband tab, and so on.

Do not turn on a tab if it does not contain tools relevantto the type of noise that needs to be reduced. Forexample, if you are restoring cassette recordings thatcontain only broadband noise, the Hum & Rumble andClick & Crackle tools should be turned off.

SoundSoap Pro’s various controls are detailed below ona tab-by-tab basis, as they appear in the plug-in:


Global Controls (Available in allinterface tabs):

While SoundSoap Pro offers several noise-specific tools,it also features tools that are “global” – meaning they canbe accessed at any time, even when working betweendifferent noise reduction tools. For example, you may befine-tuning Broadband noise reduction settings, andusing the built-in spectrogram as a visual aid. Then, youmay need to switch over to the Click & Crackle tool tomake another adjustment. Since the Spectrogramoperates globally, it is always in view, regardless of whichtool is selected. What is particularly nice about the layoutof the SoundSoap Pro interface, is that each tab containsa thumbnail representation of that tool’s currentsettings. This makes it easy to move between varioustabs, while still monitoring the settings of each tool.Below is a brief description of these “global” tools, andhow they operate.

Default View Checkbox – A default view checkbox isavailable within each tool tab, allowing a particular toolto appear by default when SoundSoap Pro is instantiated.

SoundSoap Pro Preset Save Button – Saves a SoundSoapPro preset – which saves the settings for all four tools.

SoundSoap Pro Preset Load Button – Recalls a previouslystored SoundSoap Pro plug-in – with the option to loadeither a tool-specific preset, or one that reflects theoverall state of the plug-in.

SoundSoap Pro can use either its own form ofadvanced presets, which can load either the stateof an individual tool, or the state of all the tools –or, it can use the usual host-provided presetsavailable in each plug-in format.

Host-Provided Preset Save Button – Saves a preset, of thehost-provided variety (see alert above). Host providedpresets only save a snapshot of the state of the entireplug-in.

Host-Provided Preset Load Button – Recalls a host-provided preset, which is a snapshot of the overall stateof the SoundSoap Pro plug-in.

A/B/C/D Compare Buttons – The A/B comparison featureis common in audio plug-ins, and gives the ability topreview different settings before committing to them.Essentially, various tool settings are made and assignedto memory location “A” – another group of settings canthen be assigned as “B” – and then clicking the A or Bbuttons in the interface instantly toggles between thetwo. As SoundSoap Pro is geared toward professionalrestoration, and offers many fine-tuning options, itfeatures not just two comparison modes, but insteadincludes four A/B/C/D “snapshot” style comparisons.These four unique settings can be compared instantly,before committing to any file processing or savingpresets. These memory locations are similar to savingand loading presets, but are instantaneous andtemporary, and do not require selecting presets from amenu to load them. Only the active “snapshot” may besaved within a preset for later recall.

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The SoundSoap Pro custom preset save button

The Default View checkbox allows setting which tab appears firstwhen SoundSoap Pro is instantiated

The SoundSoap Pro custom preset load button

Load Preset Save Preset

Host-Provided Preset Controls for the VST version of SoundSoap Pro, asshown within BIAS Peak – (these vary by plug-in format)

A/B/C/D Compare snapshot assignment buttons

Help Button – Clicking the Help button launches your webbrowser, and takes you to the BIAS website’sdocumentation page, where you can download varioustutorials on SoundSoap Pro. The SoundSoap Pro User’sGuide (in .pdf form) is installed into your system when youinstall SoundSoap Pro – see Chapter 2 for details on wherethe user’s guide is installed.

Noise Only Mode Button – The Noise Only button changesthe audio output of SoundSoap Pro. When in Noise Onlymode you hear what is being removed from the audiosignal, based on the current settings. Noise Only is anessential feature, as it lets you verify whether your settingsare optimal, and that you are not removing any of thedesired signal. If you’re using Noise Only mode, and hearany of the desired audio signal, you can continue to makeadjustments until you are only removing noise.

Spectrogram – SoundSoap Pro’s spectrogram is anotheressential tool, which provides visual feedback regarding thestate of the file being restored. It features an animated colordisplay which scrolls from right to left as a file is playedthrough SoundSoap Pro. White and red graphics appear inthe spectrogram to represent the following:

White = Input signal prior to noise reduction

Red = Input signal after noise reduction

Hovering your mouse over the display brings up a resetbutton – which clears any graphical data out of thespectrogram – as well as a Freeze Display button. TheFreeze Display button temporarily stops thespectrographic display, and can also help conserve CPUpower. In addition to this graphical display, thespectrogram contains a frequency scale – which variesdepending on the tab in the foreground. Thespectrogram provides valuable information about wherein the frequency spectrum noise occurs in a given file, aswell as what frequencies are being removed. Directlybeneath the spectrogram is a horizontal slider, which isused for both scrolling backward and forward in time, aswell as for increasing or decreasing the zoom level(precision) at which the spectrogram data is viewed.

When working in the Hum & Rumble tab, thespectrogram’s frequency scale changes from 4Hz –20kHz to 4Hz – 1kHz, so as to give greater displayprecision when analyzing and removing humand rumble – which characteristically occur inthe lower portion of the frequency spectrum.

Tool Tabs/Tool State Thumbnails – The bottom portion ofthe SoundSoap Pro interface contains the “tabs”, each ofwhich contains specific noise reduction tools. Clicking atab brings a specific set of parameters to the foreground.

Each tab also contains a miniaturized graphical display(thumbnail) of the settings currently active within thattool. The tab-based interface is an essential part ofstreamlining the way SoundSoap Pro operates. It allowsmany controls to be placed within a fairly small area, andalso allows the state of any tool’s primary settings to bemonitored at any time – even when working with a


Reset Button Zoom/Scroll BarFrequency Scale

Spectral Display Color Legend

Each of SoundSoap Pro’s Tabs contains a thumbnail representation ofits tool settings, allowing you to easily monitor all settings at all times

Freeze Display Button

The Help button

Noise Only mode allows you to monitor just what’s being removed

different noise reduction tool. For example, if you’reworking in the Noise Gate tool, and need to know whatyour current settings are for the Broadband Releaseknob, you can simply glance at the Broadbandthumbnail, and view its settings, without having to leavethe Noise Gate tab.

You have now learned about SoundSoap Pro’s GlobalTools – please continue on to the next section to learnabout the Launch Tab.

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Preset Save Button

Preset Load Button

Credits Screen

Getting Started Tips

Click & Crackle Tab(with tool settings thumbnail)

Hum & Rumble Tab(with tool settings thumbnail)

Noise Only Mode Button

RecommendedProcessing Order

Default View Checkbox

A/B/C/D Compare Buttons

Help Button

Noise Gate Tab(with tool settings thumbnail)

Broadband Tab(with tool settings thumbnail)

Launch Tab

Launch Area:

“See More” button

Launch Area

Credits/Info Screen – This area of the Launch Tabcontains product credits, and version numberinformation.

Getting Started Tips – The Getting Started Tips section ofthe Launch Tab contains useful information about howeach tool works.

You’ve now learned a bit about the Launch Tab, the nextsection describes SoundSoap Pro’s Hum & Rumble Tool.

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Use the Getting Started section of the Launch Tab to get going quickly– you can view more text by clicking the See More button

3


Preset Save ButtonPreset Load Button

On/BypassRadio Buttons

A/B/C/D Compare ButtonsHelp Button

Noise Only Mode ButtonSpectrogram

White = InputRed = Output


Spectrogram Slider(Scrolling & Zooming)





Launch Tab

Hum & Rumble Tool:

Hum Meter

Hum Frequency Slider(with numerical entry field)

Enable/DisableRumble ProcessingCheckbox

Rumble Slider(with numerical entry field)

Q (Bandwidth) Slider(with numerical entry field)

Depth Slider(with numerical entry field)

Harmonics Slider

Harmonics Tilt Knob(with numerical entry field)

Hum & Rumble Tool

On/Bypass Radio Buttons/Checkbox – These controlsallow the Hum & Rumble tool to be turned on or off,while other tools remain active. They are useful forcomparing the difference between having the Hum &Rumble tool on or off.

Hum Meter – SoundSoap Pro’s Hum Meter is anothervisual feedback tool, which along with your ears, is auseful tool for helping to locate the fundamentalfrequency causing a particular hum. Typically, mosthums occur at either 50Hz or 60Hz – however, theremay be cases in which they occur at other frequencies.The Hum Meter works in conjunction with the HumFrequency Slider. To find a hum’s fundamentalfrequency, simply sweep the Hum Frequency Sliderwhile listening to a media file containing hum. As youget closer and closer to the fundamental frequency, theHum Meter’s reading intensifies. When you see thestrongest reading in the Hum Meter, you’ve found thefundamental frequency responsible for causing the hum,and can then use other Hum & Rumble controls to adjusthow much the hum is reduced.

Hum Frequency Slider – The Hum Frequency Sliderallows you to reduce a specific frequency, and has arange of 20Hz – 200Hz. Moving this slider determinesthe fundamental frequency that will be targeted (aspecific value may also be entered by typing a value inthe numerical entry field). If the frequency causing ahum is unknown, the Hum Frequency Slider may be

swept as the noisy media file is played, and the HumMeter, located directly above the Hum Frequency Slider,will register activity as you approach the offendingfundamental frequency. The setting that gives thestrongest reading in the Hum Meter is the frequency (orvery close to it) causing the hum problem.

When typing in values or using the Up/DownArrow keys to adjust values in a numerical field,be sure to press the Return or Enter key on yourkeyboard.

Q (Bandwidth) Slider – The Q Slider determines thebandwidth of the notch filter being applied to a particularfrequency. The range of the Q slider is from 10 to 50. Alarger Q value affects only a very narrow frequency range,and a smaller value affects a wider frequency range. Humwill vary depending on the source – a very narrow Q(higher value) will eliminate only the frequency set withthe Hum Frequency Slider, and will do very little tofrequencies that are very close, either higher or lower.On the other hand, a wider Q (smaller value), will stillaffect the same fundamental frequency, but will also affectsome of the surrounding frequencies. Ideally, thenarrowest Q (largest value) possible should be used, so asto affect just the offending frequency. If the Hum Metershows a strong reading, but some hum is still audible, it’sbest to experiment with the Q value setting, as well as theDepth and Harmonics Sliders.

Depth Slider – The depth slider controls the amount ofaudio being cut out by the notch filter responsible foreliminating hum, and is directly related to both the Q

Chapter 3 35

The Hum Meter provides visual feedback that helps identify a hum’sfundamental frequency

Parameters can be adjusted with a slider, by entering a numericalvalue, or using the Up/Down Arrow keys on your keyboard

On/Bypass Radio Buttons On/Bypass Checkbox

Hum & Rumble Tools may be turned on or bypassed using the radiobuttons in the tool area, or with a checkbox in the tab

3

Q (bandwidth) values can be adjusted with a slider, or by entering anumerical value

Slider and Hum Frequency Slider. The Depth slider hasa range of 0dB (no audio being cut out) to 50 dB ofreduction. The Depth setting cuts the most audio at thefundamental frequency, as determined by the HumFrequency Slider, and affects the surroundingfrequencies proportionally, depending on the Q valuethat is used.

Harmonics Slider – The Harmonics Slider designates howmany harmonics of the fundamental frequency shouldbe removed in either direction from the fundamentalfrequency. The range of harmonics that can be removedis 1 – 9, always as integers, never as fractions. Whendealing with hum, there is always a fundamentalfrequency, and commonly there are harmonics at otherfrequencies, due to resonance. Harmonics typically willhave similar characteristics to the hum found at thecenter frequency, but will be proportionally lower inamplitude. For example, a 60Hz hum may haveharmonics at higher frequencies, such as 120Hz, 180Hz,240Hz, and so on. Assuming the fundamental frequencyis 60Hz, a setting of “3” on the Harmonics Slider wouldalso remove the hum that occurs at 120Hz and at 180Hz.

Harmonics Tilt Knob – The Harmonics Tilt Knob allowsyou to fine-tune the relationship between how much ofthe fundamental frequency is cut, and how much of thesignal is cut at each harmonic.

It is common for a hum that occurs at a certain harmonicof the fundamental frequency to have a lower amplitudethan the hum at the fundamental frequency. TheHarmonics Tilt Knob controls the relationship betweenthe depth of each successive notch filter created by theHarmonics slider. With a value of “0.00”, each additionalnotch created by raising the value of the Harmonicsslider cuts at the same value as the notch placed at thefundamental frequency.

For example, if the Hum Depth slider is set to cut by20dB, and the Harmonics Tilt Knob is set to “0.00”, eachadditional notch created by increasing the value of theHarmonics slider will also cut each harmonic by 20dB.However, if the Hum Depth slider is set to cut by 20dB,and the Harmonics Tilt Knob is set to “0.50”, then eachsuccessive notch created by increasing the value of theHarmonics slider will cut at half the depth of theprevious notch.

Rumble Reduction Slider – The Rumble Reduction Sliderfocuses on very low frequency noise, commonly knownas “rumble”. Rumbles typically occur around 40Hz orbelow, and SoundSoap Pro’s Rumble reduction tool hasa range of 20Hz – 100Hz. The Rumble reduction tool isa high-pass filter (it lets high frequencies pass through,while blocking low frequencies), with a slope of 12dBand a Q value of .5.

Global Tools – As with all the other tool tabs, SoundSoapPro’s global tools may be accessed from within the Hum& Rumble tab. These global tools include PresetButtons, A/B/C/D Compare Buttons, Help Button, NoiseOnly Mode Button, Spectrogram, and the ability tomonitor other tool settings with the Tool Tabs/Tool StateThumbnails. These tools are described in more detail atthe beginning of this section.

This concludes the overview of the Hum & Rumble Tool


SoundSoap Pro can eliminate up to 9 harmonics of the fundamentalfrequency

The Harmonics Tilt Knob allows fine-tuning of harmonic reduction

Notch filter depth can be adjusted with a slider, or by entering anumerical value

Separate Rumble reduction control is available for very low frequency noise

Chapter 3 37

– the next section covers Click & Crackle reduction withSoundSoap Pro.

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Preset Save Button Preset Load Button



Help Button









Launch Tab

Click & Crackle Tool:

Click Threshold Slider(with numerical entry field)

Crackle Threshold Slider(with numerical entry field)

Click Meter

Click & Crackle Tool

On/Bypass Radio Buttons/Checkbox – These controlsallow the Click & Crackle tool to be disabled, orbypassed, while other tools remain active. They areuseful for comparing the difference between having theClick & Crackle tools on or off.

Click Threshold Slider – The Click Threshold sliderdictates how bad clicks must be to be detected andremoved. The range of the Click Threshold slider is1.00dB – 25.00dB. When clicks are present in the mediafile being restored, if they fall below the threshold value,they remain unaltered – if they’re above the threshold,they are removed. The general rule with the ClickThreshold slider is, moving it to the left will removemore clicks, and moving it to the right removes fewerclicks.

Crackle Threshold Slider – The Crackle Threshold sliderdictates how bad crackle must be to be detected andremoved. The range of the Crackle Threshold slider is12.0dB – 25.0dB. When crackle is present in the mediafile being restored, if it falls below the threshold value, itremains unaltered – if it’s above the threshold, it’sremoved. The general rule with the Crackle Thresholdslider is, moving it to the left will remove more crackle,and moving it to the right removes less crackle.

Click Meter – The Click meter is another of SoundSoapPro’s visual feedback tools. It illuminates in red toindicate that a click is being repaired.

Global Tools – As with all the other tool tabs, SoundSoapPro’s global tools may be accessed from within the Click& Crackle tab. These global tools include Preset Buttons,A/B/C/D Compare Buttons, Help Button, Noise OnlyMode Button, Spectrogram, and ability to monitor othertool settings with the Tool Tabs/Tool State Thumbnails.These tools are described in more detail at the beginningof this section.

Congratulations! You’ve now learned about SoundSoapPro’s Click & Crackle Tools – the next section discussesthe Broadband Tool...

Chapter 3 39


The Click Threshold slider allows fine-tuning click reduction

The Crackle Threshold slider allows fine-tuning crackle reduction

The Click Meter – When settings detect click & crackle, the meter lightsup, as in the picture on the right

Click & Crackle Tools may be turned on or bypassed using the radiobuttons in the tool area, or with a checkbox in the tab

3



Learn Noise Button


Lock/UnlockThreshold Sliders

Meters

Threshold Slider

Reduction Slider


Help Button




Attack Knob(with numerical entry field)

Broadband Tool:


Release Knob(with numerical entry field)

Release Tilt Knob(with numerical entry field)

Attack Tilt Knob(with numerical entry field)

Lock/UnlockReduction Sliders





Launch Tab

Threshold/ReductionControl Slider

SpectrogramFrequency Scale

Chapter 3 41

Broadband Tool

On/Bypass Radio Buttons/Checkbox – These controlsallow the Broadband tool to be disabled, or bypassed,while other tools remain active. They are useful forcomparing the difference between having the Broadbandtool on or off.

Learn Noise Button – The Learn Noise button is used toautomatically “learn” a profile of frequencies responsiblefor causing a particular type of broadband noise. Thereare two modes of operation available with the LearnNoise button. The first mode, called “Snapshot Mode”,(represented by a camera icon) works by initiating audioplayback within the host application, and then pressingthe Timed Learn Noise button. SoundSoap Pro analyzesa short amount of audio (from the current playheadposition) to create a noise profile, and then automaticallysnaps the 12 Threshold sliders to the appropriatepositions to reduce/remove the unwanted broadbandnoise. The second Learn mode is Timed Learn Noisemode, represented by a Clock icon. To use this mode,one would initiate playback, then click the portion of theLearn Noise button with the clock icon. SoundSoap Procontinues to analyze audio (beginning from the originalplayhead position) that is played until the Timed LearnNoise button is clicked a second time. At this time, the 12Threshold sliders are snapped into the appropriateposition to reduce/remove the broadband noise present,based on the average noise profile learned over theduration indicated by the user.

Meters – The 12 meters in the Broadband Tool indicatethe level of audio contained within each frequency range.

The meters on the left-most side of the interface indicatelow frequency ranges, while the meters on the right-mostside of the interface indicate high frequency ranges –with meters between these two extremes indicating themidrange frequencies between the two. The actualfrequency range of each band is not fixed – it dependson the learned noise profile.

Threshold/Reduction View Slider – This horizontal sliderallows viewing either just the Threshold sliders, just theReduction sliders, or can be positioned so that bothThreshold and Reduction sliders can be viewed andadjusted simultaneously. By default, the Threshold/Reduction Control slider is set to the center position, sothat both Reduction and Threshold sliders are visible andadjustable.

Reduction Sliders – The Reduction sliders control theamount of noise reduction being applied to a particularfrequency range.

Reduction sliders can be used in a number of ways. Theymay all be locked together and moved simultaneously bymoving a single slider – or they may be temporarilyunlocked, moved to a desired arrangement, locked backtogether and moved uniformly at their respectivepositions. In addition, they can all be unlocked andmoved independently of each other – or, some sliders

3

Snapshot Mode Timed Mode

The meters indicate audio level in each frequency band, and help infine-tuning settings for individual bands

The Threshold/Reduction Control slider allows viewing just Thresholdsliders, just Reduction sliders, or a percentage of both simultaneously


Broadband Tools may be turned on or bypassed using the radiobuttons in the tool area, or with a checkbox in the tab

Reduction sliders may be moved in groups or independently

may be locked together, while others remain unlockedand can be moved independently. By default, theReduction sliders are set to a value of –15dB, and have anoverall range of 0dB to -40dB.

Threshold Sliders – The Threshold sliders set the levelthat the signal must exceed for processing to be enabledin each frequency range. The sliders default to beinglocked together, so that moving one slider moves all theother sliders. Individual sliders may be fine-tuned byunlocking them and moving them independently. Youcan optionally choose to lock any number of sliderstogether so they can be adjusted in unison. By default,the Threshold sliders are set to a value of 0dB, and havean overall range of 0dB to –70 dB.

Lock/Unlock Reduction Sliders Button – This controleither locks or unlocks all the Reduction sliders so thatthey may be moved independently of one another – ormoved as a group, each in its relative position. Inaddition to the master Lock/Unlock button, eachindividual slider has its own Lock/Unlock controlpositioned at its base. These controls allow the lockingor unlocking of each frequency band’s Reduction slider,without having to unlock all the sliders simultaneously.By default, all the Reduction sliders are locked together.

Lock/Unlock Threshold Sliders Button – This controleither locks or unlocks all the Threshold sliders so thatthey may be moved independently of one another – ormoved as a group, each in its relative position. Inaddition to the master Lock/Unlock button, eachindividual slider has its own Lock/Unlock control

positioned at its base. These controls allow the lockingor unlocking of each frequency band’s Threshold slider,without having to unlock all the sliders simultaneously.By default, all the Threshold sliders are locked together.

Attack Knob – The Attack knob sets the attack time inmilliseconds for each frequency band, and controls howfast broadband noise reduction is turned on when theaudio signal exceeds the threhold for that band. Bydefault, the Attack value is set to 75 milliseconds.

Release Knob – The Release knob sets the release time inmilliseconds for each frequency band, and controls howquickly broadband noise reduction is turned off whenthe audio signal falls below the threshold for that band.By default, the Release value is set to 100 milliseconds.

Attack Tilt Knob – The Attack Tilt knob adjusts the ratio ofAttack between the lowest and highest frequency bands.By default, the Attack Tilt knob’s value is set to 1.0.


The Release knob controls how fast broadband noise reduction is turned off

The Attack Tilt knob varies the ratio of Attack values between low andhigh frequency bands

Threshold sliders may be moved in groups or independently

Above: All Threshold sliders locked together – they move togetherBelow: All Threshold sliders unlocked – they now move independently

Above: All Reduction sliders locked together – they move togetherBelow: All Reduction sliders unlocked – they now move independently

The Attack knob controls how fast broadband noise reduction isturned on

For example, if the Attack Knob’s value is set to 50ms, and the Attack Tilt knob is set to “1.0”, then theAttack time for the lowest frequency band will be50 ms, as will be the Attack time for all otherfrequency bands. If however, the Attack Tilt knobis set to “2.0”, then the Attack time for the lowestfrequency band remains at 50 ms, but the Attacktime for the highest frequency band will be 25 ms– or, a 2:1 ratio between the lowest and highestfrequency bands. In this case, moving to the rightfrom the lowest frequency band to the highest,each successive band will have an incrementallyfaster attack time.

Release Tilt Knob – The Release Tilt knob adjusts theratio of Release between the low frequency bands andthe high frequency bands. By default, the Release Tiltknob’s value is set to 1.0.

For example, if the Release Knob’s value is set to 50ms, and the Release Tilt knob is set to “1.0”, then theRelease time for the lowest frequency band will be50 ms, as will be the Release time for all otherfrequency bands. If however, the Release Tilt knobis set to “2.0”, then the Release time for the lowestfrequency band remains at 50 ms, but the Releasetime for the highest frequency band will be 25 ms– or, a 2:1 ratio between the lowest and highestfrequency bands. In this case, moving to the rightfrom the lowest frequency band to the highest,each successive band will have an incrementallyslower release time.

Global Tools – As with all the other tool tabs, SoundSoapPro’s global tools may be accessed from within theBroadband tab. These global tools include Preset

Buttons, A/B/C/D Compare Buttons, Help Button, NoiseOnly Mode Button, Spectrogram, and the ability tomonitor other tool settings with the Tool Tabs/Tool StateThumbnails. These tools are described in more detail atthe beginning of this section.

You’ve now learned about SoundSoap Pro’s BroadbandTool – the next section goes over the Noise Gate Tool,which can be used to eliminate any residual noiseleftover after using the previously mentioned tools.

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3

The Release Tilt knob varies the ratio of Release values between lowand high frequency bands





Help Button








Launch Tab

Noise Gate Tool:

Visual Display(with audio waveformand noise gate)

Threshold Attack Knob(with numerical entry field)

Threshold Release Knob(with numerical entry field)

Threshold Slider(with numerical entry field)

Reduction Slider(with numerical entry field)


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Noise Gate Tool

On/Bypass Radio Buttons/Checkbox – These controls allowthe Noise Gate tool to be disabled, or bypassed, while othertools remain active. They are useful for comparing thedifference between having the Noise Gate tool on or off.

Visual Display – The Noise Gate’s visual display showsthe audio waveform being processed, as well as the noisegate’s threshold indicators. Options for viewing thewaveform include displaying just left or right channeldata, or adding the left and right channels together anddisplaying the overall audio data for the two channels asa single audio waveform. In addition, there is a Freezebutton that appears when the mouse cursor is placedover the visual display. Clicking the button temporarilypauses waveform scrolling, and clicking the button whenthe waveform is paused starts it scrolling again.

Threshold Slider – The Threshold slider determines theaudio level required for the Noise Gate to open. Thethreshold level is represented by a pair of parallel whitehorizontal lines, which appear superimposed over theaudio waveform in the visual display. Audio signalswhich exceed the Threshold slider’s setting are notaffected, and do not have noise reduction applied tothem. By default, the Noise Gate Threshold slider is setto a value of 20dB, and has a range of 0dB to –60dB.

Reduction Slider – This slider provides a proportionalamount of noise reduction, and only affects audio whichfalls below the threshold setting. A lower value for theReduction slider provides a lower ratio between thethreshold level to the amount of noise reduction,whereas a higher setting increases this ratio. By default,the Noise Gate’s Depth slider is set to a value of 2.00, andhas a range of 1.00 to 5.00.

Threshold Attack Knob – The Threshold Attack knobdetermines how quickly the Noise Gate opens. Bydefault, the Attack value is set to 30 milliseconds, and hasa range of 10 milliseconds to 500 milliseconds.

Threshold Release Knob – The Threshold Release knobdetermines how quickly the Noise Gate closes. Bydefault, the Release value is set to 100 milliseconds, andhas a range of 50 milliseconds to 1000 milliseconds.

3

The Noise Gate’s Threshold can be adjusted with a slider, or byentering a number

The Noise Gate’s Depth can be adjusted with a slider, or by entering anumber

The Noise Gate’s Attack can be adjusted with a knob, or by entering anumber

The Noise Gate’s Release can be adjusted with a knob, or by enteringa number


Noise Gate Tools may be turned on or bypassed using the radiobuttons in the tool area, or with a checkbox in the tab

“Noise Gate” Threshold Indicators

Waveform View Selection Radio Buttons

Various elements of the Noise Gate’s visual display

Freeze WaveformButton

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve now learned about all ofSoundSoap Pro’s powerful noise reduction tools. Pleasecontinue on the the next chapter, which gives step-by-step directions on how to use SoundSoap Pro.



Chapter 4:Using SoundSoap Pro

Introduction

This chapter will cover the basic operation of SoundSoapPro. For more specific details on how to remove certaintypes of noise, please refer to Chapter 5 – a hands-ontutorial, which covers removing various types of noisefrom various types of audio material, and focuses onsample files included on your installer CD-ROM.

This chapter discusses using SoundSoap Pro withBIAS Peak as a host application. If you are usinga different host, the steps for instantiating the plug-in may vary slightly, but operation of its controlswill be very similar.

Tips for Noise Reduction

SoundSoap Pro can be used in a variety of ways, but byobserving the following tips, you will get the best resultsin the least amount of time.

Evaluating the Noise Content

SoundSoap Pro contains many different tools forremoving/reducing noise. In some situations, you maywish to use all the tools at the same time, and in others,you may only need to use a single noise reduction tool toremove/reduce a very specific kind of noise. Each of thenoise reduction tools is contained within one of theinterface “tabs” – each tab contains a checkbox to enableor disable processing. If the file you are cleaning doesnot contain Hum & Rumble, for example, it’s a good idea

to disable the Hum & Rumble tool so as not toinadvertently remove low frequency audio content. Bydefault, all tools are turned off.

Sampling Noise (Broadband)

Typically, noisy media files will have areas containingdesired content, and other areas containing just theunwanted noise. A simple but very common examplewould be video footage of an interview.

This type of recording contains dialogue, interspersedwith areas of silence (or what should be silence, exceptfor the unwanted background noise). In cases such asthis, the “silent” areas contain the same noise thatinterferes with us hearing the voice of the person beinginterviewed. These silent sections of the file allow us tosample just the noise itself – then SoundSoap Proremoves that type of noise from the entire file. The endresult is that the unwanted noise is reduced equally in allparts of the file, making the dialogue much clearer. Inother cases, there may not be an area present in yourmedia that contains just the unwanted noise.

In media that contains the desired audio and unwantednoise throughout the entire length of the file, it is often bestto first experiment and learn the noise profile in differentparts of the file to get the best noise reduction results. Thiscan be done by starting playback in the desired part of a file,and then clicking the Learn Noise button.

When you find the settings that work best, you can thenapply (or render them), to the entire file. If in thisprocess it seems that different settings would work bestfor different parts of the file, consult the next section.

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If your host application supports looping playback of adesignated section of audio, this is another techniquethat can be invaluable. For example, you might be tryingto remove background noise from a dialogue track thathas two alternating speakers, and there are only veryshort pauses containing ambient noise between theirwords. By setting up a very short loop between words orphrases, SoundSoap Pro can “Learn Noise” as audioplayback repeats within this short loop a number oftimes, analyzing just the ambient noise within the loop’sboundaries.

Constant Noise v. Changing Noise

Constant Noise

Noisy media can be categorized into two basic groups –that which has a constant noise level and type, and thatwhich has varying levels and types of noise throughout.Each category of media can be cleaned best by using aslightly different approach to noise reduction. Mediawith a constant noise level and type of noise is generallythe easiest to clean, and is typically found in recordingsof audio cassettes, or in cases where there is a constanthum present, due to using equipment that is plugged into poorly grounded electrical circuits. Media that fallsinto this category can be cleaned by making theappropriate settings within the various noise reductiontools – once the ideal settings are found, the entire audiofile may be processed with these settings.

Changing Noise

Noise in media may vary over time – for example, a videoclip’s soundtrack may contain air conditioning noise thatvaries in intensity throughout the clip, due to the camerabeing moved around the room while taping a subject. Ina recording of an old LP, there may be more digitizedscratches on one side of the LP than the other. In a liverecording, an electrical hum may vary because of thechanging settings on an instrument, or because of otherequipment that is turned on or off during the recordingsession.

In cases like this, it is best to apply noise reduction withdifferent settings for the different levels of noise thatoccur in the various sections. To reduce noise by varyingdegrees in different sections of the same audiodocument, it’s possible to select specific “target” areas,apply noise reduction with certain settings, and thenmove on to each area of the clip, targeting the specificnoise that occurs in each. If your host applicationsupports automation of plug-in parameters, you maywish to first experiment with SoundSoap Pro parametersettings that work best for each section of your file, andcreate automation values that will dynamically changesettings to best clean each section.

If your host application does not support plug-inparameter automation, but does support the use ofreference markers and/or regions, you may want to“mark up” a file into sections that contain different levelsof noise or different noise types. This is a good strategyfor isolating and processing areas of the file with a certainlevel and kind of noise, and then moving on to anothersection and processing it with different noise reductionsettings more suitable for its level and noise type.

The techniques described above will generally yield thebest results, as one noise reduction setting alone may notbe suitable for the different levels and/or kinds of noisethat occur over the course of the entire file.

Using SoundSoap Pro (with BIASPeak as a Host Application)

Most of the steps here will translate directly into workingwith SoundSoap Pro in other hosts– though it is normalfor the operation to vary slightly depending on the plug-in format and implementation in each host.

For more information on using plug-ins in your host,consult the documentation provided with it. SoundSoapPro will operate in a similar fashion to the other plug-insincluded with it.


To use SoundSoap Pro with BIAS Peak, you willneed to be running either Peak Express, Peak LE,Peak DV, or Peak Pro (version 3.2 or later) andhave already installed SoundSoap Pro on yourMacintosh – running Mac OS X (v10.2 or later).

The first step in reducing noise is to open a noisy mediafile in Peak, then open the SoundSoap Pro plug-in. Thefollowing steps will guide you through your first attemptsat noise reduction.

To Eliminate Hum:

1. Launch Peak.

2. Open a noisy file.

3. Audition this file in Peak, to get an idea of the humthat needs to be cleaned up.

In a real-world situation, you may not have all thevarious noise types in every file you wish toprocess. A very important part of usingSoundSoap Pro is to evaluate the types of noisecontained in your media files. For example, if afile that needs to be cleaned contains onlybroadband noise, you can simply leave the Hum &Rumble, Click & Crackle, and Noise Gate tabsinactive. This lets you focus on the noise thatneeds removal, and prevents inadvertent removalof desired content.

4. From the Plug-Ins menu, choose Insert1>BIAS>SoundSoap Pro – the SoundSoap Prointerface appears.

5. Click the Hum & Rumble Tab to bring it to theforeground.

6. Confirm that this tool is turned on – click the Onradio button, or check the checkbox in the Hum &Rumble Tab.

7. Start playback of the file by pressing the Space Bar

8. As the file plays, sweep the Hum Frequency Sliderslowly back and forth and look for activity in theHum Meter. When you see activity in the HumMeter, try to fine-tune the Frequency Slider’sposition so as to get the strongest reading in theHum Meter. If you know the exact frequency atwhich the hum occurs, you may also type this valuein the numeric value field to the right of the HumFrequency slider – press the Return or Enter Key.

9. Once you have determined the hum’s fundamentalfrequency, use the Depth slider to create a notchfilter to cut the audio signal’s strength at thisfrequency.

10. Use the Q slider to adjust the bandwidth of thenotch filter – a smaller Q value results in a widernotch, with more of the frequencies surroundingthe fundamental frequency being affected – alarger Q value creates a narrower notch, and affectsfewer of the frequencies around the fundamentalfrequency. Ideally, you’ll want to use the largest Qvalue (narrowest notch) that effectively eliminatesthe hum, so as to avoid unnecessarily removingfrequencies that do not contain hum.

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0dB

Cut

The BIAS Freq EQ illustrates what SoundSoap Pro is doing behind thescenes – The Depth Slider creates a notch filter, which cuts out certainfrequency ranges

FundamentalFrequency

The BIAS Freq EQ illustrates the effect of different Q values – a high Qvalue (left) creates a narrow notch filter, and affects fewer surroundingfrequencies – a low Q value (right) creates a wide notch filter, andaffects more of the surrounding frequencies

11. If you still hear a hum after setting the HumFrequency slider, depth, and Q sliders, you can usethe Harmonics slider to eliminate additionalharmonics of the fundamental frequency.

12. If the hum reduction controls do not make adifference in reducing the hum, perhaps this“hum” is a rumble – or perhaps has a broadbandnoise component to it. You may wish to enable theRumble slider and make adjustments to affect thelower frequencies that cause rumble, and alsoexperiment with using the Broadband Tool inconjunction with the Hum & Rumble tool.

Using the Spectrogram as a visual aid can helpdetermine where in the frequency spectrumcertain kinds of noise occur.

A good technique for confirming your noisereduction settings is to switch SoundSoap Pro into“Noise Only” listening mode. In Noise Only mode,you will hear just the noise being removed with thecurrent noise reduction settings. If you hear any ofthe audio that should be kept in the file, adjust theparameters until you only hear the undesired noise.

The steps above outline the basic operation of the Hum& Rumble tool – for more details on other parametersnot mentioned here, please refer to the Hum & Rumblesection in Chapter 3: SoundSoap Pro User Interface &Controls.

For hands-on examples of how to use these additionalparameters, please refer to Chapter 5, and be sure tocopy the tutorial files from your installer CD-ROM.

To Eliminate Click & Crackle:

At this point, you’re either trying to eliminate click& crackle from the same file in which hum waseliminated in the previous section, or you’reopening a different file that contains click &crackle – if you’re working with the same file,ignore steps 1 and 2.

1. Launch Peak.

2. Open a file that contains click & crackle.

3. Audition this file in Peak, to get an idea of the noisethat needs to be cleaned up.

4. Click the Click & Crackle Tab to bring it to theforeground.

5. Confirm that this tool is turned on – click the Onradio button, or check the checkbox in the Click &Crackle tab.

6. Adjust the Click Threshold slider – moving ittoward the left reduces more clicks and moving itto the right reduces fewer clicks.

7. Adjust the Crackle Threshold slider – moving ittoward the left reduces more crackle and moving itto the right reduces less crackle.

The Click Meter gives valuable visual feedback –when the Click Meter lights up, it indicates thatyour current settings are effectively detecting andrepairing Clicks.

A good technique for confirming your noisereduction settings is to switch SoundSoap Pro into“Noise Only” listening mode. In Noise Only mode,you will hear just the noise being removed with thecurrent noise reduction settings. If you hear any ofthe audio that should be preserved, adjust theparameters until you only hear the undesired noise.


The steps above outline the basic operation of the Click& Crackle tool – for more details on other parametersnot mentioned here, please refer to the Click & Cracklesection in Chapter 3: SoundSoap Pro User Interface &Controls.


To Eliminate Broadband Noise (Basic Steps):

At this point, you’re either trying to eliminatebroadband noise from the same file in which humand click & crackle were eliminated in theprevious two sections, or you’re opening a differentfile that contains broadband noise – if you’reworking with the same file, ignore steps 1 and 2.

1. Launch Peak.

2. Open a file that contains broadband noise.

3. Audition this file in Peak, to get an idea of thebroadband noise that needs to be cleaned up.

4. Click the Broadband Tab to bring it to theforeground.

5. Confirm that this tool is turned on – click the Onradio button, or check the checkbox in theBroadband Tab.

6. Try to locate a part of the file that contains just thenoise you’re trying to eliminate.

7. Start playback and click the Learn Noise button.(Snapshot mode “learns” noise from wherever theplayhead cursor is located in the waveform, andrequires just a fraction of a second to learn. InTimed mode, “learning” is initiated the same way,but you must click the Learn Noise button a secondtime to stop learning). Snapshot mode is indicatedby a camera icon – Timed mode is indicated by a

clock. Once SoundSoap Pro has “learned” whatfrequencies are causing the current broadbandnoise, the blue Threshold sliders till snap into aposition that should be a good starting point forremoving the broadband noise at hand.

If no such area is available, try to find a very shortsection that can be looped. SoundSoap Pro needsapproximately half a second of noisy audio to“learn” the noise – so, create a short loop, startplayback of the material within the loop, and thenclick the Learn Noise button. Repeating the loop anumber of times, gives SoundSoap Pro enoughaudio to build a noise profile, and begin removalof the broadband noise.

8. Adjust the yellow Reduction sliders until they areremoving the broadband noise.

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4A good place to start “learning” noise – notice the playhead cursor isplaced at the beginning of a section that contains just noise

A bad place to start “learning” noise – in this case, as soon as playbackstarts, SoundSoap Pro would be attempting to learn the noise within asection of audio that contains the material we’re trying to preserve

In this case, there’s only a very short section of noise by itself, so wecreate a very short loop, and learn noise within the loop – as itrepeats a few times, SoundSoap Pro is given enough noisy audio todetermine the noise profile

Playhead Cursor

Playhead Cursor

Short Loop

Advanced Steps:

9. With the yellow Reduction sliders groupedtogether (as they are by default), move them alldownward until they are not removing anybroadband noise.

10. Move them all upward as a group until you can nolonger hear any broadband noise.

11. Now, click the lock icon for the yellow Reductionsliders.

12. Starting on the lowest band (left-most slider),lower it all the way – you will most likely hear a lowfrequency component of the broadband noisebecome audible as you do this. Raise this slider tothe lowest position that effectively removes thislow frequency component.

13. Repeat Step 12 for each slider, moving from thelowest frequency bands on the left, all the waythrough the highest bands on the right. Thistechnique applies variable amounts of noisereduction in each frequency band, ensuring thatdesired content is preserved, and unwanted noiseis removed.


SoundSoap Pro’s Threshold and Reduction sliders mayalso be ungrouped, and moved independently. This is anextremely useful feature that allows you to customizeexactly how much noise reduction is being applied indifferent parts of the frequency spectrum. By takingadvantage of this you can more effectively reduce noisein particular frequency bands, while leaving othersuntouched. This results in the cleanest possible signal,and avoids introducing audible artifacts.

The steps above outline the basic operation of theBroadband tool – for more details on other parameters notmentioned here, please refer to the Broadband section inChapter 3: SoundSoap Pro User Interface & Controls.


To Eliminate Residual Noise with the Noise Gate:

If you’ve already used the Hum & Rumble, Click &Crackle, and Broadband tools on a noisy file, chances arethere’s little if any residual noise left. If some noise is stillpresent, and your audio material has areas of whatshould be silence, this is a perfect opportunity to use theNoise Gate to eliminate the remaining noise.

At this point, you’re either trying to eliminate anyresidual noise from the same file in which hum andclick & crackle were eliminated in the previous twosections, or you’re opening a different file thatcontains broadband noise – if you’re working withthe same file, ignore steps 1 and 2.

1. Launch Peak.

2. Open a file that contains noise.

3. Audition this file, to get an idea of the noise thatneeds to be cleaned up.

4. Click the Noise Gate Tab to bring it to theforeground.

5. Confirm that this tool is turned on – click the Onradio button, or check the checkbox in the NoiseGate Tab.

6. Adjust the Threshold slider – moving it to the leftlowers the threshold (more noise can passthrough), and moving it to the right raises thethreshold (only audio exceeding this threshold willpass through the gate).


7. Adjust the Reduction slider – moving it to the leftlowers the amount of reduction, and moving it tothe right increases the amount of reduction.


Applying SoundSoap Pro Settings

The steps below outline how to apply SoundSoap Prosettings to a media file in Peak – if you are usingSoundSoap Pro in another host application, please checkthat host’s documentation for information on how toapply/render plug-in settings to files.

To Apply SoundSoap Pro Settings to a File:

1. Make desired settings.

2. Select the range of audio you wish to apply thecurrent noise reduction settings to – if no selectionis made, the entire file will be processed.

3. Choose “Bounce” from the Plug-Ins menu

Be sure to disable SoundSoap Pro after “bouncing”in Peak. If you leave SoundSoap Pro active, youwill hear the processed file being played throughSoundSoap Pro in realtime, giving the effect oftwice the amount of noise reduction. For yourconvenience, Peak presents a dialog box afterbouncing, with options to turn plug-ins off, or toleave them active if you need to process additionalfiles. If you would like to save your currentsettings, be sure to save a preset first!

Using Presets

SoundSoap Pro allows custom presets to be saved andrecalled – this is particularly useful for saving parameterconfigurations that effectively reduce noise types thatusers may encounter on a regular basis. For instance, ifa commonly used recording enviroment alwaysintroduces a particular kind of noise, creating a presetmakes it much faster and easier to eliminate this noisefrom recorded material.

SoundSoap Pro features advanced presets, offeringnumerous advantages over conventional host-basedpresets. When a SoundSoap Pro preset is saved, allparameter settings are saved. However, when this presetis later recalled, all the parameter settings within thatpreset may be loaded – or, individual tool settings maybe loaded.

The usual host-provided presets for each plug-in formatare also supported, though these will not include theability to load individual tool settings. BIAS recommendsusing SoundSoap Pro’s advanced presets rather thanhost-provided presets.

To Save a SoundSoap Pro Preset:

1. Configure noise reduction parameters as desired.

2. Click the Save Preset button.

3. Name your preset and choose a save location.

4. Click the Save button.

To Load a SoundSoap Pro Preset:

1. Click the Load Preset button.

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2. Navigate to the directory where you have savedyour SoundSoap Pro presets – choose (highlight)the desired preset.

3. Click the Open button – SoundSoap Pro loads thepreset, and sets all parameters to the valuereflected in the preset.

To Load Individual Tool Settings from a Preset:

1. Click the Load Preset button.

2. Navigate to the directory where you have savedyour SoundSoap Pro presets – choose (highlight)the desired preset.

3. Uncheck the Load All Settings checkbox, as well asthose for tools which you do not wish to loadparameters – by default, all the tool’s checkboxesare checked, so as to load all parameter settingswithin a preset.

4. Click the Open button – SoundSoap Pro loads onlythe parameters for tools that are checked. Allselected tool parameters are set to the valuesreflected in the preset – tools that do not haveparameters loaded are set to their default values,and remain inactive until turned on.

Using A/B/C/D Comparisons(“Snapshots”)

In addition to user-definable presets, SoundSoap Pro alsofeatures A/B/C/D comparisons. This feature allowstemporary snapshots of tool settings to be made, and isuseful for deciding what parameter settings will workbest for removing the unwanted noise at hand.

A/B/C/D snapshots are temporary – if you want touse one of these snapshots in the future, in anothernoise reduction session, be sure to save a preset!

To Set a Snapshot (A):

1. Configure noise reduction settings as desired.

2. Click the Assign Snapshot A button.

To Set a Second Snapshot (B):

1. Configure noise reduction settings as desired –with settings slightly different than those used forSnapshot A.

2. Click the Assign Snapshot B button.

To Compare Snapshot A and Snapshot B:

1. Click the Recall Snapshot A button – parameters“snap” into the memorized positions.

2. Click the Recall Snapshot B button – parametersnow “snap” into the positions memorized whenyou assigned snapshot B.


The currently active Snapshot is indicated by a redborder around the active Snapshot’s Assign and Recallbuttons.

The process for loading additional snapshots is similar –just apply the directions above to the Assign and Recallbuttons for Snapshots C & D.

Conclusion

The steps above outline the basic operation ofSoundSoap Pro – for hands-on examples of how to usethese additional parameters, please refer to Chapter 5,and be sure to copy the tutorial files from your installerCD-ROM.

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Chapter 5:Hands-On Tutorial

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the noise reductionprocess with SoundSoap Pro, using the included mediafiles. These files contain samples of various of noise types,in a variety of different types of recordings. Follow alongwith the lessons to learn how to use SoundSoap Pro.

The included examples focus on using SoundSoap Pro –and assume that you are familiar with how to use yourhost application. If you need help using your hostapplication, please consult the documentation that wasincluded with it. This will make learning how to useSoundSoap Pro much easier.

Regardless of what host application you are using, thistutorial should give you a good idea how SoundSoap Prois used.

Lesson 1: Removing Tape Hiss

This example will teach you the basics of cleaning uptape hiss. This sample file is of a vocal, originallyrecorded on cassette, and then transferred to acomputer for restoration.

To Remove Tape Hiss:

1. Launch your host application.

2. Locate the folder called “SoundSoap Pro TutorialFiles”, and open “Vocal_with_Tape_Hiss.wav”.

3. Play this file to get an idea of the noise (tape hiss)that we’re trying to remove.

4. Open SoundSoap Pro in your host application.

5. Click on the Broadband Tab, and then check theOn/Bypass checkbox – this enables just theBroadband tool.

6. Position your host application’s playhead cursor afew seconds before the vocal starts.

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Since this file only contains tape hiss, we can use a single noisereduction tool to clean it. Each of SoundSoap Pro’s various tools can beused independently.

Ideally, you will want to “Learn Noise” in an area that contains just theundesired noise.

Vocal starts here

StartLearning

Noise here

7. Initiate playback in your host application.

8. Click the Learn Noise button in the BroadbandTool.

Within moments, SoundSoap Pro’s Learn Noisealgorithm detects the frequencies that make up the tapehiss, and broadband noise reduction beginsautomatically.

Notice that the blue Threshold sliders have “snapped”into new positions – this is what SoundSoap Pro hasdetermined to be a good starting point for removing thetape hiss in this file.

You should hear a dramatic reduction in the tape hisswith this automatic setting. To fine-tune your results,continue with the steps below.

9. Set up your host application to loop the vocalrepeatedly, with a few seconds of silence beforeand after the vocal.

10. Click the Noise Only Button.

11. Adjust the Attack knob to 80ms.

12. Adjust the Release knob to 45ms.

After “learning”, it’s a good idea to take intoconsideration the type of audio material you’reworking with, and make adjustments to the attack& release values. Since the audio in this exampleis a vocal, it changes level relatively slowly fromlow signal level to high signal level. We adjustedthe Attack and Release knobs to higher values thanthe default settings, so that as broadband noisereduction is activated, it occurs in proportionwith dynamic changes in the audio material wewish to preserve. If working with other types ofaudio, such as a drum recording for example, youwould want to use lower Attack & Release values,as a drum hit goes from a low signal level to a highsignal level in a much shorter time. By ajdustingthese values to suit the audio material you’reworking with, you will end up with better noisereduction results and minimize the occurence ofunwanted artifacts. By making these adjustmentsin Noise Only mode, we’re able to hear if any ofthe desired audio material is being removed. Thegoal in Noise Only mode is to hear *only* theundesired noise, and none of the audio signal wewish to preserve.


Looping a section while making adjustments helps in fine-tuning your results

Notice that the blue Threshold sliders have “snapped” into a positionthat represents the noise profile of the unwanted tape hiss

Blue = Threshold Yellow = Reduction

13. Click the Noise Only Button again to go back intonormal listening mode.

Another way to fine-tune your settings is to adjust theyellow Reduction sliders independently. SoundSoap Prohas the ability to apply variable amounts of noisereduction to different parts of the frequency spectrum.In this example, we’ll unlock the reduction sliders, so wecan apply more noise reduction at the higher end of thespectrum where most of the tape hiss occurs, and lessnoise reduction in the lower part of the spectrum, wheremore of our desired content exists.

14. With these sliders grouped together (as they are bydefault), move them all downward until they arenot removing any broadband noise at all.

15. Move them all upward as a group until you can nolonger hear any broadband noise.

16. Now, click the lock icon for the yellow Reductionsliders to unlock them.

17. Starting on the lowest band (left-most slider),lower it all the way – you will most likely hear a lowfrequency component of the broadband noisebecome audible as you do this. Raise this slider tothe lowest position that effectively removes thislow frequency component.

18. Repeat Step 17 for each slider, moving from thelowest frequency bands on the left, all the waythrough the highest bands on the right. Thistechnique applies variable amounts of noisereduction in each frequency band, ensuring thatdesired content is preserved, and unwanted noiseis removed.

19. Lock the Reduction sliders back together.

20. Click the Noise Only Button to hear the noisebeing removed.

21. Move the locked Reduction sliders up and downuntil you find the best setting for eliminating thetape hiss and none of the vocal. When in noiseonly mode, the goal is to hear only the tape hisswe’re trying to remove.

22. Click the Noise Only Button again to go back intothe normal listening mode.

23. Listen to the cleaned file – the tape hiss has beenremoved, leaving only the desired vocal!

24. Bounce/Apply/Render the SoundSoap Pro plug-into the vocal track – the process is complete!

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Here, we unlocked the Reduction sliders to be able to move themindependently – the setting above illustrates less noise reduction in thefrequency ranges where the vocal occurs, and more noise reduction inthe higher frequency bands, where most of the tape hiss occurs.

If you are not familiar with applying effects plug-ins to audio files within your host application,please consult the documentation that wasincluded with it – applying SoundSoap Pro’s noisereduction tools will be similar to processing audiowith other plug-ins.

Lesson 2: Removing Clicks,Crackles, and Hiss

This example will teach you the basics of removing clicks,crackles, and needle hiss from recordings of vinyl records.

To Remove Click and Crackle:


2. Locate the folder called “SoundSoap Pro TutorialFiles” and open “Guitar_from_Vinyl.wav”.

3. Play this file to get an idea of the noise that we’retrying to remove. You should notice clicks,crackles, and a bit of hiss.


5. Click on the Click & Crackle Tab and then checkthe On/Bypass checkbox

When files contain multiple noise types, it isrecommended to use the required tools in orderfrom left to right – in this case, first we’ll removethe clicks and crackles using the Click & Crackletool, then we’ll enable the Broadband tool toreduce the needle hiss.

6. Set up your host application to loop the filerepeatedly, allowing continuous audio playback asyou listen and make adjustments.

7. Move the Click Threshold slider and the CrackleThreshold sliders all the way to the right – in thisposition, processing is minimized.

8. Slowly move the Click Threshold slider to the leftuntil you no longer hear any clicks.

9. Now, slowly move the Crackle Threshold slider tothe left until you no longer hear any crackles.

10. Click the Noise Only button to hear what iscurrently being removed.

11. Click the Noise Only button again to return tonormal listening mode – if you are happy with yourresults, continue on to the next step.

12. Click on the Broadband Tab and check theOn/Bypass checkbox


Since this file also contains needle hiss, we can use this additional toolto clean the additional type of noise.

Since this file only contains clicks, crackles, and needle hiss, we’ll usejust two tools to clean it.

13. In your host application, position the playhead cursorin the area a few seconds before the guitar starts.

14. Initiate playback in your host application – thenoise profile is learned and the blue Thresholdsliders snap into position.

15. Click the Broadband Tool’s Learn Noise button.

16. Leave the yellow Reduction sliders locked togetherand lower them all slightly.

To fine-tune broadband noise reduction further,you can use the additional broadband tuningsteps discussed in Lesson 1 – including adjustingAttack & Release values and independentlyadjusting Broadband noise reduction values ineach part of the frequency spectrum.

17. Click the Noise Only button to hear what is beingremoved by the Click & Crackle and BroadbandTools.

18. Click the Noise Only button again to return tonormal listening mode.

If you are satisfied with your results,bounce/apply/render the SoundSoap Pro plug-in to thisfile – or, continue fine-tuning your Click & Crack andBroadband settings, using Noise Only mode to monitorwhat is being removed.

Lesson 3: Removing 60Hz Hum andBackground Noise

This example will teach you how to use SoundSoap Pro’sHum & Rumble and Broadband Tools to remove a 60Hzhum, some unwanted background noise, as well as howto use the Noise Gate Tool to clean up any residual noisebetween sections of dialogue.

An audio-only version of this clip is also includedfor use in host applications that may not supportopening and playing QuickTime movies –the audio only file is called“Dialogue_with_Hum.wav”.

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Guitar starts here

In this example, we leave the Reduction sliders locked together, and reducebroadband noise reduction equally across the entire frequency spectrum

Start Learning Noise here

Reduction sliders

To Remove Hum & Rumble:


2. Locate the folder called “SoundSoap Pro TutorialFiles” and open “Dialogue_with_Hum.mov”.

3. Play this file to get an idea of the noise (60Hz humand background noise) that we’re trying toremove.


5. Click on the Hum & Rumble Tab and check theOn/Bypass checkbox – this enables just this tool.

6. In your host application, initiate playback from thebeginning of the file.

By default, SoundSoap Pro’s Hum Frequency slider is setto 60Hz, so you should immediately hear a dramaticreduction in the amount of hum in the audio. To fine-tune your hum reduction settings, continue to the nextsteps.

7. Adjust the Q slider to a value of 40 and adjust theDepth Slider to a value of 25 dB.

The easiest way to decide on settings for the HumTool’s Q and Depth sliders is to keep the noisyaudio playing – perhaps in loop mode – and startwith the Depth slider set to 0. Slowly move theDepth slider to the right and use the lowest possiblesetting that effectively eliminates the hum. Toadjust the Q value, start with the Q slider all theway to the right – in this position, the notch filterbeing created is as narrow as possible andeliminates the fewest frequencies that surroundthe fundamental frequency causing the hum –60Hz in this case. As the noisy audio plays, movethe slider slowly to the left, until you hear the bestresults. Use the highest Q value setting thateliminates hum without removing the audio youwish to preserve.

8. In the Rumble filter section, check the On/Bypasscheckbox to enable this filter, and use the slider toset the value to 25.

The reason we’re also using the Rumble filter inthis example is that after adjusting the humreduction parameters, a very low frequencycomponent of this hum is still audible. By addingthe Rumble filter to the noise reduction process, wecan eliminate noise occuring at a lowerfrequency than what is typically considered“Hum”. To get an ideal setting with the Rumblefilter, first enable it by checking its On/Bypasscheckbox. With the Rumble slider at its lowestsetting – all the way to the left – slowly begin tomove it to the right as audio plays. As soon as thelow frequency rumble becomes inaudible, stopmoving the slider – this is the optimum setting.


Notice that at a setting of 60Hz, the Hum Meter gets a nice strongreading.

Note that you may also click within anynumerical field next to one of the control slidersmentioned above and type in an exact value – or,you may click into one of these fields and use theUp/Down Arrow keys on your keyboard fornudging these values by small increments. If youuse either of these methods, be sure to press theReturn/Enter key on your keyboard to exit thenumerical field!

9. Click the Noise Only button to hear what iscurrently being removed.


These settings should remove all the unwanted lowfrequency hum and rumble, but should not affect thedialogue. To remove the unwanted background noise,continue on to the next few steps.

11. Click on the Broadband Tab and check theOn/Bypass checkbox – this enables the tool. TheHum & Rumble Tool should remain active.

12. Set up your host application so it loops the entirefile.

13. Position the playhead cursor at the beginning ofthe file.

14. Click the Learn Noise button and initiate playbackin your host application.

15. SoundSoap Pro “learns” the noise, and snaps itsblue Threshold sliders to values it has determinedto be a good starting point for reducing the currentbackground noise. There should be a dramaticreduction to the unwanted background noise withthis automatic setting.

16. Click only the Unlock button for the Thresholdslider on the lowest frequency band.

17. Move this Threshold slider into the position shownbelow.

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Since we only need to unlock the Threshold slider for the lowestfrequency band, use the unlock button *only* for that single slider.

Single bandlock/unlock

buttons

The reason we only unlock the Threshold slider forthe lowest frequeny band is that there can beoccasions when the automatically learned noiseprofile may need to be slightly adjusted. Theexample below shows the automatically learnedprofile (with the Reduction sliders rotated out ofthe way using the Threshold/Reduction ViewSlider):

By lowering just the lowest band, we create asmoother overall noise profile, which can oftenresult in better sounding broadband noisereduction results – note the difference of the noiseprofile:

Finally, we locked all the Threshold sliders backtogether – this way, should we need to fine-tunethe overall threshold level across all the frequencybands, we can maintain the same noise profile –note the positions of all Threshold sliders havechanged, but their relative positions remain thesame:

18. Lock the lowest frequency band’s Threshold sliderback together with all other Threshold sliders.

19. Unlock all yellow Reduction sliders.

20. Move yellow Reduction sliders into the positionsshown below:

Unlocking all the Reduction sliders allows us tofine-tune exactly how much noise reduction isbeing applied in different parts of the frequencyspectrum. Moving each Reduction slider whilelooping audio playback allows you to hear how itaffects noise reduction within each frequencyband. As you make adjustments to each band, usethe lowest possible noise reduction setting thateffectively eliminates the broadband noise (theunwanted “background” noise). This ensures thatmore of the desired content is left intact.

21. Audition the file to hear your results so far.

22. Now, click the Noise Only button and audition thefile – you should hear only the unwanted noisebeing removed by the Hum & Rumble andBroadband Tools. If any of the audio we’re tryingto preserve is still audible in Noise Only mode, wecan adjust the Attack & Release knob values.


23. Adjust the Attack, Release, and Tilt knobs to thepositions/values shown below:


25. Audition the file to hear your results with theadditional Attack, Release, and Tilt settings.

The reasons for making the adjustments in theprevious steps are:

Attack & Release – The audio material we’retrying to preserve is a person’s voice, whichchanges level relatively slowly from low signallevel to high signal level (slow attack). Weadjusted the Attack and Release knobs to highervalues than the default settings, so that asbroadband noise reduction is activated, it occursin proportion with dynamic changes in the audiomaterial we wish to preserve. If working withmusic, we would likely have used much lowerattack & release values, as musical notes playedon many instruments have faster attack & releasetimes of their own. By adjusting these values tosuit the audio material you’re working with, youwill end up with better noise reduction results,and minimize the occurence of unwantedartifacts. In general, when making adjustments tothe attack & release values, consider the audiomaterial you’re working with – for audio with aslow attack, use a higher attack setting (slower),and for audio with a fast attack, use a lowerattack setting ( faster).

Tilt – The Tilt controls vary the attack or releasetimes of broadband noise reduction that are

applied over the entire frequency spectrum. Withan attack setting of 80ms, and an Attack Tiltsetting of 3.00, we created proportional attacktimes across the frequency spectrum. With thesesettings, we would be applying an 80ms attackvalue to the lowest frequency band; and a 26.7msattack time to the highest frequency band; witheach band between the two receiving anincremental setting. The Release Tilt control is setin a similar way – with the current settings,(Release: 30ms/Release Tilt: 3.00) the lowest bandoperates with an attack value of 30ms; the highestband at 10ms; with each band between thembeing set to some incremental value.

In general, when working with audio that has awide dynamic range, use higher tilt values – whenworking with audio with lower dynamic range,use lower values. The best results are obtained byconsidering the type of audio material you’retrying to preserve, and toggling back and forthbetween regular listening mode and Noise Onlymode, making adjustments that maximize noisereduction, and minimize artifacts and removal ofthe audio content we’re trying to preserve.

26. Click the Noise Only button to monitor yourprogress so far, with the Hum & Rumble andBroadband Tools activated.


At this point, the file should sound much better than theoriginal, now that all the low-frequency hum & rumble

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has been removed, and the background noise has beengreatly reduced.

However, there is a bit of noise left over after our fine-tuning. Rather than use stronger settings in theBroadband Tool – which in some circumstances can addundesired artifacts or remove a bit of the audio we’retrying to preserve – we’ll add the Noise Gate Tool to theend of our chain of noise reduction processing, andapply a very light Noise Gate setting, which will remove(gate) the remaining noise in the pauses betweendialogue.

28. Click on the Noise Gate Tab, and check theOn/Bypass checkbox – enabling this tool, while theHum & Rumble and Broadband Tools remainactivated.

29. Adjust the Noise Gate’s Threshold slider to a valueof -22.5 dB.

30. Adjust the Reduction slider to a value of 2.00

By setting the Threshold to a fairly low value of–22.5dB, we’re effectively telling SoundSoap Pro to*only* close the gate on parts of the audio signalthat do not exceed –22.5dB. In other words, thesections of audio between passages of dialogue.When the audio level does exceed the –22.5dBthreshold level, the gate is open. Therefore, in thepassages of dialogue, which *do* exceed –22.5dB,the audio is unaffected, so the dialogue comesthrough clearly, at its original level.

The Reduction control is directly related to theThreshold control – for any audio that falls*below* –22.5dB, the Reduction slider determineshow much the gate closes, and thus, to what degreethe original audio’s level is cut – remember, this isonly applied to those quieter sections betweenpassages of dialogue that fall below the Thresholdlevel.

The Noise Gate Tool’s display helps to visualize thisconcept:

31. Adjust the Attack and Release knobs to the settingsshown below:

In the Noise Gate Tool, the Attack and Releasevalues control how fast the gate closes and opens.When the gate closes, it cuts the level of any audiowith a level that lies below the threshold, and whenit opens, it allows audio which exceeds thethreshold to pass through without affecting itsoriginal signal level.


This part of theaudio signal exceedsthe threshold, so no

gating is applied to it

Audio that liesbetween the twowhite thresholdindicators and

does not exceedthe threshold will

be gated

32. Click the Noise Only button to hear your resultsafter adding the Noise Gate into the signalprocessing chain.


If you are satisfied with the results, bounce/apply/renderthe current SoundSoap Pro settings – the process iscomplete!

Conclusion

You have now learned the fundamentals of using BIASSoundSoap Pro to remove a variety of different types ofnoise from different types of audio material. We hopeyou enjoy using SoundSoap Pro, and find it to be usefulin your audio processing toolkit!

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