3 PRO TIPS to Remove VOCAL Noise - Should you use a Gate?

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore three professional tips for removing vocal noise from your recordings, with a specific focus on using gates and expanders effectively. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced audio engineer, skillful editing can significantly enhance the quality of your vocal tracks. We will also cover a useful feature in Cubase that can help streamline your workflow.

Step 1: Understanding Gates and Expanders

Difference Between Gate and Expander

• Gate: A gate allows audio to pass through only when it exceeds a certain threshold. It effectively silences low-level sounds, making it ideal for removing background noise when the vocalist is not singing.
• Expander: An expander reduces the level of audio below a threshold but does not completely silence it. This can be useful for preserving some ambiance while still reducing noise.

Practical Advice

• Use a gate for cleaner vocals, especially in sections where the singer is not actively performing.
• Consider an expander if you want to maintain some natural ambiance without unwanted noise.

Step 2: Handling Vocal Breaths

Addressing Breaths in Your Mix

• Vocal breaths can be distracting and may need to be edited out or minimized.
• Use the following techniques:
  1. Manual Editing: Zoom in on the waveform and cut out breaths during the editing stage.
  2. Automation: Lower the volume of breath sounds using automation to make them less prominent.

Practical Tips

• Be careful not to remove breaths completely; they add a natural feel to vocal performances.
• Check for breaths in quieter sections where they may stand out more.

Step 3: Utilizing the Detect Silence Feature in Cubase

Steps to Detect Silence

1. Select the audio track you want to edit.
2. Navigate to the Audio menu and select Detect Silence.
3. Adjust the sensitivity settings to capture unwanted noise accurately.
4. Review the detected silence sections and decide whether to delete or reduce their volume.

Practical Advice

• This feature can save time, allowing you to focus on the most important parts of the vocal performance.
• Use it to create cleaner tracks by removing silence or unwanted noise between phrases.

Conclusion

By understanding the differences between gates and expanders, effectively managing vocal breaths, and utilizing the Detect Silence feature in Cubase, you can significantly improve the quality of your vocal recordings. These techniques will help you create polished, professional-sounding tracks. For further enhancement, consider exploring additional training resources or plugins that can assist in your mixing process. Happy mixing!