premiere pro remove background noise

How To Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro

If you are in the process of editing some video or audio footage that has more background noise than you’d like, you are in the right place! In this article, I am going to share with you a couple of methods for using Premiere Pro to remove background noise. The first method is using the DeNoise tool in Premiere Pro, and the second method is with the Essential Sound tool in Premiere Pro. Let’s get started!

Why Is Background Noise a Bad Thing in Audio Files?

When excessive background noise is present in your audio files, this ultimately takes away from the listening experience. Background noise is bad regardless of whether you are editing video clips or standalone audio clips. When background noise is so loud that it becomes difficult to hear or understand the subject that is speaking, it can create a frustrating experience for the viewer or listener. This article will share a few methods for removing background noise using Premiere Pro. This article will also share tips for avoiding background noise in your recordings from the start.

Tips for Using Premiere Pro to Remove Background Noise

When it comes to using Premiere Pro to remove background noise, it is important to remember that this is both an art and a science. While the tools that I will mention below can absolutely improve the quality of your clips, it is ultimately up to you to remove the audio based on your preferences. 

In this article, I use a few different terms that I’d like to go ahead and explain prior to demonstrating the background noise removal tools. 

DeNoise: This is a tool used in Premiere Pro to reduce background noise.

Reverb: Reverb is another word for echo. So if you have audio clips with a lot of echoes, they also contain a lot of reverb.

Rumble: Rumble refers to low, deep noises that can be found in the background of audio clips. One example could be wind.

Hum: Hum refers to a consistent, mid to low-range background noise. An example would be a fan.

DeEss: DeEsser is a tool in Premiere Pro that removes sibilant, or hissing sounds. An example could be in dialogue when some words start or end with an ‘S’ sound.

How To Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro

Below are a couple of options and tutorials for removing background noise using Premiere Pro.

Background Noise Removal Method One: Remove Background Noise Using DeNoise and DeReverb in Premiere Pro

DeNoise Effect in Premiere Pro

One popular method for denoising your audio clips using Premiere Pro is the NeNoiser Effect. As such, this effect is great if there is extraneous background noise in your clip.

One: Firstly, open up the Effects tab and search for DeNoise.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Find the DeNoise Effect

Two: Secondly, open up the Effect Controls tab and select the Edit button next to Custom Setup.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Open effect controls and select edit next to custom setup

Three: Now that DeNoiser is open, you are able to adjust the different processing focus areas to remove noise. This can take a bit of practice to understand what sounds good based on the clips you are using.

Here is the meaning of each focus area shown: 

  • Focus One: All frequencies
  • Focus Two: Low
  • Focus Three: Mid
  • Focus Four: Low and high
  • Focus Five: High

My recommendation here is to start by placing All Frequencies (the first option) on 40%. If you think that the clip needs more work and there is still more background noise, then try increasing the percentage. If there is a lot of background noise, consider utilizing the other frequency options. Pay attention to how the background noise sounds, and this will help you determine if you’d like to remove the lower frequencies, the higher frequencies, or both. From there, you can adjust using the DeNoiser.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Once you do the last step, a window will pop up that allows you to edit the sound

As you can tell, using the DeNoiser can take some practice. If you use too much of one focus area, it can distort the audio in your clip. My opinion with this is that less is typically more.

DeReverb Effect in Premiere Pro

This effect is great to use if you have some echo in your clip that you would like to remove.

One: Firstly, open up the Effects tab and search for DeReverb.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Open effects and find the dereverb effect

Two: Secondly, open up the Effect Controls tab and select the Edit button next to Custom Setup.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Select edit next to custom setup

Three: Once the DeReverb effect is open, you can now adjust the different focus areas based on your preference.

Similar to the DeNoise effect, here is the meaning of each focus area shown: 

  • Focus One: All frequencies
  • Focus Two: Low
  • Focus Three: Mid
  • Focus Four: Low and high
  • Focus Five: High

The best recommendation I have for the DeReverb effect is similar to the DeNoiser. Start with the default setting and use the All Frequencies focus area. If you think that the audio clip still needs work and has an echo, toggle the other frequencies and select the one that removes the most echo without distorting the audio clip.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Once you select edit, a window will pop up that allows you to edit sound

Background Noise Removal Method Two: Essential Sound Panel

One: Firstly, go to the Audio Workspace.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Find the workspaces tab at the top of the open program and select Audio.

Two: Go to the Essential Sound tab.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Select essential sound.

Three: Select the Dialogue button.

Premiere Pro Remove Background Noise - Select the dialogue button within essential sound.

Four: Select the Repair option.

Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro - Select the repair option.

Five: Using the Reduce Noise option, adjust as needed. I recommend toggling the adjuster small amounts at a time, as using the maximum could distort the audio clip.

Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro - Select the reduce noise button and toggle to the right to add more of the effect, and left to reduce the effect.

Six: Essential Sound and Reverb.

To adjust Reverb, the first thing that you would do is clear the audio type.

Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro - To find reverb, select clear audio type to the right of the audio workspace.

Seven: Once back to the main screen, select the Ambiance option at the bottom

Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro - Next, select the ambience button.

Eight: You now have the option to adjust the reverb. As with the other options, I recommend starting small and monitoring the audio clip to avoid distortion.

Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro - Select the Reverb button and toggle to the right to increase the effect, and to the left to reduce the effect.

Nine: Clarity in Essential Sound

When editing your clips, you might find that they lose crispness. The Clarity option helps to fix this.

Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro - Select the Clarity button and toggle to the right to increase the effect, and to the left to reduce the effect.

Ten: Enhance Speech in Essential Sound

The Enhance Speed feature is another option that can be used to enhance someone’s voice at high or low frequencies.

Remove Background Noise Using Premiere Pro - Select High Tone or Low Tone under the Enhance Speech option.

Tips for Improving Audio Quality When Recording

Once the audio has been recorded with unwanted background noise, there isn’t a lot that can be done outside of editing the audio file in Premiere Pro. To avoid unwanted background noise when capturing video and audio footage, here are a few tips.

  • Try to record audio and video in a location where there will be very minimal background talking. I’ve found that it is most difficult to reduce background noise when it is other voices in the background.
  • If recording video or audio outside, be sure to do so in an area that is far from car traffic
  • Another tip when recording video or audio outside is to do so in an area where there aren’t a lot of animal noises or birds chirping. This can be very difficult to record around and almost impossible to remove if these noises overlap with someone talking.
  • If you are going to film in an area that is windy, try to make plans to film inside or film in an area with barriers to the wild.
  • Be sure to have the microphone as close to the person that is talking as possible. There is a big difference in audio quality if the mic is close to someone’s face or on their chest versus a foot away from their body.

Home Recording Studio Setup Tips

If you are in the process of setting up your home recording or video tips and need suggestions for getting the best audio quality, look no further! Below are a few suggestions:

  • Try to insulate your room as much as possible to limit noise. One way to do this is to use foam panels on the wall.
  • Be sure to record in a room or area in your home that does not get a lot of noise. For example, if your neighbor happens to chop a lot of wood during the times that you typically record content, avoid placing your setup in a room that is close to your neighbor (if possible).

Frequently Asked Questions around removing background noise with Premiere Pro

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about using Premiere Pro to reduce background noise.

How Do I Turn off White Noise in Premiere Pro CC?

If you are trying to reduce white noise using Premiere Pro CC, consider the DeNoising tool or the Essential Sound tool. You could start by adding the DeHummer reduction tool and go from there.

How Do I Improve Sound Quality in Premiere Pro?

When it comes to improving sound quality in Premiere Pro, it really depends on what the root issue is that you are trying to improve. If the audio is quiet, try increasing the volume. When there is background noise, consider using the DeNoise tool. If you are hearing an echo, try using DeReverb. There are a lot of options for improving sound quality in Premiere Pro.

Does Adobe Have an Audio Editor?

Adobe does have an audio editor! You can edit your audio and video files using Premiere Pro. If you only have audio files, you can use Adobe Audition!

Does Premiere Pro Have Noise Reduction?

Yes, Premiere Pro does have various noise reduction tools! If you have unwanted background noise in your audio files, the DeNoiser and Essential Sound features can help.

Can Background Noise Be Removed From Audio?

Yes, background noise can be mostly removed from audio depending on the severity of the background noise. If there is a lot of background noise that includes people talking in the background, it will be much more difficult to completely remove this from your audio.

Can I Remove Background Noise From Video?

Absolutely! You can use the same process in Premiere Pro to remove background noise from video clips just as you would with audio. It is important to note, however, that the amount of background noise that can be removed really depends on the severity of the background noise in the video.

Is Premiere Pro Really Worth It?

I have been using Adobe for about a decade at this point and editing with Premiere Pro for slightly less than a decade. I am a big fan of Premiere Pro because you have so many options to add effects to your footage and customize your video. There are also a lot of great options for correcting footage. I would absolutely recommend Premiere Pro if you edit a lot of video content. 

Do Most Youtubers Use Premiere Pro?

Based on what I’ve seen, many YouTubers either use Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.

Is Premiere Pro Easy to Use?

If you are new to Premiere Pro, it can look very intimidating! Once you start using the software and get used to the various features and functions, it is actually very easy to use and becomes intuitive. I highly recommend Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing and audio editing!

Is Premiere Pro Free for Students?

While Premiere Pro is not completely free for students, it is much more affordable! Instead of paying full price for the Creative Cloud suite, students get 60% off the Suite and pay $19.99 a month instead of $54.99 a month. You could also leverage the free trial to try the Adobe Creative Cloud, which lasts seven days. Learn more here.

Which Laptop Is Best for Adobe Premiere Pro?

I’ve used Adobe Premiere Pro on a variety of laptops, so my recommendation is to find a laptop that has a lot of storage capability and a solid GPU. The GPU I would recommend looking for is Nvidia GeForce. When it comes to storage, look for a laptop with 32 GB. My video editing laptop currently has 16GB. I constantly edit and create new content and find myself running out of space, so you should be safe with 32 GB.

Home Video and Recording Studio Recommended Equipment

If you are looking for recommendations on equipment to build your home studio, look no further! 

Best Microphone for Noisy Environment

If you are in the process of building out your own home recording studio or need some microphone options to minimize external noise, look no further! Below are a couple of recommendations to get you started.

Tascam DR-10L

I’m a big fan of this microphone because it doesn’t break the bank, but it also provides pretty solid audio in noisy environments. It is important to remember that no mic will be able to remove loud noises from recorded audio. Check out the product here.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone

The Blue Yeti is a condenser microphone and is a fantastic place to start if you are building your home studio and need great audio quality. Check out the product here.

Best Camera for Home Video Studio

Canon EOS R5

I’m a big fan of Canon and am even more excited about this brand now that they are leveling up their mirrorless cameras. The Canon EOS R series is a great line of cameras to choose from. The Canon EOS R5 is a full-frame, mirrorless camera with a 45 Megapixel full-frame sensor and 8k cinematic video capture. Check out the product here.

Best Tripod for Home Video Studio

Neewer Professional Video Camera Tripod

What I like about this tripod is that it is sturdy and made from aluminum! This is an overall solid tripod for a home studio. The tripod extends to 61 inches and provides a 360-degree swivel. Check out the product here.

Best Green Screen for Home Video Studio

Portable Green Screen

This green screen option is going to be ideal for people that don’t have a ton of space in their studio. If you are working out of a small room and you also don’t want to bother with constantly setting up a large green screen set up, then this option is for you! Check out the product here.

Elgato Green Screen

What I like about this green screen is that it is larger than the portable one I mentioned above, but it is still collapsible! You do not need to worry about setting up stands and clasping a green screen cloth onto the stands. This is an easier option while still being a relatively large green screen. Check out the product here.

Removing Background Noise with Premiere Pro – Conclusion

If you are in the process of removing background noise from audio clips using Premiere Pro, I hope that this article was helpful! It can be a little stressful finding the best way to remove background noise – especially if you are creating audio or video files for a client or another purpose where people will be judging this content. Remember, improving your skill when it comes to audio editing and removing background noise takes time. If one method doesn’t work for you, keep trying until you find one that does. If you have any questions at all, please let me know in the comments below!

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Morgan

Morgan is a recognized video marketing expert and content creator. She also runs a video production company and has a passion for teaching all things video.

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