Problems with removing breathing noise

TBman · #1 08-01-2021, 08:47 AM

I hadn't really recorded anything in a couple of months and yesterday I finally got something down. My allergies have been killing me and my recording skill of breathing through my mouth went out the window a bit. So I was trying to remove the breathing with Rx 8 standard's Spectral Repair as I used to do and it wasn't working as in the past. I even tried in Rx 7 and the same result. In between the notes breath removal is easy, its the breaths over the notes I'm trying to get rid of. What is your technique if you don't mind sharing it?

I use the following settings:

Attenuate.
Bands 2048
Multi resolution
Surrounding region length % = 100
Strength 1.1
Before/after weighting = 0.0
Direction of interpolation = horizontal

I'm thinking the best way to remove breathing noise is not to let it happen in the first place and re-record the tune/section instead of in software.

Dave Hicks · #2 08-01-2021, 08:59 AM

I have the same problem. Sometimes I tie a bandana around my mouth, as a reminder rather than a sound-blocker.

D.H.

jim1960 · #3 08-01-2021, 10:16 AM

When your nose is clogged, the passage narrows causing the noise to elevate. I've tried tying something around my face but that becomes a hot sweaty distraction in short time. The best alternative I've found is to keep my mouth as wide open as comfortable and try to breath deeply and slowly, taking the nose out of the equation.

islandguitar · #4 08-01-2021, 06:15 PM

I'll always remember a pic from a digital book I read on recording with of a guy in a recording session wearing a scuba mask! Seriously!

Don't know on the remedy for this other than keep working on it....and not in allergy season! LOL!

Hang in there Barry!!!

alohachris · #5 08-01-2021, 08:10 PM

Aloha Barry,

I received many, many basketbal injuries over the 50 years I played, particularly FIVE broken noses. Also have two deviated septum surgeries to remedy breathing problems from those injuries.

The answer to my noisy breathing issues when recording was Afrin No-Drip 12-hour Nasal Spray (the Green one). Available in double packs from Amazon for around $13+ bucks. Try it Barry, it really works! Worth the money & much cheaper through Amazon than at the drug store.

Not all the time, but often, I use Afrin before I go to bed to help with breathing at night. It really works, as needed. And it lasts 8-12 hours so you won't have to get hooked on it. A great product.

Try Afrin Green, Bah, when your allergies make breathing difficult & noisy while playing.

I have recommended Afrin to several musicians & mouth-breathers, & they've always said it worked.

Short term solution, Barry. Try it! You don't need to make a kind of Jecklin Disk or waste time digitally editing out ancillary noise from your breathing.

alohachris

TBman · #6 08-01-2021, 08:27 PM

Thanks everyone. I'll try the Afrin, thanks Chris!

RodB · #7 08-02-2021, 12:04 AM

Same as you Barry, I can only use RX when breath noise is between notes, and I usually forget about breath control part way though a piece...

Mbroady · #8 08-02-2021, 04:54 AM

IMHO as a stuffy nose guy, Once it’s there it’s there’s.
My solution came after working on my voice and learning to keep my throat and Nasal passages open and soft pallet lifted. Still not a great singer but the techniques used in singing helped bring down my breathing noise, when not singing.

And I’m another Fan of Afrin nose spray, in moderation

keith.rogers · #9 08-02-2021, 07:11 AM

If sprays don't work (generic "Flonase" at Sam's Club is almost a daily ritual parts of the year for me), you might try tinkering with the microphone placement, distance and angle. Maybe raise them and aim down, assuming you're not using omni pattern capsules, and keep your head up. You might trade one noise for another, but it shouldn't take long trying just a few different options.

TBman · #10 08-02-2021, 07:39 AM

Thanks RodB (I'm glad its not just me with Rx) and MBroady!

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith.rogers

If sprays don't work (generic "Flonase" at Sam's Club is almost a daily ritual parts of the year for me), you might try tinkering with the microphone placement, distance and angle. Maybe raise them and aim down, assuming you're not using omni pattern capsules, and keep your head up. You might trade one noise for another, but it shouldn't take long trying just a few different options.

I already have the mics pointing down. It would be a lot worse if I didn't

Thanks!

Mbroady · #11 08-02-2021, 05:02 PM

Thought I would put this out there
I just started reading this at the recommendation of a friend who is good singer.
Filled with some interesting and sometimes useless facts (that I enjoy reading about) but the the premise is hard science. Don’t be a mouth breather
It does not matter if you sing or not, I think it could be very helpful To all.

https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Sc.../dp/0735213615

keith.rogers · #12 08-03-2021, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBman

...
I already have the mics pointing down. It would be a lot worse if I didn't

...

Well, it's a signal-to-noise problem, so play louder, or perhaps mic a bit closer (engage a pad?), experiment with hyper-cardioid capsules, maybe?

Saw the other post about letting RX "learn" using just the breath sounds you record. Maybe, but you'd want to do that very surgically, with the frequency and time selection on just a specific part where it's really noticeable. (And, you might ask for a 2nd opinion on how noticeable it is.)

shufflebeat · #13 08-05-2021, 05:57 PM

Originally posted a "between the notes" solution, then re-read your post and realised you already have one of those.

Howard Emerson · #14 08-07-2021, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBman

I hadn't really recorded anything in a couple of months and yesterday I finally got something down. My allergies have been killing me and my recording skill of breathing through my mouth went out the window a bit. So I was trying to remove the breathing with Rx 8 standard's Spectral Repair as I used to do and it wasn't working as in the past. I even tried in Rx 7 and the same result. In between the notes breath removal is easy, its the breaths over the notes I'm trying to get rid of. What is your technique if you don't mind sharing it?

I use the following settings:

Attenuate.
Bands 2048
Multi resolution
Surrounding region length % = 100
Strength 1.1
Before/after weighting = 0.0
Direction of interpolation = horizontal

I'm thinking the best way to remove breathing noise is not to let it happen in the first place and re-record the tune/section instead of in software.

Barry,
Put on a Breathe Right Nasal Strip for when you forget about breathing through your mouth. They really do work.

Wearing a mask would also be helpful, and speaking of masks: I've been wearing one outside for years when I'm in the garden working, but even more so lately. In my wood shop it's mandatory.

I have not had to take my nasal allergy medicine in a couple of years.

Best,
Howard Emerson

TBman · #15 08-07-2021, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

Barry,
Put on a Breathe Right Nasal Strip for when you forget about breathing through your mouth. They really do work.

Wearing a mask would also be helpful, and speaking of masks: I've been wearing one outside for years when I'm in the garden working, but even more so lately. In my wood shop it's mandatory.

I have not had to take my nasal allergy medicine in a couple of years.

Best,
Howard Emerson

Thanks for the tips Howard. I'll pick up some of the nasal strips and give it a try.