What's the Best Workflow for using RX8 to restore Audio before Editing with Premiere?

Question

It depends on which version of RX8 you have, but generally I'd recommend applying the following modules in order as needed: 1) De Hum / Spectral De-noise 2) Clip Limiter (if necessary) 3) Voice Denoise.

Then I'd save as new .wav sources (don't overwrite), and import into project; link with original picture.

I'd do the final mastering and EQ after locking picture.

Answer 1

First some general audio restoration guidelines;

1) ALWAYS keep a copy of the non-restored clip(s) in your edit timeline.

2) Avoid the temptation to make the clip too clean. It's easy to make a piece of dialog completely free of noise only to find that it sounds totally unnatural in the mix. This is one of the reasons for rule #1, so you can go back to the original and try the process again.

3) Include handles in your clip(s) selections. Picture Lock is never guaranteed! Yet another reason for rule#1!

The workflow depends on the type of noise you are trying to remove.

A common situation is on-set dialog recorded in a noisy location.

1-Hi Pass Filter unwanted frequencies below the voice frequency range. Typically 80 -120 hz. If a truck rumbling by is essential to the scene and the sound design Foley budget is low, reduce filter frequency to around 40-60.

2 - Use De-Hum or a notch filter to reduce steady state hums and/or buzzes. I like the McDSP NF575 or FabFilter for this function and you can use it as a plug-in in iZotope,

3- Dialog Isolate. Sometimes just 2-4 dB does the trick. If you need more noise reduction do it in stages as opposed to trying to reduce 6-12 or more db all a once. Varying the Dialog/Noise gains, Separation and Ambience amount even slightly in each pass will help.And of course you can undo and try again.

4- If you get to a point where you need addition ambient noise reduction and Dialog Isolate is starting to sound unnatural try Voice and/or Spectral De-Noise modules for additional reduction. Again several stages of small reduction. And a different noise print for each stage.

5- If you know are left with more transient noises such as; bird chirps, door slams, vehicles, dog barks, gunshots, etc.... Then Spectral Repair and/or frequency dependent Gain in the Spectrogram window will help.

6- De-Click/De-Crackle if needed.