The most effective solution is prevention—keeping wind noise out of the recording in the first place. This can be achieved by using proper wind protection and selecting microphones less sensitive to wind. Omnidirectional microphones generally handle wind better than directional ones, though they still benefit from windshields. In fact, with the same windshield, an omnidirectional mic typically outperforms a directional mic in windy conditions. Consider using specialized windshield attachments for the best results.

Water Sounds

Water sounds are a surprisingly common problem in real-world recordings, especially those made near sinks, fountains, bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoors near streams. Running water produces a constant, broadband noise that spreads across a wide range of frequencies, many of which overlap directly with human speech. This overlap makes dialogue harder to separate, because the water masks consonants and soft syllables that are critical for intelligibility. Voices may sound distant, washed out, or buried even when the speaker is relatively close to the microphone. 

These recordings often come from hidden or unattended recording devices, where mic placement and environment can’t be controlled. As a result, the water noise becomes part of the signal rather than a background detail. To avoid water sounds ruining a recording, distance is key. Keep microphones as far from running water as possible and position them closer to the speaker’s mouth.

TV and music in the background

When recording dialogue for evidentiary purposes, clarity is the priority. However, background noise from TVs or music creates a technical hurdle known as frequency masking. To effectively reduce noise in audio recordings, one must first understand how these sounds compete.

The Problem: Frequency Overlap. Human speech primarily occupies the same frequency range as the music and the dialogue on the TV. When frequencies overlap, the louder or more constant background sound “masks” the target speech. This makes it incredibly difficult to isolate dialogue in post-production, as removing the “noise” often inadvertently deletes the “signal” of the voice.

If a recording is made from a distance, the speaker’s voice may be faint. Attempting to enhance weak voice in recordings by simply boosting the volume (gain) also amplifies the background noise. This results in a poor Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), often leading to “inaudible” transcripts or evidence being ruled inadmissible.

Best Practices for Clear Evidence:

• Eliminate the Source: Always turn off TVs and music. Even low-volume background sound can compromise the integrity of the recording.
• Proximity is Key: Place the microphone as close to the speaker as possible (ideally 6–12 inches) to ensure the voice overpowers the ambient environment.
• Use Lossless Formats: Record in WAV or FLAC rather than MP3 to preserve the data needed for forensic enhancement later.

Learn how to use your phone efficiently for audio recording.

Remove Hiss from Audio

We often get recordings for audio clarification with hissing noise, it is considered a common problem. Hiss is a broadband noise that spans the entire audible spectrum with greater intensity in the high frequencies. It is similar to the sound of blue noise. It comes from the electronic components themselves. The level of a circuit’s inherent noise is the noise floor.

All audio circuits generate some level of self noise. It is the inevitable result of the heat energy created by moving electrons. The level of noise depends on the quality of the components and the design of the circuitry. This is why more expensive audio gear — which typically use higher quality components and better designs — has a lower noise floor.

Since lower quality audio components have the greatest potential to create noise, it makes sense to look for the weakest link in the audio signal chain when trying to prevent hiss. Unfortunately for videographers, the weakest link is often the camera’s mic preamp. Audio clarification can effectively take care of this type of problem.

Hum and buzz

Hum is a consistent low-frequency noise that might also be described as a “buzz.” It can be caused by an electrical problem that is inaudible in the acoustic environment but recorded via a physical connection to other equipment. It may also be audible in the acoustic environment and recorded by a microphone. 

Electrical hums can result from many technical issues, most of which will likely be out of your control. Acoustic hums often emanate from equipment like air conditioners, fans, refrigerators, older computers, large machinery, etc. You’ll hear them loud and clear in the recording space.

Audio clarification can reduce or remove hums, though it can be an involved process.