Free Denoiser software

[aussievintage]

Wasn't sure whether to put this here or in the computer section, but, it is most useful for playing records for me, so...

 

I was looking for denoising software, especially something that can used realtime, and I found this.  Bertom Denoiser

 

 

I am running the "classic" version which you get for free.  There is a pro version as well.   To get the classic version free, you can choose to pay $0.   I will be going back and paying a bit since I find it so useful.  I don't think I need the pro version, but it is cheap anyway.

 

The way it works is that you position the Threshold slider in the grey area while the music is playing,  and then further selectively lower the different frequencies to adjust individual parts of the noise spectrum.   Not only am I finding it can reduce the background scratches and surface noise on old records,  it also, with fine adjustment, can reduce the noise and sibilance from groove wear.   It certainly can bring the vocals and music to the fore when playing badly damaged records.  Don't expect to eliminate the noise though, there's no magic.  It does a very good job of taming them though.

 

I don't know much about the internals, but I have read it uses expanders and is latency free. The algo it uses to detect noise is probably a secret.   As you can see, I have turned on HF Bias, as most record noise is higher in the spectrum (except rumble which I deal with separately).  I also use the low pass filter option.

 

There are plugins for Windows/Mac/Linux.   

 

Here's a snapshot of the current Jack rack I am running while playing old records.  The denoiser is at the bottom.

 

 

 

[Peterbean]

How is your system set up with this? Does the phono stage go into your laptop?

[aussievintage]

6 hours ago, Peterbean said:

How is your system set up with this? Does the phono stage go into your laptop?

 

 

My computer can accept the phono stage output, but I am using an external USB audio interface at the moment.

 

In fact, I can feed a raw signal from the magnetic cartridge straight in, if I choose, with no phono preamp, and do the equalisation in software.    The trade off in that the computer room is electrically noisy, so using a phono preamp helps with that.

 

Jack (which stands recursively for Jack Audio Connection Kit)  takes the signal from the audio interface and makes it available to a wide range of professional audio software. I am using a low-latency linux kernel - it's all part of Ubuntu studio. I am running a simple audio rack called "Carla", and have added various plugins to the rack as you see in the picture above.   

 

I can run things like Ardour, or even Audacity, and record the sound if I want, or just use it live to listen and enjoy.

[ThirdDrawerDown]

Hi @AussieV - So just to see that I have that right, please, with thanks:

 

Turntable> Magnetic cartridge>External USB audio interface>

Linux computer/kernel as follows:>Jack Audio Connection kit software>Ubuntu Studio with Carla installed>(Denoiser Classic installed as a plug-in to Carla) >

DAC >

Preamp >

Amp >

Speakers

 

Edited June 12, 2024 by ThirdDrawerDown

[aussievintage]

1 hour ago, ThirdDrawerDown said:

Hi @AussieV - So just to see that I have that right, please, with thanks:

 

Turntable> Magnetic cartridge>External USB audio interface>

Linux computer/kernel as follows:>Jack Audio Connection kit software>Ubuntu Studio with Carla installed>(Denoiser Classic installed as a plug-in to Carla) >

DAC >

Preamp >

Amp >

Speakers

 

 

Essentially yes.   

 

I would leave aside the fact the I used Ubuntu studio as an easy means of setting the computer up with a low-latency kernel, and Jack, and it's related programs.

 

Turntable> Magnetic cartridge>External USB audio interface > Linux computer/low-latency kernel> Jack Audio Connection kit software> Carla rack plugin host > Denoiser Classic hosted by Carla> DAC (part of same USB interface as input (but could be separate) > Preamp (part of USB interface device)> Amp >  Speakers