ABSTRACT
With the advent of newer and better digital audio technologies, low-noise systems, hi-res audio and surround-sound home theaters, an increase in dynamic range and a demand for better quality sound has steadily been on the rise. The most commonly used noise reduction programs make use of a mathematically intense algorithm known as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). These applications and plug-ins are able to analyze the amplitude/frequency domain of an audio signal to reduce hum, tape hiss and other extraneous noises from recordings. Programs and DAW plug-ins also exist for removing clicks and pops from vinyl and older recordings. Although FFT analysis is often involved in the process, click removal differs slightly from FFT noise reduction. A noise gate can also be a very simple and effective tool for eliminating noise from a track or tracks within a mix. This device allows a signal above a selected threshold to pass through to the output at unity gain and without dynamic processing.
