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How to Reduce Background Noise Using iMovie: An Overview

Liza Brown
Liza Brown Originally published Nov 16, 23, updated Mar 27, 24

A well-edited video gains everyone's attention with its stunning visuals and acoustics. An important factor that counts in designing such a video is the absence of noise. Any sound or voice in the background that disrupts content integrity is noise. However, you can remove background noises in iMovie, a specified software for Mac.

The focus of this article will be on reducing background noise in iMovie in detail. Readers will also acquire knowledge of alternative tools with similar functionalities. There will be a brief introduction to reducing background noise in iMovie and other tools. Feel free to read about these tools and determine which aligns with your demands.

In this article
  1. Part 1: Some Basic Recording-Level Considerations One Should Make to Avoid Noise in Videos
  2. Part 2: Basic Solution to Background Noise Removal for Mac Users: iMovie
  3. Part 3: Some Other Top-Notch Facilities for Background Noise Removal on Mac
  4. Bonus Part: A Comprehensive Solution for Vocal Removal: Wondershare Filmora
  5. Conclusion
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Part 1: Some Basic Recording-Level Considerations One Should Make to Avoid Noise in Videos

The advancements in AI technology have made noise reduction seamless. Although, there are some pre-recording measures one can take to minimize noise. This section on reducing background noise in iMovie will mention those measures. The following primary considerations can make a big difference in terms of noise:

1. Pick the Right Location

If you are recording an audio or video, the first step is to choose the right surroundings. Although no location can be completely noise-free, one can try. Places with less population and more nature are noise-free as usual. Book a studio for video or audio recording, as you don't need much effort. They offer pre-arranged setups and space, which also includes noise-canceling equipment.

2. Microphone Quality and Position

For professional-grade audio and video creation, the microphone is a necessity. A high-quality microphone is proficient in providing high-quality sound. There are two microphone options: an external microphone or a device-integrated microphone. Moreover, the position and settings of microphones determine the clarity of voice. If the microphone is set closer to the speaker, it will deliver a decent speech sound. 

3. Wind Protection and Interference

The noise of wind is an obstacle for everyone who prefers outdoor shoots. It not only declines audio clarity but annoys the viewers. To reduce wind noise, use a windscreen or furry cover. To avoid other types of interference, keep the recorder away from electrical devices. This may include smartphones, laptops, and similar devices.

4. Audio and Gain Levels

While recording, it is important to keep track of audio levels for improvement. Creators can use headphones to detect audio levels and maintain unwanted noises. In addition, we advise you to set the gain at an appropriate level for clarity. A high gain value can decline audio quality through noise and other distortions.

5. Right Formats and Editing

Before you start recording, make sure to choose a high-quality audio format. The popular and widely used high-quality formats are WAV and FLAC. Moreover, choose the right editing software that has noise reduction ability. The software should also retain audio quality during and after editing. These tools also offer audio enhancement effects that can do the trick.

Part 2: Basic Solution to Background Noise Removal for Mac Users: iMovie

iMovie is a built-in application designed for macOS devices for creating and editing. Mac users can employ this software to edit their movies by introducing music effects. In iMovie, users can share their projects online or streamline them on Apple TV. With its video and audio editing abilities, you can reduce background noise iMovie.

The software offers audio enhancement for speech clarity and audio equalizer. With its audio denoise function, reducing background noise in iMovie is seamless. The feature rests on its main editing interface and is easy to utilize. In addition, it can multiple audio formats are editable in it, like ACC, MP3, and more.

Steps to Reduce Background Noise in iMovie

Are you a Mac user and want to learn about removing background noise in iMovie? Use this perfect step-by-step guide to gain knowledge about noise reduction:

Step 1

Initiate iMovie, press the "Create New" button and import media. Then, use the drag-and-drop technique to bring your media to the timeline.

add media to imovie
Step 2

Navigate towards the toolbar at the top right and explore options. Locate and click the “Noise Reduction and Equalizer” button to start editing.

look for noise reduction feature
Step 3

From the given options, access the “Reduce background noise” slider. Change the position of this slider to adjust the percentage of noise reduction.

set slider for reducing noise
Step 4

Now, play your video to see the results and adjust the intensity of the noise. Once you are satisfied with the results, export your video or save it to iMovie.

export final video from imovie

Part 3: Some Other Top-Notch Facilities for Background Noise Removal on Mac

While the iMovie remove background noise function is your first option, a backup never hurts. In this section, the focus will be on some desktop alternatives of iMovie. Users will gain knowledge of some premium video editing tools for this purpose. Keep reading to learn more about this software for efficient and productive editing:

1. Wondershare UniConverter

On top of our list of iMovie remove background noise alternatives is UniConverter. The software assists in 6 different types of background noise removal. Users can remove static, echo, humming, wind noise, chatting, and hissing. The software supports the majority of audio formats like MP3, WAV, and more. You can level up your bad audio quality in three simple steps.

uniconverter reducing background noise mac
Pros
  • The software supports batch processing to remove noise for productive editing.
  • Along with noise reduction, users can employ its vocal remover for speech clarity.
Cons
  • It is not able to assist in some advanced editing techniques.

2. Krisp

This is a desktop software that clarifies your voice during video calls. It enhances voice using three techniques including background voice, noise, and echo. Whether it's an animal's voice in the background or a human chatting. It is an AI-driven software that detects background voices and removes them accurately.

krisp reducing background noise mac
Pros
  • Its AI meeting assistant can transcribe your videos, and you don't need to worry about taking notes.
  • It collaborates with all your platforms to enhance the quality of your content.
Cons
  • While enhancing audio in it, your voice can start to sound robotic.

3. Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition is another reduce background noise iMovie alternative. It assists in audio denoise with its custom noise reduction options and effects. The tool falls into professional software categories that help with audio and video editing. In addition, users can adjust the level of frequency to high, low, and medium. It operates on sliders to adjust the value of noise elements in a video.

adobe audition reducing background noise mac
Pros
  • It has pre-assembled sound effects that are completely free to use.
  • To avoid background noises prior to editing, you can record voiceovers and podcasts in it.
Cons
  • The user interface might be too technical for those with basic-level editing skills.

4. HitPaw Video Converter

HitPaw Video Converter is a versatile platform assisting in video, audio, and photo editing tasks. The software employs AI assistance to bring clarity to your audio projects. With this iMovie background noise reduction alternative, noise removal is a few clicks away. Users just need to upload their video or audio, and it will elevate their quality. Moreover, it supports multiple audio and video formats to diversify your options.

hitpaw reducing background noise mac
Pros
  • The interface of this iMovie background noise reduction alternative is straightforward.
  • With its AI photo and video enhancer, you can uplift their visual and overall quality.
Cons
  • The customer care of HitPaw takes a while to respond, which is a turn-off for users.

Bonus Part: A Comprehensive Solution for Vocal Removal: Wondershare Filmora

Whilst reducing background noise in iMovie is operational, its alternatives exist. In addition to noise control, users can also manage vocals. To perform this in an efficient way, none other than Wondershare Filmora can assist. It is a professional and updated video editing software with multi-functionalities. Editors can employ its AI Vocal Remover feature to edit vocals and export them.

The method of accessing this tool is straightforward and requires a few steps. This function separates vocals from background voices, which are further editable. You can simply delete the background noise track and export the video with vocals only. Moreover, its timeline editing feature brings precision to projects.

Free Download
Free Download

Exclusive Sound Editing Features of Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora brings its users an extensive range of audio and video editing features. There is so much one can do with their hands on this software. This section of the article will discuss other audio-relative features of Filmora:

1. AI Audio Denoise

There are multiple forms of background noises and techniques to remove them. Filmora's denoise features provide multiple techniques for denoising. Users can employ its audio enhancement feature to improve speech. Moreover, it has wind removal, hiss, and hum removing options. You can also employ its reverb reduction to minimize echo in your content.

2. Silence Detection

One of the many ways of uplifting your content’s audio is to remove the silent pauses. Locating and eliminating silent parts of video is difficult by yourself. This AI auto-detects and eliminates the silent parts of videos with precision. It will optimize your videos for the audience, as the pauses may irritate them.

3. Audio Ducking

Being a content creator can be challenging in terms of precise editing. In Filmora, you do not need to adjust the audio elements of each track separately. With its audio ducking feature, users can fade one audio track to clarify the other. It auto-detects the speech parts of videos and decreases the music levels in them.

4. Auto Beat Sync

If you wish to align your video footage with an external audio track, this is the best option. Filmora's audio beat sync streamlines your content with its functionality. Its Auto Montage Maker synchronizes content and adds effects according to beat points. Moreover, it can auto-enhance your content by fixing the overexposed or dark portions.

Using AI Vocal Remover in Wondershare Filmora

After familiarizing yourself with a few of Filmora’s functionalities, let’s discuss further. This section of our article will guide you about accessing vocal remover. Follow the guide mentioned below to remove vocals from your video:

Step 1Initiate a New Project to Import Media

Once you download this software on your device, start it and access its main display. Continue to create a new project by clicking on the “New Project” button. Upon accessing the editing interface, use the “Command + I” keys to import media.

import media files to filmora
Step 2Start Vocal Remover

Now, bring the imported media to the timeline, select it, and navigate towards the top toolbar. From there, access the “Tools” option and choose the “Audio” option. From the audio expansion panel, choose the “AI Vocal Remover” option. The vocal removal progress will appear on the screen.

access ai vocal remover feature
Step 3Set Preferences and Export Media

Once the vocals have been separated from background noise, make customizations. After this, delete the background noise and navigate towards the top right corner. From there, click the “Export” button and download your video on your device.

perform removal and export
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Free Download

Conclusion

In this article, the focus of attention remained on removing background noises in iMovie. Users also learned about some of its alternatives to use when it's not working. In addition, the article sheds on a most reliable alternative named Wondershare Filmora.

It assists as a multifunctional tool with audio denoise and vocal remover features. Both are worthy of enhancing audio by removing or separating background noises. If you are in search of a background noise remover, this is your tool.

Liza Brown
Liza Brown Mar 27, 24
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