Clear Up the Noise
Short, practical answers to the questions home recordists ask us most. If yours is not here, send us a session note.
Recording problems
Can I really start with just a phone?
Yes. Use an app that records uncompressed WAV, switch off automatic noise reduction if possible, shelter the phone from wind and place it rather than holding it. See gear you already have.
How do I stop wind ruining recordings?
Fit a foam or furry windscreen, record on the sheltered side of a hedge or wall, choose calm mornings and use a gentle high-pass filter to remove leftover rumble.
Why is there constant hiss on quiet recordings?
Quiet sources force high gain, which raises the recorder's own electronic noise. Move closer to the source so you can lower gain, and record in 24-bit for more room.
Which file format should I use?
Record and edit in WAV at 48 kHz and 24-bit. Make MP3 copies only for sharing at the end.
Rhythm and mixing problems
My loop clicks when it repeats. How do I fix it?
Add short fades of 5 to 20 milliseconds at both ends, cut at zero crossings, or crossfade the end of the loop into its start. More in fades and crossfades.
Birdsong vanishes when I add drums. What should I do?
This is masking — two sounds competing in the same frequency range. Cut a little of the drums' upper mids, pan the sounds apart and leave rests in the rhythm where the bird can be heard.
How do I make a loop exactly the right length?
Divide 60 by your tempo in BPM to get seconds per beat, multiply by the number of beats in the loop, and trim the clip to that length. Worked example in tempo and loop maths.
Ethics and sharing
Is it acceptable to play bird calls to attract birds?
We advise against it. Playback can stress birds, especially during breeding season. Record from a fixed spot and wait instead.
Can I use recordings from Freesound in my music?
Often, yes, but each sound has its own Creative Commons licence. Check whether commercial use is allowed and credit the creator as the licence requires.
Still stuck?
Describe what you hear and what you tried. We answer common questions here over time.
Send a Session Note