How to Fix Poor Audio Quality in Your Phone Recorded Videos

Improving the sound quality of a video with poor audio can be challenging but there are several techniques you can try using audio editing software. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you enhance the audio quality:

Step 1: Extract the Audio

To begin the process, use video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or free options like Audacity. Extracting the audio from the video file is the first step in improving the quality.

Step 2: Use Audio Editing Software

There are several powerful audio editing tools available, such as:

Audacity: A free open-source audio editor Adobe Audition: A more advanced tool with robust features for audio restoration

Step 3: Noise Reduction

Remove Background Noise

Most audio editing programs have a noise reduction feature. In Audacity, select a portion of the audio that contains only noise (no speech) and use the Reduce Noise effect to filter out unwanted sounds. You can also use high-pass filters to remove low-frequency noise and low-pass filters to eliminate high-frequency hiss.

Step 4: Equalization (EQ)

Adjust the EQ settings to enhance the clarity of speech. Boosting frequencies around 3 kHz to 6 kHz can help make voices clearer while cutting frequencies below 100 Hz can reduce muddiness. Audacity provides an easy-to-use interface for EQ adjustments.

Step 5: Compression

Use compression to even out the volume levels. This can help make quieter sounds more audible and prevent louder sounds from peaking. Audacity and Adobe Audition both offer built-in compression tools to achieve this.

Step 6: Reverb Reduction

If the audio sounds distant or echoey, use reverb reduction tools available in some audio editors to minimize this effect. Audacity and Adobe Audition both have features that can help with this.

Step 7: Volume Adjustment

Normalize the audio levels to ensure consistent volume throughout the video. You can also manually adjust the volume of specific sections as needed. Audacity and Adobe Audition both provide tools for this.

Step 8: Add a Voiceover or Soundtrack

If the audio quality is still unsatisfactory, consider recording a voiceover or adding background music to mask the poor audio. This can be done using a variety of software tools.

Step 9: Resync Audio with Video

After editing, if you extracted and edited the audio separately, you’ll need to sync it back with the video. Most video editing software has tools to help with this.

Step 10: Export the Edited Audio

Once you are satisfied with the adjustments, export the audio and replace the original audio track in your video editing software.

Recommended Software

Free Options

Audacity DaVinci Resolve for video editing Shotcut

Paid Options

Adobe Premiere Pro Adobe Audition Final Cut Pro

Tips

Always keep a backup of your original video file before making changes. Experiment with different settings to see what works best for your specific audio issue.

By following these steps, you should be able to significantly improve the sound quality of your video without extensive technical knowledge. Happy editing!