Understanding the Importance of Noise Reduction in Audio Production

Noise is an unavoidable reality in audio recording. From the hum of computer fans and air conditioning units to the rumble of traffic outside and the hiss of a cheap microphone preamp, unwanted background noise can degrade even the most carefully recorded performance. In post-production, noise reduction plugins have become indispensable tools for audio engineers, podcasters, musicians, and content creators alike. These plugins allow you to remove or attenuate noise without significantly damaging the desired audio, resulting in cleaner, more professional-sounding recordings.

The technology behind modern noise reduction has advanced considerably. Early methods relied on simple noise gates that cut audio below a certain threshold, which often resulted in choppy, unnatural sound. Today, plugins use sophisticated algorithms such as spectral subtraction, adaptive filtering, and machine learning to analyze the frequency content of noise and subtract it from the signal in real time. This enables far more precise and transparent noise removal, making it possible to salvage recordings that would have been unusable a decade ago.

Whether you are producing a podcast, mixing a song, restoring archival audio, or editing dialogue for video, choosing the right noise reduction plugin can make a significant difference in your workflow and final product. This article provides an in-depth look at some of the top noise reduction plugins currently available, along with practical guidance on how to select and use them effectively.

In-Depth Reviews of Top Noise Reduction Plugins

No single plugin is perfect for every scenario. The best choice depends on your budget, the type of noise you need to address, your preferred workflow, and your skill level. Below, we examine several leading plugins, each with its own strengths and ideal use cases.

iZotope RX (Standard and Advanced)

iZotope RX is often regarded as the gold standard for audio repair and noise reduction. Used extensively in film, television, and music production, RX offers a comprehensive suite of tools that goes far beyond simple noise suppression. The core noise reduction module, Voice De-noise, uses machine learning to distinguish between dialogue or vocal content and noise. You can learn a noise profile from a silent section and apply it with fine control over reduction strength and artifact suppression.

Beyond standard noise reduction, RX includes specialized modules such as Spectral Repair for removing clicks, pops, and crackles; Hum Removal for eliminating electrical hums; De-wind for reducing wind noise in field recordings; and Breath Control for tightening up vocal breaths. The spectral editing interface allows you to view audio as a spectrogram and manually paint over unwanted noise, giving you surgical precision.

RX is available as a standalone application as well as a suite of AAX, VST, and AU plugins. The Standard version includes the core tools, while Advanced adds higher sample rate support, additional modules like Music Rebalance and Dialogue Isolate, and advanced processing options. It is a premium product, but its power and flexibility make it a worthwhile investment for professionals who demand the highest quality.

Best for: Professional mastering, dialogue editing, complex restoration, and any situation where transparency is critical.

iZotope RX official page

Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor

Waves NS1 (Noise Suppressor) is known for its simplicity and effectiveness. Unlike many plugins that require manual profiling of noise, NS1 uses a real-time algorithm that analyzes the incoming audio and automatically reduces background noise. It has just two main controls: Suppression (how much noise to remove) and Loudness (to compensate for any level changes). This makes it extremely easy to use, even for beginners.

Despite its simplicity, the NS1 delivers surprisingly clean results on steady-state noise such as computer fan hum, room tone, or air conditioner rumble. It works well on both speech and music, though it can sometimes introduce slight artifacts when pushed too hard. The plugin is lightweight on CPU, making it practical for use on many tracks simultaneously in a mix.

The Waves NS1 is available at a very affordable price, especially during frequent sales. It supports all major plugin formats and is compatible with most DAWs. For those who want a quick, one-knob solution for cleaning up podcasts, voiceovers, or live recordings, the NS1 is an excellent choice.

Best for: Podcasters, voiceover artists, live sound capture, and quick cleanup of steady noise.

Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor

Accusonus ERA Noise Remover (and ERA Bundle)

Accusonus ERA Noise Remover is part of a family of simple, processor-efficient plugins designed for fast noise reduction. Its interface consists of a single knob labeled Noise Reduction. Turn it up to reduce noise, and the plugin handles the rest. An option to learn a noise profile is also available for more precise results.

The ERA bundle includes a full range of repair tools: ERA De-esser, ERA Plosive Remover, ERA Reverb Remover, ERA Click Remover, and more. Each plugin is designed for a specific task and can be used in real time with low latency. The ERA Noise Remover itself is excellent for reducing constant background noise like hum, hiss, and fan noise. It works well on vocals and speech, and can also be applied to instrument tracks with care.

Accusonus plugins use a technology called single-knob processing, which abstracts away complex parameters to speed up editing. While this might not satisfy users who want granular control, it is ideal for those who need to clean up audio quickly without diving into technical settings. The ERA bundle is moderately priced and often available in bundles or subscription through Accusonus.

Best for: Fast-paced editing, video post-production, and users who prefer minimal adjustment.

Accusonus ERA Noise Remover

Adobe Audition (Built-in Noise Reduction Tools)

While not a plugin per se, Adobe Audition includes some of the most powerful noise reduction tools available in any digital audio workstation. The Adaptive Noise Reduction effect works in real time and can learn noise profiles automatically or manually. The Noise Reduction / Restoration suite also includes DeNoise, DeHum, DeClicker / DeCrackler, and DeReverb effects.

One standout feature is the Sound Remover effect, which allows you to select a sample of a specific unwanted sound (such as a dog bark or a phone ring) on the spectrogram and remove it while leaving the rest of the audio intact. The spectral frequency display in Audition provides visual feedback that is extremely helpful for surgical editing. For post-production professionals already using Adobe Creative Cloud, Audition’s noise reduction tools offer excellent value because they are included in the subscription.

Audition’s noise reduction algorithms are robust and transparent, especially when processing dialogue and voice. For music, caution is needed because aggressive reduction can introduce metallic artifacts. However, with careful adjustment, you can achieve professional results.

Best for: Adobe Creative Cloud users, video editors, and those who prefer a full DAW with integrated restoration.

Klevgrand Brusfri

Brusfri (Swedish for "noise-free") by Klevgrand is a noise reduction plugin that takes a unique approach. Rather than using a learned noise profile or simple gating, Brusfri constantly analyzes the incoming signal and attenuates frequencies that match a noise signature you provide. It includes a Learn function to capture a noise sample, and then applies reduction based on that profile with adjustable sensitivity and reduction depth.

What sets Brusfri apart is its elegant, minimalist interface and its ability to handle both steady-state and some low-level intermittent noise. It is particularly good at removing computer fan hum, amp hiss, and room tone from recordings. It can also be used in real time with very low latency. Brusfri is available at a very affordable price, making it accessible for hobbyists and professionals alike. It supports VST, AU, and AAX formats.

Best for: Budget-conscious users, home studio recordings, and anyone who wants a straightforward but effective tool.

Klevgrand Brusfri

Acon Digital Restoration Suite (Extract: Dialogue and DeNoise)

Acon Digital offers a range of restoration plugins that are highly regarded for their quality and reasonable price. Their Extract: Dialogue plugin is excellent for isolating voice from noisy backgrounds, even with highly variable noise. DeNoise 2 is a dedicated noise reduction tool that uses a learned noise profile and provides continuous control over reduction strength. It also includes an adaptive mode that can adjust to changing noise floors.

One of the key advantages of Acon Digital plugins is their low CPU usage and very low latency, making them suitable for live streaming or real-time applications. The algorithms produce clean results with minimal artifacts, and the interface is clear and easy to navigate. The Restoration Suite also includes DeClick, DeClip, and DeBuzzer modules.

Acon Digital products are available as individual plugins or as a bundle, and they support all major plugin formats. For those who need professional-grade noise reduction without the high price tag of iZotope, Acon Digital is an excellent alternative.

Best for: Dialogue restoration, live broadcasting, and users seeking professional quality on a moderate budget.

Acon Digital Restoration Suite

CrumplePop NoiseBuster

NoiseBuster by CrumplePop is designed for video editors and podcasters who need to remove background noise from location recordings. It offers presets for common environments (like car, airplane, or coffee shop) and includes a learned noise profile feature. Its Strength and Artifact Removal controls allow you to balance noise reduction with audio quality.

NoiseBuster is also available as a plugin for Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and other video NLEs, as well as in standard audio plugin formats. It delivers good results on constant and quasi-constant noise, and its preset system speeds up workflow. The plugin sometimes introduces a slight coloration when reducing heavy noise, but for many practical applications, it remains very usable.

Best for: Video producers, field recordings, and dialogue cleanup in post-production.

How Noise Reduction Plugins Work

Understanding the underlying technology can help you use these tools more effectively. Most modern noise reduction plugins rely on one of two main approaches: spectral subtraction or machine learning.

Spectral subtraction works by analyzing the frequency spectrum of a noise sample (often captured from a silent part of the recording) and then subtracting that spectrum from the entire audio signal. The result is a reduction of the frequencies that match the noise profile. This method works well for steady-state noise like hums and hisses but can cause "musical noise" artifacts—warbly, tone-like artifacts—if overused.

Machine learning based plugins, such as those used in iZotope RX Advanced, are trained on large datasets of clean and noisy audio. They learn to distinguish between desired sounds (speech, music) and noise, and can suppress noise more intelligently, often with fewer artifacts. These plugins can also adapt to varying noise levels over time, making them more robust for real-world recordings.

A third, simpler method is the noise gate. A noise gate simply mutes audio when the signal falls below a set threshold. It is useful for removing noise between words or during pauses but cannot remove noise that coexists with the desired signal. Some plugins combine gating with spectral techniques for more comprehensive results.

Tips for Getting the Best Results from Noise Reduction

Noise reduction is most effective when applied carefully. Here are some best practices to ensure clean results without destroying the natural character of your audio.

  • Record clean audio first. The best noise reduction is the noise that never gets recorded. Use quality microphones, proper microphone placement, and a quiet environment. Treat your recording space with acoustic panels or heavy curtains to reduce reverberation and external noise.
  • Use a noise profile. Many plugins allow you to capture a noise sample from a few seconds of silence in your recording. Ensure the sample is representative of the noise you want to remove—avoid including any of the desired signal. A good noise profile can dramatically improve results.
  • Apply noise reduction in moderation. Aggressive noise reduction always introduces artifacts. Start with a lower reduction amount and only increase until the noise becomes acceptable. It is often better to leave a slight noise floor than to create unnatural-sounding audio.
  • Use complementary processing. Combine noise reduction with a high-pass filter to remove low-frequency rumble, and a de-esser to tame sibilance. This can reduce the load on the noise reduction plugin and yield cleaner results.
  • Consider multiple passes. Sometimes removing different types of noise with different tools works better than one heavy-handed application. For example, use a hum remover for electrical noise first, then a general noise remover for broadband noise.
  • Automate bypass. In a DAW, you can automate the bypass of a noise reduction plugin so that it only engages during noisy sections. This can preserve the natural sound of quieter passages where noise might not be audible.
  • Listen in context. Always evaluate the effect of noise reduction in the context of the full mix. What sounds clean in solo might be masked by other instruments or reverb. Conversely, subtle noise may become more noticeable after compression.

Choosing the Right Plugin for Your Workflow

The table below summarizes key features of the plugins discussed, helping you compare at a glance.

Plugin Ease of Use Real-Time Capable Machine Learning Price Range
iZotope RX Moderate (steep learning curve) Yes (with some modules) Yes (Advanced) $$$ ($350+)
Waves NS1 Very easy Yes No (spectral subtraction) $ (budget)
Accusonus ERA NR Very easy (single knob) Yes No $$ (moderate)
Adobe Audition (built-in) Moderate Yes No (advanced algorithms) Subscription
Klevgrand Brusfri Easy Yes No $ (budget)
Acon Digital DeNoise 2 Moderate Yes (low latency) No $$ (moderate)
CrumplePop NoiseBuster Easy (presets) Yes No $$ (moderate)

Conclusion

Noise reduction is an essential skill for anyone producing audio content. The plugins discussed in this article represent some of the best tools available, each with its own balance of simplicity, power, and price. iZotope RX remains the industry standard for comprehensive restoration, while Waves NS1 and Accusonus ERA offer quick, user-friendly solutions for common noise problems. Adobe Audition users can take advantage of robust built-in tools, and options like Klevgrand Brusfri and Acon Digital provide affordable professional quality.

When selecting a plugin, consider the types of noise you encounter most often, your technical comfort level, and your budget. Most developers offer free trials, so take the time to test a few options in your own workflow. The right noise reduction plugin will not only save you time in post-production but also elevate the overall quality of your recordings, ensuring that your audience hears your message—not the noise around it.