How to Remove Hiss and Hum From Audio
Last updated August 16, 2026
Hiss is a broad, steady wash; hum is usually a low electrical tone with harmonics above it. The right cleanup path depends on the recording. Use vintage restoration for a complete old transfer, and use modern voice mode for an isolated vocal or spoken track. Selekt does not present the voice model as a safe full-modern-mix processor because it can remove instruments along with the noise.
Real restoration demo
1911 gramophone recording
The same historical performance before restoration, after noise removal, and after the optional mastering pass.
Original: gramophone hiss, crackle, and surface noise.
Open Audio RestorationIdentify the noise before processing
- Hiss sounds like air or broadband static and often comes from tape, preamps, or old transfers.
- Hum is a stable low tone, commonly related to mains electricity, grounding, or nearby equipment.
- Room noise combines fans, HVAC, computer noise, and the microphone's own noise floor.
- Crackle is a stream of short impulses and needs a different treatment from steady hiss.
Choose the correct Selekt path
For shellac, vinyl, cassette, and archival transfers, choose vintage restoration. For isolated vocals, voiceovers, podcasts, and dialogue, choose modern voice. If the target voice is embedded in a current song, use the Stem Separator before restoration.
This routing is more important than chasing a single universal noise-removal setting. The two sources contain different kinds of useful audio and require different preservation decisions.
How much hiss should you remove?
The quietest possible file is not automatically the best restoration. Removing every trace of hiss can thin cymbals, breath, strings, and room tone. Compare the restored version at the same listening level and stop when the noise is no longer distracting but the recording still feels alive.
Do restoration before mastering
A mastering pass can make the result more consistent and release-ready, but it is not a substitute for denoising. Restoration removes defects; mastering adjusts final presentation. Selekt lets you compare the restored result and an optional mastered version separately.
Compare the source and restored recording at the same point, then choose the specialist mode that matches your file.
Remove hiss or hum ->Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hiss and hum?
Hiss is broadband noise spread across many frequencies. Hum is a stable low electrical tone, often with audible harmonics.
Can mastering remove hiss?
No. Mastering changes level, tone, dynamics, and peaks. The unwanted noise should be reduced during restoration before the final mastering pass.
Should all background hiss disappear?
Not necessarily. Removing too much can damage useful detail. The goal is a less distracting noise floor with the performance still intact.
Key takeaways
- Hiss, hum, room noise, and crackle are different problems.
- Use vintage mode for complete old recordings and voice mode for isolated modern voice.
- Do not run a complete modern music mix through the voice model.
- Restore first and master afterward.
