How to Remove Background Noise in Premiere Pro (2026 Guide)
Background noise ruins otherwise great video footage. Fans, air conditioning, traffic, hum — Premiere Pro has tools to fix all of it. Here's how to get clean audio without switching to a dedicated audio editor.
Method 1: Essential Sound Panel (Easiest)
Premiere Pro's built-in Essential Sound panel is the fastest way to reduce noise:
Step-by-Step:
- Select your audio clip in the timeline
- Open Essential Sound panel (Window → Essential Sound)
- Click "Dialogue" to tag the clip
- Check "Reduce Noise" in the Repair section
- Adjust the slider (start around 5, increase as needed)
- Check "Reduce Rumble" for low-frequency noise (AC, traffic)
Settings Guide:
| Noise Type | Reduce Noise | Reduce Rumble | Reduce Reverb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light fan/hiss | 3-5 | Off | Off |
| AC/HVAC | 5-8 | On (50%) | Off |
| Traffic/room noise | 6-10 | On (60-80%) | Light (20%) |
| Heavy noise + reverb | 8-10 | On | On (40-60%) |
Pro tip: Start low and increase gradually. Too much noise reduction creates artifacts and makes audio sound robotic.
Need to separate voice from music? StemSplit isolates vocals from background music — different from noise reduction, but equally useful for video editors.
Method 2: DeNoise Effect (More Control)
For more precise control, use the dedicated DeNoise effect:
Apply DeNoise:
- Go to Effects panel (Window → Effects)
- Search for "DeNoise"
- Drag effect onto your audio clip
- Open Effect Controls panel
DeNoise Settings:
| Parameter | What It Does | Recommended Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | How much noise to remove | Start at 40%, adjust up |
| Gain | Output volume after processing | Keep at 0 dB unless needed |
| Focus | Target specific frequency range | All Frequencies for general noise |
Using the "Learn" Feature:
DeNoise works better when it knows what the noise sounds like:
- Find a section with only noise (no dialogue)
- In Effect Controls, click "Analyze" while that section plays
- DeNoise learns the noise profile
- Apply to the full clip
This produces cleaner results than automatic detection.
Method 3: Parametric Equalizer (Technical)
Sometimes noise lives in specific frequencies. EQ can cut it surgically:
Common Noise Frequencies:
| Noise Source | Frequency Range | EQ Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 60Hz hum (US power) | 60Hz, 120Hz, 180Hz | Notch filter at these frequencies |
| 50Hz hum (EU power) | 50Hz, 100Hz, 150Hz | Notch filter at these frequencies |
| Fan/air noise | 100-300Hz | Cut 3-6dB |
| Computer fan | 400-600Hz | Cut carefully |
| Hiss | 5kHz+ | High shelf cut |
Applying EQ:
- Add Parametric Equalizer effect
- Identify the noise frequency
- Create a narrow band (high Q value)
- Cut that frequency by 6-12dB
- Listen and adjust
Warning: EQ affects voice too if voice occupies those frequencies. Use sparingly.
Method 4: Audition Round-Trip
For stubborn noise, send to Adobe Audition:
- Right-click audio clip
- Select "Edit Clip in Adobe Audition"
- In Audition, use Noise Reduction (Effects → Noise Reduction/Restoration)
- Save and it updates automatically in Premiere
Audition's noise reduction is more powerful, with spectral editing for precision.
Method 5: Third-Party Plugins
For professional results, consider these plugins:
Waves Clarity Vx
- AI-powered noise removal
- Real-time processing
- Great for dialogue
- ~$50-100
iZotope RX Elements
- Industry standard for audio repair
- Includes de-noise, de-reverb, de-click
- Spectral editing
- ~$130
CrumplePop AudioDenoise
- One-click operation
- Fast processing
- Made for video editors
- ~$100
Free Alternative: Audacity
- Export audio from Premiere
- Open in Audacity
- Select noise sample
- Effect → Noise Reduction → Get Noise Profile
- Select all audio
- Effect → Noise Reduction → Apply
- Export and import back to Premiere
Workflow for Different Noise Types
Constant Background Noise (Fan, AC, Hum)
- Essential Sound → Reduce Noise (6-8)
- Add DeNoise effect with analyzed noise profile
- Check for artifacts
- Add light compression to even out levels
Intermittent Noise (Coughs, Bumps)
- Use Premiere's waveform view to locate
- Manual volume keyframes to duck the noise
- Or: Cut and replace with room tone
- Or: Use Audition's spectral editing
Low Frequency Rumble (Traffic, Footsteps)
- Essential Sound → Reduce Rumble
- Add high-pass filter (EQ) at 80-100Hz
- Removes frequencies below human voice
Wind Noise (Outdoor Recordings)
Wind is particularly difficult:
- High-pass filter at 100-150Hz
- Essential Sound → Reduce Noise (high setting)
- May need DeNoise with custom profile
- Accept some quality loss — wind is harsh
Tips for Better Results
Layer Your Tools
Combine multiple light applications:
- Essential Sound: Reduce Noise at 4
- DeNoise: Amount at 30%
- EQ: Gentle cuts on problem frequencies
This often sounds better than one heavy application.
Preserve Voice Quality
Signs of over-processing:
- Voice sounds "underwater" or muffled
- Robotic/metallic artifacts
- Words become unclear
If you hear these, back off the settings.
Use Keyframes
If noise varies throughout the clip:
- Set keyframes on noise reduction parameters
- Increase during quiet sections
- Decrease when dialogue is louder
Always A/B Compare
Toggle effects on/off to hear the difference. Sometimes you're making it worse without realizing.
Preventing Noise in Future Recordings
Recording Environment
- Record in quiet spaces
- Turn off AC/fans during recording
- Close windows
- Add soft materials (blankets, rugs)
Microphone Technique
- Get microphone closer to subject
- Use directional (cardioid) microphones
- Use a windscreen outdoors
- Record at appropriate gain levels
Gear Considerations
- Shotgun mics reject off-axis noise
- Lavalier mics capture cleaner dialogue
- Audio recorders often have better preamps than cameras
FAQ
Can I completely remove all background noise?
Usually not without affecting voice quality. Goal is reduction, not elimination. Accept that some noise may remain.
Does noise reduction affect video quality?
No — audio and video are processed separately. Only the audio track is affected.
Should I remove noise before or after color grading?
Audio editing order doesn't matter relative to video edits. But for audio: noise reduction first, then other effects.
My voice sounds robotic after noise reduction. What went wrong?
Too aggressive settings. Reduce the Amount/Strength. Multiple light passes beat one heavy pass.
Can I remove music from dialogue, not just noise?
Standard noise reduction won't work — use StemSplit or similar AI tools to separate voice from music.
What's the difference between noise reduction and DeReverb?
- Noise reduction: Removes constant sounds (hiss, hum, fans)
- DeReverb: Removes room echo/reflections
Use both if you have noisy AND echoey audio.
Quick Reference Settings
Light Cleanup
| Tool | Setting |
|---|---|
| Essential Sound Reduce Noise | 4-5 |
| Essential Sound Reduce Rumble | Off or 20% |
| DeNoise Amount | 30% |
Medium Cleanup
| Tool | Setting |
|---|---|
| Essential Sound Reduce Noise | 6-8 |
| Essential Sound Reduce Rumble | 40-60% |
| DeNoise Amount | 50% |
| High-pass filter | 80Hz |
Heavy Cleanup
| Tool | Setting |
|---|---|
| Essential Sound Reduce Noise | 8-10 |
| Essential Sound Reduce Rumble | 80% |
| DeNoise Amount | 70%+ |
| High-pass filter | 100Hz |
| Consider: Third-party plugins or Audition |
The Bottom Line
Premiere Pro's built-in tools handle most noise situations well. The Essential Sound panel is sufficient for typical YouTube/social content. For professional work or stubborn noise, third-party plugins or Adobe Audition provide more power.
Remember: Prevention beats removal. Good recording technique will always produce better results than post-processing fixes.
Need to Remove Music Instead of Noise?
Different problem, different solution.
- ✅ Separate voice from background music
- ✅ Keep dialogue, remove copyrighted tracks
- ✅ AI-powered stem separation
- ✅ Works with any audio file
