DeClick

About DeClick

DeClick 3 removes impulsive noise such as clicks and crackle. These distortions are very frequently encountered on LP and 78 RPM records, but also occur in digital recordings to drop-outs or distorted data packets. DeClick contains two different algorithms to deal with clicks and crackle. The actual declicker algorithm eliminates large clicks and pops in the recording, while the decrackler algorithms eliminates the frequent, but short clicks that the human ear perceives as crackle. DeClick removes clicks by substituting the recorded signal in the short period of time during the click with a signal estimated using the undistorted audio surrounding each click.

DeClick also features a third algorithm, which is designed to reduce plosives and thumps. These distortions are typically found in recordings from scratched vinyl records or in vocal recordings, where words that start with a P or B can cause a strong blast of air to reach the microphone diaphragm, resulting in a thump sound.

The DeClick user interface contains a reduction meter that gives visual feedback of the restoration process. It shows a history of the reduction activity during the past ten seconds. The red line shows the number of clicks removed per second, where the green line shows the number of crackles removed per second.

Settings

• Crackle sensitivity (%)

Sets the sensitivity of the decrackler algorithm. Higher crackle sensitivity values result in more crackle reduction. You can use the toggle button to activate or deactivate the decrackler algorithm.

• Click sensitivity (%)

Sets the detection sensitivity of the declicker algorithm. Higher click sensitivity values result in more click reduction. You can use the toggle button to activate or deactivate the declicker algorithm.

• Thump sensitivity (%)

Sets the sensitivity of the dethump algorithm. Higher plosive & thump sensitivity values result in more thump reduction. You can use the toggle button to activate or deactivate the dethump algorithm.

• Click expand (ms)

The amount of smoothing applied to the click detection signal. This will expand the average duration of the detected clicks and should be kept as small as possible, while still covering the clicks. This can be set between 0.1ms and 5.0ms.

• Click time skew (%)

The shape of the clicks, where 0% represents a symmetrical clip. Positive values should be used when the clicks cause more post ringing.

• Thump cut-off (Hz)

The upper frequency limit for the dethump algorithm. This can be set between 20 Hz and 350 Hz.

• M/S mode

The Mid / Side (M/S) mode is only available when working with source material in stereo. When enabled, the incoming audio is converted to a M/S signal prior to processing and decoded back to normal left / right stereo at the output.

The Mid / Side mode button is in the bottom left of the visualization, indicated in the below image with a red arrow.

• Solo noise

You can use this to listen to the removed signal, which can be considered an audible representation of the reduction meter.

The Solo Noise button is in the bottom right of the visualization, indicated in the below image with a red arrow.