Wave Arts MR Hum 6 — Free Download

Purpose

MR Hum 6 targets the persistent problem of low-frequency electrical interference in audio recordings. It combines several distinct tools into a single interface: a hum removal section, a buzz removal section, and brickwall filters for extreme low and high frequencies.

The buzz processor addresses a different issue. Buzz is a complex periodic signal with harmonics spanning the entire audible range, which would be impractical to cancel with individual notch filters. Instead, MR Hum uses a more efficient algorithm specifically designed for this type of interference.

Key Capabilities

The plugin offers continuous frequency adjustment for both hum and buzz, from 20 to 200 Hz, accommodating non-standard cases like hum from analog tape playback where pitch may have drifted. You can also fine-tune the width of the notch filters, with a default setting suitable for most situations. Presets for the common 60 Hz and 50 Hz hum cases are included, providing quick starting points.

A high-resolution spectrum analyzer is built directly into the interface. You can view the input spectrum before processing or the output spectrum after processing, making it easy to identify the exact hum frequency and how many harmonics need filtering. Additionally, a monitor feature lets you listen to the isolated signal being removed, offering an auditory reference for parameter adjustment.

Workflow

In practice, the workflow begins by loading the plugin on a problematic track or mix. You would first use the spectrum display, set to show the input, to visually locate the hum and its harmonics. Based on this, you select the fundamental frequency, either from presets or by adjusting the free frequency control, and specify how many harmonics to target.

For buzz, you set the fundamental frequency in the same manner, though the processing approach is different and requires no harmonic count. After applying the filters, you can switch the analyzer to show the output spectrum to verify the noise is gone. The brickwall filters provide separate high-pass and low-pass controls for rumble and hiss.

Practical Applications

MR Hum 6 is suited for cleaning up a wide variety of recordings. In music production, it can rescue tracks recorded in environments with mains hum from ground loops or old equipment. It is also effective for dialogues in film and podcast post-production, where hum from lighting or air conditioning systems may be present.

For archival restoration, the ability to adjust frequency beyond standard values is critical, because analog recordings may have shifted pitch, causing the hum to deviate from the nominal 50 or 60 Hz. The spectrum analyzer confirms the correct frequency setting. The plugin is not limited to studio use; it can be applied in live sound recording scenarios as well, as long as the host environment supports the plugin.

Key features

• Hum removal with a set of notch filters spaced at harmonics of the fundamental frequency
• Separate buzz processor for complex periodic interference across the full spectrum
• Continuous frequency adjustment from 20 to 200 Hz for both hum and buzz
• Adjustable notch widths to control the bandwidth of each filter
• Brickwall high-pass and low-pass filters for rumble and hiss elimination
• High-resolution spectrum analysis display, switchable between pre- and post-processing
• Monitor function to audition the signal being removed

Best for

MR Hum 6 is best for audio engineers and editors who need to clean hum and buzz from music, dialogue, or archival recordings. Its combination of notch filters, buzz reduction, and brickwall filters, plus visual and auditory monitoring, makes it ideal for precise restoration tasks where a standard de-noiser would be ineffective.