Badly cut breath sounds annoy viewers and makes your video editing feel sloppy.

Yousef Abdul-Husain

Yousef Abdul-Husain

— 2 min read
Badly cut breath sounds annoy viewers and makes your video editing feel sloppy.

You would not believe how often I hear the loud GASPS, BREATHS and suckages of air in YouTube videos! It's annoying to hear and sometimes it feels like daggers stabbing your ears because it can happen 100's of times in a video.

Hearing loud breath sounds hurts my ears.

Breath sounds can really detract from the professionalism of your videos. Whether you're editing for YouTube channels or working on other projects, eliminating these pesky breaths is essential for maintaining a polished final product.

But fear not, because I'm going to share the simple way to fix this so you can boost your video editing skills.

I was inspired to create this tutorial after noticing breath sounds in videos from prominent creators like Alex Hormozi and Andyax. While I admire their content, I can't help but cringe at the audible breaths and awkward cuts.

Let's get it fixed.

The Crossfade Fix

  1. Locate the end of the breath sound in your editing software.
    • Split the audio clip at the end of the breath sound.
    • Apply a short crossfade (around 5 frames). Tweak the length and curve for the smoothest result.
Cross fading to eliminate or soften a harsh breath sound.

J-cuts and L-Cuts to the Rescue

    • When you want to keep some of the visuals, J-cuts and L-cuts offer more creative transitions.
  • J-Cut: Start the audio of the next clip before the video cuts, masking the breath.
Using a J cut to soften a hasrsh breath sound.
  • L-Cut: Keep the video running slightly past the audio cut for a stylistic effect.
You can use an L-Cut to soften a hrash breath sound.
  • Use crossfades to smooth it out.

Sometimes, Just Cut It Out

    • If the video has B-roll or other visuals covering the speaker, simply delete the audio section with the breath.

By following these steps, you can effectively minimize or eliminate breath sounds without sacrificing the visual flow of your videos.

Mastering the art of eliminating breath sounds is crucial for any aspiring video editor. Not only does it enhance the overall quality of your content, but it also sets you apart as a professional in your field.

So, the next time you're editing a video, remember these techniques and elevate your work to new heights. Your viewers will thank you for the cleaner audio, and you'll be one step closer to becoming a top-tier video editor.

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