why I never use ambience match normally

I hate Izotope RX's Ambience Match.

Whenever a new dialogue editor works for me, I emphasize to never use Ambience Match in place of dialogue fill.

It's way too static, and their new "complex" feature is not where it needs to be.

Despite its flaws, I use this feature daily. It’s an extremely vital part to my audio restoration workflow.

Here are my top 5 unconventional hacks Izotope doesn't tell you about:

Hack #1: Train Like a Master

The foundation of a seamless ambience match lies in its source material.

While grabbing a random section of background noise might seem like a quick fix, it often leads to clunky, out-of-place results.  

Here's the secret: train Ambience Match with multiple selections throughout your audio file.

Think of it like creating a diverse training set.

Use Shift + Click to select various areas with similar background ambience.

This broadens the reference pool, allowing Ambience Match to learn the nuances of your noise floor and apply it more naturally across the entire clip.

Hack #2: Built-in Sound Effects (Almost!)

Need to add some life to a silent scene?

 Don't waste time scouring sound effect libraries.

Ambience Match can be your secret weapon.

Let's say you want to introduce the gentle chirping of crickets. Here's the magic: deselect the "Output Ambience Only" checkbox.  

Then, use the frequency selection tool to pinpoint the exact area where you want the crickets to reside.

Finally, adjust the gain reduction (around -6db) to subtly blend those crickets into the existing ambience.  

Voila! Problem solved, and all thanks to the power of Ambience Match.

Hack #3: Spectral Repair's Stealthy Rival

Ambience Match shines brightest when it comes to removing unwanted frequencies.  

For specific, tightly controlled edits, it can often outperform Spectral Repair.  

Imagine you have a pesky air conditioner hum that needs silencing.

Simply train Ambience Match on a clean section of your audio and apply it to the problematic area.

The surrounding ambience will seamlessly fill in the gaps, leaving you with a pristine soundscape.

Hack #4: The Art of the Blend

The key to a truly undetectable ambience match lies in a smooth, natural blend.  

Experimenting with the gain option is crucial.  

While settings may vary depending on the audio, a +3db boost often creates a sweet spot, seamlessly integrating the new ambience with the existing background.  

For even more control, especially when dealing with abrupt edits, utilize the feathering option (available in RX 10 and above).  

This allows for a more gradual transition, further enhancing the overall flow.  

But fear not, RX 9 and below users!  

Head to the "Audio" tab within Preferences and you'll find a hidden gem – a feathering adjustment slider waiting to be unleashed!

Hack #5: The Consonant Caper: Borrowing Without Breaking

Ambience Match's versatility knows no bounds.  

You can even use it to create missing consonants or extend existing ones (think those tricky "s" and "t" sounds).

Here's the best part: you can "borrow" a sample from another person's dialogue!  

Simply train Ambience Match on a clean section of audio containing the desired consonant and apply it to your problematic area.

However, a word of caution – not all consonants are created equal.  

Experimentation is key to ensuring the borrowed consonant seamlessly integrates with the original speaker's voice.

These unconventional uses of Ambience Match will transform your audio editing workflow. So, unleash your creativity and explore the hidden potential within this powerful tool.

And hey, if you haven't already, consider investing in Izotope RX Advanced to unlock even more features!

I don’t mean to brag (ok maybe just a little) but I fancy myself an RX aficionado. If you want to see my RX skills in unfiltered action, consider shadowing me at Post Audio Pro!