Yes, the outside noise is pretty bad- in general I wouldn't recommend sampling with less than 50 dB of dynamic range (from loudest peak to average noise floor). Currently I observed the noise floor to be around -40 dB, and the highest peak to be around 0 dB (seems to actually clip on the left channel). If I add a highpass at around 100 Hz or so to remove the low rumble from the AC and street, I can improve the noise performance to about -48 dB, but it's still pretty on the edge, even if I used noise reduction. Even removing the low end, there is still a fair amount of broad spectrum noise, which is either the result of the AC or potentially the noise floor of your preamps.
Therefore I would suggest you move the mics closer, maybe to 1 - 1.2m. There is still a lot of 'room tone' (note the particularly resonant-sounding mids) to the audio, even with treatment, so you can afford to be closer. I would also go to any length possible to disable the AC, or record when it is off, as that will probably get you 10-30 dB of extra dynamic range, at least, so long as your mics and preamp can keep up. Either way, reducing distance will increase the pressure level of the clarinet's sound at the mics, especially relative to outside sounds, which will in turn allow you to use less gain and thus have a greater dynamic range/lower noise floor.
Also be cognizant of the source locations of noise. Keeping the street/window behind your cardioid or supercardioid mics may reduce the noise floor by as much as 10 dB compared to if the mics are facing towards it. Recording during quieter hours is also a good suggestion.
Remember that noise reduction is a destructive process. Although it can make a noisy recording clean, no matter how complex or capable the algorithm, it always removes some 'good' data too.
Therefore I would suggest you move the mics closer, maybe to 1 - 1.2m. There is still a lot of 'room tone' (note the particularly resonant-sounding mids) to the audio, even with treatment, so you can afford to be closer. I would also go to any length possible to disable the AC, or record when it is off, as that will probably get you 10-30 dB of extra dynamic range, at least, so long as your mics and preamp can keep up. Either way, reducing distance will increase the pressure level of the clarinet's sound at the mics, especially relative to outside sounds, which will in turn allow you to use less gain and thus have a greater dynamic range/lower noise floor.
Also be cognizant of the source locations of noise. Keeping the street/window behind your cardioid or supercardioid mics may reduce the noise floor by as much as 10 dB compared to if the mics are facing towards it. Recording during quieter hours is also a good suggestion.
Remember that noise reduction is a destructive process. Although it can make a noisy recording clean, no matter how complex or capable the algorithm, it always removes some 'good' data too.
Sample library developer, composer, and amateur organologist at Versilian Studios.
