How do I remove fan, generator or traffic noise from a video?

Noise reduction works by learning what the background sounds like and subtracting it. That is why a constant hum is the easiest case: a ceiling fan, an inverter's whine or a distant generator produce roughly the same sound every second, so the software can model it and remove most of it. Record ten seconds of silence in the room before or after you speak, with everything running as it was, and send it to your editor. That clean sample makes a noticeable difference.

Most editing software has a noise-reduction tool: CapCut offers a simple version, while Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and Audacity give more control. The common mistake is pushing it too far. Heavy reduction makes a voice sound metallic or underwater, which is worse than mild background hum. A good editor removes as much as possible while keeping the voice natural, then adds quiet music underneath to mask what remains.

Unpredictable noise is a different problem. A rickshaw passing on Murree Road, a pressure horn, a neighbour's call to a child or a mosque speaker nearby change from second to second, and removing them usually damages the voice. Editors can cut around the worst moments or lower the background between sentences, but they cannot make a street recording sound like a studio. If you record in the same place every week, a clip-on microphone close to your mouth, a room with curtains and soft furniture, and recording at a quieter hour will improve audio more than any edit.