Video Denoiser Best Practices

[Tero Ahlfors]

Only denoise when needed. If you need to denoise EVERYTHING I’d probably try to fix this issue by choosing a proper camera and lighting accordingly.

[Joseph Freeman iii]

My solution for “previously shot” material has been to perform Denoise in After Effects (Dynamic Link) for each shot in question, without any color grading or additional alterations. Typically in Premiere Pro, the clip is duplicated and placed on another video track and disabled (Before linking), to ensure original clip availability if needed.

In AE, I render a quick check of the dynamically linked clip with denoise applied to view the rendered semi-final results (no color grading). This check print can be deleted after viewing.

In Premiere Pro, the AE linked clip is rendered and replaced with typically a ProRes 422HQ. Color grading is applied to this denoised clip.

For each project I create a MASTER After Effects VFX file and have it opened in the background before creating a new denoised clip. This ensures all denoised clips are saved in one location.

This approach has been my go to approach for the past year and half and has eliminated many hours of frustration and has improved my workflow.

[Therry Raj]

Sounds good.

What do you think about applying Denoiser on an adjusment layer, above the clip, and below the Color Grading. So you can turn it on/off anytime. It might work?

Thank you.

[Joseph Freeman iii]

In my experience, applying denoise in an adjustment layer works somewhat erratically, especially when other effects and/or transitions are also applied, either in the adjustment layer or in the clip effects control.

This is why I use the previously described approach. Additionally, one doesn’t have to remember to search for instances of denoise to enable or disable.

One small item omitted in my workflow: Save the rendered and replace clip in the same folder as the original clip to keep your clips together.

I hope this information helps in your projects.

Joseph Freeman