This passion project set out to restore Orson Welles’s famous radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds” using the latest AI tools. While many restorations of this 1938 radio drama have used analog or digital tools, all retain much of the noise and narrow audio range of the original broadcast. New AI tools not only remove distracting noise, but improve the fidelity of vocal tracks.
Here’s how the introduction to the broadcast sounds in a file taken directly from an original transcription recording:
And here is how the same clip sounds when restored using AI tools:
The difference is striking. Not only has the noise and static from the original recording been removed, but the voice now has a full range of high and low tones. There can be digital artifacts in the resulting audio, and AI systems have occasional difficulty in capturing S sounds. Note the lack of S on “Worlds” and “Wells.” There is still an element of trial and error to achieve the best result for each voice.
Here is Welles’ introductory monologue, based on the text from the H.G. Wells novel as adapted by writer Howard Koch:
And here is the same monologue run through a voice-cleaning AI process:
Even in this raw, un-mixed form, the contrast is striking. Details in Welles’ famous baritone are evident that were buried in the original recording. Of course, this is just scratching the surface of AI-audio restoration. As systems improve, even more fidelity will be possible and include enhanced music and sound effects.
Listen to the entire restored program on your favorite podcast service:
Support this and future restorations, by buying Dale a cup of coffee: