Simple Software Can Filter Out That Vuvuzela Whine From World Cup Broadcasts

Long after the game has ended and the TV has been shut off, the vuvuzela continues to echo in our ears. The plastic stadium horn, blown by World Cup fans to celebrate such moments in a game as -- well, every moment -- has achieved unprecedented fame and rancor this Cup, as its B-flat drone is broadcast around the world.

From German blog Surfpoeten comes a DIY solution for home Cup-watchers driven to distraction by the stadium horns: a software filter that selectively mutes the particular frequency of the vuvuzela. The horn drones, apparently, at 233 Hz, with harmonic overtones at 466 Hz, 932 Hz, and 1864 Hz.

Tube, the inventor behind Surfpoeten, runs the audio from his TV through a Mac Mini running Logic Express. A series of bandpass EQ filters in the software neatly excise the offensive frequencies, leaving the game blissfully vuvuzela-free.

Tube isn't the only one with that idea -- I noticed at least one pub in New York yesterday doing the same with a component graphic equalizer hooked to a giant TV. For those of you following at home, that's 233, 466, 932, 1864.

In-person spectators at the games still have little recourse. Perhaps in 2022, when we all attend holographic games at our home stadia, EQ filters will be built in.

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dferrantino

06/14/10 at 12:41 pm

Which pub?

joeiii63

06/14/10 at 4:38 pm

Why don't the broadcasters simply do the same? There is nothing at all added to the viewing experience by being forced to endure such an annoying sound.

uibi

06/14/10 at 6:09 pm

If you have a Mac, you can also try the VuvuzelaFilter software. It's much easier to use and you don't need to have Logic Express.

www.albert-feller.de/blog/2010/06/14/vuvuzela-noise-filter-app-for-mac-os-x/

rigaut

06/15/10 at 2:59 am

There's already several filtering technologies on the wild.

Have a look to vuvuzelafiltering.com for a list.

And follow @vuvuzelafilter for more.

friedguy

06/16/10 at 11:29 am

Now if only there were a way to eliminate the noise of screaming annoying 3rd world psychos so bent on a sport comprised of kicking a ball around on grass. Seriously who cares about this game ANY other time in the year, that is unless you want your snotty little kid to get some exercise other that climbing in and out of your hybrid "SUV" a dozen times as you stop at every icecream shop between your pilaties class and the salon just to shut the little b@$t@rd up. I hate soccer moms unless they are on a website with milf in the title. Anyways, I did discover how to eliminate that annoying noise. It's called a channel button, find a real sport.

rosko1702

06/16/10 at 4:09 pm

You are so full of yourself - friedguy.
Do not talk about football (soccer for you) if you do not know anything about the game. Stay with you baseball and american football. Baseball is for fat, full of steroids guys. It is not a sport if team can play 2 games a day.
Whole planet plays football. In many countries baseball is popular - may be 10-20. And American football - 1.

AcademicAthlete

06/18/10 at 12:21 pm

friedguy-

Are you kidding me? What, did you miss the link to Roid Rage Weekly? You could not have meant to come to this site, let alone find your way to this page and post a comment if you have the mental capacity you just displayed with that comment. You sound like a washed up collegiate alcoholic that never grew up. I doubt that "soccer moms" would even give you a second look no matter what your opinion of them. Keep sitting alone at your computer trying to ruin what