Automatically controlling signal=to=noise ratio of noisy recordings

The method involves analysing the peaks of a total audio signal according to at least one frequency, amplitude and phase characteristics. Based on the results of the analysis, the peaks are classified as being either tonal peaks that are perceived by human hearing assonorous and intentional, or noisy peaks that are perceived by human hearing as being distorted and not sonorous. On a parallel course with the above step, an acoustic variable of the total audio signal which has a known relation to the loudness perception of human hearing is measured and designated as a loudness indicator.The amplitudes of the noisy peaks are dynamically lowered relative to the amplitudes of the tonal peaks in a manner such that the lower the loudness of the total audio signal as indicated by the loudness indicator, the more the amplitudes of the noisy peaks are lowered.