Image and Sound Restoration
We bring your degraded archives back to life through technical digital cleaning processes, removing noise, stains, and the distortion caused by time.
The physical degradation of analog media is an inevitable process. Over the decades, magnetic tapes lose intensity, photographs develop moisture stains, and films suffer from fungal attacks or chemical discoloration. At Stionhub, we understand that these archives are not merely data, but the emotional heritage of a family or the historical memory of an organization.
Our restoration service does not consist of applying automatic filters, but rather a meticulous technical effort. We analyze every video frame and every audio segment to apply surgical corrections that eliminate interference without altering the original essence of the recording. We work with professional-grade tools to ensure the result is natural and faithful to the original capture, avoiding the artificial look often produced by fully automated processes.
Technical Restoration Process
Diagnosis and Analysis
We evaluate the physical state of the medium and the level of signal degradation. We identify issues such as mold, physical breaks, or loss of magnetism to determine the optimal recovery strategy.
Cleaning and Stabilization
We perform surface cleaning of the medium if necessary. For audio, we apply high-pass and low-pass filters to remove constant hums and electrical background noise.
Digital Intervention
We execute color correction, removal of scratches in images, and image stabilization for video. In audio, we work on equalization to recover lost frequencies.
Quality Control and Export
We review the final result to ensure no digital artifacts were introduced. We then export the file in the high-quality format agreed upon with the client.
Who is this service for?
Restoration is essential for those whose archives present visible damage that prevents them from being enjoyed. We specifically cater to families who have inherited VHS tapes with tracking lines or photographs with water damage. We also work with musicians who possess old reel-to-reel recordings with excessive noise and cultural associations that need to preserve oral testimonies recorded on obsolete media.
Studio Workflow Methodology
Every project begins with a raw digitization. We do not restore directly on the original medium, but on a high-resolution digital copy. This guarantees that the physical support remains intact. The work is carried out in segments; in complex cases, we contact the client to decide whether certain elements should be removed or preserved as part of the document's historical value.
What should the client prepare?
To optimize the process, we request that materials arrive properly identified. If you know a tape has a damaged section or a photograph has a specific tear, an attached note helps us focus our technical attention on those points. It is vital that the material is delivered in its original boxes to avoid additional damage during transport to our studio in Málaga.
Final Result and Delivery
The client receives the restored file in digital format (MP4 for video, WAV or MP3 for audio, TIFF or JPEG for images). Depending on the volume, we deliver the files via a secure cloud transfer valid for a limited time or on a USB device. Additionally, we return all original media exactly as they were received.
Execution Timelines
Restoration is the slowest part of the digitization process because it requires manual human intervention. While standard digitization can be fast, restoration is measured by effective working hours. The average delivery time is 12 business days, although this may vary depending on the complexity of the damage and the volume of material.
Limitations: What the service does not include
It is important to clarify that digital restoration has physical limits. We cannot recover information that has been physically erased from the medium (such as a magnetized tape or a photo burned by the sun where the image has completely disappeared). Furthermore, we do not perform creative montages or video editing; our goal is the technical recovery of the original signal.
Cost Calculation and VAT
The cost of restoration is calculated based on the technical intervention time. The price indicated in our table is the cost per hour of work. The current VAT in Spain (21%) is applied to the base price. For large-volume projects, we offer fixed quotes after the initial analysis of the material.
Restoration Service Details
- Removal of white noise and hissing in audio recordings.
- Correction of saturation levels and white balance in video.
- Removal of dust, scratches, and cracks in photo digitizations.
- Image stabilization to reduce shake in old films.
- Synchronization of audio and video in cases of temporal misalignment.
- Recovery of contrast in washed-out or overexposed images.
- Cleaning of electrical impulses (clicks and pops) in analog audio.
Restoration Rates
| Service | Price (VAT incl.) | Price (VAT excl.) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical cleaning and correction | 60.00 € | 49.59 € | per hour |
Prices are subject to our terms of service. For personalized quotes, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions about Restoration
Can a tape that has been partially recorded over be recovered?
Unfortunately, no. When a magnetic tape is recorded over, the previous information is physically replaced by the new recording. Digital restoration can only work on the existing signal, not recover erased data.
Does restoration alter the original quality of the file?
Our goal is to improve visibility and audibility. We always keep the original "raw" digitization and deliver the restored version as an additional file, so the client always has the original source without modifications.
How long does it take to restore one hour of video?
It depends entirely on the state of the material. A basic cleaning may take a few hours, while a deep restoration of damaged frames can require several days of technical work.
Can you remove background noise from an old interview?
Yes, we use noise reduction filters and dynamic equalization to isolate the human voice and reduce ambient noise or the typical hiss of analog tapes, provided the voice is audible.
Important Note: The restoration service is applied to files that have already been digitized or are in the process of digitization. We do not perform physical repairs of media (such as gluing broken tapes), although we can advise on how to proceed in such cases.