How to Reduce Background Noise on Mic

Having clear and crisp audio is essential for everything from professional meetings to online content creation. However, nothing disrupts your flow like distracting background noise on your microphone. Whether you're recording a podcast, streaming on Twitch, or attending an important virtual meeting, unwanted sounds can make your audio sound unprofessional and lower its overall quality. Fortunately, there are effective ways to reduce background noise on your mic, ensuring your voice takes center stage. In this guide, we will walk you through how to reduce background noise on Mic and help you achieve high-quality audio with ease.

Types of Background Noises

Background noise can come from a variety of sources, and understanding the different types can help you take the right steps to reduce them. Here are the main types of background noises:

• Broadband Noise: This type of noise spans a wide range of frequencies and is typically continuous. Examples include white noise, the hum of an air conditioner, or background chatter. It's generally caused by consistent sources that affect a broad frequency spectrum.
• Narrowband Noise: Narrowband noise is concentrated in a specific, narrow range of frequencies. Examples include the hum of electrical devices or a buzzing sound from faulty cables or interference. These noises tend to be tonal and more focused.
• Impulse Noise: This is characterized by short, sharp bursts of sound. Examples include keyboard clicks, microphone handling sounds, or sudden loud noises like door slams. Impulse noise can be highly disruptive due to its abrupt and unpredictable nature.
• Irregular Noise: Irregular noise refers to sounds that don't follow a consistent pattern and occur randomly. Examples include distant sirens, passing traffic, or sporadic voices in the background. These noises can vary in both frequency and intensity.

By identifying the type of background noise, you can choose the best method to minimize its impact on your mic.

How to Reduce Background Noise on Mic While Recording

Method 1. Use a Pop Filter or Windscreen

A pop filter is a valuable accessory for audio recording, designed to reduce plosive sounds caused by consonants like "p" and "b." This mesh screen sits in front of the microphone, preventing sharp spikes in audio that can lead to distortion. A windscreen, made of foam or fur, fits directly over the mic and is especially useful in outdoor settings. It minimizes wind noise and breath sounds, ensuring clearer recordings.

By incorporating both a pop filter and a windscreen, you can significantly enhance audio quality, keeping your voice clear and free from distracting noise.

Method 2. Choose a Quiet Recording Environment

Selecting a quiet recording environment is vital for achieving high-quality audio. Look for a space free from disruptive sounds, such as noisy appliances, traffic, or loud neighbors. Close all windows and doors to block out external noise, and turn off unnecessary electronics that might generate hums.

Consider the room's acoustics as well; hard surfaces can create echoes that muddy your audio. Opt for a room with soft furnishings, like carpets and curtains, to absorb sound and reduce reverberation.

Recording during quieter times, such as early morning or late at night, can also help minimize background distractions. By carefully preparing your recording space, you can enhance audio clarity and ensure your voice remains the main focus.

Method 3. Use a Directional Microphone

Opting for a directional microphone can greatly enhance your recording quality. Cardioid and hypercardioid microphones are particularly effective, as they are designed to capture sound predominantly from the front while minimizing noise from the sides and rear. This focused pickup pattern allows you to concentrate on your voice, ensuring it remains clear and prominent in the recording.

Method 4. Position Yourself Close to the Mic

Keeping your microphone within 6-12 inches of your mouth is crucial for optimal audio quality. This close proximity enhances vocal clarity, making your voice sound more vibrant and detailed. Additionally, positioning the mic closer allows you to lower the gain, which significantly reduces the pickup of surrounding noises.

When you're near the mic, it can effectively isolate your voice from background sounds, creating a more focused and professional recording. This technique also helps minimize the impact of room acoustics, such as echoes or reverb, which can occur when the mic captures sounds bouncing off walls.

To achieve the best results, ensure you speak directly into the microphone while maintaining a consistent distance. This will not only help in capturing a clear sound but will also prevent fluctuations in audio levels that can arise from moving away from the mic.

Method 5. Watch Your Gain Levels

Monitoring your gain levels is essential for capturing clean audio. Gain controls the microphone's sensitivity, so if it's set too high, it will amplify both your voice and any background noise. Lowering the gain reduces the mic's sensitivity to surrounding sounds, focusing more on your voice.

To achieve the right balance, start with a lower gain setting and gradually increase it until your voice is clear without distorting or introducing unwanted noise. This ensures your audio sounds professional and free from distractions, making your voice the primary focus while keeping background interference to a minimum.

Method 6. Check Your Plugs and Use Clean Electrical Sources

Ensuring all cables and connections are secure is crucial for reducing unwanted noise in your recordings. Loose or faulty connections can create static, buzzing, or crackling sounds that interfere with audio clarity. Regularly inspect your microphone, headphones, and interface cables to ensure they are properly plugged in and free from wear and tear.

Additionally, using clean, grounded electrical sources helps prevent electrical interference or hums. Devices sharing the same power outlet can introduce noise into your recording, so it's important to use a dedicated, grounded outlet when possible. Power conditioners can also help by filtering out electrical noise, providing a more stable and interference-free power supply.

Method 7. Enable Noise Suppression on Your Device

Many modern recording software and devices offer built-in noise suppression features that significantly reduce unwanted background sounds in real time. Programs like Zoom, OBS, and some mobile apps have these capabilities. Noise suppression works by detecting and filtering out ambient noises, such as fans, keyboard clicks, or hums, allowing your voice to remain the primary focus during recording or streaming sessions.

To use this feature, you typically just need to enable it in the audio settings of your chosen software. It automatically adjusts in the background, without requiring manual control, making it an easy yet powerful tool for improving audio quality. However, keep in mind that while these filters are effective for low-level noise, they might not completely eliminate louder distractions, so it's best used in conjunction with other noise reduction methods, such as selecting a quiet recording environment or using a directional mic.

Method 8. Stabilize Your Mic

Using a sturdy mic stand or boom arm helps prevent unwanted noise caused by vibrations or movement. When your microphone is placed on a desk or unstable surface, even slight movements like typing, tapping, or bumping can result in noise being picked up by the mic. Investing in a shock mount can further isolate your microphone from vibrations caused by desk or floor movements.

Boom arms or adjustable stands not only offer stability but also allow you to position the mic at an optimal distance from your mouth without needing to constantly adjust it. By stabilizing your mic, you eliminate many unnecessary sounds, resulting in clearer, more focused audio.

How to Reduce Background Noise on Mic after Recording

After completing your recording, you may still notice some background noise that slipped through during the recording process. And this is where a noise suppression software can come to aid.

VideoProc Converter AI is one of the top solutions for reducing background noise in mic recordings. Powered by advanced AI technology, it enhances audio clarity by effectively isolating vocals and eliminating disruptive noises like wind, traffic, fan hums, and construction sounds. This ensures that your recordings—be it podcasts, voiceovers, online courses, or vlogs—maintain a professional, polished sound without unwanted distractions.

With its customizable noise reduction settings and real-time preview options, VideoProc Converter AI adapts to a wide range of recording environments. The batch processing feature is especially useful for large projects, allowing for efficient noise removal across multiple recordings. Whether you're a professional content creator or a casual user, VideoProc Converter AI delivers polished, studio-grade audio, making it a go-to solution for eliminating background noise from recordings.

How to Record Background Noise on Mic after Recording

Step 1. Free download VideoProc Converter AI, click on the the "Audio AI" icon on the main interface, which will bring you to the Audio AI workplace.

Step 2. Upload your file. You can choose to import either an audio file or a video file that includes audio.

Step 3. Apply AI noise suppression and preview.

Check Noise Suppression, choose the preferred AI model, and adjust the Noise Attenuation Limit, Post-Filter Threshold, and Volume Control accordingly.

• Noise Attenuation Limit (dB): This setting determines the maximum noise suppression level. A higher limit removes more noise but may reduce audio quality, while a lower limit preserves natural sound. For optimal results, set it to 6-12 dB for light reduction and 18-24 dB for moderate noise suppression.
• Post-Filter Threshold: This controls additional noise removal after the initial suppression. A lower threshold (0.01-0.02) offers lighter filtering for quieter environments, while a higher threshold (0.03-0.05) targets moderate noise, such as background hum or chatter, ensuring clarity in the main audio.
• Volume Control: This feature allows users to adjust audio levels. If noise reduction causes a drop in volume, users can increase the signal to enhance clarity and overall enjoyment of the content

Tips:

• For a clear before-and-after comparison, you can toggle off Noise Suppression to listen to the original audio, then turn it back on to hear the enhanced version.
• Click "Apply to All" to apply your changes to all audio files in your project.

Step 4. Export your audio.

Once you're satisfied with the result, you can choose to export the entire file or use the green knobs at both ends of the audio waveform to trim and export only the selected portion.

Adjust the video/audio codec, quality, and GOP as needed, select the destination folder, and click the Run button to export the audio file with noise removed.

FAQs

1. How do I stop my mic from picking up background noise?

To stop your mic from picking up background noise, try these methods:

• Enable OS Noise Suppression:
• Windows: Control Panel > Sound > Recording > Mic Properties > Enhancements.
• Mac: System Preferences > Sound > Input.
• Adjust Mic Settings: Lower sensitivity or use directional mics.
• Pop Filter/Windscreen: Reduce air noise.
• Move Mic Closer: Capture your voice, not distant sounds.
• Improve Room Acoustics: Add carpets or curtains to reduce echo.
• Noise Gate: Use hardware or software to cut low-level noise.

2. Why is there so much background noise on my mic?

Background noise on your mic can occur for several reasons:

• Mic Sensitivity: If your mic is too sensitive, it picks up distant sounds like fans or keyboard clicks.
• Poor Acoustics: Echoes or reverberation from hard surfaces in your room can cause noise.
• Background Activity: Nearby sounds like traffic, conversations, or appliances can be picked up.
• Low-Quality Mic: Cheaper microphones often lack noise cancellation features.
• Incorrect Mic Settings: High input levels or using the wrong mic pattern can lead to unwanted noise.
• Interference: Electrical or wireless interference from devices near your mic can create static or noise.

Addressing these factors can help reduce background noise.