How to remove background noise from the microphone on your PC?

Whether for video conferences, podcasts, YouTube videos , or online games, the sound quality of your microphone is essential for effective communication. However, sound is often marred by unwanted background noise , such as wind, traffic, fans, or echoes . How can you reduce this noise and achieve clear, crisp sound ? Here are some tips and solutions for removing background noise from a PC microphone .

Change the sound settings on your PC

If you are using a Windows PC , you can also change the sound settings to remove background noise from a microphone . To do this, you must:

• Open the control panel;

• Click on “Hardware and Audio”;
• Press “Sound”;

• Select your audio output device, usually the speakers;
• Click on the “ Improvement ” tab;
• Check the box “Disable all sound effects”;
• Click on “OK”.

Good to know : You might not have the Sound Enhancement tab if your sound card or audio driver doesn't support it. According to the Microsoft support site for troubleshooting microphone issues , you can try disabling audio enhancements by unchecking the "Enable audio enhancements" or "Enable sound effects" box (depending on the option displayed) in the Advanced tab of your audio output device's properties.

Next, you must:

• Open the “Sound” panel again;
• Open the “Recording” tab;
• Right-click on the active microphone and then click on “Properties”;

• In the “Levels” tab, set the value in the “Microphone” field to 100 and the value in the “Microphone Amplification” field to +10.0 dB;

• In the “Enhancements” tab, check the “Disable all sound effects” box if it is not already enabled;
• Also check the boxes “Noise suppression” and “Acoustic echo cancellation”;

• Press “ Apply ” and then click “ OK ”.

Use software to reduce noise

There is also software that can reduce background noise from a PC microphone . This software uses intelligent algorithms to detect and eliminate unwanted sounds , letting only your voice through. Here are a few examples of software you can use:

• Discord : This is a very popular voice and text chat application among online gamers. It includes an option to suppress ambient noise from microphones. It is available for Windows and macOS.

• Noise Blocker: This application allows you to record samples of any type of noise you want to block, such as keyboard clicks, mouse clicks, fan noise, or background noise. It identifies and automatically cuts them out during your calls or recordings. It is compatible with all applications, such as Skype, Google Hangouts, Discord, and Mumble.

• Krisp : This is another app that uses artificial intelligence to filter out background noise from your microphone and speakers. It also works with all communication apps and offers 240 minutes of free use per week.

Use headphones

Another way to improve your microphone's sound quality is to use headphones. This prevents the sound from the speakers from being picked up by the microphone and fed back to other callers. It also avoids reverberation and echo effects that can make the sound muddy and unpleasant.

Furthermore, headphones often come with built-in microphones that can be of better quality than those on your laptop. There are even headphones with noise-canceling features that filter out external sounds , picking up only your voice.

Invest in a noise-canceling microphone

If you want the best possible sound , you can also invest in a noise-canceling microphone . This type of microphone is designed to capture your voice and reduce background noise using a dual-capsule or directional system. There are various models of noise-canceling microphones available, depending on your budget and needs. Here is a comparison table with a few examples:

Model	Price	Features
Blue Yeti	129 €	USB condenser microphone with four recording modes (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo), gain control, mute button and headphone output
Rode NT-USB	149 €	USB condenser microphone with cardioid mode, gain control, mute button, headphone output and built-in pop filter
HyperX QuadCast	139 €	USB condenser microphone with four recording modes (cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo), gain control, touch mute button and anti-vibration filter
Samson Meteor	59 €	USB condenser microphone with cardioid mode, volume control, mute button and headphone output

Reduce the noise in your room

Another tip for eliminating background noise from a PC microphone is to reduce the noise in your room . To do this, you can:

• Close the windows , doors and curtains to reduce noise from outside;
• Stay away from sources of noise such as air conditioners, fans, refrigerators or washing machines;
• Ask other people in the room or house to be quieter or to remain silent while you speak;
• Keep your children or pets occupied with toys or quiet activities ;
• Choose a quiet and secluded place to set up your home, such as a bedroom or an office;
• Use a rug, curtains or cushions to absorb sound and reduce echo .
• Buy a silent PC case to reduce the noise from your PC case fans

FAQs

See also: How to clean your mechanical keyboard?

Conclusion

To eliminate background noise from your PC microphone , you have several options. You can use headphones, reduce ambient noise in your room, adjust your PC's sound settings , use noise reduction software , or invest in a noise-canceling microphone. By following these tips, you can improve your microphone's sound quality and communicate more effectively.