How to Reduce White Noise on Mic

Static sounds can negatively impact the quality of your audio recording and make listening a huge pain. It’s no surprise we all want to remove them and make our audio quality as crisp and clear as possible.

However, to some extent, ambient sound is unavoidable. Whether we like it or not, almost any recording device can capture unwanted noise, especially in certain environments. 

Nonetheless, reducing noise can be a huge help. Below, we teach you how to reduce the buzzing sound on your audio recording so you can produce incredible recordings without any unwanted sounds.

How Do I Fix White Noise On My Mic?

To reduce microphone noise, you must first determine the cause of the disturbance. Is there a nearby fan that may be too close to your microphone causing unwanted static noise? Turn it off or move it for the time being. Check your headphone jack. Could there be a bad wire causing a distorted audio signal? Get rid of it and replace it with one that works. 

If you have the ideal setup and aren’t quite sure why your microphone is producing a distorted sound, don’t be discouraged. Plenty of environmental factors can cause unwanted noise. Air conditioning units, moving air, or simply ambient sounds can be the culprit, no matter how quiet they may be. 

In fact, the problem might not be with excess noise in your studio or room at all, but with your microphone noise suppression features. An example is microphone sensitivity or microphone gain, which determines how easily your recording device can pick up quiet sounds and amplify them.

Some mics, such as condenser microphones, are built with a higher sensitivity than dynamic mics. Even if you let them record from the same sound source and with the same sound settings on your computer or audio interface, you would still get vastly different outputs and noise floor. If you’re primarily vocal-focused and want to get rid of audio static that may be impacting your audio quality, it’s wise to invest in a dynamic microphone.

Aside from purchasing a new mic, there are plenty of other ways to reduce static noise when you’re recording audio. Read on to find out how you can level up your sound recording game and reduce microphone noise once and for all.

Lower Ambient Noise on a Windows 10, 8 and 7 Audio Recording

1. Go to Control Panel > Hardware & Sound > Sound > Recording > Microphone.
2. Find the microphone bar and right-click. Go to Properties > Levels> Microphone Boost tool.
3. You should move the slider down for the Microphone Boost option, but move it up for Microphone volume.
4. Then, select the Enhancements tab. Make sure the Noise suppression and Acoustic echo cancellation boxes are checked.
5. To make sure static noise is eradicated, go back to the Recording window and try recording audio to see if there are any improvements.

Remove Background Noise On Macbooks with OS X 10 and above

Head over to System Preferences > Ambient Noise Reduction tool. Then, tick the box labeled use ambient noise reduction. Play with the dial until you find the right balance between your sound volume and background noise.

Adjust Your Microphone

In order to reduce ambient noise from your microphone, there are a number of things you can do. The first is to unplug the power cable and plug it into a power socket. This is because the particular one your mic is plugged in can be louder than others, adding to audio interference and producing unwanted background noise.

Ambient Noise Reduction Software

One thing that you can try – if the above solutions haven’t worked – is downloading free noise reduction software online. These can give an additional boost through a noise reduction plugin that can significantly alter your output and improve vocal clarity.

Another solution is to simply fix your sound through a digital audio workstation. Many digital audio workstations offer the feature of cleaning up your sound in post-production.

Accessories That Can Help Reduce Electronic Noise

There are a number of recording equipment and accessories that are must-haves for any recording setup. They improve mic signal and help you produce crystal clear sounds without having to adjust a thing on your audio interface. Some examples are:

1. Power adaptors, such as a ground lift adapter, are great at eliminating static noise if you’re using a laptop or audio interface.

2. Shock mounts are another good investment to improve your mic signal and reduce background noise caused by external vibrations from the floor. A microphone shock mount on your mic stand can also help stabilize your mic.

3. Windshields, also known as windscreens, are filters that you place over your microphone that can block out wind, static, and other unnecessary noise. A pop filter has a similar effect.

4. Sometimes what you need is to reduce your microphone signal level. A pad, or a passive attenuation device, is an electrical circuit made entirely of resistors that can help attenuate sound signals.

Final Note

We hope this quick guide was helpful in troubleshooting your sound problems! If you’re looking for a new microphone that can enhance your vocal sound, take a look at our list of the best vocal mics of the year here.