How To Remove Background Noise While Live Streaming?

Say goodbye to distractions.

Published June 18, 2024
Author Earthwit
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background-noise

Any undesired sound in the setting where you are live streaming is referred to as background noise. The clarity of your voice or the primary audio source is diminished by background noise, which makes it more difficult for viewers to hear and comprehend you while live streaming. It can diminish the professionalism of your stream and distract your audience from your intended message.

Why Does Background Noise Happen?

Background noise happens due to various environmental factors like ambient sounds, electronic interference, and unoptimized recording setups. When you're trying to create a professional live stream, these noises can become a significant obstacle. Ambient sounds might include anything from traffic outside your window to the hum of your computer's fan. Each of these noises adds layers of unwanted sound to your stream.

Electronic interference is another common culprit. Devices like smartphones, routers, or even other electronic gadgets in your streaming area can introduce a range of disruptive noises. These usually manifest as hissing, buzzing, or even intermittent clicks that can distract your audience.

Unoptimized recording setups also contribute to background noise. Using low-quality microphones or failing to properly position your mic can amplify unwanted sounds. Additionally, overlooking the importance of acoustic treatment in your room can make a big difference. Hard surfaces like bare walls and floors can reflect sound, making even the smallest noise seem much louder.

The Impact Of Background Noise On Stream Quality

Unwanted ambient sounds can greatly degrade the overall quality of your live stream, making it difficult for your audience to focus on your content. Background noise, like traffic, conversations, or electrical hums, can disrupt the clarity of your audio, causing viewers to become frustrated and potentially disengage. Your audience expects a certain level of professionalism, and poor audio quality can give the impression of a lack of preparation or technical skill.

Audio quality is even more critical than video quality in maintaining viewer engagement. When your audience struggles to hear you clearly, they're less likely to stick around or absorb your message. Additionally, consistent background noise can create listener fatigue, leading to shorter watch times and decreased viewer retention.

Some Important Tips To Remove Background Noise

We’ve curated some top tips to help you banish those unwanted distractions and keep your audio quality top-notch. Mastering these noise-canceling tricks will ensure your audience hears every word loud and clear. Let’s turn down the noise and turn up the quality with some tips that’ll help you remove background noise.

1. Invest In A Good Microphone

Investing in a high-quality microphone greatly reduces background noise, offering a clearer and more professional sound for your live streams. When choosing a microphone, consider its type and directional characteristics. Never undermine the importance of a good microphone while you focus on buying top vlogging cameras in your streaming journey.

Cardioid microphones, for example, are excellent at picking up sound directly in front of them while minimizing noise from the sides and rear. This feature alone can greatly cut down on unwanted ambient sounds.

Dynamic microphones are another solid choice due to their robustness and ability to handle high sound pressure levels, making them suitable for various environments. They also tend to pick up less background noise compared to condenser microphones, which are more sensitive but can capture a wider range of frequencies.

2. Select A Quiet Location

While having the right microphone is key, choosing a quiet location for your live streaming setup is equally important to minimize background noise. Begin by selecting a room that's naturally quiet. Avoid spaces near high-traffic areas or rooms with thin walls that let in external sounds. Basements or interior rooms often work well due to their insulation from outside noise.

Next, consider the acoustics of the room. Rooms with lots of hard surfaces can create echoes. Soft furnishings like carpets, curtains, and cushions help absorb sound. You might even invest in acoustic panels to further reduce unwanted noise.

Don't forget to control environmental noise. Turn off or relocate noisy appliances like fans, air conditioners, and refrigerators. Also, inform others in your household when you'll be streaming to minimize interruptions.

Lastly, pay attention to your windows and doors. Close them to block out external noise. You can also use draft stoppers or weather stripping to seal gaps around doors and windows.

3. Position Your Microphone Correctly

Proper microphone positioning plays a crucial role in reducing background noise during your live streams.

To start, place the microphone close to your mouth, but not too close. Ideally, you should position it about six to twelve inches away. This distance helps capture your voice clearly while reducing the likelihood of picking up unwanted sounds from your environment.

Angle the microphone slightly to avoid picking up direct plosive sounds like 'p' and 't.' A slight tilt away from your mouth can make a significant difference.

Furthermore, consider the type of microphone you're using. For example, a cardioid microphone is designed to pick up sound from the front and reject noise from the sides and rear. Positioning this type correctly will maximize its noise-reducing capabilities.

Also, make sure to adjust the height of the microphone stand so it's level with your mouth. This guarantees consistent sound quality and reduces strain on your voice.

If you're using a headset mic, position the boom arm to the side of your mouth rather than directly in front.

4. Use Pop Filters And Windscreens

Using pop filters and windscreens is beneficial when it comes to remove background noise and improving the clarity of your audio during live streams. These tools help filter out unwanted sounds, such as plosive consonants (like 'p' and 'b') and wind noise, which can distract your audience and lower the overall quality of your stream.

Pop filters are typically mesh screens that you place between your mouth and the microphone. They diffuse the air that comes from your mouth when you speak, preventing harsh sounds from hitting the mic directly. This simple addition can make a big difference, especially if you tend to speak energetically or close to the microphone.

Windscreens, on the other hand, are foam covers that fit over the microphone. They're particularly useful in outdoor settings or rooms with fans or air conditioning. Windscreens reduce wind noise and other ambient sounds, providing a cleaner audio experience.

Incorporating these devices into your setup is straightforward and cost-effective. You can find pop filters and windscreens in various sizes to fit different microphone types.

5. Use AI-powered Background Noise Reduction Tools

AI-powered background noise reduction tools offer a cutting-edge solution for streamers looking to enhance their audio quality by minimizing unwanted sounds in real time. These tools use sophisticated algorithms to identify and filter out background noise, guaranteeing your voice remains clear and distinct.

By integrating AI, you can greatly enhance the listening experience for your audience, making your stream more professional.

For best results, ensure your streaming environment is as quiet as possible before relying on these tools. The AI can handle unexpected noises, but a quieter setting will always yield superior outcomes.

Regularly update your software to benefit from the latest advancements in AI capabilities. Keep in mind that while AI tools are powerful, they aren't flawless. Occasionally, they might misinterpret sounds or slightly alter your voice's natural tone.

As such, always test your audio settings before going live to make sure everything sounds just right.

6. Adjust The Microphone Gain

Often, adjusting the microphone gain will greatly reduce background noise and enhance the overall audio quality of your live stream. Gain controls the sensitivity of your microphone; too high, and it picks up unwanted ambient noise, too low, and your voice may sound faint.

Start by setting your gain to a moderate level and then test your audio. Speak at your normal volume and listen for any background noise that seeps in. If you notice any, gradually lower the gain until your voice is clear, and background noises are minimized.

Be cautious not to set it too low, as this can lead to distortion or a muffled sound. Most modern microphones and audio interfaces have visual indicators, like LEDs, to help you find the best level. Aim for a setting where your regular speech peaks just below the red clipping zone.

7. Maintaining A Consistent Distance From The Microphone

Maintaining a consistent distance from the microphone is essential for minimizing background noise and ensuring clear, balanced audio during your live streams. When you move closer or farther from the mic, the volume and quality of your voice can fluctuate, making it harder for your audience to hear you clearly. Inconsistencies in distance can also amplify background noise, as the microphone's sensitivity to ambient sounds varies with proximity.

To achieve a stable audio quality, keep your mouth at a fixed distance from the microphone—typically 6 to 12 inches is ideal. This distance helps in capturing your voice accurately while reducing the pickup of unwanted sounds. Using a pop filter or windscreen can also help maintain this distance and improve sound clarity by reducing plosive sounds.

Consider marking this distance on your desk or using a microphone stand to keep the mic in a fixed position. Additionally, practice speaking at a consistent volume and angle relative to the mic. By doing so, you create a reliable audio environment that minimizes background noise and enhances the overall quality of your live stream.

The AI-powered noise cancellation technology used by Yostream significantly helps to remove background noise ensuring your message comes through with exceptional clarity. Filtering out the unwanted noise, Yostream takes noise reduction to the next level, providing a seamless and professional streaming experience for content creators of all kinds.

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