Nothing kills listener engagement faster than distracting background noise. Whether it's the hum of your air conditioner, traffic outside, or that persistent room tone—background noise makes your podcast feel amateur and drives listeners away.
The good news? You don't need a professional studio to get clean audio. In this guide, we'll cover techniques ranging from prevention to post-production cleanup.
Prevention: The Best Noise Removal
The easiest way to handle background noise is to prevent it from being recorded in the first place.
1. Choose a Quiet Recording Time
- Record during quiet hours (early morning, late night)
- Avoid recording during peak traffic times
- Consider your neighborhood's noise patterns
2. Select a Quiet Location
- Interior rooms away from windows
- Rooms with soft furnishings (curtains, carpets, bookshelves)
- Closets filled with clothes work surprisingly well as makeshift booths
- Avoid rooms with hard surfaces that reflect sound
3. Turn Off Noise Sources
Before recording, silence:
- HVAC systems
- Refrigerators and fans
- Computer fans
- Phones (put on airplane mode)
- Windows facing busy streets
4. Use a Directional Microphone
Dynamic microphones like the Rode PodMic or Shure SM7B reject off-axis sound and are excellent at minimizing background noise.
Recording Techniques to Reduce Noise
5. Get Close to Your Microphone
The closer you are to the mic, the louder your voice is relative to background noise. Aim for 2-6 inches from your microphone.
6. Use a Pop Filter and Shock Mount
- Pop filters reduce plosives (those "p" and "b" sounds that cause peaks)
- Shock mounts isolate the microphone from vibrations
Post-Production: Cleaning Up Noise in Editing
Even with the best prevention, some noise inevitably sneaks in. Here's how to clean it up in your editing software.
7. Identify Your Noise Floor
First, find a section with only background noise (no speaking). This is your "noise profile."
In most audio software:
- Select a 2-3 second section of pure silence
- Use the "Noise Reduction" or "Noise Print" feature
- Capture the noise profile
8. Apply Noise Reduction
Once you've captured the noise profile:
- Gentle approach: Apply 6-12 dB of reduction in multiple passes
- Aggressive approach: Apply more reduction, but watch for artifacts
Pro tip: If noise reduction sounds robotic or creates "watery" sounds, you've applied too much. Back off and try smaller amounts.
9. Use Spectral Repair (Advanced)
Software like iZotope RX lets you visually identify and remove specific noise instances—like a single cough or door slam—without affecting the rest of your audio.
Common Noise Types and How to Handle Them
HVAC Hum (60Hz/50Hz)
That annoying electrical hum? It's usually caused by your heating/cooling system.
Solution: Use a notch filter at 60Hz (or 50Hz in Europe) to reduce this specific frequency.
Room Tone
Room tone is the constant ambient sound of your recording space. It's not necessarily bad, but it should be consistent.
Solution: Record 30 seconds of room tone at the start of every session. Use it to smooth out edits and provide consistent background.
Computer Fan Noise
Laptop fans can be relentless.
Solution:
- Record on a different device than your editing computer
- Use an external audio interface which provides better isolation
- Record in a room away from your computer
Outside Traffic
Cars, construction, and nature sounds.
Solution:
- Heavy noise reduction in post (may affect voice quality)
- Consider a reflection filter around your microphone
- Professional mastering services handle this automatically
When DIY Noise Removal Hits Its Limits
DIY noise removal has real limitations. Here's when it might be time to call in the professionals:
Limits of At-Home Noise Removal:
- Severe noise - Heavy traffic, construction, dogs barking
- Artifacts - Over-processed audio sounds robotic
- Time-consuming - Hours spent on cleanup instead of creating content
- Inconsistent results - Every episode sounds different
If noise removal still isn't achieving professional results, professional mastering services handle this automatically. SONE's podcast mastering includes comprehensive noise reduction as part of the process—removing hums, clicks, and background noise while preserving your voice's natural quality.
Recommended Noise Reduction Software
Free Options:
- Audacity - Built-in noise reduction, capable for basic cleanup
- GarageBand - Basic noise gate and equalizer
Paid Options:
- iZotope RX - Industry standard, spectral repair, worth the investment
- Waves WNS - Transparent noise reduction
- Adobe Audition - Excellent noise reduction effects
Quick Checklist: Clean Audio in 5 Minutes
- ☐ Turn off all noise sources before recording
- ☐ Record in a quiet room with soft furnishings
- ☐ Position microphone 2-6 inches from your mouth
- ☐ Capture a noise profile in your editing software
- ☐ Apply gentle noise reduction (6-12 dB)
- ☐ Listen on headphones to check for artifacts
- ☐ Export and done!
FAQ: Removing Background Noise
Can I completely remove background noise from my podcast? Not always. If the noise is too loud or competes with your voice frequency, some may remain. The goal is reduction to the point where it's unnoticeable to most listeners.
What's the best free noise reduction for podcasts? Audacity's built-in noise reduction is surprisingly capable for a free tool. It requires some practice to use effectively, but works well for moderate noise.
Does noise reduction affect audio quality? Yes—if overdone. Aggressive noise reduction can make voices sound robotic or hollow. Apply in small amounts and always listen on quality headphones.
How much does professional noise reduction cost? Professional mastering services that include noise reduction typically cost $15-50 per episode. SONE offers podcast mastering with comprehensive noise cleanup at an affordable price.
Should I gate my audio? Noise gates cut audio below a certain volume threshold. They can work for very consistent noise but risk cutting off soft speech or breath sounds. Use carefully.
Ready for Professional-Sounding Audio?
Don't let background noise hold your podcast back. Whether you tackle it yourself or use a professional mastering service, clean audio is within reach.
If you'd rather spend your time creating content than fighting with noise reduction, try SONE's podcast mastering. Every mastered episode includes automatic noise reduction, ensuring your podcast sounds professional on every listen.