Is your mic picking up unnecessary background noise that affects your sound quality? Whether you’re performing a stand-up, singing your chartbuster, or working as an emcee, clear sound is essential. So how do you stop your mic from picking up traffic noise?
Stop your mic from picking up traffic noise by using a shock mount and connecting your headsets properly. Using noise reduction software and keeping your mic away from the source of traffic noise can significantly reduce the disturbing audio from your surroundings.
Let us check out the best four ways to prevent your mic from picking up traffic noise. We will also add the different distracting audio types your mic might pick up, so you can identify them quickly.
Table of Contents
- 1. Buy Yourself a Shock Mount
- 2. Connect Your Headsets Properly
- 3. Opt for Noise Reduction Software
- 4. Increase the Distance Between Mic and the Noise
- Final Thoughts
1. Buy Yourself a Shock Mount
Does your mic signal get disturbed due to random vibration from your surroundings? Then a shock mount might be your best bet! These sounds are mechanical vibrations that the mic catches from:
- Nearby footsteps
- Moving traffic right outside your recording space
- Sounds of the earth underneath
- Vibrations from other instruments on-stage, etc.
These nearby vibrations get caught in the vocal web within your studio, clogging the sounds with unnecessary noise. Now here is where a shock mount might help out.
Shock mounts emit mechanical isolation that lowers these vibrations’ strength before reaching your mic. It keeps your microphone safe and away from the vibrating noises it might catch. This way, your mic’s sound quality remains smooth and refined.
Now there, there are two types of shock mounts:
- External Shock Mounts
- Internal Shock Mounts
External shock mounts mechanically confine the mic through various fabrics that weaken the vibrations. You must attach an external shock mount to the mic mounts by directly connecting them!
The BOYA External Shotgun Microphone (available on Amazon.com) is an excellent example of a mic with an external shock mount. On the other hand, internal shock mounts are permanently installed inside a microphone to keep the external vibrations at bay.
2. Connect Your Headsets Properly
If the mic on your headset is picking up traffic noise, there are some things you might need to check out. For example, is your headphone set plugged in correctly? A poorly-connected headset will pick up background noise, making your voice shaky and glitchy over the mic.
Check how you have plugged the headset in. If it is too loose, tighten it. And if it is plugged into the audio jack, re-plug it into the headphone jack. Check on your environment if your mic is still picking up unwanted traffic noise.
If any appliances are on the same table, your mic might pick up the vibrations and electric noises. Try to move cables away from near your headset if there are any. Doing so keeps magnetic interferences at bay and reduces the likelihood of your mic picking up external noises.
3. Opt for Noise Reduction Software
A quick solution to drone out the traffic would be to opt for noise reduction software. Noise reduction options work wonders for ensuring your mic’s clear audio quality even with vehicles rushing past your home 24/7!
For example, Audacity has notable noise reduction and recording software. It is a free and open-source audio editing and recording programming software. Audacity is a popular software among podcasters as its “Noise Reduction.” feature works wonders in guaranteeing a smooth audio flow.
The same approach can help you reduce fan noise when recording. How to Keep a Mic from Picking Up Fan Noise
Audacity works by:
- Analyzing the noise you want to remove
- Record the much-needed silence in the room (you need to record that silence for the software to pick up.)
Now you need to highlight the silence section in Audacity and:
- Click on “Effect” on top of the screen
- Select “Noise Reduction” and choose “Get Noise Profile.”
Here is a detailed video of how to remove distracting sounds like traffic noises and other background audio disturbances for perfect recording sessions:
4. Increase the Distance Between Mic and the Noise
One of the most common reasons mics pick up traffic noise is the distance between them and the sound source. The lesser the distance between the noise source and the mic, the more noise it will pick up.
Placing your mic away from the source of the traffic noise will improve the sound quality of your recording. Remember that doing this might not fully solve the background noise issue.
But keeping your mic away from the noise and closer to the sound you want to record can help you maintain high audio quality.
By improving your signal-to-noise ratio, you will have more precise sound quality with little-to-no traffic noises in-between. Closing the distance between the sound you want to record and your mic enhances the sound system to capture the best mic output.
When there are lesser ambient noises in the output section, you can expect the best audio results without much hassle.
Identifying Different Types of Background Noise
A mic is prone to picking up various types of background noise. Detecting them on time will help you shut them off from reaching your mic while using it. They are:
- Electric noises: These occur when you are recording something over the mic.
- Broadband noises: The constant buzzing or continuous hissing noises you hear while talking are probably broadband noises. They come in various frequencies, sometimes low and sometimes too loud.
- Impulse noises: Short clicking and popping sounds are impulse noises. They have a high frequency and do not stay long.
- Irregular sounds: Any background noises coming from your surroundings are abnormal noises. They are road traffic, thunder, lightning, people shouting, etc.
If you own a home studio, reducing outside noise should be your top priority. I recommend my comprehensive guide on soundproofing a home studio as a checklist of everything you need to do. The Ultimate Guide to Soundproofing a Home Studio
Final Thoughts
Buying the right noise-canceling equipment and software and connecting your headsets correctly can help keep your mic output smooth and clean. These quick and easy ways will help you control traffic noise at bay, whether for podcasts, online tutoring, singing, or advertisements.
Apart from different equipment that you can use to remove unwanted noise from your recordings, mic and sound source positioning are crucial for the best natural audio quality.
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