How to Reduce Noise in Recordings (Before and After)

90% of a clean recording is decided before you hit record.

Before recording

• Pick a quiet room and turn down air conditioners, fans and fridges.
• Put the microphone about a hand's width from your mouth.
• A USB mic, or a phone mic held close, often does better than an earbud mic.
• Rooms with fabric (curtains, carpet) have less echo.

After recording

Steady background noise (wind, fans, hum) can be reduced with the Voice Noise Remover. At 100% strength it can sound unnatural, so switch between the original and the result and lower it as needed.

If you plan to transcribe the recording

Record with the Online Voice Recorder, then run it through speech-to-text. Recordings with less noise tend to give better recognition results.

Sources and date checked

Checked: October 3, 2026

• xiph/rnnoise — https://github.com/xiph/rnnoise

This article is general information. Devices and services can change over time.