“How do I prevent background noise in my podcast?” This is a pretty age-old question. In recent years we’ve seen tremendous advancements in podcast tech, from equipment to software to hosting service offerings and ways to monetize. But one thing that’s never changed for podcasters is the struggle to combat background noise whilst in front of the mic. Expand Table of Contents When recording a podcast at home, background noise, like passing traffic, can be a big problem. That’s before we start looking at all the potential unwanted noises inside your house, too. Let’s face it: if sound control was easy, why would we need hi-tech recording studios? At the end of the day, short of the aforementioned podcast studio, it’s very difficult to get rid of background noise altogether. But, here are seven tips to help you reduce, if not eliminate, non-constant background noise in your podcasts. 1. Choose a Dynamic Mic in Non-Studio Podcasting Dynamic microphones tend to pick up a narrower range of sounds, both frequency and amplitude. This means they’ll pick up fewer sounds from far away and less annoying, non-voice-frequency audio. Here’s a deeper look at what makes Dynamic mics different from their Condenser alternatives . A Dynamic microphone, like the ever-popular Samson Q2U , has a heart-shaped pickup pattern . That means it’ll be much more responsive to you in front of the mic than to anything going on behind it. The great thing about the Q2U is that it works as both a USB and XLR mic. This means that you can plug it into your computer and start recording right away, with the option to upgrade to a mixer or interface further down the line. If you can afford to pay a bit more, the Shure MV7+ is another USB/XLR mic, and it’s marketed as offering “perfect recordings for imperfect rooms.” 2. Sound Treatment & Podcast Background Noise Most sound treatment options on the market are designed to combat echo and reverb , as opposed to blocking out the sound of a phone ringing. With that said, the more absorption you can get between your mic and the source of any noise, the better. Sound blankets can be a great way of building an extra layer of protection into your recordings. Acoustic treatment won’t kill podcast background noise, but it can help. 3. Get Close and Cosy with Your Mic If you’re close, then you’re also loud. This means you’re much louder than the surrounding sounds, so you drown them out effectively. If you’re quiet, you’ll have to boost your voice up in the production and editing phase. With that comes the background noise. So, get close, record loud and make sure you’re creating a big volume gap between you and that traffic. Here’s how to set your levels for recording a podcast and our guide to mic technique . These will help you to record the best possible source material, and that’ll go a long way to helping you eliminate podcast background noise. 4. Go All-Out and Create a Mock Studio Many podcasters think that to “create a studio”, they need to annex an entire room. The family and pets are sent packing to the kitchen, whilst the living room is converted into a recording space big enough to record the next Live Aid effort in. Here’s the secret, though: you don’t need to turn an entire room into a studio. You only need to build a localised recording space around you and your mic. This can be done with everyday household items such as duvets, drapes, or towels. It doesn’t need to look amazing if you’re working purely in audio – it just needs to be practical and comfortable. On that last point, you obviously need a setup that’s pleasant to use. Being too warm or too cramped won’t lead to very enthusiastic content. Check out our guide on creating a silent home studio for a deeper dive into all of this. 5. Extra Protection Against Podcast Background Noise This is essentially recreating some of the effects you get with double glazing. It takes a bit more effort, but if you’re struggling with excessive background noise, it can be worth it. For some, the best solution is actually to take your mic and your recorder and head to your wardrobe. This is similar to the duvet but might be a little more sustainable. Getting in amongst all of your hanging clothes can have a significant effect on your recordings – they’ll dampen out tonnes of the background noise and create a nice silent bed for your voice. 6. Plug the Gaps Double glazing was mentioned above, and it does have a big effect on background noise within a house. But if you don’t have that, you can at least keep out some of the noise by fitting rubber or foam seals to windows and doors. This will help control the airflow into your house and keep a bit of the noise out with it. You never know, it might even help with your energy bills, too! 7. Podcast Background Noise Tips: If All Else Fails… What if you’ve done everything you possibly could to keep background noise out of your podcast, yet you can still hear the sounds of passing cars, air-con units, and the neighbour’s television? Fear not, weary podcaster, all is not lost… Do Your Listeners Really Care? First up, you’d be surprised at how many podcast listeners don’t even notice, let alone mind. Most consumers listen using cheap earbuds and in busy environments, such as buses or trains. If they ever do happen to notice the odd bit of background noise in your podcast, they’re unlikely to take offence at it. Fans of your show will know that you don’t have access to a top-of-the-range studio and are doing your best with your own resources. Above anything else, they’ll appreciate the content you’re putting out – that’s why they’re listening, after all. Try Some Music If you’re a perfectionist, though, why not try adding some gentle background noise to segments of your show? Music can help mask background noise, and it can add in that extra layer of professionalism, too. Here’s where to find music for your podcast that’s safe and legal to use . Use ‘Noise Reduction’ Software Finally, ‘Noise Reduction’ software (the clue is in the name!) has made some incredible advancements these past 18 months. Noise Reduction has always been decent at stripping out constant sounds such as distant traffic or loud AC units, but it was never any use at pulling out intermittent background noise. However, all that has changed recently, and Noise Reduction software can achieve pretty incredible results. Check out the clip below for an example of Alitu stripping out some really distracting background noise. Having access to such powerful Noise Reduction technology doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about recording the cleanest source material possible . But it is great to know that your recordings are often salvageable, no matter what distracting background noise happens to pop up during your recording sessions! “How do I prevent background noise in my podcast?” This is a pretty age-old question. In recent years we’ve seen tremendous advancements in podcast tech, from equipment to software to hosting service offerings and ways to monetize. But one thing that’s never changed for podcasters is the struggle to combat background noise whilst in front of the mic. When recording a podcast at home, background noise, like passing traffic, can be a big problem. That’s before we start looking at all the potential unwanted noises inside your house, too. Let’s face it: if sound control was easy, why would we need hi-tech recording studios? At the end of the day, short of the aforementioned podcast studio, it’s very difficult to get rid of background noise altogether. But, here are seven tips to help you reduce, if not eliminate, non-constant background noise in your podcasts. 1. Choose a Dynamic Mic in Non-Studio Podcasting Dynamic microphones tend to pick up a narrower range of sounds, both frequency and amplitude. This means they’ll pick up fewer sounds from far away and less annoying, non-voice-frequency audio. Here’s a deeper look at what makes Dynamic mics different from their Condenser alternatives . A Dynamic microphone, like the ever-popular Samson Q2U , has a heart-shaped pickup pattern . That means it’ll be much more responsive to you in front of the mic than to anything going on behind it. The great thing about the Q2U is that it works as both a USB and XLR mic. This means that you can plug it into your computer and start recording right away, with the option to upgrade to a mixer or interface further down the line. If you can afford to pay a bit more, the Shure MV7+ is another USB/XLR mic, and it’s marketed as offering “perfect recordings for imperfect rooms.” 2. Sound Treatment & Podcast Background Noise Most sound treatment options on the market are designed to combat echo and reverb , as opposed to blocking out the sound of a phone ringing. With that said, the more absorption you can get between your mic and the source of any noise, the better. Sound blankets can be a great way of building an extra layer of protection into your recordings. Acoustic treatment won’t kill podcast background noise, but it can help. 3. Get Close and Cosy with Your Mic If you’re close, then you’re also loud. This means you’re much louder than the surrounding sounds, so you drown them out effectively. If you’re quiet, you’ll have to boost your voice up in the production and editing phase. With that comes the background noise. So, get close, record loud and make sure you’re creating a big volume gap between you and that traffic. Here’s how to set your levels for recording a podcast and our guide to mic technique . These will help you to record the best possible source material, and that’ll go a long way to helping you eliminate podcast background noise. 4. Go All-Out and Create a Mock Studio Many podcasters think that to “create a studio”, they need to annex an entire room. The family and pets are sent packing to the kitchen, whilst the living room is converted into a recording space big enough to record the next Live Aid effort in. Here’s the secret, though: you don’t need to turn an entire room into a studio. You only need to build a localised recording space around you and your mic. This can be done with everyday household items such as duvets, drapes, or towels. It doesn’t need to look amazing if you’re working purely in audio – it just needs to be practical and comfortable. On that last point, you obviously need a setup that’s pleasant to use. Being too warm or too cramped won’t lead to very enthusiastic content. Check out our guide on creating a silent home studio for a deeper dive into all of this. 5. Extra Protection Against Podcast Background Noise This is essentially recreating some of the effects you get with double glazing. It takes a bit more effort, but if you’re struggling with excessive background noise, it can be worth it.

For some, the best solution is actually to take your mic and your recorder and head to your wardrobe. This is similar to the duvet but might be a little more sustainable. Getting in amongst all of your hanging clothes can have a significant effect on your recordings – they’ll dampen out tonnes of the background noise and create a nice silent bed for your voice. 6. Plug the Gaps Double glazing was mentioned above, and it does have a big effect on background noise within a house. But if you don’t have that, you can at least keep out some of the noise by fitting rubber or foam seals to windows and doors. This will help control the airflow into your house and keep a bit of the noise out with it. You never know, it might even help with your energy bills, too! 7. Podcast Background Noise Tips: If All Else Fails… What if you’ve done everything you possibly could to keep background noise out of your podcast, yet you can still hear the sounds of passing cars, air-con units, and the neighbour’s television? Fear not, weary podcaster, all is not lost… Do Your Listeners Really Care? First up, you’d be surprised at how many podcast listeners don’t even notice, let alone mind. Most consumers listen using cheap earbuds and in busy environments, such as buses or trains. If they ever do happen to notice the odd bit of background noise in your podcast, they’re unlikely to take offence at it. Fans of your show will know that you don’t have access to a top-of-the-range studio and are doing your best with your own resources. Above anything else, they’ll appreciate the content you’re putting out – that’s why they’re listening, after all. If you’re a perfectionist, though, why not try adding some gentle background noise to segments of your show? Music can help mask background noise, and it can add in that extra layer of professionalism, too. Here’s where to find music for your podcast that’s safe and legal to use . Use ‘Noise Reduction’ Software Finally, ‘Noise Reduction’ software (the clue is in the name!) has made some incredible advancements these past 18 months. Noise Reduction has always been decent at stripping out constant sounds such as distant traffic or loud AC units, but it was never any use at pulling out intermittent background noise. However, all that has changed recently, and Noise Reduction software can achieve pretty incredible results. Check out the clip below for an example of Alitu stripping out some really distracting background noise. Having access to such powerful Noise Reduction technology doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about recording the cleanest source material possible . But it is great to know that your recordings are often salvageable, no matter what distracting background noise happens to pop up during your recording sessions! How to Kill Background Noise When Recording a Podcast What’s the best recording software? See full guide on Producing & editing We use cookies! We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking “Accept All,” you consent to store on your device all the technologies described in our Cookie Policy. Privacy Overview