In today’s virtual meetings, streaming, and recording world, achieving perfect audio quality is critical. One common problem many users face is the microphone picking up unwanted sounds like keyboard clicks. This can disrupt communication and reduce the quality of your content.
This article will explore effective ways to stop your microphone from picking up keyboard noise and ensure clear, uninterrupted audio.
Understanding the Problem
To better understand how to prevent your microphone from picking up unwanted sounds like keyboard noise, it’s essential to first grasp why this problem occurs.
1. Microphone Sensitivity
At the core of the issue is microphone sensitivity. The type of microphone and its sensitivity determine how well it captures sound from various sources.
Condenser microphones, for instance, are known for their high sensitivity and wide frequency response. They pick up detailed and subtle sounds, which makes them ideal for studio recordings but also prone to capturing background noise like typing or mouse clicks.
On the other hand, dynamic microphones are typically less sensitive and are more focused on picking up louder sounds, such as vocals or instruments during live performances. They are better suited to noisy environments as they naturally reduce background noise, including keyboard sounds, without sacrificing voice clarity.
2. Proximity Effect
The proximity effect refers to the phenomenon where microphones pick up more low-frequency sounds when the sound source is close. Positioning your microphone near your keyboard increases its likelihood of capturing the low, thudding sounds of your keystrokes. This problem is particularly noticeable with condenser microphones, which can easily capture sounds in the vicinity.
For instance, the microphone’s sensitivity to its immediate surroundings may amplify even slight typing noise when placed directly in front of your keyboard. The closer the microphone is to the noise source, the more likely it will record those sounds along with your voice.
3. Directionality and Pickup Patterns
Different pickup patterns in microphone design dictate how they capture sound from different directions.
Common microphone pickup patterns include:
Omnidirectional
These microphones capture sound from all directions equally. If you’re using an omnidirectional microphone, it will pick up sound not only from your voice but also from your keyboard, mouse, and even background noise in your room.
Cardioid
A cardioid microphone captures sound primarily from the front and rejects sound from the sides and rear. This pattern helps isolate your voice while minimizing the pickup of keyboard noise from behind the microphone.
Supercardioid
These microphones have an even tighter pickup pattern than cardioid, further reducing unwanted noise, but may still pick up sounds directly behind them, depending on placement.
Understanding your microphone’s directionality helps in adjusting its positioning to reduce keyboard noise. Cardioid and supercardioid microphones, for instance, are better suited for environments where reducing background noise is crucial.
Tips to Reduce Keyboard Noise
There are several simple adjustments you can make to reduce keyboard noise when recording or communicating.
1. Microphone Placement
Proper microphone placement can significantly impact the quality of your recordings. Here are some essential guidelines to help you master your microphone setup.
Know Your Microphone Type
Different microphones, including dynamic, condenser, shotgun, lavalier, and wireless mics, have unique characteristics and polar patterns. Understanding these can help determine the optimal placement for each type, ensuring you capture the best sound.
Distance Matters
Positioning the microphone close to the sound source helps minimize background noise, making it ideal for vocals and instruments. For example, placing a microphone just a few inches from your mouth can capture your voice while reducing the sound of typing on a keyboard.
Avoiding Reflections
To minimize echoes and reflections that can muddy your sound, place microphones away from reflective surfaces such as walls and windows. Acoustic treatments, like foam panels or carpets, can help improve sound quality in your recording environment.
Recommended Wireless Microphone Systems
To enhance your audio quality and streamline your setup, consider the Hollyland LARK M2 and Hollyland LARK MAX wireless microphones. The design of both microphones ensures clear audio delivery and ease of use, making them perfect for streaming and recording.
Hollyland LARK M2
The Hollyland LARK M2 is a compact, dual-channel wireless microphone system designed for content creators, vloggers, and filmmakers. It provides excellent sound quality in a user-friendly package.
Key Features
Dual-Channel Recording
100 m (328 ft) Operating Range
Built-in Rechargeable Batteries
Plug-and-Play Operation
Hollyland LARK MAX
The Hollyland LARK MAX is an advanced version of the LARK M2, designed for professionals who demand higher audio quality and versatility.
Key Features
Dual-Channel Recording with Backup
200 m (656 ft) Operating Range
High-Quality Audio
Built-in LCD Screen
2. Use of Directional Microphones
Consider using a directional microphone like a cardioid or super-cardioid mic. These microphones pick up sound from a specific direction, usually in front of the microphone, and reduce background noise from other directions.
Cardioid Microphones
A cardioid microphone derives its name from its heart-shaped pickup pattern. The design primarily captures sound from the front, rejecting sound from the sides and back. This makes it an ideal choice for situations where you want to focus on the sound source (your voice) and minimize noise coming from other directions (like your keyboard, computer fan, or other background noises).
Key Features of Cardioid Microphones
Front-Focused Pickup
Cardioid microphones capture sound mainly from the front, making them effective at isolating your voice while reducing sounds coming from behind the microphone.
Side and Rear Rejection
While the microphone still picks up some sound from the sides, it largely rejects noise from the rear. This rejection helps reduce the capture of keyboard clicks or background sounds from behind the microphone.
Versatility
Cardioid microphones are widely used in podcasting, streaming, and home studio recording due to their ability to focus on the subject’s voice and minimize environmental noise.
Proximity Effect
Like many directional microphones, cardioid mics exhibit the proximity effect. This implies that the proximity effect emphasizes the low-frequency sounds (bass) as the sound source (your voice) approaches the microphone. While this can add warmth to your voice, it also means you need to manage distance carefully to avoid unwanted effects.
Popular Cardioid Microphones
Audio-Technica AT2020USB+
The Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ is a solid choice in the cardioid microphone lineup, particularly for streaming enthusiasts and podcasters. What set this microphone apart are its exceptional sound clarity and the convenience of plug-and-play USB connectivity.
As a condenser mic, it can precisely capture vocal nuances, a crucial feature for streamers seeking to broadcast their voice in pristine detail.
Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B is not only praised for its stellar audio performance but also its solid build and sleek, professional design. The flat, wide-range frequency response of this dynamic microphone captures your voice with precision and warmth. It rejects electromagnetic hum superbly, which is a common pain point for streamers surrounded by various electronic devices.
Supercardioid Microphones
A super-cardioid microphone has a pickup pattern similar to a cardioid microphone but with a tighter focus on sound directly in front of the microphone. This design allows it to reject more sound from the sides, making it more directional than a standard cardioid mic.
However, the supercardioid pattern also means the microphone is more sensitive to sounds coming from directly behind it compared to a cardioid mic.
Key Features of Supercardioid Microphones
Narrower Pickup Pattern
Supercardioid microphones capture sound from an even more focused area directly in front of the mic, which makes them excellent for isolating the sound source (your voice) while rejecting side noise more effectively than cardioid microphones.
Rear Sensitivity
While supercardioid microphones reject more sound from the sides, they are more sensitive to noise directly behind the microphone. This means that if there’s a noise behind the mic (e.g., a loud fan or another sound source), it might still be picked up.
Increased Directionality
Because of the narrower pickup pattern, supercardioid microphones require more precise positioning to ensure optimal audio quality. Misplacement can lead to a loss in sound clarity or picking up unintended noise.
Popular Supercardioid Microphones
Shure Beta 58A
The Shure Beta 58A is a dynamic microphone renowned for its exceptional sound quality and durability, making it a popular choice among vocalists and performers. Here are some key features and highlights of the Beta 58A:
Sennheiser MKH 416
The Sennheiser MKH 416 is a highly regarded shotgun microphone known for its exceptional sound quality and versatility in various audio recording applications.
Here’s a detailed comparison of Cardioid and Supercardioid Microphones
Feature Comparison Cardioid and Supercardioid Microphone
| Feature | Cardioid Microphone | Super Cardioid Microphone |
| Pickup Pattern | Heart-shaped; captures sound primarily from the front and rejects sides and rear. | Tighter pickup pattern with even more rejection from the sides but some sensitivity to sound from behind. |
| Sound Isolation | Good at isolating sound from the front, with moderate rejection of side and rear sounds. | Excellent at isolating sound from the front, with greater rejection from the sides but more sensitivity to the rear. |
| Usage | Ideal for home studios, live streaming, podcasting, and voiceovers. | Ideal for film, broadcasting, or environments where maximum side noise rejection is crucial. |
| Placement Sensitivity | Less sensitive to placement but still requires optimal positioning to reduce proximity effect. | More sensitive to placement; requires precise positioning to avoid unwanted noise from behind. |
| Background Noise | Reduces background noise well but may pick up some side and rear noise in noisy environments. | Better at reducing side noise but may pick up more sound from behind if not carefully positioned. |
3. Keyboard Choices
Your keyboard itself can be a significant source of noise. If you’re frequently recording audio or streaming while using a keyboard, you know that the sound of typing can easily bleed into your microphone, disrupting the quality of your content. Selecting the right keyboard can make a significant difference in reducing noise during recording sessions.
Types of Keyboards
The two most common types of keyboards are mechanical and membrane keyboards, each with its own noise level and typing experience.
a. Mechanical Keyboards
Mechanical keyboards are popular among gamers, typists, and professionals due to their tactile feedback, durability, and customization. Each key in a mechanical keyboard has its own individual mechanical switch, which offers a more satisfying typing experience but can also be significantly louder, especially in certain environments where microphone sensitivity is high.
Tactile Feedback
Mechanical keyboards offer a distinct tactile bump when a key is pressed, which many users prefer because it provides physical confirmation of key activation. However, this tactile response often generates a noticeable clicking or thudding sound.
Louder Typing
Mechanical switches, especially the popular Cherry MX Blue switches, are known for their distinctive clicky sound, which can easily be picked up by sensitive microphones. Other switches, like Cherry MX Red, are linear and quieter but still louder than membrane keyboards.
b. Membrane Keyboards
Membrane keyboards are much quieter compared to mechanical keyboards. They use a thin, flexible membrane layer beneath the keys to register key presses. The softer keystrokes on membrane keyboards lead to a more silent typing experience, which can be beneficial for recording or streaming.
Quieter Operation
Membrane keyboards lack the tactile feedback and individual switches of mechanical keyboards, which leads to a much quieter typing experience. While they might not offer the same typing satisfaction as mechanical keyboards, their low noise profile makes them a better choice for recording environments.
Softer Typing Feel
Membrane keyboards are typically less responsive and provide a “mushier” feel compared to mechanical ones, which some users may not prefer. However, their quieter operation is ideal if you’re prioritizing sound reduction over tactile feedback.
Soundproofing Techniques
1. Using a Shock Mount
A shock mount is a device that isolates your microphone from physical vibrations, including those produced by your typing. By using a shock mount, your microphone will be less likely to pick up subtle vibrations from your desk or keyboard, ensuring clearer audio.
2. Adding Acoustic Treatment
Acoustic panels or foam can absorb sound reflections in your recording environment, reducing overall noise. While these won’t specifically stop your microphone from picking up keyboard sounds, they can improve the overall sound quality of your room by minimizing echoes.
You can also consider using carpets or rugs to help absorb noise. A well-placed carpet under your desk can reduce the amount of sound bouncing around the room, which can otherwise make background noise more noticeable in recordings.
3. Using a Desk Mat
Placing a desk mat underneath your keyboard and microphone stand can reduce the vibrations that travel through your desk. Desk mats act as a buffer between the rough surface of your desk and your equipment, lowering the chance of the microphone picking up vibrations from your keystrokes.
Software Solutions
Hardware changes are effective, but software can also play a significant role in eliminating unwanted keyboard sounds from your audio.
1. Noise Gate Settings
A noise gate is a tool that silences or reduces audio below a certain volume threshold. You can adjust the noise gate settings in your audio software to selectively pick up your voice, which is louder while eliminating the quieter sounds from your keyboard.
Popular audio tools such as OBS Studio, Audacity, and Adobe Audition have built-in noise gate settings that you can customize based on your environment. By fine-tuning the threshold and attack/release times, you can minimize keyboard clatter without affecting your vocal clarity.
2. Post-Processing Techniques
If you’ve already recorded audio and notice keyboard noise in your recording, post-processing software can help. Most audio editing programs, such as Adobe Audition and Audacity, offer noise reduction tools that allow you to reduce or eliminate background noise, including keyboard sounds, during the editing process.
These programs typically work by identifying a section of your recording that contains only the unwanted sound (e.g., keyboard clicks) and then applying noise reduction to the entire track based on that sample.
Conclusion
Minimizing keyboard noise is essential for delivering clear, professional-sounding audio, whether you’re streaming, podcasting, or participating in virtual meetings. By focusing on microphone placement, selecting the right equipment, and leveraging soundproofing techniques, you can significantly reduce the impact of keyboard noise in your recordings.
Additionally, using software solutions like noise gates and post-processing tools ensures you can maintain a clean audio track, even in less-than-ideal recording environments. Take the time to assess your setup, try out these solutions, and enjoy improved sound quality for your next project.
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To enhance your experience, visit our website for a range of products, including video solutions, intercom systems, wireless microphones, and cameras, tailored to meet your ultimate production needs.
FAQ’s
1. Why does my mic pick up keyboard noise?
Mics pick up keyboard noise due to their sensitivity and proximity to the keyboard. Condenser mics are more prone to this as they capture a wide range of sounds.
2. How do I stop my mic from picking up keyboard noise?
Move the mic away from the keyboard, use a directional mic (cardioid/supercardioid), choose a quieter keyboard, or use noise reduction software.
3. Can software completely remove keyboard noise?
Software like noise gates can help but may not fully eliminate it, especially if the noise is loud. Combining software with hardware solutions is more effective.
4. How far should the mic be from the keyboard?
Place the mic 12–18 inches from the keyboard, angled toward your mouth and away from the keyboard to minimize noise.
