If ambient noise such as air-conditioning hum, street noise, or keyboard clicks is clearly audible in your live streams or gaming sessions, you’ll need to address it based on your setup and recording environment.
Audio processing
Start by applying a noise gate as part of your audio processing.
- A noise gate reduces or mutes audio signals below a set threshold.
- This helps prevent background noise from being heard when you are not speaking.
- Only sounds above the threshold — typically your voice — are allowed through.
- Noise gating can be applied using the onboard processing on devices such as the RØDECaster Pro, RØDECaster Pro II, or RØDECaster Duo.
Microphone technique
Correct microphone placement plays a major role in reducing unwanted noise.
- Position the microphone approximately 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) from your mouth.
- This allows you to lower the gain while keeping your voice clear and dominant.
- Using a microphone boom arm can help achieve consistent positioning without taking up desk space.
For more detail, see: How to Properly Position a RØDE Microphone and Pop Filter
Condenser vs dynamic microphones
Microphone type can also affect how much ambient noise is captured.
- Condenser microphones are highly sensitive and tend to pick up more background noise.
- In noisier environments, a dynamic microphone may be a better choice.
- Dynamic microphones are less sensitive to room noise and focus more tightly on your voice.
- This can significantly improve clarity during live streaming or gaming sessions.
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