There are few things more annoying when working with audio than background noises or interference. Whether it’s the sound of a keypad, a mouse, reverberation on musical instruments, or a dog barking, background noises can muffle the audio that you’re trying to hear. Noise reduction software had previously been vital in the world of telecommuting or recording, and is now on the rise due to the amount of people working from home.
There has been a surge in working from home, placing the workforce in an entirely new circumstance: suddenly, office jobs are being performed in noisier or less specialized environments. Conferencing occurs in dining rooms, work calls happen on the living room couch, and telecommuting is all the rage.
With this change has come a new rise in technological savvy, as employees figure out how to navigate these circumstances professionally. Suddenly, noise reduction software, teleconferences, and reliable home technology is necessary.
A major source of interference in the workplace is background noise in audio or on calls, which can be especially prominent in the home. Background noises affect the quality of work, and can break your concentration.
Noise reduction software was not necessary for smartphones, but in many circumstances, using your laptop, for instance, can lead to a rise in background noises. Because dedicated microphones inlaid in a computer cannot be removed from the source of noise, downloading apps can help give you a clearer sound, so that you don’t get lost in background noises.
6 Best Noise Reduction Software
Krisp
Krisp gained a name for itself due to its versatility in the market of noise reduction software. Since it is able to work on over 800 different streaming, messaging, conferencing, and call apps, and works on both Windows and Mac systems.
This innovative app is useful for conference calls and audio recording because it removes noise in real time. By using an advanced deep neural network specialized to recognize background noise, Krisp clears background noise from both ends of the call, creating crystal-clear quality. Both features can work automatically and simultaneously. However, if for any reason you want to turn off Krisp, this can be done with the click of a button.
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When using Krisp, you can trust that your audio processing is safe, because the entire system happens from an app within your device. Straightforward and requiring no configuration, Krisp gets to work when you turn it on, removing background noise beneath a specific sound threshold on command. Krisp works on microphones, headsets, and speakers, and can be downloaded for free through their website.
Krisp also comes in different packages, providing more comprehensive services through their Pro accounts, as well as Team and Enterprise packages that prioritize businesses and call centers.
The app is free to use, making testing Krisp accessible to any company or individual. The versatility of the app due to the number of applications it can work effectively on make Krisp a worthwhile noise reduction software to consider.
DSP Soundware
DSP Soundware, or the DSP Audio Filter, is a great choice for headphones users. Working primarily with Windows systems, it cancels outside noises.
Powered by an advanced algorithm that focuses on active audio files, DSP Audio Filter cancels interfering noises. Even in incredibly noisy environments, the DSP Audio Filter performs. This filter is not just useful for headphones, however, and is versatile enough to be used on microphones and speakers as well.
DSP Soundware takes noise reduction a step farther by directly enhancing the quality and intelligibility of audio. This noise reduction software provides several filters for you to choose from. These filters include two band pass filters, three notch filters, and two noise filters. This allows you total control over the sound that comes through your system.
However, the DSP system may fall short due to the amount of customization it requires. Where systems like Krisp automatically filter sound, you have to play with the DSP system in order to create the level of background noise that you want.
This gives you the benefit of not experiencing the some drawbacks, however, as the size of sound clips does not automatically cause them to become filtered.
If you are willing to put in a little bit of work and have a Windows machine, the DSP Soundware Audio Filter is a versatile and dependable noise reduction system.
NoiseGate, AKA NoiseGator
NoiseGate or NoiseGator is a system that filters background sounds and suppresses them in real time. Like the DSP system, NoiseGate allows you to choose the balance of noise yourself, increasing or decreasing clarity. If you are new to the noise suppression world, NoiseGate also comes with an automatic setting.
NoiseGate is what the name implies- a gate. As sounds are taken in through the microphone, if they are below a specific threshold, they are not allowed through the system. This app is lightweight, and can be configured onto a phone, a laptop, or any microphone or headphone system.
If you choose to configure the NoiseGate settings yourself, it may take a little bit of work in order to balance the outcome. The gate will block all sounds beneath a specific volume.
Opting into the virtual audio cable that NoiseGator provides allows you to gatekeep from your own microphone, or to connect your microphone to your speakers. Compared to the other noise reduction systems on this list, this is unique to the NoiseGate system.
Another unique quality of NoiseGate appears in the muting of most background noises when no one is speaking. If there is no sound input considered viable, NoiseGator severely restricts audio, cutting back on excess noise when they may be most evident. Microphone hiss is also cut back significantly by the design of the product.
Recording music is also prioritized by NoiseGator. It has become popular in the recording world as it can be employed to stop reverberation sounds on audio tracks.
Read next: Noise Gator Software Alternative for Noise Cancellation
SoliCall
SoliCall is a slightly different product on this list, as it was designed specifically for telephone calls. By using cloud-based echo cancellation, SoliCall minimizes background sound while simultaneously improving call quality. This noise reduction software works with a large number of systems, and was developed for call centers.
By using profile-based and reference-based technologies, it reduces the sounds present in the background. Their “Noise Firewall” system cuts ambient noises.
Profile-based noise reduction technology puts focus into the voice of the speaker, reducing the sounds of all other background audio clips. The speakers voice will be identified by the system and then separated from the audio signal for clarity.
Reference-based noise cancellation technology removes background noises directly, and can cut the sound of other voices in the background as well. This technology is perfect for call centers or other high-volume work settings where other conversations are occurring simultaneously and in close proximity.
If you are working from home and need noise reduction software solely for call purposes, SoliCall may be beneficial for you. SoliCall products, however, are priced competitively as the company also provides competitive customer service benefits.
Samson Sound Deck
This program is compatible with Windows and Mac systems, and works by improving quality and canceling repetitive sounds in the background of your audio. Inspired by military-grade communications technology in jets, Samson Sound Deck prioritizes dampening ongoing disturbances.
Samson Sound Deck works through a digital audio recording system, allowing you to save and export all of your recorded files. The multiple controllable filters offered by the app give you control of your sound.
If you need background noises such as typing, droning noises, car sounds, or clicking reduced, this can be achieved through employing separate controllable filters. Many of these filters can also clarify sound, so Samson Sound Deck gives you control over how much or little background noise can be heard.
Samson Sound Deck easily turns off as well.
The benefits of the Samson Sound system include its customizable programming. However, it is not as affective at blocking out sudden noises, or noises that are not repetitive or relatively constant in nature.
Samson Technologies is a steady provider of recording equipment, and many of their softwares and products are item-specific. When looking into Samson Sound Deck noise reduction software, be sure that you are picking a product that is compatible with items you have. There is a free downloadable version for the Samson Sound Deck available online.
Noise Blocker
The Noise Blocker program is compatible with Mac and Windows, and simplifies the noise reduction process through easy customization. Through using recorded samples, the Noise Blocker is able to silence specific audio files in a straightforward, no-nonsense fashion.
Much like NoiseGate, Noise Blocker works as an audio gate, preventing unwanted sounds from passing the microphone. To block a sound, simply record any noise that you wish to remove from your audio, and input it into the application. The Noise Blocker will then analyze all incoming noises against a database of blocked noises, and will mute unwanted sounds accordingly.
This occurs by Noise Blocker isolating the audio files you have requested to silence, keeping them from interfering with the rest of your audio input. Creating your blocked noise database is also straightforward. The simplified process
Overall, this is very effective for traffic sounds, keyboards, mouse sounds, and laptop fans. Noise Blocker also works effectively with all major communication tools. Because Noise Blocker does not have an automatic volume threshold or audio file size threshold, there is no chance that Noise Blocker will interfere with your voice as it monitors the audio. This is distinct from other products such as NoiseGate or Krisp.
The customizable quality of Noise Blocker does allow you to create a volume threshold, however. Another customization you can make through the Noise Blocker system is the release delay, where you can specify how many milliseconds your microphone stays on after the volume has dropped below your sound threshold.
Getting the most out of this app, however, may require a lot of work. Noise Blocker will not suppress an audio unless it has been inputted to the database or unless your settings are set to a volume threshold. So it may take a while for you to record and input all of the noises you’d want to minimize.
However, the clarity provided by the Noise Blocker is often considered to be worth the time investment. Your audio is clear, and if you want to make any changes to your sound database or threshold, the customization process is easy.
Downloading Noise Blocker costs about twenty dollars for a lifelong license, however there is a free trial available through the website. This free trial limits you to one hour of Noise Blocker access a day.
Noise Reduction Softwares Improve Your Audio
If you record audio in any type of noisy or unpredictable condition, consider downloading a noise reduction software. These softwares are available for every operating system, and range in prices from a free download to paid licensing with ongoing customer support.
Cutting back microphone static, computer fans, typing, clicking, or outside noises can make a drastic impact on the quality of your work. Silencing background sounds creates an air of professionalism, regardless of where you’re working from. Using these tools to silence echoes or reverberations can also increase the quality of any form of recording you’re doing, whether it’s a musical instrument or a plan.
