Build Stop Background Noise in Mic (YouTube, UK)

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How to Stop Background Noise in Your Mic for YouTube (PC Fan, Traffic, Neighbours) UK

If your microphone is picking up PC fan noise, traffic, neighbours, or that constant home “hum”, you’re not alone. Most creators record in normal UK homes, not treated studios.

This guide will help you reduce background noise without ruining your voice — and without buying a bunch of gear you don’t need.

Quick answer / TL;DR

To stop background noise in your mic: move the mic closer to your mouth (often 15–25cm), lower the gain, and keep noise sources behind the mic rather than in front of it. In noisy homes, dynamic mics and lav mics are often more forgiving than sensitive condensers. Use software noise suppression lightly — heavy noise removal can make voices sound robotic or “underwater”. Fix distance and positioning first.

The 60-second decision tree

What kind of noise are you hearing?

Background noise isn’t one thing. Identify the type and you’ll fix it faster:

• Mechanical: PC fan, laptop fan, fridge, boiler, air purifier
• Environmental: traffic, birds, rain, neighbours, children
• Electrical: hiss, buzzing, interference, USB noise
• Room sound: echo/reverb making everything feel louder and “further away”

Fixes in the right order (do these first)

1. Move the mic closer and lower gain (biggest win).
2. Reposition noise sources (PC, fans, windows) relative to the mic.
3. Improve mic direction (aim at mouth, not the room/desk).
4. Choose the right mic type for your reality (dynamic/lav often helps).
5. Use software lightly as the final polish, not the main fix.

This whole system sits under your audio pillar:

• Sound better on YouTube without a treated studio (UK)

Distance + gain (the biggest win)

Most creators do this accidentally:

1. Mic is far away
2. Voice is quiet
3. They turn up gain
4. Noise gets louder too

Fix it: move the mic closer first, then reduce gain.

Common setup	What happens	Better option
Mic 50cm+ away	You crank gain; noise becomes “part of the audio”	Move mic to 15–25cm and lower gain
Mic aimed at desk	Captures reflections and clicks	Aim at mouth/upper chest, off-axis
Mic near PC fan	Fan becomes constant background layer	Move mic away and/or move PC farther

If you want the full placement breakdown:

• Mic placement for YouTube (distance, angle, boom arm)

Positioning (where you sit matters)

Two simple principles:

• Keep noise sources behind the mic whenever possible (so the mic “looks away” from them).
• Keep your mouth close to the mic so you can lower gain.

Practical examples

• PC fan noise: move the tower under the desk away from the mic side; rotate it so the fan exhaust faces away.
• Traffic noise: move your setup away from the window wall; add thick curtains; record at quieter times.
• Neighbours: position yourself away from the shared wall if you can; put “soft” between you and it (curtains/blankets/filled bookcase).

Gear choices that actually help (without wasting money)

I’m not going to pretend you can buy your way out of a noisy home, but a few choices do help.

Mic type (real-world results)

• Dynamic mics: often more forgiving in untreated rooms and noisy spaces.
• Lav mics: close to mouth = less room and less noise (great for talking head).
• Condenser mics: can sound amazing, but they’re more likely to capture your room and background.

Related mic decision posts:

• Dynamic vs condenser mic (which picks up less room noise)
• Lavalier vs shotgun mic (real rooms)

Accessories with genuine ROI

• Boom arm: makes close placement easy and repeatable.
• Desk mat: reduces desk reflection and click “brightness”.
• Windscreen/pop filter: doesn’t remove noise, but reduces harsh bursts and makes processing easier.

Software fixes (OBS/Zoom/editing) — use lightly

Software can help, but it’s a trade-off:

• Too little: noise is distracting
• Too much: voice sounds robotic, “underwater”, or chopped

Simple workflow that usually works

1. Fix distance and gain first
2. Use a light noise suppressor (just enough to take the edge off)
3. Optional noise gate (only if your room is consistent)
4. Don’t overdo it — if it sounds weird, dial it back

Creator reality: if you rely on heavy suppression, you’ll often sound worse than someone with a simple close mic and no plugins.

What reduces background noise most? (comparison table)

Fix	Cost	Impact	Best for
Move mic closer + lower gain	£0	High	Everyone
Reposition PC/fans/windows	£0	High	Fan/traffic noise
Dynamic mic / lav mic	£–££	Medium–High	Noisy, untreated rooms
Light noise suppression	£0	Medium	Consistent background noise
Heavy suppression / gates	£0	Low–Medium	Last resort (voice quality trade-off)

What not to do

• Don’t move the mic far away and then “fix it in software”. That’s how voices get robotic.
• Don’t crank gain to compensate for distance. You amplify noise and echo.
• Don’t assume a condenser mic is always “better”. In noisy rooms it often makes the problem more obvious.
• Don’t buy foam squares expecting them to block neighbour noise. They mainly reduce reflections, not sound travelling through walls.
• Don’t ignore the source. Turning off a fan is better than any plugin.

Who this is not for

• Creators doing professional location sound with field recorders and advanced noise control
• People who need true sound isolation (this is acoustic treatment vs soundproofing)
• Studios with full room treatment and fixed mic chains (different priorities)

Gear links (kept editorial, not salesy)

Audio pillar:

• Sound better on YouTube without a treated studio

Core posts this connects to:

• Mic placement for YouTube
• Dynamic vs condenser mic
• Reduce echo in a small room
• Stop plosives (popping P sounds)

Creator gear hub:

• Creator Gear hub

Amazon UK searches (tagged so the session is credited):

• Amazon UK: microphone boom arms
• Amazon UK: desk mats
• Amazon UK: USB dynamic mics
• Amazon UK: lav mics
• Amazon UK: acoustic blankets
• Amazon UK: thick curtains

Related reading (internal only)

• Sound better on YouTube without a treated studio
• Mic placement for YouTube
• Dynamic vs condenser mic
• Reduce echo in a small room
• Stop plosives (popping P sounds)

FAQs (People Also Ask style)

Why is my microphone picking up background noise?

Usually because the mic is too far from your mouth and the gain is too high, so it amplifies everything in the room — fans, traffic, and reflections.

How do I stop my mic picking up PC fan noise?

Move the mic closer to your mouth, lower the gain, and reposition the PC/fan so it’s farther away and not in front of the mic. A boom arm can help place the mic away from the fan.

What microphone picks up the least background noise?

In real rooms, the mic that’s closest to your mouth usually picks up the least background noise. Dynamic mics and lav mics are often more forgiving than condensers in noisy homes.

Does a noise gate remove background noise?

A noise gate mostly mutes noise when you’re not speaking. It doesn’t remove noise under your voice, and if set too aggressively it can chop words.

Does OBS noise suppression work?

Yes, but use it lightly. Heavy suppression can make your voice sound robotic or “underwater”. Fix mic distance and gain first.

How do I reduce traffic noise when recording?

Close windows, use thick curtains, move away from the window wall, record at quieter times, and use close mic placement to reduce how much outside noise is captured.

Can I remove background noise in editing?

You can reduce it, but strong noise removal often damages voice quality. It’s better to reduce noise at the source with placement and gain first.

Why does my condenser mic pick up everything?

Condenser mics are more sensitive and capture more detail — including room sound and background noise — especially if used far from the mouth in an untreated room.

What’s the easiest way to reduce background noise without buying anything?

Move the mic closer, lower gain, turn off noisy devices (fans), and reposition away from windows and noise sources.

Will acoustic foam stop neighbour noise?

Not really. Foam mainly reduces room reflections. Stopping neighbour noise is soundproofing, which is a bigger building problem. Close mic placement and light suppression help more.