How to Remove Background Noise in OBS Studio Step by Step?

Nothing ruins a livestream or recording faster than annoying background noise. The hum of your PC fan, keyboard clicks, air conditioning, or traffic sounds can distract viewers and make your content feel unprofessional—even if everything else is perfect.

Here’s the good news: OBS Studio has powerful built-in tools that can eliminate background noise in minutes, and you don’t need expensive equipment or technical expertise to use them.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to remove background noise from your OBS audio using multiple proven methods. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced streamer looking to improve your audio quality, you’ll find clear instructions that work.

• What Causes Background Noise in OBS?
• Before You Start – Basic Mic Setup for Less Noise
• Step-by-Step: Remove Background Noise with OBS Audio Filters
• Advanced Options: Utell AI for Even Better Noise Cancellation
• FAQs

What Causes Background Noise in OBS?

You might wonder why your audio sometimes sounds messy in OBS Studio. Background noise sneaks into your recordings or streams for many reasons. You can hear things like fans, computer hums, street sounds, or even people talking in another room. These noises can distract your viewers and make your voice less clear.

Let’s break down some common sources of background noise:

• Your microphone picks up sounds from your room. If you place your mic on your desk, it grabs more ambient noise, like keyboard clicks or the hum from your computer.
• Appliances in your home, such as a furnace or air conditioner, create a steady hum. OBS Studio’s noise suppression filter sometimes struggles to remove these deeper sounds, especially when the noise level is high.
• Open windows or thin walls let in traffic, birds, or neighbors. These sounds can sneak into your audio, even if you don’t notice them at first.
• The distance between your mouth and the microphone matters. If you keep your mic close (about 2-3 centimeters), your voice sounds clearer and stands out over background noise.

Tip: Try using a noise gate filter in OBS. This tool blocks out unwanted sounds when you’re not speaking, so your stream stays clean and professional.

Different environments change how much background noise you deal with. In a busy home office, you might hear more distractions than in a quiet studio. You can improve your audio by moving your mic closer to your mouth and keeping noisy devices away from your recording space.

If you pay attention to your setup and surroundings, you can reduce background noise before you even start recording. That means less work for OBS Studio’s filters and better sound for your audience.

Before You Start – Basic Mic Setup for Less Noise

You want your voice to sound clear in OBS Studio. Before you jump into obs settings, take a minute to set up your microphone the right way. A good setup helps you reduce background noise and makes your audio much better.

Here are some easy steps to get started:

1. Pick the Right Spot
   Place your microphone close to your mouth. Try to keep it about two or three inches away. When you do this, your voice sounds louder than the noise around you. If you put your mic far away, it picks up more sounds from your room.
2. Stay Away from Noisy Gear
   Keep your microphone away from your computer fans, keyboard, and other electronics. These things make extra noise that your mic can catch.
3. Use Digital Connections
   Did you know that plugging your mic into your computer with an analog cable can add electrical noise? This noise can sneak into your audio and make it sound fuzzy. You get better results when you use a USB mic or an audio interface that connects digitally. This setup keeps your sound clean and clear.
4. Check Your Room
   Try to record in a quiet space. Close windows and doors. Put soft things like pillows or blankets nearby to soak up sound. This simple trick helps you fine-tune microphone settings later.

Tip: Always test your mic before you go live. Listen for hums, buzzes, or echoes. If you hear something weird, move your mic or change your obs settings until it sounds right.

When you fine-tune microphone settings and start with a solid setup, you make it much easier for OBS Studio to reduce background noise. You do not need fancy gear. Just a few smart choices can make a big difference in your audio quality.

Step-by-Step: Remove Background Noise with OBS Audio Filters

You want your voice to sound clean and professional in OBS Studio. The best way to do this is by using the obs noise suppression filter. This tool helps you remove background noise and makes your audio much clearer. Let’s walk through each step together.

Open Filters Menu

First, you need to find the right place in OBS Studio to add your filter. Look at the Audio Mixer panel at the bottom of your OBS window. Find the microphone or audio source you want to clean up.

1. Hover over your mic source in the Audio Mixer.
2. Click the gear icon ⚙️ (or sometimes three dots) next to your mic.
3. Choose “Filters” from the menu that pops up.

A new window will open. This is where you can add and adjust filters for your audio. You are now ready to start using noise suppression.

Tip: If you have more than one microphone, repeat these steps for each one. Each mic needs its own filter.

Add Noise Suppression Filter

Now, you will add the obs noise suppression filter to your mic.

1. In the Filters window, click the plus (+) button at the bottom left.
2. Select “Noise Suppression” from the list.
3. Give your filter a name or leave it as the default.

You will see the filter appear in your list. OBS Studio will start to remove background noise right away. This filter works well for mild background noise, like the hum of your computer or a gentle hiss in your room. Many users say it helps reduce buzzing, humming, and even white noise when you set it up correctly.

• The obs noise suppression filter is great for:
  • Cutting out steady background noise, like fans or air conditioners.
  • Reducing hissing or white noise from your mic.
  • Making your voice stand out during streaming or recording.

Note: If you set the filter too high, your voice might sound muffled. Start with the default settings and listen to how your audio changes.

Choose Suppression Method

OBS Studio gives you a choice between two main suppression methods: Speex and RNNoise. Each one works a little differently. You can pick the one that fits your needs best.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

• Speex works well if you have a quiet room and only need to remove background noise at a low level. It keeps your voice sounding natural.
• RNNoise is better if you have more noise in your space. It can handle moderate background noise and is good for streaming or recording in less-than-perfect environments.

You can also try noise suppression with krisp if you want even more advanced options, but the built-in filters are a great place to start.

Tip: Start with the default settings for your chosen method. Listen to your audio. If you still hear too much noise, slowly increase the suppression level. If your voice sounds strange or muffled, lower the setting a bit.

How Well Does Noise Suppression Work?

• The obs noise suppression filter is effective at reducing buzzing, humming, and white noise during streaming.
• When you configure the filter correctly, it can cut out hissing sounds and make your voice clearer.
• If you push the suppression too high, your audio may lose some natural quality. Always test and adjust until you find the sweet spot.

Default settings in OBS Studio’s noise suppression filter do a good job for most people. If you want even better results, try custom adjustments. Small changes can help you remove background noise without making your voice sound odd.

Note: Too much noise suppression can make your audio sound unnatural or cut off quiet parts of your speech. Adjust slowly and test often.

You now know how to use obs noise suppression to clean up your audio. With these steps, you can remove background noise and make your streams or recordings sound much more professional.

Advanced Options: Utell AI for Even Better Noise Cancellation

Introduction of Utell AI

If you want to take your audio quality to the next level, you should check out Utell AI. This tool uses smart technology to clean up your voice and remove even more background noise than the basic filters in OBS Studio. You can use Utell AI with popular apps like Zoom, Teams, and Salesforce. It works well for meetings, podcasts, and live streams.

Getting started with Utell AI is simple. You just need to follow a few steps:

1. Download the Utell AI app on your device.
2. Open the dashboard. Here, you can change noise filters, adjust accent strength, and set up your voice profile.
3. Start your meeting or recording. Utell AI will work in the background to remove noise and make your voice sound clear.

You do not need to change your obs settings much when you use Utell AI. The app handles most of the heavy lifting for you. If you want to get the best results, you should test your audio and adjust the suppression level. Here are some tips to help you:

• Start with low noise reduction settings. Increase the level only if you still hear background sounds.
• Listen to your audio after each change. Compare it with your original recording.
• Work on a copy of your audio file. This way, you keep the original safe.
• Avoid using too many effects or plugins at the same time. Too many changes can make your voice sound strange.
• Remember, some background noise is normal. If you try to remove all noise, your audio might lose quality.

Tip: Utell AI works well with noise suppression with krisp. You can use both tools together for extra clean audio. Just make sure you do not overdo it with effects.

If you want to fine-tune your obs settings, start with the default options in Utell AI. Make small adjustments and test your sound each time. You will find the right balance for your voice and environment.

Troubleshoot and Improve Audio

Fix Common Issues

You might notice some strange sounds after you use noise suppression in OBS Studio. Sometimes your voice can sound a bit “underwater” or weird. You may even hear faint swirling noises in the background. High-end microphones can also pick up ground noise or white noise if the filter does not work well with them.

Here are some common problems you might face:

• Your voice sounds muffled or robotic.
• You hear swirling or echo-like sounds.
• The background noise is still there, even after using the filter.

If you run into these issues, try lowering the suppression level. Test your audio after each change. Move your microphone closer to your mouth. Make sure you do not have too many filters running at once. Sometimes, using too many effects can make your audio sound worse.

Tip: Always listen to a short test recording before you go live. This helps you catch problems early.

Use Additional Filters

OBS Studio gives you more tools to help clean up your sound. The Noise Gate filter is a great choice. It mutes your mic when you are not speaking. This keeps background noise out when you are quiet. If you set it up well, it will still pick up your breathing and voice but block out unwanted sounds.

The Gain filter can also help. It boosts your mic volume. This makes your voice clearer, especially if your audio is too quiet. Just be careful not to turn it up too high, or you might get distortion.

Here is what these filters do:

• Noise Gate: Blocks noise when you are not talking.
• Gain: Makes your voice louder and clearer.

Many users forget to set up the Noise Gate. They focus on video settings and miss this important step. If you set the open and close thresholds wrong, you might still get background noise. Adjust these settings for your own mic and room.

Tips for Advanced Equipment

If you use a mixer or a high-end microphone, you have more control over your sound. Try adjusting your hardware settings first. Use OBS filters to fine-tune your audio. Always test your setup before streaming or recording.

Want to see these steps in action? Search for video tutorials on OBS audio filters. Watching someone else set up their audio can help you learn faster.

You learned how to remove background noise in OBS Studio with easy steps. Try different settings until your voice sounds just right. Clean audio makes your streams and recordings more professional and keeps your audience interested. Here’s why audio matters:

• High-quality sound helps people stay focused.
• Clear audio makes your content look credible.
• Good audio keeps viewers coming back.

Want to improve even more? OBS Studio offers extra features:

1. Noise Suppression
2. Gate
3. EQ
4. Compression

Keep testing and enjoy your best sound!

FAQs

How do I know if noise suppression is working in OBS Studio?

You can record a short test clip. Listen to the playback. If you hear less background noise, the filter works. Try turning the filter off and on to compare the difference.

Can I use multiple audio filters at the same time?

Yes! You can stack filters like Noise Suppression, Noise Gate, and Gain. Each filter helps in a different way. Just test your sound after adding each one.

Why does my voice sound weird after using noise suppression?

Sometimes, strong noise suppression makes your voice sound muffled or robotic. Lower the suppression level. Test again. Find the balance between clear voice and less noise.

What should I do if background noise is still loud?

Move your mic closer to your mouth. Try using a Noise Gate filter. Close windows and doors. If noise stays, check your mic for issues or try advanced tools like Utell AI.