{"id":18269,"date":"2021-04-26T14:49:48","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T10:49:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/me-en.kaspersky.com\/blog\/noise-cancelling-software\/18269\/"},"modified":"2021-04-26T14:49:48","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T10:49:48","slug":"noise-cancelling-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/me-en.kaspersky.com\/blog\/noise-cancelling-software\/18269\/","title":{"rendered":"Can apps kill noise?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, we\u2019re following up on our recent post about noise-protection methods<\/a> with hands-on reviews of four apps that we carefully selected based on their suitability for consumers: two for PCs, two for mobile devices.<\/p>\n

If that number seems small, the context is important; overall, the number of options is not overwhelming. Drilling down, we sought out programs that work only with specific models of headsets and microphones and avoided those designed (and priced) for large businesses.<\/p>\n

For PCs and laptops<\/h2>\n

Before the pandemic drove workers into home offices, noise-filtering software for PCs was a niche product, but the mass shift to remote work caused a huge spike in demand. Here are a few solutions that get a thumbs-up from us.<\/p>\n

For Windows: Noise Blocker<\/h3>\n

According to the developers, Noise Blocker<\/a> uses microphone samples to combat the hum of laptop fans, the clatter of keyboard and mouse clicks, and distortions from the microphone.<\/p>\n

To begin, the user teaches noises to the app by clicking the Add<\/em> button and, for example, typing something (to record the sounds of key presses). The program needs separate training for each bothersome sound: mouse clicks, kids playing outside, and so forth.<\/p>\n

Herein lies the disadvantage of Noise Blocker. Going through the recording process for every nuisance sound is tedious, and the app simply ignores unfamiliar noises (as our tests confirmed). What\u2019s more, some key clicks got through the app\u2019s defenses, even though we had trained the program to identify them.<\/p>\n

After recording the noises, you need to adjust the filter so that your voice passes through with no interference. We needed a few tries to get this part right, meaning the app\u2019s effectiveness depends largely on the user\u2019s familiarity with the intricacies of sound recording.<\/p>\n

Noise Blocker\u2019s mechanics recall how voice commands worked a decade or two ago, when you couldn\u2019t just start talking to your phone. Voice control during that time began with fairly extensive training on specific voice commands, after which the software might respond (if you were lucky) to the sounds it knew, although it completely ignored any unfamiliar ones.<\/p>\n

Use: Noise Blocker acts as a kind of intermediary between your recording device and the rest of the software. To activate the filter in the app for online calls, select Noise Blocker as a virtual microphone.<\/p>\n

Price: One hour per day free or unlimited use on up to three computers for $19.99.<\/p>\n

For Windows and macOS: Krisp<\/h3>\n

Krisp<\/a> picked up its noise-reduction skills through machine learning on thousands of recordings of a wide range of sounds and voices. As far as we\u2019re concerned, the effort was worth it.<\/p>\n

For our testing, we created a variety of noises: clapping hands, tapping the keyboard, even holding the laptop next to a washing machine in spin mode. Krisp eliminated every interference we threw at it, leaving just the tester\u2019s voice, and only very slightly distorted. But if someone close by (say, a child) suddenly screams during an important meeting, the filter will probably not block it.<\/p>\n

Use: Setup uses video instructions that clearly show the necessary steps. Like Noise Blocker, Krisp connects to the system as a virtual microphone. In addition, Krisp creates a virtual speaker. Selecting it as the sound source in Skype settings, for example, makes the app work both ways \u2014 that is, it filters noise from others on the call as well.<\/p>\n

Price: Two hours per week free or unlimited use for $60 per year.<\/p>\n

For smartphones and tablets<\/h2>\n

Many modern smartphones have built-in noise cancellation. In addition to the main microphone, they have secondary mikes whose function is to detect extraneous sounds. The system subtracts those from the main microphone\u2019s audio stream, so that your voice can be heard clearly at the other end of the line. That filtering enables clear conversations even in windy conditions.<\/p>\n

Communication apps usually include built-in noise reduction, too\u00a0\u2014 for example, such a feature already exists in Google Meet and Zoom. That\u2019s probably why little serious demand exists for dedicated noise-filtering solutions for mobile devices; that said, we still found a couple of handy services.<\/p>\n

For Android and iOS: NoiseWall<\/h3>\n

NoiseWall (for Android<\/a> and iOS<\/a>) masks extraneous sounds by playing static artificial noise that is a user-defined mixture of four different varieties: white, pink, red and brown.<\/p>\n

Our experiments with NoiseWall were inconclusive. Ambient sounds were indeed unable to penetrate the \u201cwall\u201d of noise. However, that sometimes required turning up the app\u2019s volume to near maximum. With prolonged use, the generated noise can become just as annoying as the neighbors or kids outside. All the same, NoiseWall does its job, and the service is worth a try.<\/p>\n

Use: To start, just open the app. Noise Wall\u2019s additional settings include a choice of four types of noise and a switch-off timer.<\/p>\n

Price: Free with ads or $1.99 without.<\/p>\n

For Android: Safe Headphones<\/h3>\n

The purpose of the Safe Headphones<\/a> app is not to muffle ambient sounds, but rather to amplify them. In our tests, we were able to discern soft speech through an energetic track thumping in the headphones, a \u201csuperpower\u201d that could be useful in situations where you need to hear important information such as a flight announcement at the airport.<\/p>\n

When no music is playing, Safe Headphones turns the smartphone into a kind of hearing aid by amplifying surrounding sounds.<\/p>\n

Use: The app features an on\u2013off switch, a button to activate the background noise filter, and a volume adjuster.<\/p>\n

Price: Free with ads or $9.99 without.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n