TUAW Tip: Use ambient noise reduction for chats and sound recording

I do a decent amount of audio recording and chatting, but I don't ever remember seeing this option in System Preferences until last night. Turning on the "Use ambient noise reduction" feature under the Input tab of the Sound pane can help cut out the TV or dogs barking in the background, though it obviously isn't an end-all solution. A quiet, sound proofed setup is still ideal, but this setting should help for those times when 'ideal' just isn't possible. The setting should work with your Mac's built-in microphone, as well as any external mics you plug in.

[Update: From the comments, it sounds like this might only be an option on Apple's Intel-based notebooks. Readers are reporting that PowerBooks, iBooks, G5 iMacs and even Core Duo Mac minis (an Intel non-portable) don't have the feature. This is very interesting, and suggests that it could be due to an actual update to the microphone hardware in the MacBook/Pros since, as far as I know, noise cancellation typically involves a dedicated chip for this kind of functionality. Only certain mobile phones, for example, actually have noise cancellation, and I believe that is also due to the presence of a specific chip.]

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I do a decent amount of audio recording and chatting, but I don't ever remember seeing this option in System Preferences until last night....

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josh

i've got it on my intel imac; though i cant recall seeing it until the 10.4.9 update.

March 27 2007 at 6:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Steven

There is no dedicated chip for this, it's all software.

March 01 2007 at 1:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jim

I have an intel imac (20"), 10.4.8 but this option doesn't show up with internal mic selected as input - anyone else get this?

March 01 2007 at 12:35 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jimmy

I had this on my MacBook - when the mic worked.. but now the mic is very unreliable, it will work for a minute or two then it goes deaf I hope they fix it soon....

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=691546&start=0&tstart=0

February 28 2007 at 5:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jim

I have a MacBook Pro, 10.4.8, and I have this option.

I believe the reason that only some computers have this option, is because their microphone is located next to the speakers. During chat sessions, etc. there is some feedback from the speakers into the mic, unless you have this option checked. The MacBook Pro's microphone is located under the left speaker.

Source: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/MacBookPro_15and17-inch_Core2Duo_UserGuide.pdf

(p 22)

February 28 2007 at 4:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Laura

Audacity's noise reduction is pretty great, IMO. Obviously not helpful for Skype, etc., but good for sound recording.

February 28 2007 at 4:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

bangersandmash

shows up if I use my macbook's built in mic but disappears when I use my Logitech USB headset.

February 28 2007 at 3:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Billy of the Knight

Not on my MacBook running 10.4.8

February 28 2007 at 2:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Andrew R

As far as I know, this is only available on Intel powered Mac laptops/notebooks. So, Macbooks and Macbook Pros have it, iMacs don't.

February 28 2007 at 2:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Matt

As far as I know, there's actually two microphones in some of Apple's hardware (including the standalone iSight camera). This allows software (maybe on a chip?) to determine what sound is directed at the computer and what is ambient noise.

Someone should confirm that this option is available with a firewire iSight plugged in.

February 28 2007 at 1:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply