Noise Cancellation
Filter out background noise so VoxInk only hears you.
What It Does
When enabled, noise cancellation processes your microphone audio in real-time to suppress unwanted sounds before the audio reaches the speech recognition engine. The result: cleaner transcription, even in noisy environments.
How to Toggle
Click the VoxInk icon in your menu bar and toggle Noise Cancellation on or off. The setting persists between sessions.
How It Works
VoxInk uses two techniques working together:
High-pass filter
Removes low-frequency rumble like air conditioning, fan hum, traffic, and machine noise. These sounds sit below the range of human speech and are filtered out without affecting voice quality.
Noise gate
Blocks audio below a certain energy threshold. When you're not speaking, ambient noise is muted. When you speak, the gate opens and your voice passes through cleanly.
Best Practices
- Position your mic 10-15cm from your mouth — closer means your voice is louder relative to background noise, giving the filter more to work with.
- Works best in moderate noise — office chatter, fans, street noise. The filter handles these well.
- Speak at normal volume — no need to shout. Just ensure you're closer to the mic than the noise source.
Limitations
- Very loud nearby speakers — if someone is talking loudly right next to you, their voice may still get picked up. The noise gate can't distinguish two voices at similar volume.
- Sudden sharp sounds — a door slam or phone ring may briefly pass through before the gate adjusts.
- Music playing through speakers — if music is playing at a similar volume to your voice, it can leak through.
When to Turn It Off
- Quiet room with no background noise
- Using headphones with a built-in mic (already isolated)
- If you notice your voice cutting out at the start or end of sentences (the noise gate may be too aggressive for very soft speakers)
Related
- Microphone Setup — choose the right mic for best results
- Direct Mode — raw transcription, pairs well with noise cancellation
- FAQ — common questions about audio quality