How can you improve sound quality during video conferences? A guide

Clearer sound during video conferences doesn’t require setting up a home studio. The biggest improvement usually comes from choosing the right microphone, positioning it closer to your mouth and minimising room reverberation. App settings and the stability of your internet connection also play a major role. Find out where to start and when it’s actually worth buying additional equipment.

First, check where the sound problem is coming from

Not every problem with your voice means you need a new microphone. Before you start comparing equipment, Try this simple test: record a few dozen seconds of yourself speaking at your workstation, using the microphone you use during meetings. You can use an audio recording app or the test call feature in your messaging app. Listen to the sample and check whether the voice is clear, whether it cuts out, and how much background noise and reverberation can be heard. The table below will help you link any problems you notice to possible causes:

A laptop’s built-in microphone may be sufficient for a short conversation in a quiet room. However, as it is positioned some distance from your mouth, it easily picks up noise from the keyboard, the fan and sound reflections. An external microphone positioned at the same distance may not provide the improvement you’d expect.

When you need new equipment – how do you go about choosing the right one?

Once you’ve carried out the test, you may find that your current microphone isn’t up to the job in the environment where you work. The following can help you choose the right solution By Halsky, a helpful shopping assistant in the InPost Mobile app.

You don’t need to know the technical specifications of the microphone. You could tell Von Halski that during meetings, people on the other end of the line can hear the keyboard and noises from your flat, and that you’re looking for a convenient solution for your day-to-day work on your laptop.

Von Halsky can help you decide whether a headset with an extendable microphone, a USB microphone or a device designed for group calls would be the best option. If there is not enough information to match the offers, will ask additional questions and take the answers into account during the search. It can also compare offers from partner shops and identify the most suitable option, giving reasons for its choice.

How do I position the microphone so that my voice is clearer?

Distance is the most important factor. Position a desktop microphone about 15–30 cm from your mouth, and a headset microphone a few centimetres from the corner of your mouth. Do not place the capsule directly in front of your mouth, as air currents may cause unpleasant pops when pronouncing the sounds ‘p’ and ‘b’.

If the microphone has cardioid polar pattern, it picks up sound best from the front, less well from the sides and least of all from the back. Position the correct side facing you, and point the back towards your computer’s fan or another constant source of noise.

Adjust the input level so that normal speech is clearly audible and louder words do not cause clipping. Automatic adjustment is usually sufficient during meetings. However, if the beginning of sentences is cut off or there is a noticeable increase in background noise as the voice gets louder, compare the performance of the automatic settings with the manual microphone level.

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How can you reduce reverberation, noise and echo without setting up a studio?

Reverberation occurs when sound waves bounce off the walls, ceiling, floor and windows, and then return to the microphone. First, move the microphone closer to your mouth. Only then should you change the room – a slight change in positioning often makes more of a difference than randomly stuck-on acoustic foam.

In the room Curtains, a carpet, a bookcase and other items that minimise reflections help. Do not position the microphone in an empty corner or right next to a bare wall. Close the windows and doors if there is noise coming from outside, and move the microphone away from the computer fan.

Thin panels or foam pads may reduce some of the echoes, but they won’t make your flat quieter or block out conversations from behind the wall. In a noisy environment, a microphone positioned very close to your mouth – for example, in a headset – tends to be more effective.

How do I set up audio in Windows, Teams and Zoom?

Before the meeting, make sure that the system and the application are using the correct microphone. Your computer may automatically switch the input when you connect headphones, a docking station or a monitor.

In Windows 11, go to Settings → System → Sound → Input, select a microphone and run a test. Listen to the recorded sample, checking the volume, any background noise and whether the signal is overdriven.

In Microsoft Teams, select the microphone and speakers you want to use in the device settings. In the desktop app for Windows and macOS, you can use the Make a test call, which records a short message and plays it back. This feature may not be available in your browser or on every account.

In Zoom, before joining a meeting, select Test speaker and microphone or try a test call. For a typical conversation, leave the standard noise reduction setting in place. Mode Original sound for musicians It disables some processing functions and is designed primarily for music; in a standard video conference, it may unnecessarily let through noise and reverberation.

Regardless of the programme:

• select the correct microphone and speaker;
• make a test recording;
• leave the noise reduction in automatic mode if it is working correctly;
• mute your microphone when you’re not speaking;
• Use headphones if the people you’re talking to can hear an echo.

How does an internet connection affect voice quality?

Voice transmission itself does not require a very fast connection. What matters more is its stability, delay and packet loss – that is, the loss of data packets transmitted over the network. Fluctuations in these levels can cause speech to cut out, produce a metallic sound and result in unnatural pauses in conversation.

Before an important meeting Stop large file downloads, backup synchronisation and data transfers that put a strain on your home network. If possible, connect your computer via an Ethernet cable. When using Wi-Fi, work in a place with good signal coverage and avoid connecting via a remote signal booster.

When the connection starts to deteriorate, turning off the camera may free up more resources for the audio. However, this will not improve the quality of the microphone or the room acoustics, so it is worth establishing first whether the problem occurs in a local recording or only during an online call.

A headset, a USB microphone or a conference system?

The best solution depends primarily on the number of people involved and the conditions in the room.

Desk microphone It may produce a fuller sound, but it picks up reverberation, keyboard sounds and room noise more easily. In a noisy environment, it would be more practical to headset, because the microphone is positioned close to your mouth and remains at a similar distance even when you move your head.

For wireless devices, check the battery life, how they are charged and whether they are compatible with your computer. Bluetooth It is convenient, but the sound quality may change when using the microphone. A more reliable alternative is often a headset with its own USB receiver.

FAQ: Audio quality during video conferences

How can you quickly check your microphone before an important meeting?

Make a short recording within the system or use the test feature available in the conferencing app. Say one sentence quietly, the second in your normal voice, and the third a little louder. Check that the recording isn’t too quiet, doesn’t cut out and doesn’t contain any crackling. Also make sure that the app is using the correct input.

What sort of microphone would work well in a noisy flat?

A headset with a boom microphone is usually the most practical option, as the microphone is positioned close to the mouth. An alternative could be a dynamic microphone placed a short distance away, but this requires careful positioning and takes up space on the desk.

Why do callers hear an echo?

Most commonly, sound from the speakers feeds back into the microphone, or several devices in the same room are playing back and recording the conversation at the same time. Use headphones, turn down the volume, or ensure that only one device has its microphone and speaker active.

Can Von Halsky find a headset with a boom microphone?

Yes. You could say By Halskiemu, which computer the headphones will be used with, where the calls will take place, and whether you prefer a wired or wireless connection. The assistant will help you find a product suited to your everyday needs. Before buying, it’s also worth listening to some microphone samples and checking that the device is compatible with the system you’re using